November 25, 2025 • 12 mins
In this Bible Story, Paul says goodbye to the Ephesian church. He knows that danger awaits him in Jerusalem. The threat of danger and death is present, but Paul is determined to preach the gospel to his kin. So with great tears, Paul leaves Ephesus to Jerusalem. This story is inspired by Acts 20:1-21:17. Go to BibleinaYear.com and learn the Bible in a Year.
Today's Bible verse is Acts 20:35 from the King James Version.
Episode 236: As Paul was teaching late into the night, a young man Eutychus seated on the ledge of a third-story window, fell asleep and fell to the ground. The fall killed poor Eutychus, but God had a plan for him and used Paul to speak healing over the boy, and life was restored to him. As Paul and Luke traveled along the Asian sea teaching, his mind was constantly turned toward Ephesus. At last, he decided to visit them one last time before going to Jerusalem where he would be beaten and brought before the courts.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Let us pray. I have showed you all things, how
that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and
to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts twenty thirty five. In the name of Jesus. Through
(00:22):
Acts twenty and twenty one, I declare that I am
now walking in a different discipline. I decree and declare
that my body no longer has control of my life.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am making
the decision to build up my innermost being so that
(00:43):
when I need to move in faith, my body can't
override my spirit. For your word declares that the spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak. So instead of
feeding my fleshly desires for comfort, I will instead turn
to my spirit that is powered by your Holy Spirit. Jesus.
(01:06):
Then move forward with purpose and power as one season
ends and another begins, Strengthen those I've impacted, continue to
inspire those I've been aligned to in season's past. Holy Spirit,
May my heart be felt and my gratitude shown to
(01:29):
every one who has played a role in helping me
to achieve all that you have called me to do
thus far in Jesus name.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Listening to these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God.
Continue hearing from the Lord by listening to to day's
Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in
a Year dot com.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Leaving the Ephesians. In our last story, Paul established the
Church of Ephesus. The Ephesians became very close to Paul,
and they all ministered alongside one another like family. There
never was a more fruitful church that Paul led than
the Church in Ephesus. Together they healed, preached, and protected
people from demons. Now we see Paul leaving Ephesis to
(02:29):
respond to the call of God. Danger awaited Paul, and
he and the Ephesians part ways to never see each
other again.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Hello. I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
in a Year podcast. But before we began, I want
to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours
to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(03:00):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham Dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our previous episode,
we heard how Paul planted a church in Ephesus that
became a strong, bold, and effective body of believers. Paul
(03:21):
would hold a very special place in his heart for
the Ephesian Church and find great encouragement in the faith
of the believers there. Today, we'll hear as Paul continues
his missionary work after leaving Ephesus. We'll hear how he
performs yet another miracle that demonstrates the power of Christ
living in him and working through him. As he moves
(03:43):
throughout Asia, he'll share the Gospel of Jesus with every opportunity,
even as he looks ahead with some concern as to
his return to Jerusalem. Now, let's listen to today's reading
from the Book of Acts.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Paul's spoke in the center of a warm and crowded
upper room. He had spoken for hours on the Word
of God, telling stories and sharing his heart. However, the
night was hot, and a young man named Eutychus could
barely keep his eyes open. He leaned against the lattice
near the window for fresh air, doing his best to
remain attentive and awake. As Jesus once said, the spirit
(04:21):
is willing, but the flesh is weak. So it was
for poor Eutychus. He listened to Paul teach the word
of God and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. As
Uticus lost consciousness, his shoulder leaned against the lattice. Paul
continued to speak without taking a breath until he heard
a crack in the back of the room. Paul could
say nothing to stop what was happening. Eutychus had fallen asleep,
(04:45):
leaned against the window lattice, and fallen through the floor below.
Euticus hit the floor with a deadly thud. Paul ran
down the stairs to the street below the upper room.
