Sleeping Saints and Cussing

A Strange But Necessary Miracle

Recently there has been a lot of chit chat about an air traffic controller in Washington at the Reagan National Airport that fell asleep on the job.  As serious as this was – I was reminded of a miracle in the New Testament that in some ways I wish I could duplicate and in others – not so sure.

I feel bad for the dude who fell asleep on the job.  All by himself with little or no traffic and wham! off the chair he falls into a slight nighty night sleep tight coma.  Phone calls wouldn’t wake him up.  Several planes landed without clearance (where was Homeland Security?) and their noise didn’t wake him up!  Really!  Can a guy actually sleep through all that?  Well, yes he can and yes he did!  Terrible!  Just terrible!  But you know, this happens all the time.  I see this take place on Sunday mornings in my church and now and then – on Wednesday nights!

Now before I start let me share a disclaimer here.  In my church, these folks aren’t falling asleep because of the anointed preaching of their pastor (chuckle, snicker, snicker).   Absolutely not!  No way!  Just ask em’! There is a story found in Acts 20 that gives a New Testament pattern to this issue of sleeping in church.  I love reading the New Testament and discovering patterns and models for current church culture and change.  The “sleeper cell” was alive and well in Paul’s ministry as is in most churches today.

Paul the apostle was in a “preachin’ way” as they say.  A young man in the church by the name of Eutychus fell asleep.  Problem with Eutychus is that he was sitting in a third story window.  He fell backwards to the ground some 30 below and died.  Yep, he gave up the ghost!   Paul descends to the scene of wailing women, weeping men and a dead parishioner.  Wow!  He prays for the dude and he just gets up from the dead. Amazing!  From sleeper to riser.  Eutychus would have a testimony that no one else could have…or probably would want!

There is a small hint in Acts 20.9-10 that may help us figure it out.  I hesitate going there but go I will.  Scripture says this: “as Paul kept on talking.”   OMG!!!   Are you kidding me?  A preacher that doesn’t know when to quit?  A man of God who can’t bring his message in for a landing?  A speaker who doesn’t realize when to shut up?  In church?  Are you kidding me?  Yep!  Paul just kept on talking and one young man couldn’t stand it any longer – he fell asleep and then literally fell to his death.

What is the pattern here for us?  Well I’m sure there is a deeper spiritual reason for Luke recording this event but there is still some humor in it for me.  Several key points here to note:

• No matter how bright a room is – someone can fall asleep.
• No matter how anointed the speaker – some can fall asleep.
• No matter how hard someone sleeps in church – we have the authority to raise them from the dead.
• There are times when preacher’s need to bring it to a close.
• Don’t condemn the sleeper cells in the church – let them sleep and suffer the consequences – whatever the may be.
• Our sleepers may not fall out a window but they do become dead to the message that is being preached.
• Sleeper cells are everywhere – waiting for the opportunity to nod off during your preaching.
• God cares about our sleepers.  He gave Paul the authority to raise him from the dead.
• There didn’t seem to be a lot of fanfare and excitement about this miracle – as if someone may have been saying, “Low life got what he deserved.  He’ll probably fall asleep again!”

Someone may have found fault with his age – “All they ever want to do is sleep!”   Dude, don’t be so hard on him.  I’m not sure I want to hear someone preach till midnight while sitting in window sill.

Paul must have learned a lesson here.  We never read about him “losing” a listener like this again.

Whatever happened with Eutychus to make him fall asleep – I’m sure Wal Mart has a $4 prescription for.  One last thing.  When I break this guys name down in my language – here is what I get.  You-to-cuss!  In defense of Paul and his preaching – if this boy’s mama named him “you-to-cuss” she did it for a reason.  Kind of like Ichabod!   Maybe Eutychus brought people to a point of causing them to cuss.   Just a thought….just kidding!   OK!  Maybe this wasn’t the case.

Settle down.  Calm down.  Not all blogs have to be so serious all the time.  If that’s that case maybe my name should be Eutychus because I may have just made you cuss!  Don’t send me any nasty emails on this one folks.  Just having some fun on a Monday night!