WISDOM FOR TODAY
ARE YOU AN EUTYCHUS OR A BEREAN?
Scripture Treasure.
Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
Insight and Highlight.
When sleep becomes an agent of the devil, it brings destruction.
Scripture Commentaries.
Sleep is a gift from God. Psalm 127:2
says It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
It is recommended that we have good sleep because lack of it could have serious adverse effects on our health.
There are people who are diagnosed of serious health issues for reasons of lack of adequate sleep or none of it.
While adequate sleep is considered healthy, too much of it is considered a serious health issue as well.
We see that if we love sleep too much, it tends to poverty, Prov 24:33-34: Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
Eutychus fell into deep sleep as Paul was preaching. The reason adduced to this was Paul's long preaching or a preaching longer than usual.
The Bible nowhere condemns long preaching , nor is it mentioned anywhere in it that short preaching is preferred in contrast to it.
Preaching is recommended instant and out of season, 2 Tim 4:2, and sermonizing is mentioned as a source by which people are saved, Acts 2: 4-51.
Eutychus is a good example of many who sleep in the Church while preaching is on. Many of the people in his category do not sleep watching movies or attending functions no matter how tired they may be. They are quick to cite tiredness to Church but are not tired when invited at the same time to social gathering.
Though, we do not know whether he was physically exhausted before the preaching appeared too long for him to fall into a deep sleep. One thing for sure was that the long preaching was cited as the reason.
We can learn a few things:
First, why would he fall deep into sleep while no other was found to have suffered from the same fate?
No two people are the same.
Some people receive preaching unto life while some unto destruction, (ref Luke 22:26-27). Some complain about a sermon some are most blessed by it.
Second, sleep could be used by Satan even when we follow normal sleeping routine and Satan would work against a soul through it (ref Matt 13:25).
Many of us could sleep even after normal sleep has been observed.
We must observe good and normal sleeping logs but must also observe self-control.
Many could sleep through short preachings.
Third, Jesus explains the presence of sleep as a weakness in the flesh. Jesus told Peter when He found them sleeping when he and the others should be praying. Jesus said in
Matt 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Sleep can be an agent of obstruction when the devil presents it against the altar of God for your life.
Fourth, it could also teach us to preach within reasonable time and limits. It helps the congregation to understand short rather than long sermons.
Many of them may even love one's preaching because it is always short.
Long and short of it, quality of preaching may not be measured by its long length or shortness.
There are powerful long messages, and so are powerful short ones.
Next time you go to church or anywhere the word of God is preached, prepare to be attentive rather than drowsy!
While the Eutychus fall asleep, the Bereans receive the word with all readiness of mind.
Are you an Eutychus or a Berean?
Remorse corner.
The same Paul whom the Bereans heard but did not fall into deep sleep was the same Paul who preached while Eutychus fell and died.
Call to Word action.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
The Christian clarion duty.
You can stay awake while the word of God is preached. When your spirit is willing, refuse and resist your flesh's weakness.
Prayer.
Lord, help me not to be weak when my spirit is willing in Jesus name.
Good morning all and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
Comments