The Gospel on the Move

The Gospel on the Move

It’s been a few weeks since we were in Acts. Last time we were here we saw Saul, the great persecutor of the church become a Christian himself. Now – Saul/Paul is gonna get a lot of attention in Acts – and he should, but the last we read of him was that AFTER he left Jerusalem the church is strengthened and grows in numbers. (Talk: Paul is a super star – but it the average un-named Christ follower that will bring most people to Jesus. Talk about Promise Keepers and “How many people got saved at a Billy Graham Crusade?” – Most in the stadium – Soldier Field, the most ever, were NOT saved through Billy Graham’s ministry!)

The Gospel moves forward when usual Christians love God, love on the people around them, talk about Jesus, and invite others to join the church.

In – We saw another big star, Philip the Evangelist, one of the first 7 deacons appointed in the first church. He had gone to Caesarea after having baptized the Ethiopian official. The Bible says that he preached the Gospel in all the towns on his way there. One of those towns would have been Lydda which we will read about today.

Let’s start with reading 32-35.

He went to visit the Lord’s people in Lydda. Why? Because all Christians are one family.

Jesus heals the man through Peter. And right away get up and get to work. Get up and tell. Go give a testimony. This is a theme we see again and again in the NT. When God works in our lives – it isn’t so we can sit in one place – take the blessings and do nothing about them. TELL SOMEONE some good news!

Aeneas obeyed IMMEDIATELY. And everyone saw him and turned to the Lord. Now – being a good witness for Christ is not easy and it takes humility. We need to be wise and not settle for simplistic aphorisms if we want to be useful to God.

Ever heard someone say, “I don’t want them to see me. Just Jesus.” I’ve said that. I think often that feeling comes from a good heart. We want the spotlight on Jesus – not on ourselves. But, it isn’t true that the best witness for Christ is unseen. I mean – how convincing our encouraging is a testimony given by a hidden anonymous person?

Matthew Henry puts it this way, “Let none say, that because it is Christ, who, by the power of his grace, works all our works in us, therefore we have no work, no duty to do; for though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise, and use the power he gives thee.”

All who lived in the area saw this man, and what Christ had done for him, and they turned to the Lord. What if he had immediately gone into hiding? Or thought to himself, “God is great, but I’m no one special. I don’t want any attention. I will just silently slip out of town and never mention this to anyone. Because it’s all about Jesus and not about me.” How effective do you think his “testimony” would have been?

Has the Lord done anything for you? Could that encourage any other Christians? Could it help a preChristian find Christ? Then DON’T keep it to yourself!

When God blesses you (and the greatest blessing is salvation!) let people see you. Here is the test – not if you are seen or unseen but the real test is – do people see you and follow Jesus or see you and follow you. Do they see you and think you are awesome? Or do they see you and think Christ is awesome!

READ 36-39 – This wonderful woman – a disciple – a doer of good who had a heart to help poor people – is honored in Scripture and was honored by the people around her in her time.

What do you want on your tomb stone “How about “always doing good and helping the poor.” That’s not too bad. And when she died, the Christian widows cried. Just like when the first Martyr died – Stephen the Deacon. says that ‘godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply” for him. Don’t let anyone tell you that if you are a Christian you don’t greave when fellow Christians die. We know that we will see Christian loved ones again. But we will miss them.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” (talk)

But in the case of Tabitha God gives us a sample of the resurrection we are all looking forward to.

READ vs. 40-43

We serve a MIGHTY God – everything is easy for Him. This isn’t a death where someone’s heart stopped for a couple of minutes in an operating room. She had been dead for some time and her bodied had been prepared. God can do whatever He likes.

But… why Tabitha and not a good man like Stephen? The Benson Commentary puts it this way, “Were we to have been judges, perhaps we should have thought it better that Stephen should have been raised than Dorcas; but it is our happiness and duty to submit our reasonings on what we think fittest and best, to the infinitely wiser determination of Providence.” It’s called faith.

There is something really sweet about this miracle though. Peter doesn’t get caught up in the miracle. He connects with this dear woman on a human level. He calls her back to live using her name. When she opened her eyes she saw him looking back at her. Then he gives her his hand and helps her to stand up. And then he presents her to the Christians there – but especially the widows that had loved her so much. – These little details so powerfully speak to the intimacy of what God was doing. This was more about love than special effects. (and that’s odd if this were a fairy-tale)

42. – This became known all over the city and many people believed in the Lord. How did it become so widely known? Was Paul there? Billy Graham? No. God’s people spoke about what God had done and people got saved! (talk about SAVED)

Now did you notice what we didn’t get? We didn’t get stories of 90 minuets in Heaven or seeing someone’s deceased grandparents. None of that. The Bible was written over a period of around 1,600 years – and in that time there are ten records of people being raised from the dead – less than one every 150 years. Most of these people are not named and none of them tell their story of what Heaven was like – I think it’s possible that they never saw heaven because God knew they were going back to this life and it would be too cruel to experience Heaven and then be sent back to this world – to suffer and die a second time.

Last quick point – Did you notice in vs. 43 where Peter was staying – with Simon the Tanner. The Gospel is on the move and people’s lives are changing. Tanners stink. Their clothes stink. Their homes stink. It’s a terrible odor that clings to you. Tanner’s work with dead animal skins they are ceremonially unclean. Pater is in his house because he knows he is right with God based upon the cross of Christ. Imagine Simon being able to host an Apostle in his home. Do you think that blessed him? Jesus changes people – Jesus brings people together!