Acts 9:36-42 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds 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. 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 knelt 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.

How Much Is A Life Worth?

As this is Sanctity of Life Sunday the question I want to address today is, How Much Is A Life Worth? The the wake of the overturning of Roe vs Wade – and the devil screamed about that – the question of abortion went back to the states. Many were FURIOUS over the Supreme Court decision, and many states are now passing laws that even allow for partial birth abortion. What is a life worth? When our Lord Jesus was ministering on this earth, He said every life is valuable.

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Word Study on Sparrows: When Jesus wanted to show the value of a human life, He turned to the sparrow (Greek στρουθίον strouthíon, [pronounced stroo-thee’-on]. The word “sparrow” is only found six times in the King James text. Jesus said in Matthew that “two sparrows {were} sold for a farthing”, and in Luke “five sparrows {were} sold for two farthings”. So if you bought 4, you got the fifth one free. Sparrows were very cheap. The word “farthing” is the Greek {ἀσσάριον assárion, [pronounced as-sar’-ee-on]}, which Dr Thomas Constable notes is 1/16th of a laborer’s daily wage. That would be about $3.63 in America for a minimum wage worker ($7.25 per hour) – very little.

Sparrows have little value to the world – but our Father
cares for even the sparrow.

King David said in Psalm 84:3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

Every life is valuable to God. Whether in the womb, or a senior citizen – or anyone in between, God wants us to cherish life. Let’s look at a sparrow named Tabitha.

Tabitha’s Life, Like The Sparrow, Was Important To God

Acts 9:36-37 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died …

The Scripture declares that the saved by faith in Christ are predestined to be …

Romans 8:29 … CONFORMED to the image of {God’s} Son …

Word Study: Every Christian is a “disciple” (Luke 14:26-33), the Greek μαθητής mathētḗs, [pronounced math-ay-tes’] which means “a student, a learner, a pupil”.

The idea that a person can be saved by Grace through faith in Christ, and then can walk away from any relationship with God, and still be saved is foreign to the Scripture.

Saved people are “born again” (John 3:3, 7; 1 Peter 1:23). Born again people work to glorify Jesus. They are changed from lost to found, from darkness to light, from spiritually dead to spiritually alive. Tabitha is a saved believer. She is called a μαθήτρια mathḗtria, [pronounced math-ay’-tree-ah], which is the word used for a FEMALE Disciple. This is the only place in The Greek New Testament where mathḗtria is used. Jesus lowered Himself to die for Tabitha. Now Tabitha is a child of God by faith in Christ (Galatians 3:26), and Tabitha is living for her Lord. We are told that Tabitha’s name:

vs 36 which by interpretation is called Dorcas

Word Study: Tabitha has so lived for the Lord that we are given two names for her. Tabitha (Ταβιθά) itself is her Aramaic or Jewish Name, but Dorcas (Δορκάς) is her Greek or common name.

Though the Apostles themselves were majorly focused on winning Jews to Christ at this point (Paul will visit Cornelius, a Gentile soldier in Acts 10), Tabitha was shining for Christ to both Jews and Gentiles. This is why she is given two names!

There was the tinge of racism among the early Apostles, which is why God raised up Paul the Apostleto carry the Gospel to the Gentiles (see above, Acts 9:15). Yet Tabitha does not need to be told to share the love of Christ with all. Insignificant to the world, she did what she could for Jesus. Tabitha was:

vs 36 … full of good works and almsdeeds which she did

Tabitha did good to those around her. She also did “almsdeeds” {eleēmosynē}, which means she was charitable and merciful toward the poor. The Pharisees did good toward the poor, but they did it to “be seen of men” (Matthew 6:1-4). Not so Tabitha. She did good toward those in need because it is the right thing to do. God says in His Word:

Proverbs 19:17 (ESV) Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and {the Lord} will repay him for his deed.

We are warned as Christians in …

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV) Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

God the Son gave us righteousness when we were bankrupt of Heaven’s good. He gives us life so that we can share our lives with others, with our Church, with our community. While we have life, let us live for the Lord Who saved us. Let us give to Him Who gave for us all. Let us let God work in us, making us like Jesus to a lost and dying world. We are not saved BY our good works, but once saved we are to live FOR good works. One of my favorite passages of Scripture describes this very clearly:

Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

If you read Ephesians 2:8-9 you would think salvation is no more than a ticket to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes it clear you are NOT saved by your works, but by faith in the Grace of God by Christ Jesus. HOWEVER once you are saved, you are “created in Christ Jesus unto good works”. You ask, “What is a ‘good work’”? A good work is that which Jesus would do. God has left you on this earth, dear Christian to do “good works and almsdeeds”. Tabitha understood this. And then we read:

Acts 9:37 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.

Tabitha is, like all of us, mortal. She died in the flesh. Her body went to sleep. As the Jews did, they washed Tabitha’s body. But then they did something strange. You see, when Jesus died they washed His body, then put 100 pounds of myrrh and aloe, along with linen clothes (John 19:39-40) on His body. Jesus was then put in an new tomb that was donated by Joseph of Arimathaea, and the tomb was sealed. When Tabitha died they “laid her in an upper chamber” of a home. The Bible tells us that when we are:

2 Corinthians 5:8 absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Other translations say “we are out of the body, and at home with the Lord”. Tabitha is no longer in her body. And yet, rather than put her in a tomb, they lay her in a upper chamber of the home. We read:

Acts 9:38 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 {Peter} would not delay to come to them.

The “disciples”, Christians, heard that Peter was at Lydda, about ten miles south of Joppa. Two men went to get Peter with haste, because dead bodies decompose quite quickly. But what can Peter do? Peter can’t do anything! Peter can’t raise the dead.

