Automated Transcript:
Good morning. It is good to be here. It is good to see everyone. I’m thankful. Once again, to the brother, Kenyon, the flow of school, the preaching electric ship, the school board of directors for the invitation to be a part of this, this lecture ship. It’s just so good to be back here at Lakeland, Florida.
I’m just good to see everyone. Good to see my friend, brother, Josh Cantrell, working with south Florida avenue at this time. Good to see brother Hiram. Good to see him again, brother Kenyon, his wife, and just so many familiar faces that I’ve seen in times past. It’s good to be back here on the lecture ship. And I appreciate this invitation.
My title is morning. My subject rather this morning is resurrections in the book of acts. We’ve talked about the resurrections in the gospels, but what about the resurrections in the book of acts specifically Dorcas and uterus. But before we deal with those let’s, let’s, let’s deal with some introductory matters. Number one, when we think about the gospels in the gospels,
how they, they connect with the book of acts, we need to consider that the book of acts is a continuation of the gospels. And so we think about doing Jesus is personal ministry. How that Jesus promised the apostles that they were going to receive power from heaven, mark chapter nine in verse number one. And he said unto them verily. I say unto,
you did that. Be some of them were standing here, which should not taste the death till they have seen the kingdom of God, come with power. Jesus said that there were those who were standing there in his mission, his audience, all who would not taste death too. They have seen the kingdom of God come with power. But even after his resurrection,
Jesus promised the apostles. Once again, that they will receive power mark chapter 16, beginning at verse number 15, what Jesus told them to go forth into all of the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And he, that believer that is baptized shouldn’t be saved. And he, they believe it not should be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe in my name,
shall they cast out devils and shout. They are speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it should not hurt them. And they shall lay hands on the sick and recover them. And the Bible says that as they did that, the Bible says in mark chapter 16, verse number 17, that as they did that,
the Lord went with them, confirming the word. And so Jesus promised them that they will be able to do these miraculous signs and some of these miraculous signs included raising the day yet. So by the time we see the connection between what Jesus says in his personal ministry, mark chapter nine, what he says and promised to them in his resurrection with Jesus,
Jesus says, he’s going to give them power where they will receive power in order to do these things. Well, obviously we know that they, this power in Jerusalem, Jesus promised in Luke chapter 24 verses 46 and 47. And thus it is written and dusted behold Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead and that repentance and remission of sins shall be preached in his name beginning where in Jerusalem,
where our acts chapter two acts chapter two verses one through four, the apostles were with one accord in one place in Jerusalem. And as they were there, the Bible says there was a side of a rushing, mighty wind that filled all of the house where that was sitting. And there were clothing tones and it sat upon each of them. And the Bible says they began to speak with other tongues.
And then the Bible says in acts two in verse number five, and there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout me and out of every nation under heaven. So what’s the point. The point is to show that Jesus promised them power from heaven. He gave them a timeframe or a timeline so we can understand when the power will come and what they will be able to do with that power.
So the power came on, Pentecost in Jerusalem. It was given to specifically the apostles. Now, why do we say that? Because do you not know? I don’t know if he in Lakeland, Florida, but I know in Memphis, Tennessee and other places are many men and women claim to be apostles. But I have yet to see somebody living today who claimed to be a possible to raise somebody from the dead just doesn’t happen.
As a matter of fact, I heard one gospel. Preacher said that is the great litmus test. If you are really not positive, let’s go to the cemetery. If you claim to be an apostle, let’s go to the cemetery. Let’s raise some of my loved ones from the dead, but men and women claim to be apostles. But we see these apostles had the ability,
the power to raise people from the dead. This was a way of confirming that they were God’s messengers. The Bible shows that these miraculous signs and these miraculous abilities was a way of confirming them as God’s messengers, Hebrews chapter two, verses three and four, the Hebrew writer says, how shall we escape if we neglect? So great, a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.
And it was confirmed on to us, by them that heard him and the Lord also bearing witness with signs and wonders. And then he also says, and died was miracles and gifts of the holy ghost. According to his own wheel, though, these miraculous signs, one of which was raising people from the dead was a way of the apostles being confirmed that they were God’s messengers.
So as we think about the resurrection from the dead, let’s think about three things. Number one, let’s look, first and foremost, let’s compare the apostles who performed these two resurrections. And then we’ll look at a case study of the resurrections. And then we’ll look at some contemporary applications. First and foremost, let’s compare. The two apostles was interesting.
You’ll see in the book of acts are on one hand, you see Peter, Peter is the one who raises Dorcas next chapter nine. But on the other hand, you see Paul. Paul is the one is responsible for raising you because in acts chapter 20, what is interesting Irving Jensen says about Paul and Peter. You can actually trace the book of acts based on the activities of dudes.
These two men acts chapter one, or acts chapters one through 12, focus on the life and the works of Peter, but act sharpens 13 through 28 focuses on the activities of Paul. And so you see Paul and Peter being these prominent figures in the book of acts. And then therefore we see this same thing when it come down to these two resurrections.
So what you have first and foremost, what about Peter let’s compare Peter. When you think about Peter, Peter was a Jew, he was a Jew from the city of Bethsaida John, 1 44. The Bible says, and Phillip was a Memphis SEDA, a city in Galilee. This was the city of Peter and Andrew. Not only that we understand that Peter was a gala land because in acts chapter one and verse nine,
be levered. The angel said, ye men of Galilee also in acts chapter two and verse number seven, as they were receiving that power from heaven, the people who were there for the various nation under heaven, they said, oh, not all of these men would speak Galileans. Peter was a Jew from Galilean for Galilee. He was a fisherman. Matthew four 18.
Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee and saw two brethren, Peter or Simon called Peter and Andrew, his brother, he called them. And the Bible says they were casting their nets into the sea. Not only that, Peter was also considered a part of the inner circle. Jesus had three men, Peter James and John, who were with him in very private situations on private occasions.
