Dorcas, The Ministry of Kindness

Lessons from the Bench—Dorcas, The Ministry of Kindness Spring Valley Mennonite; June 16, 2019; Acts 9:36-43 The prophet Micah labored at the same time as Isaiah, his much better known contemporary. His influence is often overlooked, but there is one statement in his prophesy that stands out for its simplicity and wisdom: He gives a succinct answer to the question of “How do I please God? Or “What does God want me to do?” Here is his statement: Micah 6:8: “He has told you O man, what is good: And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” That really sums it up, doesn’t it? In our continuing series “Lessons from the Bench”, I’d like to focus on the quality of Kindness this morning by looking at a woman who personified one who “loved kindness.” We find her mentioned in the book of Acts; her name is Dorcas or Tabitha. Like many “supporting actors” in the ongoing drama of God’s story of the redemption of mankind, she briefly appears to teach us a lesson, then fades into the larger story of the growth of the early church. Turn to Acts 9:36 where her story is found. Read 9:36-43. While we want to focus on the quality of Kindness demonstrated by Dorcus, it is valuable to see how this event fits into the larger story of the early church as it began to grow beyond the boundaries of Judaism. Earlier in this same chapter 9, we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Regarding time, several years go by after his conversion until he returns to the story of the church. Peter is the main actor during these years, as the gospel spread out from Jerusalem. The scene of this miracle is Joppa, a seaport which served Jerusalem. Joppa is about 35 miles to the northwest of Jerusalem. Immediately before this event, Peter had healed a paralytic named Aeneas in the neighboring city of Lydda. Many believed in Jesus because of this miracle of healing. When Dorcus died, instead of burying her immediately, her body was placed in an upper room, and two messengers were sent to summon Peter. We need to ask about their motivation: in their “entreaty to him”, we get the sense of extreme urgency: “please come immediately!” Although there had been no resurrections occurring in the early church, we cannot but think that this was the hope and faith of these believers in Joppa. Both Lydda and Joppa were areas of high Gentile influence. I would point out that when Peter chose to stay and minister among the many who believed after God used him to raise Dorcas from the dead, he stayed with Simon the Tanner. This occupation was viewed by the religious leaders as “unclean” because the tanner dealt with the hides of dead animals. We detect a softening in Peter’s attitude toward the rigid requirements of Jewish law regarding separation from what was considered unclean. This attitude adjustment came to a head as the next event Luke records in Acts is the conversion of the Gentile centurion Cornelius, a monumental event in the history of the early church. God was preparing Peter to lead the church as it began to expand to include Gentiles. The power that flowed through him in healing and raising the dead would have given Peter confidence as he witnessed the conversion of the “unclean” Gentiles. These miracles also confirmed the authority of Peter’s ministry. Let’s return to considering: I. DORCUS’ MINISTRY OF KINDNESS Peter immediately responds to the urgent plea of the believers in Joppa. Upon arrival, he was confronted by many widows who were weeping in their grief, and who pointed out the garments that Dorcas had made for them. Note it was those to whom Dorcas had shown kindness that mourned her passing the greatest. It is also significant that Luke uses the feminine form of the word “disciple” in verse 36. This is significant because this is the only place in the New Testament where we see this feminine form. Once more, we see the high regard placed upon women in the community of the early church. This was very much counter to the position of women in the Roman, Greek, and even the Jewish cultures. Dorcas was somebody special! But—what was her gift? She was a seamstress! She demonstrated discipleship, and following Jesus through her skill at sewing! Dorcus used her talent for sewing to meet the needs of the widows for clothing. As these widows received the garments, we cannot help but believe they also received the good news of the Gospel. Dorcas had a ministry of kindness. This wasn’t just an occasional event for her; look at verse 36: she “was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity, which she CONTINUALLY did.” Kindness is more than an attitude; it is seen in action. How do you identify a kind person? Think of someone you would consider kind. Do you have them in mind? Why would you identify them as such? It is by something they continually do. A “one-time” action does not make a person kind, but their continual actions identify them as a kind person. I had the privilege of conducting the funeral of my sister’s Father-in-law, who the family affectionately knew as “Papaw”. One of the things he was known for was always carrying a container of tic-tac breath mints. Every child in his church would come up to papaw after church to receive a tic-tac. This was his way of showing kindness to the children. Like Dorcas, at his funeral the church was full of those