Acts 26: The Greater Miracle

INTRODUCTION:In the case of the early church we are going to see the effects of the miraculous healing ministry of Jesus Christ in terms of physical healings.

In our times we want to think of the same effects that the healing ministry of Jesus Christ can have in a spiritual sense.

As Jesus transforms lives, there should be corresponding opportunities for gospel penetration into new hearts. Jesus is alive today and impacting the lives of people – radically transforming them just as he did physically in using Peter in these two different cities.

Change is possible – Don’t give up and think that things have to remain the way they are today in your life ….

We are going to see in this passage how Peter imitates the ministry of his Master – being used to perform 2 dramatic miracles that remind us of the miracles of Christ; remember these Acts of the Apostles are still Acts performed by the resurrected Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit

Switch in focus – putting Paul aside for a few chapters to concentrate on Peter’s ministry; you have the conversion of the Apostle to the Gentiles and then the conversion of the first Gentile; the ministry of Peter in the maritime plain of Palestine – why this focus geographically here?

– Concluding ministry to the Jews in the region around Jerusalem and Palestine?

– Setting the stage for the conversion of Cornelius and taking the gospel to the Gentiles?

Remember Peter was given the keys of the kingdom – opening new people groups up to the privilege and reality of entrance into the kingdom

Jesus had shown them that entrance into the kingdom involves being baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ – becoming part of the church – Salvation became for new believers their own “Day of Pentecost",

Like in Acts 8 – Philip’s preaching in Samaria – but Peter called to come pray for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit

That’s what the whole book of acts is… a record of the Unstoppable Power of the Gospel for the early church and the world.

TWO EXAMPLES OF CHURCH GROWTH AS THE GOSPEL CONTINUED TO IMPACT THE CITIES OF JUDEA

Acts 9:32–35 NIV84

32 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.

Healing of Aeneas

Luke 5:17-26 – Healing of the Paralytic

4 lessons from this little passage of Aeneas

Might call them

Miracles are divine appointments

This occasion for healing was a Divine Appointment –

“Now as Peter was traveling through all those regions, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas”

Stott: Peter is introduced as engaged in an itinerant ministry . . . Previously, when persecution had broken out, the apostles had deemed it prudent to remain in Jerusalem. Now that Saul had been converted by Jesus, the church was enjoying a time of peace they felt free to leave the city.

Peter’s purpose was not only to preach the gospel, but also to visit the saints, in order to teach and encourage them.

While this may have been a blessing to see the church in other places, this itinerant ministry – traveling ministry - that Jesus had practiced, was one of dependence on the Spirit. Remember Jesus had said that even foxes had their own den to go back to in the evenings, but the Son of Man owned no home for comfort and security – no place to lay his head other than what the Father providentially provided each night.

Each moment was arranged by God… even where he would sleep.

The Church in Judea had begun by witnesses who had been at Jerusalem for Pentecost, Some folks who had fled because of persecution; Others who had been taught by Philip as well. They weren’t expecting Peter

Guzik: Both of our healing stories describe the Christians in the towns as saints. When the Bible calls Christians saints, the idea isn’t of a super-perfect people; the idea is of a people who are different.

Calling them Saints reminds us that they lived as people who were set apart from the world at large; they lived distinct lives.

Do you feel like you lived this past week in a way that was different?? How did we demonstrate that we are saints??

Lydda: In Judea, but a largely a Gentile city about 25 miles NW from Jerusalem.

So, in this trade city, Aeneas was probably a Hellenistic Jew and probably not a believer - since it was visiting the saints that “he found a man”.

Peter was available for whatever divine appointments the Father might have for the purpose of ministry.

Are you available for divine appointments?

Do you make time for the people God brings into your life? or are you so busy that people don’t get your attention?

Second lesson from Aeneas is that spiritual paralysis is real and common.

We all need to be healed

He is described as a man “who had been bedridden eight years, for he was paralyzed.”

What a pitiful existence – no modern medical aids like wheelchairs to help him get around; no entertainment diversions to help him pass the monotonous time – like TV and movies on DVR; just day after day living without hope of any change;

People such as this should stir compassion in our hearts – but sadly it usually leads us to avoidance – we don’t want to think about people in this type of sad state...

