KEY SCRIPTURE: 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”

The Lord said there is a   time called the night for all persons. The night is God’s scheduled programme for everyone to end his works. It could be an old age session or a time when one has to depart this life. The import of this statement is that we do not have all the moments to ourselves.. This must cause us to work with some urgency. Work with every energy in us to complete the task given to us.

Too many Christians have not come to the consciousness that we are here on assignment and that there is a time period to complete this task. They go to church as a tradition or because they may be looking for solutions to some problem of some sort. There are some who understand we have a task to do, yet they are doing it as if they have all the time to themselves. There is no sense of urgency in their work. The Lord knew he had only three years to reach the whole region and also train his disciples to learn so much, so they would be able to take over from Him. No second was to be wasted. Every moment of His time was very precious. He said “I must work the works of Him that sent me, whiles it is day, the night comes, when no man can work”.

Dear brother or sister, there is a night when you would have no more time. Some of us are procrastinating their response to working for the Lord. There are others who are waiting until they get very old before they would respond to God’s call to serve Him. The younger you are to start serving God, the greater you can serve, and the better your rewards would be when you meet the master. There are neighbours whom we have to reach with the gospel, yet we keep postponing. There are others in distant areas, and we do not even think about them at all. Too many Christians are not doing any work of evangelism.

Please do not deceive yourself. One day, we would stand before the judgement seat of Christ. (2nd Corinth 5:10) All that we might spend our precious moments labouring for will mean nothing before the Lord. It is the souls we bring to the master that would matter.

Please take counsel from the Lord. The night is coming when no one can work.

CONFESSION

I do not have all the moments to myself. I commit my life to the cause of Christ, leaving no moment to pass by. I would judiciously use my time to maximise all my results.

FURTHER STUDIES.

1 Corinthians 7:29-30 ” But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;”

Romans 13:13-14 ” Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 ” For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 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”.

The Lord said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me…..” The Lord Jesus knew He had been sent to fulfil an assignment.

The Lord never stopped declaring in many times that He had been sent to do the father’s task. There are about forty references in the bible where Jesus said the father has sent me.

Let us consider some instances which the Lord revealed that He had been sent by the Father. John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them; my meat is to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish it”. In this instant, He said my satisfaction is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish it. The following are a few of the scriptures that talk about the fact that Jesus was sent by the Father. (John 5:30, 5:36; 6:38, 39,40,44,57….).

The Lord kept making references to the fact that he had been sent. This act always reminded Him of His assignment, and subsequently, His commitment to the assignment.

Many Christians today have lost their sense of awareness that they have been sent. To be sent means a superior one has sent you to do an assignment and that He is counting on you to execute your task to the end. This task, if well executed, would attract rewards. Now listen to what the Lord said about us in John 17:18 “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world”.

Dear child of God, you are here to execute the Lord’s assignment. He said as thou has sent me, even so have I sent them. He is saying we must go about preaching, teaching, healing, and blessing humanity like He did.  If He is sending us as the Father sent Him, then we have been given the same provisions that were given to Him. We must respond with that same sense of urgency as He did.

We should also say our meat or satisfaction is to do the will of Him that sent us and to finish it. John 4:34

 CONFESSION

I have been sent by God to continue doing what Jesus started. My satisfaction is when I willingly do this commission.

FURTHER STUDIES.

John 20:21. ” Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

John 17:23 ” I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: 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”.

The Lord said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me…” In our previous study, we looked at how diligently he worked. Today, we would consider what the works of God are. What is the work of God?

In the verse in question, the Lord was about to heal a blind man. Healing the sick is one of the works of God. The Lord said on many occasions that, every child of God has to heal the sick (Matthew 10:1, Luke 9:2, Luke 10:9 and Mark 16:15-17). Every child of God has received the authority to heal the sick.

The Lord was a man of prayer. Prayer is one of the works of God. Praying is like sending up incense unto the Lord (Rev 8:3) God loves to see His children pray. Prayer is fellowshipping with the Lord. He appreciates it when we come to him in prayer, Jesus prayed when He was being baptised (Luke 3:21), He prayed at Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36), He rose very early to pray (Mark 1:35) He prayed all night (Luke 6:12). Prayer is work, and it is hard work. The apostle said in Acts 6:4 that they would give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. The Lord said men ought to pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1)

The Lord also went around preaching and teaching God’s word or goodness. Until the truth is preached, men will continue to grope in darkness. The Lord spent most of His time preaching and teaching the word. Luke writes in Acts 1:1 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach”. (We have spoken a lot on His preaching expeditions in our previous study) The Lord taught one time and kept teaching till three days when he felt the people could faint if he allowed them to go home (Mark 8:2). Dear child of God, the Lord calls on you to preach the word in season and out of season (2nd Timothy 4:2). He says we must go into the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19, 20).

