Well, the problem is that we are trying to fix the wrong thing.
Illus: If you had trouble with the carburetor on your car, and you took it to be fixed, and the mechanic worked on the transmission, you would find, when you drove the car from the garage, that you still had the same trouble as before. Why. Because the mechanic never dealt with the problem.
The same would be true if you had a tooth hurting you, and the dentist extracted one that was not hurting. You would be no better off after the extraction than you were before you went to the dentist.
This is why most criminals are no better off when they leave prison than when they went to prison. The problem of the sinful heart, which is the root of the problem, was never dealt with.
The early church had a major problem. Saul was determined to stamp Christianity out. Scripture says, " As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison." (Acts 8:3)
But, through the power of God, the first victory of the church was won, and Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, was the grand prize.
I. THE DEFECTION
Verse 31, "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
Illus: Often it has happened in past years, when athletes come to America (and other free countries), from Communist lands, they have defected. When they did this, the land they defected to would profit, because then, the talents of that athlete would be used there, for them.
When Paul defected to the Christian side, it resulted in many benefits for the work of the Lord in His church.
What did the church receive?
A. THE CHURCH RECEIVED REST
Verse 31, “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria,…"
There have been, and always will be, "storms" that assail the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must never forget that!
Illus: A new convert may find himself in the midst of a church 'storm.' He may say to himself, 'I know of another church that does not seem to be going through the raging storm that our church is facing. I believe I will just go to that church.” If the church he decides to go to is a sound, biblical church, he will find there will also be 'storms' there for him to face.
In other words, to leave a church because it is facing a spiritual 'storm', would be like moving from your house every time a rain storm passes over. It is going to rain in whatever place you move to.
However, the "storms" pass over. After Saul, the church's main persecutor at that time, was converted, there was rest in the churches for a season.
B. THE CHURCH RECEIVED EDIFICATION
"Then ... the churches ... were edified... "
This is what should happen when there are times of rest. One note of warning however, if we are not on guard, times of rest can be dangerous.
Illus: Have you ever stopped working so you could eat dinner, and after thirty or forty minutes of resting, you find it is hard to get back to work? When this happens, you can find that you only produce at about half the pace you had been at before you stopped to eat and rest.
Spiritually, this also can happen. Or worse, a time of rest can cause a church to become indolent, unfruitful, unfaithful, and quarrelsome.
But notice that the early church was aware of that danger, and they used their rest period as a time to be edified. They improved and fortified the weak spots in their Christian lives. Still today, many Christians need such a rest time, so they can get alone with the Lord, and be strengthened in the Lord again.
C. THE CHURCH RECEIVED FEAR
" Then had the churches rest … walking in the FEAR of the Lord,…”
Notice the words, "... walking in the fear of the Lord... "
Illus: Have you ever been driving down the highway, and seen a patrolman parked up ahead? First reaction? Hit the brake. You may not have even been speeding. Why then do you slow down? If you were not speeding, you have nothing to fear. You react because of the presence of authority. You are not afraid he is going to do you any bodily harm, but you want to be certain you are not caught breaking a law. Why? Because if you were breaking the law, then there would be a price to pay.
Sad to say, many Christians have lost their fear of the Lord. They live wild, reckless lives as if God did not know what they were doing and did not care. They are taking advantage of a "rest" period in their lives, and they feel they do not need to draw close to the Lord because everything is going great! Instead, they should be taking this time to be reading His Word and gaining spiritual strength. Notice that the early church did this. In this time of reprieve the Bible tells us they walked "...in the fear of the Lord.” They respected God's authority. They would not soon forget the lesson of Ananias and Sapphira.
D. THE CHURCH RECEIVED COMFORT
Verse 31, "Then had the churches ... the comfort of the Holy Ghost... “ There is a direct connection between walking in the fear of the Lord, and walking in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost produces comfort as we walk in the fear of the Lord.
II. THE DELIVERANCE
Verses 32-33, "And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.. "
A. THE SUFFERER
In verse 33, Peter came to Lydda where he, “…found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.."
This was a condition that was marked by tremors. This dear fellow had suffered for years with this disease, which was a common illness in that day. This man had been so controlled by the disease, that he had been bedridden for eight years. Why does God tell us of this incident? Because disease, in the Bible, represents sin. In fact leprosy was often used to illustrate sin because of so many parallels.
