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.
Hear me, We live under the New Covenant of grace, and God’s grace brings life!
Remember, the first miracle of Moses, who represents the law, was to turn water into blood, resulting in death. However, the first miracle of grace was Jesus turning water into wine, resulting in celebration of life.
The Old covenant will always cause you to look at yourself, (Depression and lifelessness) whereas the New Covenant of grace, will always cause you to turn and look at Christ crucified, buried resurrected!
The law condemns the best of us, but grace saves the worst of us.
Beloved, joy and peace are the trademarks of the kingdom of God.
As Paul taught and preached in Acts 20, the people listened intently with joy and peace, and they left changed!
Ask yourself this: What produces more peace and joy in your heart- hearing about His judgement and indignation, or hearing about His goodness and grace?
Romans 2:4NLT Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Remember how Jesus transformed a fouled-mouthed fisherman named Peter? Was it a fiery sermon on the judgement of God? Neither. Luke 5:1-9NLT One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.” 5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking. 8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him.
In closing, Which came first- Peter’s repentance or the goodness of God? Clearly, it was God’s goodness that lead Peter to repent! ( It’s God’s goodness in those good long sermons that bring life-change.)
Prayer.