So he was part of the inner three. As a matter of fact, Peter spent so much time with the Lord. By the time we see Peter in acts chapter four and verse number 13, the religious rulers said they took knowledge that Peter and the rest of the apostles, they were unlearned and ignorant men, but they took note that they had been with Jesus.
Those religious rulers are recognize that Peter and James and John and the rest of the apostles, they did not go to any of the rabbinical schools of Jerusalem. You know, it wasn’t like Peter, James and John and the rest of the apostles. They didn’t go to the Memphis school with the preacher. They didn’t go to Florida school of preaching. They didn’t go to Hardy,
but they took knowledge. They had been with Jesus. I believe that if you’ve been with Jesus, you’ve received all the training that you’ll need. And so they took knowledge of that. But Peter spent a lot of time with the Lord. Peter was a part of the apple apostolate group. They received the great commission in Matthew chapter 28, verses 18 through 20 Peter was with the Lord,
even up until the time of his crucifixion. When he denied the Lord, Peter was considered for the most part, the apostle to the gym, to the Jews. Peter was the one sent specifically to the Jews. He was the one who proclaimed the gospel on the day of Pentecost to the Jews. So as a matter of fact, when you think about the division that was mentioned by Irvin Jensen,
the first 10, 11 chapters of the book, first 10 shot for the book of acts, the gospel is going primarily to those in Judea, where Peter is doing most of his preaching, most of his work. And so in acts chapter nine, we find Peter and litter preaching, and also they’re ministering to the saints and Lidl. As a matter of fact,
he heals a man by the name of a NIAS. And so we see Peter there in acts chapter nine in his work. But then we turn to Paul because we compare Paul and Peter, we talking about apples and oranges. And so here’s Paul. Paul was also a Jew, but very different life and upbringing from Peter. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin Philippians chapter three and verse number five,
Paul was brought up in Tarsus and solicitor and chapter 21, verse number 39. Paul said he was from a no mean city. Paul considered Tarsus or not in every city. He was from Tarsus Alysia. Paul was not a, a fishermen. Paul was a Pharisee Philippians three in verse number five. Again, Paul was brought up at the feet of the Maillian shop in 22 and verse number three,
you remember it was mammalian who gave the council in acts chapter 5 30, 4 and 35. He taught them to be careful what you intend to do to these men for this work be of God, we can’t overthrow it fight for, they listen to chameleon. Camellia was a rabbi who trained Paul during his formative years, but then we also see Paul Paul was a strong enemy of Christianity.
You know, it was Paul who was there in acts chapter seven when it was stolen and Stephen, where they laid their clothes at his feet, the Bible calls him. I like what the Bible does. It shows us Paul’s life and acts chapter seven and verse 58. The Bible says they laid their clothes at the feet of a young man by the name of Saul.
But, you know, father time is undefeated. By the time you read Paul’s words in Philemon, verse number nine, Paul himself, Paul, the aged. And so, but when we see him early on, he is the young man by the name of Saul. Why in his youth, Seoul, or whole Paul, rather, he was a strong enemy of the gospel.
Matter of fact, he was there when it was stolen. And Steve and acts chapter seven, verse number 58 and eight, acts eight in verse number one, but then he takes it a step further and acts chapter nine, verse one, the Bible says he gave consent and Paul was still a soul was still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.
According to acts chapter 26, verses nine through 11 Paul, as he recounts his conversion, Paul says that he gave his voice in opposition to them. And so he was a strong enemy of the gospel of the church. Paul considered himself very violent toward Christians and toward believers. In first Timothy chapter one, Paul says in verse number 12, beginning that he thanked Christ Jesus who had enabled him,
who counted him, faithful, who had put him into the ministry who was before a blast FEMA and a persecutor and injurious. But Paul said he did those things toward believers in ignorance. So when we look at Paul and we look at Peter, these apostles who were responsible for the resurrection that we see in the book of acts two different men, even though both the Jews,
they are just as different as Dez night, but then let’s consider these resurrections chronologically speaking acts chapter nine. The record of the record of Dorcas resurrection appears first in Luke’s chronology. What’s interesting. When we think about what happened in acts chapter nine, let’s consider first and foremost, how everything transpired when you see acts chapter nine verses 32 through 35. Peter was in the vicinity of litter.
Now, according to the Zondervan pictorial Bible dictionary, little had a very important place in terms of geography, a litter was a coastal territory. It was in route, it was in the route from Jerusalem to Joppa. So if you will leaving Jerusalem and going to Joppa Northwest, you would have to go through litter. Wayne Jackson says that little was a coastal territory,
some 30 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, but it was nine miles east of Joppa, little was nine miles east of Joplin, walking distance. That would be about three hours. And so when you think about it, here is Peter in the vicinity. He’s in the vicinity by being in Lidl. And there’s a disciple at job about a name of Tabitha or Dorcas.
And so Tabitha, which is our Hebrew name and Dorcas, which is a Greek name, both mean gazelle. And it had a reference to her beautiful and graceful spirit. Here is a disciple by the name of taboo with Dorcas. Her Greek name is, and she resides in Joppa and here’s Peter and lit up preaching and teaching, and many of them to the saints.
So in the course of time, Luke describes that this certain disciple by the name of Tabitha or Dorcas, she became ill and died. That is the case that we will die. And so Luke described that this disciple and I like what Luke does because Luke shows us that this disciple whose name is Dorcas, she was full of good deeds. You know what I think about,
I think about Dorcas and I think about many Bible sisters and our congregation. Did you not realize Dorcas was just not a sister who came to Bible study and worship? She did much more than that. The Bible says she was filled with charitable deeds and good deeds that she did. She made garments for other people. Not only did she not just come to Bible study and worship,
but also she was not a busy body in other people’s matters. You know, Paul would tell Timothy about some of the women in emphasis who were busy bodies. He says in first Timothy chapter five, verses 11 through 13, and that when they will begin to wax warrants against Christ, they will want to marry having, having a cast off their first love being condemned.
