June 22, 2014
Evening Service

Acts 9:20-43

 

There were many things that could’ve been mentioned this morning, but time didn’t allow.  I did mention this morning that I thought Saul had a good heart, and thought he was doing God’s will when persecuting the disciples.  I think by him being pricked in heart shows that he was caring. 

Did you notice that Saul was doing the persecuting, and now Jesus says, “Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.”  Now it is he who will begin to suffer.

            Not even he will grasp the magnitude that this decision will make in his life.  I’m sure he thinks he will be able to share his experience, and men will flock to be like him.  Not knowing yet that this decision will cost him many friends, and family.

            I believe also that Saul knew before his conversion that he needed something else in his life.  His willingness to follow the voice of divinity will fulfil all his longings, even unto death.

 

Act 9:20-43  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 

·         In verse 19 it said that Saul spent certain days with the disciples that were in Damascus.  They no doubt spoke to him the gospel message, which contains Jesus being the Son of God.

·         Being the astute teacher, and learner that he is, he will further study this idea, and God will confirm this to him.

·         We know this to be true for what he says in Galatians Gal 1:11-12  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

·         This is where we must decide if we believe the Bible, or something else.   We remember scripture that says:

1.       All scripture is given by the inspiration of God.  Paul to Timothy.

2.      Then Paul saying;  1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. 

3.      We must believe that our Bible is the inspired Word of God.

Now notice:

(21)  But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 

·         This has got to be very confusing to these people.  Someone that was so dedicated to destroy this faith, is now preaching it.  

(22)  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. 

·         And the only way he had to prove it was by the O.T. Scriptures.

(23)  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: 

·         What a wonderful spirit these people have!!!

(24)  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.  (25)  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.  (26)  And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 

·         We can’t blame them.  They saw what he has done already.  They were not about to trust him.

(27)  But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.  (28)  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.  (29)  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.  (30)  Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.  (31)  Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.  

Now we return to Peter:

(32)  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.  (33)  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. 

·         God allows Peter to perform another miracle, and it accomplishes what it should.  Many that saw it turned to the Lord.

(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.  (37)  And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  (38)  And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 

·         You see this exactly what James instructed us to do.  Call for the elders of the church, to pray, and anoint with oil.

(39)  Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, 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.  (40)  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.  (42)  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.  (43)  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

·         We can see and understand why God is allowing Peter to do these miracles.  Firstly, to confirm Peter’s authority.  Secondly, adding believers to the church.  However, we see later in Paul’s writings this;

1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

 

Paul recognized that there would come a time when most of the gifts would cease.  So he concludes that there would remain faith, hope, and charity, but the greatest of these is love.

 

Jesus Himself said that “they will know you are My disciples if you have love one for another.”

 

Love never fails.   Love covers a multitude of sins.  It certainly covered all of mine.

 

So we don’t have someone going around and raising the dead.  We do however, believe in praying for the sick, and believing that God will work things out for the best.  Until told otherwise, or shown otherwise, we will hold on for our miracle.

 

So what is to further the Gospel message today?  John tells us in his gospel. 

Joh 20:30-31  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:  (31)  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

 

Heb. 11:6;  Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

 

So we that want to please God, believe that He is, and we do that by reading, or hearing such Scriptures as John just gave us.  It builds our faith, which pleases God.  And faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  Rom. 10:17

 

Almighty God, help us to hunger after Your Word, that we might be pleasing in Your sight.