A Christ Centered Woman

Intro:

Living a Christ centered life is living a life that has an impact on others.

Mother’s Day is an wonderful day. Today’s message is not just to mothers and the ladies . . . it applies to all of us.

Our text focuses on a woman named Dorcas.

While we get only a brief description of her life (death, and resurrection), we see a woman who truly lived for Christ.

Up to this point in Acts, the focus has been on Peter’s public ministry to crowds of people in various cities.

Peter was a busy guy, he was always on the move.

Peter’s ministry kept him busy.

Acts 9:32 NKJV

Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.

That verse tells us of a wide-spread ministry, but now we get a picture of a more personal ministry.

Dorcas was a loved and respected woman, and most importantly a follower of Jesus.

When Dorcas passed away they didn’t bury her immediately, as was the custom. Instead, believers placed her in an upstairs room.

Apparently, knowing how faithful she was, they were hoping for, or even expecting a miracle.

They knew that Peter was nearby, and that he was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, they sent for him.

The Bibles record of her may be short, but it tells us a surprising amount about Dorcas and her life.

A CHRIST-CENTERED WOMAN FINDS HER PURPOSE IN CHRIST.

Most people desire a meaningful life.

We know life is supposed to mean something, and Dorcas found her purpose in following Christ.

Dorcas was a “disciple” of Jesus. Her name means “gazelle,” which likely fit her personality.

She was “full of good works and charitable deeds”, devoted to helping others. What are you full of?

A lot of people continually add tings to their lives, in a quest to find meaning and fulfillment.

However, simply adding things to your life will not give your life meaning or fulfillment.

No amount of good works will get you anywhere without faith in Christ.

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Here’s the thing, you don’t just add Jesus to your life; He must become your life.

Jesus is not just part of your life, He must become your life.

Luke 14:33

Luke 14:33 NKJV

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 16:24-25

Matthew 16:24–25 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

Matthew 10:37-39

Matthew 10:37–39 NKJV

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Dorcas apparently understood this truth: A truly fulfilling life is centered on Christ.

A CHRIST-CENTERED WOMAN IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO DO GOD’S WORK.

Dorcas was always doing. She wasn’t just thinking, waiting, or planning, she was doing!

Serving the Lord means that we actually have to do stuff.

James 1:22-25

James 1:22–25 NKJV

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

We are told that she made robes and clothes for others who now grieved her death.

Each of these people had a visible reminder of Dorcas’ work in their lives.

Now that she was gone, people felt the void. She had an impact on their lives, and these widows missed her.

Will people notice when you’re gone? What kind of impact have you had?

I’m sure we all know someone who had a great impact, and left behind a noticeable void.

A CHRIST-CENTERED WOMAN WILL BE A WITNESS FOR CHRIST.

2 Timothy 4.2

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

A crowd gathered to mourn Dorcas’ passing.

They urgently summoned Peter. Every-one seemed drawn in her direction.

The force that pulled them in was this woman’s life and testimony to Christ.

They remembered her witness and they even bore proof of it.

Her death left such a void that they sent for Peter to do something.

Her resurrection then resulted in many believing in the Lord.

Even today Dorcas stands as a witness of faith.

A CHRIST-CENTERED WOMAN FINDS HER HOPE IN JESUS’ RESURRECTION.

Peter said to her “get up”

That wording is incredibly similar to what Jesus said to the 12-year old daughter of Jairus.

He called her by name and told her to “arise!” (Mark 5:41)

The Lord, through Peter, raised her up and showed the power of God in her life.

He called everyone back in, and there she stood:

Resurrected.

Christ-centered.

Alive.

She was a follower of the God of life.

This isn’t a lesson about some long forgotten, antiquated values.

It’s no different today.

Jesus is still our source of hope.

1 Peter 1:3

1 Peter 1:3 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

The only one who can save us is Christ himself.

John 14:6

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 NKJV

that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Conclusion:

This is a message not only for women, but I hope that the women here find some inspiration in Dorcas’ life.

I hope that she is an example of faith and strength, highlighting the the positive impact you can have on those around you.

Ultimately, the hero of the story is Jesus Christ who gives us life, and we all find our purpose in Him.

Our purpose is in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:10

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Application:

What is your purpose? If it is not Christ, then you need to turn to Him.

Be a witness for Christ.

Rejoice in His victory and resurrection.