Dangerous Dozing in Church

October 12

(Acts 20:6-12 NIV) ““But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days. {7} On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. {8} There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. {9} Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. {10} Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "He's alive!" {11} Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. {12} The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.””

(Luke 8:49-55 NIV) ““While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher anymore." {50} Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." {51} When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. {52} Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." {53} They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. {54} But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" {55} Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.””

(1 Thessalonians 5:3-9 NIV) ““While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. {4} But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. {5} You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. {6} So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. {7} For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. {8} But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. {9} For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.””

When Paul preached at a Sunday night service in Troas, they didn’t get the “Reader’s Digest” version -- they got the full unabridged novel. Paul preached “on and on”. He was leaving the next day and wanted to share everything he could about Jesus. Around midnight, a young man who was sitting in the third-story window, fell asleep and was killed when he fell to the ground. Paul went down, prayed life back into him, then went back upstairs and preached until daybreak. It’s amazing what someone rising from the dead can do. That’s still true today. Dozing off in church can be dangerous. It can even cause death. Here, the death of Eutychus -- today, the death of one’s faith. When we sleep in the presence of God’s word long enough, we can eventually stop hearing, lose spiritual consciousness, and suffer a serious fall. Keep your eyes open, and remain alert. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Second Generation Honor Roll

October 11

(Acts 20:4-6 NIV) "He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. {5} These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas. {6} But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days."

(Acts 6:7 NIV) "So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith."

(Luke 10:1-3 NIV) "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. {2} He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. {3} Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."

A few chapters ago in Acts, it was just Silas walking with Paul. Now the one has become seven. Not only are more and more people being saved, more are serving as ministers with Paul. This list of names is like an “honor roll” of second generation apostles -- men who had never personally seen Jesus, but who laid their lives on the line and who had the faith to preach the gospel. Some of these names are never mentioned again in Scripture, but are immortalized here. We don’t know their fate, but it’s likely that some gave their very lives as heroes for Christ. That raises a question. If you had lived during this time would your name have made it into the Book? When you are gone, will your name be remembered for your exceptional service to the church? Serve in such a way as to earn a place with those at the honors banquet on the other side. You won’t be sorry you did. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

A Dangerous Way

October 10

(Acts 20:2-3 NIV) "He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, {3} where he stayed three months. Because the Jews made a plot against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia."

(Matthew 12:9-16 NIV) "Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, {10} and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?" {11} He said to them, "If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? {12} How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." {13} Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. {14} But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. {15} Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick, {16} warning them not to tell who he was."

Everywhere Paul went, people were saved and churches were started. But everywhere Paul went, he also faced plots against his life. He faced this stressful dilemma on a daily basis. His steps were ordained by God, but his way was continuously dangerous. If we share the gospel, our road will also be dangerous. There will be some who plot to do us harm. As a result, many Christians try to remain anonymous. If God gave awards for flying under the radar, many in the church would have a full trophy case. How else can one explain the fact that most believers quake in their boots at the thought of witnessing, and have never led another person to Jesus Christ? It is good that Paul and the other apostles were not like this, or Christianity would have died as an infant in Jerusalem. The Jesus way can certainly be dangerous, but it is our glorious calling to walk in it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Encouraging Words

October 9

(Acts 20:1-2 NIV) "When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said good-by and set out for Macedonia. {2} He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece,"

(Romans 15:4-6 NIV) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. {5} May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, {6} so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

(Hebrews 3:13 NIV) "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

Paul was an exhorter, a great public speaker, and a devastating debater. Many of Paul’s messages and letters were confrontational in nature, so we can get this image of him as a negative kind of guy who was always on somebody’s case about something. But Paul also had a positive side. You didn’t want him on your case, but you were definitely blessed to have him on your side. As he returned to some of the churches that he had planted, he encouraged them. There is a fine line between exhortation and encouragement, but we need both at times. There are so many things in this world that tear us down. We all need someone who will build us up with encouraging words and exhort us to keep going. When was the last time you encouraged anyone inside or outside the church? Be an encourager in someone’s life. Make that call. Write that note. Just do it. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day