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Dorcas- Full of Good works

Text: Acts 9:36-43
9 August 2009

(I) VITAL STATEMENTS ABOUT FAITH AND WORKS

“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’
Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 1:17-18, 20, 26

1. Faith and works are inseparable entities

2. Any attempt to separate faith and works is erroneous!

3. Faith without works is “a dead faith”

(II) FAITH AND WORKS EXEMPLIFIED

1. Faith of Tabitha (Dorcas)

“At Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.” Acts 9:36a

a) From faith to salvation

b) From salvation to being a disciple

c) From being a disciple to one who focused on “good works”

2. Works of Tabitha

“This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36b

a) Full of

b) Full of good works

c) Full of charitable deeds

(III) GREATLY MOURNED DEATH

“For it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
“And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.” Acts 9:37, 39b

1. The sad reality of illness

2. The grim reality of death

3. Some deaths that would be more greatly mourned for than others

4. Mourned for by:-

a) The widows ( Acts 9:39b, 41 )

b) The saints ( Acts 9:41b )

(IV) A SPECIAL MIRACLE

“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.” Acts 9:40

1. Features of this miracle

a) Kneeling in prayer

i) Seeking the will of the Lord

ii) Empowered through prayer

b) Raising Dorcas from the dead

c) Presenting Dorcas alive from the dead

2. Special reasons for this unusual miracle

a) The significant life of Dorcas

b) The endorsement of the Lord concerning Dorcas’ faith and works!

c) The furtherance of her earthly ministry

(V) APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

“This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” Titus 3:8