THE NECESSITY OF TRIBULATION IN ENTERING THE KINGDOM Text: Acts 14:22 Intro: Have you ever come to ask why tribulations are necessary for us in entering the kingdom of God? Can’t we just enter without it?

The word “MUST” signifies necessity, so it means, there’s no options. AIM: FOR US TO BE RESOLVED OF TAKING WHATEVER IT TAKES IN ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD. I. WE ARE APPOINTED INTO IT. 1Th 3:1 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone,

1Th 3:2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 1Th 3:3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 1Th 3:4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know.

1Pet 4:1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, Phil 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, II. TRIBULATION IS CLEANSING PROCESS

1Pe 1:7 that the genuineness of your faith, [being] much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Isa 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Luk 21:36 "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy [fn] to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

III. GOD’S KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world.. John 15:18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before [it hated] you. John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 1Jo 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 1Pe 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1Pe 5:11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1Pe 5:12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

Even Paul was not exempted from it. Act 9:13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. Act 9:14 "And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." Act 9:15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

Act 9:16 "For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." Act 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul [and] dragged [him] out of the city, supposing him to be dead. Jam 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Mat 5:10 Blessed [are] those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Mat 5:12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

IV. HAVING TRIBULATIONS IS REALITY IN THIS WORLD NOT IDEAL John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Psalm 34:19 Many [are] the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.

Rev 21:4 "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." Rev 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, [fn] "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

Rev 21:6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. Rev 21:7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, [fn] and I will be his God and he shall be My son. Rev 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, [fn] abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

V. TRIBULATIONS WORK SOMETHING BETTER 2Cr 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory, 2Cr 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

VI. TRIBULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO LET YOU KNOW YOUR BOUNDARIES AND LIMITATIONS. 1Cr 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God [is] faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear [it].

VII. TRIBULATIONS WERE DESIGNED TO REMOVE RETAIN THE UNSHAKEABLE. Hbr 12:27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Hbr 12:28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may [fn] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

CHALLENGE: What tribulation have you got? Are you resolved in your mind to hold unto your faith no matter what? CONCLUSION: Luke 9:23 Then He said to [them] all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.