Sleepy Sunday Service

Today we complete Acts 20, but I want us to look back at 20:6-12. I've often wondered why God included this story in His Word. The reason I believe it is preserved for us is a few things we learn about the early church. First of all they met on the Lord's Day, the first day of the week--Sunday. The fact that Paul sometimes attended Sabbath services (on Saturday) in Jewish synagogues (17:1-3) does not prove that the first century church kept the Jewish Sabbath. Instead, it shows that the early church took the Gospel message to wherever people gathered and were flexible in their evangelistic approaches. Some churches today are harshly criticized for having a Saturday evening service while still maintaining Sunday services. But if the motive is to reach lost people on Saturday, I say go for it. We need to learn this lesson of flexibility from the first century church. They guarded Sunday as the Lord's day even more than we, yet they were flexible enough to offer the Gospel at any time. In fact, truth be known, the early church met far more than we do today. They virtually met in someone's home every day as folks were being added to the church daily.

That leads me to another thing. They did not have church buildings. They met in homes. Church buildings didn't come along for another 300 years. The early church truly understood that the people were the church, not the building. Our culture is vastly different today, and we'll never erase all the church buildings from the landscape. But we must understand that the church is the people of God, where ever they meet.

Another thing we learn is that there was not a set time for the service to end. Paul preached until midnight. Now we've got to understand, Sunday was the first day of the work week like our Monday. These folks had been working all day, yet they still came to church that evening. This would explain why Eutychus fell asleep. He had worked all day. Yet the sermon was not boring. People were so engaged into what Paul was saying, they didn't even notice Eutychus getting sleepy. Unfortunately, in many of our churches today Paul would have been told what time to finish. All too often, in our fast paced society today, time is the deciding factor in our church services. It governs the pulpit with careless disregard for the moving of the Holy Spirit. Above all the preacher must finish on time. The song service, the announcements, the special music all can run a few minutes longer than planned (and that's OK), but the preacher MUST finish on time. The Holy Spirit may be moving in those closing moments, but that doesn't matter to some: Cut it short! It's time to close. No wonder the Holy Spirit is grieved in many of our churches, and we see no move of God. God help us!

So if you get sleepy this Sunday during the message, remember what Spurgeon once said: "Remember, if we go to sleep during the sermon and die, there are no apostles to restore us!" How to look forward and enjoy Sunday? Here are some very simple and practical things to observe.
1. No Public Worship Because There's No Private Worship.
The reason we see very little expressive public worship in our services, is because there has been no private worship among our people all week. So spend time daily with God and in His Word. If you will, you'll enjoy Sunday so much more.
2. Plan For Sunday.
Make up your mind now that you'll be in church Sunday. Clear your calendar. Do what you have to do on Saturday. Lay out your clothes the night before.
3. Prepare Yourself.
In addition to preparing yourself spiritually all week (see #1), prepare yourself physically. Go to bed early Saturday night. Get a good night's rest. It's hard to get up and go to church if you've been out on the town into the wee hours of the morning. Go to bed. Rest. And we'll see you Sunday!