Sleeping in Church
H. R. Haweis, M. A. Acts 20:6-12 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came to them to Troas in five days… The weakness to which poor Eutychus succumbed is not altogether unknown in our modern churches, though all those who slumber in their pews cannot plead the excuse of having been kept up all night to listen to a sermon several hours in length; but perhaps if everyone who went to sleep in church fell down three stories and got picked up half dead, people would think twice before they indulged in a nap. When Paul noticed the irreverent taking of the Eucharist at Corinth, where each seemed bent on getting as much bread and wine for himself as he could snatch, he exclaimed, "What, have ye not houses to eat and drink in?" And when I see people mistaking their pews for dormitories, I have often felt inclined to say, "What, have ye not beds and sofas at home to sleep on, that you thus profane the house of God with your indolence?" If people are too tired on Sunday morning with the week's work, they should rest their jaded bodies at home, rather than come jaded to church. Why give to God a worn-out brain and body, not good enough for man? Come rested and fresh, but don't forget to come. If you will listen to Paul you should try and get to church once on the Lord's Day. "Forsake not," so he pleaded, "the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is"; but remembering Eutychus, perhaps we may add, "Whenever you come, try to keep awake." (H. R. Haweis, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. WEB: We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.