October 7
Bible Reading: Acts 20:1-16
Acts 20:9, “And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.”
Having pastored for many years, I’ve witnessed it on more than a few occasions: a member of the congregation dozing off during the sermon. Sometimes, the individual would even make a point of apologizing afterward. I never fell asleep myself—though as the one preaching, that would have been even more embarrassing! In centuries past, churches employed an officer known as a beadle, whose duty was to keep congregants awake. In Puritan churches, the beadle would patrol the aisles with a long pole topped with a brass knob, ready to rouse any dozing parishioners with a gentle rap on the noggin.
It’s hard to imagine anyone dozing off during one of the Apostle Paul’s sermons, yet that’s exactly what happened to Eutychus. Perhaps he was fatigued from a long day’s work, or maybe the warm room and prolonged message lulled him into slumber. Unfortunately, Eutychus was seated by a window, and when he fell asleep, it resulted in a three-story drop—and his untimely death. Fortunately for Eutychus, Paul was an Apostle and gifted with miraculous abilities. He rushed down, bent over the young man, and assured the crowd, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him” (Acts 20:10). The congregation was comforted, and Eutychus likely remembered that service for the rest of his life! By the way, Eutychus was a common slave name which ironically means “fortunate!”
In light of this story, it’s wise to stay awake and alert during sermons—especially if you’re seated in a window seat three stories high! Today’s pastors may lack the ability to raise the dead, but most strive to deliver meaningful messages. We are all at our best when we endeavor to stay focused, striving to apply what we learn to our lives.
“Remember, if we go to sleep during the sermon and die, there are no apostles to restore us!”—Charles Spurgeon
OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE
Open my eyes that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me.
Place in my hands the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my ears that I may hear
voices of truth thou sendest clear,
and while the wave notes fall on my ear,
ev’rything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my ears, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Open my mouth and let me bear
gladly the warm truth ev’rywhere.
Open my heart and let me prepare
love with thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for thee,
ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my mouth, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
LookingtoJesus 