Proper 15
Acts 9:36-42

The sermons for Sundays Proper 15 and 16 are provided by Rev. Marcella Charles. Marcella serves as the senior pastor of the Immanuel Church of the Nazarene in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Our text is the story of Tabitha, a woman who left behind a spiritual legacy in her generation and for the generations to come, even down to our day. The immediate context, Acts Chapters 9 and 10, speak powerfully of the Gospel transformation of Saul of Tarsus and the obedience of Ananias and Barnabas in preparing Saul, who became Paul, for the Lord’s service. We also learn of Peter’s instrumentality in the healing of Aeneas, followed by Peter’s vision which led to the encounter with Cornelius.

I asked several questions of the text in order to get at potentially significant points in the story that would be meaningful to my audience. Why does the Holy Spirit include this story in the account of the early church? Is it to share an example of a female disciple? Is it about women doing “women’s work” in the church: sewing, cooking, etc.? Was Dorcas different after she was brought back from the dead?

The story of Tabitha’s death and resurrection is given so that we might see a definite, historical example of God’s glory being scattered abroad. Sister Dorcas was one of the early disciples, possibly present at Pentecost. Notably, Tabitha was a woman--the Spirit that had poured out that day was not discriminating. Men and women, both, became vessels for the Holy Spirit to use.

What does God expect of us within the lifespan we are given? Certainly a biblical case can be made for a legacy of kindness, love, goodness, gentleness, faith, godliness. This is the legacy Tabitha left behind. This woman challenges me as a servant of Christ centuries later. Will my audience choose to become those who are building legacies of faith, of good character, and of good works that they too will leave behind?