Old Treasures Made New

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"Reader, I have now set before you your Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of God, who was begotten by the Father by an eternal and ineffable generation, consubstantial and co-equal with the Father in all things. In these last times, according to prophetic word, He was incarnate for us, suffered, died, rose again from the dead and was made King and Lord of all things. This is He who is appointed and given to us by God the Father as the fulness of all grace and truth, as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, as the ladder and door of heaven, as the serpent lifted up to render the poison of sin harmless, as the water which refreshes the thirsty, as the bread of life, as the light of the world, as the redeemer of God’s children, as the shepherd and door of the sheep, as the resurrection and the life, as the corn of wheat which springs up into much fruit, as the conqueror of the prince of this world, as the way, the truth and the life, as the true vine, and finally, as the redemption, salvation, satisfaction and righteousness of all the faithful in all the world, throughout all ages. Let us therefore pray God the Father that being taught by His gospel, we may know Him who is true and believe in Him in whom alone is salvation, and that believing, we may feel God living in us in this world and in the world to come may enjoy His eternal and most blessed fellowship.

Amen and Amen."

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John 21:18-25

We learn that the future history of Christians, both in life and death, is foreknown by Christ.
We learn that a believer’s death is intended to glorify God.
We learn that whatever we may think about the condition of other people, we should think first about our own.
We learn the number and greatness of Christ’s works during His earthly ministry.

"There is no such thing as luck, chance or accident in the journey of our life. Everything from beginning to end is foreseen, arranged by One who is too wise to err and too loving to do us harm."

"We are so apt to regard life as the only season for honouring Christ and action as the only mode of showing our faith that we overlook death, except as a painful termination of usefulness. Yet surely this ought not so to be. We may die to the Lord as well as live to the Lord, we may be patient sufferers as well as active workers."

"Such is the weakness of human nature that even true Christians are continually liable to run into extremes. Some are so entirely absorbed in their own inward experience and their own heart’s conflict that they forget the world outside. Others are so busy about doing good to the world that they neglect to cultivate their own souls. Both are wrong and both need to see a more excellent way..."

"As much of Christ’s sayings and doings are recorded as the human mind can take in. It would not be good for the world to have more. The human mind, like the body, can only digest a certain quantity. The world could not contain more because it would not."

Questions:

We hear Jesus tell of Peter's death. Ryle points out that Jesus not only knows and has arranged how Peter will die, but each of his children, which, though knowledge that would make us miserable, is of unspeakable comfort to us. That is because our lives, from beginning to end, have been ordained by a God who is too wise to err and to loving to do us harm. When trials come, do we call such truths as this to mind? Have we known the resting and soothing reflection in times of trouble that "every step of my journey was foreknown by Christ?"
We hear Jesus, as he speaks of Peter's death, that how he will die will glorify God. Ryle points out that we are apt to think that life is the only time to glorify God and that death is the painful termination of useful glory to the Lord. Yet, Ryle exhorts a number of ways we can glorify God in death: by being ready for it, by patiently enduring pains, and by testifying to others of the comfort we have in Christ. Would we not take up Bunyan's advice and keep our last hour continually in mind and make it our company-keeper? How will you seek to do this?
We hear Jesus respond to Peter, as he inquired about the apostle John, that he should not be concerned so much about him as about following Jesus. Ryle warns us that many today fall into the extremes of either taking too much interest in ourselves, or too much in others. Christians, like Jesus, will seek to do good to others, but never at the expense of our own souls. Which side do we tend to err on? How can we seek to bring balance to this?
The book of John ends by saying that much more could have been written about Jesus. Ryle points out that this is saying is spiritual and figurative instead of literal. He says that if more were written we would throw it away because we simply could not handle the quantity. What we have been given is enough to make every believer without excuse, enough to show every inquirer the way to heaven, enough to satisfy the heart of every honest believer, enough to condemn a person if they do not repent and believe, and enough to glorify God. May we, like newborn infants, hunger for the pure spiritual milk of the word, and may it make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ! May the grace of Christ be with you!

