Dorcas (Tabitha)

Dorcas (a.k.a. Tabitha)

“She was full”

Scripture References: Acts 9:36-43

ABOUT HER

Read Acts 9:36-43

• Dorcas is also known as Tabitha
• “Dorcas was the Greek name for the Hebrew Tabitha, which means gazelle -that is, beautiful, graceful. Peter called her Tabitha, but the people of Joppa called her Dorcas. As Dorcas, her name has been perpetuated in all the women’s societies whose object is charity, more specifically, sewing for the poor.” -Frances Vander Velde, Women of the Bible
• She lived in Joppa
• She was called a disciple (she is the only woman to be directly referenced as a disciple)
• Her parentage and genealogy are unknown
• She was restored to life after she died
• She was known for serving the widows
• She was one of eight people in all of scripture to rise from the dead

“Through the Spirit-empowered ministry of Philip the evangelist, a Christian Church was established at Joppa -now known as Jaffa -and from an early date the church was not only a center of fervent evangelism but also of a well-organized social service. Possibly Dorcas came to know Christ as her Saviour in this church, and there caught the vision of how she could serve Christ with her money and her needle.”  -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

HER PRACTICAL SERVICE

She was full.

Acts 9:36b ESV “She was full of good works and acts of charity.”

It starts with our salvation -“Behind her sewing of garments was a saved soul.” -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

John 3:16-17 NKJV "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

We are saved and redeemed for God’s purposes.

Titus 2:14 NKJV “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

“You are not saved by faith plus works but by a faith that works.” -Warren W. Wiersbe

James 2:14-17 ESV “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

To be full on the outside we must be full on the inside.

“When Luke says that Dorcas was full of good works, he meant the word “full” to refer primarily to her inward grace, which prompted the outward deeds. Good works are only genuine and Christian when the soul of the performer is imbued with them. The cup of cold water to be acceptable must be given in His name. With Dorcas, then, being good meant doing good. Her manifold good works flowed from a heart grateful to God for His saving grace.”  -Herbert Lockyer, All the Women of the Bible

“A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest Updated Edition

It is always important to serve others out of the overflow.

Jesus is our ultimate example of meeting needs. He did not walk around trying to meet every need and He was not burdened by the pressure and frantic in the magnitude of the ministry that surrounded Him.

He said in John 6:38 NKJV "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”

There will be a day when the work God has for us to do will be finished.

John 17:4 NKJV "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”

She did what she could-

“Hers was the humble but worthwhile service of the needle. Her days were spent in sewing new garments, washing and smoothing rough old cloth, and in remaking, fitting, and mending garments for the poor.” -Frances Vander Velde, Women of the Bible

Proverbs 31:19-20 NLT “Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.”

We can get confused and think by being a godly woman we need to learn how to sew. Different women in the Bible did different things. What has the Lord uniquely gifted you to do that you can serve Him with?

• Deborah -governing and leadership
• Anna -known for her fastings and prayers
• Martha -hospitality
• Mary -anointed feet of Jesus with alabaster jar

God uniquely created you to create.

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Serving others is a remedy for the sickness called selfishness.

“When you feel like throwing in the towel...pick up the towel”

“The virus of self-gratification is far too contagious. If we don’t want to catch it, we must deliberately immunize ourselves against it.” -Beth Moore, Daniel

Matthew 25:40 NIV "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

Proverbs 11:25 NLT “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”

HER SPIRITUAL IMPACT

It is God’s will that we are bearing fruit in our lives.

John 15:8 ESV “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

True works of God cause those around us to believe.

Acts 9:42 ESV “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

There is something going on in the spiritual world around us when we serve God in the practical works that He has prepared beforehand to walk in (Ephesians 2:10).

True works of God bring glory to God.

Matthew 5:16 ESV “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16 NLT “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

HER LIFE AFTER DEATH

One of the tender moments in scripture that leaves a mark is when the weeping widows showed Peter the garments Dorcas had made for them.

She was loved! “Acts 9:38 NLT “But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, ‘Please come as soon as possible!’”

The Holy Spirit works as does as He decides.

“Why did Peter raise Dorcas from the dead? There is no indication that anyone asked him to, and we can't say that it was Peter's custom to raise every dead believer that he saw. It must have been a response to the direct leading of the Holy Spirit.” -David Guzik commentary

“We know not whence He comes nor whither He goes. We cannot tell where next He will display His mighty and gracious power.” -R.A. Torrey, The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit

The disciples were comforted that they had their beloved Dorcas back!