And then he goes on to saying first Timothy five 13. And he says, and widdle, they learn to be idle wandering about from house to house and not only idle, but tattlers, and also BZ body speaking thing, which they all not. Paul reminded Timothy. Some of those younger widows, they needed to focus on Christ or to focus on their families and their marriages.
So think about that. I was talking to one of our sisters back at east Haven and, and she was just talking about the difference between now versus back in the day. And she was telling me how that she was talking to a young lady and young lady said, you know what? I just, I just don’t know what to do with my time.
I have so much time on my hand. And she said, she told her, she said, aren’t you married? Don’t you have a family. And she said, yes, I’m married. I have a family. She said, well, well, how you have all this time, if you got a husband and you got a family, you got more than enough things to be doing for your family,
for your husband. So many times today, we look around, there are, there’s a, there’s a lot of problems in the families because of idle time. People not focusing on their families, their spouses, their children housework. I’ll tell you if you’ve got a lot of time on your hand, as, as a wife, there’s a problem. God has a solution for that.
It’s called house work. And so that’s what Paul is telling Timothy. So you realize Dorcas was not that kind of sister. She was, the Bible says she was filled with good works. As a matter of fact, when Peter came down, the first thing that the widows did was they showed him the garments that she had made. And so when Peter comes down,
he is shown the things that she has done as your text says, while she was alive, this good sister became ill and die. Well guess who’s nine miles away. The apostle Peter, I assume as a read the texts that they more than likely were probably summoning for Peter to come to do her funeral. But as the widows and everyone in that vicinity in Joppa were preparing to say their goodbyes,
God had other plans. And so normally when a person becomes ill and they die, and we were saying our goodbyes, and we’re getting the funeral together, we’re getting the funeral program. We’re getting the obituary together because we know there’s no, no coming back, God had other plans. Peter goes down there and you think you would fight for that. Peter was there at the,
at the right time, at the right place. You know, many times we say people, when things happen to them, they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Peter was at the right place at the right time doing the right thing by being in Lidl. And so he goes down, he goes into the room. He D he kneels down and he prays for the young maid to arrive.
And she does. She’s brought back to life. You think about that. Here is a woman full of goodies, left a great mark on the people that were there, the widows. And so when she dies, instead of going on to paradise, God allows Peter to go in, to kneel down and to pray and to bring her back to life.
For whatever reason, God had a, a deeper, more important purpose for her to be resurrected again, because not all Christians were raised again, but Dorcas was. But then we also think about you because we read about you because resurrection in acts chapter 20. But before we read about his, his resurrection, let’s consider now, when we think about you,
because resurrection, once again, just like in the case with Dorcas, here’s an apostle Paul who is instrumental in raising you, because once again, this is another apple store click sign to confirm that the apostles were the messengers of God. Paul says in second Corinthians chapter 12, and verse number 12, truly the size of an apostle were rolled among you.
And so these resurrections by the apostles, these were apple stylic science to prove that the apostles were God’s messengers. And so here it is Paul, if you think about Paul’s labors in the book of acts, remind you, this resurrection takes place on his third missionary journey. You remember Paul starts off in acts chapter 16, being in Philippon. Then in acts chapter 17,
Paul visited three cities, Besla Nika, Berea, and also Athens and acts chapter 18. Paul visited the city of Corinth then toward the latter part of acts chapter 18, going to acts chapter 19. Paul is in emphasis, but as chapter 20 finds us as Paul, as in Troy, Troy as was Northwest of Philippa, it was in the Northwestern corner of Asia minor.
And so, and excuse me, it was Southeast of Phillip, but in the Northwestern corner of Asia minor. And so he is Troy as also a coastal city. Now what Luke does and acts chapter 20 acts chapter 20, that upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, the Bible says Paul was preaching. He continued his speech unto midnight.
What did Ashley up to 20 and seven referred to did the breaking of bread referred to a common meal or to the Lord’s supper, brother and sister and friends and neighbors. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand actually up to 20 verse number seven. And the reason, you know, it was not a common meal. He would not have to have waited a whole week to eat breakfast,
lunch, and dinner. He could have ate that any time acts chapter 20 and verse number seven, Luke records that to show us that Paul waited a week with the disciples in Shorewood. So he could break bread with them to have the Lord’s supper or communion with them because that’s how important it was. And so on this particular day evening, rather, the Bible says you uterus fail from a third story.
Loft, fail down, dead wasn’t arrested. I like what happens in acts chapter 20. Paul was preaching when this happens. It’s it’s, you know, a lot of times with things of a serious magnitude happen, you know, we, we, sometimes we just shut down the show. Paul simply stopped. Preaching, goes down, raising her from the dead,
get back up into the pulpit. Unfinished. If that doesn’t show us the importance of preaching. And so here it is, here’s Paul raising this young man from the dead, and he goes back to doing what he was doing prior. And so when you think about these cases, Dorcas in you, because both raised by a prominent apostles, Peter and Paul apostle to the,
to the Jews and also an apostle to the Gentiles. And then we began to think about what are some lessons, what is some application that we can learn from these resurrections of these two saints? Well, let’s notice a couple of them lessons in application first and foremost, let’s think about the fact that they were resurrected because they died. Number one, death is the common lot for all men,
all men and women are going to die. There’s the common, a lot of all men Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, chapter seven in verse number two, it is better to go to the house of mourning than a house of feasting for that is the end of all men and the living related to his heart. When you get to Ecclesiastes, chapter nine, verses four and five,
Solomon also says that a living dog is better than a dad lying for the living, know that they show die. We know that we’re going to die. Please ask these nine and verse number 10. He also tells them whatsoever their hand find the do, do it with our might for there’s no word, no device, no knowledge, no wisdom in the grave.
Where did I go? Is Solomon says, we’re going in the grave. Just like ice cream goes in the freezer. We’re going into the grave. Death is the calm. A lot of all me. And we see that in these resurrections. The Bible also says in Hebrews nine, verse number 27, and as he’s appointed to me and wants to die.