who mourned his passing. I remember his sweet spirit of kindness to my family, when we visited my sister’s home. Consistent actions characterize a kind person. Many ministries in the church are more visible and “up front” but few have the impact of kindness, which largely happens behind the scenes. Kindness has been defined as “a pleasant, gracious spirit of helpfulness which causes us to give of ourselves to the betterment and comfort of others.” Kindness focuses on others. As we examine God’s Word, we quickly see that: II. KINDNESS ORIGINATES WITH GOD Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; and you reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.” The greatest demonstration of kindness is seen is that while we were yet sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us. We likewise are to be kind to the undeserving. I read a story about a taxi driver who was cut off in traffic by a belligerent and angry man who cursed at him as he drove off. The taxi driver just smiled and gave a cordial wave to the man. A surprised passenger asked him why he responded that way, and he said that the man was like a garbage truck. “Some people are so filled with garbage that they can’t help but spill a bit as they go through life. I realize that they can’t help themselves, but I am careful not to add to their load.” Romans 2:4: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Titus 3:4-5: “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit…” The Lord Jesus is the visible expression of God’s kindness. Again, realize that God is kind to the undeserving, as should we be. Ephesians 2:7: God saved us, “in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” God will continue to bless us with His kindness in the ages to come. Why? It is His nature. For all eternity God will be showering us with His actions of kindness! So…God commands us to be kind, in imitation of Himself. As God pours out His grace upon us, giving us His Holy Spirit to indwell us, a result of His Holy presence within is seen in our acts of kindness to others, whether they deserve it or not. We need to always remember, when we are responding to evil against us—and are given a choice to respond in anger or retaliation—or in kindness; we didn’t deserve God’s kindness either! Listen to these verses of command: • Ephesians 4:32: And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. • 2 Peter 1:7: (Supply) in your godliness, brotherly kindness and in your brotherly kindness, love. • 1 Corinthians 13:4: Love is kind… • Galatians 5:22 tells us that: The fruit of the Spirit is kindness. III. (SO), HOW DO WE CULTIVATE KINDNESS? Consider Dorcus’ example: How did she express kindness: by using her natural talents and interests. She sewed garments for the widows. Perhaps the ladies who have followed those who began the sewing circle here at Spring Valley over the last 100 years haven’t realized that they are showing—and sowing (!) kindness as they work on quilts. Each stitch is a stitch of kindness. They are using their natural talents. In a previous church I established a summer fishing club. Parents could drop their children off on a summer morning and I would take them fishing. I never considered it a burden as I love to fish and love to see others enjoying it too. Every hook I baited or line I untangled or instruction I gave was an act of kindness. What can you do to show kindness to someone? Do you cook? Sew? Repair things? Farm? Talk? Visit? Paint? Fix-up? Almost anything can be a platform from which to demonstrate kindness. IV. (BUT) THERE IS A COST IN SHOWING KINDNESS There is a cost to showing kindness, and that cost is time, effort, and possible inconvenience. Kindness takes effort, as it did for Dorcus. Those garments didn’t sew themselves! It took her time, and that time could have been spent doing something else, so there is also something of sacrifice. The need for kindness, in the form of an appeal, might come at a time when you had something else planned. In our modern busy world, time is often more valuable than money. We only have so much of it, and to take the time to help someone is a choice that is often difficult. If you are like me, I always have a long “To-do” list. To set my personal plans aside to show kindness is sometimes a struggle, and sometimes our efforts go unappreciated. Some people are able to respond to needs joyfully, and without grumbling—some of us have to adjust our attitude when inconvenienced. God often gives us such opportunities to deny ourselves for the good of others. Being known as a kind person who is willing to help might mean someone will take advantage of your kindness—in such cases, instead of feeling resentment, we need to focus on God’s kindness to us while we were still enemies and undeserving. But along with the cost there are tremendous rewards of joy and satisfaction and peace; it is knowing that we are living in imitation of the Lord Jesus, who was always kind. It is realizing that God is smiling as we are reflecting His kindness to others. And our acts of kindness may win us an opportunity to share the Gospel to those we help. And as we are taking the time and effort-- and possibly the inconvenience-- to be kind, we are fulfilling our destiny of becoming like our Heavenly Father. Ephesians 4:32: And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.