Israel – Sick, but Healed, Dead, but Alive
Acts 9:32-43
Introduction:
1. In this chapter we have the glorious salvation of Saul of Tarsus who would become the apostle Paul. This man will end up being the central figure in the book of Acts.
• To him would be revealed the dispensation of grace, the wonderful truths concerning the body of Christ and 13 books of the New Testament.
2. The book of Acts provides a transition from Israel to the Gentiles, from the law to grace, from the hope of an earthly kingdom to a new heavenly body (the church).
3. Peter is the central figure when Israel is the focus (Acts 1:1-8:40). But Israel’s kingdom program would cease and be suspended and gradually fade away. This is why we see Peter’s dominance fade away in the book of Acts.
4. Acts is a record of the fall and diminishing of Israel and God raising up a separate and distinct apostle who would be commissioned with a different mission, ministry, and message.
5. Acts records this gradual diminishing, therefore we see Peter fade away gradually. After Paul is saved in 9:1-31, Peter shows up again in 9:32-11:18, but then Paul becomes the key figure in the rest of the book (11:19-28:31). **chart
6. Tonight we will cover a “Peter” passage in 9:32-43. Peter performs two miracles, both of which are striking illustrations of the nation that Peter was ministering to – Israel.
7. These miracles sent a message to Israel and many did in fact believe in response to these miracles.
Israel – Sick, but Healed
1. Peter was preaching throughout Israel when he came to the city of Lydda. There were saints there. Vs. 32 cf. 8:40 (probably due to Philip’s evangelism)
• He encountered a man named Aeneas (ee NEE us). His name is said to mean “praise.”
• This man was apparently once healthy, but was now sick, crippled, and lying helpless in bed, a paralytic. Vs. 33
• Peter looked at him and said, “Jesus Christ maketh thee whole…” vs. 34
• Immediately his health was restored and because of his glorious restoration, many turned to the Lord. Vs. 35
2. This miracle provided a vivid illustration for the nation of Israel.
3. Israel was formed and created to be a light and source of praise to God on earth. God’s will and plan for Israel is summarized in Isaiah 58:8.
4. But Israel was sick with sin, paralyzed by materialism, covetousness, and idolatry. Isaiah 1:4-6, Jeremiah 8:15, 22 – Why? Jeremiah 8:9-10
• Israel had rejected their God, their law, and their Messiah. They were flat on their back, paralyzed by unbelief and rebellion.
5. As the New Testament opens, God’s chosen people are under the tyranny of the Gentile kingdom of Rome. Their rebellion and sin sickness had caused them to be mere pawns in the hand of the pagan nations. They were flat on their back.
6. Israel needed healing and there was only one place to find it (vs. 34). Dr. Jesus was Israel’s only hope (Luke 5:31). But they wouldn’t listen (Matthew 13:15).
• They crucified the One who could heal them and restore their health. They stumbled over the stumblingstone of Christ. Romans 9:31-32
• In other words, they were in this paralytic state because of their own rejection of Christ. It was a self induced sickness.
7. They were given another opportunity to repent and be healed in the book of Acts, but again they stumbled and fell (Romans 11:11-12). They were like Aeneas, lying helpless in a paralyzed state. Acts 28:27
8. But through their fall, salvation has come unto the Gentiles. Through Israel’s fallen, paralyzed state, we have received an unprecedented time of grace from God. God saved His chief enemy (Saul of Tarsus) and then used him as a vessel to reveal this marvelous dispensation of grace.
9. But what about Israel? Will they ever be healed and restored? Will they ever be the light and blessing that God planned for them to be? Will they ever enjoy spiritual health and vitality again?
• This miracle that Peter performed provides a wonderful picture of what God will do.
• Though Israel rejected Jesus (their healer and Messiah), and though God has set her aside and turned to the Gentiles, one day they will call upon Him, and Christ will heal them, restore Israel’s spiritual health, and many will turn to Christ. Jeremiah 30:17, 33:6-9, 14-17; Ezekiel 34:15-16, Hosea 5:13, 6:1
Israel – Dead, but Alive
1. The second miracle that Peter performed involved something very incredible and miraculous – the raising of a lady from the dead in Joppa! ***Use map
2. This lady’s name was Tabitha or Dorcas. Both names mean “gazelle” which makes you think of alertness and activity; the opposite of paralysis.
• She was a disciple, a follower of Christ. She was a very kind and gracious woman known for her many good works and acts of kindness to the impoverished (Vs. 36). Her faith in Christ was demonstrated by her good works.
• Dorcas contracted some illness and died. Vs. 37
• They heard that Peter was nearby in Lydda, so two men came for him and brought him back to Joppa (Vs. 38). When Peter arrived it was quite a scene. Vs. 39
• Peter then did his greatest miracle. He prayed and raised this lady from the dead (Vs. 40-41). Of course, word spread and many believed in the Lord as a result. Vs. 42
3. Again, this miracle would provide a vivid illustration for the nation of Israel.
4. As we mentioned earlier, Israel was a spiritually sick nation paralyzed by greed, covetousness, and idolatry. When God sends Israel through great tribulation, many will turn to Christ, be healed, and enter the kingdom when Christ returns.
• No longer will Israel faint and be in a paralyzed state; they will walk and run! Isaiah 40:29-31
5. But what about those in Israel who believe in Christ, are full of good works, but die and are not alive when Christ returns to establish Israel’s kingdom? Their chance for healing is gone. There is only one answer. They need new life; they need a resurrection!
6. Dorcas is a beautiful picture of that believing remnant of Israel who will be resurrected and be given new life.
7. All throughout Israel’s history, they have by and large been a rebellious and stubborn people. But there has always been remnant of believers.
• Illustration: Elijah – 1 Kings 19:18
• In Hebrews 11 we read of past saints in Israel beginning with Abraham and it says that “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…”(11:13) In context, these promises involve new life in a new city that has its origin in heaven.
• What did Jesus teach the believing remnant of Israel to pray for? “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10
• Jesus called the believing remnant the “little flock.” Luke 12:32
• How could Israel identify the true believing flock? – Good works; just like Dorcas. Revelation 11:17, 14:12-13 cf. James 2:18, Matthew 3:8, 7:17-19, John 8:39, 10:38, 14:10-12, 15:5-6, 8, 10
8. Israel’s first birth took place in Exodus 4:22 when they were physically brought out of Egypt and birthed as a nation. Israel forsook God and died in Baal. Hosea 13:1
9. Israel’s only hope is a rebirth. Jesus came as their Messiah to give them new life and establish that heavenly kingdom on earth that had been long awaited.
• Of course, Israel by and large rejected Christ and chose to stay in their state of death. They would rather have their sin than to have new life.
• So Israel’s program was set aside, they were scattered among the nations, and the dispensation of grace was revealed and has been going on for 2,000 years.
10. But what about Israel, will they ever receive new life? The Bible teaches that after the dispensation of grace, there will be a national resurrection that takes place of the believing remnant of Israel. Ezekiel 37:1-14, Isaiah 26:16-19
11. Because Jesus defeated death and the grave, this insures the fact that one day those within believing Israel will be resurrected. A nation will be reborn with spiritual life. Isaiah 66:7-9
12. Peter’s resurrection of Dorcas (a believer full of good works) was a picture of what Christ will do for the believing flock of Israel who have died (in faith), having not received the promises.
13. Just as Dorcas was raised from the dead and given new life, one day all the believing flock of Israel who have died in faith will be raised up and given new life. Revelation 20:4
