DORCAS


A. "NOW THERE WAS AT JOPPA A CERTAIN DISCIPLE NAMED TABITHA WHICH BY INTERPRETATION IS CALLED DORCAS; THIS WOMAN WAS FULL OF GOOD WORKS AND ALMSDEEDS WHICH SHE DID" - ACTS 9:36-43
  1. The story of Dorcas ranks among the most loved stories in the Bible:
    1. To the aged Christians it is the star of hope to the needy
    2. To charitable minded people she is the great and moving inspiration
  2. One thing seems certain:
    1. That Dorcas a disciple of Christ had no idea that her good deeds and almsdeeds would live on generation after generation creating numerous charitable organizations who seek to do the good works of Dorcas
    2. Truly the story of Dorcas will continue to live so long as there are Dorcas minded people in the church of God
B. NAME MEANING Dorcas implies "the female of a roebuck, a gazelle" an emblem of beauty. Whether Dorcas was beautiful, we have no way of knowing, but we do know that she was beautiful because of being full of good works and almsdeeds Family Connections: Here again, the Bible is silent concerning her genealogy. In Joppa she became famous because of her good deeds to the widows and the poor
  1. Here are a few high points in the story of Dorcas:
    1. She was a disciple - "a certain disciple", that shows that she was a believer - a true Christian - a disciple of Christ
    2. That, to my mind, is the highest attainment for anyone to aspire to because it signifies following Jesus Christ - John 8:31
    3. She was a Philanthropist of the highest order - Matt. 25:34-36; Acts 20:35; her philanthropy has immortalized her memory
    4. She was mourned and missed - Acts 9:39 She, in this instant, ranks with Enoch, who, too, was missed - Heb. 11:5
    5. She was raised from the dead - to continue her work - Acts 9:40
C. A TIMELY LESSON FOR THE SAINTS
  1. The story of Dorcas demonstrates:
    1. That God is no respecter of persons; it matters not what sex it is, God honors their good deeds - compare Gal. 3:27-29 with Matt. 7:16; 25:31-38; Acts 10:34-35
    2. That true philanthropy springs from a liberal heart - the nature of God's love - "For God loveth a cheerful giver" - 2 Cor. 9:7
  2. It shows further:
    1. Philanthropy is the antidote to human selfishness. To be liberal in bestowing gifts on others, requires complete self-denial
    2. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the philanthropy of heaven - about Jesus, "Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich" - 2 Cor. 8:9. He literally emptied Himself - so He said, "the foxes have holes, and the birds have nests; but the Son of man hath no where to lay His head" - Matt. 8:20
  3. The fame of Dorcas rests on three specific pillars:
    1. She was a true blue disciple, practiced her faith; she had deeds to support her claims to discipleship - James 2:21-26
    2. She lived and labored, not for herself, but for others - such a life will ever live and inspire others
    3. God raised her from the dead to continue her good works and almsdeeds; and let me say at this point, we have no record that God ever raised a preacher to continue preaching
  4. Long live the spirit and works of Dorcas:
    1. We gladly salute our dear sisters who take time to use their needles and other means to perpetuate the good work and the almsdeeds of Dorcas
    2. Many of these God-fearing women may not be in the limelight as preachers may be, but their unselfish work is as memorable as the deeds of the greatest preacher
  5. One must give a closing word of caution to the members of the Dorcas:
    1. Guard against commercializing your organization
    2. Keep your work in the spirit of Dorcas


Design © John Bryant 2011