The Example of Dorcas

Introduction.   In this lesson we are going to talk about a woman I never saw; nor have I seen her picture; but I am sure she was a beautiful woman.

            — She never entered a beauty contest.

—     She probably didn’t have polished appearance.

            —  She knew nothing of modern fashion and hairstyles.

But she was beautiful. She had the beauty described in 1 Tim. 2:8-10 and 1 Peter 3:1-4.  Her name was Dorcas. My mother’s name is Doris and they tell me she was named after “Dorcas”—but since “Doris” was a more common name, that’s the name they gave her. Let’s look at this woman described in the book of Acts and some of the wonderful qualities that we know about her.  

I. Dorcas was full of good works and charitable deeds.

A. The character of Dorcas.  Acts 9:36 

            Note: vs. 36 “full of good works and charitable deeds.”

            This made her beautiful.

B. The character of the ungodly.  There are many men and women in this world who may have beautiful forms and faces.  But they are not beautiful.  They are full of complaining, faultfinding, gossip, pride, worldliness, deceit, and other sinful qualities that mar their appearance. 

C. Ananias & Sapphira.  Acts 5:1-11   I don’t know what Ananias and Sapphira looked like physically, but their character was ugly. They formed a team for the devil and contrived together to lie to God and to deceive the church.

                        Deceitful men and women are a curse to their home, their families, their children, their community; and if they are in the church, they are a reproach to it. It is a pity if these kind of people become mothers and fathers. It is unfortunate for little boys and girls to have such parents.

II. Dorcas died.  Acts 9:37-38

A.  Shouldn’t the godly be spared from suffering?

            Doing good does not prevent sickness or death.  We need this reminder lest we lose faith and become discouraged.     

            —  Job.  Job 1:6—2:10  “Blameless and upright man” (1:8)  “fears God and shuns evil” (1:8).  To test him God allowed him to…  Lose his family and livestock and servants. 

            —  Stephen.   Acts 6:8 – “…full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.”  Yet Acts 7:54-60 called before the Jewish council - stoned.

            —  James.    Acts 12:1-2

            —  Timothy.  I Timothy 5:23  “frequent infirmities.”

            —  Epaphroditus.   Philippians 2:25-27

            —  Paul.  2 Corinthians 11:23-28

            —  Trophimus.  2 Timothy 4:20 “left in Miletus sick”

B. Tears were shed when she died.

            Note: Not as at Herod the Great’s death; not as tears are shed for the lost. Widows wept and they sent for Peter.

III. Dorcas left something to show for her life.  Acts 9:39-42

A. If you should die, what could your friends show? What could they say?

            —  “He helped me?”   —  “He sat nights with me?”

            —  “Brought meals?” —  “Washed clothes?”

            —  “Washed dishes?” —  “Carried us to services?”

            —  “Called me when I was negligent?”

            —  “Kept after me to attend?”

            Would any widows or homeless children weep? Will the Lord see anything?   Matthew 25:31-46

B. It costs something to leave a showing for life.

1. Selfish people or lazy people won’t leave anything. People concerned only with making money, entertainment, or display won’t leave anything.

2. Dorcas had to deny herself of comforts, of pleasures. Making garments costs in money and time.  But she could have sung, “I want to be a worker for the Lord.”

3. The Bible teaches that there is a cost to serving the Lord —John 12:24,25.

IV. Dorcas was letting her light shine where neighbors could see.

A. Jesus teaches us to do this—Matthew 5:16.

            Note: She might have said to herself “I’ll donate to some big charitable organization!”  (And then do nothing.)  If she had done this what would it have meant to those around her?  How would she have served them?

B. Good works should be done in the Lord’s vineyard—Matthew 20: 1-16.

Conclusion.  Make your life beautiful. There is less of time left in life and for opportunities. Let us all redeem the time.