**Scripture:** Acts 20:7-12
I’ve been told I can go on and on sometimes, but at least no one’s fallen out of a window yet! Every preacher’s dream is to keep their audience awake, but poor Paul had a different experience that night in Troas.”
I was Saved in a time and a Church where if you couldn't preach 2 hours in a row, you were not worth your salt! Thankfully, over time, I realized it took a concerted effort to successfully preach a message in 20 minutes instead of rambling on and on, chasing rabbit trails (wandering off topic) for hours. IN ALL FAIRNESS, I ENJOYED AND STILL ENJOY SOME CHURCH SERVICES THAT HAVE NO FEAR OF GOING PAST NOON. :) (Smiley Face).
But on a more serious note, today we’re diving into a story that’s as miraculous as it is humorous—the story of Eutychus. It teaches us about God’s grace, the seriousness of the Gospel, and a little bit of humor thrown in for good measure.
1. The Story of Eutychus:
- **Set the Scene:**
- Read Acts 20:7-9: “On the first day of the week, we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.”
- “Paul was in Troas, knowing he had little time left with the believers there. So, he decided to preach, and preach, and preach some more. He preached so long that it carried on until midnight.”
- “Now, a young man named Eutychus found a spot by the window. Maybe he thought the fresh air would keep him awake, but as Paul kept going, the eyelids of young Eutychus grew heavier and heavier… until he couldn’t fight it anymore.”
- “And then, as many of us know, he fell asleep, out of the third-story window, and hit the ground below.”
- “Can you imagine the reaction? One minute, everyone’s listening intently to Paul, and the next minute, there’s a thud, and people are rushing downstairs! It’s almost like the ancient version of a church blooper.”
- “But what happens next turns this from a tragic accident into a testimony of God’s grace.”
2. The Seriousness of the Message:**
- **Paul’s Passion:**
- Read Acts 20:10: “Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘He’s alive!’”
- “Paul wasn’t preaching for the sake of hearing his voice. He knew this might be his last chance to speak to these believers. His message was urgent—spiritually speaking, it was life or death.”
- “We sometimes forget that the Gospel message carries that same urgency today. Paul was so passionate about sharing it that he preached until someone dropped!”
- **Life and Death:**
- “But let’s not miss the seriousness here. Eutychus didn’t just fall asleep; he fell out of a window and died. This is where the story takes a dramatic turn.”
- “Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, went down, embraced the young man, and declared, ‘Don’t be alarmed; he’s alive!’ And sure enough, Eutychus was raised from the dead.”
- **Application:**
- “This wasn’t just a miracle to amaze people. It demonstrated that the Gospel Paul's preaching has power over life and death. It was a sign that God’s grace can reach us no matter how far we’ve fallen.”
- Consider referencing Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This highlights the life-and-death seriousness of the Gospel message.
3. The Grace of God:
- **God’s Grace in the Moment:**
- “Think about the grace in that moment. Eutychus made a mistake—he fell asleep during the sermon and paid the price. But God’s grace wasn’t about to let that be the end of his story.”
- “God used Paul to restore Eutychus to life, showing that even when we falter, God’s grace can pick us up, breathe new life into us, and give us another chance.”
- You might reference Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- **Application for All Ages:**
- “For the kids and young people here: Sometimes you might feel like you’ve messed up or fallen short. But just like Eutychus, God’s grace is there to lift you.”
- “For the adults and seniors: We’ve all had moments where we’ve grown weary in our faith, but God’s grace is never out of reach. It’s there to revive, restore, and remind us that He’s not finished with us yet.”
- Consider adding 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”
4. A Call to Stay Spiritually Awake:
- **Staying Awake in Faith:**
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:6: “So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
- “Now, let’s turn the mirror back on ourselves. Are we spiritually awake, or are we dozing off? Are we fully engaged with what God is doing, or are we sitting on the edge, half in and half out?”
- “Jesus often warned His disciples to stay awake and vigilant. It’s easy to become spiritually tired in a world full of distractions. But this story challenges us to wake up, to be alert, and to stay engaged with God’s Word and His calling on our lives.”
- **Practical Steps:**
- “How do we stay awake? It starts with prayer—staying connected to God in daily conversation. It continues with fellowship—encouraging one another to stay strong in the faith. And it involves immersing ourselves in the Word—letting it be the lamp that guides our steps.”
- Consider adding Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- *“To the young ones: Think of your faith like a fire. If you stop adding wood to it, it’ll burn out. Keep feeding it with prayer, Bible reading, and coming together as a church family.”*
5. Conclusion:
- “So, what’s the takeaway from Eutychus’ story? Next time you’re tempted to nod off during a sermon, remember that God’s grace is sufficient—even if you fall asleep. But more importantly, remember that the Gospel is a message worth staying awake for. It’s the power of God unto Salvation, it’s life-changing, and it’s worth our full attention.”
- Read Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
- “Let’s strive to be a church that’s fully awake, fully alive, and fully engaged with the mission God has given us.”
- **Invitation to Respond:**
- “I want to invite you today to recommit to staying Spiritually awake. Whether you’re young or old, new in the faith, or a seasoned believer, God calls us to be alert and ready for what He has in store. If you’ve felt like you’ve been dozing off, now’s the time to wake up and step into the fullness of God’s grace.”
**Closing Prayer:**
- “Heavenly Father, thank You for the story of Eutychus, which reminds us of Your incredible grace. Help us stay Spiritually awake and engage fully with Your Word and calling on our lives. When we stumble, lift us with Your grace, and when we grow weary, renew our strength. Keep us ever vigilant, ever hopeful, and ever faithful.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Commentaires