Monday 2-13-17, Modesto, California
Today we read Lev 20 – 22 and Acts 20
S = Scripture O = Observation A =
Application P = Prayer SOAP for the soul.
S. Acts 20:7-12 On the first day of the week, we gathered to observe the
Lord's Supper. Paul was preaching; and since he was leaving the next day, he
talked until midnight. The upstairs room where we met was lighted with many
flickering lamps. As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting
on the windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he sank into a deep sleep and
fell three stories to his death below. Paul went down, bent over him, and took
him into his arms. "Don't worry," he said, "he's alive!"
Then they all went back upstairs and ate the Lord's Supper together. And
Paul continued talking to them until dawn; then he left. Meanwhile, the
young man was taken home unhurt, and everyone was greatly relieved. NLT
O. Brother Paul was feeling the importance
of his final message to his beloved friends in Troas. It was Sunday night and
they had gathered together all the Christians into a crowded room. Lots of
small lamps had been lit as Paul preached into the night. I am guessing that
Eutychus was a young teenager, since most adults wouldn’t have chosen to sit in
a window sill with a three story drop to the pavement below. But Paul preached
on and on.
A. Who among us can stay wide awake
when the preacher goes on and on? I wonder how many more were asleep in the
dark shadows. Suddenly there is a loud thump and Paul loses his audience
right in the middle of a sentence. Everybody runs down three flights of stairs.
Paul was now right behind them. He finds everybody standing around the body of
this boy who is not breathing. But Paul is a man of action. He literally throws
himself** on the body of Eutychus… who now takes a deep breath and begins to
breathe again. So, they all go back upstairs and Paul keeps on preaching
until daybreak. Will he never learn? What can a preacher like me take away from
this story? Well, it is always embarrassing when your whole audience suddenly
leaves in the middle of your sermon… and worse still when they leave one at a
time… until all the seats are empty except for one sleepy guy left nodding on
the back row. It just might be time for the final benediction.
P. Lord, many times when I am the
visiting speaker, the pastor has told me, “Don’t worry, my congregation is used
to long sermons. Just feel free to preach.” But, since they have already sung
for a full hour, I know heads will soon be nodding. I just start the
introduction when a sister in the back picks up her purse and sneaks out. Help
me, Lord, to always be considerate of my audience, since some have to rise
early for their work. Lord Jesus, please remind me of Eutychus when I
need it. Amen.
Ralph
** The
original Greek clearly says, “Paul fell on the boy and embraced him.”
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