Acts 9:31-43

Jesus did miracles

Jesus can do miracles

Jesus can STILL do miracles

Jesus Still Does Miracles

The Miracles Of Jesus - The Sequel

Last week Pastor Calvin talked about the conversion of Saul. The man who was once persecutor of the church, became a follower of Jesus for a few chapters here Saul Or as he would've known Paul steps into the background, and we see what's going on in the life of the apostle Peter before we get into the two stories they were going to look at today, though there is a verse that bridges the gap between Saul and Peter explain the current climate of the church

Acts 9:31–43 (ESV)

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

peace despite persecution - Shalom

Human level there is reason for conflict.

They are being persecuted.

They have been pushed out of their homes and businesses and families

people that in a former life They would have hated and avoided, They are now sharing meals and resources and worship services together,

but they're experiencing peace.

Real Peace doesn't come from ideal circumstances. It comes from a right relationship with God, and a life lived in submission to him.

2. built up

Walking in the fear of the Lord - Obedience

The fear of the Lord

Psalm 111:10 ESV

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Walking in the comfort of the Holy Spirit - Abiding

3. increasing in numbers - because of the work of the Holy Spirit Not because of programs, not because of cool worship music, not because of the pastors shoes, not because of followers on social media

As they lived with fear of the lord and obedience, and because they were living in fellowship with the Holy Spirit God saw fit to continue to increase their numbers.

Miracle 1 - Healing of Aeneas

32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.

There would have been a tremendous amount of teaching, encouragement and administrative work to do in each of these places.

Pastoral ministry

33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.

We don’t know anything about this man and his contributions to the church or how peter came to be in contact with him.

We can assume that since he was bedridden for eight years that he must've experienced an injury or illness that causes paralysis.

Man was not living in a nursing home or care facility. He was probably homeless and subsisting on the charity of his neighbors.

34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.

Jesus is healing you

A miracle should point to Jesus

“Get up” (evidence that supernatural healing had taken place)

“Clean up” (demonstration that the mans situation had changed)

35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

huge outpouring of Holy spirit empowered conversions

Miracle 2 - Tabitha Raised From the Dead

36 Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.

It would seem that Tabitha was a single woman or a widow. A woman by herself who was making a tremendous impact on the church.

Using the resources and talents at her disposal to do all she could.

37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.”

presumably a unexpected fast illness

We don’t know if they wanted peter to come for a funeral or a miracle

We don’t know if peter came expecting a funeral or a miracle

39 So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. 40 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. 41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Peter Does a lot of things

Rose and Went

Told everyone to leave

kneels down

prays

turns to the body

speaks to Tabitha

The woman responds

Opens her eyes

looks at him

sat up

helped her up

Jesus is the one who brings new life.

Jesus is not here but he is active

A powerful miracle comes from a place of human weakness (kneeling and begging)

Elijah and Elisha

Turn from your sin and Cry out to God for salvation and follow and obey the true God

Jesus miracles echoed Elijah and Elisha and aligned his message and ministry with them

Turn from your sin and Cry out to God for salvation and follow and obey the true God

the Miracles of the apostles echoed Jesus and Elijah and Elisha and aligned their ministry with them

Turn from your sin and Cry out to God for salvation and follow and obey the true God

42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

Miracles are not needed for conversion

Miracles do not always lead to conversion

So What?

Ministry is About People

Mark 10:45 ESV

45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Christians are KIND and CHARITABLE

It does not say Tabatha was known and loved for owning false teachers in arguments.

I she was known and loved for her charity and kindness

Will your contributions be missed?

Jesus Is Still Doing This

Raising of the dead is a rare occurrence, even in the Bible, even in Jesus Ministry. God CAN do it. God WILL do it.

God DOES do it, making dead hearts alive.

John 11:25–26 ESV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 5:21–26 (ESV)

21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will….24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. 25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.