Do The Small Thing To Show The Main Thing

For those who are not familiar with an Anglican Service there are four Scripture readings prior to the Message. Today's assigned readings are: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17 and John 10:22-30.

How where you named?

Where you named after someone; maybe someone in your family linage?

Possibly after a friend of the family or someone from the Scriptures.

Often we receive nicknames by family and friends?

Some good ...some not so good!

Maybe your name changed when you were married.

Sometimes our names change when we become uncles and aunts.

Like mean uncle Jeff.

I still do not understand where that came from.

Lee and I are now known by our grandson as Cappy and Gee Gee.

We can be known by multiple names throughout our life.

Just before our son was born ... Lee's father passed away so we added another name ... to the one we had chosen.

When I would use his full name ... James Alfred Justin Smead... I almost expected ... three guys to come a running.

I want to introduce you today ... to a woman ... with three names.

She's known as Tabitha, ... Dorcas .... and Gazelle.

Hear God's word: BIBLE "In Joppa ... there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha which in the Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity." END (Acts 9:36)

Tabitha is her Aramaic name also known as Dorcas in the Greek.

And her name means ... Gazelle.

It was common practice ... in those days ... to give an animal name ... to a beautiful woman.

Now ... A gazelle ... was a creature with stunning eyes and ... swift of feet.

She probably ... matured to be... a stunning lady.

Now ...Tabitha lived in Joppa, ... which is a town in Palestine ... about 35 miles northwest of Jerusalem.

Solomon used this seaport ... to receive the timber from Lebanon ... that was used ... in the building of the Great Temple.

Joppa was also the place ... to which Jonah went ... to catch a sailing ship ... headed to Tarshish.

Now, ... we do not know anything about what Tabitha said ... but we know a lot ... about ... what she did.

We have no record of her words ... but we do know about her work.

And her life of servant-hood ... spoke loudly.

Most theologians believe ... that she was a widow ... or was single... because there is no mention of a man ... in her life.

Beloved ... women were always accorded special status ... by Jesus.

They accompanied him on his journeys .... they were financial contributors.

Women stayed with him at the cross ... while the Apostles ... stayed in hiding.

They were the first witnesses ... of the resurrection.

As you read through the New Testament, ... women were very involved ... in the global expansion ... of the church.

In Romans 16 alone, we read of Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa and Persia.

And of these last three, the Scriptures tell us that "they worked hard in the Lord." (Romans 16:12)

As we look at Tabitha, ... we should ... take three things to heart.

(1 Finger) First ... She is a devoted disciple.

In fact, ... she is the only woman in the New Testament ... who is explicitly identified ... as a disciple.

She stood out ... as a very faithful follower ... of the Christ.

She was so devoted ... that only the ... disciple description ... is used ... to define her.

A disciple in that time and today is described as a learner, ... a follower ... one who is determined ... to be like his or her teacher.

Jesus said BIBLE "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher." END (Luke 6:40)

One of the highest compliments ... that someone could ever pay you ... is to say, "You act just like Jesus."

A Disciple ... when fully trained ... Will be like his teacher.

And That could be said ... of Tabitha.

(1 Finger) She was a Disciple (2 Fingers) and secondly she was a ... Doer of Deeds.

The needs of people ... not only moved her heart... but in turn ... she moved in response ... to do something to meet those needs.

She served ... and the people knew it was because of ... her Savior.

That was her identity....... She was saved ... to serve.

Beloved ... A devoted disciple ... is a doer ... of good deeds.

She was quick ... like a Gazelle ... to respond ... when someone was in need.

Tabatha ... Dorcas ... Gazelle ...... was a devoted disciple ... who used her gifts ... her abilities ... to further the kingdom.