But after this, the judgment. So as we look at the resurrections of Dorcas and UDA, because we also need to be concerned about the fact that they were resurrected because they died because that’s the common lot of all men in the second place. I think there’s another grand lesson. Not everybody dies in the same fashion. Dorcas became ill and died. You the cause fell from a third story.
Loft, do understand. Not everybody dies in the same fashion in Luke chapter 13, Jesus, they were told it was told to Jesus how there was some Galileans whose blood pilot had mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus asked the question, do you think these men were worse? Sinners above all those who were in Galilee because they suffered such thing. I tell you,
Nate, except you repent. You shall all likewise perish or those 18 is the alarm upon whom the tower will fail and slew. So that was some people who died at the hand of pilot, but also there wasn’t people who died by waiting what we call an accident. That’s how people die in different manners. The reason that is important, what has been trending for the last two years deaths by COVID.
But my wife has a cousin in Memphis. He’s a, he’s a police Lieutenant. One of the things he told me last year, he said, well, you know what? There is so much focus on people dying because of COVID and the effects of COVID. But he says there are still murders, stabbings, shootings, accidents, road rage. And so people die in different matters.
I think we can see that with Dorcas and uterus. Also, another lesson that we ought to understand from looking at these two resurrections is that when you consider Dorcas and Utica’s life, you consider the fact that especially in acts chapter nine, those widows, they were weeping for Dorcas. Christians should weep with those who weep. Paul says in Romans 12, 15,
rejoice with them that do rejoice and we with them that do weep. And so we see that being the case, we should weep. And we should grieve with those who are grieving, those who are suffering. And so that’s another lesson, but also I think it’s interesting when you consider the fact that both Dorcas and Uticas, who were raised by apostles of Jesus Christ.
One of the grand lesson that I see in this is that true. Biblical Christianity is not a fraudulent money-making scheme because these are parcels raised. And he raised people from the dead healed people, and they did it with all of the fanfare and money fetching and asking for money that we see on televangelism. And denominationalism, it is amazing that you can wake up at 12 and one o’clock in the morning and they’ll be selling a bottle like this called miracle water.
If you were sitting in a hundred dollars, yeah. They didn’t do that. They healed people. They raised people for free. You see the old, throughout the book of acts that when they perform these miracles, it was free. Biblical Christianity is not a money-making scheme. And then we also see that when you look at these resurrections of Dorcas and uterus,
Christians should weep, but we don’t weep like those who have no hope. First Thessalonians four 13, Paul says, but I will not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them, which sleep in Christ that she saw, or not even as others, which have no hope for, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them with sleeping,
Jesus will God bring with them. Since we believe in the gospel, we believe in the death, the burial and resurrection of Jesus. We don’t sorrow as others who have no hope of eternal life. Yes. When I will love ones who are in Christ die, we are sad and we weep, but we don’t like those who are on the outside of Christ.
It’s a diff it’s a different type of weeping. When you know, you got to go into eternity, unprepared to meet God. And then another lesson that we see Christianity is important. Why am I saying that the records of Dorcas and Uticas resurrection is found in the book of acts brothers and sister, friends and neighbors. Did you realize Dorcas and Uticas were members of the church of Christ.
They were baptized into Christ first Corinthians 1213 for by one spirit. Are we all baptized into one body? These are brothers and sisters in Christ that we’re reading about. They weren’t part of denominationalism. They weren’t part of man-made religions. The doctrine that command was a man. And then another lesson that we see is that the Christian life should be an exemplary life.
Think about what were they doing prior to their demise? And Dorcas is case she was doing good deeds. Doesn’t the Bible tells us to do good Galatians chapter six and verse number 10, as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially onto them or the household of faith. But then I also like uterus. What was Utica’s doing when he died?
Uticas was in worship. When he died, he was a worshiping, he was a symbol with the saints. How many times do we do funeral services? And do these eulogy services for people who have left the faith. Haven’t been assembling with the safes in years. And the only time they assembled with the church, that when they in the casket, uterus was assembling,
was assembled in worship. The Christian life should be an exemplary life full of good works assembling with the saints. The Bible tells us we should assemble Hebrews 10, 24 and 25. Let us consider one another to love and to good works and not forget things about yourself together as a matter of some meals. But also another lesson that we see in that is there’s a better resurrection.
You realize, even though Dorcas and musicals were resurrected by Paul and Peter, they eventually died again. And so their death signal a better resurrection. And that is the resurrection by Jesus Christ, John 5, 28 and 29, Jesus himself say a Marvel. Now that this for the hour is coming into which all that are in the graves right now, darkness because are integrative and all shall hear his voice.
They didn’t have done good until the resurrection of life. And they didn’t have done evil to the resurrection of damnation, but also a suffering and point to that is there’s also a better body Dorcas and uterus we’re raised from the dead, but their spirits were United with their earthly and temporal and water bodies do understand that at the resurrection of Christ, we will receive a better body.
Paul says in Philippians chapter three, verses 20 and 21, our conversation is in heaven from also, we look for the Lord, Jesus Christ. And then he goes on to say, who shall change our vile bodies? Then it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. And so there is a better body, not only for Dorcas and cuticles, but for all of those who are in Christ Jesus.
And then finally the last great point that we can learn from the life of uterus and Dorcas is that ultimately when we see their resurrection, their resurrection is based upon Jesus Christ. Who’s the resurrection is the first fruits. Jesus Christ. Resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. First, Peter chapter one verses three and four. Peter says blessed, be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to you is a Monday mercy had to be gotten us again to alive. The hope by the resurrection, not a Dorcas, not a beautifuls, but by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and a fade away. And it’s reserved in heaven for you. When we think about the resurrection of Dorcas and uterus,
we can not overlook the resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Thank you.