The works of God also include everything that the Holy Spirit would lead you to do. (Rom 8:14)

Please take the task he gives you gladly; let His work your pleasure be; answer quickly when he calleth; here am I, send me, and send me.

CONFESSION

God’s work is giving yourself to please Him in all situations. I give my life over to Jesus to live for Him all the days of my life.

FURTHER STUDIES.

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

Luke 10:9” And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: 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”.

The Lord saw a man born blind. His disciples asked who sinned that he was born that way. This statement reveals that it was the mindset of the Jewish community in Jesus’ day to think and believe that one’s predicament is a result of some sin committed. The Lord Jesus answered them that it was not the sin of anyone but that the works of God should be made manifest in Him. The Lord then went on to make the statement we are considering.

He said, “I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes when no one can work”. The emphasis is, I must work the works of Him that sent me”. This statement gives no room for options. I must; this is obligatory. The Lord talked about *working. He said my father is working and so I must also work. (John 5:17).

 The Lord Jesus was a very busy worker for God. At the age of twelve, he started doing His father’s business. (Luke 2:49). From the day He ended His fasting He immediately started working for His father. The Bible says in Luke 4:14 that “Jesus returned in the power of the spirit into Galilee….” After His forty days fast, he did not go to hide to eat and sleep to regain His depleted strength. He would rather carry on the work of the Father.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THE LORD WAS OCCUPIED WITH.

 He was in the synagogues (Luke 4:15), He granted audience to various enquirers (John 3:1-16), He visited people in their homes (Luke 19:5) He went from town to town, preaching the good news (Luke 9:6), He preached on the mountain (Matthew 5:1-3). He preached at the lake side. (Luke 5:1-5). He travelled on the sea often (Mark 4:35, 36). The Lord Jesus was not a lazy man. He was very busy with God’s work.

Dear brother or sister, how busy are you with God? We do not have all the days to ourselves, and neither will we live forever. The Lord said” And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds and said unto them occupy till I come”.( Luke 19:13) This means keep working till I come. God calls his servants labourers. (Matthew 9:38).

No matter your office, whether a Pope, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, Prophet, or whatever, you are a labourer, and you must prove yourself as such.

 CONFESSION

My father is working and I must also work. I give myself to working diligently for the master for there is a crown for me.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Luke 2:49 “And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business?”

John 5:17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God”.

In our key scripture, the Lord answered Nicodemus that unless a man is born again or in its proper sense born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

The scripture has concluded that all men are sinners (Rom 3:23): Psalm 51:5 says “In sin did my mother conceive me” Please I want you to be sincere with yourself. There are so many things people do that they cannot stop. Matthew 5:28 “But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her in his heart”. This is just one of the many areas that most people fall short. Men sin because they have a sinful nature. Romans 7:15 ” For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I”. Men are slaves to sin. The answer to this sinful nature is a new nature free from the power of sin.

 To be born again is to receive a new life or new nature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation old things have passed away, behold all things have become new”.

When a man is born again, he becomes a son of God. A son of man means, born by man, and a son of God means born by God. John 1:12, 13 “But as many as received Him to them gave he power to become the sons of God even to them that believed on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, but were born of God”.

As a son of God with the life and nature of God, you now live a life of the sons of God. If you used to tell lies, you are no longer a liar and must say the truth. You cease to become the man or woman who is morally weak. You can now say no to the dictates of the flesh.

To be born again means you have received the ability or grace to do what is right. Titus 2:11, 12 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all man. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lust, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.

Receive Jesus today as your Saviour and Lord so you will be saved from the power of sin.

  CONFESSION

Lord Jesus, by receiving you into my life, I receive your nature to live above sin. I believe you died for my sins, and I confess you as the saviour and Lord of my soul. Come into my life. Thank you for saving my soul.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 7:19-20 “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me”.

Romans 6:14 ” For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”.

PRAYER POINT: O LORD. MY GOD, OPEN UP THE HEART OF EVERY UNSAVED PERSON TO TRUTH

KEY SCRIPTURE: 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”.

The Lord declared that the night comes when no man can work. The Lord knew the time that His night would come. He worked about that time, which He knew. How many of us know our nighttime?

