GOD BLESSES PETER’S MINISTRY
Acts 9:32-43
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. (40)
chapter 9
32. As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.
33. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
34. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up.
35. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
36. In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
37. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.
38. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!"
39. Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
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.
43. Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Peter, the good shepherd traveled around taking care of Jesus' flock. Peter spoke to a bedridden man named Aeneas in the name of Jesus. The man was healed by Jesus; he immediately got up. Those who saw Aeneas' healing turned to the Lord. The believers in a nearby town named Joppa had been greatly blessed by a disciple named Tabitha. She especially cared for a community of widows.
2. Then tragically, she died. The believers in Joppa sent for Peter to do something. The faith of the Christians in Joppa was amazing--they didn'tgive up, even in the face of death. Even though her body was prepared for burial, they believed that if Peter prayed for her, God would raise her from the dead. Peter got down on his knees and prayed.
3. Then he spoke to the dead woman. She opened her eyes and sat up. He presented her alive to the believers, especially to the widows who were surely praying for a miracle. Again, the people put their faith in the Lord Jesus.
Prayer: Father, bless our ministry with good shepherds who bring healing and new life. Help us all to increase our faith in the Lord Jesus.
One Word: A good shepherd who brings healing and life, and turns people to the Lord TESTIMONY