The Danger of Falling Out On God
"The Danger of Falling Out on God"
TEXT: Acts 20:6-12
Introduction: We can learn something in this passage of the early church
They assembled together on the 1st day of the week - Sunday
They came together to break bread - fellowship
They came together to hear preaching - Bread of Life
Many people come together for all the wrong reasons - they often come for nothing more than a "religious floor show."
If there was ever a time in your Christian life that you were closer to the Lord than today - YOU need Revival!
Matthew 26:41 - "Watch & Pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
What can WE learn from this passage of a man falling out of a window and breaking his neck??
2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable…."
What Happened to Eutychus Could Happen to Us!
Let’s look at 3 Aspects of this story that will help us to not Fall Out on God!
I. The CAUSE of His Falling Out
A. He Was Careless - (He sat down in a dangerous place)
1. There are some dangerous places to sit down as a Christian.
2. Psalm 1:1 - "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
3. Dangerous to walk according to counsel of the world.
4. Dangerous to sit down with scoffers (liberals).
5. Dangerous to associate with ungodly.
B. He Was Convenience Minded (He sat in the window for comfort)
1. Many today put convenience or comfort before God!
2. People think little of comfort/convenience when doing what they LOVE to do.
3. They sit on hard benches in bad weather, having paid high ticket prices to complain about coaches’ decisions.
4. They get up early in the morning to hunt, fish, golf.
5. They never complain about ballgames that go into extra innings or overtime.
6. They are willing to fight the crowds at the malls, or ticket lines to see their favorite singer or movie!
7. Many People Want to Be Saved when it is Convenient!
a) Acts 24:24-25 - Felix listened to Paul reason of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come - Felix trembled - then said, "Go thy way for this time; when I have a Convenient Season, I will call for thee."
8. Many People Want to Be Christians by Convience!
a) They go to church; tithe; witness; etc. when it is convenient.
9. Convenience is Dangerous - YOU might FALL OUT and Break Something like Eutychus!
C. The Cares of Life Had a Bearing On Him
1. Eutychus may have worked all day and was exhausted.
2. There is nothing wrong with working hard, being tired, etc.
3. However, Spurgeon said, "Be rested when you come to church because if you fall asleep and fall out a window, there are no apostles today that can raise you from the dead!"
4. Satan would desire nothing more than for you to come to church and sleep during the preaching - not only is it a bad testimony, but it will cause you to become desensitized to God’s Word.
5. One song leader said, "We’ll sing, ‘Take Time to Be Holy’, first verse Only!"
D. He Was Creeping Out (He became more Out than In)
1. People don’t intend to Fall Out on God - Backsliding is usually a gradual process.
2. People gradually quit studying their Bible; praying; attending.
3. Nothing shuts the mouth of a Christian more than unconfessed sin in their lives.
II. The CONSEQUENCES of His Falling Out on God
A. Personal Pain - (Eutychus’ life was spared, but I’d say he was sore for a long time)
1. "The Way of a Transgressor Is Hard" - Have YOU ever felt the "Pain of Sin"?
2. I have felt the pain of falling out on God; I have seen the pain of others who have fallen out on God; I don’t want YOU to experience that terrible hardness of sin.
B. Public Praise Was Disrupted - (The Service Was Suspended)
1. Paul had to stop his preaching - Satan loves for churches to have distractions during worship services.
1 Timothy 3:15 - "…that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth."
2. When one member Falls Out on god, it effects every other member of the Body of Christ –
a) "if you don’t believe this, take a hammer and hit your little toe with it!"
C. People’s Perception Was Determined (What Must Have Others Thought of Eutychus When He Fell Out of the Window?)
1. Our Testimony Is Important -
Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and a loving favor rather than silver and gold."
Ecclesiastes 7:1 "a good name is better than precious ointment…."
2. Human Tendency is to remember "Negative Things" -
3. Examples - Doubting Thomas; David & Basheba; Samson & Delilah; Abraham & Hagar; Noah & Lot becoming drunken; Peter sinking in the sea or denying Christ three times.
III. The CONCERN to Be Shown to Those Who Fall Out
A. We Should Seek to Restore
1. Christians are notorious about kicking their own when down!
2. Galatians 6:1 - Teaches How & Who Should Seek to Restore
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
3. Galatians 5:15 - Natural Tendency of Flesh Towards Others
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
B. There Is a Definite Need for Revival When Fallen
1. Only God Can Send REVIVAL - But the Word Is Necessary in order for God to Revive!
C. Christians are to AID in the Restoration of the Fallen.
1. Galatians 6:1 clearly states that we (who are spiritual) are to go to those overtaken in a fault.
D. We Are to REJOICE When One Is Restored
1. vs. 12 - "…and (they) were not a little comforted."
2. When one is restored, all of the members of the Body should rejoice in that the whole is made stronger!
CONCLUSION: Church Revival will only occur when "Individuals" are revived - Then as more and more rejoice over the restoration of others - there will be an Epidemic of Revival!!