From Acts to Revelation Part 55 – Peace, the Sabbath & Raising the Dead

From Acts to Revelation

Part 55 – Peace, the Sabbath & Raising the Dead

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

1)     There is not much peace for ministers of the Gospel.

2)     Sunday is not the Sabbath.

3)     Euthychus is raised from the dead.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

Acts 20:1-12

When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. 2 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 some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 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 Philippiafter the Festival 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.

I.       PAUL LEAVES AFTER THE RIOT

a.      The riots in Ephesus caused Paul to once again leave.

i.       After he encouraged the Disciples (who talked him out of appearing before the riotous mob), he left.

b.     Paul traveled to Greece.

i.       Staying there three months.

ii.    He wanted to sail to Syria, but the Jews had once again plotted against him.

c.      Paul decided to go back through Macedonia.

d.     In vs. 5 we read, “...these men went on and waited for us...”

i.       This gives indication that Luke was once again traveling with Paul and his party, recording the events.

e.      After the Passover, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, they sailed and joined the others in Troas.

i.       The Apostles and Disciples still participated in the Passover Feasts, knowing now that they represented Christ, doing so was the perfect opportunity to meet with God fearing Jews and Greeks, and share the “true” meaning of the Feasts.

II.    ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK

a.      Why do we have Church on Sunday?

i.       Some denominations say we have changed the Sabbath.

ii.    However, followers of Christ have NOT changed anything.

b.     In the New Testament, Jesus and the Apostles always met on the First Day of the Week for Worship, Offerings, and the Breaking of Bread (Communion).

c.      Things to remember

i.       Jesus died on the 6^th day (Friday) and rose from the dead on the 1^st day (Sunday)

ii.    The FIRST Service the Disciples had after the Crucifixion was on Sunday in John 20:19

d.     We meet for Church on Sunday, worship, give offerings, and have communion because that's when the Apostles did.

e.      Some say, “You can't work on Sunday, because you are supposed to keep the Sabbath day Holy!”

i.       The Sabbath Day is NOT on Sunday.

ii.    The Sabbath Day begins on Friday at sunset, and is over Saturday at sunset.

a.      So in reality, those people who say this, if they do anything Friday evening to Saturday evening, in reality, they are the ones breaking the Sabbath.

b.     Including cooking, cleaning, traveling, purchasing, etc...

f.       Nowhere in scripture does it imply Sunday (the first day of the week) when followers of Christ meet for worship, offerings and communion, is to replace the Sabbath.

III. EUTYCHUS RAISED FROM THE DEAD

a.      Paul spoke in the upstairs room

i.       Planning on leaving the next day.

ii.    However, he ended up speaking until midnight.

b.     Eutychus was a young man listening to Paul while he sat in a window in the upstairs room.

i.       The scriptures tell us he fell into a “deep sleep”, while Paul talked “on and on”.

c.      Eutychus fell from the third story window, and was found dead in the street below.

i.       Paul took the man in his arms, saying “Don't be alarmed, he is alive!”

d.     After talking until daylight, Paul left, and they took the young man and were comforted by Paul's words.

CONCLUSION

1.      There is not much peace for ministers of the Gospel.

a.      Although Paul meets adversity everywhere he goes, he continues to share the Gospel, and never stops giving the lost hope.

2.      Sunday is not the Sabbath.

a.      Sunday is not the Sabbath, Friday at sunset until Saturday at sunset is.

b.      However, the Disciples met on the First Day of the Week for worship, collections, and Communion.

3.      Euthychus is raised from the dead.

a.      The young man was raised by Paul, showing the people that Paul had authority to teach and preach this message of Christ and Salvation.

Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!