Sermon at the Haynes Street church of Christ on November 16, 2014. Topic: "Dorcas: A Disciple to Imitate" Preacher: Steven Matthews

1. Times of Services
Sunday:
9:30 a.m. Bible class
10:30 a.m. worship
Wednesday:
7 p.m. Bible class

2.  Acts

3.  What do you think makes a committed
disciple?
 Luke 9:57-62: The cost of discipleship.
 “Are you fit for the kingdom of God?”
 This demonstrates the seriousness of your
commitment to Jesus.
 Acts 9:36-41: Dorcas was a special
disciple.
 With Dorcas, being good meant doing good:
“Which she did” (v. 36).

4.  Every church needs disciples like Dorcas.
 Dorcas was kind/charitable continually.
◦ Serving others was a habit for Dorcas.
◦ Galatians 6:7-10: We must never lose heart
in doing good and take every opportunity to do
good.
 Dorcas made sacrifices.
◦ She figured out how to use her time and
money to serve others.
◦ We must make similar choices as well.

5.  Dorcas did what she could.
◦ Certainly, she did more, but she excelled in one
area—making clothes.
◦ Matthew 25:14-30: Reward is based on
faithfulness, not the size of responsibilities.
◦ So what can you do (I Peter 4:10)?
 Dorcas served those she could.
◦ We can help someone or some group.
◦ How do we choose? Who can benefit from your
gifts?
◦ Luke 10:30-35: The Good Samaritan.

6.  Dorcas made the initiative to help.
◦ She worked on her own.
◦ Church leaders cannot do everything.
◦ Acts 6:1-6: Widows needed assistance.
◦ Apostles knew the issue required attention.
◦ But they recognized what was of higher priority.
 Devoted disciples do not wait; they seek out
opportunities to serve others and God.
 What kind of impact are you making (v. 39)?

7. Hear (Romans 1:16; 10:14,17)
Believe (John 8:24; Mark 16:16; Hebrews 11:6)
Repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
Confess (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33)
Be baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16)
 Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 6:33;
Romans 12:1-2; I Corinthians 15:58)