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. Acts 20:7-12 NLT
There are several lessons to be learned here.
First, always pay attention in church.
If you’re having trouble concentrating on the message, then keep notes. Ask yourself what the theme is. Write down the main points of the sermon in order not to let your attention drift.
Don’t fall asleep in church.
I’m sure very few sit on the windowsills but falling asleep can in church can be quite embarrassing at times.
Next, believe in that God can still heal.
If you believe it can’t happen, then it won’t. I don’t know about you but I serve a God that is greater than any of my problems, diseases, and even death.
Very few would probably be thrilled with an all night sermon. We’d be thinking about work, school, and all the things we need to do.
But it doesn’t take an all-nighter for some to think about those things; the pastor can barely hold their attention for 45 minutes until their moaning and groaning about going overtime.
A little overtime never hurt anyone.
It’s okay if a football game goes into overtime or a baseball game goes into extra innings; but let the preacher go a few minutes long and everyone complains!
Say, if the pastor goes overtime, shouldn’t he be paid for it?