David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:1-16

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

I had just had hip replacement surgery 6 weeks before we headed out from Arlington, Texas to San Antonio. I had pain pills, thankfully. But even if I had not taken any pain medicine I was in no condition to drive. We stopped a couple of times on the trip so I could get out and stretch – albeit with crutches in hand. We were headed to SA to take part in what would become a significant ministry and mission-shaping experience and association with the Pastoral Leadership Institute (PLI).

PLI was designed for pastors and their wives, and the wives were full participants in the process. They were called partners – at that time not so much a politically-loaded term. The Partners were in most of the same presentations as the pastors. They had their own separate breakout sessions, as did the pastors. Issues around men and women, marriage and ministry had some very common components, as well as unique-to-each issues. But the Partner part of PLI was a breakthrough for most all of the wives and husbands. Diane went on to work for PLI initially as the director of the Partner Ministry.

Diane has always been a strong and significant partner to me in life and ministry. Sometimes, however, partners are closer than you think and not obvious in their importance. I think of that as I see how Cornelius used some unlikely partners for his interaction with Peter. Luke tells us that “He called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.” It surprises me that he involves these three in this mission. They would be in the know as well as on the ground in their help.

Partners are in the know. They have insights into your life, thoughts, plans, and motives if they are to serve well as a mission or life partner. If you really want to undercut your effectiveness, keep your partners in the dark. Don’t let them know what you’re thinking or planning.

Partners are also on the ground and in the game. A partner on the bench does no good. But one who is engaged in life and mission with you is vital. This is old news, but worth repeating:

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! A cord of three strands cannot easily be broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

Jesus himself had 12 partners, three special ones and one beloved disciple. He sent his disciples out two by two in their mission efforts. This is God’s design, summarized in the words, “Don’t go alone.” I thank God for Diane, my partner in life and ministry, as well as others who have come along side of me in each realm. Fellow pastors and friends, church leaders and members, teachers and trainers have all helped me do whatever good I have done. As I’ve said many times before, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (cf. Genesis 2:18) That’s true in life as well as in mission.

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 10:1-16

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

It was a cold rainy night in Brooklyn, New York as people lined up outside the converted theatre which is home to the Brooklyn Tabernacle. Pastor David Schultz and I went past the people in line waiting in the rain(!) to get in for the Tuesday night prayer service. We had an appointment with Jim Cymbala, the founder of this remarkable church where prayer is their chief mission tool. And boy did we pray that night!

But first, let me share a bit about our visit with Cymbala. He is a dedicated servant of Jesus, and a pray-er extraordinaire. His story of his lost/prodigal daughter’s return to the faith, church, and their home is remarkable and heart-warming. It brought tears to my eyes when I learned of it. I’ve included a video of this story below. But this is just one example – albeit a very personal one to him. There are countless other stories of God answering prayers to reclaim lost and wandering people back into the Body of Christ.

But this is nothing new. When the Temple was dedicated 3000 years ago Solomon prayed,

“Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake ⁴² (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, ⁴³ hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name. – 1 Kings 8:41-43

And a thousand years later Cornelius is praying and God sends Peter to reach into new people’s hearts and cross new boundaries, bringing the foreigners into his kingdom. Peter is in prayer when he receives the vision of common and unclean animals and is commanded to rise and eat. The church will be in prayer when they are told to set aside Paul and Barnabas for their first missionary journey. Jesus calls his disciples to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into the harvest.

I totally get it when we’re driven to our knees because of an urgent personal need. I understand when people reach out to God for help in finding a job or house, or conceiving a child. I’ve prayed for God’s peace and wisdom when I’ve faced a difficult decision. I’ve prayed for people to be healed. All these are good and honorable prayers. God promises to hear such prayers offered in faith and in Jesus’ name.

Jesus taught us to pray for all these things. He also taught us to pray, Thy kingdom come. And in that prayer raised our eyes beyond the urgent needs of the moment to the eternal needs of all people. When we pray Thy kingdom come, we’re praying that people are brought to faith in Jesus, that his gracious reign and rule would take root in our hearts and in the hearts of others. That prayer is much aligned with the mission of God. I believe it to be a truly worthy prayer.

