The apostle Paul is in Troas ministering to the church in a lengthy service.
Paul clearly has much to say to this church since his plan is to leave in the morning for his next destination. As he ministers well into the night, one who is listening to Paul preach in the third story of the building falls from the window to his death. Acts 20:7-12 tells us this story.
On the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to leave the next day, preached to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were assembled. A young man named Eutychus sat in the window, falling into a deep sleep as Paul spoke for a longer time. Being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third floor and was taken up dead. Paul went down and leaned over him, and embracing him said, “Do not be troubled, for he is alive.” When he had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed for a long while until dawn and departed. They took the lad in alive and were greatly comforted.
This young man named Eutychus just couldn’t stay awake. Eutychus was a common name of a slave. Perhaps this was who he was. His name means “one well-fated, to be fortunate.” Perhaps this young man was sitting in the window to get some cool air from the night. For whatever reason, this tragedy occurred. The church had gathered to hear this eminent apostle. They had broken bread, took Communion and celebrated the sacrifice of Jesus. I’m sure Paul was imparting spiritual truth to them to strengthen their faith. He had spoken for a long time when this young man simply fell asleep and in their midst, fell from the third story to the ground.
Not Just a Kingdom of Word, but of Power
He died. What a heartbreaking occurrence. What had been such a life-changing day drinking in the wisdom and impartation of this apostle seems to end tragically. We are told that as Paul raised him from the dead he told them “Do not be troubled.” This word “troubled” is the Greek word thorubeo, and it means “a tumult, disturb, make a noise, set in an uproar.” In other words, things were chaotic and in a catastrophic state. People were in a condition of fear and complete upheaval. However, the apostle Paul was not just carrying a kingdom of word, but also of power.
The Bible tells us that the kingdom of God is not a philosophy, but a power.
“For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Cor. 4:20).
The sad fact is, much of Western Christianity has relegated the gospel to one of reason, when it is to be one of resurrection power. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 that any word he spoke had to release the power of God. Otherwise people’s faith would be in just words rather than a present-day experience of the power of God.
” My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5)
The wisdom of men will never hold people in difficult times. Experience in the power of God, however, will hold us and propel us through those times. People must be equipped with the resurrection power of God and not just good teaching. In Joshua 24:31, we are told that succeeding generations failed to follow the Lord because they knew nothing of His power. It is only the power of God mixed with good doctrine that holds us sufficiently.
“Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the deeds that the Lord had done for Israel” (Josh. 24:31)
Living in a Ready State
We do not know what Paul taught on this night in Troas. However, we do know that he raised a dead young man. This is what is remembered about that night. This is what the conversation was about the next day and for many days. No one probably knew what Paul’s message had been. But they did remember the resurrection power of Jesus flowing into this boy.
Another thing this speaks to me about is that Paul didn’t have to stop and get ready to raise this young man from the dead. Paul lived his life in a ready state. What I mean by this is that he walked in such a way with the Lord that whatever was needed in the moment, he was prepared to confront the challenge. In 2 Timothy 4:2, we see Paul exhorting Timothy to always be ready.
“Preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with all patience and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2).
We are to always be walking full of faith, rich in the Word and filled with the Spirit. We are to keep ourselves in a readied state. Whether we know something is needed ahead of time or it is thrust upon us, we are prepared in our spirit.
This was clearly where Paul was. He was ready in season and out. When this young man fell to his death, Paul could jump into action and change an otherwise dire circumstance. The result was that what would have been catastrophic became a time of great comfort.
Lord, as we stand in Your courts, I ask that I would live my life in readiness. Help me not to live a compromising life but one of consecration. Allow this to please speak before You and Your courts. Let it be known that I am a person who is ready in season and out of season, that should there be a need of resurrection life, I carry it with me wherever I go. Use me, Lord, as Your vessel to touch lives, even in an instant, should it be necessary. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Robert Henderson is a global apostolic leader who operates in revelation and impartation. His teaching empowers the body of Christ to see the hidden truths of Scripture clearly and apply them for breakthrough results. Driven by a mandate to disciple nations through writing and speaking, Robert travels extensively around the globe, teaching on the apostolic, the kingdom of God, the “Seven Mountains” and most notably, the courts of heaven.
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