Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint

1. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.... So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.... But Philip was found at Azotus. And passing through, he preached in all the cities till he came to Caesarea. (Acts 8:14, 15, 25, 40)

2. Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed." Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was...

3. ...near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 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. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. (Acts 9:32-43)

4. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint The story of Dorcas is one of the most beautiful character sketches in the Bible. Profound lessons can be taught and learned by studying the lives of people who learned these lessons and demonstrated them in their actions. The life of Dorcas is no exception.

5. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Background Information The city of Joppa 1. An ancient seaport, 34-38 miles NW of Jerusalem. 2. Most of its men made their living as fishermen. 3. There were many widows and fatherless children there because of the dangers of fishing. 4. The area had probably been evangelized by Philip.

6. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Background Information The city of Joppa 1. An ancient seaport, 34-38 miles NW of Jerusalem. 2. Most of its men made their living as fishermen. 3. There were many widows and fatherless children there because of the dangers of fishing. 4. The area had probably been evangelized by Philip.

7. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Background Information The city of Joppa 1. An ancient seaport, 34-38 miles NW of Jerusalem. 2. Most of its men made their living as fishermen. 3. There were many widows and fatherless children there because of the dangers of fishing. 4. The area had probably been evangelized by Philip.

8. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Jewish funeral customs

9. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Jewish funeral customs 1. The body probably was not embalmed, but was washed, anointed, and perfumed. 2. It was then dressed and displayed in a room of the home. 3. The mourners were family members, friends and professionals.

10. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint.

11. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple.

12. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple. 1. A disciple is a learner. • "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)

13. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple. 1. A disciple is a learner. 2. A disciple is a follower. • "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26,27)

14. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple. 1. A disciple is a learner. 2. A disciple is a follower. 3. A disciple follows by imitating. • Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

15. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple. 1. A disciple is a learner. 2. A disciple is a follower. 3. A disciple follows by imitating. • For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

16. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Life of This Faithful Saint. She had been a disciple. 1. A disciple is a learner. 2. A disciple is a follower. 3. A disciple follows by imitating. • For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (1 Peter 2:18-21).

17. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. • For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Eph. 2:10).

18. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. • All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.(2 Tim. 3:16-17).

19. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. • Saints are to be zealous of them. • All For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great...

20. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. • Saints are to be zealous for them. • ...God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)

21. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. 3. Saints are to be zealous for them. 4. Saints are to be rich in them. • Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to...

22. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. 3. Saints are to be zealous for them. 4. Saints are to be rich in them. • ...share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Tim. 6:17-19)

23. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. 3. Saints are to be zealous for them. 4. Saints are to be rich in them. • "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

24. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint She had been full of good works. 1. Saints are created for them. 2. Saints are equipped for them. 3. Saints are to be zealous for them. 4. Saints are to be rich in them. • "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt. 6:19-21)

25. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Passing Of This Faithful Saint "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." (Rev. 14:13) "Be thou faithful unto death." (Rev. 2:10) "Carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." (Luke 16:22) "Sorely missed but fondly remembered." And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. (Acts 9:39)

26. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Raising of This Faithful Saint A. Probably caused mixed emotions. • “....according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

27. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Raising of This Faithful Saint A. Probably caused mixed emotions. • "...Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you." (Phil. 1:20-24)

28. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Consider The Raising of This Faithful Saint A. Probably caused mixed emotions. B. Confirmed the word to unbelievers. • And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.(Mark 16:20)

29. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint Lessons Illustrated of This Faithful Saint • Do what you can with what you have, rather than dream about what you would or could do with riches you don't have. • Rather than "live and let live," we should "live and help live" by living a life of serving and giving. • We should let the beauty of Jesus be seen in our lives.

30. Dorcas, A Benevolent Saint • We cannot all be like Dorcas in every respect, but we can be like her in the essentials. • We all have a certain amount of time, talent and money. • We should be willing to use whatever we have for the benefit of others.