Click here to see Jim Cymbala describe the return of his daughter – an answer to fervent prayer.

https://vimeo.com/74900964

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 10:1-16

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

I believe God’s promises about prayer, but I’m not sure I believe in prayer. To say I believe in prayer is too broad. It’s as though prayer itself is something to believe in, as opposed to believing in the One who has promised to hear and answer prayers – albeit conditionally. And that conditionally part is why I don’t like to say I believe in prayer.

The Bible is clear about this: God promises to hear and answer the prayers offered in faith, in Jesus’ name, and from a righteous person praying fervently.

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14

“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” – Matthew 18:19-20

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. – James 5:16

So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  – Luke 11:9-10

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. – Matthew 6:7

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. – Proverbs 15:8

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:3

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. – John 15:8

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16

Cornelius’ prayer life is honored here. His whole life apparently aligned with God’s will and commandments. Even though he was a Roman soldier, he was known to have been generous and prayerful. And the angel of God tells him that his prayers have been heard. He will be part of a new wind of the Holy Spirit moving even beyond his home.

Recently our home life group began praying for each other and those we love who we wish were closer to God. Soon after we began such prayer, we began seeing God’s Spirit at work in the lives of these loved ones. It was a clear answer to prayer, and had we not prayed it’s not likely we would have seen such changes.

We’re still praying for these loved ones. Whether it’s for healing, peace of heart, or to be brought back to God, we continue praying because God commands that we pray and promises to hear us when we call on him in Jesus’ name. For such fervent, persistent, faith-filled prayers in Jesus’ name avail before God. I pray fervently because I believe in God’s promises about prayer. Do you?

Click here for an audio version of this blog post.

Acts 10:1-16

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, ² a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. ³ About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” ⁴ And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. ⁵ And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. ⁶ He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” ⁷ When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, ⁸ and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

⁹ The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. ¹⁰ And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance ¹¹ and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. ¹² In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. ¹³ And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” ¹⁴ But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” ¹⁵ And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” ¹⁶ This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

I’m getting a new computer and I’m pretty excited about it. There will be some work I will have to do in order to make fullest use of it. I’ll have to transfer files, reinstall apps, and make certain all the things that work on my current computer work on the new one. It should be faster, better, lighter, and have a longer battery life. But it will take some work to get it, and there will be some getting-used-to-it involved.

I think about this because of the new ways of thinking and relating that will be required as the gospel message makes its way to more people – especially now that new people are being brought into the fellowship of the redeemed. In fact this will take a lot more adjustments than putting a new computer into service. A. Lot. More.

God is setting this up intentionally and deliberately. First he will have Cornelius call for Peter. Then Peter will come to Cornelius’ house as requested. The description of Cornelius makes it clear that Peter’s visit there was not thoughtless yet it held the potential for religious conflict. Cornelius was not only a gentile, he was a Roman centurion. As such, he was a leader of Roman soldiers. And these were the agents of a government that oppressed Jewish and Christian believers.

So Luke also tells us that Cornelius was a God-fearing man who was generous and prayerful. The term “God fearer” refers to someone who was a quasi convert to the Jewish faith, but was uncircumcised. In some way, therefore this was a half-step outside the strictly Jewish nature of the early Christian faith. We forget that the earliest Christians were Jewish believers.

But now Acts 1:8 is being played out. The followers of Jesus have been his witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea. Soon the Gospel message will go to Samaria and well beyond. But this represents a necessary step toward crossing that barrier. If the message is to take root in remote places and in Gentile hearts, some minds will need to be changed. Peter’s mind is about to be changed.

There is not an obvious parallel to that transition today. The Gospel message has been around the world. Believers from every tribe, nation, people, and tongue have heard and believed the Good News of Jesus. But there might be someone in your personal sphere of relationships who would test the limits of your gracious welcome. Perhaps God will bring someone into your life who will push out the boundaries of your sensibilities. In the meantime we can be thankful that Peter had this vision and that subsequent to it we who are not of the chosen nation of Israel are of the chosen people of God: no longer unclean.