Author
Speaker:
Title:
Share This Video:
Automated Transcript:
Good morning. It is good to be here. It is good to see everyone. I’m thankful. Once again, to the brother, Kenyon, the flow of school, the preaching electric ship, the school board of directors for the invitation to be a part of this, this lecture ship. It’s just so good to be back here at Lakeland, Florida.
I’m just good to see everyone. Good to see my friend, brother, Josh Cantrell, working with south Florida avenue at this time. Good to see brother Hiram. Good to see him again, brother Kenyon, his wife, and just so many familiar faces that I’ve seen in times past. It’s good to be back here on the lecture ship. And I appreciate this invitation.
My title is morning. My subject rather this morning is resurrections in the book of acts. We’ve talked about the resurrections in the gospels, but what about the resurrections in the book of acts specifically Dorcas and uterus. But before we deal with those let’s, let’s, let’s deal with some introductory matters. Number one, when we think about the gospels in the gospels,
how they, they connect with the book of acts, we need to consider that the book of acts is a continuation of the gospels. And so we think about doing Jesus is personal ministry. How that Jesus promised the apostles that they were going to receive power from heaven, mark chapter nine in verse number one. And he said unto them verily. I say unto,
you did that. Be some of them were standing here, which should not taste the death till they have seen the kingdom of God, come with power. Jesus said that there were those who were standing there in his mission, his audience, all who would not taste death too. They have seen the kingdom of God come with power. But even after his resurrection,
Jesus promised the apostles. Once again, that they will receive power mark chapter 16, beginning at verse number 15, what Jesus told them to go forth into all of the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And he, that believer that is baptized shouldn’t be saved. And he, they believe it not should be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe in my name,
shall they cast out devils and shout. They are speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents. And if they drink any deadly thing, it should not hurt them. And they shall lay hands on the sick and recover them. And the Bible says that as they did that, the Bible says in mark chapter 16, verse number 17, that as they did that,
the Lord went with them, confirming the word. And so Jesus promised them that they will be able to do these miraculous signs and some of these miraculous signs included raising the day yet. So by the time we see the connection between what Jesus says in his personal ministry, mark chapter nine, what he says and promised to them in his resurrection with Jesus,
Jesus says, he’s going to give them power where they will receive power in order to do these things. Well, obviously we know that they, this power in Jerusalem, Jesus promised in Luke chapter 24 verses 46 and 47. And thus it is written and dusted behold Christ to suffer and to rise again from the dead and that repentance and remission of sins shall be preached in his name beginning where in Jerusalem,
where our acts chapter two acts chapter two verses one through four, the apostles were with one accord in one place in Jerusalem. And as they were there, the Bible says there was a side of a rushing, mighty wind that filled all of the house where that was sitting. And there were clothing tones and it sat upon each of them. And the Bible says they began to speak with other tongues.
And then the Bible says in acts two in verse number five, and there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout me and out of every nation under heaven. So what’s the point. The point is to show that Jesus promised them power from heaven. He gave them a timeframe or a timeline so we can understand when the power will come and what they will be able to do with that power.
So the power came on, Pentecost in Jerusalem. It was given to specifically the apostles. Now, why do we say that? Because do you not know? I don’t know if he in Lakeland, Florida, but I know in Memphis, Tennessee and other places are many men and women claim to be apostles. But I have yet to see somebody living today who claimed to be a possible to raise somebody from the dead just doesn’t happen.
As a matter of fact, I heard one gospel. Preacher said that is the great litmus test. If you are really not positive, let’s go to the cemetery. If you claim to be an apostle, let’s go to the cemetery. Let’s raise some of my loved ones from the dead, but men and women claim to be apostles. But we see these apostles had the ability,
the power to raise people from the dead. This was a way of confirming that they were God’s messengers. The Bible shows that these miraculous signs and these miraculous abilities was a way of confirming them as God’s messengers, Hebrews chapter two, verses three and four, the Hebrew writer says, how shall we escape if we neglect? So great, a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord.
And it was confirmed on to us, by them that heard him and the Lord also bearing witness with signs and wonders. And then he also says, and died was miracles and gifts of the holy ghost. According to his own wheel, though, these miraculous signs, one of which was raising people from the dead was a way of the apostles being confirmed that they were God’s messengers.
So as we think about the resurrection from the dead, let’s think about three things. Number one, let’s look, first and foremost, let’s compare the apostles who performed these two resurrections. And then we’ll look at a case study of the resurrections. And then we’ll look at some contemporary applications. First and foremost, let’s compare. The two apostles was interesting.
You’ll see in the book of acts are on one hand, you see Peter, Peter is the one who raises Dorcas next chapter nine. But on the other hand, you see Paul. Paul is the one is responsible for raising you because in acts chapter 20, what is interesting Irving Jensen says about Paul and Peter. You can actually trace the book of acts based on the activities of dudes.
These two men acts chapter one, or acts chapters one through 12, focus on the life and the works of Peter, but act sharpens 13 through 28 focuses on the activities of Paul. And so you see Paul and Peter being these prominent figures in the book of acts. And then therefore we see this same thing when it come down to these two resurrections.
So what you have first and foremost, what about Peter let’s compare Peter. When you think about Peter, Peter was a Jew, he was a Jew from the city of Bethsaida John, 1 44. The Bible says, and Phillip was a Memphis SEDA, a city in Galilee. This was the city of Peter and Andrew. Not only that we understand that Peter was a gala land because in acts chapter one and verse nine,
be levered. The angel said, ye men of Galilee also in acts chapter two and verse number seven, as they were receiving that power from heaven, the people who were there for the various nation under heaven, they said, oh, not all of these men would speak Galileans. Peter was a Jew from Galilean for Galilee. He was a fisherman. Matthew four 18.
Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee and saw two brethren, Peter or Simon called Peter and Andrew, his brother, he called them. And the Bible says they were casting their nets into the sea. Not only that, Peter was also considered a part of the inner circle. Jesus had three men, Peter James and John, who were with him in very private situations on private occasions.
