Title For Another Miracle (Acts 9:36-43)
1. There are many problems with modern people, but one of the most important is possessiveness. Jesus said, “Abandon all covetousness. A man's life does not consist in the abundance of what he has” (Luke 12:15). Of course, I want you to work diligently and become rich. Help many poor people and become rich to be used for the gospel. However, making money is not the purpose. Money is earned to spend.
“Give it. Then it will be given to you, and given generously, pressed down, shaking, and overflowing, it will be given to you.” (Luke 6:38)
The economic law of the world disappears with use, therefore there is a law of scarcity that says that it should not be used. However, God's economic laws are different. God's law is that giving abounds more. Like spring water, the more you use it, the more new water overflows. Christianity is a religion of sharing. Jesus gave us life. He shared all the blood and water. That is why He said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Dear brothers and sisters, let us change our thinking. Let's live thinking about how we can give more than how we can get more or get more. How can I give more love to my family? How can I become a teacher who gives more love to my students? How can I help my employees more? Is there no way to share my health and talents? If we can think about such happy thoughts, our hearts will be enriched first. Then life will be rich and happy. People become happy when they think that anyone can give.
2. God's word to us today is about a woman named Tabitha who lived in a port city called Joppa. His Greek name is Dorga. Davida is a disciple. The word disciple appears only once in the Bible. The fact that Davida was called a disciple shows how well he lived his life of faith. Tabitha said, “There were a lot of good deeds and giving.” In particular, he took good care of single women, the poorest people in society at the time. He gave them outerwear and underwear.
Joppa was an international trading port like Busan and Incheon in Korea. It was a very splendid city, with many people coming and going, with plenty to eat and wear and drink. Behind the splendid culture, as always, lies a place as shady as the splendor. Just as the stronger the sunlight, the stronger the shadow. Here in Joppa, there were many rich people and a lot of money, but it was also a place where the sorrow of the poor stood. Polarization is not just a problem today. Even 2,000 years ago, in Joppa, poor people were living in the indifference and coldness of society. The poor at that time were mainly single wives, orphans without parents, and foreign travelers.
Without the courage and kindness of an ordinary man Howard, England would have lost Winston Churchill. Winston Churchill changed world history by winning World War II.
We want our children to become world leaders like Winston Churchill. We may not be like Churchill, but we can be like Howard. You can become a person of love and kindness, a person who changes the world, and an influencer.
Influence.
Christians are people who change the world like leaven. Where there are Christians, tax evasion should disappear and a culture of honest tax payment should be formed. I hope that the culture of bribery will disappear and that we will become a fair society. We are the light of the world that dispels darkness. It is the salt that prevents corruption in the world. Like Tabitha, I hope that we will become saints who have a good influence so that the world can be happy by our existence.
3. Tabitha, an exemplary believer, fell ill. Many people from Joppa City, who had been helped by him, must have come and prayed for him. “God, please heal me. Please heal Tabitha, who sacrificed for us.” Despite their prayers, Tabitha passed away. The news that Tabitha, who was respected and loved in Joppa, passed away was a shock to the citizens of Joppa, especially the Christians in Joppa. Those who received a lot of help from Davida wept.
“God, why are you calling your faithful disciple so early? You'd rather call an old man like me first, why are you calling your loyal servant so suddenly?"
Even believers who live their faith faithfully face hardships. Suddenly sickness strikes and accidents happen. At that time, most people said, “Lord, why did this pain come to me? Why? What did I do wrong to give you such a severe ordeal?”
The more you ask these questions, the more bitter you become, the more anger, vengeance, and even despair.
Dear brothers and sisters, there is a way to overcome hardship when you face it.
Why? Don't ask, what? ask
“Lord, what do you want me to do? What grace is the Lord trying to give you?”
Because I lost my health, because I lost my material, because I lost a loved one,
God will fill my empty hands and my empty heart with better things.
If you change your mind like this, the world looks different.
What is lost is not failure, but an opportunity for success.
If we change our thinking a little, our lives will be much richer. I can afford it.
Don't be heartbroken over what you have lost, but expect God to give you something new and better.
“My soul, why are you discouraged, and why are you anxious within me? you look to God Rather, I will praise my God, who helps my face” (Psalm 42:11).
4. The news that Tabitha had died was delivered to Peter, who was in Lydda near Joppa. Apostle Peter went up to the attic where Tabitha's body was and prayed. “God, who was glorified through the beautiful life of Tabitha, the saints in Joppa are grieving for the absence of Tabitha. How can you call your beloved daughter so quickly? The members of Joppa Church without Tabita are really frustrated and exhausted.” Apostle Peter, who prayed so earnestly, was convinced. The assurance that God will save Tabitha. So, I shouted at Davida's body. “Tabitha, get up. David, wake up. Jesus Christ raises you up. Rise up in the name of Jesus Christ.”
A miracle happened in the confident prayer of the apostle Peter. The dead Davida woke up. survived. Hallelujah. The prayer of faith saves the sick. Prayer works miracles.
News that Tabitha from the dead had come back to life soon spread throughout the city of Joppa. So, many people in Joppa came to believe in Jesus.
These words have an important message for us today.
Even being sick is a blessing to God. Even death brings glory to God.
There are some of us who have suffered from diseases for many years.
There are some people who suddenly find a major disease and are very confused.
Guys, don't be afraid of the disease. God is holding you.
Tabitha's illness and his death actually produced a miracle in which many unbelievers returned to God. It is a miracle that Tabitha came to life, but it is a bigger miracle that many people who did not believe in Jesus came to believe in Jesus through Tabitha.
Dear saints suffering from disease,
I bless you that your sickness will be healed by the power of God.
I believe that Jesus Christ will heal you.
May the miracle of healing happen in the name of Jesus Christ.
However, there is a greater miracle than that.
Even if your disease does not get better, always rejoice in pain and live joyfully in hope. If through such a beautiful life, many people who suffer from disease find hope and return to God, that is a miracle of miracles.
It is the greatest blessing and glory for one soul to believe in Jesus and be saved.
Not only the body, but also the soul, the whole body will enjoy the blessings of God,
Not only in this world, but in the next world as well, we will enjoy the glory of God forever.
It is a miracle among miracles.
You can create yet another miracle today.
Through your illness, through your pain, you can greatly glorify God.
Sickness brings glory, suffering brings blessings and miracles.