I just read something the other day that made me chuckle a bit.
How many times have you, or have you seen, people nod off during a sermon? Check this out…
“…Paul…prolonged his speech (sermon) until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.” –Acts 20:7-9
Paul, was preaching up a storm. He was doing it because he was going to leave them the next day and wanting to tell them all he could. But, one well intended listener nodded off and actually feel out the window! I know it is tragic, but it is sort of humorous. I mean, during the sermon, this guy fell out the window and died. Imagine that scene.
But with great tenacity, Paul, then goes down to where the man fell and raised him back to life. What courage! What boldness! What confidence in who God is and what His power can do.
I remember a time when I was preaching in a church and an older fella was sort of nodding off, and then started convulsing and it looked like he was having a stroke, and then he fainted. It caused a great commotion and I stood in the pulpit speechless. I felt terrified. What am I to do here? I remember connecting eyes with my wife for guidance and she sort of hinted for me to pray. So, I prayed for the man…from the pulpit… and then the ambulance showed up.
I was terrified. Paul was not. I was frightened. Paul was not. I lacked confidence. Paul did not. I was afraid of what people where thinking of me. Paul could care less.
Interesting what God can reveal through nodders
