Another Long Sermon

Another Long Sermon Text: Acts 20:7-12NLT

On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight. 8 The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many flickering lamps. 9 As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. 10 Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” 11 Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. 12 Meanwhile, the young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved.

Acts 20:10-12LB Paul went down and took him (Eutychus) into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s all right!” And he was! What a wave of awesome joy swept through the crowd! They all went back upstairs and ate the Lord’s Supper together; then Paul preached another long sermon- so it was dawn when he finally left them!

Listen to the last Verse 12 of my text, in the Amplified Bible. It say’s, They took the youth home alive, and were not a little comforted and cheered and refreshed and encouraged.

Can I remind you that there is life in God’s word! There is something about coming to church, fellowshipping, seeking God and readily hearing God’s word, that uplifts and brings genuine joy!

Verse 7a say’s, On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper.

Sunday, the day the church gathered for worship, because it was the day of Christ’s resurrection. The writings of the early church Fathers confirm that the church continued to meet on Sunday after the close of the NT period. Scripture does not require Christians to observe the Saturday Sabbath: the Sabbath was the sign of the Mosaic Covenant whereas Christians are under the New Covenant. (Say, Grace)

Verse 8 speaks of the flickering lamps that lit up this upper room. Paul was preaching God’s love letter, he was bringing hope, peace and joy with power and authority to this young church.

Paul taught and preached until midnight, most have read verse 8, and kind of laughed, thinking that Paul’s teaching or preaching put Eutychus fast asleep; however, upon farther study, and reading the responds of the rest of the crew in that upper room, we should give it more thought.

Eutychus wasn’t put asleep by Paul’s preaching, No, verse 8, speaks of these flickering oil burning lamps, that gave off some powerful fumes, the window where Eutychus sat brought all these fumes his way, this helps explain why Eutychus fell asleep. (He became over taken by invisible gases.)

Verse 9, say’s he was a young man. The Greek word suggest that Eutychus was between 7-14 years of age. He became sleepy or afixciated by gases, along with his age, and then suddenly he was fast asleep, and then he fell 3 stories to his death.

However, here’s my God, and faith placed into action.

Listen to Acts 20:10-12LB again, Paul went down and took him (Eutychus) into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s all right!” And he was! What a wave of awesome joy swept through the crowd! They all went back upstairs and ate the Lord’s Supper together; then Paul preached another long sermon- so it was dawn when he finally left them!

Another long sermon heard by ears and hearts of faith will save, heal and deliver! (Why am I lingering over these verses? Because if Paul’s messages were filled with God’s grace and power- they produced life!

Testimony: I can’t really tell you when it happens- while preparing, teaching, or preaching another long sermon, but I can tell you that I am being changed, and I know you are too!

Acts 20:10-12TM Paul went down, stretched himself on him, and hugged him hard. "No more crying," he said. "There's life in him yet." Then Paul got up and served the Master's Supper. And went on telling stories of the faith until dawn! On that note, they left—Paul going one way, the congregation another, leading the boy off alive, and full of life themselves.

Jesus brings life; His word gives off life sustaining power!

Hebrews 4:12NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Hebrews 4:12TM God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.