THE DEATH OF TABITHA

Text- Acts 9:36-42

INTRODUCTION

Give personal information regarding date of birth, death and survivors.

No one could ever put into words the influence Pauline Hunter had and will continue to have in our lives.

She often spoke about her family.  She loved her sons and her grandchildren.

I know because I have heard her pray for them and ask others to pray for them.

She was not only concerned for their physical well being but also their spiritual well being.

Pauline also loved her church family.  In fact she would often mention how she loved to worship and fellowship with us.

Never once did I ever hear her say a bad thing about another member of our church, not even by accident.

Pauline loved her neighbors and knew them well.  Many times she publicly stated that she felt like she was blest by God to have such nice friends.

Pauline Hunter also loved Jesus.

In this regard, Sister Hunter was much like another woman who is mentioned in the Bible named Tabitha.

One of Sister Hunter's requests was that when she died her pastor would preach a sermon at her funeral.

Acts 9:36-42  In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38Lydda 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!" 39Peter 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. 40Peter 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. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

There are three ways I would like to compare Sister Hunter to Tabitha.