Peter’s Unexpected House Call: When ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ Isn’t Enough. Peter’s one-liner brings a woman back from the dead. Joppa Experiences Sudden Surge in Believers.
Section 1. Welcome and Announcements
A Warm Welcome to Our Family
Hey there, friends! It’s so great to see all your smiling faces today. Whether you’re joining us in person or tuning in online, you’re all part of our amazing church family. Today, we’re diving into an incredible story from Acts 9 that’ll remind us just how powerful God’s love can be in our lives.
Before we get started, let me share a few quick announcements:
• Next Saturday: Community Clean-up Day – Let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus in our neighborhood! • Small Group Sign-ups: New sessions starting next week – Don’t miss out on growing closer to God and each other • Vacation Bible School: Volunteers needed for our “Ocean Adventure” theme – Help our kids dive deep into God’s word!
Remember, you’re not just attending church; you’re part of a family that God is using to change the world, one life at a time.
Section 2. Call to Worship
God’s Power in Our Lives
Let’s prepare our hearts to worship our amazing God. I’ll read a verse, and I invite you to respond with the words on the screen:
Leader: “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, who was always doing good and helping the poor.” (Acts 9:36) Congregation: Lord, help us to serve others as Tabitha did.
Leader: “Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.” (Acts 9:40) Congregation: teach us to pray with faith and expectation.
Leader: “He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.” (Acts 9:41) All: We praise You, God, for Your power to bring life and hope to all situations!
Section 3. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and expectation. Thank You for bringing us together as a church family. Open our eyes to see Your power at work in our lives, just as You worked through Peter to bring life to Tabitha. Help us to be Your hands and feet in this world, serving others and sharing Your love. May everything we do today bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Section 4. Praise and Worship
Lifting Our Hearts in Song
Alright, church family, it’s time to let our voices soar! Our incredible worship team is going to lead us in some amazing songs that celebrate God’s power and love. Whether you’re a shower singer or a professional vocalist, God loves to hear your praise. So let’s stand together and lift our voices to the One who gives us life and purpose!
• Song 1: “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” • Song 2: “Resurrection Power” • Song 3: “Build My Life”
Section 5. Scripture Reading
The Power of God’s Love in Action
Today, we’re diving into an incredible story from the book of Acts. It’s a tale of compassion, faith, and the amazing power of God to bring life where there was death. This story reminds us that when we put our faith in action, God can do extraordinary things through us.
Let’s open our Bibles or Bible apps to Acts 9:36-43:
“36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.”
Let’s take a moment to let that sink in as we move into our time of prayer.
Section 6. Pastoral Prayer or Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
Loving Father, we come before You in awe of Your power and love. Just as You worked through Peter to bring Tabitha back to life, we ask that You work in our lives today. We lift up to You:
• Those in our community who are sick or suffering, that they may experience Your healing touch • The poor and needy among us, that we might serve them as Tabitha did • Our church family, that we would be bold in our faith and compassionate in our actions • Those who don’t yet know You, that they would see Your power and believe
Congregational Prayer Response
All: Lord, make us instruments of Your love and power. Use us to bring hope and life to those around us, just as You did through Peter and Tabitha. Amen.
Section 7. Offering
Giving as an Act of Worship
Friends, as we prepare to give our tithes and offerings, let’s remember that giving is more than just dropping money in a basket or clicking a “donate” button. It’s an act of worship, a tangible way of saying “Thank You” to God for all He’s done for us. Just as Tabitha used her skills to bless others, we can use our resources to further God’s kingdom and help those in need.
Let’s pray together over our offerings:
Dear God, we thank You for Your incredible generosity towards us. Everything we have comes from You. As we give back a portion of what You’ve blessed us with, we pray that You would multiply these gifts for Your purposes. Use them to bring hope, healing, and new life to our community and beyond. We give with grateful hearts, knowing that You can do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Remember, whether you’re giving a lot or a little, God sees your heart. He’s more interested in your faithfulness than the amount. So give joyfully, knowing that you’re partnering with God in His work in the world!
Section 8. Special Music
A Moment of Musical Reflection
Before we dive into our sermon today, let’s take a moment to prepare our hearts through music. Our talented worship team has prepared a special song that beautifully captures the essence of our message from Acts 9. As you listen, reflect on how God’s power can work through ordinary people like us to bring extraordinary change in the world.
Bring This Sermon to Life: The Full Teaching and Tools
Friends, what we’ve experienced so far is just the beginning. To truly dive deep into the transformative message of Acts 9:36-43, you’ll want to access our complete sermon package.
Gain Access to the Complete Short Powerful Sermon
Don’t miss out on the full teaching, including practical applications, discussion questions, and additional resources that will help you apply these powerful truths to your daily life.
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Paid Content Section 9. Sermon
I understand completely. I’ll use the “Sermon Persona” style to deliver a warm, friendly, and inviting message in the style of Rick Warren, focusing on Christian discipleship and spiritual growth based on Acts 9:36-43.
Sermon Title: “Reviving Faith: Lessons from Tabitha’s Story”
Expository Sermon Outline:
- Verses 36-37: A Life of Impact • Tabitha’s character and influence
- Verses 38-39: The Power of Community • The disciples’ response and the widows’ testimony
- Verses 40-41: Faith in Action • Peter’s prayer and God’s miraculous response
- Verses 42-43: Ripple Effects of Faith • The impact on the community and Peter’s continued ministry
