Glory in God's Grace

Acts 9:32–43 KJV 1900

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 Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. 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. 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 shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 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.

Introduction

1. Before class make several note cards. On each card, write out the a color using a marker of a different color. For instance,

"yellow" with a purple marker. Make at least 10 cards. Make multiple sets if you have a large class.

2. Students take turns going through the flashcards. Have them say the color of the letters the first time through and read the words the next time through. Have them go as fast as they can. They will have to concentrate on getting each one correct.

3. Transition to the Bible lesson.

Getting all the flashcards right, especially the second time through, took a concerted effort. That's because our minds have been conditioned to think in a particular way. We will learn that God had to use a visual aid to help Peter realize the extent of saving grace. The thrice-repeated lesson changed what had become an Peter's ingrained way of thinking and responding.

Examples of God's Grace

DISPLAY: Resource 25-R16. Point out the cities covered in this lesson as you come across them.

Acts 9 ends with two examples of God's grace for individuals. Both had dire needs.

God's grace for the helpless

Have you known someone who 25-R16 was paralyzed because of an accident? How did the person's independence change?

Peter's encounter with paralyzed Aeneas in Lydda seems rather random It would be easy to read right by it. But God put the account there on purpose. Aeneas's helplessness provided an opportunity for Peter to demonstrate God's enabling, transforming grace.

Acts 9:34–35 KJV 1900

And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Aeneas was probably a Jewish believer since God tater used the Gentile Cornelius to introduce the gospel to Gentiles as part of Peter's ministry, Peter called on the name of Jesus the Christ and instantly healed the man. God transformed Aeneas's paralyzed body as an illustration of how His grace transforms one's lost and helpless soul. The illustration of God's transforming grace proved powerful. Word of the healing spread among the Jews. Many believed throughout the Plain of Sharon, the swath of coastal lands stretching from Lydda up to Mount Carmel. People throughout central Israel witnessed Aeneas's healed body and found healing for their souls by God's grace through faith.

God's grace for a helper

Acts 9:36–39 KJV 1900

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. 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 shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

While Peter was in Lydda, a believer named Tabitha (Dorcas who lived in Joppa, became ill and died. Believers in Joppa knew that Peter was nearby. The sent for him to see if he could help or at least provide comfort.

Peter traveled the ten miles to Joppa. When he got there, he found a group of grieving widows. They showed him all the garments Tabitha sewed for them. Tabitha had a good reputation. She had used her talent of sewing to minister to the needs of many. The widows testified of the gracious help she had given them.

Acts 9:40–43 KJV 1900

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.

Peter sent all the mourners away and then knelt and prayed for Tabitha Calling her by name, he commanded her to rise. Amazingly, she did! Imagine the joyful reunion that awaited her when Peter led her out her room and to the company of the widows she had helped!

Consider that after Tabitha died again and returned to Heaven; her opportunity to serve God by ministering to others ended. God Tabitha grace by giving her more years to serve Him and illustrate His grace to countless others. No doubt Tabitha not only clothed the widows with garments but also clothed them in God's saving grace as she shared the gospel with them.

ASK: What could you do to show grace to others? How might your actions provide opportunities to share God's saving grace?

Extent of God's Grace

God's grace for the Gentiles

Acts 10:1–2 KJV 1900

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

Cornelius was a centurion in the Roman army. He served as an officer who commanded several hundred soldiers in Caesarea. The Romans had significantly upgraded Caesarea's port by digging it deeper and building a break wall. The Roman soldiers were stationed there to guard the port and the beautiful brick aqueduct Rome had built to bring fresh water into the city.

DISPLAY: Resources 25-R7 through 25-R9. The resources show the Caesarean port today, the ancient aqueduct Cornelius defended, and Roman-built arches Cornelius probably walked under.

Cornelius and his household were devoted to knowing God. He generously gave to the needy and faithfully attempted to communicate God. His understanding of a monotheistic God came from Judaism. Romans typically recognized and worship multiple gods.

God recognized Cornelius's prayers and good deeds as honest attempts and serve Him. But those attempts wouldn't save Cornelius. He to learn about Jesus' substitutionary death on the cross. So God came to Cornelius in a vision and instructed him to send messengers to at Joppa. Cornelius obeyed God's instructions (10:3-8). God then His attention to Peter.

of Cornelius's traveling delegation, Peter went to his roof top prayed. While he then waited for his meal to be prepared, God put a trance.