We will do well to number our days so that we may incline our hearts to wisdom (Psalm 90:12). This was the prayer of Moses.  Now, just take a little inventory of the times and moments that we may have. If a man is to live for 70 years, then he has approximately (27393 days), twenty-seven thousand, three hundred and five days. (We are taking 70 years as the reference age. Some of us may live far more than that) If you are twenty years old now, then you have lived approximately 7305 days. The number of days left for you is: 27393-7305=20,093 days. This is with the assumption that you will live for seventy years. If you are presently 50 years old, then you have already spent 18262 days. If the assumption is that you have 70 years, then you have 27393-18262=9,131 days. The question is, you cannot tell if you would live up to 70 years as assumed or beyond that. If you are to live less than   70 years, then you have shorter days to work for the Lord. If it is further, then you have more years.

The Lord Jesus knew His night, so He worked towards it. Do you know your night? What then is our best approach to life in the light of the night that is coming definitely? I think the best approach should be to live each day as if that is our last day. We must work very hard and diligently. The night is coming when no man can work.

Apostle Paul advised us in 1st Corinthians 7:29-30 “But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none: And they that rejoice, as though they rejoice not, and they that buy, as though they possessed not”.

“A word to the wise is enough”

  CONFESSION

As the master said, I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day, the night comes when no man can work.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Psalms 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom”.

Ecclesiastes 1:16 ” I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 12:24-25 ” Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it, and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”.

The Lord Jesus spoke in verse 25 of our key scripture that “He that loves his life shall lose it, but he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”. In this scripture, the Lord taught us about true self-preservation or self-multiplication.

The world and its secular thinking teach us to protect what we have and keep our lives. The love for self and the craze to secure it has led men to act in ways that have opposed God’s way. Indeed, love for self-according to the bible is the cause of so many problems in our world these last days. (2nd Timothy 3:1, 2) There would be perilous times in the last days because men shall be lovers of themselves.

The Lord in that scripture (John 12:25) meant, if a man would tend the control of his life into the hands of God, he would live a very meaningful and very productive life, but when the man is scared about turning his life into God’s hands then he would lose it. In Matthew 14:15-21, the bible narrated the story of the multiplication of bread to feed the multitudes. What would have happened if this boy had feared to keep his bread and fish? There would have been no multiplication of bread. The boy was not afraid about losing those loaves. He gave them over to the Lord. He went home with a basket full of fish and loaves.

The best way to preserve your life is to turn it over to the Lord. To turn your life over to the Lord means you must love and appreciate His interests, and His ways against your ambitions, choices, and views. He said you must hate yourself. He was not talking about harming yourself but chose his way over yours. A life given to the Lord is infused with divine life.

Apostle Paul remarked in Philippians 1:21 that “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. This philosophy of Paul made his life experience an outstanding one. He lived in joy, overcame the devil, and has affected many generations with his experiences and teachings. He loved the Lord and hated his life, so he preserved his life.

 CONFESSION

To be truly living is to live for Jesus and not for yourself. I am living for Jesus, and so my life is exceedingly fruitful and successful.

FURTHER STUDIES.

Matthew 16:24-25. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

2 Timothy 3:1-2 ” This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy”,

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:33 KJV” But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

We continue with our previous discussion on the need to do things in its proper order.

The Lord Jesus gives a major step that would answer the problems of being anxious about various issues in life. He said, seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things, shall be added unto you. The Lord Jesus said if anyone would come after him must first deny himself take up his cross daily and follow him. Matthew 16:24. When a man prioritizes his longings before God, then he becomes an easy prey for Satan. Just listen to what Satan told God about how men react when their lives are attacked.

Job 2:4 KJV” And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. Satan says a man living for himself is too vulnerable. At the least difficulty, he would be ready to attack even God. The Lord’s counsel to seek first His kingdom and its righteousness frees him from the weakness of his flesh.

The Lord revealed that when a man chooses to go after God and His reign over his life first, all the physical and material needs are also added to him. The man who makes the law of God his delight is like a tree planted by the rivers of water that yields its fruit in its season, its leaves shall not wither and whatsoever he does shall prosper. (psalm 1:2-3). This is the cardinal truth of scripture and has proven to be practically true over and over again. To seek first the kingdom of God is to go after the will of God for your life. It also includes doing all those things that honour God. Get yourself committed to serving God in His house. The number one service you can offer God is to be involved in winning the lost for Christ. Dedicate your life to helping new believers stand strong in Christ. Give your life to the service of God in any capacity that will make you useful in the house of God.

