COURAGE TO SERVE ~ISAIAH 59: 1 ESV Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; There is not a person beyond the reach of God! ~MARK 10: 43-44 ESV whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. ~MARK 10: 45 ESV 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ACTS 9: 32-43 MSG 32-35 Peter went off on a mission to visit all the churches. In the course of his travels he arrived in Lydda and met with the believers there. He came across a man—his name was Aeneas—who had been in bed eight years paralyzed. Peter said, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” And he did it—jumped right out of bed. Everybody who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him walking around and woke up to the fact that God was alive and active among them. 36-37 Down the road a way in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha. She was well-known for doing good and helping out. During the time Peter was in the area she became sick and died. Her friends prepared her body for burial and put her in a cool room. 38-40 Some of the disciples had heard that Peter was visiting in nearby Lydda and sent two men to ask if he would be so kind as to come over. Peter got right up and went with them. They took him into the room where Tabitha’s body was laid out. Her old friends, most of them widows, were in the room mourning. They showed Peter pieces of clothing Tabitha had made while she was with them. Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: “Tabitha, get up.” 40-41 She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her hand and helped her up. Then he called in the believers and widows, and presented her to them alive. 42-43 When this became known all over Joppa, many put their trust in Jesus. 1. People put their trust in Jesus because of Jesus! ~ACTS 9: 40-42 ESV 40 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. 2. These people met Jesus because of Tabitha’s courage to serve ~ACTS 9: 36 ESV 36 there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. ~ACTS 9: 39 ESV 39 when Peter arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas (Tabitha) made while she was with them. Tabitha created a means and served dignity to these women Q1. "Where can you serve people in a way that it shows and reflects the faith that you have?" Q2. What will it look like to courageously serve the faith you have? ~EPHESIANS 1: 23 MSG "The church is Christ’s body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence.”

From Series: Courage | More Messages from Matt France

From Series: "Courage"

6 stories of people who had courage to share the faith that they had