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.
The Scriptures state ... that she was always ... always doing good deeds.
This phrase literally means ... that she was ... "full of good works."
It was her holy habit ... to abound ... and to overflow with good deeds.
The Scriptures share this command to each of us: BIBLE "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." END (Galatians 6:10)
What she did ... is what made her beautiful ...... it was her fruit ... of compassion. (Pause)
During the Civil War ... there was a Union Nurse ... who labored ... among the ... wounded troops.
Her face had been disfigured in a fire ... when she was very young.
When asked ... why she volunteered ... to work among So Much death and carnage, ......she replied, ... "The wounded soldiers don't notice my scars ... as much as the others.
To them, ... I'm beautiful."
Tabitha served her Savior ....... by ministering to those ... in need.
Tabitha is the model of a devoted disciple ... who did good deeds ... in quiet, ... sacrificial ... and unassuming ways.
And Beloved ... There are many here ... within our community of the faith ... who do the same.
(1 Finger) She was a disciple ... a follower of the Christ.
(2 Fingers) She was a Doer of Deeds
(3 Fingers) Lastly ... She Helped the hurting.
Widows at that time ... If they were to be cared for ... fell to her family... or to the church body.
Since there were no large Department stores in Joppa, ... making clothing ... was a task assigned to women ... in that culture.
And it seems from the Scriptures ... that Tabatha ... was a seamstress.
But she was doing more than just sewing ... on her Singer machine.
She's a picture ... of a Proverbs 31 ... woman.
BIBLE "She puts her hands to the distaff, ... and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor ... and reaches out her hands ... to the needy. END (Proverbs 31:19-20)
In his book titled, ... "The Conspiracy of Kindness," ... Steve Sjogren states ... that while less than 10% of Christians believe they have the spiritual gift of evangelism, ... 90% feel they have the gift of serving.
His church in Cincinnati ... is involved in what they call ... "servant evangelism,"
Where they wash cars, ... clean toilets, ... shine shoes ... grill hot dogs in the parks ... all for free ... no strings attached.
What is servant evangelism:
Beloved ... It is demonstrating the kindness of God ......The Love God....by offering to do some act of humble service .... with no strings attached.
During these explosions of kindness, ... they have seen many people ... so moved ... that they eventually ... come to church ... and accept Jesus as their Lord ... and their Savior.
Jesus is clear to those who are of the faith: BIBLE "...let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." END (Matthew 5:16)
Beloved ... Small things ... done with great love ... will change the world.
As we serve others, ....... the church is strengthened ...... and the lost are drawn ... to Christ.
Apparently ... Tabitha's unique compassion and contribution ... was so essential to the Believers gathered in Joppa ... that when she died, ... God... through Peter ... raised her ... back to life!
The faithful in Joppa ... were weeping ... because of her death ... and as they surrounded Peter ... they put Tabitha's deeds on display ... by pointing ... to their own clothing.
The phrase "tunics and other clothing" in the original Greek ... refers to both their undergarments ... and their outerwear.
Tabitha had made everything ... everything that they were wearing.
They were literally clothed ... in her compassion.
And their custom clothing ... indicates how Tabitha saw each one of them ... as individuals.
This amazing episode in Joppa surely brought to mind ... the experience Peter had with Jesus when Jairus' young daughter ... had died.
Remember the setting: Jesus ... Seeing all the commotion and crying, ... told them all ... to leave ... to go outside.
Then he took Peter, James and John into the room with him, ...
"Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' ... which means, 'Little girl, I say to you, rise!' " (Mark 5:41)
Now here in Joppa ... Peter changes just one letter and says, ... "Tabitha, koum!"
And we are told "She opened her eyes, ... and seeing Peter ... she sat up.
He took her by the hand ... and helped her to her feet.
Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive." (Acts 9:40)
Jesus ... through Peter ... raised Tabatha ... from the dead.
We do not hear what happens next ... yet I am convinced ... that after she regained her strength, ... she returned to her quiet ...and unassuming service.
Beloved ... Miracles ... always magnify God ... and always work ... to spread the ... good news of His glory.
BIBLE "This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord." END
The salvation of so many in Joppa ... in a way ... is actually ... the greater miracle.
Perhaps you are a quiet practitioner ... of acts of kindness... just like Tabitha.
You notice needs that others may not even see ... and you find joy ... in meeting them.
Service evangelism ... touches people .... In the midst of a need.
Serving ... will break through disbelief ... and ... a helping hand ... can often soften ... a hardened heart.
God is calling each of us ...to get up ... and to be involved ... in acts of compassion.... In servant evangelism.
To do the small thing ... to show the main thing ... God's love.
Beloved ... We were raised to a new life ... in order to serve... like Tabitha.
To be devoted disciples ... who are Doers of Deeds.
The true measure of our effectiveness ... is not defined by what happens ... "in here" ... but by what happens ... "out there."
No one can do everything ... but everyone ... can do something.
Jesus challenges his disciples and us ... To do the small thing ... to show the main thing: ... God's Love.
We never fully know ......what small act of kindness ......will touch ... and transform a life.
Beloved......We receive eternal life ......not by what we do, ......but by what Christ has done for us ......and what he does ......through us.
Nike commercials use to challenge us to...... "Just do it!"
Sharing Jesus in practical ways ....... with a cup of cold water, ......with a meal, ......with words of prayer, ......a listening ear.... a ride to the doctor ......and in so many ... other ways ......is a call to ...... Just do it.
Yet we need to always remember why ...... We Just do it.
Because Jesus our Lord and Savior ...... just did it.
He died for us......... He gives us life eternal.
He empowers us. ... He challenges us ... to live out our purpose ....... not only in the big moments of life, .........but in all of its little ones ... as well.
God knows...... that simple acts ... done with great love ......will change the world.
Beloved ....... those simple acts of servant evangelism ... done in love ......seem so small.
Yet when you realize ....... God is at work through them ......they become eternally large.
Remember our Lord's words to us: "Whatever you do for the least of these you do to me."
Beloved, ... Have the Heart of ...Tabatha ... Dorcas ... Gazelle. ...... Have a servant's Heart.
Do The Small Thing ......To Show the Main Thing: ...... God's Love!
Amen and Amen!!
I received much insight for the first portion of this Message from a sermon by Brian Bill Titled "God Uses Ordinary People: Tabitha" and I commend it to you.
Help: I retired in November 2017 and am attempting to supplement my income by sharing on Sermoncentral. If this Message has been helpful to you, please consider a nominal donation: Send to The Rev. Jeff Smead 11725 Regent Park Drive Chardon Ohio 44024. Blessed To Be A Blessing.
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