International Gospel Hour

Guest (Male): Friends, if Christ worked, indeed Christ did work. Oh friends, how he went about doing good. Well, if he did, should we not do the same? We're going to look at a beautiful account from John 9 that awaits our study time today right here from the International Gospel Hour. Please stay with us.

J. Webb: Hi, this is J. Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God's word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archey of International Gospel Hour. Let's begin.

Jeff Archey: Well, thank you to our J. Webb for his kind words and greetings to all of you. It's great having you with us today for our study, and we're going to get right into our study about the life of Christ and his work. Let's look at John 9:1-7.

Now as Jesus passed by, he saw a man who was blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."

When he said these things, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And he said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated 'sent'). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

From the very outset, let's notice a few things from our reading. I want you to see the question in verse two: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Now, the answer is in verse three: "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."

Friends, there's no need to elaborate on something, to keep thinking about something, rethinking a position and so on, when the answer is right there. Here it is. It was not the sin in their lives because the man was blind, but we're going to focus on what God can do and what he did in their lives, or specifically in the life of this man.

Now, let's look a little bit deeper with verses six and seven. With saliva and dirt, a mud application was made. Now, did that do the trick? Well, no, not by itself. Keep reading. Did the waters of Siloam offer something special? Well, not by themselves.

You know, the historian Josephus in his day, he noted that these waters were as sweet and abundant, but really nothing stands out as far as a special water to heal. Quite simply, friends, the man did what Jesus asked, and that's what matters. What if he had walked away with mud on his eyes and did nothing? What if he went and washed in the pool of Siloam without the mud application?

You see, he just did what Jesus asked. And when Jesus performed this miracle in the life of this man, to establish faith in this man that he was the Christ, the Son of God, that's the purpose of the teaching. We note that further in John 9:35-38.

Now, we're going to spend the remainder of our time together as we look at the declaration of Christ in verse four when he said, "I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming when no one can work." If Jesus worked the works of God who sent him, should we not do the same? Well, we're going to continue this study in a moment, but first, here is our free periodical giveaway through our friends at apologeticspress.org.

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You can get your free copy today by calling toll-free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say "Discovery." You can also send your request through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contacts tab and leave us your name and address and put "reason" in the message box. Ask for your free copy of Discovery today.

Jeff Archey: Let's break down our verse once again, John 9:4: "I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming when no one can work." Number one: "I must." Friends, that's an obligation which means it has to be.

In Acts 10:38, we noted this earlier, how Jesus went about doing good. That's how Peter spoke of the Christ. As a young man in Luke 2:49, Jesus said, "I must be about my Father's business." And the night before he passed in John 17:4, he told the Father, "I have finished the work which you gave me to do."

So friends, "must" has to be. And there must be urgency in our work. Ecclesiastes 9:10, the first part: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might." And so friends, when we take a look at what Jesus said, he says, "I must." And we must be about the work of the Lord.

Now number two: "I must work the works." Now let's think for a moment about works from James 2:14-26, a text that shows us how the works expresses one's faith, and a faith that works makes the difference. You see, that chapter is not talking about faith and works; it's talking about a faith that works, how that faith is expressed.

Someone might say, "Well, I believe in God." But if they fail to do anything about it, what's it going to profit them? That's the point in James 2:14, 17, and 20. We even note verse 19, how the devils also believe and tremble. And earlier, he says in verse 19, "You believe there is one God. You do well. The devils also believe and tremble."

And what about John 12:42 that says, "Nevertheless, among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue." Folks, was their faith a saving faith? How could it be?

Well, here is an obligation and how one's faith is expressed. It's expressed through the works one may do. Now friends, let's keep in mind. Works are not what a man does to be saved, but works are what a saved man does. Jesus said, "I must work the works."

Now: "I must work the works of him that sent me." Jesus refers to the Father more than 100 times in the Gospel of John. And no question, it is of the Father that Jesus was to serve and to do these things. Well, the same is true for you and I today.

In Matthew 5:16, those early lessons, the Sermon on the Mount: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." You see, the good works allows the light to shine and how one's faith is expressed.

All right, number four: "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day." You know, Jesus used the comparison of light and darkness quite often. In John 12:35, then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. He who walks in darkness does not know where he is going."

And friends, that is so true. If you're in a place you're not familiar with and you're walking in darkness, that's pretty dangerous. Here's a thought here. I came across this from an old commentary many years ago that says, "Day here represents life, and darkness represents death." So in this text, day represents life, and darkness represents death.

In other words, should one not take advantage of the opportunities before one in order to see the best choice? And as we think on these things, I'll tell you what. Let's pause here and our J. Webb has a few words of an offer to help us in our studies because while we have today, while it is still day, let's be about the work of the Lord.

J. Webb: Maybe you'd like an online study of the Bible. The World Bible School has a free online Bible study available. Just go to worldbibleschool.org and register. That's worldbibleschool.org. And get this: a study helper is provided for your lessons. That's the free online study at worldbibleschool.org. Sign up today. Tell them the International Gospel Hour sent you.

Jeff Archey: Now friends, "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day. The night is coming when no one can work." Now let's continue the thought moments ago. Day represents life, darkness represents death.

There will come a time where one will no longer work or live. There are two things to think about as we think about death or the night coming of our time ending. At that time, have we laid up for ourselves treasures in heaven? Matthew 6:19-21. That's what we're taught to do, to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven to allow the work or our faith to be expressed in such a way.

Have we focused more on the things on the earth? You know that rich farmer that had such a great crop in Luke 12:16-21? He was going to get everything just right for what he had on earth. But when you look at that parable, he had no guarantees.

And how tragic he was as he focused on the things on the earth. As a matter of fact, the Lord said, "You fool, tonight your soul will be required of you. Then whose will those things be that you have prepared or brought forth?" You see friends, the night is coming when we can no longer work or no longer serve God.

"I must work the works of him." Jesus said so, and we should do the same in obedience to him. So friends, let's think on these things, and let us help you in your studies and to be about the work of the Lord. If we can help you in any way, please let us know, and we're going to continue our studies together at another time. Thank you for joining me today here on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I'm Jeff Archey, and friends, as always, keep listening.

J. Webb: Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God's word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com.