Enlarging the kingdom of God through miracles.

Enlarging Christ’s kingdom through miracles.

Acts  9:36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.  9:37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.  9:38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.  9:39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.  9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

Apostle Peter was invited to pray for Dorcas when she died.

Dorcas was raised by the power of the Lord and multitude turned to the Lord.

Our Lord commissioned His followers to preach the gospel and do miracles to validate the word of God and advance His kingdom.

Matthew  10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.  10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

This same enlargement of God’s kingdom happened severally in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew  11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Multitude of people turned to God when He raised Lazarus from the dead 

John  11:39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.  11:40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?  11:41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.  11:42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.  11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.  11:45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

John 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.

Many people were added to the Lord when Aeneas was healed.

Acts  9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.  9:35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

Same thing happened when Dorcas was raised from the dead.

Acts  9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.  9:41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.  9:42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.  9:43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Believers were comforted when Paul  Eutychus was raised from the dead after falling from the third floor.

Acts  20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.  20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.  20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down now with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.  20:10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.  20:11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.  20:12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

You are anointed not only to speak in tongues but to use the power of the Lord to advance His kingdom.

Mark  16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;  16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

All believers including you must benefit from this baptism.

Acts  2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

To receive the power of the Holy Spirit, you must be biblically saved and  sanctified and then receive the baptism.

Ezekiel  36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

The power of the Lord is for you as you ask from God.

Luke  11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Ask and you shall receive and God will use you to enlarge His kingdom.

Mark  16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Let us pray.