Lesson by Pastor John Skaggs

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

P. O. Box 1173

Claypool, Arizona 85532

520-425-8345

Date: 05-28-00

Sermon Number: 017

Text: Acts 9:32-43

Topics Addressed in this Lesson

(Life Style Evangelism, Loving God and Man - the fruit of true faith)

The continued expansion of the church outside Jerusalem required that at least some of the apostles move out of Jerusalem into the surrounding communities. In today’s text we have Peter the Apostle moving beyond the walls of the sacred city with the good news. On one of his trips, he visited the saints who lived at Lydda. The word saints does not refer to a few exceptional Christians in the city but to all the Christians in the city.

Lydda, known in the Old Testament as Lod, was located about ten miles southeast of the seacoast city of Joppa. It was an important place, since the roads from Egypt to Syria and from Joppa to Jerusalem passed through it. Today, says one, it is the location of Israel’s international airport. When Peter arrived in Lydda, he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and in bed for eight years.

We are not told how Aeneas was paralyzed but its clear that his condition was beyond the ability of contemporary medicine to cure. Barring divine intervention, a miracle, this man would spend the rest of his life in bed. But then Peter came along. He had been traveling with his eyes and ears open hoping to "find" opportunities to love/help people and in the process speak to them of their need for Jesus. While in this expectant and searching frame of mind he "found" this paralyzed man and healed him.

The Apostolic gifts do not exist today; therefore, we cannot heal the sick or raise the dead like the apostles did. But we can mimic Peter’s attitude. We can travel through life with our eyes and ears open, praying that God would give us opportunities to speak and act on Christ’s behalf. And what is a witnessing opportunity? Such an opportunity presents itself every time we come in contact with another human. For the light that is our faith in Christ shines at all times and in all places. Our loving of and kind treatment of those we come in contact with is a witness to His grace and mercy. Life, as it unfolds on a day-to-day basis, is an opportunity to witness for Christ whether that witness is verbal or silent. Loving your neighbor as you love yourself is witnessing for Christ. Loving your mate is witnessing for Christ. Obeying the powers that be is witnessing for Christ. Faithfully disciplining your children while teaching them truth is witnessing for Christ. Paying your bills on time is witnessing for Christ. Living by faith in Jesus is witnessing for Christ no matter what you are doing. Therefore, the mundane affairs of life must not be looked down upon for it is these that bring us into contact with people who need salvation. We must never forget that the salvation of a soul is a far greater miracle than the healing of sickness or raising of the dead. May God teach us all to walk through each day expectantly, looking for an opportunity to speak to someone about Christ or, to love them, with our mouths shut, in the name of Jesus. When Peter found his opportunity to minister in Christ’s name he did so and was careful to direct the thanks and praise to the right person, Jesus Christ.

Peter understood his role in the kingdom of God. He had not been called to fame or fortune and he sought neither. He had been called to bring honor and glory to God and His Christ by speaking the truth about men and God. In addition to the calling the apostles were given unique gifts to help them fulfill their mission. They had the ability to perform miracles, which were designed by God to draw attention to Himself and the Savior. Therefore, Peter did not exalt himself. Rather, when he spoke he pointed the man to Jesus saying, "Christ heals you, arise"!

The Christian understands that he or she is nothing and can do nothing, absolutely nothing, without Christ. The great men and women of scripture are no exception. Christ must be exalted and praised for all that we are and do in His name. Peter pointed all the people he helped, healed, raised from the dead or simply shared the gospel with, to Christ. We must do the same thing. When we have loved our neighbor in some practical way and they thank us, we can reply, thank God, not me, He is the cause of any good that I have done. That this is true is reinforced by the words of Christ to His disciples in John 15:4-5 NASB. "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. {5} "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, HE BEARS MUCH FRUIT; FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING."

Along the same vein we have the words of the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 4:11 NASB. "Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let him do so AS BY THE STRENGTH WHICH GOD SUPPLIES; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom BELONGS the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Peter was not a self-deceived, pride-driven, man. He was a lover of God and of men. He knew that all he was and all he did was the product of the grace of God and of Jesus his Savior. Paul’s attitude was the same as Peter’s. In Romans 15:17-19 he says, "Therefore in Christ Jesus I have found reason for boasting in things pertaining to God. {18} For I will not presume to speak of anything except WHAT CHRIST HAS ACCOMPLISHED through me . . ."

