THE MINISTRY OF A CHILD OF GOD

Acts 9:32-43

 

INTRODUCTION:

 

      A.  The summer Olympics ended this past week in Beijing, China.

            1.  And it is natural for the games to be nationalistic – we each root for those who are of our own nation taking pride in those who win

                  a.  Who could not shout when Michael Phelps won his record 8th gold metal – he won every race he was in!

                  b. Or for Walsh/May-Treanor, Women’s beach volleyball – 107 consecutive victories as a team – wrapping it all up with a gold!

                  c. And then there was the US basketball, back on top with a gold winning over Spain

                  d.  We won 36 gold medals, 38 silver medals, and 36 bronze

                  e.  Notice how we say “we” – it can be intensely national

            2.  But the games are much bigger than that

                  a.  They are not games consisting of one nation, one language, or even one tribe – they are international

                  b.  They are games in which people of all colors, sizes, races, and nationalities come together in one place.

                  c.  The athletes put aside many of their differences: finding and building friendships with those who might once have been viewed as adversaries or enemies.

            3.  What an opportunity!

 

      B.  And so it is with the church of God

            1.  We have been so engrossed in the life of Paul for the last couple of weeks that we might have forgotten that there were many others serving the Lord in new church.

                  a.  We read in Acts 9:32,  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

                  b.  Peter is going about doing the work of his Lord, as well

                  c.  And there is great variety in that work – he will even have to put aside some of his nationalistic pride to minister.

            2.  As we will see today, the church is not to be nationalistic – it is much broader than any one of us and members of the church are to minister to those of all walks of life.

                  -  We need to take the admonition of James found in  James 2:1 seriously, My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

 

      C.  In our scripture passage today we find Peter ministering to those whom God places in his path.

            1.  Three names are mention, all of different back grounds and in need of different things

            2.  As we look at the Ministry of a Child of God we will find that Peter ministered to

                  a.  A Sick Man Named Aeneas

                  b.  A Saint Named Tabitha

                  c.  A Tanner Named Simon

            3.  May God grant us the desire to minister to all people as He gives us opportunity.

 

PRAYER

 

Here we pick up the ministry of Peter once again and find that he is in Lydda where he finds himself ministering to

 

I.  A SICK MAN NAMED AENEAS, Acts 9:33-35 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. [34] And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. [35] And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

 

      A.  We Begin With Peter’s Ministry to Aeneas

            1.  Very little is know about Aeneas who is mentioned no where else in the New Testament

                  a.  From the text we know that he was sick with palsy

                  b. Palsy is a medical term derived from the word paralysis that is defined as paralysis of a body part often accompanied by loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking.

                  c.  In the case of Aeneas, we do not know the cause of his paralysis, nor do we know the exact extent of it

                  d.  We do know that it had made him bed ridden for eight years now and he faced that prospect for the rest of his life

                  e.  In his day this would more than likely have made him a beggar and useless to society.

            2.  Peter, who had learned that great things were possible in the name of Jesus Christ reached out to him and commanded Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.  (v. 34)

            3.  Immediately Aeneas stood up – healed, completely!

            4.  Aeneas then became a living walking testimony for we read, And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. (v. 35)

            5.  Praise God for his great work in the life of Aeneas, through his humble servant Peter!

 

      B. So How Does This Speak To Our Ministry to Others? Here we can see at least two areas of ministry and possibly three

            1.  The sick – most of know what it feels like to be sick or feel bad

                  a.  If it is just a common cold or allergies or even to have small bruises and brakes - we can manage pretty well on our own

                  b.  But then there are those times when we are really sick, have severe breaks or even end up in the hospital

                  c.  These are opportunities to go beyond ourselves and minister to others

                  d.  This ministry might be a simple as a get well or thinking of you card or as detailed as making a meal of cleaning a house or helping with kids

                  e.  Are we a ministering child of God?

            2.  As I thought on Aeneas’ place within society, it dawned on me that he was probably looked upon as worthless – the down and out!

                  a.  Folks, it is a privilege to minister to those who have nothing to give in return!

                  b.  And we do not need to go to Africa to do it – its right here in Mascoutah, Lebanon, New Baden, New Memphis, Shiloh – all around us.

                  c.  And they are not worthless – they are human beings, made in God’s image and in need

                  d.  We should do what we can – Peter did.

