Act 20:8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Poor Eutychus, sleeping in church! He fell into such a deep sleep that he sunk down and fell from the third floor loft.
On the one hand, it was midnight and Paul had been preaching a long time. But, on the other hand, there were a lot of lights on in the room.
We notice that Eutychus was not chided for sleeping. No one questioned his salvation or spiritual state. Rather, they were troubled for him, they ministered to him once he revived and talked with him for quite a while.
As I look out across our congregation, I will generally see two and sometimes more of our people sleeping during the average sermon. The furthest they could fall is off their padded pew chairs and onto the carpeted floor, so we are not concerned about having a resurrection service. There are plenty of lights on, but the preaching seldom goes over 35 minutes. And we never preach at midnight!
So, why are people sleeping in church? Like Eutychus, I don't think it is a spiritual condition. But unlike his situation, I think it indicates the lack of spiritual fervor in our lives and in our churches. We need stirring worship services and convicting preaching which engage our people. We need more people ministering and fewer folks spectating.
Let's wake up in church, “Amen!” the truth, rattle the peas in the noggin, pray for power, and drag some folks forward for the invitation.
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