People were screaming and losing their composure, but Paul knew
exactly how Jesus could be glorified in this moment. He
bent over the lifeless body and took him up in
his arms. Do not worry, Paul said, life will be
(05:09):
restored to him in the name of Jesus. So that
morning Eutachus spoke up with air and his lungs and
his body uninjured. Paul continued his travels along the Sea
of Asia. He and Luke preached the Gospel and every
city they visited, but Ephesus was on his mind. Paul
knew that his journey would ultimately end in Jerusalem, but
(05:30):
he was frightened. The Jews burned with rage against Paul.
He was of them once. He was a Pharisee of pharisees.
He was a high ranking official, given authority and influence.
He gave it all up for Christ. For that reason,
the Jews hated him. Yet the spirit drew him there.
So Paul decided to go to Ephesus one more time
(05:52):
to see his dear friends. They were his true family.
Paul arrived in Ephesus again and called the elders to
join him in the room of meeting. The men gathered
around Paul. His lips were quivering and his hands were shaking.
Paul took a long, drawn out breath and began speaking.
You know that I have served among you without fear.
(06:13):
You know that I am not one to shrink in
the face of danger or persecution. There was a pause,
and Paul looked up at the loving faces of his
brothers and sisters. Paul smiled and cleared his throat, trying
to hold back tears. I am going to Jerusalem. I
don't know what will happen to me there. The only
thing I know is that the Holy Spirit draws me
forward so that I might finish the race. Well, it
(06:36):
is very possible that none of you will see my
face again. Tears broke through Paul's hardened face. I know
that when I leave, there will be wolves in sheep's
clothing coming out against you. Be alert, my friends, put
on the full armor of God. The whole Ephesian Church
gathered around Paul. They knelt together and prayed. They embraced
(06:59):
him and cried on his shoulders. They knew they would
not see his face again. However, Paul would one day
write them a letter from prison, a letter reminding them
of their firm identity in Jesus, that they are to
be rooted and grounded in love, remembering that all good
things spring forth from Christ. The Ephesian Church would forever
(07:21):
hold a special place in Paul's heart.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
We begin today's scripture in the city of Troaz. After
leaving Ephesus, Paul had gone to Macedonia, then Greece, where
he ministered for three months until the Jews there formed
a plot against him, and he left in Troaz, Paul
and his missionary companions shared the gospel for seven days,
and on Sunday of the second week, Paul gathered to
(07:47):
break bread with the church there and share some teaching
before leaving. Apparently he had much to say, because we're
told he prolonged his speaking until midnight, hungry for truth,
and tro As hung onto his every word. Lighting lamps
in the upper room as the night grew darker, we
hear of one young man named Euticus, who was seated
(08:09):
high up near a window in the third floor. Try
as he might have, he could not stay awake into
the late hours of the night, and eventually he drifted
into a deep sleep, falling through the window to the
ground below. His name, which means fortunate, seemed to have
failed him because his unfortunate fall proved fatal. As people
rushed to his aid and found his lifeless body, can
(08:32):
you imagine the chaos? What a church service? Paul, however,
remained calm. He went downstairs, bent over the young man,
and taking him into his arms, told the people not
to be alarmed because there was still life in Uticus.
Then he went back to eating and teaching, talking for
quite a while, longer with them before leaving. Eudicus, we're
(08:55):
told was taken away alive, just as Paul had said
as a lie Elisha and Jesus before him. Paul was
operating with God's power, the power of the resurrection, flowing
through him, so that not even death could have the
final say. We then heard how Paul continued his travels
throughout Asia. He had a singular purpose and plant to
(09:19):
make the name of Jesus known throughout the world. But
even as he traveled, he knew his calling was leading
him back to Jerusalem, a place where he once was
in the in crowd of Jewish leaders and rabbis. Now
he was persona on grada among the Jews because he
proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Before going home to Jerusalem, however,
(09:41):
Paul wanted to see his beloved Ephesian Church brothers and
sisters once again, so he called for the elders there
to gather. He went back to Ephesus and spoke to them,
reminding them of his passion and purpose. As he went
about Asia and every stop, the Holy Spirit had told
him of the persecution he would face, and yet he continued.