So he was part of the inner three. As a matter of fact, Peter spent so much time with the Lord. By the time we see Peter in acts chapter four and verse number 13, the religious rulers said they took knowledge that Peter and the rest of the apostles, they were unlearned and ignorant men, but they took note that they had been with Jesus.
Those religious rulers are recognize that Peter and James and John and the rest of the apostles, they did not go to any of the rabbinical schools of Jerusalem. You know, it wasn’t like Peter, James and John and the rest of the apostles. They didn’t go to the Memphis school with the preacher. They didn’t go to Florida school of preaching. They didn’t go to Hardy,
but they took knowledge. They had been with Jesus. I believe that if you’ve been with Jesus, you’ve received all the training that you’ll need. And so they took knowledge of that. But Peter spent a lot of time with the Lord. Peter was a part of the apple apostolate group. They received the great commission in Matthew chapter 28, verses 18 through 20 Peter was with the Lord,
even up until the time of his crucifixion. When he denied the Lord, Peter was considered for the most part, the apostle to the gym, to the Jews. Peter was the one sent specifically to the Jews. He was the one who proclaimed the gospel on the day of Pentecost to the Jews. So as a matter of fact, when you think about the division that was mentioned by Irvin Jensen,
the first 10, 11 chapters of the book, first 10 shot for the book of acts, the gospel is going primarily to those in Judea, where Peter is doing most of his preaching, most of his work. And so in acts chapter nine, we find Peter and litter preaching, and also they’re ministering to the saints and Lidl. As a matter of fact,
he heals a man by the name of a NIAS. And so we see Peter there in acts chapter nine in his work. But then we turn to Paul because we compare Paul and Peter, we talking about apples and oranges. And so here’s Paul. Paul was also a Jew, but very different life and upbringing from Peter. Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin Philippians chapter three and verse number five,
Paul was brought up in Tarsus and solicitor and chapter 21, verse number 39. Paul said he was from a no mean city. Paul considered Tarsus or not in every city. He was from Tarsus Alysia. Paul was not a, a fishermen. Paul was a Pharisee Philippians three in verse number five. Again, Paul was brought up at the feet of the Maillian shop in 22 and verse number three,
you remember it was mammalian who gave the council in acts chapter 5 30, 4 and 35. He taught them to be careful what you intend to do to these men for this work be of God, we can’t overthrow it fight for, they listen to chameleon. Camellia was a rabbi who trained Paul during his formative years, but then we also see Paul Paul was a strong enemy of Christianity.
You know, it was Paul who was there in acts chapter seven when it was stolen and Stephen, where they laid their clothes at his feet, the Bible calls him. I like what the Bible does. It shows us Paul’s life and acts chapter seven and verse 58. The Bible says they laid their clothes at the feet of a young man by the name of Saul.
But, you know, father time is undefeated. By the time you read Paul’s words in Philemon, verse number nine, Paul himself, Paul, the aged. And so, but when we see him early on, he is the young man by the name of Saul. Why in his youth, Seoul, or whole Paul, rather, he was a strong enemy of the gospel.
Matter of fact, he was there when it was stolen. And Steve and acts chapter seven, verse number 58 and eight, acts eight in verse number one, but then he takes it a step further and acts chapter nine, verse one, the Bible says he gave consent and Paul was still a soul was still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.
According to acts chapter 26, verses nine through 11 Paul, as he recounts his conversion, Paul says that he gave his voice in opposition to them. And so he was a strong enemy of the gospel of the church. Paul considered himself very violent toward Christians and toward believers. In first Timothy chapter one, Paul says in verse number 12, beginning that he thanked Christ Jesus who had enabled him,
who counted him, faithful, who had put him into the ministry who was before a blast FEMA and a persecutor and injurious. But Paul said he did those things toward believers in ignorance. So when we look at Paul and we look at Peter, these apostles who were responsible for the resurrection that we see in the book of acts two different men, even though both the Jews,
they are just as different as Dez night, but then let’s consider these resurrections chronologically speaking acts chapter nine. The record of the record of Dorcas resurrection appears first in Luke’s chronology. What’s interesting. When we think about what happened in acts chapter nine, let’s consider first and foremost, how everything transpired when you see acts chapter nine verses 32 through 35. Peter was in the vicinity of litter.
Now, according to the Zondervan pictorial Bible dictionary, little had a very important place in terms of geography, a litter was a coastal territory. It was in route, it was in the route from Jerusalem to Joppa. So if you will leaving Jerusalem and going to Joppa Northwest, you would have to go through litter. Wayne Jackson says that little was a coastal territory,
some 30 miles Northwest of Jerusalem, but it was nine miles east of Joppa, little was nine miles east of Joplin, walking distance. That would be about three hours. And so when you think about it, here is Peter in the vicinity. He’s in the vicinity by being in Lidl. And there’s a disciple at job about a name of Tabitha or Dorcas.
And so Tabitha, which is our Hebrew name and Dorcas, which is a Greek name, both mean gazelle. And it had a reference to her beautiful and graceful spirit. Here is a disciple by the name of taboo with Dorcas. Her Greek name is, and she resides in Joppa and here’s Peter and lit up preaching and teaching, and many of them to the saints.
So in the course of time, Luke describes that this certain disciple by the name of Tabitha or Dorcas, she became ill and died. That is the case that we will die. And so Luke described that this disciple and I like what Luke does because Luke shows us that this disciple whose name is Dorcas, she was full of good deeds. You know what I think about,
I think about Dorcas and I think about many Bible sisters and our congregation. Did you not realize Dorcas was just not a sister who came to Bible study and worship? She did much more than that. The Bible says she was filled with charitable deeds and good deeds that she did. She made garments for other people. Not only did she not just come to Bible study and worship,
but also she was not a busy body in other people’s matters. You know, Paul would tell Timothy about some of the women in emphasis who were busy bodies. He says in first Timothy chapter five, verses 11 through 13, and that when they will begin to wax warrants against Christ, they will want to marry having, having a cast off their first love being condemned.
