The Night Cometh When No Man Can Work

THE NIGHT COMETH WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK!

John 9:4

EARLY MORNING BIBLE TEACHING BY PASTOR M. O. ADE. AYORINDE, PRINCIPAL LAWNA BIBLE COLLEGE, IROJO ILESA, AT THE APOSTOLIC CHURCH NIGERIA LAWNA INTERNATIONAL 48TH ANNUAL CONVENTION HOLDEN AT THE CONVENTION GROUNDS, OLORUNDA KETU, LAGOS ON THURSDAY 8TH AUGUST 2024 @ 5.30

CONVENTION THEME: We must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10)

GOLDEN TEXT: John 9:4-I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

Protocols

Objectives of the Teaching: at the end of the teaching session

Every person that took part is expected, prayerfully, to have a better understanding and a good sensibility of time.

Every partaker should be able to have a reawakening to the urgency of the message of end time.

INTRODUCTION

The topic for this morning Bible Teaching is directly in line with the Theme of the Convention, For we must all appear before the judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10).

If we all are going to appear before the judgment seat of Christ, then the message of this morning is a well- timed and as well, an urgent one, to awaken the spiritually slumbering souls, to warn and alert the slothful, negligent and distracted ones, to encourage and heal the discouraged and wounded soldiers, and to boost the morale of the resilient ones. Fathers and brethren, the echoes of our Lord’s warning is reverberating to every heaven conscious Christian this morning, “The Night cometh and is here, when no Man can work!

The Gospel of John records a remarkable event, as Jesus heals a man who had been born blind. In John’s retelling, one of the statements Jesus makes is that “I must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day, night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4)

The man in John 9 had lived in darkness all his life, being born blind, but then Jesus came, bringing sight and light to this man’s life. In that same way, the world was in darkness to that point, but Jesus had come, and “in Him was life and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). John adds that Jesus “was the true Light, which, coming into the world, enlightens every man” (John 1:9)

For our brief discuss, we shall consider the following:

1. Definition of Terms

2. The Imperativeness of the topic

3. Safeguarding being caught off-guard

4. Conclusion

5. Application

Definition of Terms: i. Night ii. Day iii. Work

i. Night – we shall consider the definition from two perspectives, i.e. Literal and Metaphorical.

Literally, Night could be defined as:

a. “The period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours”

b. “The INTERVAL between TWO DAYS”

c. “The alternating natural period to that of the day” (Matt.4:2; 12:40; 2 Tim. 1:3; Rev.4:8).

d. “The period of the absence of light,” the time in which something takes place (Matt. 2:14; Luk 2:8; Joh.3:2; Acts 5:19; 9:25).

e. “Point of time” (Matt. 14:27, 30; Luk. 12:20; Acts 27:23).

f. “Duration of time” (Luke 2:37; 5:5; Acts 20:31; 26:7; cf. Mark 4:27).

Metaphorically, Night could be:

a. “The period of Man’s alienation from God” (Rom. 13:12; 1Thess.5:5)

b. Likened to “Death,” as the time when work ceases (Joh.9:4)

ii. Day-though “DAY” may not reflect in the context of our topic, but it behooves us to broach on it since we have talked about “Night.”

a. Day often denotes time from sunrise to sunset (Gen. 1:5; Psa. 74:16)

b. At an early date it was divided into three parts – morning, noon and evening (Psa.55:17; dan.6:10)

c. After the exile, it was divided into twelve hours (Joh.11:9)

The word “Day’ also refers to time in general (Judg. 18:30; Job 18:20; Obad. 12) ✔Figuratively, it refers to the day of judgment (Isa.2:12; Joel 1:15; Am.5:18; rom. 13:12)

✓ Day could also mean the length of life (Gen.5:4), the time of opportunity (Joh.9:4)

iii. Work is described as “Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.

In its verbal form, work could be described as “to work in, to be active, operative, produce or perform. This form is used of:

God (1Cor.12:6; Gal.2:8; 3:5; Eph. 1:11, 20; 3:20; Phil.2:13a; Col.1:29); The Holy Spirit (1Cor.12:11); The Word of God (1Thess.2:13); Supernatural Power (Matt. 14:2; Mar.6:14); Faith (as the energizer of love-Gal.5:6); The example of patience in suffering (2Cor.1:6); The active response of believers to the working of God (Phil.2:13b); The supplication of the righteous (Jas.5:16) effectual / fervent; Death (physical) and life (spiritual)-2Cor.4:12

2. The Imperativeness of the topic

We have been chosen by Jesus, the light Himself (Joh. 1:4, 5, 9; 5:35; 8:12; 9:5) and by the reason of our choice, He has given us the power and grace of the light. Little wonder that the Light himself declares that we, as Christians, are light of the world (Matt. 5:14).

By our appointment, we have been commissioned to go out: To witness by the power of the Holy Spirit, even to the uttermost of the earth (Acts 1:8)

✓ To preach the good tidings to the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them that are bound… (Isa.61:1-3; cf. 42:6, 7: RH 739)

✓ To preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out the devils (Matt. 10:7, 8; Luk. 10:9).

✔To occupy (trade) for Him until He comes back (Luke 19:13).

✓ To continue to bear more and abiding fruits (Joh. 15:16; cf. 6:70; Col.1:5. 6) ✓ The necessity is laid on us (1Cor. 9:16)-We have been entrusted with a stewardship (1Cor.9:17). and this is a great privilege, to serve the Lord. This is a solemn duty!

