When Daylight Ends
E.A. Johnston urges believers to recognize the brevity of life and to dedicate their remaining days to active, eternal-focused service for Christ.
In 'When Daylight Ends,' E.A. Johnston challenges believers to confront the brevity and unpredictability of life. Drawing from Psalm 90:12 and the example of notable Christian figures who died young, Johnston calls for urgent, intentional service to Christ. This devotional sermon encourages listeners to move beyond complacency and invest their time in eternal pursuits before their earthly daylight fades.
Full Transcript
Psalm 9012 states, So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. I don't believe, friends, we have as long to live as we think we do. I believe there were some here within the sound of my voice that before this year ends will be thrust into eternity.
Your body will be in the ground, and your soul in another world altogether. Life is short, it's unexpected. There are only so many years of good health that one can labor for God and the gospel.
We give our best years to this world, to a career, to a business. Then we just want to sit around and watch TV, because we don't have any energy to do anything else. But when we stand before Christ at the Bema seat, we will wish we had spent the time God allotted to us differently.
All that will matter then will be what we did for eternity. We will wonder, why didn't we hand out more tracts and tell others about the Christ and the gospel? Why didn't we pray more? Why didn't we take up our cross and deny ourselves more for Christ and the gospel? Each of us has a set time allotted to us before we die. Jesus said, I must work while it is day.
And listen, friends, for when daylight ends, it's all over. John Song burned out at 42. George Whitefield flamed out at 55.
Jonathan Edwards died unexpectedly at 56. Sam Jones dropped dead on a train at 58. Spurgeon laid down Christ's banner at 59.
Moody wore out at 61. Like I said, I don't believe we have as much time to live as we think we do. What will we do with the rest of our lives that God has given to us? Are we just going to talk about doing something for God, or will we move to action? Only one life will soon be passed.
Only what's done for Christ will last. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Life is shorter than we often realize
- The inevitability of death and eternity
- The importance of numbering our days
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II
- Common distractions that waste our God-given time
- The regret we will face at the judgment seat of Christ
- The call to active service for the gospel
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III
- Examples of faithful servants who died young
- The urgency to work while it is day
- The eternal value of what we do for Christ
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IV
- Personal reflection on how to use remaining time
- Moving from talk to action in Christian service
- The lasting impact of a life devoted to Christ
Key Quotes
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” — E.A. Johnston
“When daylight ends, it's all over.” — E.A. Johnston
“Only what's done for Christ will last.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Recognize the limited time you have and prioritize serving Christ daily.
- Avoid distractions that waste your God-given energy and focus on eternal impact.
- Take concrete steps to share the gospel and deepen your prayer life.