The Need-Meeting God
Acts 9:32-43
Intro: [Review] Have you ever tried to help somebody, but as you were doing so, you wondered, “Hey! Am I really helping this person, or is this just a temporary fix for a deeper problem?” I am sure we’ve all felt that at times, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try to help. We do need to be aware of the situation and not blindly enable someone to keep on living carelessly or wastefully. Paul told the churches to give assistance only to those widows who really were in need and did not have other resources to meet their needs.
-Well, God knows exactly how to meet our needs. He knows what we need and when we need it. He knows when we need to learn to be better stewards and eliminate wastefulness in our lives. He knows how to feed us for a lifetime, not just for a meal. He teaches us to take responsibility for our own lives and provide for ourselves and our families. While we always need God and others, He moves us from a place of making others responsible for our well-being to being good stewards of what He puts in our care. So, He knows exactly what we need and will help provide for us even when we do not know how our needs will be met. Today, we are going to talk about the need-meeting God. Here is the central theme of the message:
Prop: God wants to reveal Himself to people by meeting the needs in their lives.
Interrogative: In what kinds of ways does God do that?
TS: Let’s look at 3 ways God meets our needs in order to bring us closer to Him.
I. The Good News about Jesus Can Meet Physical Needs (32-34, 36)
-Here’s the good news: Jesus can and will heal people who are sick, and through His followers He helps take care of those in need of material provisions. Tabitha ministered to the poor around her. Jesus was touching their lives through her life.
-First, let’s talk about how Jesus can meet physical needs through healing. Aeneas had been confined to a bed for 8 years. We do not know what happened to him, whether it was an accident, or some kind of debilitating disease. All we know about him is that he was paralyzed, and had to lay on a mat. It is possible that people carried him out near the market so he could beg for a living, but our passage says nothing about this. All it says is that he was paralyzed and bedridden, and Peter found him.
-It is amazing who you might find when you are looking for needs to meet. I fully believe that God the HS led Peter to Aeneas. The only reason Peter found him is because the Lord had already found him and led Peter to him. When Peter saw the man’s condition, he said something interesting. He said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you.” Notice how careful Peter was to give the glory to the One who really did the healing. Back in Acts 3, after Peter and John prayed for the crippled beggar, Peter said, "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.”
-Peter did not want any of the glory for himself. He knew that it all belonged to Jesus. However, he also knew that the power of God was available for Him to use as he went about sharing the gospel. God wants to meet people’s needs by healing them with His mighty power!
-We also see that God meets people’s needs by providing food and clothing for them. He uses His people to accomplish this. Look at Tabitha’s life in v. 36: “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. (39)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.” Tabitha was a woman whom God had used to help meet the needs of several poor people in Joppa. Luke refers to her as a disciple, a student and follower of Jesus. The name “Dorcas” is derived from the Greek word, derkomai, which means to see clearly. It also was used to refer to a gazelle or deer- an animal with big bright eyes. Tabitha was able to clearly see when people were in need, and she knew how to go about helping them. She was not blinded by selfishness or busyness, but she threw herself into the task of helping provide for others. What a worthy and noble calling! Sometimes there is no better way to show God’s love than to help meet someone’s need. Will you get taken advantage of? You bet! Tabitha probably was. Jesus certainly was! Does it do any good? According to the Bible it does. In fact the Bible says a lot about helping meet the needs of the poor. When we as a church do that the way God wants us to, people will be drawn to Him, because they see His love in action.
-The application for us is clear: We need to let God use us to meet people’s physical needs. If they are sick, we need to pray for them and tell them that Jesus heals them. If they are lacking their daily needs of food, clothing, or shelter, we should reach out and help in whatever way we can. If we lack wisdom to know how to go about it, we should ask God and He will help us, because it is His idea to meet people’s needs!
-TS: Well, in addition to meeting physical needs, here is a 2nd thing God wants to do.
II. The Good News about Jesus Can Restore Life (36-41)
-Restoration of life sometimes happens to those who are physically dead, but it also happens for those who are spiritually dead. Here’s the good news: Jesus has power over death, and can raise, resurrect, and restore life! Jesus also has power over sin and can give life to those who are spiritually dead. Sin separates us from God and causes pain and death in our lives; but Jesus came to save people from their sins.
