Keeping The Proper Distance (When We Talk Still Longer)

As the virus rapidly worsens in America, images at odds with the reality of a pandemic (one whose power derives from proximity) are circulating around social media: People crowed into bars, drinking their green beer at St. Patrick’s Day parties. People packed onto beaches, taking advantage of the warming weather.

Youth playing basketball on the outdoor courts in Hyde Park

Transition To Body

Transition To Body- Tension Between the Young and Older Within the church

(Eutychus keeps his distance so to speak)

Context

Paul is on his way to Jerusalem for Pentacost

Pentecost is the day the church celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The Day when the church received the power of God from heaven

Paul has been encouraging the disciples

In times such as these we to ought to be encouraging one another

Not it did not say the Christians but the disciples whom Paul has been encouraging

Giving them much encouragement

Illustration: Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand

Body-

1 Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Acts 20:1–3 ESV

1 After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.

Acts 20:13–16 ESV

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. 14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. 15 And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus. 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:1-3

Acts 20:13 ESV

13 But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land.

Acts 20:13

Acts 20:14 ESV

14 And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene.

Acts 20:16 ESV

16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.

Acts 20:

Body-

(Eutychus keeps his distance)

Body

Body- The Comfort Of The Gospel (Even At A Distance)

Worshiping Together Matters Much

Resurrection Strengthens Our Faith

Acts 20:7 ESV

7 On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

You find strength when you worship the LORD

John 4:21–23 ESV

21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

Illustration: So of you are watching online today because you need to get your strength back...

Nehemiah 8:10 ESV

10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Worship In Spirit And Truth

Illustration: So even though you are not physically at 61 Winthrop Street in Taunton, MA this morning

You can still worship the LORD

Psalm 28:7 ESV

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.

John 4:21–23 ESV

So don’t act crazy and unChristian during these difficult times

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(Transition:

1. Worshiping Together Matters Much because)

Illumination Occurs When We Worship

It is dark in the room where the people are gathering

They need light in order to see

You need the light of Jesus Christ in order to See

Acts 20:8 ESV

8 There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.

It is dark in the room where the people are gathering

They need light in order to see

You need the light of Jesus Christ in order to See

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Proverbs 3:5 ESV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:6 ESV

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

(Transition:

1. Worshiping Together Matters Much because

2. Illumination Occurs When We Worship but...)

Worship Sometimes “Seems” Boring (Especially To Our Young People)

Illustration: Growing up in the church and not seeming engaged but the LORD had been working something in my heart. My mom just kept bringing me to church.

But do not give up our young people

Note that Eutychus shows up- how we don’t know. maybe his mother or father brought him, maybe he came on his own, but he’s there

Note that Eutychus falls out of the window while in the presence of the saints

(Note that Eutychus was taken up dead- hopeless situation)

Acts 20:9 ESV

9 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.

Every now then we just need to simplify things a bit for our young people

Sometimes we may need to do things a little different

Illustration: Growing up in the church and not seeming engaged but the LORD had been working something in my heart. My mom just kept bringing me to church.

The odor of the light torches can make one drowsy

Paul is talking a long time- which may work for the older people but not for the younger people

Illustration: Note the contrast of older people not by the window and staying awake vs. Eutychus being by the window getting oxygen and falling alseep

Acts 20:12 ESV

12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

Acts 7

Acts: An Introduction and Commentary g. Paul’s Journey from Ephesus to Miletus (20:1–16)

Added to this fact, which could have wearied some of the congregation, the upper room (1:13; 9:37) where the disciples were gathered was lit by oil lamps. The simplest explanation of the motive for mentioning these is that they emitted an odour which helped to send Eutychus off to sleep

But do not give up our young people

Note that Eutychus shows up- how we don’t know. maybe his mother or father brought him, maybe he came on his own, but he’s there

Note that Eutychus falls out of the window while in the presence of the saints

(Note that Eutychus was taken up dead- hopeless situation)

(Transition:

1. Worshiping Together Matters Much because

2. Illumination Occurs When We Worship ...)

3. And Yes!, Worship Sometimes “Seems” Boring (Especially To Our Young People), but be encouraged because the...

Power Of Resurrection Provides Hope

The New American Commentary: Acts (2) Restoration of Eutychus (20:7–12)

A warm spring evening, a room filled with torches burning up the oxygen supply, a long-winded preacher going into the wee hours of the morning and probably long past the lad’s normal bedtime—all these factors conspired against the youth. He probably had taken refuge in the window to catch a breath of fresh air, fighting his drowsiness. That effort, however, brought disastrous results. He fell asleep, lost his perch, and tumbled from the third story to the ground below.

Acts 20:10 ESV

10 But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”

God does not need to dedicate space in the Bible to someone who is merely apparently dead

Acts 20:11 ESV

11 And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed.

1 Peter 1:2 ESV

2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.

1 Peter 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

(Transition:

1. Worshiping Together Matters Much because

2. Illumination Occurs When We Worship ...)

3. And Yes!, Worship Sometimes “Seems” Boring (Especially To Our Young People), but be encouraged because the...

4. Power Of Resurrection Provides Hope, and finally...

(It appears Eutychus is healed some time later, not immediately so...)

Resurrection Strengthens Our Faith

(It appears Eutychus is healed some time later, not immediately so...)

Acts 20:12 ESV

12 And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.

1 Peter 1:3–9 ESV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Transition To Close- The Social Distancing Rules

Transition To Close- The Rules of Social Distancing

Transition To Close- The Social Distancing Rules

According to the latest guidance from CDC and Johns Hopkins experts on measures to curtail the Coronavirus outbreak

By Katie Pearce

Social distancing is a public health practice that aims to prevent sick people from coming in close contact with healthy people in order to reduce opportunities for disease transmission. It can include large-scale measures like canceling group events or closing public spaces, as well as individual decisions such as avoiding crowds.

With COVID-19, the goal of social distancing right now is to slow down the outbreak in order to reduce the chance of infection among high-risk populations and to reduce the burden on health care systems and workers. Experts describe this as "flattening the curve," which generally refers to the potential success of social distancing measures to prevent surges in illness that could overwhelm health care systems.

You may not be able to touch your brother or sister in Christ today

You may not be able to give them a holy hug

or a kiss in Christian love today, but....

Close- I know somebody whom you can still touch today and come close to...

John 15:16 ESV

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

Close- I know somebody whom you can still touch today and come close to- who does not need to be socially distant from you...

Who does not need to be socially distant from you...

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1:1–4 ESV

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

That which was from the beginning

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! O how bright the path grows from day to day, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

What a fellowship, what a joy divine, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! What a blessedness, what a peace is mine, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! Leaning, leaning, Safe and secure from all alarms; Leaning, leaning, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.

which we have heard

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! I have peace complete with my Lord so near, Leaning on the Everlasting Arms!

With Our Great High Priest

which we have seen with our eyes

which we looked upon

and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life

Hebrews 4:14-16

With Our Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

Who bore our griefs

Isaiah 53:1–3 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Isaiah 53:4 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:1–3 ESV

Isaiah 53:4 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.

Isaiah 53:4-

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:6 ESV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:

Behold, the Lamb of God

John 1:29 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 1:29 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear And what a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer

Regarding practicing proper hygiene by washing and sanitizing your hands

What can wash away my sin?

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

For my cleansing this I see— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! For my pardon this my plea— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Nothing can my sin erase Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Naught of works, ’tis all of grace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

This is all my hope and peace— Nothing but the blood of Jesus! This is all my righteousness— Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

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