Talking

Text: Acts 20:7-12

Theme: Paul was a master communicator, confident in both his Lord and in his teaching.

Key verses: “On the first day of the week, we gathered with the local believers to share in the Lord’s Supper. Paul was preaching to them, and since he was leaving the next day, he kept talking until midnight” (v. 7). “As Paul spoke on and on, a young man named Eutychus, sitting on a windowsill, became very drowsy. Finally, he fell sound asleep and dropped three stories to his death below. Paul went down, bent over him, and took him into his arms. “Don’t worry,” he said, “he’s alive!” Then they all went back upstairs, shared in the Lord’s Supper, and ate together. Paul continued talking to them until dawn, and then he left. Meanwhile, the young man was taken home alive and well, and everyone was greatly relieved” (v. 9-12).

What I believe God said to me: Good Monday morning, Dwayne. You have a big day ahead. Lots of conversations and decisions coming. Glad you made time to meet with me first. My Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Cherish it; digest it; savor it. This seemingly benign narrative actually reveals some important aspects of Paul’s ministry approach. Notice what you can glean from this story: Paul sometimes preached when he talked. The words “preached” and “talked” are used interchangeably here, implying he mixed the two masterfully. During a presentation, he could naturally flow from a conversational tone to a more didactic, preaching voice. Notice also that he got everything said he needed to. He wasn’t bothered by sleepy people, and he didn’t get in a hurry to finish. Granted, people’s attention spans were much longer back then. They weren’t distracted by cell phones and a million other things they could be doing. Nonetheless, Paul talked all night. Think about that. No one has an attention span that long. He probably didn’t try hard to entertain and keep them awake, but no doubt what he shared was interesting and provocative to his hearers. Paul took full advantage of the time he had. Even major disruptions didn’t deter him from sharing my message. His faith and his favor with me allowed him to experience a miracle and turn a disruption into jubilation. He was determined to get his message across. He had a lot to say (thanks to years of preparation and study), and he was respected enough to be listened to for hours. He commanded an audience by his wisdom, knowledge, and reputation. He’d earned the right to heard for as long as he wanted to speak. He was, in their minds, an elder statesman. Be faithful to my Word and to proclaiming it boldly, and perhaps I might elevate you to such a role in someone’s eyes one day. Meanwhile, just keep living what you preach.

What I said to God: Thank You, my God and Father and Master and Savior. You are King of kings and Lord of lords. You are my God. Early will I seek You. My flesh longs for You. My soul thirsts for You in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I long to see Your power and Your glory, as I have seen You in the sanctuary. I am riveted by this reading and by Your words to me today. Please help me not get in a hurry when I’m teaching Your Word. I know I must be respectful of my time on the program, and I need to consider the reality of people’s ability to focus. Yet, sometimes I think I take it too far, thinking I must get to the point quickly, rather than allowing the truths to simmer in people’s minds and hearts. And help me not to be thrown off by disruptions, even the tragic kind. You can work miracles in those moments. Help me trust You above all, to deliver Your message through my feeble lips and, above all, to demonstrate Your power and glory.