Please pray these psalms with me on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 5:1-3

5 Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    consider my groaning.
² Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

Psalm 35:9-10

⁹ Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,
    exulting in his salvation.
¹⁰ All my bones shall say,
    “O Lord, who is like you,
delivering the poor
    from him who is too strong for him,
    the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

Psalm 65:1-4

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion,
    and to you shall vows be performed.
² O you who hear prayer,
    to you shall all flesh come.
³ When iniquities prevail against me,
    you atone for our transgressions.
⁴ Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
    to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
    the holiness of your temple!

Psalm 95:1-6

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
    let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
    let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
³ For the Lord is a great God,
    and a great King above all gods.
⁴ In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
⁵ The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.

⁶ Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
⁷ For he is our God,
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    and the sheep of his hand.

Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lordsurrounds his people,
    from this time forth and forevermore.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016.
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

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Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

IF YOU’RE A CHILD OF THE KING YOU SHOULD ACT LIKE IT The sign caught my attention for sure. It was on a marquee of a church in rural Texas. I think I know what was meant by the sign. If you’re a child of the King, you should live a decent and godly life. I agree with that – albeit with a small caveat. That would be something like, “AND THANK THE KING THAT HE IS MERCIFUL TO REPENTANT SINNERS.” We should love our neighbor. We should obey God’s commandments. We should be kind and gracious. We should live a chaste and decent life. But we don’t always do what we should.

Some people use that as an excuse for all manner of bad behavior. They think – like Paul suggests in Romans 5, “Since God’s grace is boundless, why not sin more so that we can experience more of God’s grace?” (Romans 5:21). That’s a serious question, not to be taken lightly. God’s grace abounds even more than our sins. But we’ve died to sin. We certainly should not live in it any longer.

Aeneas and Dorcas were models of redeemed faithfulness. Certainly her good works and charity were beautiful markers of a life filled with God’s grace. Aeneas is urged to rise and make his bed. There was no charge in this case, “Go and sin no more.” He simply received the gift of healing from Jesus through Peter, and stood up and walked. Sometimes obedience is as simple as that.

Sometimes it is more significant. Acts of kindness and charity are markers of one redeemed by Christ. They are the behaviors that are aligned with being a child of the King. They don’t cause us to be God’s people. They don’t bring God’s grace to us. That’s all his doing. Neither Aeneas nor Dorcas did anything to be visited by Peter or healed by him. This is the work of God. He comes to us. He redeems us. He heals us. He forgives us. He saves us.

Even if we’re not the one directly touched by God’s grace, the evidence of his mercy, grace, power and healing is meant to turn us to him in faith. In the end the healing is a great gift, but it is not the most important gift of God. That would be Jesus, and his gift of redemption and salvation. That salvation is an eternal healing of all infirmities, brokenness, failures, forgiveness of all sin, and an eternity of joy and praise to God.

You and I may wish for a healing we have not yet received. We may yearn for a tomorrow that is yet to come. We may be praying for God’s work in the life of a loved one, and wonder whether we’ll ever see it. The most important thing for us is to hold onto the promises of God, and trust him for all good things. Dorcas and Aeneas are wonderful examples (among many others) of God’s direct touch. Peter is an example of a great and faithful servant of God, and the people who see all this and turn in faith to God are great examples for the rest of us. The most important thing is that we receive the grace of God, believe in Jesus Christ and enjoy his gift of eternal life and salvation.

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Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

When we teach pastors and church leaders about leadership we often resort to the tried and true axiom, “Just take the next step.” We say that because so very often we don’t know what the road ahead will bring, and we can be paralyzed with fear rather than emboldened with courageous faith to move forward. Even when we think we know what lies ahead, we must simply take the next step forward to reach our goal. For true progress in God’s kingdom or life itself is never achieved by means of a time warp. That’s the stuff of science fiction – emphasis on fiction.

