Subscription Lists
Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
Acts 20:8. Paul is preaching and teaching in Troas and he continues speaking right up to midnight. Some no doubt might wish to criticise Paul for going on so long - but Jesus was pleased - and that is what really matters. There are times when we have to let people say what they want to - and when we are pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ, we do not have to pay too much attention to their comments and criticisms.
Nobody was concerned too much that he was long preaching. Nobody would be bored - wandering in their mind - looking out the window - (although on this occasion it might have been better if at least one man had been looking out the window).
As Paul preached and taught on and on and on, there was a young man named Eutychus. As the lamps burned - the room got hotter and hotter - hot and stuffy - Eutychus fell asleep - and fell out the window. Eutychus dropped off - and it was a long drop. Lying in the street is this lifeless huddle, and Dr Luke describes him as being dead. They told Paul. He went down to minister to him, and he was brought back to life by the power of the Risen and Living Lord Jesus Christ.
When they saw Eutychus was going to be all right, they went on with the service. Paul went back up to the room - they had bread and wine - and Paul went on preaching until dawn!
When Paul was ready to depart from Troas, we read in verse 12, of Eutychus being alive and well, along with all the others, saying "Farewell" to Paul.
It was as if these disciples of Jesus were able to take this miracle in their stride. They were used to the supernatural moving of the Holy Spirit, and everyone was encouraged and strengthened and fortified and fortressed and built up, as a result of Paul's ministry.
O, to have a recording of that service, and to have heard the comments of the fellowship, family and friends. But we are not given these details - only the important facts - not the feelings on this occasion.
From verses 13 to 17, Paul is visiting groups of believers and ministering to them. Verses 1 - 17 could perhaps cover as long as a year - we don't know exactly - but he was a man who would do his work for God thoroughly. That we do know. When God gives you a job to do, do it thoroughly.
Paul is longing to be in Jerusalem for Pentecost. It is interesting how in the New Testament, Pentecost remains a significant season. No other season is really mentioned - only Passover in passing. Pentecost has been one of the most overlooked seasons of the year - or at least until quite recently.
Paul realises that he is not going to be able to re-visit the Ephesian Church.
So he sends for the elders - the leadership - these men who were baptised when he appeared on the scene in Ephesus - upon whom he had laid his hands - and they were baptised in the Holy Spirit. As soon as he sends for them, they arrive. Now, there's a significant lesson.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Word from Scotland" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.