May 16, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 9:20-43

 

Review:

1.      I wanted to mention that at the end of chapter 8 it was said that Philip ended up in Caesarea.  I wanted you to remember that city.  No doubt Philip preached there.

2.      This morning we built our faith on another conversion experience.  Saul of Tarsus.

3.      We saw how God struck him blind, and told him what he wanted him to do.

4.      Saul, upon this experience was a yielded vessel to be used by God.

5.      We saw how he was sent to Damascus, and was blind for 3 days, and did eat nothing, or drink nothing.  Just praying.

6.      God sent Ananias to Saul to lay hands on him so that he might receive his sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.  Ananias was an Apostle, one who had been sent by God.  And he arose and was baptized.

 

This evening we will look at the remaining Scriptures in Acts 9.  20 – 43.

 

Act 9:20-43  And immediately he proclaimed Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.  (21)  But all who heard him were amazed and said, Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem and came here for that reason, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?  (22)  But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ. 

• Do you see how there has been a great change in Saul’s life.  Once he was blind, but now he sees.
• And he is proving, no doubt by the Scriptures, that this Jesus is the Christ.

(23)  And after many days had been fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him.  (24)  But their plot was known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night in order to kill him. 

• Here again is that wonderful spirit that a lot of these Jews possessed.  When it talks about the Jews being God’s chosen people they are not talking about the ones with this spirit.  They are referred to as the Synagogue Satan in theScriptures.
• The persecution, and sufferings have begun.

(25)  Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a basket.  (26)  And arriving in Jerusalem, Saul attempted to join himself to the disciples. But they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.  (27)  But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and told them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had spoken boldly in Damascus in the name of Jesus. 

• Here we Barnabas again.  We met him in chapter 4, concerning him selling everything he owned, and brought the money and laid it at the Apostles feet.  He gives a brief testimony for Saul to the Apostles.

(28)  And he (meaning Saul) was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem.  (29)  And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and argued with the Hellenists. But they seized him in order to kill him.  (30)  But knowing, the brothers brought him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus. 

• Saul spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus.
• HEL'LENIST, n. A Grecian Jew; a Jew who used the Greek language.
• Sent him forth to Tarsus.  From Caesarea to Tarsus.  This would be across the Mediterranean Sea into Turkey.

(31)  Then, indeed, the churches had rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, and having been built up. And having gone on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were increased. 

• So we see the Lord take away the persecution for awhile, and the church was enjoying fellowshipping and praising God.  The comfort of the Holy Ghost.

 

So we leave Saul for awhile, and Peter comes on the scene again.

(32)  And it happened, passing through all, Peter also came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. 

• Lydda  A town in the tribe of Ephraim, mentioned only in the New Testament (Act_9:32, Act_9:35, Act_9:38)  It lay about 9 miles east of Joppa, on the road from the sea-port to Jerusalem. In the Old Testament (1Ch_8:12) it is called Lod. It was burned by the Romans, but was afterwards rebuilt, and was known by the name of Diospolis. Its modern name is Ludd. The so-called patron saint of England, St. George, is said to have been born here.
• Joppa lay about 40 miles south of Caesarea on the coastline.

(33)  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had lain eight years on a mattress, paralyzed.  (34)  And Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you; rise up and spread for yourself! And he arose immediately.  (35)  And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 

• You see how that God is allowing Peter, and the others to do great, and wonderful things in the name of Jesus.  It is so these people will believe.  Remember some acted on their belief, and others didn’t.

(36)  And in Joppa was a certain disciple named Tabitha (which translated is called Dorcas). She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did. 

• You see a person like this is fertile ground for the Gospel message.

(37)  And it happened in those days, becoming sick, she died. And washing her, they laid her in an upper room.  (38)  And, because Lydda was near Joppa, hearing that Peter is in it, the disciples sent two men to him, begging him not to delay to come to them.  (39)  And rising up, Peter went with them. When he had come, they brought him into the upper room. And all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. 

• This was a very good woman.  However, we know that just being good does not save you, but because she has had a good heart, and full of good works, she is fertile ground for the gospel.

(40)  And putting them all out, Peter 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.  (41)  And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.  (42)  And it was known throughout all Joppa. And many believed in the Lord.  (43)  And it was many days that he remained in Joppa, with one Simon, a tanner.

• We can see that God is doing great and wonderful things to add to the church.  That is the purpose for all these miracles, so that people will see the power that is in the name of Jesus.

 

Remember what Jesus said, “It is an evil and adulterous generation that seeks after a sign.”  We don’t need a sign, we have the Word of God.  Yet we will hang on for a miracle if need be.

 

“These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you might life through His name.”

 

We serve Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

 

All things work together for good to them that love God, and are the called according to His purpose.  Rom. 8:28

 

“He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

 

Act 4:12  And there is salvation in no other One; for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved.