Acts 20 - Be Careful Not To Fall Asleep During A Sermon!

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Through Macedonia and Greece

Paul continued to travel around the area where he had planted churches, in places like Philippi and Greece, strengthening and encouraging them. Though he was on the run from those who persecuted him, God still used him mightily. In verse 5 it says, "They waited for US in Derbe". Many commentators believe the "us" refers to Luke, who wrote both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts.  

Paul couldn’t leave without this demonstration of love to his fellow followers of Jesus. He spent two very fruitful years in Ephesus, but it was now time to go. - Guzik

From Greece, Paul had planned to take the long journey by sea directly back to Syria (where his sending church at Antioch was), but the plotting of some anti-Christian Jews made him take a more overland route back through Macedonia, accompanied by many companions.

“It may have been planned to attack him on board ship, especially if the vessel was crowded with Jewish pilgrims for Passover or Pentecost.” (Williams)

Eutychus Raised From the Dead at Troas

All along in the book of Acts, we have seen the apostles do many awesome signs and wonders, but none as powerful as this one. The believers met on Sunday, which was the first day of the Jewish week. The seventh day was the Sabbath, which went from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. Sunday is also called the Day of the Resurrection, as Jesus rose on the 3rd day after being crucified on Friday.  

The church met to break bread on Sunday morning, which we call Holy Communion. The service went all day and at midnight it is understandable a young man named Eutychus fell asleep. It says he fell into a deep sleep, not unlike many of our parishioners when I preach on Sunday! The man fell three stories and it is not surprising he was found dead. 

Paul ran downstairs and threw his arms around the young man telling the people not to be alarmed. Then he went back upstairs and continued teaching until dawn. He must have had quite a bit of energy to conduct this 12 hour service. Whatever the case be, the people took the young man home alive. We don't know if he became alive instantly, or after a while. But it really doesn't matter. Paul had just raised someone from the dead. 

This confirmed what Jesus said to the apostles before he ascended to the Father, "You will do even greater things that I have done because I am going to the Father and will send you the Holy Spirit!" One can only imagine the excitement and encouragement this provided for the early church there. 

This is the first certain example we have of Christians making a practice to gather together on the first day of the week for fellowship and the word – though here, it seems they gathered in the evening, because Sunday was a normal working day for them. - Guzik

 “Paul’s comment that the boy’s life was in him refers to his condition after he had ministered to him. Luke would not have devoted space to the raising up of somebody who was merely apparently dead.” (Marshall)

Paul's Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Paul sums up his time in the church he had spent the most amount of time with, the church of Ephesus. Notice churches were not denominations like Lutheran, Methodist, Calvary, or Vineyard. They were simply the church of Corinth, Philippi, and Rome. I think this is a good model for us today not to think of ourselves on in terms of our own church or denomination, but there is only ONE CHURCH. 

We are the church of Jesus Christ organized through local churches in every town. Though we may have more then one church in any given town, we need a sense of unity which is completely centered in Jesus Christ. It is only in Jesus that we can achieve any sustainable unity.  

Paul notes the following:

1. He served them with tears and humility. It was heartfelt, Paul was never flippant or noncommittal about rolling up his sleeves and getting work done. He genuinely loved the people in every church. He had the heart not only of a missionary, but also as a pastor. 

2. Though he was under constant threat of persecution, it never prevented him from preaching the pure and simple Gospel of Jesus. The gospel that called people to repent of their sin of unbelief and turn to Jesus for salvation by faith. 

3. He preached the gospel both to the Jews and the Gentiles. His desire reflected the Lord's desire that all people be saved!

It is comforting for any preacher to think that people might fall asleep during the preaching of even the Apostle Paul. Yet, Paul taught for many hours and after a long day of work for most of his audience. There is also some evidence that Eutychus fought the sleep the best he could: “The tenses of the Greek verbs portray poor Eutychus as being gradually overcome despite his struggle to remain awake.” (Hughes)

These verses sum up the type of follower of Christ Paul was, 

And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. 

Could we say this about ourselves? Are you running the race with the same passion and purpose Paul has? What is the task God has given you to complete when you get to the finish line? In a sense we all are called to be a disciple and make disciples, but each of us has a unique task to contribute to the body of Christ, the Church. 

We see the depth of Paul's relationships with the Ephesian church with these closing verses of chapter 20.

When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

What a sweet relationship God has given us as His followers. The relationships we form with each other are unlike any in the world. Our love for each other should be the biggest attraction for anyone outside the church. They will know we are Christians by our love. 

In a world that is so hostile, and one in which even Christians can be hostile or judgmental, we need to grow churches that look like the church in Ephesus! Let's do it now for we never know when the race will end. Talk to your pastor about how you can be involved in your church to make it happen!