Peter is embodying this in his mission trip to Lydda and Joppa. When he left for Lydda, he most likely did not know what awaited him there. He might have heard of Aeneas. But we have no indication that he had. He might have had in mind to perform miracles while there, but we’re not told that explicitly. Jesus had sent him and the other disciples out on more than one occasion to heal the sick and cast out demons and proclaim the kingdom of God was at hand. So it is likely that he had in mind that these things would happen. But there is no indication that he had any kind of detailed itinerary. He simply went.

There are people who live life that way, and often I admire them. They are spontaneous, unscripted, and able to pivot on a moment’s notice. They can go on vacation, leaving one day and heading out somewhere without knowing where. They arrive and find a place to stay, and head out the next morning to do the same. At least I’ve heard that such people exist. Most of us have a far different approach. We want to make sure we’ve got our agenda clearly outlined. Hotel reservations, tour tickets, sightseeing plans all laid out.

To some extent it’s good to live a well-planned life that way, with our weeks goals, appointments, and schedules all lined out. That way we don’t waste time. But as we plan our weeks, we do well to leave room for the Spirit of God to interrupt our plans and take us places we had not known of or planned on. Who knows what God may have planned for us? After all, God has prepared good works in advance for us to do, so that we may walk in them (cf. Ephesians 2:10). And in our well-planned weeks there will be times we simply must take the next step; do the next thing.

Peter did that when he went to Lydda and on to Joppa, and as a result a man who was previously paralyzed began taking his own steps. And a woman whose earthly walk seemed to have been ended, went on from there. May God order our days and our steps in his peace so that we walk in the good works he has prepared for us to do. So let’s just take the next step!

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Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

You have to have a cooling bath to get the sauce cooled quickly. That’s so it doesn’t give someone food poisoning. This was the warning of a restaurant manager when Diane and I were making “PB’s Famous Spaghetti Sauce.” PB stood for Pastor Bahn, and the sauce was for a spaghetti dinner at the church I was serving. It’s fame was only in the name. And it was “PB’s” only because I found the recipe and was cooking it up – with the help of my dear wife and our pesky restaurant managing watchdog! Nevertheless, we cooked the sauce and he brought commercial cooling trays and thermometer, and no one got food poisoning! That would have been an altogether different kind of fame!

Tabitha, however, had a fame to which we would all aspire. She was noted for her good works and acts of charity. She was apparently a seamstress, and her companions there in Joppa were deeply moved by her kindness and sad about her death. They recalled her work by means of showing the garments she had made.

It reminds me of the Sundays we have had in our church where 50 to 75 quilts have been laid on the communion rail, gifts of charity from the Dorcas Guild. Their name is taken from this woman, Tabitha, “whose name means Dorcas.” The name means deer, a graceful and meek animal. Perhaps it was descriptive of her personality. She may have been unassuming and graceful.

But since little attention other than the translation for Greek readers is offered, the most important quality of character was her generosity and kind helpfulness. Good works and charity are the marks of a woman or man of faith. They flow from Jesus’ love for us and offer us the opportunity to reflect that love to others. We honor him by such kindnesses.

People can be famous for spaghetti sauce, space exploration, athletic prowess, financial success, beauty, or any number of things. We are called to a different kind of fame – a fame of love and good works. To be famous for such things requires a spirit of humility. Rather than doing good works to be seen by others, we are commanded to do them in a way that God receives the glory.

I’m reminded of the women of the Dorcas Guild whenever I walk into our front bedroom where a beautiful quilt made by the Dorcas Guild women covers the bed there – a retirement gift from these gracious women. But I also think of the quilts (less elaborate but oh so useful) that they donate to police officers, fire fighters and Lutheran World Relief each year.

The benefit of that becomes so very clear to me as I recall a day 37 years ago when our youngest son was hit by a car. He completely recovered. But as he lay on the street and we waited for the ambulance to arrive, a thoughtful police officer took off his jacket and placed the fir collar of the jacket between the rough surface of the street and Stephen’s face. A quilt would offer the same kind of comfort. I wonder how many more people have benefitted from such good works and charity.

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Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

506 years ago today, a little known German monk tacked a list of theological statements on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. His name was Martin Luther, and this day is generally thought of as the start of the Protestant Reformation. Today there are some 81 million people who identify themselves as Lutherans.