Yet remember the compassion and tender mercy of the Great Physician; the Good Shepherd who would stop to minister to such ones; not viewing them as an inconvenient interruption to his more important ministries

Stedman: Here we have a paralysis of the body. For eight years it held this man impotent, unable to fulfill life as God intended human life to be lived. He was paralyzed; he could not move. That can happen to the spirit as well. In fact it does happen to many. It very likely has happened to some of you here this morning.

Some of you are suffering from paralysis of the will, from paralysis of the spirit. There are things you have been wanting to do, knowing that you ought to do them. For years you have been saying, “Oh, I wish I could do that. I’d like to. Someday I want to do it.” But you never have.

You are suffering from paralysis of the will because you are looking to your own resources. You are expecting that somehow you will get some new sensation or feeling and when you feel motivated then you will do it.

We need to be healed. Spiritual paralysis is real and unavoidable on our own… This is what theologians are talking about when they refer to the depravity of man… our inability to live faithfully without the Spirit of God working in our lives.

Aeneas’ 3rd lesson is that of the God’s supernatural authority to heal.

Only God can heal

“Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed.’ Immediately he got up.”

Luke 5:17-26

Peter not a faith healer – ministry conducted in submission to the power of Jesus Christ and His sovereign disposition

As I mentioned earlier, when Jesus healed, it wasn’t in response to the faith of the individuals involved.

I will say this that healings in the NT focused on unbelievers. In fact, I’m not sure of any healing that was of a disciple of Jesus, but rather as we will see here… the healing led to conversion.

Purposes of divine healing: a) God heals that He may be glorified. b) God heals that His messengers and messages may be authenticated. c) God heals that He may convict men of their sinfulness.

Peter directed all of the focus to the person of Jesus Christ – not to himself

The healing led to the activity of assuming one’s personal responsibilities - taking his things and going to tell others - Healing initiating total life change

Do you believe in the power of Jesus Christ to save and change lives? He did and He still is

This leads to

The 4th lesson from Aeneas, the objective of healing is salvation

True healing is spiritual healing

“And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

Man was not healed just so he could enjoy a new and healthy life; his healing was designed to impact a wide range of people for the glory of God; creating a people movement of new allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ

All - “All yall” not every single person… but a whole bunch of yall

You cannot genuinely believe without turning from sin in repentance to live a life of faith in the Lord Jesus; you become a follower, a disciple

We can’t say “I want to become a Christian but I don’t want to turn away from my sin” It’s part of it

Our community - world - is full of people who are ready to turn to the Lord – we need to reach them with the gospel message that has the power to radically transform their lives just as the Lord was able to physically heal this paralytic – turned him into a walking, running, hopping up and down enthusiastic witness to the living reality of the power of Jesus Christ

That’s a lot from just 3 verses

Now we turn our attention to Joppa

Acts 9:36–43 NIV84

36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who 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 the believers and 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.

Healing of Tabitha

Same 4 points could be made here… but I want us to see something more, something different in the life, death, and healing of Tabitha.

We find this story is very similar to a miracle Jesus performed when he raised Jairus’ daughter… very similar, even the words spoken by Peter were like those Jesus spoke… Tabitha coume… where Jesus called talitha coume “Little girl get up”… Peter said “get up Tabitha”. Calling her by name.

Which just as an aside, I’m due for my CPR training… I need to sign up to have it renewed. But if I pass out up here and someone is going to start CPR on me… jus tknow if you get me back I may not be happy with you for dragging me out of heaven

Scripture gives us a few important details of Tabitha.

The first reveals a big difference between Tabitha and Jarius’ daughter is that Tabitha is a Disciple, a follower of Jesus.

Second, and I think they are related. Scripture also tells us her name in Greek was Dorcas - sounds odd - but means gazelle - throughout scripture a gazelle was an animal that represented beauty and grace...

That’s what I want us to see about Tabitha, who was a believer, her beauty and grace.

We were told that she was always doing good. In other places it is said “full of good works”… and here we have Tabitha a woman deeply loved by her community because of the way she consistently serves others.

