The power of Jesus can bring life to any hopeless situation

Acts 9:36–37 “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.”

Here we are introduced to woman by the name of Tabitha which is also translated Dorcas, the name Tabitha, is Aramaic and Dorcas is Greek and they both mean gazelle, which has the meaning of beauty, splendor, and honor. She was known as a disciple, a believer who followed the teachings of the Lord, and that she was full of good works and did charitable things like giving to the poor who were in need. She exemplified every aspect of a Proverbs 31 woman, Proverbs 31:19 “She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.”

Biblically she was living out her calling that God had prepared for her, Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Colossians 1:10 “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”

She was a Christian, she did good works by giving to the poor, but she got sick and died. Bad things do happen to good people. Just because your living for the Lord and trying to do good doesn’t mean that you will not face some trials.

1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;”

Having a belief in Christ will not prevent you from suffering. But having a belief and suffering in this life go hand in hand. Scripture says Philippians 1:29 “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,”

Many people’s commitment to God will falter because they have fallen into what seems is a hopeless situation. They don’t have faith in God and don’t believe His Word.

Yet we are told in Scripture in 1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

Our God is faithful, and you need to commit your souls to Him and do good, even while in the midst of your suffering.

This is what those who were around Dorcas believed despite Dorcas’ hopeless situation. Look again at the last clause in v.37 and 38, we are told that after Dorcas died, they “washed her, they laid her in an upper room.” Acts 9:38 “And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.”

It was customary for to bury a dead person the same day. But these believers had faith that all hope was not gone, even though there was no evidence that Peter had ever raised someone from the dead, what was evident was the faith of the believers in the power of Jesus to bring life to any hopeless situation. It is good to have believers who have that type of faith surrounding you, even when there seems as there is no hope, they believe in the power of Jesus bring life back into your hopeless situation.

What’s obvious is that their faith stemmed from them hearing that Peter had healed Aeneas by the power of Jesus Christ. They believed that the same Jesus who raised a woman’s son from the dead in Nain, who raised Jairus daughter from the dead, and who raised Lazarus from the dead, he has the power to bring life to Dorcas’ hopeless situation.

I believe this a word of encouragement to someone today. Maybe you’ve heard of the power of Jesus to bring life to a hopeless situation. He can do the same for you, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Maybe Jesus has saved you out of a dark place in your life, He is still able to make a way out of no way for whatever you are facing right now. Maybe he has healed your body, but now you’re experiencing another health set back, well the same power that Jesus healed you before, is available to you now according to His will.

If you want the power of Jesus to bring life to your hopeless situation you must remove all doubt.

Acts 9:39–40 “Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. But Peter put 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.”

The widows who stood by were weeping and whaling, they were hurt because the woman who had help them by giving them clothes while she was alive lay dead. But Peter didn’t get caught up in the commotion and he didn’t want to get distracted from what he needed to do and that was to pray so he removed them out of the room.

When you are dealing with a hopeless situation you can have people who are around you who can unknowingly cause you to doubt because of their actions. You are already wrestling with enough and you don’t need anyone feeding any doubt into your heart. You have to remove all doubters and get alone with God and pray.

Matthew 6:6 “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Notice that after Peter removed everyone out the room that after he knelt down and prayed he then turned to the body. His focus was on praying to the Lord and not looking at Dorcas’ hopeless situation. If you want the power of Jesus to bring life to any hopeless situation you need to stop focusing on your situation when you pray and focus on the Lord.

Peter tells us after he prayed, he says, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.”

Acts 9:41 “Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.

Peter doesn’t call her Dorcas, but he calls her by her Aramaic name Tabitha and commands her to arise. he remembered the words and action of Jesus when He healed Jairus daughter, when Jesus took Jairus daughter by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise. Immediately the girl arose and walked.” Mk 5:41-42.

Beloved if you want to experience the power of Jesus to bring life to your situation you must remember the Word of God. Hold it dear to your heart and trust Him by His word and the power of Jesus will bring life to any hopeless situation.

Acts 9:42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.”

From a historical perspective Peter was the first apostle to raise someone from the dead. But from a spiritual perspective Dorcas’ being raised from the dead was by the power of Jesus and it was by God’s divine purpose to draw many to believe in Jesus.

The power of Jesus had caused many to come to the faith in Jesus Christ in Lydda when Peter healed Aeneas, as well as those in Joppa after Dorcas was raised from the dead.

Now I want you to see the profound power of Jesus and God’s divine purpose in the lives of those who came to faith in Jesus those cities.

The Roman senator and general Cestius Gallus who served under Nero burned Lydda and a few later he destroyed Joppa. Thousands of Jews many of whom were Christians were killed in both cities. As tragic as this was those who believed and died went to heaven, absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. The power of Jesus turned their tragedy to victory.

The power of Jesus is still available today to save, to turn hopeless sinners to believers who will be given eternal life in heaven.