Dorcas (a.k.a. Tabitha)
“She was full”
Scripture References: Acts 9:36-43
ABOUT HER
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Write in your own words Ephesians 2:10:
Discussion Questions:
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- 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?
- What are the dangers of being full of works on the outside while not being full of Christ on the inside?
- 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)
- How can we use giftings and abilities in a way that glorifies God?
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