We were saved, not by work but grace (Eph.2:5; cf. Gal.2:20); we were anointed to be His chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, peculiar people (1Pet.2:9); we were made His glorious

• A NECESSITY, like apostle Paul has been committed to us and we too are done for, if we fail to preach the Gospel/Christ/love of God to the fast decaying world of wickedness (1Cor.9:16)

The work is urgent, because it has a time lag (Eccl.3:1-8; 8:6) – Timing is important. In His wisdom and sovereignty, God sets an appropriate time for everything. Every step, act, assignment etc. are appropriate at certain time. The appropriate time for the work committed to us by our Lord is the day time; that is divine necessity; that is God’s Will or plan!

For every work/deed/intent/pursuit/activity, there is a time tag!

We have been given the “Day time” to carry out all our work and walk

In John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walks in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walks in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

• If we are the imitators of Christ, then, we have the obligation to heed His bidding and be conscious of the urgency of His prompting – “The Night cometh, when no man can work”!

The admonition is all inclusive, i.e. Jesus did not exempt even Himself from the proverbial law. The day of opportunity passes, never to return. His own great work of doing the work of Him that sent Him, could only be done when that day was present. • According to Jesus, each work has its precise time and place in His programme of instructions, so to speak; hence, again that as His period for work had a definite termination, so by letting anyone service pass by its allotted time, the whole would be disarranged, marred, and driven beyond its destined period for completion.

By associating his work with that of the disciples, it means, what was true of Him in His work is true of all His disciples

The night is coming…

“The Night is coming when no one can work” serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of using out time on earth wisely.

The day is shorter than the night! While we have a timed period for the day, the “Night” is eternity!

“We” work during our allotted time. Cessation of labour will come. Opportunities to work will cease for all. Allotted gifts and the duration of their exercise will be withdrawn (Matt.25:14-30; 1Cor. 13:8-10)

The night is coming…

It will come certainly, and may come soon and suddenly.

At the coming of “the night,” all works shall cease, because the light afforded us to work by will be extinguished, and the time allotted us to work in will then be expired.

When the night comes, the labourers must be called. They must then show their work, and receive according to the deeds done in the body for then the time of probation will be ended, and the time of retribution begun (Matt.20:8).

Our life is our day, in which it concerns us to do the work of the day. We must be busy, and not waste day-time; it will be time to rest when our day is done, for it is but a day. The approach of death should quicken us to improve all our opportunities of doing and getting good. Just as the night brings an end to the day’s work, so too will our time in this world come to an end. It compels us to reflect on how we are utilizing our time and gifts to serve others and spread love and kindness.

Do we ponder upon how we are making use of the time and gifts that have been bestowed upon us by the divine? Ephesians 5:14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”… 16 redeeming the time [buying up opportunities], because the days are evil

3. Safeguarding being caught off-guard

Jesus had passions that He followed, Jesus had some things that highly motivated Him. We could call them the roots of all He said and did. Since we are to be His followers, it would be wise for us to see that we have these same roots in ourselves. These roots include:

Ephesians 5:14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 16 redeeming the time [buying up opportunities], because the days are evil.

3. Safeguarding being caught off-guard

Jesus had passions that He followed, Jesus had some things that highly motivated Him. We could call them the roots of all He said and did. Since we are to be His followers, it would be wise for us to see that we have these same roots in ourselves. These roots include:

Primacy

Responsibility

Activity

Urgency

Intimacy

4. Conclusion

The night will surely come, for every man has been destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Heb.9:27; cf. Eccl.3:20)We shall appear before the judgment seat of Christ, to receive what is due us severally, for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad (2Cor.5:10)

Our work shall be revealed then, because it shall be tried and revealed with fire, irrespective of who or what we were, during “the day!” (1Cor.3:11-15; 4:5; Rom.2:16).

We must be ready at all time, for the night shall come when least expected

The faithful and sensible servant shall remain resolutely firm at his duty post and shall not be caught off guard.

He shall be rewarded bountifully, and shall be in charge of his Master’s estate.

But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth! (Matt 24:44-51KJV).

5. Application:

Before the night comes… Mark 13:32-36

➤ Like our Lord, believers should seize every opportunity to do the will of God.

➤ There is work for Jesus, ready at our hand; a task that the Master has planned for us, severally; the service He has assigned us, to tell of His wondrous love and mercy, to every of His creation. ➤ Many souls are dying in sin daily, we must make haste to help them while we may (Luk. 14:23)

➤ We must, and should follow the path that our Master has trodden and He’s leading us (app. 66) Let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light (Rom. 13:12; Eph.5:11;

➤ ➤ Col.3:8).

It is dangerous to doubt, procrastinate or resent God’s timing. It results in despair, rebellion and woeful failure! ➤ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going. there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom (Eccle.9:10). ➤ Before the days of trouble (evil) come, before the time lapse and the opportunity ceases, let the

“arm of the LORD” awake and put on strength (Eccle. 12:1; Isa.51:9). ➤ As light and children of light, let our light shine before all men, that they may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven (Matt.5:16; Joh. 15:8; 1Pet.2:12)

104A. Work for the Night is Coming “The night cometh, when no man can work” John 9:4