Read Philippians 2:25-28 on the reality Paul expressed of possibly losing a fellow laborer in the gospel who had a profound personal impact on his life.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 NKJV “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you”

Life Lesson

Write in your own words Ephesians 2:10:

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you personally like most about Dorcas or what quality of hers particularly ministered to you right now in this season of your life?
2. What are the dangers of being full of works on the outside while not being full of Christ on the inside?
3. What are some unique giftings,services or abilities that God has given to you that you can share with others? (If you have a hard time identifying these things in yourself pray for God to show you and also ask a friend what abilities they see God has given to you)
4. How can we use giftings and abilities in a way that glorifies God?

Mary, Mother of Jesus

MARY

Mother of Jesus

Scripture References: Matthew 1; 2; 12:46-50;  13:55-58; Luke 1; 2; John 2:1-11; 19:25-27 Acts 1:14

ABOUT HER

Mary was:

• the daughter of Heli
• of the tribe of Judah
• the cousin of Elizabeth
• betrothed to Joseph, the carpenter of Nazareth
• a virgin when pregnant
• mother of Jesus
• visited by the angel Gabriel

Mary’s Name: “As a name Mary is related to the Old Testament Miriam, to Mara, the name Naomi used to describe her affliction, and to Marah, the name of the bitter water reached by the Israelites in their wilderness journeys. The original and pervading sense of these root-forms is that of ‘bitterness,’ derived from the notion of ‘trouble, sorrow, disobedience, rebellion.’’ -Herbert Lockyer

When it comes to her name...it is not that Mary was rebellious or bitter as scripture says quite the opposite of that about her. However, she would experience and witness the world’s rebellion and bitterness toward the Son she would birth into the world and taste those things on the journey that God had her on.

Nothing is said about Mary’s physical appearance or beauty.

“Her love for God qualified Mary to be used by God.” -Elizabeth George

HER TIME TO LISTEN

Read Luke 1:26-45

v. 34 -This wasn’t a question of unbelief as was with others such as Sarah.

v. 38 -Go Mary! What a great example of a submissive heart toward the Lord.

God chose Mary.

“God’s choice meant that Mary would be pregnant before she was married and therefore branded a fornicator (John 8:41). God’s choice meant trouble with her husband-to-be, trouble at home, trouble in Nazareth, and trouble among the children she would one day have.” -Elizabeth George

Sometimes God’s choice for your life means trouble!

Mary didn’t live her life as if God existed to serve her. Mary lived her life to show she existed to serve God.

HER TIME TO RESPOND

Read Luke 1:46-56

Mary’s song is known as the “Magnificat” -”It reveals poetic and prophetic genius of the highest order, and takes its place among the finest productions of the world.” -Herbert Lockyer

This song reveals an overflow of God’s Word stored up in Mary’s heart.

“The surest test of a heart is indeed the caliber of its speech -the quality of the words which issue forth from it.” -Elizabeth George

“Mary first conceived Christ in her heart by faith, before she conceived in the womb” -Augustine

v. 46 “My soul magnifies the Lord” -are you like a magnifying glass so that when others look on your life they look at you and God seems bigger and clearer to them?

v. 47 -Mary recognized her need for a savior.

v. 48 -Mary looked to the future beyond the reproach she would bear for Christ. Mary had an eternal perspective and was not short-sighted! This shows us her mature character.

Read 1 Peter 1:3-11

Are you continuing to grow in your walk? Where do you still need to grow? What character qualities does the Lord still need to develop fully and richly in you?

Our tendency is always going to be to turn to the external instead of deal with the internal.

(Read Oswald Chambers devotional for March 27th)

Vision By Personal Character, My Utmost For His Highest

“Come up hither, and I will shew thee things.” Revelation 4:1

An elevated mood can only come out of an elevated habit of personal character. If in the externals of your life you live up to the highest you know, God will continually say – "Friend, go up higher." The golden rule in temptation is – Go higher. When you get higher up, you face other temptations and characteristics. Satan uses the strategy of elevation in temptation, and God does the same, but the effect is different. When the devil puts you into an elevated place, he makes you screw your idea of holiness beyond what flesh and blood could ever hear, it is a spiritual acrobatic performance, you are just poised and dare not move; but when God elevates you by His grace into the heavenly places, instead of finding a pinnacle to cling to, you find a great table-land where it is easy to move.

Compare this week in your spiritual history with the same week last year and see how God has called you up higher. We have all been brought to see from a higher standpoint. Never let God give you one point of truth which you do not instantly live up to. Always work it out, keep in the light of it.

