Acts 20
6. And we sailed away from Philippi alter the days of unleavened bread, and carne unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.
9. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10. And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
When the disciples came together,
On the first day of the week,
It was so that they might break bread,
And listen to Paul speak.
A third loft was their meeting place,
And there they met that eve,
While Paul preached until midnight,
For the next day he must leave.
There was a young man with them,
On that occasion long ago,
A man whose name was Eutychus —
Acts twenty tells us so!
And as Paul was long in preaching,
And telling forth the truth,
And as the hour grew later,
Sleep overcame the youth.
And being in a window,
Where he had earlier found a seat,
He soon lost his balance,
And fell into the street.
And all feared that his life was gone,
That he could not survive,
But Paul assured them otherwise,
And they brought him up alive.
And when they'd broken bread and talked,
Until the break of day,
Paul and his fellowlabourers,
Departed on their way.
******
And you and I, we read this,
And to ourselves we say:
"How precious to have been there,
Upon that happy day!
To listen to Paul's ministry,
To listen to God's Word;
To be with those beloved saints,
Remembering the Lord.
To know this man named Eutychus,
The early brethren too;
And be gathered in that third loft,
With those faithful few."
But you and I, we have God's Word,
And the truth that Paul was given,
By divine inspiration,
When caught to the third heaven.
And you and I can still, by grace,
Break bread from week to week,
Remembering our Lord in death,
As we His honor seek!
Enjoying happy fellowship,
With Christ, and with His own,
As gathered to His precious name,
And to His name alone!
May we learn to value more,
The privilege we've been given,
Until we see our Savior's face,
And worship Him in heaven.
Let us not, like Eutychus,
Grow weary of the way,
Nor sleep—but ever faithful be;
And let us watch and pray.
*********
Eternal day will soon dawn,
Soon we will depart,
And with those early brethren meet,
Where Christ will fill each heart.
Triumphant, glorious gathering,
Not a vacant chair;
The Lamb forever in the midst
He the center there!
Resplendent, blessed morning—
What a joyous song!
What a happy portion—
We know it can't be long!!!!
We will
Lord Jesus, at Thy table,
We gladly take our place;
For Thou hast here invited,
Sinners of Adam's race;
Washed by Thy blood, and pardoned—
Our righteousness, Thine own—
Forgiven and accepted
In Thee, and Thee alone.
We worship Thee, Lord Jesus,
As gathered to Thy name;
Assembled by Thy Spirit,
Thy holy presence claim;
A loaf and cup before us,
We would remember Thee;
And think upon Thy suff’rings.
And death at Calvary.
Our hearts recall Thy sorrow,
When in Gethsemane,
Thou didst address Thy Father—
"Let this cup pass from Me."
Yet Thou to do His blest will,
Would never turn aside:
Golgotha was before Thee,
And for us Thou hast died.
We break this bread, Lord Jesus,
Our hearts are stirred within;
For in those hours of darkness,
Thou Lord didst bear our sin.
We hear Thee cry, "Tm finished,"
Then yielding up Thy breath,
Thou as the willing victim,
Laid down Thy life in death.
We drink this cup, Lord Jesus,
And muse upon Thy blood;
The ground of all our blessings—
Life—giving, precious flood.
We worship Thee, Lord Jesus,
A risen Savior Thou;
"Worthy the Lamb" who, once slain,
Lives in the glory now.
Lord Jesus, when we gather,
Around Thee in that place,
Where we shall there behold Thee,
Unhindered face to face;
We shall remember ever,
The work of Calvary;
Thy wounds a fresh reminder,
For all eternity.
**********
Do you enjoy, each Lord's day, each first day of me week, the wonderful, sublime, and blessed privilege of breaking bread—of remembering the Lord Jesus Christ in death—of partaking of the Lord's supper (I Corinthians 11:20) at the Lord's table (1 Corinthians 10:2121Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (1 Corinthians 10:21))?
It means much to His heart to have us there, to respond, from our hearts, to His request. He has invited us, and it is His desire that we should remember Him. When we do not commemorate Him in this simple, yet profound and precious way, we are robbing Him of His portion and His joy.
This treasured institution is something that is only given to us for this life! When we finally reach the Father's house, and are gathered around the Lamb with all the redeemed, we will no longer need a loaf and a cup as a fresh reminder of Calvary, from week to week. Then we will see Him face to face, and praise and worship the blessed One who will be in midst of His own for eternity.
In the meantime, the Lord Jesus has raid, "As often." 1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26). And, "This do." Luke 22:1919And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. (Luke 22:19).
It was the exercise and joy of the early Christians in New Testament Bible times, to meet every Lord's day...every first day of the week for the express purpose of breaking bread. Is it the exercise and joy of our hearts too, in these last few moments just before the Lord Jesus comes to call us home to Himself? What excuse will we have to give Him, when we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, if we have not availed ourselves of this privilege? What will we say when we look into His lovely face there in glory, realizing that we did not answer to His one dying request?
This world still hates and despises the Lord Jesus Christ! May we have the grace to honor and esteem Him, and to "show the Lord's death till He come." 1 Corinthians 11:2626For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:26).
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.
This do in remembrance of Me.
This do in remembrance of Me.
This do...in remembrance of Me.
Remember His marvelous works that He hath done.
The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee.
We will remember Thy love.
Think on Me when it shall be well with thee.
Remember, and forget not.
He was known of them in breaking of bread.
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts: 2:42