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John 21:15-17

We should notice Christ’s question to Peter: “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
We should notice Peter’s answer to Christ’s question. Three times we find the apostle saying, “You know that I love You.”
We should notice Christ’s command to Peter. Three times we find Him urging Peter to care for His flock: once, “Feed My lambs” and twice My sheep.

"Let us take heed that there is some feeling in our Christianity. Knowledge, orthodoxy, correct views, regular use of forms, a respectable moral life: all these do not make up a true Christian. There must be some personal feeling towards Christ. Feeling on its own, no doubt, is a poor useless thing and may be here today and gone tomorrow. But the entire absence of feeling is a very bad symptom and speaks ill for the state of a person’s soul."

"Ask them whether they are converted, whether they are a believer, whether they have grace, whether they are justified, whether they are sanctified, whether they are elect, whether they are a child of God: ask them any one of these questions and they may perhaps reply that they really do not know! But ask them whether they love Christ and they will reply, “I do.” They may add that they do not love Him as much as they ought to do, but they will not say that they do not love Him at all."

"It is not loud talk and high profession, it is not even impetuous, occasional zeal and readiness to draw the sword and fight—it is steady, patient, laborious effort to do good to Christ’s sheep scattered throughout this sinful world which is the best evidence of being a true-hearted disciple. This is the real secret of Christian greatness."

Questions:

We see in these verses the question of Jesus to Peter: "Do you love me? and Peter's reply, "You know that I love you." Ryle declares that knowledge, orthodoxy, correct views, regular use of forms, and a respectful moral life, though important, do not make up a true Christian. This question to Peter is an important question for us: do we love the correct views about Jesus that we hold? Do we walk morally out of love for Jesus? Ryle carefully declares that our feelings can be a poor useless thing and can be here today and gone tomorrow, but can it be said the feeling of love for Christ is totally absent from our lives? What does this do to encourage or humble you?
We hear Jesus command Peter to feed his sheep and lambs. This, Ryle declares, is the real secret to Christian greatness, namely that usefulness to others is the great test of love, and working for Christ the great proof of really loving Christ. If this is true, how true is it in our lives? Are we aiming daily to think of others, care for others, do good to others, lessen the sorrow of others and increase the joy of others? Can we say that it is more blessed to give than to receive?

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John 21:1-14

We should observe the poverty of the first disciples of Christ.
We should observe the different characters of different disciples of Christ.
We should observe the abundant evidence which Scripture supplies of our Lord Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

"These very men who toiled all night in a boat, dragging about a cold wet net and eating nothing, found it necessary to work hard in order that they could eat—these very men were some of the first founders of the mighty church of Christ which has now spread so far. They went from an obscure corner of the earth and turned the world upside down."

"The one thing needed is to have the grace of the Spirit and to love Christ. Let us love all of whom this can be said, though they may not see with our eyes in everything. The church of Christ needs servants of all kinds and instruments of every sort; penknives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns."

"The resurrection of Christ is the crowning glory of the work of redemption. It proved that He finished the work He came to do and as our Substitute, had overcome the grave. The resurrection of Christ is a miracle that no unbeliever can explain away. Above all, the resurrection of Christ is the pledge of our own. As the grave could not keep the Head, so it shall not keep the members."