            3.  There is a third possibility here – it is possible that this man did not know Jesus Christ – in other words he could have been lost

                  a.  In ministering to his physical needs Peter was given the opportunity to minister to his spiritual needs

                  b.  We know that he became a witness for the Lord following his healing, And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron SAW him, and turned to the Lord. (v. 35)

                  c.  We should not minister to them simply to get them in church and baptize them, we minster because they are in need and in doing so we might be given the opportunity and privilege to minister to their spiritual needs

 

The ministry of a child of God is to reach out to the sick, down-and-outers of society and the lost, but that is not all.  For Peter ministered to

 

II.  A SAINT NAMED TABITHA, Acts 9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

 

      A.  Look At Peter’s Ministry to Tabitha

            1.  We have much more information concerning this lady also known as Dorcas

                  a.  She is specifically called a disciple in verse 36 – she was a saint, she knew the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

                  b.  Her salvation was evidenced by her good works – she was full of good works and charitable giving – she was a good person

                  c.  More specifically we know that she sewed cloths for the poor – for when Peter arrived they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Acts 9:39

                  d.  But the most important fact we learn from the text is she had died!

            2.  Peter’s ministry to her entails raising her from the dead as recorded for us in Acts 9:40-41 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. [41] And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.

            3.  The impossible had happened – the dead rose, alive again! 

            4.  To say the least this caused quit a stir, in fact it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Acts 9:42

 

      B.  Here we can see two areas of ministry

            1.  To the Saved

                  a.  Now we have spoken to this on at least the last two Sundays so I don’t want to belabor the point, but we are to minister to one another

                  b.  Galatians 6:10 states, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

                  c.  This ministering could be to physical, emotional or spiritual needs.

                  d.  It is a blessing to minister to those who have ministered to others, maybe even to ourselves.

            2. But I saw another possibility here – that is to minister in those seemingly Impossible Cases.

                  a.  I think most of us would have said “Well ministry to Tabitha is impossible, let me minister to these others.”

                  b.  How many seemly impossible cases do we see around us that we could be ministering too?

                        1)  Those church members who have been out so long – impossible?

                        2)  That unsaved neighbor that you tried for some many years to witness to, but gave up on a long time ago – impossible?

                        3)  That terminally ill or severely disabled person – impossible?

                  c.  We need to remember something Peter evidentially had not forgotten, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Luke 18:27

                  d.  Peter ministered where and to whom God led him – he did not worry about the out come nor did he back away from the seemingly impossible tasks, he ministered in the name of Christ and left the outcome to God!

                  e. We could learn from his example.

 

Okay we see that the ministry of a Child of God includes ministering to the sick, down-and-outers of society and the lost, the saved and the impossible, what more is there?  Well I think we get another idea with the third person mentioned

 

III.      A TANNER NAME SIMON, Acts 9:43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

 

      A.  Peter’s Time With Simon

            1.  All we know about Simon is given to us right here.

                  a.  He is mentioned twice in chapter 10, but with the same information

                  b.  But this mention has more than meets the eye.

                  c.  Simon was probably a Jew considering Peter tells Cornelius in  chapter 10 that Jews are not to come to or keep company with a non-Jew (Acts 10:28)

                  d.  But the fact that Simon was a tanner would have made him unclean (he worked with dead animals) and Peter being in his house would have rendered himself unclean, as well.

                  e.  So what?  This meant Peter had to go beyond his comfort zone, go against former religious tenants, and beyond his prejudices!

                  f.  And though we are never given a clear indication as to whether or not Simon was a disciple or became a disciple, Peter stayed with him.

 

      B.  So What Does this Say About Ministry Possibilities? Well at least two things

            1.  There are those we will have the opportunity to minister to who are unknowns with possibilities

                  a.  Seemingly good people (he allowed Peter to stay with him) who may not know the Lord but allow us into their lives, thereby giving us the opportunity to be a witness to them

                  b.  By potential I don’t mean thy might amount to somebody, but rather they can come to the Lord

            2.  We also learn that we have got to minister to all people, even those who go against our preconceived ideas of “clean or unclean”

                  a.  This might be seen in ministering to the one who has had an abortion or the abortionist

                  b.  This means loving and ministering to the homosexual & prostitutes

                  c.  This means ministering to the drunkard, the drug addict, the murderer, the sex offender, the wife beater…You get the idea.

                  d.  This means ministering to those who are of a different ethnic group, have a different skin color, or hold different religious orientation

                  e.  There is no room for prejudice or bigotry within the church of God or in the life a of a Child of God!

            3.  If the likes of Peter and Paul can overcome these things so can we!

 

CONCLUSION:  In closing let me say,

 

      A.  The Ministry of a Child of God is rich and multi-faceted

            1.  It has no bounds

            2.  It is a privilege to serve the God who created all things, including all people.

 

      B.  When it comes to ministering to people Paul might have said it best in 1 Cor. 9:19-22 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

      C.  Child of God is this your take on ministry?