You must also commit your life to living in righteousness. Put every deceitful act absolutely from your life. 2 Corinth 4:2). Sin is a reproach to any people, yet righteousness would promote and exalt you. Prov 14:34 Dear child of God free yourself from the deceptions of life. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and every other thing would also follow after you

CONFESSION

I have chosen to seek first the rule of God over my life, in all that I do. I forsake all hidden things of dishonesty to walk uprightly. God blesses me with all that I need.

FURTHER STUDIES

Deu 28:47 KJV” Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;”

2 Corinth 4:2 KJV” But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 6:33 KJV” But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

In the sermon on the mount, our Lord Jesus spoke extensively about a whole lot of issues. He also talked about what makes men to be anxious. As the year has just set off, there are some things that people will be occupied with. The Lord instructed on one point that should be the focus of every one of us.  We must all seek first the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness, and all the things whose absence causes men to be anxious would be added to us. Men are always ruled by something of some kind. Some have blatantly opposed the pursuit of God, yet are ruled by things as simple as example cigarettes. They are so addicted to it, but it has not made any significant improvement in their lives. Man is a dependent being and would always depend on something. Men cannot live without depending on oxygen. If we can’t do without something as simple as oxygen, then our Lord Jesus’ suggestion to seek first the rule of God and its righteous ways is very important to every one of us. He added that if we do so, then every other craving of us would automatically be added to us.

What does it mean to seek the kingdom of God? A Kingdom simply means the king and his domain or the king and His reign. Seeking the kingdom of God is seeking to let the will, purposes, and choices of God become your prime concern this year. He also added, and its righteousness. Righteousness in the scriptures has two main expressions. Righteousness as a gift of the nature of God and righteousness as right living. As Christians, the first form of righteousness comes first and produces the second in our lives. Beloved as the new year has just set off, put God first. Seek to please God in every engagement.

God has ways that He wants us to go. Please tread on those paths. If we would diligently travel this year along this pathway, then we would never fall into the trap of anxiety, which easily takes its toll on men. I believe some people have even started getting anxious about events that lie ahead of them. Beloved to set off in the year this way is to get along on the wrong path. Choose the master’s way. Seek first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and every other thing shall be added to you.

CONFESSION

God is first in my life. His word is my strongest persuasion. His ways are always perfect. I travel the journey of life by doing that, which pleases Him. Life is always very meaningful when God is first.

FURTHER STUDIES

Prov. 12:28 KJV” In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death”.

Prov. 14:12 KJV” There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:20 KJV “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the WORLD”. Amen.

Our key scripture has a very important instruction to give us, yet I would want us to consider the second aspect of the verse, which says “lo l am with you always, even unto the end of the age”. This statement our Lord made is not a promise. If he had said I would be with you, then that could be described as a promise. In the scripture, he says,” I am with you”. This is a present continuous statement. It is a declaration of a fact not based on any condition. He is present with you. Never, never ask Him to be with you. That is a big sign of unbelief. Rather, affirm that He is with you always.

This should be your assurance for this new year. Jesus is always with you.

Jesus, the holder of tomorrow, says He is with you. Jesus, as the king of Kings, never walks alone. He has an entourage of angels accompanying Him. If He says He is with you, then you have angels all around you as well. These angels are ministering spirits called to minister or serve us the heirs of salvation. Hebrews 1:14. You will never walk alone. You are not facing any challenge alone. You have unseen beings with you to help you do your various assignments, studies at school, write your examinations, etc. They are there to protect you from danger. Approach every task with lots of confidence and with a mind to come out with the best output. Have an excellent attitude to produce the best works because, as a child of God, you are heavily assisted. Ask the Holy Spirit who is with you in the name of Jesus to always help you do your best. You would get the best from life by giving your best.

With the Lord‘s assurance of His presence, never speak of failure or defeat. Your thoughts, coupled with your words, create your experiences in life. With His presence, believe in the possibility of every good thing and call those things into being. You would get what you say in faith. Isaiah 44:26 KJV” That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; ‘God shall confirm your words spoken in faith. Your world is created by your words, according to Hebrews 11:3. You are a success. and has overcome every negative power. Whatever you engage to do shall be successful. You would not die but live to declare the goodness of the Lord. I declare you healed from any disease that has tormented you in the past years. Have a great year and put smiles on the faces of others.

CONFESSION.

Thank God for giving me a new year. The Lord Jesus is always with me. Nothing would evermore move me. In this year, the Lord’s name would be glorified in me. Satan’s kingdom will be depopulated through my witness.

FURTHER STUDIES

Hebrews 1:14 KJV” Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

Hebrews 13:5 KJV” Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee, So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me”.