RESURRECTION POWER
Introduction: You all remember the classic children’s nursery rhyme:
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men
Couldn’t put Humpty together again.
In our story from Acts this morning we have a divine object lesson to reinforce the power of the resurrection message which the Apostle Paul was proclaiming. We find the story of Eutychus who falls to his death and is brought back to life in miraculous fashion. What all the king’s horses and all the king’s men are unable to do, God easily accomplishes through His servant Paul.
The story reminds us of the incident of Christ raising up Lazarus – providing the setting for those famous words of comfort and assurance:
John 11: 25-26 “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”
We find the Apostle revisiting churches in various cities on what amounts to a farewell tour before he ends up at Jerusalem and ultimately at Rome. His goal is to encourage and strengthen the saints and reinforce the message of new life in Jesus Christ.
He wants the disciples to remain strong in the faith and continue to advance the kingdom of God.
He wants to warn them about temptations and difficulties that could throw them off track.
He wants to reinforce his personal love and commitment to them in the fellowship of the gospel.
He has a lot to say to the saints gathered together in this upper room in the city of Troas.
Read Acts 20: 1-12
There are many lessons here about Paul’s pastoral care for the early church – look at his great love for the believers; his tireless efforts at providing edification and strengthening; his indoctrination program to exalt the truth of God’s Word.
This story has much impact on us today and provides a perfect object lesson for the worship service as well as the redemptive power of Christ.
A. The Worship Service
Calendar shift to worshiping on the Lord’s Day (when Jesus rose) instead of on the Sabbath.
Colossians 2:16. “Let no man therefore judge you in food or in drink or in respect of a feast day or of the new moon or of a Sabbath day which are a shadow of things to come.”
Don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or what you may drink or a feast you may or may not keep or a new moon or a Sabbath. Those things were shadows, when the reality came the shadow was gone. Jesus came and put to rest most of the old covenant.
I have wrestled with this for years. If We are to keep the 10 commandments, why then do we keep a Sunday Sabbath? I believe this is what God has shown me. It’s the same thing Paul was saying. Don’t get so caught up in the laws that you condemn others. We are to keep the Sabbath holy…sundown Friday to sundown Saturday; however, if we choose to attend church on Saturday or Sunday, that’s at the discretion of the local body. The important point is that we shouldn’t forsake the gathering together. We need each other.
Boice, a well known theologian said: This change is a proof of the resurrection. There are many evidences: the empty tomb, the grave clothes, the changed character of the disciples, and so on – all these and other historical facts are powerful evidences for the fact of the resurrection of Christ. But among these many evidences, there is the change of the day of worship to Sunday. Why would that happen? Particularly, why would that happen among Jews, who mostly made up the early Christian congregations and who were trained by centuries of tradition to worship on the seventh day? There is only one explanation — Jesus rose from the dead on that day.
2. He emphasizes the length of the service.
People met at night because they had to work during each day – no weekends off for those who were slaves or servants; had to use their time wisely; not the leisure time that we enjoy today.
Oh that we wouldn’t get so caught up in our busy-ness that we wouldn’t rush away from one another and from the study of scriptures. Paul here taught for hours - you know that he was going deep and they were chewing on meat. But give a pastor 20 minutes to a half hour and you’re barely getting past the hors d’oeuvres.
Probably the longest sermon we have in the Bible – gets to midnight and it turns out that is just the halfway point of the message. People were hungry for the Word of God; not constrained by artificial time limits; you speak more than 30 minutes in our culture and people get antsy.
I have never seen a baby that didn’t like milk. That baby not only likes it; that baby wants it. Babies want milk. You’d have a very abnormal, sick baby that didn’t want milk. If you don’t feed them when it’s time, they will let you know quite loudly. Unlike babies, I’ve sure seen a lot of Christians that didn’t seem to want teaching.
3. Centrality of the Lord’s Table
“To break bread” – combines both aspects of the agape meal and the special remembrance of the Lord’s Table
It was important for them that they remember the Lord in His death and resurrection and fellowship together as they worshiped the Lord.
William Barclay: There is something very lovely about this simple picture. The impression is that of a family meeting together rather than of a modern church service. Is it possible that we have gained in dignity in our Church services at the expense of family atmosphere?
Think about the American family; how many homes today actually sit at the table for evening meals together? Some homes are actually dispensing with the dining room and table because they sit in front of the TV for their meals. They sit and look at phones or the television set instead of communicating with one another. There is a terrible disconnect.
