27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
03 Acts 09 32-43 THE MINISTRY OF PETER 12 Acts 09 37-38 Fruitful till the very end
📖 Acts 09:32-43
12 – Sun09Jun2024 – *Fruitful till the very end* - _Acts 09:32-43_ – THE MINISTRY OF PETER – _Philippians 01:20-26_
How wonderful it would be if each of us, in our domains, would fulfil the creation mandate. Imagine the growth of the Gospel. Many will turn to Jesus because they will witness transformed lives amongst them demonstrating good works.
We must always keep in mind that it is the Lord who enables us to do good works. _Hebrews 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (21) *make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ*, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen._
The death of Tabitha
_Acts 9:37-38 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (38) And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them._
Tabitha became sick and she died. This was sad. Here was a woman fulfilling the creation mandate in the enablement of the Lord. The lives of people were enriched and blessed because of one person who fulfilled the creation mandate as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Death for a disciple of Christ is to fall asleep in Jesus. While teaching on resurrection, Apostle Paul says, _I Corinthians 15:17-20 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! (18) Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. (19) If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep._
Christ is the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. There is the resurrection from the dead because Jesus has risen from the dead. Those who die in Christ will rise again and they will be just like Jesus in His risen body, for He is their firstfruits.
Dying in Jesus is a great blessing. This is why death for a disciple of Christ is not a defeat but a victory. _I Corinthians 15:54-57 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY." (55) "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ._
As disciples of Jesus, He has given us the victory over sin, which causes death. *As disciples of Jesus, we do not fear death.* We do mourn for the separation of a loved one from us. At the same time, we rejoice for we know that our beloved one has risen and is living with the resurrected body of Jesus for eternity.
Paul explains his physical separation from them, by death, to the church at Philippi. _Philippians 1:20-26 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. (21) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (22) But *if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor*; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. (23) For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. (24) Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. (25) And being confident of this, *I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith*, (26) that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again._
Paul intends that Christ should be magnified in him by his life or death. Christ was all that mattered for Paul. Living or dying did not matter for him. This is how it should be for all of us. Whether we live or whether we die, it is Christ who must be glorified in us.
Paul also saw that his being alive would be fruitful for the believers. To be with Christ was far better for him but remaining in this earthly body was progress and joy of faith for the church. He was thus encouraging and building the people of God.
This is the perspective of life and death that all of us should have. *Living here in this earthly body is for the church's progress and their joy of faith.* At any time, we must be prepared to depart and be clothed with the resurrected body of Jesus.
Tabitha had departed to be with the Lord. Yes, the church was saddened at her departure by sickness and death, but what hurt them was that she was still contributing much to their growth and development.
The church heard that Peter was at Lydda and they sent two people urging Peter to come to them. God was at work. His ways are past finding out. ```Let us remain fruitful with the good works till the last breath of our lives.```