Acts 20:9
"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."
The story from the verse above is about a young man who went to hear the Apostle Paul preach.
It's interesting that this verse tells us that Paul preached a long sermon. During that lengthy sermon, this young man fell asleep. He didn't just nod off, but he sunk down into his chair and was fast asleep. Somehow, while this young man slept, he fell off his chair and the balcony which caused him to be killed from the fall. Fortunately, Paul went over and raised the young man back to life.
Though this young man was part of a miracle, he will forever be remembered as the young man who fell asleep during Paul's preaching. Sadly, his sleeping caused him to miss the whole sermon that Paul preached. His sleeping caused him to miss hearing Paul's last sermon to that church. I would imagine that if he knew that Paul would never preach there again that he would have stayed awake. Yet, his sleeping ways caused him to miss much of what could have changed his life.
One of the things that always amazes me is how people sleep during church. I can understand every once in awhile dozing off to sleep because of a busy schedule, but there are some who tend to constantly fall asleep. There are some things I believe this verse shows us that may help you stay awake.
First, get as close as you can to the preaching. This young man was in the third loft. Certainly, it was much harder to stay awake in that loft than it was in the front of the auditorium. I have found I have an easier time staying awake in the preaching if I'm closer to the preacher. Though everybody can't sit up front, if you would get to church early enough, you would find that you could get closer to the front.
Second, don't slouch in your chair. This young man sunk down into his chair, and it resulted in him falling asleep. Don't sit like you're going to bed. Don't lay your head back on the pew. Don't lay your head on your parents or spouse. Don't slouch down in your seat. Sit up and listen! You are bound to fall asleep if you slouch in your seat.
Third, realize the importance of each service. If this man knew that he would never hear Paul preach again, I imagine he would have stayed awake. Each service is the last time for something; therefore, each service should be treated with importance. It may be the last time you will hear a truth presented in that matter. It may be the last time you'll hear that preacher. It may be the last time God will speak to your heart about doing something. Treat each sermon and service with importance. This will help you stay awake.
Finally, get rest before the service if you can. Take a short nap before the services if you are tired. You may not be a person who likes to take naps, but it's better to get a little rest and stay awake in the preaching than to fall asleep and miss what God has for you.
Friend, every service is important. Everybody will be tired at some service during their lifetime. If you plan to stay awake by sitting up front, and sitting up in your chair, then you will have a better chance of avoiding falling asleep and you will get from that service what God intended for you to get.