And then he goes on to saying first Timothy five 13. And he says, and widdle, they learn to be idle wandering about from house to house and not only idle, but tattlers, and also BZ body speaking thing, which they all not. Paul reminded Timothy. Some of those younger widows, they needed to focus on Christ or to focus on their families and their marriages.
So think about that. I was talking to one of our sisters back at east Haven and, and she was just talking about the difference between now versus back in the day. And she was telling me how that she was talking to a young lady and young lady said, you know what? I just, I just don’t know what to do with my time.
I have so much time on my hand. And she said, she told her, she said, aren’t you married? Don’t you have a family. And she said, yes, I’m married. I have a family. She said, well, well, how you have all this time, if you got a husband and you got a family, you got more than enough things to be doing for your family,
for your husband. So many times today, we look around, there are, there’s a, there’s a lot of problems in the families because of idle time. People not focusing on their families, their spouses, their children housework. I’ll tell you if you’ve got a lot of time on your hand, as, as a wife, there’s a problem. God has a solution for that.
It’s called house work. And so that’s what Paul is telling Timothy. So you realize Dorcas was not that kind of sister. She was, the Bible says she was filled with good works. As a matter of fact, when Peter came down, the first thing that the widows did was they showed him the garments that she had made. And so when Peter comes down,
he is shown the things that she has done as your text says, while she was alive, this good sister became ill and die. Well guess who’s nine miles away. The apostle Peter, I assume as a read the texts that they more than likely were probably summoning for Peter to come to do her funeral. But as the widows and everyone in that vicinity in Joppa were preparing to say their goodbyes,
God had other plans. And so normally when a person becomes ill and they die, and we were saying our goodbyes, and we’re getting the funeral together, we’re getting the funeral program. We’re getting the obituary together because we know there’s no, no coming back, God had other plans. Peter goes down there and you think you would fight for that. Peter was there at the,
at the right time, at the right place. You know, many times we say people, when things happen to them, they’re in the wrong place at the wrong time. But Peter was at the right place at the right time doing the right thing by being in Lidl. And so he goes down, he goes into the room. He D he kneels down and he prays for the young maid to arrive.
And she does. She’s brought back to life. You think about that. Here is a woman full of goodies, left a great mark on the people that were there, the widows. And so when she dies, instead of going on to paradise, God allows Peter to go in, to kneel down and to pray and to bring her back to life.
For whatever reason, God had a, a deeper, more important purpose for her to be resurrected again, because not all Christians were raised again, but Dorcas was. But then we also think about you because we read about you because resurrection in acts chapter 20. But before we read about his, his resurrection, let’s consider now, when we think about you,
because resurrection, once again, just like in the case with Dorcas, here’s an apostle Paul who is instrumental in raising you, because once again, this is another apple store click sign to confirm that the apostles were the messengers of God. Paul says in second Corinthians chapter 12, and verse number 12, truly the size of an apostle were rolled among you.
And so these resurrections by the apostles, these were apple stylic science to prove that the apostles were God’s messengers. And so here it is Paul, if you think about Paul’s labors in the book of acts, remind you, this resurrection takes place on his third missionary journey. You remember Paul starts off in acts chapter 16, being in Philippon. Then in acts chapter 17,
Paul visited three cities, Besla Nika, Berea, and also Athens and acts chapter 18. Paul visited the city of Corinth then toward the latter part of acts chapter 18, going to acts chapter 19. Paul is in emphasis, but as chapter 20 finds us as Paul, as in Troy, Troy as was Northwest of Philippa, it was in the Northwestern corner of Asia minor.
And so, and excuse me, it was Southeast of Phillip, but in the Northwestern corner of Asia minor. And so he is Troy as also a coastal city. Now what Luke does and acts chapter 20 acts chapter 20, that upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, the Bible says Paul was preaching. He continued his speech unto midnight.
What did Ashley up to 20 and seven referred to did the breaking of bread referred to a common meal or to the Lord’s supper, brother and sister and friends and neighbors. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to understand actually up to 20 verse number seven. And the reason, you know, it was not a common meal. He would not have to have waited a whole week to eat breakfast,
lunch, and dinner. He could have ate that any time acts chapter 20 and verse number seven, Luke records that to show us that Paul waited a week with the disciples in Shorewood. So he could break bread with them to have the Lord’s supper or communion with them because that’s how important it was. And so on this particular day evening, rather, the Bible says you uterus fail from a third story.
Loft, fail down, dead wasn’t arrested. I like what happens in acts chapter 20. Paul was preaching when this happens. It’s it’s, you know, a lot of times with things of a serious magnitude happen, you know, we, we, sometimes we just shut down the show. Paul simply stopped. Preaching, goes down, raising her from the dead,
get back up into the pulpit. Unfinished. If that doesn’t show us the importance of preaching. And so here it is, here’s Paul raising this young man from the dead, and he goes back to doing what he was doing prior. And so when you think about these cases, Dorcas in you, because both raised by a prominent apostles, Peter and Paul apostle to the,
to the Jews and also an apostle to the Gentiles. And then we began to think about what are some lessons, what is some application that we can learn from these resurrections of these two saints? Well, let’s notice a couple of them lessons in application first and foremost, let’s think about the fact that they were resurrected because they died. Number one, death is the common lot for all men,
all men and women are going to die. There’s the common, a lot of all men Solomon said in Ecclesiastes, chapter seven in verse number two, it is better to go to the house of mourning than a house of feasting for that is the end of all men and the living related to his heart. When you get to Ecclesiastes, chapter nine, verses four and five,
Solomon also says that a living dog is better than a dad lying for the living, know that they show die. We know that we’re going to die. Please ask these nine and verse number 10. He also tells them whatsoever their hand find the do, do it with our might for there’s no word, no device, no knowledge, no wisdom in the grave.
