Death Brings Life

Introduction

Acts 20: 7-12

Acts 20:7–12 LEB

And on the first day of the week, when we had assembled to break bread, Paul began conversing with them, because he was going to leave on the next day, and he extended his message until midnight. Now there were quite a few lamps in the upstairs room where we were gathered. And a certain young man named Eutychus who was sitting in the window was sinking into a deep sleep while Paul was conversing at length. Being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. But Paul went down and threw himself on him, and putting his arms around him, said, “Do not be distressed, for his life is in him.” So he went up and broke bread, and when he had eaten and talked for a long time, until dawn, then he departed. And they led the youth away alive, and were greatly comforted.

Pray

Image: Horne, Charles, and Julius Bewer. The Bible and Its Story: Acts–Epistles, Apostles to Revelation. Vol. 10. New York, NY: Francis R. Niglutsch, 1910. Public Domain

While one his travels Paul stops in many cities along the sea as he is traveling by boat. One of those cities is Troas in Asia (Turkey). He stayed there seven days probably wafting on his ship to leave.

One the First day of the week the Christians gather together to break bread and to give instruction regarding the Christian life. Worship and food.

On the first day of the week. This is the earliest clear-cut evidence we have for Christians gathering together for worship on the first day of the week. Or what we know as Sunday. The Christians met in the evening. This was probably because the necessity of working during the day. As it is not the Sabbath day or rest day.

Paul kept on speaking till midnight, And some of you think I am long-winded. They don’t have TV, Radio, printed word. Those who are in earnest about the word of God and don’t get fed regularly are hungry. They were hungry for the teaching of God. They probably thought it was too short of time. When was the last time you were that hungry for the word.

As Paul talked Eutychus went to sleep and fell to his death as he was on the third story. Dangers of preaching to long. The boy was probably between the ages of 8 and 14. The boy may have just been board. But in all likely hood the many lamps and torches in the upstairs rooms. Suggest a lack of oxygen.

Along with the flickering lights. Late at night way past a normal bed time. That is not a good combination. Anyways the boy fell asleep and died.

Needless to say this stopped the service to a sudden halt. Paul ran down to the child and reminiscent of Elijah and Elisha. The Two major non writing prophets of the Old Testament. Threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him and Eutychus was restored to life.

Instead of calling it a night, they went eat and then Paul continued on till Dawn.

What a hunger for the word of God. That after working all day you would stay up all night to listen to someone teach on the Truth. That is a hunger. That is how the deer pants for the water so my soul thirst for you. The word of God is funny like that sometimes we are hungry and sometimes we are not. But still it fills us and sustains us. It is important that we eat the word of God. Some words we have to chew on like a steak. Meditate. Some go down smooth, Like a milkshake.

But there is something in this passage.

God came not to install a bunch of rules and kill us with them. Such as you must read nothing but the bible and need to make it through the passages once a year (even though that is a noble goal). No God came not to bring death but to bring life. These people were alive with hunger for the words of God Hungry for the truth. But like this boy it is only through death that we get to live

Life is only through death

Yes eternal life. It is only through the death of the perfect sacrifice that was Jesus Christ can we have life.

But it isn’t just then. It isn’t some abstract idea in the future that we get life. We get life now. But we have to die first

Luke 9:23–24 LEB

And he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me, this person will save it.

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

We to have to die. And trust that God will raise us from the dead.

We die to the slavery of our lives. To be raised in Righteousness. That is what baptism is to represent.

What does it mean to live?

Death to self and life in Christ means that I don’t have to do it on my Own. But that I am part of a family. We are brothers and sisters. God as our dad our father. Jesus as our big brother.

Have riches even when I have not. Because part of God’s family and he has plenty. Have guidance for a spirit that is always with me: Directing, Convicting, Correcting, Teaching.

Have hope in a world of hopelessness. Have Joy in a joyless world. Don’t have to see to believe. Not slave to that which I can explain. Not slave to that which I can touch. But servant of the creator God on high.

Next Steps

Before can have life I must Die.

Humbling self before God, He is the king. Can’t do it on your own. Accepting him as the Lord and savior. Letting Jesus Forgive you. Trust that he can forgive you and Change You. But not that you have to change before you come.

Live each and every day with the knowledge that you have life. Not just then, But now.

Weep in new life

Smile in New life

Struggle in New Life

Rest in new life

Be alive In Jesus Christ.

Nothing that God can’t over come

And you through him

Pray