John 5:8 said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

Acts 9:34 And Peter said to him, “, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk…?

His name [that is, Jesus’ name] – by faith in his name – has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.” Mark 5:41-42 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. :40-42 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up.

Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Mark 5:4 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

Acts 9:40, 41: But Peter … said, “Tabitha, arise.” …And he gave her his hand and raised her up. 1. Aeneas and are living signs to others of God’s grace and promise of new life. 1. Aeneas and Dorcas are living signs to others of God’s grace and promise of new life.

Do you look to me? No, but look to Jesus! 1. Aeneas and Dorcas are living signs to others of God’s grace and promise of new life.

Do you look to me? No, but look to Jesus!

Do you then look to Aeneas and Dorcas? Good, but remember that these are both living signs of God’s grace for others! 1. Aeneas and Dorcas are living signs to others of God’s grace and promise of new life.

2. We are given, in Dorcas, a beautiful picture of what God values. Acts 9:36-39 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room…

All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

(a) She believes the teachings of Jesus. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

(a) She believes the teachings of Jesus. (b) She clings to Jesus salvation. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

(a) She believes the teachings of Jesus. (b) She clings to Jesus salvation. (c) She follows Jesus’ godly example for life. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

2. “Full of good works and acts of charity.” Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

2. “Full of good works and acts of charity.”

Good works are a mark of true discipleship. The phrase “acts of charity” is related to the Greek word for mercy (Kyrie eleison). Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

2. “Full of good works and acts of charity.”

Good works are a mark of true discipleship. The phrase “acts of charity” is related to the Greek word for mercy (Kyrie eleison).

Tabitha is merciful and generous. Her kindness is shown forth in her generosity that meets need. 1 John 3:16-18 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. Who Was Tabitha / Dorcas ?

1. A disciple.

2. “Full of good works and acts of charity.”

3. For Tabitha, this generosity, her mercy, consisted in making coats and garments for others. 1 Samuel 2:19 And his mother used to make for him a little robe and take it to him each year when she went up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. “Dorcas,” by George MacDonald If I might guess, then guess I would That, mid the gathered folk, This gentle Dorcas one day stood, And heard when Jesus spoke.

She saw the woven seamless coat- Half envious, for his sake: ‘Oh, happy hands,’ she said, ‘that wrought The honoured thing to make!’

Her eyes with longing tears grow dim: She never can come nigh To work one service poor for him For whom she glad would die! “Dorcas,” by George MacDonald But, hark, he speaks! Oh, precious word! And she has heard indeed! ‘When did we see thee naked, Lord, And clothed thee in thy need?’

‘The King shall answer, Inasmuch As to my brethren ye Did it-even to the least of such- Ye did it unto me.’

Home, home she went, and plied the loom, And Jesus’ poor arrayed. She died-they wept about the room, And showed the coats she made. Matthew 25:38, 40 “When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you…?

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Ecclesiastes 2:4-6, 11 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees… Ecclesiastes 2:4-6, 11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:17, 3:9 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind…

What gain has the worker from his toil? 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1. Aeneas and Dorcas are living signs to others of God’s grace and promise of new life.

2. We are given, in Dorcas, a beautiful picture of what God values.

The worth of our lives and deeds are not measured in God’s economy as they are in the world’s. Middlemarch, by George Eliot Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth.

But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs. Galatians 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. 1 John 3:19-21 By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God.