Primary Text: Acts 9:32-42
Prepared by: Joey Arles O. Vergara | August 2026
Framework: RECHARGE (Reference Verse, Entry Point, Context, Honor, Admonish, Reteach, Generalize, Encourage)
R – Reference Verse
Acts 9:35, 36, 42 (NASB)
35 And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.
42 It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
E – Entry Point (Modern-day importance)
In our barangays, there are usually two kinds of news that spread very fast: bad news and good news. If someone gets a terrible sickness, the whole neighborhood knows. But if someone suddenly gets healed, or if there is a person who is always giving ayuda (help) to the poor, that good news also spreads quickly.
As Christians, our lives are supposed to be "good news" that spreads to our neighbors. But how do we do that? Do we all need to be famous preachers? Today, we will look at two very different people in Acts 9: a paralyzed man named Aeneas and a kind-hearted seamstress named Tabitha. Their stories teach us that whether God gives us a great miracle or simply gives us a heart to help the poor, the purpose of our lives is always the same: to point people to Jesus Christ.
C – Context (Historical and Scriptural Background)
The Apostle Peter was traveling to visit the churches. First, he went to a town called Lydda. There, he met a man named Aeneas who had been paralyzed and stuck in his bed for eight years. Peter simply told him, "Jesus Christ heals you; get up." Aeneas stood up immediately.
While Peter was there, believers from a nearby town called Joppa sent for him in a panic. A very loved Christian woman named Tabitha (or Dorcas) had died. She was famous in her town for making clothes for poor widows. When Peter arrived, the widows were crying and holding the clothes Tabitha had made for them. Peter prayed, and God brought Tabitha back to life. Both of these incredible events caused massive ripples in their towns, leading many people to surrender their lives to God.
H – Honor (Celebrating Truth Seekers)
I want to take a moment to honor the "Tabithas" of our congregation. I am talking about the brothers and sisters who quietly serve behind the scenes. You are the ones who cook the food for our fellowships, the ones who visit the sick in the hospital, and the ones who give your old clothes or extra rice to neighbors who have nothing.
You don't stand on a stage with a microphone, but your actions preach a very loud sermon. You carry the spirit of Tabitha today. Because of your simple acts of love and charity, people in this barangay can see that the love of Jesus is real. But, note that, genuine kindness set by the Lord and the early Christians were not intentionally advertised, unlike the giving and vlogging and posting/boasting efforts of modern social-media driven society.
A – Admonish (A Call to the Errant)
At the same time, we must correct the mindset that being a Christian is only about attending church on Sundays. Some of us have a lot of Bible knowledge in our heads, but zero charity in our hands. We know the verses, but we ignore the poor people right outside our doors. A faith that does not help others is a dead faith.
We also need to rebuke the habit of keeping God's blessings to ourselves. When God heals us from a sickness, saves our marriage, or blesses us with a new job, we often just say a quiet "thank you" and move on. If God changes your life, you are supposed to share that testimony so others can know Him too!
R – Reteach (Key Points)
1. A Changed Life Makes Others Turn to God (v. 35)
"And all who lived at Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord." Notice what happened after Aeneas was healed. He didn't just go home and hide. He walked around his town! Because people knew he was paralyzed for eight years, seeing him walk was undeniable proof of God's power. His changed life caused two whole regions (Lydda and Sharon) to turn to Jesus.
Practical Application: Has God done something good in your life? Did He rescue you from a bad habit or comfort you in a dark time? Don't hide it! Let your neighbors and family see the change in you. Your testimony is the key to unlocking someone else's heart.
Cross-Reference: Psalm 107:2 - "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary."
2. True Disciples Are Full of Good Works (v. 36)
"...this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did." The Bible calls Tabitha a "disciple." It doesn't say she was a great speaker or a wealthy leader. Her discipleship was proven by her needle and thread. She used whatever simple talent she had to show love to the most neglected people in society—the poor widows.
Practical Application: You do not need to be rich to be a blessing. What is in your hand today? Can you cook? Can you clean? Can you offer a listening ear? Use your simple skills to continually do acts of kindness for the people around you.
Cross-Reference: James 2:17 - "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."
3. The Final Goal is Always Belief in Jesus (v. 42)
"It became known all over Joppa, and many believed in the Lord." When God raised raised Tabitha from the dead, after Peter’s prayer, he didn't do it just to show off the power he had from the Lord. The miracle was a signpost pointing to heaven. When the town heard about it, they didn't start worshiping Peter or Tabitha; they believed in the Lord. Every miracle and every good work must have this one goal: bringing glory to Jesus. This is something that we need to be careful about our society. Sometimes, people celebrate the life a certain person who is known for their kindness and goodness, but the people are just fanatics and they do not turn to God, they turn into hatred and strife. Look at the Philippine’s young men like Kian delos Santos and Bobet Baterbonia. The people are fanatics for the life of those wasted life of young men.
Practical Application: When you do good things for people, do not do it to get "likes" on Facebook or to hear people say how great you are. Do your good works in such a way that people will look past you and praise God instead.
Cross-Reference: Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
G – Generalize
God uses all kinds of people and all kinds of situations to build His Kingdom. He used a bedridden man to bring a whole region to faith, and He used a simple seamstress to show the love of Christ to the poor. The early church was unstoppable not just because of the dramatic miracles, but because the ordinary members were deeply devoted to helping others. When a church combines the powerful truth of the Gospel with hands-on charity and kindness, the community around them cannot help but turn and believe in the Lord.
E – Encourage (The Final Charge)
Brothers and sisters, look at your hands today. God wants to use those hands this week! You might feel weak or ordinary, but in the hands of Jesus, your simple life can be a powerful testimony. This week, find someone to help. Share your food, share your testimony, and show the kindness of Christ to your neighbors. Let us fill this city with so many good works that everyone who sees us will have no choice but to turn and believe in the Lord!