The early church knew the importance of dining together. One of the most important aspects of remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection is Communion. He said to do this often in remembrance. Part of every service should be you partaking in the Lord’s supper. It’s offered to you right up at the altar. You don’t have to wait for a communal formal dinner. Sup with him and he will sup with you.
4. Emphasis drawn to lights.
“And there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered together.”
Why did Luke add this detail into the telling of this story? It could be because the smoke from these oil lamps would have been a contributing cause to Eutychus falling asleep. The burning oil may be the reason for the deterioration of the atmosphere, most apparent higher in the room, where the unfortunate Eutychus sat in the window-alcove.
John 1: 6-13 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His [c]own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 3:19-21 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
Isaiah 9:2 “The people who walk in darkness Will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them.”
Isaiah 50:10 “Who is among you that fears the LORD, That obeys the voice of His servant, That walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.”
We have been called to live as:
– Children of light
Ephesians 5:8 “for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”
– Light of the world
Matt. 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
There were many lights in that room, evidenced by people who were willing to sit and be taught into the wee hours of the morning. This church is a light on the hill…shining for all who have eyes to see. Are you a light shining bright, or are you a dim flicker?
B. Redemptive Power of Christ
Not only does this story have an impact regarding the worship service but also the redemptive power of Christ.
This section will be explained through 3 C’s: Choices, Chances, and Changes.
You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.
I read that quote this week and it had nothing what-so-ever to do with faith. But it struck me because it’s very much true.
Eutychus and the others who had gathered to learn from Paul found the validity of this statement.
Choices - they had a choice to be in that room learning. They could just have easily been in the warmth and comfort of their own house and easy chair. Instead of watching their favorite program on the television, they chose instead to spend their time at the feet of Jesus.
You are offered the same choice. You can waste your time on useless things, or you can spend your time reading the word and digging in deep. Sit at the feet of Jesus and soak in His strength, wisdom, and glory. You have a choice every moment of every day.
Eutychus chose to stay in that room learning. He determined to stay even though he was very tired. Nodding off, he fell to his death. His choice to follow Jesus ultimately led to his resurrected life…from death to life. That is what Jesus offers all of us.
Chances - Eutychus took a chance on Jesus. Because of that, a freak accident was turned around. What the enemy meant for evil, God turned it around for good.
Paul took a chance to embrace the young man and activate his faith for a miracle.
You too must take chances not only in your own life and ministry but also for others. You take a chance when you offer Jesus to unbelievers. You take a chance when you step out in faith to lay hands on and pray for the sick. You take a chance when you speak or do what God tells you to even when it doesn’t make sense.
This religious life we live is all about taking chances. Those movements propelling you in the right direction leads to change.
Changes - Eutychus was changed from dead to living. The breath of life filled his lungs in a wonderful miracle similar to the Shunamite’s son who was raised by Elisha or Jairus’ daughter who was raised by Jesus.
Your life is also changed the very moment you decide to follow Jesus. You go from a dead man walking to a redeemed son or daughter of the Most High God. You are changed from a person deserving of eternal death to one who is resurrected to life everlasting.
You must make a choice to take a chance or your life will never change.
The choice is simple. You choose to let Jesus be Lord over your life.Instead of walking it alone, you choose to let Him walk beside you. You choose to follow his word and live a holy life. You are changed forever.
CLOSING
Who is Jesus?
He’s the Son of God; He’s the Savior of the world; He’s the Lamb of God who died for our sins; He’s fully man but also fully God; He came to teach us how to live and to show us God’s mercy. The Messiah – the anointed one who will fulfill the promises of God.
Who is Jesus?
Redeemer
Bread of Life
Creator
Holy One of Israel
.Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace
King of Kings
Head of the Church
The Almighty
Alpha and Omega
Master
King of the Jews
High Priest
Teacher
Emmanuel
Advocate
Mediator
Judge
Chief Cornerstone
Author and Finisher of Our Faith
Lamb of God
Good Shepherd
The Shepherd and Bishop of Souls
The Word
Fountain of Living Waters
Rock
True Vine
Branch
Bridegroom
Dayspring
Shiloh
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah
The Bright and Morning Star
The Image of the Invisible God
I Am
Son of Man
Carpenter
The Way, the Truth and the Life
King of Israel
He is Christ
You want to make changes? Make a choice and take a chance on Him!
