Walking the Talk

Walking the Talk
Acts 9:36–43

April 29, 2007: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Rev. Kathleen Crockford
United Congregational Church of Westerly
United Church of Christ

Today’s scripture reading is from the book of the Bible we call Acts. Actually, the complete name of the book is The Acts of the Apostles. It is the sequel to the Gospel according to Luke. Scholars believe that the writer of the Gospel of Luke also wrote Acts. The book is an exciting account of the beginning of the Christian church. During this season of Eastertide, we have been hearing more from this important book of the Bible. The narrative starts out in the first chapter with the risen Christ appearing to the disciples for the final time and promising them that the Holy Spirit would soon come to them. The Holy Spirit would bring them power to be Christ’s witnesses and do great works in Christ’s name. After Christ said this, he was lifted up and a cloud took him out of their sight. We call this Christ’s ascension. Tradition places the ascension 40 days after Easter.

Then ten days later, at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit does come to the disciples and they become bold witnesses to Christ’s message of love and new life. The rest of the book of Acts describes how these faithful followers continue to gather more and more people so that the church spreads from Jerusalem to all of Palestine, and as far as Greece. The stories tell how Christianity arose out of Judaism and how the church struggled at first in accepting Gentiles as members. But throughout the Holy Spirit was there to guide them and strengthen them in the face of all kinds of persecution.

Last week we heard about Paul. Today we hear about Peter. Remember Peter? When Jesus was arrested and about to be tried, Peter, out of fear for his own life, denied that he knew Jesus. But the Peter we hear about today is a changed person. He is bold. He is strong. He is confident. The Holy Spirit’s power is with him and he has become known for the many signs and wonders which he has done in Christ’s name. In fact, in an earlier story from Acts, people even carried out their sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that Peter’s shadow might fall on them and heal them as he came by (Acts 5:15) .

All this sets the stage for our story today. Today’s story is also about another disciple. Her name is Tabitha. She lived in Joppa, which is known today as Jaffna, now part of modern day Tel Aviv. She spent her time doing good works and acts of caring. She cared for the widows in her community by making their clothing and supporting them. So when she became ill and died, the whole community was devastated. So they called for Peter to come quickly.

What happens next is nothing short of a miracle. Peter enters the room where Tabitha has been laid, sends all of the mourners outside, and kneels down to pray. Then he says three words, “Tabitha, get up.” Tabitha opens her eyes, sits up, and with Peter’s help, arises to greet her friends. The news of this miracle spreads throughout the city and many more come to believe in Christ.

Now, if you think this story has a familiar ring to it, you are right. There are echoes of stories from the New Testament and the Hebrew scriptures. Remember when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from death with the words, “Little girl, get up” (Mark 5:35–43). And remember when Elijah raised the son of the widow from Zarephath from death (1 Kings 17:17–24).

What we have behind all of these stories is the message that God has a way of entering what appears to be “the end” and bringing newness, bringing life, bringing miracles. It’s another claim on living an Easter way of life.

As one of my pastor friends puts it, “Perhaps the most powerful, and quiet, moment comes when Peter empties the room, kneels down beside the body of this good and holy woman….You can almost hear the quiet…no long–winded prayers or persuasive pleading to God on behalf of Tabitha. No, Peter uses the simplest of words and speaks directly to the dead woman, “Tabitha, get up.” We might wonder what went through Peter’s mind, what was in his heart, what memory and what hope gave him the audacious confidence that he could say three words and depend on God to do something astonishing right then and there….his confidence is a testimony to the power of God in his life.”⁽¹⁾ It is the confidence of life lived on this side of Easter.

Now you may wonder what this kind of miraculous story has to do with us today. You may wonder if the power of the Holy Spirit present with Peter in this story is with us today. You may wonder if God is still able to do such astonishing things in our midst, like bring to life what seemed dead. These are things I wonder about too. But I have seen these miracles with my own eyes, so I can witness to the fact that God is able.

Recently I had a conversation with a friend I had met several years ago. At that time life for my friend looked pretty bleak. There were relationship troubles that stemmed from issues around anger and alcohol abuse. There were job troubles and family troubles and troubles with the law. It was clear that my friend was at the end of that proverbial rope. Most everyone had turned their back on him. But there were also a few good friends who were not going to give up believing that life for him could be different. They showed him God’s love in very concrete ways. They got him connected to the help he needed for healing his mind and spirit. They supported him on his hard journey. They kept in touch. And they prayed.

Today my friend will tell you that he is a different person. He has moved to a new community. His life has been transformed. He has found a church family who loves and welcomes him. He has given his life to God. Total submission.

This story about my friend is enough evidence for me that God is still in the business of raising the dead. And God uses us as witnesses to make it happen.

God calls us to not just talk the talk, but walk the walk. Our actions speak louder than our words when it comes to witnessing to God’s love and power to bring about new life to even the most dire of situations. It’s our good works and acts of caring that say what really needs to be said. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel, and when necessary, use words.”

So, this amazing story of life from death is for us today. God’s miracles still happen. The power of the Holy Spirit still abounds in our midst. And each one of us, in the ways God calls us, are a part of the big picture of God’s redeeming love. Walk the talk and witness to God’s life-giving love. Amen.

⁽¹⁾ Sermon Seeds, April 29, 2007, www.ucc.org/worship/samuel/s042907.html