Peter, the apostle healer, is careful to give credit where credit is due. {34} "Aeneas, he said, Jesus Christ heals you; arise, and make your bed." And immediately he arose." He rose with no paralysis, no remaining symptoms of the disease. His cure was complete as were all the healings performed by Christ and His apostles. The New Testament knows nothing of the "progressive healings" of today. The modern healer often tells the person he is supposed to have healed that he will gradually get better. He is told to claim his healing every day even though there has been no change in his condition. This is why we hear people, even on their death, beds saying, "I have been healed" when the very malady they refer to is about to take their lives. This is self-deception and fraud on the part of those who teach it. All the recorded healings in the New Testament are immediate and complete.

As we have seen in past lessons God healed people to validate both the Apostle’s ministry and the words they spoke. Often times, as is the case in this text, the public healing of an individual was followed by the salvation of many people. Our text tells us that all who lived at Lydda and Sharon, a near by community, turned to the Lord. This means they were saved, converted, born again, added to the universal church of Jesus Christ. The citizens of two whole towns were adopted into the family of God through faith in Jesus. Wow!

The phrase "turned to the Lord" includes both repentance from sin and faith toward Jesus Christ. These people not only turned from their sin they turned to Jesus. Why? Because in salvation the sinner is changed, redirected, re-motivated, he is a new creature in Christ. That is why he turns from sin to Christ. The same word is used in Acts 3:19 NASB. "Repent therefore and RETURN, (the word return is the same word used in our text) that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;" (Acts 11:21 NASB) "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed TURNED to the Lord." This is the goal of gospel preaching, (Acts 26:18 NASB) "to open their eyes so that they may TURN from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.'"

These texts taken together show that salvation is more than signing on the dotted line. It is more than membership and baptism. It is a conversion, a change of mind, and a change of direction. It is an about-face from one belief and behavior to a completely opposite commitment. That commitment is to a person, Jesus Christ the Son of God. In this instance a large community was turned or converted to Christ. The 1 Thessalonians text just read is a great summary of what salvation does to a person. When one is saved he turns from idols to serve a living and true God. That is, he turns from the worship of himself, his own goodness, or any other kind of god, to the one true God. He turns to Him by faith in Jesus the Son. For no man comes to the Father but by or through the Son. So, we have repentance from dead works and we have faith in Jesus for acceptance with God the Father. Notice what happens next. This person turns from sin to God and he begins to serve Him. Saved sinners serve the living God for life. They will serve Him because they have been changed from God haters to God lovers. The law of God has been written on their hearts and they love it. True salvation always has and always will change sinners into true worshippers and followers of the one true God.

We continue with verse thirty-six. {36} Now in Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did. {37} And it came about at that time that she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upper room. {38} And since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, having heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him, "Do not delay to come to us." {39} And Peter arose and went with them. And when he had come, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them."

While Peter was at Lydda, a dear saint in the church at nearby Joppa died. The lady’s name was Dorcas or Tabitha. She was well known for her kindness and love of people, she was a real Christian lady. Not just in word but in deed as well. Verse 36 speaks of her deeds of kindness and charity, which she continually did. Verse 39 tells us what form those deeds of kindness took. Dorcas made clothes for people in need. In other words, she loved her neighbor as she loved herself. She was a true disciple of Jesus. She had been created in Him by faith FOR good works, which God prepared beforehand that she should walk in them, and walk in them she did. She was not saved because of her good works. Rather, her good works were the evidence and fruit of her salvation. I say it again, when God saves a person He changes them. They are no longer interested in sin, wickedness, or the world’s ways. Instead, the saved person seeks out and practices deeds of righteousness, goodness, kindness, deeds of love.

It comes as no surprise that this woman’s death was a source of sorrow and grief to the believers in Joppa. With great love and with many tears they readied her body for burial and laid it in an upper room. But they had heard of Peter and the miracle he did in Lydda. So, hoping that he might be able to help they sent for him. "Do not delay to come to us," they said.