Questions:

We see the disciples of Jesus hard at work fishing. Ryle points out that these poor, uneducated men are one of the many pieces of evidence that Christianity has come from God, for there is no other explanation for how the name of Christ has reached the far edges of the earth and turned it upside down. Take a moment to praise God for his working in history. What book on church history or biography has helped you appreciate this point?
We again see, of all the disciples, John and Peter highlighted once again. Ryle again highlights the differences between these two disciples who loved Jesus Christ as one sees and the other acts. Jesus Christ, the head of the church, is the one who places his people in His body and then gives them gifts for the common good. Ryle says that the church needs servants of all kinds and instruments of every sort; penknives as well as swords, axes as well as hammers, chisels as well as saws, Marthas as well as Marys, Peters as well as Johns. Yet, the one thing that matters is that all have the Spirit and love Christ. Can we say that we love all who love Christ? Can we say with Sinclair Furguson, "if Christ is not ashamed to indwell them, I will not be slow to embrace them?"
We see Jesus spending time with his disciples on the shore of Galilee. Ryle again draws from this irrefutable proof that Jesus rose from the dead as these men, who lived with him for 3 years, and one of whom saw him die on the cross, now see him eating fish and talking with them. The truth is: what greater evidence could be provided to prove Jesus rose from the dead? This is the great truth that no unbeliever can explain away, though some try. When is the last time we thanked God that our faith is not blind, but is based on those who saw and testified and staked their lives on this fact?

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John 20:24-31

We should mark how much Christians may lose by not regularly attending the assemblies of God’s people.
We should mark how kind and merciful Christ is to believers who are slow and weak.
We should mark how Christ was addressed by a disciple as “God,” without prohibition or rebuke on His part.

"We little know how dependent our spiritual health is on ordinary and regular habitual helps and how much we suffer if we miss our medicine."

"Our Lord has many weak children in His family, many slow pupils in His school, many raw soldiers in His army, many lame sheep in His flock. Yet He bears with them all and casts none away. Happy is the Christian who has learned to deal likewise with their brothers and sisters. There are many in the church who, like Thomas, are doubting and slow, but for all that, like Thomas, are real and true believers."

"Let us settle it firmly in our minds that the divinity of Christ is one of the great foundation truths of Christianity and let us be willing to go to the stake rather than let it go. Unless our Lord Jesus is truly God there is an end of His mediation, His atonement, His advocacy, His priesthood, His whole work of redemption. These glorious doctrines are useless blasphemies unless Christ is divine."

Questions:

We see that Thomas was missing when Jesus first appeared to his disciples, leaving him for a week in unbelief. Ryle exhorts, as far as is possible with us, to not forsake the assembly and miss what may be the word needful for us in the season we are in. He says that we know little of our spiritual health's dependence on the ordinary means of grace of gathering for worship, Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship. How easy is it for us to skip a worship service? Are the things that draw us away such things as we could see the face of our Savior and know his smile?
We see the Lord Jesus showing great grace and mercy toward Thomas in his doubting. Ryle encourages us to see the kindness of Jesus toward us, and then to have grace to show such kindness to others. He says that there are many slow pupils, raw soldiers, and lame sheep that belong to Jesus Christ, and that happy is the one who can show kindness to ones like this. Have we learned this lesson in our own lives? Are we inclined to be patient or impatient toward those who are weak?
We see Thomas declare that Jesus is His Lord and His God. Here, Ryle says, amongst other places, is irrefutable proof of Jesus' divinity. He states that if it is not true, then also go His mediation ministry, atonement, advocacy, priesthood, and whole work of redemption. Our salvation rests on the fact that Jesus was both God and man. Does this truth seem unimportant because it is not immediately practical, or is it the bedrock of your salvation?

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John 20:19-23

We should observe the remarkable language with which our Lord greeted the apostles, when He first met them after His resurrection.
We should observe the remarkable evidence which our Lord supplied of His own resurrection.
We should observe the remarkable commission which our Lord conferred upon His eleven apostles.

"Peace, we may safely conclude, was intended by our Lord to be the keynote to the Christian ministry. That same peace which was so continually on the lips of the Master was to be the great subject of the teaching of His disciples. Peace between God and humanity through the precious blood of atonement, peace between men and women through the infusion of grace and charity, to spread such peace as this was to be the work of the church."

"That principle is that our Master requires us to believe nothing that is contrary to our senses. Things above our reason we must expect to find in a faith that comes from God, but not things contrary to reason."