It’s pretty clear, but I want to be clear:

Notice the beauty of generosity

See when Peter went upstairs - surrounded by widows - people in real need who had been blessed by her life

Begging him to bring her back because of the way she had blessed their life.

She didn’t give old clothes to goodwil… donate unneeded furniture to women in need… she made clothes for them… didn’t give them gift cards to the KOHLS BAZAAR… she met their real - practical needs by the labor of her hands… she invested herself for the benefit of others.

She was generous.

Generosity is beautiful… it demonstrates the love and character of God

1 John 3:16 NIV84

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.

When you hear me calling us to being generous what do you tell yourself? Oh i’m pretty generous...

Let me tell you a story…

Parking lot $50k

Family in need who lost house in fire… we gave our home rent free fro a year

Family in our church who’s kids are struggling in school, we arranged for a scholarship them this year… it’s a couple thousand a month...

All told that’s like 90,000… now some of you know what the church pays pastors so it’s going to be tough… you are thinking He’s going to wipe out his savings if he has any to do that… that’s amazing the he would do such a thing

Then you find out that my dad’s estate finally settled and the farm sold and I got my share 100 million…

Doesn’t seem so generous now does it?

But when you thought I was generous, you were felling all warm and fuzzy towards me… that’s because Generosity is beautiful and beauty always gets special treatment… favor you might say.

Proverbs 31 descrives a woman who is highly favored like this and I’d like to focus on just a part...

Proverbs 31:18–20 NIV84

18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

She’s up late working in order to provide for her family for sure… but also to serve those in need… and that is a beautiful thing.

Generosity… whether a church or an individual… makes our lives attractive to those outside the faith.

We need to remember this.

The more beautiful you are, the harder it is to call you arrogant, narrow-minded, hypocritical. People give a lot of grace to people who are beautiful, you know that. And all I’m telling you is you can change the reputation that people have about you personally or for us the church, one person at a time, one coworker at a time, one neighbor at a time.

The question is how generous are you?

How much are you willing to work to show that people mean more to you than your stuff or your time or your convenience?

We can all talk about going the extra mile, staying the extra hour and spending the extra dollar.

What I’m saying and what Tabitha’s life is reminding us is that it’s essential to “let your light shine before men, that they might see your good works.”

Because there’s an evangelistic goal for our lives, “that they might glorify your Father who’s in heaven.” I mean, that’s really the point of everything we do as Easter people.

Which is my last point today… that we live in such a way that our lives reflect the resurrection

Reflect the resurrection with your life

This is a touchy subject I’m going to address in just a couple of minutes.

The resurrection is real, we celebrated it last week, our faith tells us that the risen Jesus has changed the direction of our lives and the Holy Spirit has begun to change the way we live… there is no doubt.

Scripture also teaches us what to do with this salvation… we are to be as

Romans 12:2

“2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - says be transformed first in our minds, then in our heart.

Ephesians 2:10

we are told that how we live is part of our salvation… in fact “10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Good works are touchy because so many in our world think of being good is what life is all about. But what I”m talking about here goes beyond being good. What I’m talking about is our being sacrificially good. It’s the life that Tabitha lived… it’s the life that Peter was living.

Titus 2:7-11

“7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness”

You know what choosing to live for the benefit of others does to you… it doesn’t save you because that is already taken care of… what it does though is it chips away at your pride, it leads to humility, gratefulness, joy (not happiness). In the church when we begin to love others sacrificially, you know what it also does… it gets rid of the things no one likes anyway… arrogance, narrow-minded ness, Bible-thumping hypocrisy, it starts to work away at that. Like getting rid of the ants from the counters… how do you get rid of them? Keep the counter clean. Be the church sacrificial love thrives is encouraged.... where pride and arrogance dies.

Live a life that reflects the resurrection.

Paul continues in Titus 2:9-11

Titus 2:9–11 NIV84

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

That’s the greater miracle… salvation.

It’s great when people find healing… but the real miracle is having our lives transformed… being saved… going from death to life by putting our trust in Christ

Related Media

Related Sermons