Pastor Israel preaches on a woman who served God faithfully. Her name was Tabitha and we read of her in Acts chapter 9.
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SCRIPTURE READING
Acts 9: 36 to 42 –
In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated as Dorcas), who was occupied with works of kindness and charity. 37At that time, however, she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upper room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”
39So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41Peter took her by the hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her to them alive.
42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43And Peter stayed for several days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Dorcas – A Woman of Good Works
In Joppa there was a lady disciple of the Lord Jesus named Tabitha; her Greek name was Dorcas. Dorcas was a woman who served God and was well known and famous for her good works. Joppa where she lived, is today known as Jaffa, an ancient port city on the Mediterranean Sea. It is one of the oldest functioning harbours in the world and in early church times was historically significant as a gateway for trade and travel. The city’s location made it a melting pot of cultures and a strategic location for the spread of the Gospel.
The Character of Tabitha
Her Christian faith was not only real, but eminent. She “was full of good works and alms deeds which she did.” This precious lady had a real dynamic faith in Our Lord. Some members of God’s household are truly and eternally saved – but in their service for the Lord they are satisfied with low and common attainments.
Dorcas “was full” — not just of hearing biblical sermons. Not full of going to church and Christian conventions. All these things are excellent, but without true faith and love they can be a mere “form of godliness.” Hers was the true dynamic faith of the heart and life. A life so “ grafted into Christ” that abundant fruit always poured forth.
Dorcas Work
Dorcas being a woman who served God, was exceedingly charitable to ”Widows”. She tried to make sure that the widows had adequate clothing. God’s care for the widows and the fatherless is demonstrated in scripture often. This may not be our “ particular service” for the Lord. But brothers and sisters, let us always be “ ready to show mercy. The apostle instructed his son in the faith Timothy, to teach the disciples of Jesus to “do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”(1 Tim 6;18).
Dorcas did not just get the clothes made. She made them herself. That means here “ alms” were not only her gifts, but were also her deeds. There are some who are willing to give but are not so eager to do anything. My brothers and sisters, if God leads us deep into Christ, we may come to a place ( like the apostle Peter) who said “ “Silver and gold have I none”, (Acts 3:6).
But especially in this ” poor” situation we can offer strong prayers of mountain moving faith. May God grant us the gift of tears. God will help us empathise with others in Jesus’ love. And LET US EARNESTLY SEEK SPIRITUAL GIFTS so that we can command in Jesus mighty Name, sicknesses, bondages, oppression, depression and other works of satan to be destroyed
The Untimely Death of Dorcas
Suddenly Dorcas died. Peter was sent for and came. To some it may seem a useless thing to call Peter after she had actually died. Perhaps at first Peter himself did not know that God would at this time raise her from the dead. But anyway Peter knew it was his duty to Christ to be “ready to every good work”, (2 Titus 2:21).
No doubt The Wonderful Jesus filled heart was full of the desire to comfort the weeping friends of Dorcas. Peter also knew that, “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”. He had seen his beloved Master intervene and brought life to many dead situations and persons!
No sooner was Peter arrived than a scene was presented that was sufficient to melt a heart much less tender than Peter’s (ver. 39). Though it is distressing, it is also very wonderful to see genuine grief in a Christian heart. Perhaps Peter can do more than “weep with them that weep” but Peter is manifesting that the supernatural love of Jesus Christ is flowing from his life!
Dorcas Resurrection
But now, Peter heard in his spirit the will of God in this situation, was indeed to bring Dorcas back to life. “He put them all forth”. His heart was full of faith! Those around him were not! We need to beware who we join in prayer with. Some Christiams will boost our faith as they pray with us – even though their words are few. Others who make “ noises of faith” and speak many words may actually have little real faith and will “ dull “ the power of our prayers.
Peter prayed and Dorcas arose; and then Peter “gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and presented her alive.” This is a wonderful end to a very sad story. I believe that every Christian should have the knowledge that if God will, that Christian can utter the command to raise the dead! God is a miracle working God!
Why, as we pray, are not ALL healed? Why are some of God’s most powerful faith filled persons taken to a premature death? We can never know. But let us remember that as one godly skilled Christian writer has said ………
….. He takes pleasure in those who, like Himself, delight in mercy; and that “He is not unrighteous to forget their work and labour of love, in ministering to the saints”? In a word, does He not say, “Them that honour Me, I will honour”? But you ask, was this a privilege to Dorcas? — to be brought back into a vale of tears, and again to have to “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” after she had happily passed it? — I answer, Yes! It was a marvellous distinction conferred upon her; and it added to her usefulness as a woman who served God and added to her reward. The saints on earth have one privilege above the saints in heaven. It is in the means and opportunities of doing good.
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