-Someone might say, “Well, God does not raise dead people anymore.” I would agree that it is not very common, but the Lord still does it. I have told some of you about my own experience with death. When I was between 1 & 2 years old, I got a hold of a piece of wood from an old orchard sprayer tank. The tank had been used to spray DDT or Parathion, and it had soaked deeply into the wood. Apparently I turned blue and began running around in circles. My parents rushed me to the hospital from where I was life-flighted to Boise. My heart stopped and I quit breathing at least 3 times (once for 15 minutes). They were finally able to get a respirator to the floor I was on, and they hooked me up. My mom overheard one of the doctors the next day say, “If he does somehow live through this, he will be nothing more than a vegetable.” Well, through the prayers of my family and church family, God touched me and healed me completely. God still does physically raise people from the dead. He does restore life to bodies that have died. What will it take to see something like that happen? Nothing less than an all-out commitment to Jesus and spreading His good news to others so they can enjoy a loving relationship with Him.
-And that really is what restoration of life is all about! If this body is given an extension of time on this earth, that’s great. But, there is much more to our lives than just the physical aspect. Unless we are made spiritually alive, we cannot have a relationship with God, because He is spirit.
-Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3 that unless a person was given spiritual life (born again), then he or she would not be able to enter into the kingdom of heaven. What did He mean by that? Well, everybody alive has been born once, or they wouldn’t be here. But to be born a 2nd time means that your spirit comes alive to God. No longer are we dead to God and what He wants for our lives, but we begin to live in Him and for Him.
-The Bible tells us that the devil came to destroy life, but Jesus came to give life. Unfortunately, many, many people have been deceived into thinking that the devil has a better offer. Or, they think that they have found a 3rd alternative: Don’t live for any God or devil, just for myself! That may sound kind of good, but there really is no middle ground. If we refuse God’s covering and the protection of His love, then we are opening ourselves up to the schemes and traps of the devil. No matter how strong we think we are, by ourselves we are no match for the devil!
-Again, the good news is that Jesus can restore life! He can restore life to those who are physically dead. He can restore life to those who are spiritually dead. And someday, He will raise up all of those who have died trusting in Him, and we will be with Him forever! Things will finally be the way they were meant to be – at least for those who let Jesus give them life.
-TS: Finally, let’s look at a larger picture of what God wants to do in and through us.
III. The Good News about Jesus Can Change an Entire City (35, 42)
-V.35 says “All the people of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord.”
-Here’s the good news: Jesus changes people one life at a time. When His love and power is demonstrated through His church, entire communities can turn to Him! Do we have enough faith to believe God for this? Lord, help our unbelief! Help our unbelieving hearts to change so we will be in harmony with your loving heart!
-If we believe it is possible for the good news about Jesus to change an entire city, then we must ask, “Why not our city? Why not Elgin? Why not Imbler? Why not Summerville? Why not LaGrande? Why not Union County?” There are a lot of churches in Union County, but that’s not really the point. The point is this: What impact is the good news having on our cities and neighborhoods? What impact is the good news about forgiveness having on our kids, our teens, our young families, our middle-aged and senior citizens? If the good news is really as powerful as the Bible claims, then why aren’t more lives being changed around us? This prompts more questions: Are people hearing the good news about Jesus? It is difficult to know for sure. However, if there is someone who never attends church, never watches Christian television or listens to Christian radio, has no Christian family members, and never hangs out with Christians who will share the good news with them, they are not likely to hear it. Are there people like that? Probably more than we would ever think! So, how are we going to get the good news out to people who live in a totally different world than we do? We’re going to have to go to them and make a big enough splash in their world that they will see how awesome Jesus is.
-I might venture another question, based on the previous one. If people are hearing the good news about Jesus, is it really “news” worthy to them? If they aren’t interested, why not? If it is really as good as we all believe, then why wouldn’t everybody who hears it want to receive what Jesus has to offer? I realize there are probably a lot of answers to that, but let me just say that it matters how we present the good news! There is a reason the word “news” contains the word “new.” When we read or watch the news, we expect to encounter fresh reports of what is happening around us. “Old news” is really an oxymoron. We could more accurately speak of old things that happened some time ago as “olds”, not “news.” Why? Because it is an old report, not a current one.
