Peter on the Move
Bible Text: Acts 9:31-43, Psalm 16:1-11 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Acts | Introduction
A passage of great joy – something you could clap your hands to
The (one) Church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria
United
Walking in the fear of God
They knew the comfort of the Holy Spirit
They were multiplied
Peter is on the move – miracles occur and people were added to the church
Quote – only one life, soon will past, only what is done for Christ will last
Two individuals have done things for Christ
Dorcas
Those that do not love the brethren do not love God
She loved people, particularly widows
She made them clothes
The people wept for her – what she did made a deep impression on them
Peter
He was called to be an apostle to the Jews
He was willing to move about (v32)
Lydda, Sharon, Joppa
He heals a man and many are converted
He raises a woman from the dead
He then goes to Caesarea into the Gentile home of Cornelius [next week]
He was on the Move
He had spent many years in Jerusalem
He had established the church there
There was a time of persecution but Peter and the apostles stayed
Now a time of peace (v31)
The great arch-persecutor Saul had been converted
The Gospel was spreading into Judea, Galilee and Samaria
Converts are found in places like Lydda and Joppa
On the move
“Through all parts of the country”
With little mode of transport
Lydda – 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem
Trusting God to provide food, accommodation and lead him to the right people
Acts 1:8
Slow to obey this command – several years had passed by
The gospel now starting to spread
Challenge: Are we like this – slow to respond and to reach others for the gospel?
Moving another 10-15 miles to Joppa on the coast
Difficult to break routines
Recent trip to Mozambique
Under spiritual pressure – lots of problems but God opened the door
Lots of blessings
Glad that his routine was changed
Changes to routines
Short term missionary work
Holiday Bible Club
Camps
The Power of God
Lydda
v33 – Aeneas was bed ridden for 8 years
Surely he had talked to him, had compassion on him
Peter is given faith to know this man will be healed
The man arises immediately
All who were at Lydda and Sharon were turned to the Lord
Miracles often accompany preaching in virgin territories
The Book of Acts
Often found by missionaries
Miracles are often spring boards to preaching and conversion
Miracles confirm that the apostles were appointed and sent by God
The greater miracle was the raising of spiritually dead people and giving them life
Challenge: do we believe in the power of the Lord to change lives
Examples
People reaching others for Christ
Joppa
Christians get sick and die
In God’s goodness Peter is near by
The widows call him
The widows are expectant
Overview of events
He performs a miracle
Other examples of those raised from the dead
God at certain times performs miracles to show His great power
The pity of God for the widows
That many would come to know God
Perhaps Philip had previously preached near by – Azotus
Peter stays (v43) so that they can be established and built up
The Big Picture
This passage reminds us of the big themes of Scripture
One book with a great story – redemption
Four themes:
Creation
Fall – explanation and consequence
Redemption – the implicit preaching of the gospel
Glory – to remove the curse of sin
The theme of glory:
We will all die but Dorcas reminds us that God has the power to raise the body
We will be like the Saviour when we see Him
A place of no more suffering, sickness or death
Rom 8:18-23 – Explanation
1 Cor 15:42-43, 49-50, 51-57
Example of teaching the doctrine of the consummation of all things
Such a desire to be with Christ
The doctrine of the resurrection should motivate us – 1 Cor 15:58
Example of Dr Charles Woodrow
Quote from John McArthur
Will we leave a mark for God like Dorcas?
Closing Remarks