Over the past few weeks, we have seen how the closed door for Paul to preach in the synagogue in Ephesus led to an open door for him to preach unhindered for two whole years in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. And along with this open door, we saw how opposition came from the Seven Sons of Sceva as well as from Demetrius the silversmith. As things settled down in Ephesus, it was time for Paul to hit the road again and revisit the churches previously established in Macedonia (Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) and then travel south into Greece and visit the church in Corinth. After staying in Corinth for three months, Paul was intending to go down to the coast and catch a ship heading east across the Mediterranean to Syria so that he could get back to Jerusalem in time for Passover. But then, something happened to change his plans, and Luke records the problem:

Because some Jews had plotted against Paul just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia (Acts 20:3).

Yes, a plot was uncovered that threatened Paul’s life, and therefore, he decided to retrace his steps through Macedonia. He knew that he would not make it to Jerusalem for Passover, but now he wanted to try and make it in time for Pentecost (50 days after Passover). Paul’s friends did not want him to be traveling alone, and I find it interesting to see just who these individuals were, as Luke specifically named each of them:

Sopater from Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica; Gaius and Timothy from Derbe; and Trophimus from Asia (Acts 20:4).

These are all friends whom Paul met during his Second Missionary Journey. I’m sure that we can all identify some close friends whom we have “picked up” during the course of our lives. And then Luke tells us something interesting:

These men went on ahead and waited for us at Troas (Acts 20:5).

Luke’s travel log takes the group back through Berea, Thessalonica, and then to Philippi where Paul ended up sending the group ahead traveling by land to meet him in Troas, on the western coast of Turkey. Did you notice something interesting in the previous verse? If not, maybe you will see it in the next verse:

But we sailed from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread, and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days (Acts 20:6).

As you can see, on three different occasions Luke used the pronoun “we” in these two verses. Yes, it was there in Philippi that Paul, once again, met up with Luke who would travel with him for the next eight years when Paul would eventually end up in Rome, and in prison. From the time Paul “reconnected” with Luke in Philippi, Luke would have first-hand knowledge of Paul’s travels, conflicts, and imprisonments and Luke’s “notes” would later be compiled into what we know as the Book of Acts.

And now we can see how uncovering this plot against Paul’s life caused him to change his plans, plans that would lead him once again to reconnect with Luke. If Paul had sailed directly from Corinth to Syria he would have missed Luke, who, unbeknownst to Paul, was waiting for him in  Philippi! This was certainly a “God-ordained” and unexpected course correction. In fact, when you think about it, it was actually God’s plan all along to allow the plot to be hatched in the first place, and then to have it uncovered, and then to have Paul avoid the plot by changing course. Maybe some of you have had one, or more, of these course corrections that eventually led to unexpected blessings in your life. Peggy and I certainly have.

Luke then records an interesting incident that took place during the seven days that they were in Troas. It happened on a Sunday, and because the group was planning to leave the next day, Paul took advantage of their limited time together and continued preaching until midnight. Luke then records the following,

There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. Seated in a window was a young man name Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead (Acts 20:8-9).

Paul immediately rushed downstairs and,

…threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him, saying “Don’t be alarmed. He’s alive” (Acts 20:10).

I’m sure that most pastors have experienced someone falling asleep during their message. It can be quite unnerving, especially when their head tips back and they begin snoring! Yes, that happened to me on a Sunday during our years at Calvary Community Church in Rohnert Park. But a sharp jab in the ribs by his spouse startled him awake as he let out an audible expression of pain. Poor Eutychus, falling asleep while enjoying a cool ocean breeze blowing in off the coast had no idea that it would lead to his falling to his death and eventual resurrection. I like to think that Eutychus is the “patron saint” of all those who fall asleep during sermons! I’m pretty certain that we can all relate to this young man.

In his letter to the Church in Ephesus, Paul had something to say to any of us who are inclined to “fall asleep” in our walk with Jesus, that is, whenever the world is unable to distinguish our actions and attitudes from those who do not know Christ. Paul wrote,

Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you (Ephesians 5:14).

Let’s all make sure that our lifestyle is distinctly “Christian” and that we are becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives. After all, Jesus told His own disciples that their goal in life was to become more and more like Him, their Master (Matthew 10:25).

Just a final note. Following Eutychus’ resurrection, they all went back upstairs, and after breaking bread together, Paul continued speaking until daybreak! Of course, Paul had much to tell them about Jesus, along with a host of other spiritual truths, and he wanted to get it all in before he and his traveling companions boarded a ship that would eventually stop in ports along the west coast of Asia Minor including Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, and finally arriving at Miletus, just south of Ephesus.

And it’s at the port in Miletus that Paul would meet for the final time with the elders of the church in Ephesus. And that’s where we will pick up this very touching dialogue next week. I hope that you will join me then. In the meantime, blessings to all of you.