4^th Sabbath of Easter

Native American Ministries Day

Holy Communion

April 27/29, 2007

Victor H. Nixon

FROM DEATH TO NEW LIFE

Acts 9:36-43

This is the second sermon in the Easter series, "We are Witnesses," which considers what it means to be Easter people. The series is based upon the Acts of the Apostles, written by Luke, and continues the story of the development of Christian Faith after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Last week we met up with Ananias who played a huge role in the conversion of Saul the persecutor into Paul the Apostle. Today we meet up with a disciple whose name is Gazelle and the Apostle Peter.

+

"Now in Joppa . . ." Luke begins this story with geography. Joppa was a biblical port city located on the Mediterranean seacoast, part of the modern city of Tel-Aviv, some 35 miles from Jerusalem. Luke’s geographic detail indicates that Christianity is on the move, spreading from Jerusalem outward to villages and towns by means of "Apostles," those sent by Christ to carry the Good News to the world. Originally, "apostle" referred only to the original twelve disciples of Jesus who witnessed his ministry, death and resurrection, who were commissioned by the Risen Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. No doubt, these early messengers and those who succeeded them are responsible for the development of the Christian Church as we know it today.

Later apostles brought the Gospel to Little Rock by means of circuit riders, preachers on horseback, traveling from town to town in the early 1800’s. William Stevenson, an early preacher and presiding elder, was also a member of the territorial legislature that moved the capital from Arkansas Post to Little Rock in 1820. Soon afterward, a Methodist Church was organized. As the city grew, additional churches were organized. One was Pulaski Heights Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1912. All because apostles proclaimed the Good News of Christ.

We continue that apostolic tradition here at PHUMC with mission teams that serve around the world, with support for Return to Christ UMC in Russia, through our broadcast ministries, and in the numerous ways we witness to our faith and welcome people into our family of faith. One of my dreams is that this congregation will give birth to another church in central Arkansas, because we are called to be apostles, leaders for Christ and messengers of the Good News. Geography is still important where faith in Christ is concerned.

"Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas," Luke tells us. "Tabitha" is Aramaic. "Dorcas" is Greek. Both words mean "gazelle." Of course, a gazelle is an antelope. The species that is native to Israel is now appropriately called the Dorcas Gazelle, a small, beautiful antelope about 24 inches high at the shoulder, 36 inches long, and weighs about 40 pounds. It is fawn-colored with big eyes and long horns, can survive with little water and run 50 miles an hour. We aren’t told why this woman was called Gazelle; perhaps she was petite but swift. Regardless, whether we call her Tabitha, Dorcas or Gazelle, it is a beautiful name in all three languages.

The most important thing Luke tells us about the woman is that she was a disciple, so we know the Good News of Christ had reached Joppa. What you may not know is that Tabitha is the only person in the New Testament described by the feminine noun mathetria meaning "woman disciple." She is a model disciple—certainly for women, but for men as well—because "she was devoted to good works and acts of charity," Luke says.

Although we don’t know for sure, apparently Dorcas was a widow, perhaps a woman of some means, whose ministry was doing good and providing clothing to those in need, items that she made herself, or perhaps with other widows. Dorcas House, here in Little Rock, is her namesake offering emergency shelter and recovery programs to homeless and abused women and children. Disciples care for people who need a new life, a new beginning.

In my imagination, I can see this petit woman attending worship in a small house church there in Joppa. They probably sang a psalm and prayed together. Someone, perhaps Gazelle, shared a story about Jesus that she had heard from another Christian. Or maybe someone shared how the Apostle Peter had healed a man by the name of Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, in the nearby village of Lydda. She and others would have remembered Jesus by sharing a loaf and cup, as we do today. And I can just hear Gazelle telling her fellow disciples about people in need in Joppa—those who had lost spouses or children, the poor, the sick and injured—and inviting the church to help, just as we do through our monthly mission offering today. After church she would have collected items from them, or used the money given to purchase needed supplies for the poor or to provide a place for the homeless. When tragedy struck, the petite disciple called Gazelle would have moved swiftly to provide help.

Hence, Tabitha is a model disciple because she provides an example of how followers of Christ can use their resources—spiritual, physical and monetary—to make a difference for those who need an opportunity for a new life. She was an Easter person. Her ministry as a Christian was helping the world become the kind of community that God wants for all—a ministry that God still wants and the world still needs.

Dorcas became ill and died quite unexpectedly. Those who had depended on her were now ever more destitute. The ministry itself would have been in crisis without her leadership. So, First Church Joppa sent two people to Lydda, just a few miles a way, asking the Apostle Peter to come quickly. Peter entered Tabitha’s upstairs room. Her widow friends were weeping, women who had received her ministry, women who may have helped her sew the beautiful, practical clothing they showed to Peter.

Peter asked them to leave, and knelt beside her bed and prayed. Then, he said to her, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes and sat up. Peter gave her his hand and helped her up.

Of course, I can’t explain what happened to Tabitha. But I do know that sometimes a helping hand, by the power of God, can mean the difference between life and death. I think about this story, about how the church interceded in a deathly situation by organizing itself to put some help, some expertise, where it was needed so that a valued member could have another chance at life. And I realize that’s what Easter people are all about.

I realized that one evening last week when I was on my way to a meeting in the Disciple Center. As I moved down the hallway I met a stranger with two children. We greeted one another and, thinking that he might be searching for someone, asked if I could help them. "You already have," I was told. "You are providing a place for my family to stay this week. We are deeply grateful to your church." Then, I realized he was referring to the Interfaith Hospitality Network through which our church provides food and a place to stay for the homeless in our city. That’s what Easter people do.

I realized this yesterday when I walked in the "Miles for Missions" event that raised money for those in need. Since I was the last person to finish the 5K, I had plenty of time to consider the importance of what was taking place. It’s about resurrection faith. It’s about raising and restoring hope to those without hope. It’s about helping someone move from death to life.

I also realized this recently when a friend, who had fallen on tough times, spoke about a former business associate coming to visit him. My friend was told, "You gave me an opportunity when I needed it, now I want to offer you that same opportunity." My friend has started life anew, working with colleagues in a job that he enjoys and is good at.

Like the Apostle Peter, Easter people provide folks a helping hand, another chance at life, offering resurrection hope and hospitality. Peter prayed. We are nothing without the power of God that comes through prayer, power that enables us to accomplish things we never imagined possible, power that changes hearts, attitudes, habits, our very selves.

I can’t really explain what happened between the Apostle Peter and Gazelle. But I do know that when Luke’s story begins, she is dead; and when the story ends, she is alive. God’s life-giving power flows through us. The act of giving becomes a gift for the giver. Thanks be to God. Amen.