Illus: Leprosy is very hard to detect and diagnose at its inception. In the case of the palsy, it is a picture of sin in its disabling its victims. Sin disables people so that they are not able to come to the Lord. We often hear folks say, “I found the Lord,” when in fact, it was the other way around; the Lord was not lost, He found them. God tells us, “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Rom. 5:6
When Peter was in Lydda, he found, and had to go to the man who was suffering with the dreadful disease of palsy.
B. THE SAVIOUR
Notice the words of verse 34, "...Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole:"
Time after time, we hear of doctors abusing patients, giving medicine, and performing surgery that the patient never needed, or does no good. On top of that, they charge fees they should be ashamed to charge.
Illus: This reminds me of the story of the man who had surgery. When he received his bill, he said, “I used to wonder why doctors wore masks during surgery. Now I know. With the price they charge, they should hide their faces. This is robbery!”
Yes, we hear reports of sick people at the mercy of doctors, having to put up with all kinds of abuse. Worse yet, there are people who claim to be "divine healers,” who take advantage of the elderly and gullible, telling them to send the money they have worked a life time for, to some ministry, while promising them God will bless them if they will do this.
Of course God heals! But I cannot recall reading one place where Peter told those he helped, "If you will ‘plant a seed' of $1,000,00, God will raise you up."
Crooks who would tell you God will heal your gall bladder for 250.00, or your bad liver for $750.00, should be rejected. Peter says nothing about money when it comes to divine healing. He simply told Aeneas, "...Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make they bed... "
C. THE SHOCK
Verses 34b-35, say, "..And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord…”
You may ask, "Why doesn't God do things like that today?"
There are probably many reasons. Two are:
1. Men would try to use God's gift to acquire great gain instead of bringing glory to Him!
Remember the promise of Mark 16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
Men and women all over this nation claim that God has given them this power. I have one comment: “Put up or shut up!" I have witnessed God's healing, but no man was responsible. The ones who claim to have such gifts, have yet to be able to document them. Often it is said, "I read...," or "I heard...", but they never document the healing(s). One divine healer, tells that he laid hands on a person who was born blind. Surely the family and friends would be able to confirm if that were true. Something like that would make, at least, local news, and even national news now and then - no report!
God promised these things to His early church. He greatly used miracles to win men to Himself. Look at Acts 9:35, "And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord."
2. The church today, is not in a position for God to use them like He used the members of the early church.
Illus: Dr. Ironside gives an illustration like this. Suppose a man loved a young lady very much. He later had to leave town for a time, but while away he sent her all kinds of lavish gifts. He later found out she was not true to him. In fact, she was flirting, and dating all kinds of men. When he found out about her, could he continue to send her all kinds of lavish gifts? Of course not! The church today is in no position for God to send all kinds of lavish gifts, and use them the way He used the early church.
God still occasionally is able to heal someone, or perform some other supernatural feat, but not nearly as frequently as He was able to in the early days of His church.
III. THE DISCIPLE
A. THE MESSAGE
Verses 36-38, "Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.”
Isn't it wonderful when good memories are left behind about one who has passed away? They did not have telephones or fax phones like we have today, but when Dorcas died, they had received news that Peter was near, so they sent for him to come.
B. THE MOURNING
Verse 39, "Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.”
Illus: Years ago, a dad in Columbia, S. C., who had wasted his whole life, died. A preacher was asked to preach the funeral. He went to the only son and said, “Could you tell me some things about your dad, or is there anything you would like me to say?” The son said, “My dad has lived a wicked life. There is not anything good you can say about him. In fact, the family would appreciate it, if you would make it as short as possible.”
That son was not trying to be mean or disrespectful. He was simply stating fact. Isn't it a shame that when some breathe that last breath, those who are left behind are better off with them gone. This was not the case with Dorcas. They missed her very much, and were hurt by her dying. The Bible says, "...and all the widows stood by him weeping,"
C. THE MARVEL
Verses 40-43, "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner."
If they would have had television back then, that would have made the evening news on every network. If they would have had newspapers, it would have made the front page. This was such an amazing thing that the Bible says, "...it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord."
Conclusion:
What a challenge! Could we not live in such a way, that the Lord could perform such miracles and be glorified today, as back then.
I. THE DEFECTION
A. THE CHURCH RECEIVED REST
B. THE CHURCH RECEIVED EDIFICATION
C. THE CHURCH RECEIVED FEAR
D. THE CHURCH RECEIVED COMFORT
II. THE DELIVERANCE
A. THE SUFFERER
B. THE SAVIOR
C. THE SHOCK
III. THE DISCIPLE
A. THE MESSAGE
B. THE MOURNING
C. THE MARVEL
