https://youtu.be/3To9WM3XIrM

Identity & Prayers

Acts 9: 36-42

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up. “She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

Recap

Peter, a couple of days ago healed a man who was bed ridden for 8yrs, he tells Him that Jesus Christ heals him.

Joppa was near Lydda(where Peter healed the man)

These two men must have heard about Peter because in Lydda, a man is healed and many turned to the Lord

Peter left immediately – Excited. Maybe he was like, this is what I have been waiting for

Peter finds the widows crying and showing off the good work Tabitha had done

Kicks them out and prays over Tabitha, Tabitha wakes up and Peter present her to the people and many people turn to God

This is epic- This is all from a guy who denied Jesus – BUT GOD!

There are a few characters in these verses.  And I want us to look at some and by the end of this sermon, see who we can identify ourselves as.

Tabitha – Also known as Dorcas in Greek – a female antelope, or gazelle

She lived her life in a good way. She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did

“vs ..39, they are showing Peter the robes that she used to make for them

Makes me wonder what is said of me when I am dead. The bible says she was rich!

1 Timothy 6:17-21 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

How are you using your resources?

The disciples

They are thinking. We know a guy. He healed- maybe he can raise the dead.

They clearly knew what to do. They had seen or heard from the nearby town that Peter had healed and they did what most of us will do – Go get the miracle maker.

Most of us are like these disciples, we have heard the truth, we have seen miracles, yet for some reason, we only believe that they can only be performed by certain people.

Why would these disciples not believe that the same Spirit that was in Peter, would be in them?

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with asking for prayers …it’s just that we need to walk to the altar ourselves…. the curtain was torn.