But God can (Romans 8:11).

What Will They Say About You In Your Obituary?

Illustrate: How will you be remembered? I was serving at Riverside School this past week, talking with one of the teachers about examples we had growing up. She remembered her mamma – and I my grandmother – who were examples of Christ.

How will YOU be remembered? Will it be a tombstone that people RARELY VISIT – or will you leave a testimony of Christ behind?

Acts 9:39 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.

Peter had been in Lydda, working for the Lord. God had been working in a mighty way in Peter’s life. He found a man named:

Acts 9:33 … Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

“Aeneas” was in paralytic shock. “palsy” is a word still recognized in the medical community. For instance, Bell’s Palsy is a disorder of the nerve that controls facial muscles, which causes the features to droop. We are all acquainted with Cerebral Palsy, which causes paralysis, problems with coordination, involuntary movements, and so on. Peter couldn’t do anything for “Aeneas”, but Jesus could. Peter had seen Jesus raise the paralyzed. Peter said:

Acts 9:34 … Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed.

Jesus did the exact same thing with a paralyzed man in Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:9-11; and Luke 5:24. Peter has no power, but Jesus does! There is nothing Jesus cannot do.

As Jesus comes into the home – perhaps Tabitha’s home (we do not know), “all the widows stood by Peter weeping”. These widows – people who have lost their husbands, and who were in economic poverty – began to show Peter “the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them”. Tabitha had lived her life well for the Lord. God had given her a talent for sewing. Once she was saved, she took that talent and used it for the poor. The Bible calls her “Dorcas” now and not “TABITHA” for a reason. As I said before, “TABITHA” is her Jewish name, but “Dorcas” is her more common name by which the general populace – including the Gentiles – knew her. The community was mourning, and were clinging to Peter. What will Peter do?

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and knelt 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.

Peter first of all got rid of all distractions. He can’t do anything for Tabitha – but Jesus can. So Peter:

put them all forth

What is Peter doing? He is imitating the Lord Jesus. In Mark chapter 5 a ruler of the Synagogue at Galilee called Jairus came to Jesus and, falling at His feet (Mark 5:22) begged the Lord to heal his daughter. “Jesus went with him, and many followed” (Mark 5:24). When Jesus got to Jairus’ home, He found a crowd of people all weeping. Jesus told them:

Mark 5:39 (ESV) … “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”

They all laughed at Jesus. What did Jesus do? Jesus …

Mark 5:40 … put them all out

In her life Tabitha imitated Jesus. Now Peter, confronted with an impossible situation, is imitating Jesus.
You never go wrong imitating Jesus!

Jesus spoke to the young girl,

Mark 5:41 … Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

That young girl got up. Peter, James and John, along with the parents of the child, were in the room when Jesus did what He did. Now Peter imitates the Lord. He puts the distractions out, kneels, and prays. We don’t know what prayer Peter made, but we know what happened next.

Acts 9:40-41 … 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.

Jesus said two words to the young girl, “Talitha cumi”, which means “Young girl, arise!”. Peter says two words “Tabitha, arise”! Tabitha stands up, her soul is returned to her body! Peter then calls “the saints and widows”, the Church of God in Joppa, and shows the Church what Jesus can do.

Why Did Jesus Raise Up Tabitha? To Show Us Life Matters.

Tabitha glorified God in her life. She was loved of Christ, and saved so that she might reflect the love of God in a lost and darkened world. Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 when the Pharisees and Scribes chastised Him for allowing His followers to eat without washing their hands. Jesus said:

Matthew 15:7-9 (ESV) You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

The Pharisees and Scribes knew what God said, but never DID what God said. God is glorified when we do what He says. We are to be followers of Christ.

John 21:19 {Jesus said} Follow me

Matthew 16:24-27 …. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

God saved us and left us on this earth to glorify Him. We glorify Him not just by paying lip service, but by actually doing that which He has told us to do. Listen Beloved:

You are not saved by good works, but by knowing Jesus. But once you know Jesus He calls you to work for Him.

There are so many who do not KNOW the Lord Jesus by faith, but think their innate goodness will save them.

Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Billy Graham said it this way:

God is clear that our righteousness is like a filthy rag. There is nothing we can do to measure up to God’s standard. … Once we are saved, however, God expects us—in fact, He commands us—to not be hearers of the Word only, but doers as well. Works, when we are in Christ, are an extension of Christ’s ministry. In fact, works are not ends in themselves, but they demonstrate God’s love toward others so that they will know God loves them, and so that they will desire to learn about God’s provision for every need. … The Bible says a man in a ditch is not helped if we pass by him, wish him well, and tell him of God’s love. No, God’s love is demonstrated by attending to the man’s physical needs and helping him out of the ditch. This is how people learn that the Father has sent the Son. “Fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power” (2 Thessalonians 1:11). … Works must never replace faith and the sharing of the Gospel, but they are a natural extension of faith.

Tabitha is a wonderful example of the Christian way of life. Being saved by faith, Tabitha turned her God given talents and gifts to bringing glory to the Lord Who saved her. Oh, that more in the Church today understood this great truth. If you are saved, you are part of the …

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

To those who have never met Jesus, I beg you, give your lives to Him today. Lay your life down at the foot of the Cross, believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins. And for those who have given their life to Jesus, I challenge you. Are you living your life LOUDLY and BRIGHT for Jesus? Jesus expects you to work for Him, to the glory of God, while you are on this earth. I’ll end with this quote from the Book of Revelation:

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, AND the faith of Jesus.

The proof of your salvation is only found in your works for Christ. You are not saved by works – but if you will not work for Him Who saved you, you are probably not saved! Think on this, and repewnt if you are not where you need to be in Christ. For His sake I pray. Amen and Amen!