Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 14
21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
Commentary:
14:21 Derbe, about 58 miles (93 km) southeast of Lystra, marked the farthest point in Paul’s first journey. The account is brief, noting only that Paul made a number of converts there. From that city (Derbe) Paul could have continued on south to his starting point of Syrian Antioch on foot, a much easier journey than backtracking through Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch (see map). The decision to take this longer route shows the importance Paul attached to maintaining contact with his churches and establishing local elders. It also shows tremendous courage that he would return to the cities from which he had been driven by such violent opposition. Debates surround the exact location of ancient Derbe, but many associate it with the unexcavated mound of Kerti Hüyük since inscriptions mentioning Derbe were found in the area.
14:22 Paul’s telling the Christians of those cities to expect many tribulations is echoed in his own account of his persecutions there (2 Tim. 3:10–12; cf. Rom. 8:17). Often in Acts new believers are exhorted to persevere in the faith (Acts 11:23; 13:43), and the reference to “tribulations” indicates that the Christian’s life is often beset by difficulties.
14:22 Paul’s telling the Christians of those cities to expect many tribulations is echoed in his own account of his persecutions there (2 Tim. 3:10–12; cf. Rom. 8:17). Often in Acts new believers are exhorted to persevere in the faith (Acts 11:23; 13:43), and the reference to “tribulations” indicates that the Christian’s life is often beset by difficulties.
Questions:
- Not only did Paul and Barnabas exhort the believers to be faithful, they exhorted them to be FEARLESS in the face of hardships and adversity. Jesus promised us that we'd have trouble in this life. Paul encouraged Timothy to endure suffering as a "good soldier of Christ Jesus." There's no getting around it... HARDSHIP is a key ingredient of DISCIPLESHIP. They go hand in hand. When we fail to set this expectation and only give people encouraging, feel-good messages, and when we push the prosperity gospel that says God only wants us to be happy and wealthy and healthy, this only sets us up for failure. People will become disillusioned when they go through difficulty. Have you ever been through difficulty that caused you to question God or wonder why your prayers aren't answered? Could your perspective have been off?
- Acts 14:22 seems to go even further, suggesting that suffering is a CONDITION for entrance into the kingdom of God. Reflect on this quote from theologian F. F. Bruce: "The members of those churches needed to be encouraged: they had seen Paul and Barnabas violently assaulted and driven out, and they themselves had certainly had to endure some measure of persecution. It is almost taken for granted throughout the New Testament that tribulation is the normal lot of Christians in this age: it is those who suffer for and with Christ now who will share his glory. No cross, no crown.” What do you think that last sentence means?
Prayer Topics:
- That you would learn to expect hardships in life and not be disillusioned by them.
- That you would be willing to suffer for Christ, no matter what that might look like in life.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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