Acts 9:32-43

                                                                 Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.  And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.  Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.  In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”  So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.  But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.  And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.  And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

God is working through the life and works of Peter and others to bring people to a faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Peter was going from place to place and God used his words as well as his works to bring people to Himself.  God was also using Dorcas to bring others to faith in different ways.  There are a variety of ways that God uses His people to save people from their sin.  He continues to do the same today.  Our job is to be faithful and intentional to use our gifts and opportunities to show the love of Jesus to the people around us.

 

GOD USES THE RESTORATION OF AENEAS: Peter travels to Lydda and there finds a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and bed ridden for eight years.  We do not know what caused his paralysis, but it was clearly not just a temporary or passing condition.  Peter, much as Jesus would have done, heals him.  However, Peter makes it clear to everyone present that it was actually Jesus Christ who was healing him.  Aeneas was immediately healed and stood up and came out so the residents of the region saw him and turned to Jesus.  Besides this chapter pointing to the power of Jesus, it points to the purpose of miracles.  God used this miracle to bring people to himself.  Eight years of suffering and helplessness resulted in the conversion of an entire community.  God is able to restore and redeem both physical illness and spiritual separation through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We can trust Him to use our circumstances for His purposes as well.

 

GOD USES THE RELIGEON OF DORCAS: According to James, true religion is to care for widows and orphans.  The passage demonstrates that Dorcas was doing at least one of these and more than likely both.  She worked with her hands and made clothing for people who would not have been able to afford them.  She was loved and needed.  Her ministry to the needy was a demonstration of God’s love that was used to attract others to the Lord Jesus.  We serve others because we want to show them the love of Jesus.  He loves through us as the love in the hearts of believers comes from Him.  We are naturally selfish and only seek our own good.  God changes our hearts and seeks to change the hearts of others through us.  We should always be looking for people with needs that the Lord wants us to meet and people He wants us to love.  

 

GOD USES THE RESSURECTION OF DORCAS: Peter is called to go to Joppa immediately because Dorcas had died.  When Peter arrives, the widows she had served were there mourning her death.  Peter asks to be left alone with the body and then begins to pray.  Apparently, during his prayer the Lord shows Peter that He wants to raise her from the dead.  Peter turns to her and tells her to arise, and she opens her eyes, he helps her up and presents her alive to the people.  News of this resurrection spreads throughout the city of Joppa and many become believers in Jesus.  Once again, we see the Lord drawing people to Himself through His work in and through His people.  God wants people to be saved from their sin.  He continues to work in our lives for this purpose.  Our words and works should focus on bringing others to Christ.

 

APPLICATION: Always remember that God’s priority is bringing glory to Himself by bringing others to Himself. This process of bringing others to Christ often involves pain and suffering.  God is at work in ways we cannot see and may not understand.  Our job is to trust Him and love others.  Be faithful to use the gifts and resources we have to show the love of Christ to others.  That may mean traveling from city to city to heal people or making cloths for widows.  

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