There is no doubt that with two entire towns coming to faith in Jesus Peter had his hands full. There had to be a thousand questions to answer. Perhaps he was arranging or even involved in the baptisms that followed. But when the request came from Joppa he went. For this was another opportunity to speak and act in Jesus name. When he had arrived at Joppa, they brought him to the upper room where they had laid Dorcas’s body. All the widows of the church stood beside him weeping, and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them. It is likely that these widows were the focus of Tabitha’s ministry.

Peter was not interested in putting on a show so, . . . {40} . . Peter sent them all out 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. {41} And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive."

Some might think Peter, who had been involved in many healings, (Acts 5:12–16), should have simply commanded Dorcas to rise. He knew, however, he had no power of his own. He knew he could only be successful by the will and power of Jesus Christ. So, instead of blundering ahead in his own supposed strength and wisdom he knelt and prayed.

Prayer is the Christian’s life-blood, source of comfort, wisdom, and strength. It is a principle means of grace to all the people of God, which cannot be neglected without a price. When a Christian prays he acknowledges dependence on God and a glad submission to His will. The praying Christian realizes that God is "able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to [His] power that works within us" (Eph. 3:20). But he also realizes that God may not be pleased to do what we ask and, therefore, he begs the strength to accept that possibility. Further, in praying, Peter was following in the footsteps of his Savior. For Jesus was a man of prayer.

Having prayed, Peter turned to the deceased lady and said, "Tabitha, arise." By the grace and power of God, she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

It is true that this miracle was a blessing to Tabitha, her family, and to the church, but God turned it into even a larger blessing. For, as the news of the miracle spread, many sinners came to believe in Jesus. {42} And it became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord". This tells us that Peter was not just healing the sick and raising the dead. He was not just comforting folks and being kind. He was doing these things but he was also sharing the gospel with the people he met. ". . . for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16 NASB)

What does it mean to believe in or have faith in the Lord? We can’t be too careful in answering this question. For faith is the means by which God communicates salvation to sinners. It is by faith that we are justified before God (Rom. 3:26; 4:1-5; Gal. 2:16). It is by faith that Christians live their lives, or walk the walk (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is by faith that we sustain our hope of heaven (Heb. 10:35-12:3).

Saving faith has to do with trust in God Himself, His promises, and in Jesus Christ, as they are revealed in the Scriptures. Faith is a whole-souled commitment, involving the mind or understanding, the heart, the will, and the affections. Saving faith is personal dependence on the grace of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit for salvation. The person who has saving faith has ceased form all attempts at saving himself by the presentation of deeds of righteousness, which he has done. (Romans 4:5; 10:3). Saving faith looks away from works to rest completely in the works and righteousness of Jesus. Saving faith is not of human origin, it is the gift of God so that boasting is eliminated. One cannot brag of or take credit for a gift, he can only be thankful.

John Calvin defined faith as "a firm and sure knowledge of the divine favor towards us, founded on the truth of a free promise in Christ, and revealed to our minds and sealed on our hearts by the Holy Spirit." I would add that such faith always moves a sinner to action. Saving faith moves him to turn from his sin to Christ for the salvation of his soul. Then it moves him to a lifetime of following His God and Savior Jesus Christ.

To say that one is justified before God by things they have done or refused to do is legalism. Justification before God is, as Martin Luther insisted, by faith only ("faith apart from observing the law," Rom. 3:28), because it is in Christ and by Christ only, and depends on what He is as distinct from what we are. But if "good works" (activities of serving God and others) do not follow from our profession of faith, we are as yet believing only from the head, not from the heart: in other words, justifying faith is not yet ours if works of righteousness do not follow. The truth is that, though we are justified by faith alone, the faith that justifies is never alone. It produces moral fruit; it expresses itself "through love" (Gal. 5:6); it transforms one’s way of living; it begets virtue. This is not only because holiness is commanded, but also because the regenerate heart desires holiness and can find full contentment only in seeking it.