Luther’s efforts were not to start a new church, a revolution, or to gain a name for himself. In fact near the time of his death the term Lutheran was a pejorative term. Those Lutherans, some would say derisively, have made a mess of things. But the word got out. People began reading what Luther wrote (thanks to Gutenberg’s printing press and Luther’s prolific writings). More people heard of his stand against indulgences, the sale of forgiveness, and the abuses of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. Word began spreading. And Luther (100 years after Jan Huss who said many of the same things  previous to Luther) began to gain a following. The Gospel message of salvation by grace through faith began to see the light of day. People were saved. Jesus was glorified.

Somehow the word gets out. That’s true for churches. Years ago I was serving a church where I sensed that a new wind of the Spirit was blowing. I hadn’t tried to gin up some sort of spiritual awakening. I had simply done what God had called me to do. It was at the right time in the right place. And I was no different as a pastor than I had been in my previous church decades ago where the success had been hard fought and short-lived. Somehow the word got out that God was at work in the people of that new church. And people began to come. It was a wonderful time. It was difficult to leave that church to go to the next church to which God called me.

The impact of Aeneas’ healing proved to be such a new wind of the Spirit. And the word got out. The people in Joppa learned about his healing and called for Peter to come to their town and heal Tabitha. Peter was God’s instrument for healing, and in this case, also for raising Tabitha from the dead. It seems that God gave that authority specifically to the Apostles. And these signs and wonders were done not for their own sake, but to show the power, grace, and mercy of God – all in the name of Jesus. The word simply got out. Jesus was glorified and people were saved. 

You don’t have to sell someone a bill of goods. You don’t have to know all the answers. You just need to be a friend who is willing to let someone know that there is a place where they can hear of God’s grace and love, that honors Jesus and his truth, and where the Holy Spirit is at work. When people do that, the word gets out, Jesus gets the glory and people get saved.

That’s a good thing. Right?

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Acts 9:32-43

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. ³³ There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. ³⁴ And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. ³⁵ And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

³⁶ Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ³⁷ In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. ³⁸ Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” ³⁹ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. ⁴⁰ But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. ⁴² And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. ⁴³ And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner.

When I was preparing to go to Kenya for a vision clinic mission trip, we learned from a former Muslim about his remarkable conversion. I have no way of verifying what he said, but only the extremely remarkable nature of the events leading up to his conversion. I don’t really recall exactly how it played into the story, but it involved someone being raised from the dead. Yes! Remarkable to say the least. I also recall his joy and infectious faith in Jesus, and a willingness to be part of whatever God would do to reach people with the Good News of Jesus. Miracles in his world were simply a part of the mission. It all seemed genuine and not self-aggrandizing.

Following Saul’s dramatic conversion, and his time in Jerusalem, Peter strikes out in a missionary journey of his own. He encounters Aeneas, and heals him. The result? “All the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.”

Then comes his encounter with Tabatha, the disciple in Jappa who was known for her charity and good works. Peter raises her from the dead. The result? “It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.”

I notice specifically as Peter meets Aeneas, he makes it clear: “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” Peter was not interested in his own fame. That becomes clear not only in the case of Aeneas and Peter’s manner of speech to him. It is also clear by the way he puts everyone out of the room before he raised Tabitha from the dead. It is proven, also, by the result of these miracles. People are brought to faith in Jesus. Peter may have done it, but Jesus got the glory. 

This is so different from my experience with TV healers and so-called televangelists. Their words may say, “Jesus,” but too often it seems the spotlight remains on them. I have little patience with those who seem to want more attention than Jesus. But, I think I should be concerned for anyone who gives into the temptation toward celebrity. Jesus resisted this temptation in the wilderness. He knew its grave danger. It is a temptation to replace God with the poorest imitation of all. Self-idolatry is a grave blasphemy.

Whether we crave attention, credit, or glory, we all struggle with this temptation of self-idolatry. Thank God for examples like Peter and for a Savior like Jesus. Give him the glory. For some of his most important work is that which he does in people’s hearts who awaken to this danger and seek again to bring him the glory that only he deserves.