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?

Miriam

šMiriam›

Scripture References:

Exodus 2:1-10; Exodus 15:20-21; Numbers 12; 20:1; 26:59; Deuteronomy 24:9; Micah 6:4

Her Childhood:

Read Exodus 2:1-10

Miriam was Aaron’s and  Moses’ older sister.

She was the daugher of Jochebed and Amram.

She lived in Egypt.

“Miriam was the first woman mentioned in the Bible whose interest was national and whose mission was patriotic. For many years Miriam held a unique place among her people. In Micah

6:4 was read, ‘For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.’” –Frances Vander Velde

Miriam’s name means “rebellion”.

Miriam was the first woman in the Bible with the title of a prophetess.

“A prophetess is a woman who acts as a mouthpiece for God, receiving a message from Him and proclaiming it in accordance with His commands.” –Merrill C. Tenney

Other women named in scripture who were prophetesses include: Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Anna (Luke 2:36), and Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:9).

Miriam had a natural motherly heart. She was a bright girl around the age of 13 who was able to help her mother with this task. She showed responsibility and assistance to her mother.

Remember Miriam grew up in the suffering of slavery and under the taskmasters of Egypt.

Her Adulthood:

Exodus 15:20-21

It appears that Miriam never married and was a career woman. Her position teaches us that women do have a place in the church.

“Miriam viewed her singleness as an opportunity to give herself fully to ministry.” –Elizabeth George

Miriam’s work seems to have been with the women.

**What is a woman’s role and responsibility in the church?

1^st ministry is to RUN OUR HOMES: we are to love our husbands and children and minister to them daily and pray for them daily.  We are to keep our homes in order and learn the skill of keeping our home in order. It is our job to create and maintain the mood and atmosphere of our home to be centered on the Lord and to be a peaceful place.

Proverbs 14:1 NASB

A wise woman builds her house, but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 7:11 NASB

She is boisterous and rebellious; her feet do not remain at home.”

Proverbs 31:10-31 *description of an ideal godly woman in her ministry of her home and to her husband and children

2^nd ministry is to USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFT IN THE CHURCH:  whether it is a gift of helps, administration, prophecy, teaching, leading, giving or mercy.

**Review 1 Corinthians 12 (Living Water by Chuck Smith –recommended reading on spiritual gifts!)

A woman’s role in the church is vital. We need to know our place and do our part and not overstep our bounds and create confusion and division. We are to serve and love our families and the Body of Christ.

It is also not our place as women to counsel the men. Women counsel women and men counsel men for the protection and health of the Body. This does not mean you can’t minister and direct your brothers in Christ in a sisterly way, but you do not get into the details of their lives and become emotionally attached to them. 

It is also our responsibility before God to submit to our husbands and respect them so there is order and so we glorify God. It is out of place for us to ever talk down to our husbands, especially in front of others. We are not to correct them or share an opposing opinion against our husbands with others. We take our disagreement to them in PRIVATE. It is not an open discussion for everyone else to know about or be a part of.

Ephesians 5:22-24 NASB

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

We need to understand that when we do this we are directly honoring God and pleasing his heart. Respect and honor is the key to your husband’s heart.  Tell your husband today what you respect about him!

Women are called to lead. What is a leader?

1.     A leader is a follower: To be an effective leader you must first be a follower.

a.     Ephesians 5:1 NASB “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”

b.     Matthew 4:19 NKJV “Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

c.      1 Peter 2:21 NKJV “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.”

2.     A leader prays: a TRUE spiritual leader is one who is an intercessory prayer warrior. True leaders spend hours in prayer for those they are leading. A leader should never take this lightly.

a.     1 Samuel 12:23 NKJV "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.”

b.     Numbers 14:19 NKJV "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."

c.      Colossians 1:9 NKJV “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

3.     A leader initiates: a leader steps out and takes risks.

a.     Joshua 1:6 NKJV "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.”

b.     Acts 4:31 NKJV “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.”

4.     A leader serves: a leader leads others by serving them.

a.     Mark 9:35 NKJV And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

b.     Mark 10:45 NKJV "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

5.     A leader loves: a true leader loves those she is leading and cares about their interests and seeks to bless and benefit them before herself.

a.     John 15:12 NKJV "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”

b.     2 Corinthians 12:15 NKJV “And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”

Her Failure:

Read Numbers 12

What came out of Miriam in this chapter shows what was going on in her heart.

Miriam was very gifted. She was a prophetess as well as a poetess and musician. She led the women in timbrel and song. Beware of pride!

“The limitations in Miriam’s character are brought to light, and we see that her heart lacked genuine humility and contentment. She knew that she was able and was proud of it, and she was ambitious for greater political power….Envious, bitter thoughts must have been brewing in her heart for a long time before they came out in hurtful propaganda against Moses, who had married a Cushite. Being a prophetess, she may have had strong and justified feelings against marrying outside of the nation. She made a mistake, however, when she made her complaint public, imperiling the authority of Moses.” –Frances Vander Velde

It was Miriam’s job and responsibility to do well the job that was given to her. She stepped her bounds greatly and God dealt with it severly.

Colossians 1:7 NKJV “as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf,”

Let us not become critical of others as if we know better and let’s make sure we are not trying to climb a ladder inside of the church. Miriam may have believed the way she was acting was godly, but it was in fact ungodly and did not please God at all.

James 4:6 NASB

But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

James 4:10 NASB

Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.

The Lord humbled Miriam with leprosy in front of everyone.

Life Lesson:

“What are some of the lessons to be learned from the feminine jealousy and ambition which were the drawbacks in Miriam’s otherwise commanding character? First of all, we should learn to avoid the temptation to wield power at the expense of losing influence. Miriam had great influence in her sphere as a prophetess and leader of the praises of Israel, but she was not content. She coveted equal power with Moses. Then is it not folly in trying to add to our prestige and dictating to others, as Miriam and Aaron when they gave vent to their feeling against Moses? The most impressive lesson to learn from Miriam is that it is injurious to our character to be discontented with our own distinction, and to jealously desire the higher place of honor which another holds. My soul, never forget that it was envy that crucified the Lord who personified humility!” –Herbert Lockyer

Avoid thinking anything else is godly that is not Christ-like and humble in character.

Discussion Questions:

1.     What character traits do we see in Miriam as a child?

2.     What was Miriam’s contribution to the building of the new nation?

3.     What qualities of heart and mind must we have in order to perform our tasks to the glory of God?