Acts 9:36-42, Mother’s Day Sermon
It is in Acts 9:36-42, where we see the story of a godly woman named Tabitha. Her name in Greek is Dorcas and both names mean Gazelle. Gazelles are from the antelope species and are best remembered for the quickness of their feet. So, when someone mentions gazelle, the normal tendency for most of us is to think, how fast this animal can run. Well, it can run up to 100 km per hour. Compare that with ordinary human beings, we can run at the speed of just about 24 kmh. That’s just about a 4th of the speed this animal can run. Gazelles are one of the fastest runner in the animal kingdom.
In the ancient times, people would normally give names that would best describe people. Tabitha was not an exception to that. She was known to have a quick reaction to the needs around her. She can go high speed in getting to know where she was needed in her community. She may not be a fast talker or a very eloquent speaker, for none of those kind of qualities described her in Acts 9, but surely, there were other qualities of hers that inspired, many women in her community. And she still inspired many people, even when she was long dead. Dorcas is a subject of some poems, and art depictions. Books were written about her, as well, and even some festivals were made to honor her life. And rightly so because the Bible narrates how good a Christian she was. She got sick one day, and eventually died, but the apostle Peter, resuscitated her back to life. She could be remembered as the recipient of God’s unrestricted power to give life.
Today, we can still be impacted by a godly woman’s life, especially the women, who are mothers, or women who aspires to become mothers. I hope this message is one that would bless the heart of mothers today as we celebrate you today.
I’ll describe this godly woman to share some encouraging thoughts about her, and perhaps, her life and ministry would challenge us to follow her footsteps.
1. She was a good disciple.
“36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36, NIV.
· A disciple is someone who strictly follows and obey the teachings of someone.
· Since Dorcas was widely affirmed by other believers, it is implied, that she was one of those true Christians who touched many lives.
· A disciple has no choice but to follow the virtues the Lord teaches.
2. She was an outstanding community member.
“she was always doing good and helping the poor.” Acts 9:36.
· Dorcas was a servant of the needy, the widows who do not have husbands to take care of their most basic needs.
· Because of her good reputation, Dorcas was well loved in her community.
· Her profession of faith matches her good deeds.
3. She gave a powerful testimony.
“40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.” Acts 9:40-42.
· People would always miss their good friends.
· There was no mention of enemies she made, and so it can be assumed that she was very easy to relate with.
· A good disciple indeed would be missed, and the story of a person like Dorcas’ would always be remembered in the faith community as she brought honor to Jesus.
· People would believe our words when our words matches our actions.
· Our faith testimony could only be as good as our actions.
Final thought:
Maybe it’s time for you to re-appraise your life. Worship and service go hand in hand. It is through Christian service where the power of our lips can be demonstrated by the works of our hands. Many Christians were filled with great ideas but lacked the desire to move their hands and feet and meet the needs of their faith community, and, or their other community.