Unleashing the Church: Finding
Your Fit and Blessing the Family 1 Cor. 12
An insignificant village became the launch pad of world
evangelism. Simply because of the faithfulness of one selfless saint!
In the hands of God, the seemingly unimportant becomes
great. Such is the tale of one of the cities founded by one of Noah’s three
sons. Thirty-five miles to the northeast of Jerusalem stands one of the world’s
oldest seaport villages. Though hardly memorable for its own sake, the very
mention of its name produces a flood of stories in the minds of those who read
the Scriptures. Joppa!
Seeking to provide the finest materials the world had to
offer for the construction of one of the world’s most significant projects,
Kings David and Solomon imported cedar trees from the north nation of Lebanon.
The logs were first placed into the sea and floated south to the seaport of
Joppa where they were then transported 35 miles over land to Jerusalem. There
they were milled for glorious adornment for the temple of the Living God.
Loving God but hating certified sinners, Jonah ran west when
his commission from the Lord should have sent him east. From the ancient
seaport of Joppa he boarded a ship for the 2600-mile journey to Spain.
Some three and a half centuries before the birth of Jesus,
the booted heels of the warriors of Alexander the Great’s conquering armies
struck the cobblestone pavement of the city of Joppa. By the end of the first
century A.D. those same stones became a riverbed for the flowing blood of the
8400 Jews who were bludgeoned to death at the hands of the Roman army.
Perhaps the most significant name attached to this city is
better known by her nickname than her given name. Peter was summoned to Joppa
because Tabitha, who was described as "a woman full of good works and acts
of charity," (Acts 9:36) had died. Because of her gracious acts of kindness,
upon her death, the church did not feel they could live without her.
Feeling unnoticed? Unappreciated? Unneeded? Overlooked?
Insignificant? Give yourself to good works and acts of charity. Live selflessly
for the Church and God will publish your record in the marvelous book of HIS-story.
You, like Dorcas of Joppa, will receive a name that is glorious!
An insignificant village became the launch pad of world
evangelism. Simply because of the faithfulness of one selfless saint!
See you Sunday, Church!
Pastor Tom
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