He pressed on with the message of Christ in acts
(10:04):
twenty twenty four. We read these words from Paul some
of my favorites in all of the Book of Acts
and in the Bible itself. But I do not account
my life of any value, nor is precious to myself,
if only I may finish my course in the ministry
that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify
to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul was
(10:27):
not saying his life had no value, or that it
wasn't valuable. To the contrary, he was saying that his
value and worth was not according to his own efforts
or plans, but God's. He knew that there would be
no greater value than to pour himself out for the
sake of the advancement of the Gospel, being willing to
suffer anything for the cause of Christ. That was his
(10:49):
high and holy calling and purpose, and it was of
infinitely greater worth than anything else he could imagine. Oh,
that we would be so bold and courageous to share
the Gospel. And remember, this ministry is not achieved, it
is received from the Lord. Paul continued speaking to the Ephesians,
warning them to be on guard that false teachers and
(11:12):
wolves would try to lead them astray, that they were
to hold tight to the teaching that they had received
and remember God's work. He would later write a very
powerful letter to the Ephesians in which he reminded them
how Christ reconciled them and all of creation to himself
and to God the Father, calling them to unity in
Christ with each other as Christ Church, and encouraging them
(11:35):
to put away falsehood, speaking the truth in love, and
to live as brand new people in Christ. It was
a bittersweet time, as Paul and the Ephesians knew this
would likely be the last time they would be together
this side of eternity. Dear God, we thank you for
the courage and the commitment of the apostle Paul. What
(11:55):
a great man. May we be motivated by his example
for our own witness in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Help us to hold fast to the truth of the
Word of God and to speak boldly the testimony of
Jesus everywhere we go. May you bless your church and
the missionary movement of Jesus all around the world. In Jesus' name,
(12:16):
we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible
into Year podcast. Before we go, I want to let
you know about a unique ebook that's yours to download
absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and
my prayer is that it will help you conquer the
daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress into
(12:38):
your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free from
Stress today by visiting Jackgraham dot org slash stress. That's
Jagraham dot org slash stress.
Let us pray. I have showed you all things, how
that so laboring ye ought to support the weak and
to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he
said it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts twenty thirty five. In the name of Jesus. Through
(00:22):
Acts twenty and twenty one, I declare that I am
now walking in a different discipline. I decree and declare
that my body no longer has control of my life.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit. I am making
the decision to build up my innermost being so that
(00:43):
when I need to move in faith, my body can't
override my spirit. For your word declares that the spirit
is willing, but the flesh is weak. So instead of
feeding my fleshly desires for comfort, I will instead turn
to my spirit that is powered by your Holy Spirit. Jesus.
(01:06):
Then move forward with purpose and power as one season
ends and another begins, Strengthen those I've impacted, continue to
inspire those I've been aligned to in season's past. Holy Spirit,
May my heart be felt and my gratitude shown to
(01:29):
every one who has played a role in helping me
to achieve all that you have called me to do
thus far in Jesus name.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Listening to these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God.
Continue hearing from the Lord by listening to to day's
Bible in a Year, brought to you by Bible in
a Year dot com.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Leaving the Ephesians. In our last story, Paul established the
Church of Ephesus. The Ephesians became very close to Paul,
and they all ministered alongside one another like family. There
never was a more fruitful church that Paul led than
the Church in Ephesus. Together they healed, preached, and protected
people from demons. Now we see Paul leaving Ephesis to
(02:29):
respond to the call of God. Danger awaited Paul, and
he and the Ephesians part ways to never see each
other again.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
Hello. I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible
in a Year podcast. But before we began, I want
to let you know about a unique ebook that's yours
to download absolutely free today. Is called Breaking Free from Stress,
and my prayer is that it will help you conquer
the daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress
(03:00):
in your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free
from Stress today by visiting Jack Graham Dot org slash stress.
