2. Part Twenty-Two
Acts 9:32-43

4. Acts 9:32-43

5. Acts 9:32
Now it came about that as Peter was traveling through all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

6. Acts 9:33
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.

7. Acts 9:34
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; arise, and make your bed.” And immediately he arose.

8. Acts 9:35
And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

9. Acts 9:36
Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and

10. Acts 9:36
charity, which she continually did.

11. Acts 9:37
And it came about at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

12. Acts 9:38
And since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him, “Do not delay to come to us.”

13. Acts 9:39
And Peter arose and went with them. And when he had come, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him weeping, and

14. Acts 9:39
showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

15. Acts 9:40
But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she

16. Acts 9:40
saw Peter, she sat up.

17. Acts 9:41
And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

18. Acts 9:42
And it became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

19. Acts 9:43
And it came about that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain tanner, Simon.

20. No matter how big the body of Christ may get, it’s so important to minister to individuals.

21. Moses nearly wore himself out doing that, until his father-in-law shared some good advice and told him to delegate.

22. And then remember the crowds that followed Jesus.

23. Though the crowds at times were massive, Jesus always had concern and time for individuals.

24. Tonight we want to look at six elements of effective service and/or ministry.

25. God clearly expects all Christians to pour their lives into others.

26. 2 Timothy 2:2
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

27. Our passage today focused on the effective personal ministry of Peter.

28. And here are the six elements of effective service and/or ministry that we should desire to emulate.

29. Effective Service
Involved
Exalting Christ
Available
Prayerful

30. Effective Service
Fruitful
Free from Prejudice

31. Peter was Involved! (Acts 9:32-33)

32. Acts 9:32
Now it came about that as Peter was traveling through all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

33. Acts 9:33
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.

34. Have you heard that phrase before, “If you want something to get done, give it to somebody that’s already busy.”

35. Or maybe you’ve heard this one, “It’s easier to redirect a body already in motion than to get a body moving that’s been sitting still.”

36. Peter has been on the move preaching the Gospel to all who would listen.

37. And as he was traveling…

38. How many of you know that as you’re ministering, you often come across more opportunities to minister?

39. God often entrusts important ministry opportunities to His busiest saints.

40. As he was traveling, he came to a place called Lydda.

41. Lydda is the Old Testament city of Lod and the modern day location of Israel’s International Airport.

42. When Peter arrived, he found a certain man named Aeneas who had been bed-ridden for eight years.

43. Luke does not say why Aeneas was paralyzed, but we know he was beyond medical help.

44. Would he have to remain bedridden for the rest of his life?

45. As Peter got more involved in the situation, he discovered an open door for ministry.

46. The miracle, besides its obvious impact in the life of Aeneas, was used by God to bring many people to faith in Jesus Christ.

47. Effective Service
Involved
Exalting Christ
Available
Prayerful

48. Peter Exalted Christ! (Acts 9:34-35)

49. Acts 9:34
And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; arise, and make your bed.” And immediately he arose.

50. Acts 9:35
And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

51. Those who minister effectively for Christ must exalt Jesus and not promote themselves.

52. Peter understood his role perfectly.

53. Acts 10:25
When Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshipped him.

54. Acts 10:26
But Peter raised him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.”

55. Peter knew that he was a servant of the Most High God.

56. Coming to Aeneas, he said, “Jesus Christ heals you.”

57. Peter’s humility and quick desire to exalt the savior stands in sharp contrast to many in ministry today who seek their own fame.

58. In 1 Peter 4:11, he went on to share the following word.

59. 1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God

60. 1 Peter 4:11
supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

61. Peter spoke to Aeneas this way and asked for a response of faith.

62. Arise and make your bed!

63. And immediately Aeneas arose with no paralysis.

64. As the story concerning Peter and Aeneas spread, many believed.

65. Did they place their trust in Peter?

66. Did they place their trust in Aeneus?

67. Did they place their trust in YHVH?

68. The Scripture says that all believed.

69. Can you imagine people flocking to the city from all around looking to confirm the story and receive something for themselves.

70. You can take it to the bank that Peter was quick to exalt the Savior and not take any credit for himself.

71. Effective Service
Involved
Exalted Christ
Available
Prayerful

72. Peter was Available! (Acts 9:36-39)

73. Acts 9:36
Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and

74. Acts 9:36
charity, which she continually did.

75. Acts 9:37
And it came about at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room.

76. Acts 9:38
And since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him, “Do not delay to come to us.”

77. Acts 9:39
And Peter arose and went with them. And when he had come, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him weeping, and

78. Acts 9:39
showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

79. While Peter was at Lydda, tragedy struck the church at nearby Joppa.

80. One of its beloved members was on her death bed.

81. Peter’s availability led to an even more astounding ministry opportunity.

82. Aeneas was healed, but Dorcas was about to be raised from the dead.

83. The prepared epitaph for this lady was that she was continually abounding with deeds of kindness and charity.

84. She made clothes for the poor and the needy.

85. Her life brings another Scripture to mind.

86. Colossians 1:9
For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and ask that you may be filled with the know-ledge of His will in all

87. Colossians 1:9-10
spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,

88. Colossians 1:10
to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

89. Colossians 1:11
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;

90. Colossians 1:12
joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.

91. Colossians 1:13
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son,

92. Colossians 1:14
in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

93. She was the New Testament picture of a Proverbs 31 woman.

94. It was a serious blow to the church at Joppa.

95. They washed her body in preparation for burial, but instead of continuing with the process they heard news from Lydda.

