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Show BASIC LESSONS OF LIFE Acts 9: 36-43 The Book of Acts is a wonder record of the power of prayer and the walk of Spirit filled believers. It is the inspired God empowers His and develops His Church across Word of God disciples as the world. Watch the as people of The .in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" (Acts 1: 8) to W ay spread " .. become the Church of Jesus Christ. are They put upon by the world around them persecuted by those convinced of their own righteousness. They see the lame made whole, the repentant forgiven, the imprisoned set free, the threatened and 1 emboldened, liars called to account, angelic deliverance, the poor provided for, a deacon accused of blasphemy and stoned for refusing to stop preaching, and Ethiopian eunuch coming from church reading his Bible converted and baptized. Saul has been converted on the Damascus road, Ananias baptized him the and told him what "thus saith the Lord," and Peter has started his ministry with of Aeneas of eight years with bedridden palsy. healing This we can morning's text reminds learn some us that lessons from whosoever the Lord used. Just listen to the teacher Tabitha at as Joppa, better know Dorcas and learn from her lessons of life. 2 some basic The first lesson Dorcas is that we we learn form need to make a decision to live for Jesus and to follow Him in service and love. You do remember that Jesus had told His Matthew, "If any man will after me, let him deny himself, and disciples come in take up his cross, and follow me." (16: 24) Dorcas was already a disciple "full of good works and alms deeds which she (Acts 9: 36) She had made and shared precious coats and garments, that did." the widows were excited to show off when Peter came to town from Lydda. Dorcas had taken sick and died and the people clothing for others her having made and they thought of remembered her for as a loving servant. I wonder if you 3 and I called home were today, would gave our lives to The Master and rendered service in His anybody know that we name. The second lesson Dorcas is that death is we an learn from inevitable pay. Job said, "Naked came lout of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: debt that we all must one day the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." The Lord way is that He allows to be born and He calls us back home. (1: 21) That wise man us Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, "To every thing there is a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a season and a . time to die " ... (3: 1-2) No 4 use thinking you are going to sure as we come, be here always. Just as will leave. we Physicians can treat and transplant organs to prolong life. Exercise and good eating will help you live longer. Seat belts and air bags may keep you '-fr0w-. dying in an accident. Obedience to parents will allow you to stay longer. Yet, sooner or later, it may be morning, noon, evening, or night we will all die. That Hebrew writer reminds us, "It is (9: appointed unto men once to die " ... 27) wonderful person. She was beautiful. She was useful. She had a Dorcas was a good name. She had a right relationship with Jesus Christ and her fellow She was a Living disciple man. of the Risen and Savior. She had 5 a good spiritual reputation but one day she got sick and question, If Jesus died. Can I ask you a were to come back to get you today, would you be ready to enter the door of death with the assur nee The third lesson that all is well? we can learn from Dorcas is that death has been defeated and does not have to be the end. It's up to you and depends on the choices you make. Whether you have heard His of His creation, John reminds us, "He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that word or read the signs believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name only begotten Son of God." (3: 18) After Dorcas died, they laid her in the of the upper room and sent for Peter. Peter 6 put everybody out of the room, prayed, and called out, "Tabitha, get up." came, opened her eyes and sat Her life was restored by the power of (Acts 9: 4) She up. God. But you asked, "Did not she die again?" "Yes!" Praise God, you and I have something better than resuscitation to look forward to. Our Lord and Savior Jesus buried, but got back up again day morning. can died, on was the third He lives forevermore. We and will face death with the assurance that Jesus has victory That nobody won the of death and the grave. stole His body but He rose. "Death is swallowed up in victory. 0 death where is thy sting? 0 grave, where is thy victory .... But thanks be to 7 God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, Jesus Christ. always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15: 5 5 5 7) - CG3 8 |