Where did I go? Is Solomon says, we’re going in the grave. Just like ice cream goes in the freezer. We’re going into the grave. Death is the calm. A lot of all me. And we see that in these resurrections. The Bible also says in Hebrews nine, verse number 27, and as he’s appointed to me and wants to die.
But after this, the judgment. So as we look at the resurrections of Dorcas and UDA, because we also need to be concerned about the fact that they were resurrected because they died because that’s the common lot of all men in the second place. I think there’s another grand lesson. Not everybody dies in the same fashion. Dorcas became ill and died. You the cause fell from a third story.
Loft, do understand. Not everybody dies in the same fashion in Luke chapter 13, Jesus, they were told it was told to Jesus how there was some Galileans whose blood pilot had mingled with their sacrifices. Jesus asked the question, do you think these men were worse? Sinners above all those who were in Galilee because they suffered such thing. I tell you,
Nate, except you repent. You shall all likewise perish or those 18 is the alarm upon whom the tower will fail and slew. So that was some people who died at the hand of pilot, but also there wasn’t people who died by waiting what we call an accident. That’s how people die in different manners. The reason that is important, what has been trending for the last two years deaths by COVID.
But my wife has a cousin in Memphis. He’s a, he’s a police Lieutenant. One of the things he told me last year, he said, well, you know what? There is so much focus on people dying because of COVID and the effects of COVID. But he says there are still murders, stabbings, shootings, accidents, road rage. And so people die in different matters.
I think we can see that with Dorcas and uterus. Also, another lesson that we ought to understand from looking at these two resurrections is that when you consider Dorcas and Utica’s life, you consider the fact that especially in acts chapter nine, those widows, they were weeping for Dorcas. Christians should weep with those who weep. Paul says in Romans 12, 15,
rejoice with them that do rejoice and we with them that do weep. And so we see that being the case, we should weep. And we should grieve with those who are grieving, those who are suffering. And so that’s another lesson, but also I think it’s interesting when you consider the fact that both Dorcas and Uticas, who were raised by apostles of Jesus Christ.
One of the grand lesson that I see in this is that true. Biblical Christianity is not a fraudulent money-making scheme because these are parcels raised. And he raised people from the dead healed people, and they did it with all of the fanfare and money fetching and asking for money that we see on televangelism. And denominationalism, it is amazing that you can wake up at 12 and one o’clock in the morning and they’ll be selling a bottle like this called miracle water.
If you were sitting in a hundred dollars, yeah. They didn’t do that. They healed people. They raised people for free. You see the old, throughout the book of acts that when they perform these miracles, it was free. Biblical Christianity is not a money-making scheme. And then we also see that when you look at these resurrections of Dorcas and uterus,
Christians should weep, but we don’t weep like those who have no hope. First Thessalonians four 13, Paul says, but I will not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them, which sleep in Christ that she saw, or not even as others, which have no hope for, if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them with sleeping,
Jesus will God bring with them. Since we believe in the gospel, we believe in the death, the burial and resurrection of Jesus. We don’t sorrow as others who have no hope of eternal life. Yes. When I will love ones who are in Christ die, we are sad and we weep, but we don’t like those who are on the outside of Christ.
It’s a diff it’s a different type of weeping. When you know, you got to go into eternity, unprepared to meet God. And then another lesson that we see Christianity is important. Why am I saying that the records of Dorcas and Uticas resurrection is found in the book of acts brothers and sister, friends and neighbors. Did you realize Dorcas and Uticas were members of the church of Christ.
They were baptized into Christ first Corinthians 1213 for by one spirit. Are we all baptized into one body? These are brothers and sisters in Christ that we’re reading about. They weren’t part of denominationalism. They weren’t part of man-made religions. The doctrine that command was a man. And then another lesson that we see is that the Christian life should be an exemplary life.
Think about what were they doing prior to their demise? And Dorcas is case she was doing good deeds. Doesn’t the Bible tells us to do good Galatians chapter six and verse number 10, as we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially onto them or the household of faith. But then I also like uterus. What was Utica’s doing when he died?
Uticas was in worship. When he died, he was a worshiping, he was a symbol with the saints. How many times do we do funeral services? And do these eulogy services for people who have left the faith. Haven’t been assembling with the safes in years. And the only time they assembled with the church, that when they in the casket, uterus was assembling,
was assembled in worship. The Christian life should be an exemplary life full of good works assembling with the saints. The Bible tells us we should assemble Hebrews 10, 24 and 25. Let us consider one another to love and to good works and not forget things about yourself together as a matter of some meals. But also another lesson that we see in that is there’s a better resurrection.
You realize, even though Dorcas and musicals were resurrected by Paul and Peter, they eventually died again. And so their death signal a better resurrection. And that is the resurrection by Jesus Christ, John 5, 28 and 29, Jesus himself say a Marvel. Now that this for the hour is coming into which all that are in the graves right now, darkness because are integrative and all shall hear his voice.
They didn’t have done good until the resurrection of life. And they didn’t have done evil to the resurrection of damnation, but also a suffering and point to that is there’s also a better body Dorcas and uterus we’re raised from the dead, but their spirits were United with their earthly and temporal and water bodies do understand that at the resurrection of Christ, we will receive a better body.
Paul says in Philippians chapter three, verses 20 and 21, our conversation is in heaven from also, we look for the Lord, Jesus Christ. And then he goes on to say, who shall change our vile bodies? Then it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. And so there is a better body, not only for Dorcas and cuticles, but for all of those who are in Christ Jesus.
And then finally the last great point that we can learn from the life of uterus and Dorcas is that ultimately when we see their resurrection, their resurrection is based upon Jesus Christ. Who’s the resurrection is the first fruits. Jesus Christ. Resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. First, Peter chapter one verses three and four. Peter says blessed, be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who according to you is a Monday mercy had to be gotten us again to alive. The hope by the resurrection, not a Dorcas, not a beautifuls, but by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and a fade away. And it’s reserved in heaven for you. When we think about the resurrection of Dorcas and uterus,
we can not overlook the resurrection of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Thank you.