96. With hope that something more could be done, they sent two men to contact Peter.

97. Despite the consuming duties among the masses confessing Jesus as Lord in Lydda, Peter responded to the need in Joppa.

98. Peter was willing to push pause on a thriving ministry in order to follow the Lord and be led by the Spirit to another near by town.

99. There’s no doubt that Peter was tired.

100. While he witnessed the peoples’ love for Dorcas, he also heard their lack of faith and hopelessness.

101. If things were going to turn around for the better, then the room needed to be filled with faith and prayer.

102. If that could take place soon, then who knows how God might respond.

103. Effective Service
Involved
Exalted Christ
Available
Prayerful

104. Peter was Prayerful! (Acts 9:40-41)

105. Acts 9:40
But Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body, he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she

106. Acts 9:40
saw Peter, she sat up.

107. Acts 9:41
And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

108. As he had seen the Lord do when he raised Jairus’s daughter, Peter sent them all out of the room.

109. He wasn’t there to put on a show or draw attention to himself, he was there to minister.

110. Some might think that Peter, who had been involved in countless healings, should have immediately commanded Dorcas to rise.

111. However, he knew the source of his power and presumed nothing about the will of God.

112. He knelt down and prayed.

113. Prayer acknowledges total dependence on God and is essential for successful ministry.

114. Prayer declares that God is in charge and He is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think.

115. Peter had learned the importance of prayer from the Lord, having seen and heard Him many times in oneness with the Father.

116. Illustration: Charles Spurgeon and the five young college students from London.

117. Having finished praying, Peter turned to Dorcas’s body and said, “Tabitha, arise.”

118. And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

119. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive .

120. For those who truly loved her, the joy must have been overwhelming.

121. Effective Service
Involved
Exalted Christ
Available
Prayerful

122. Peter was Fruitful! (Acts 9:42)

123. Acts 9:42
And it became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

124. God’s greater purpose for raising Dorcas became very clear.

125. God often used miracles in the Bible as confirming signs that the gospel is true and trustworthy.

126. The people could believe and trust the message and the messengers.

127. God used the raising of Dorcas as the spark for salvation to spread throughout the city of Joppa.

128. Many souls were added to the Kingdom.

129. Effective Service
Fruitful
Free from Prejudice

130. Peter was Free from Prejudice! (Acts 9:43)

131. Acts 9:43
And it came about that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain tanner, Simon.

132. This footnote at the end of the chapter serves as a bridge between this passage and the next.

133. There’s no doubt that Peter could use a little rest, so he decided to stay a few days in Joppa with a certain tanner named Simon.

134. Little does Peter know it, but he will soon come face to face with some lifelong prejudices.

135. He’s already witnessed the Samaritans coming to Christ and soon every race, color and nation will have opportunities to respond to the good news.

136. He better rest up!

137. The fact that he was willing to stay with a tanner was a small miracle in and of itself.

138. Tanners were despised in first century Jewish society, since they dealt with the skins of dead animals.

139. Tanning was considered an unclean occupation, and Simon would have been shunned by his local synagogue.

140. There’s no place for prejudice in ministry.

141. In far too many churches, those who do not fit the mold are rejected.

142. Any bigotry is a blight on the cause of Christ and the Kingdom of God.

143. We should never prefer one race or human over another.

144. After all, how many races are there?

145. One, the human race!

146. If a zealous Jewish nationalist named Paul could change, then anybody can.

147. 1 Corinthians 9:19
For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.

148. 1 Corinthians 9:20
To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the

149. 1 Corinthians 9:21
Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are

150. 1 Corinthians 9:21
without law.

151. 1 Corinthians 9:22
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

152. Are we willing to learn about other people, colors and nations in order to better share Jesus with them?

153. Will we welcome the nations and be hospitable in order to have compassion and share the love of Christ?

154. Peter knew the principles for effective ministry and lived them out.

155. Because of that, the Lord blessed his ministry to individuals and big crowds.

156. And as we will see very soon, it will be through Peter’s ministry to Cornelius that the final barriers and walls will be knocked down.

157. Soon the nations will embrace the good news of Jesus Christ and join His church.

158. Effective Service
Involved
Exalted Christ
Available
Prayerful

159. Effective Service
Fruitful
Free from Prejudice

160. Amen!