James says that faith without works is dead. He also says that one is justified by what he does, not by faith alone. By this he means that one’s deeds prove his faith to be genuine or false. The man who says he has trusted in Christ for salvation and then goes on to live for and serve God vindicates himself from the suspicion of being a hypocrite and a fraud. True saving faith is always accompanied by a change of one’s life. All those to whom Peter preached the gospel were given the gifts of true repentance and faith for salvation. They all believed in the Lord!

Our passage in Acts closes with evidence that Peter had been changed by faith. {43} And it came about that he stayed many days in Joppa with a certain tanner, Simon." This had to be a great challenge for Peter who was, after all, a Jew. You see Tanners were despised by Jewish society because they dealt with the carcasses and skins of dead animals which made them unclean. The local synagogue would have shunned Simon the Tanner for his uncleanness. Contact with this man would render the Jew unfit for worship. So, you can see how extraordinary it was that Peter lodged with Simon for "many days." This is what grace does to people. It gives believing sinners the strength to love those they once hated. Grace enables the Christian to put aside, cherished, deeply ingrained, prejudices. Grace enables the sinner to call his one-time enemies brothers. Grace gave Peter what it took to stay many days in the home of an unclean man. The grace of God causes one to sacrifice his own comfort and preference for the souls of others.

The apostle Paul speaks of this in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22 NASB. "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, THAT I MIGHT WIN THE MORE. (That is, Paul wanted to present the gospel to people in such a way that they would be won over to it or believe it and be saved from the wrath of God. Therefore, he gave up his own personal preferences and prejudices.) {20} And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law, though not being myself under the Law, that I might win those who are under the Law; {21} to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. {22} To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some."

Do you suppose Paul enjoyed everyone he came in contact with? Of course he did not. But that did not keep him from trying to win them to Christ. He did not allow his personal comfort to keep him from loving people in practical ways while watching for opportunities to speak to them about Jesus. The same grace made Peter tolerate, even love, Simon the "unclean" Tanner.

While sharing with us more history of the early church and the apostle’s activities I believe this lesson has taught us something about true evangelism. This is a subject dear to my heart. I have purchased with good money many books that have been written on the subject of evangelism. Few of which I have found helpful or even true to scripture. But I have at last come to understand something about evangelism. I have come to believe that we are engaged in biblical evangelism when we love God with our entire heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. When we do this, our evangelistic lights shine in a world of darkness. When we love the people in our acquaintance we will, after awhile, have opportunity to speak of our Savior. This love is the key to effective evangelism. Such love is the child of faith. Love is faith being worked out in a tangible way. True faith in God expresses itself in love. I speak of feeding the poor, comforting of the grieving, befriending the friendless, of acts of kindness and concern to those closest to us, this is love. That this kind of love always accompanies saving faith is seen in the following texts.

(Galatians 5:6 NASB) "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love." Faith expresses or proves itself as one loves God and man.

(Colossians 1:4 NASB) "since we heard of your FAITH in Christ Jesus and the LOVE which you have for all the saints;" If you hear of someone’s faith in Christ but you also hear that they have no love for the saints you can know that their faith is false. For true faith does not exist where there is no love.

(2 Thessalonians 1:3 NASB) "We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, (How is this known? The evidence is love for God and man.) and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;"

(1 Timothy 1:5 NASB) "But the GOAL OF OUR INSTRUCTION IS LOVE from (which flows from) a pure heart and a good conscience and A SINCERE FAITH."

(Revelation 2:19 NASB) "'I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first." The greater activity in deeds of love proved that these saints had grown in faith. Faith is validated and proven as the Christian loves God and man in an ever-increasing way. Loving our neighbors as we love ourselves proves our faith and gives us opportunities to speak to them of their need for Christ. Faith works itself out in love for God and man and this love is the heart and soul of true evangelism. For it is love that will give us the opportunity and right to share with someone the good news about the Christ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling.

If we care at all for the souls of men let us look for people to love. Let us love them in ways they can see and feel and when they say thank you tell them to thank God and Jesus. For without Him we could do nothing but sin. At this point you may be given the privilege of sharing the good news with them in more detail. But whether that is the case or not, if you have loved them, you have bore an acceptable witness for Christ.