Dejunk Our Life Series

 

Acts 20:10  “Don’t be alarmed.” Paul said, “He is alive!” 

 

Not Dead But Alive

 

We cannot imagine ourselves in the excitement of the first century church.  Christianity has become the most electrifying movement in the Roman world.   It was based on the teachings of a Jewish man in Jerusalem and surrounding areas, whose name was Jesus.   Jesus had been killed by the authorities and yet stories say He had been resurrected from the dead.    You know His life much impacted the people who were believers.   There is this great disciple whose name is Paul who has been speaking throughout the Roman world.   When he speaks his excitement and enthusiasm changes the lives of his listeners.  

 

Let us further imagine that you are a 15 year old boy who lives in a medium sized town on the coast of the Aegean Sea.   That great teacher, Paul had stayed in your town for seven days and was going to leave the next day.   Your father and mother and other siblings heard him speak on that first day.  His preaching awoke in your family a new life and a new faith.   All week as he spoke your faith grew.     

 

Paul was going to leave Troas the next day.  The last time he will speak in your town is in an impressive three story house in a room that was like a covered porch or living room on the very top floor.   There were beautiful lights hanging from the ceiling and the room was crowded with people.   Paul had been preaching since late in the afternoon.   As a young teenager you felt yourself falling asleep on the floor.  Because you so want to hear what Paul has to say you decide to sit in the window casing.   The breeze is blowing across your face and unfortunately you fall asleep again and in your sleep you fall from the 3^rd floor to the ground. 

 

Your mother and father scream and run downstairs.  Everyone descends and finds you lying on the street below.  People shout that you are dead.  But Paul takes you in his arms, prays for you, and amazingly says, you are not dead but alive.   After your father checks your bones, you say, “Dad, can we go hear Paul finish preaching the sermon?”  Paul preaches on until daylight and you were careful not to fall asleep again. 

 

If you were Eutychus, this young man, how would you feel about your life?    This story is a typical story of the faith stories that take place in the Book of Acts.   The truth is all of us were once dead but made alive in  our Lord, Jesus Christ.   That is a most amazing truth.  

 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help me to know that I can be alive in the power of Jesus Christ.   Amen.