Work the Works

Seize every moment of your limited time on earth to work heartily for God's glory, knowing that the 'night'—an end to our opportunity to serve—is inevitably coming.

Introduction:

Work is from God and a blessing to those who can understand. There is a time to work, and that is in the day. When night comes, the work will stop.

Our September series, “Whatever You Do, Work Heartily,” continues the 2023 theme of "Good Fight, Right Race, Steadfast Faith." So far this month, we’ve examined our purpose in work (Colossians 3:23-24) and explored "Integrity in the Workplace" (Proverbs 10:9). Today, let’s focus on the sermon text John 9:4. Our first point will focus on the One who puts us to work. Secondly, we should consider the importance of doing our work while it is day. Third and last, we'll consider the admonition from Jesus that night is coming.

Illustration:

Consider the parable of the lazy gardener. The gardener had a small plot of land, fertile and ready for planting. However, he decided to spend his days idly, thinking there was plenty of time ahead. He delayed sowing his seeds, allowing the sun-filled days to slip by un-utilized. When he finally decided to sow his seeds, the weather had changed. The nights grew longer and colder, and the days shorter and less bountiful. His seeds, which would have thrived in the previous conditions, now struggled and produced a crop far less abundant than it could have been. The gardener realized too late the importance of working diligently while it was day, and his insufficient efforts resulted in an inadequate yield when night fell. This parable serves as a stern reminder for us to diligently employ our time in doing God's work while we have the opportunity, for the 'night' will inevitably arrive.

The work of Him who sent me?

The scripture teaches us in Genesis 2:15, "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." From the beginning, God established work as an integral part of our existence. Furthermore, in Exodus 31:1-5, we see God appointing Bezalel with the duty of creating the Ark of the Covenant, "The Lord said to Moses, 'See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze.'" This clearly demonstrates that not only does work come from God, but He also equips us for the tasks He sets before us.

Genesis 2:15 ESV

15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

Exodus 31:1–5 ESV

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, 4 to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, 5 in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft.

Work while it is Day.

In John 9:4, Jesus says, "As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work," He refers to the limited time we have on Earth to do God's work. This signifies the urgency of serving in God's kingdom and utilizing our time wisely and productively.

This is further emphasized in Ecclesiastes 9:10, where we're advised, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom." This verse calls us to give our all in our work, for there will come a time when we can no longer.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV

10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.

In 2 Corinthians 6:2, the Apostle Paul reiterates the importance of seizing the opportunity to do God's work, "For he says, 'In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.' I tell you, now is the time of God's favor; now is the day of salvation." This verse underscores the present as the crucial moment to work for God's purpose.

2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV

2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Finally, in Galatians 6:10, we're directed, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers." This scripture encourages us to use every opportunity to do good, thus exemplifying the work God calls us to do. These scriptures underscore the importance of working while it is still day - making the most of our time on Earth to serve God's purpose.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Illustration #2 Modern application

Consider the allegory of the wasteful youth. This young adult, fresh out of school with a well-paying job ($15 an hour, thinking they were rich), possessed the means for a comfortable life and the potential for future prosperity. Rather than investing in himself and his financial future, he squandered his income on fleeting pleasures, believing there was plenty of time to secure his future. He ignored opportunities to build skills and delayed investing his money, letting time, the most valuable asset, slip through his fingers. The day came when the economic climate shifted; job security waned, and the cost of living skyrocketed. His lack of investment and skills, which could have cushioned him during these challenging times, now haunted him. He was left with shrinking means and expanding needs. This modern-day narrative is a stark reminder for the youth today to invest time in personal growth and financial wisdom, for economic 'winter' is always around the corner.

Night is Coming.

In John 9:4, Jesus warns that there is a time coming when no one can work, referred to as the "night." This 'night' signifies the end of our temporal life or the end of the world when the opportunity to serve God on earth has passed. The scriptures provide ample warnings and reminders of this impending 'night.'

In Matthew 24:42-44, Jesus urges us to stay awake and be ready, for we do not know the day or the hour when our Lord will come. He says, "Therefore keep watch because you do not know what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Matthew 24:42–44 ESV

42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

In Romans 13:11-12, the Apostle Paul further emphasizes the urgency of the time. He states, "And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Romans 13:11–12 ESV

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:2, Paul again emphasizes the unexpected nature of the 'night' when he says, "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." These scriptures reinforce Jesus's statement in John 9:4 that 'night is coming,' reminding us of the impending end of our opportunity to work for God on earth and the urgency of serving Him while it is still 'day.'

1 Thessalonians 5:2 ESV

2 For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, God is the originator of work and expects us to work heartily in everything we do. From the very beginning, He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Throughout history, He has chosen men and women, equipped them with skills and wisdom, and put them to work for His glory. Therefore, every task we undertake, whether large or small, should be done earnestly and with integrity, knowing that it is from God and for God.

Secondly, our time on Earth is limited, and we are urged to make the most of it by working while it is still "Day." This means we should not procrastinate or delay doing the good we can do today. We are called to serve God's purpose with urgency and dedication, knowing that every second lost cannot be regained. This reminds us to live purposefully, focusing on things of eternal value rather than temporary gain.

Lastly, we must always be mindful that night is coming. A time when no one can work. A time when our earthly lives end or when the world as we know it comes to an end. The scriptures exhort us to stay awake and be ready, for we do not know when our time will come. This is not to instill fear but to inspire us to live every day as if it were our last, serving God faithfully and working for His kingdom. Therefore, I urge you all today to consider the work you are doing, to work heartily as unto the Lord, and if you have not yet done so, to turn your life over to Jesus Christ, our Saviour, and Lord, who works in us and through us.