Growth in grace is measured not by the fact that you have not gone back, but that you have an insight into where you are spiritually; you have heard God say "Come up higher," not to you personally, but to the insight of your character.

"Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" God has to hide from us what He does until by personal character we get to the place where He can reveal it.

v. 56 -First Trimester Time!

HER LABOR STORY

Read Luke 2:1-38

2:1-7 -Mary had a very lonely and untraditional birth experience. A lot of times in a believers life we won’t keep up with the “traditions” of our culture ..and sometimes in our “church culture”!

2:8-21 -Angels played a huge part in orchestrating this event! I love how the Lord lets us see the spiritual realm so much in Mary’s story.

The Shepherds, Simeon and Anna the Prophetess

The Lord gave Mary these treasures to hold onto because He knew the road that lay ahead of her. This was Mary’s baby shower from the Lord!

What are treasures that the Lord has given you?

God told Joseph in a dream...

Others will not always understand why you do what you do. Being led by the Lord does     not always make sense to others. Life is unpredictable.

“Mary followed God’s plan for her life as a wife and followed her husband...an act which saved their young son’s life. Do you realize that faith in God is what enables us women who love God to follow our husband? Just like the holy women of old -women like Mary -who loved God and trusted in Him, we are to adorn ourselves with God’s beautiful, submissive spirit and follow our husbands (1 Peter 3:5-6). Faith in God enables us to do so.” -Elizabeth George

v. 23 -This was the offering of the very poor.

HER PARENTING

Read Luke 2:39-52

“Later Mary was married to Joseph the carpenter and she bore him four sons and several daughters, the former being named -James, Joses, Judas and Simon, and the daughters unnamed (Matthew 13:55, 56; Mark 6:3). During His ministry, none of His brothers believed in Him. In fact, they sneered at Him, and once concluded that He was mad, and wished to arrest Him and take Him away from Capernaum (Mark 3:21, 31; John 7:3-5).” Herbert Lockyer

Mary had some real-life family issues!

2:19, 51 -Mary was a contemplative person and when her time to shine came...she was ready!

“Mary’s alone was the privilege of rearing a perfect child. One in whom was no sin or guile. The boy Jesus heard God in everything around Him and saw His beauty everywhere. This was His Father’s world. Mary’s child had perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with the Father, and gradually developed to the full consciousness of mission.” -Frances Vander Velde

2:48 -Mary still had to deal with real, motherly concerns. It was at this time Mary had to start to separate herself in her heart from Jesus in this form of caring for him.

“For the next eighteen years He yielded to His home authority. It is felt that during this period Mary lost the protection of her husband, for if he had been alive he would have been certainly mentioned in succeeding events (Mark 3:31; John 2:1; 19:25).” -Herbert Lockyer

John 2:1-5 -Mary had a “Martha” moment!

Matthew 12:46-50 NASB “While he was still speaking to the people, behold his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. Be he replied to the man who told him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ And stretching out his hand toward the disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

“I think it is important for us to see this side of Mary, see her as a woman taking action. Otherwise we might get the impression that mary was a passive woman who agreed to anything; ‘whatever will be will be.’ Her submission to God’s will was not robotic in nature, and if we believe that it was, we would under-appreciate Mary. She had great privileges and responsibilities in God’s redemptive plan, but her participation didn’t always come easily. Her submission wasn’t automatic. It involved consideration and struggle, and at times a personal cost.” -Brenda Poinsett

John 19:25-27 NASB “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

“At previous meetings with Christ, Mary expressed her feelings. Now, as He dies, she stands in silence.” -Herbert Lockyer

Mary was evidently a widow as Jesus puts her into John’s care. Even though she had other children who could have cared for her, Jesus was providing for her spiritual care as her other children were not believers.

HER DESTINY

Read Acts 1:12-14

“Mary let go of Jesus as her son and accepted Him as God’s Son.” -Brenda Poinsett

This “letting go” as a mother wasn’t something she did once for all when the angel Gabriel spoke to her and she wrote her song. It was something that she needed to do every day.

HER LESSONS TO US

Humility -We never see Mary complaining or having self-pity.

Obedience -A prominent trait in Mary’s life.

Her character gave her a nobility. This is the kind of character the daughters of God need to have as we are a royal priesthood!

Discussion Questions:

1. Try to imagine Mary’s son as He played, studied and worked; imagine His attitude toward His playmates, His parents, the natural world. Was He different from other children? Could Mary have had any problems with her child?

2. What makes Mary unique to you personally?