That's Jack Graham dot org slash stress. In our previous episode,
we heard how Paul planted a church in Ephesus that
became a strong, bold, and effective body of believers. Paul
(03:21):
would hold a very special place in his heart for
the Ephesian Church and find great encouragement in the faith
of the believers there. Today, we'll hear as Paul continues
his missionary work after leaving Ephesus. We'll hear how he
performs yet another miracle that demonstrates the power of Christ
living in him and working through him. As he moves
(03:43):
throughout Asia, he'll share the Gospel of Jesus with every opportunity,
even as he looks ahead with some concern as to
his return to Jerusalem. Now, let's listen to today's reading
from the Book of Acts.
Speaker 3 (03:58):
Paul's spoke in the center of a warm and crowded
upper room. He had spoken for hours on the Word
of God, telling stories and sharing his heart. However, the
night was hot, and a young man named Eutychus could
barely keep his eyes open. He leaned against the lattice
near the window for fresh air, doing his best to
remain attentive and awake. As Jesus once said, the spirit
(04:21):
is willing, but the flesh is weak. So it was
for poor Eutychus. He listened to Paul teach the word
of God and slowly drifted into a deep sleep. As
Uticus lost consciousness, his shoulder leaned against the lattice. Paul
continued to speak without taking a breath until he heard
a crack in the back of the room. Paul could
say nothing to stop what was happening. Eutychus had fallen asleep,
(04:45):
leaned against the window lattice, and fallen through the floor below.
Euticus hit the floor with a deadly thud. Paul ran
down the stairs to the street below the upper room.
People were screaming and losing their composure, but Paul knew
exactly how Jesus could be glorified in this moment. He
bent over the lifeless body and took him up in
his arms. Do not worry, Paul said, life will be
(05:09):
restored to him in the name of Jesus. So that
morning Eutachus spoke up with air and his lungs and
his body uninjured. Paul continued his travels along the Sea
of Asia. He and Luke preached the Gospel and every
city they visited, but Ephesus was on his mind. Paul
knew that his journey would ultimately end in Jerusalem, but
(05:30):
he was frightened. The Jews burned with rage against Paul.
He was of them once. He was a Pharisee of pharisees.
He was a high ranking official, given authority and influence.
He gave it all up for Christ. For that reason,
the Jews hated him. Yet the spirit drew him there.
So Paul decided to go to Ephesus one more time
(05:52):
to see his dear friends. They were his true family.
Paul arrived in Ephesus again and called the elders to
join him in the room of meeting. The men gathered
around Paul. His lips were quivering and his hands were shaking.
Paul took a long, drawn out breath and began speaking.
You know that I have served among you without fear.
(06:13):
You know that I am not one to shrink in
the face of danger or persecution. There was a pause,
and Paul looked up at the loving faces of his
brothers and sisters. Paul smiled and cleared his throat, trying
to hold back tears. I am going to Jerusalem. I
don't know what will happen to me there. The only
thing I know is that the Holy Spirit draws me
forward so that I might finish the race. Well, it
(06:36):
is very possible that none of you will see my
face again. Tears broke through Paul's hardened face. I know
that when I leave, there will be wolves in sheep's
clothing coming out against you. Be alert, my friends, put
on the full armor of God. The whole Ephesian Church
gathered around Paul. They knelt together and prayed. They embraced
(06:59):
him and cried on his shoulders. They knew they would
not see his face again. However, Paul would one day
write them a letter from prison, a letter reminding them
of their firm identity in Jesus, that they are to
be rooted and grounded in love, remembering that all good
things spring forth from Christ. The Ephesian Church would forever
(07:21):
hold a special place in Paul's heart.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
We begin today's scripture in the city of Troaz. After
leaving Ephesus, Paul had gone to Macedonia, then Greece, where
he ministered for three months until the Jews there formed
a plot against him, and he left in Troaz, Paul
and his missionary companions shared the gospel for seven days,
and on Sunday of the second week, Paul gathered to
(07:47):
break bread with the church there and share some teaching
before leaving. Apparently he had much to say, because we're
told he prolonged his speaking until midnight, hungry for truth,
and tro As hung onto his every word. Lighting lamps
in the upper room as the night grew darker, we
hear of one young man named Euticus, who was seated
(08:09):
high up near a window in the third floor. Try
as he might have, he could not stay awake into
the late hours of the night, and eventually he drifted
into a deep sleep, falling through the window to the
ground below. His name, which means fortunate, seemed to have
failed him because his unfortunate fall proved fatal. As people
rushed to his aid and found his lifeless body, can
(08:32):
you imagine the chaos? What a church service? Paul, however,
remained calm. He went downstairs, bent over the young man,
and taking him into his arms, told the people not
to be alarmed because there was still life in Uticus.