-Here is where I’m going with this: The church today desperately needs a current testimony! There must be something new going on in the life of the church right now! Not just anything, however; we need the power of God working in and through our lives! We can’t put on a good enough show to draw people to Jesus! We need Jesus Himself to show up and heal people who can’t walk! We need Jesus Himself to raise up people who cannot breathe! We need Jesus to make “news” through our lives! If our testimony is nothing more than a report of something that happened some 1, 977 years ago in the Middle East, then most people will not be able to make a connection with why that matters today! If, however, something happens today, because of a person who died and rose again around the year 29 A.D., then people will begin to see what Jesus has to do with them here in 2006!
-Imagine that there was a man named Tom, who lived in Lydda back in 30 something A.D., when Peter visited there. Tom comes to town to buy some supplies at the marketplace, and he overhears a vendor saying, “Hey, did you hear what happened to Aeneas?” The buyer replied, “Oh, you mean the man who can’t walk, and has been in bed for several years? What about him?” “Well,” said the vendor, “Yesterday he got up and has been walking ever since.” “What! How did this happen?” “I guess one of those guys who followed Jesus came to town and told Him that Jesus wanted to heal him, and told him to get up.” “Oh, come on, are you sure about this?” Well, there’s Aeneas coming up the street now. Why don’t you ask Him?”
-So the man walked up to Aeneas and started asking Him questions. Tom had followed him and heard Aeneas tell exactly what had happened. Aeneas also told them that he had become a follower of Jesus and that His sins were forgiven. He invited them to come to a meeting later that evening, when he would talk more about his healing and about Jesus.
-When Tom got home, he kissed his wife and said, “Honey, we’re going to town tonight!” She said, “Oh Tom. You know I don’t like to go out with all the kids and me being blind and all.” Tom said, “I just spoke to Aeneas, and he invited us to a meeting tonight. See, he can walk now, and maybe he can tell us how you can see again.”
-Folks, this is the kind of thing I believe the Lord wants to bring to Elgin! People are weary from hearing all the bad news in our nation of abuse, murder, drugs, and other crimes. They want to hear some good news – the good news that Jesus Christ can heal and restore lives, because it happened to someone they know!
-The good news about Jesus is the only thing that can produce lasting change in our lives and in our community! “Immediately Aeneas got up. 35All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.” What does the Lord want to write about Elgin? Maybe something like this? “Immediately, the cancer was gone. And all those who lived in Elgin saw the man alive who had been on his deathbed, and they turned to the Lord!” Could it happen? It should be happening! Let’s ask the Lord to show His power in and through us, so that those who are suffering can be healed, and those who are lost can be found.
Conclusion: As we close our time today, our God is a need-meeting God! He cares about how people are doing with their health. He cares how people are doing financially. He cares how people are doing emotionally and in their relationships with one another. God cares and wants to help meet people’s physical needs. God wants to restore life to people, and He may just want to raise someone from the dead to illustrate that point! Finally, God wants to change entire cities with the message of His love. See, the most basic need that people have is a right relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Jesus died on a cross a long time ago so that people today could know God and enjoy Him forever.
-Today if you do not know God, please hear me when I say, “You can begin a relationship with Him today.” The Bible tells us that whoever calls on the Lord will be saved. What can you be saved from? From yourself. From an enemy who wants to destroy you and your life. From a life with no purpose. God has a plan for you that is good and He is calling you to join up with Him. Will you do it today?
-Maybe you find yourself in need today. Whatever it is that you need, God can provide it! Will you trust Him with your need today? The Bible tells us to let our requests be made known unto God through prayer, asking Him to help us with our needs. This is the alternative to worrying, which accomplishes nothing. Maybe you just need to take a few minutes and tell the Lord that you are trusting Him with your needs, your future, and your life. He will help you if you ask.
-If you have some questions about anything we’ve talked about today, I would love to chat with you about them. If I can shine more light on the heart of God and how much He cares for you, then I’d be delighted to do so. If you need for someone to pray with you, please come and ask.
-Pray: Lord, help us to trust You enough to pray for the sick. Help us to trust you enough to bless those in need out of the resources you have blessed us with. Help us to trust You enough to pray for dead people to come back to life. It won’t happen if we don’t pray, but it could if we do. Help us to trust You enough to share Your love with those around us, both in what we say and in what we do. Lord, save our city! Elgin needs Jesus! The people of Elgin need to know the love and mercy of God. The people of Elgin need to repent of their sins and call on the Lord, and they will be saved. Help us be all that You want us to be….