Then he went back to eating and teaching, talking for
quite a while, longer with them before leaving. Eudicus, we're
(08:55):
told was taken away alive, just as Paul had said
as a lie Elisha and Jesus before him. Paul was
operating with God's power, the power of the resurrection, flowing
through him, so that not even death could have the
final say. We then heard how Paul continued his travels
throughout Asia. He had a singular purpose and plant to
(09:19):
make the name of Jesus known throughout the world. But
even as he traveled, he knew his calling was leading
him back to Jerusalem, a place where he once was
in the in crowd of Jewish leaders and rabbis. Now
he was persona on grada among the Jews because he
proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Before going home to Jerusalem, however,
(09:41):
Paul wanted to see his beloved Ephesian Church brothers and
sisters once again, so he called for the elders there
to gather. He went back to Ephesus and spoke to them,
reminding them of his passion and purpose. As he went
about Asia and every stop, the Holy Spirit had told
him of the persecution he would face, and yet he continued.
He pressed on with the message of Christ in acts
(10:04):
twenty twenty four. We read these words from Paul some
of my favorites in all of the Book of Acts
and in the Bible itself. But I do not account
my life of any value, nor is precious to myself,
if only I may finish my course in the ministry
that I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify
to the gospel of the grace of God. Paul was
(10:27):
not saying his life had no value, or that it
wasn't valuable. To the contrary, he was saying that his
value and worth was not according to his own efforts
or plans, but God's. He knew that there would be
no greater value than to pour himself out for the
sake of the advancement of the Gospel, being willing to
suffer anything for the cause of Christ. That was his
(10:49):
high and holy calling and purpose, and it was of
infinitely greater worth than anything else he could imagine. Oh,
that we would be so bold and courageous to share
the Gospel. And remember, this ministry is not achieved, it
is received from the Lord. Paul continued speaking to the Ephesians,
warning them to be on guard that false teachers and
(11:12):
wolves would try to lead them astray, that they were
to hold tight to the teaching that they had received
and remember God's work. He would later write a very
powerful letter to the Ephesians in which he reminded them
how Christ reconciled them and all of creation to himself
and to God the Father, calling them to unity in
Christ with each other as Christ Church, and encouraging them
(11:35):
to put away falsehood, speaking the truth in love, and
to live as brand new people in Christ. It was
a bittersweet time, as Paul and the Ephesians knew this
would likely be the last time they would be together
this side of eternity. Dear God, we thank you for
the courage and the commitment of the apostle Paul. What
(11:55):
a great man. May we be motivated by his example
for our own witness in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Help us to hold fast to the truth of the
Word of God and to speak boldly the testimony of
Jesus everywhere we go. May you bless your church and
the missionary movement of Jesus all around the world. In Jesus' name,
(12:16):
we pray. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible
into Year podcast. Before we go, I want to let
you know about a unique ebook that's yours to download
absolutely free today. It's called Breaking Free from Stress, and
my prayer is that it will help you conquer the
daily task and pressures and burdens that bring stress into
(12:38):
your life. Download your free copy of Breaking Free from
Stress today by visiting Jackgraham dot org slash stress. That's
Jagraham dot org slash stress.
Host
Jack Graham
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