"To treat ministers as being in any sense mediators between us and God is to rob Christ of His prerogative, to hide saving truth from sinners and to exalt ordained ministers to a position which they are totally unqualified to fill."

Questions:

Jesus' first words to his disciples is peace. Ryle points out that this should be no surprise as this was the song sung by angels at Christ's birth, and was the general subject of what he preached for 3 years. Peace with God through the blood of Christ is what the church must proclaim and promote in the world. Is that what we promote and what our churches promote?
Jesus condescends to his disciples by having them see that he had a real body. Ryle, in light of this, lays down a helpful principle, namely that although we can expect to find things above our reason when it comes to knowing God (like the Trinity), we should not expect anything contrary to reason (like Roman Catholicism telling us that the bread and wine are actually and really the body and blood of Jesus). How does this principle help you?
We see Jesus commissioning his disciples. Ryle warns that this passage has been the subject of controversy for hundreds of years, and gives a more probably understanding, namely that the apostles were commissioned to preach the gospel, which was also means by which sins would be forgiven upon hearing and believing. He warns against the silence of such arguments that would give them authority to absolve people of sins, evidence of which we would expect to see in Acts and the Pastoral Epistles but find nothing of the sort. He exhorts us to respect the high office of the minister in his gospel ministry, but warns against investing more power and authority than Christ has given. If a pastor, how do you see your role? If not, what role and authority do you see in your pastor?

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John 20:11-18

We see that those who love Christ most diligently and perseveringly are those who receive most privileges from Christ’s hand.
We see that the fears and sorrows of believers are often quite needless.
We see what earthly thoughts of Christ may creep into the mind of a true believer.

"All believers have not the same degree of faith, hope, knowledge, courage or wisdom and it is foolish to expect it. But it is a certain fact that those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to Him most closely will always enjoy most communion with Him and feel most of the witness of the Spirit in their hearts."

"Two-thirds of the things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. Let us pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God’s purposes."

"In every age there has been a tendency in the minds of many, to make too much of Christ’s bodily presence and to forget that He is not a mere earthly Friend, but one who is God over all, blessed forever, as well as human. Let us pray for a right judgment in this matter, as in all other things concerning our Lord’s person. Let us be content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, and present when two or three are met in His name, and to wait for the real presence of Christ’s body till He comes again."

"As He dealt with His erring disciples on the morning of His resurrection, so will He deal with all who believe and love Him until He comes again. When we wander out of the way He will bring us back. When we fall He will raise us again."

Questions:

We see Mary Magdalene remain at the tomb of Jesus and become the first to see and hold conversation with the Lord Jesus. Ryle points out that while there are various degrees of faith, hope, knowledge, courage, and wisdom among believers, the simple rule applies: those who love Christ most fervently and cleave to him most closely will, like Mary experienced that Resurrection morning, enjoy most communion with Him. Do we read the Bible just to check off a reading plan list, or to know and enjoy Christ more?
We see Mary weep for Jesus even while Jesus is right at hand. Ryle draws from this the reality of what many Christians regularly face, namely anxiety when there is no just cause for anxiety. He states that two-thirds of things we fear in life never happen at all and two-thirds of the tears we shed are thrown away and shed in vain. If we look back on the situations that draw anxiety out of us, even this past month, how many of them come to pass? Would we not pray for more faith and patience and allow more time for the full development of God's purposes?
We see Mary receive a gentle rebuke from Jesus when he tells her not to cling to him. Ryle draws from this a mistake of many in every age, namely a tendency to make too much of Christ's bodily presence when what we really need is his Spirit. Are we content to have Christ dwelling in our hearts by faith, present when two or three are gathered, and waiting for his physical presence when he returns?
We see Jesus speak tenderly and compassionately to his disciples in the message he gives Mary to deliver to them. Remember, they had fled from and denied him only three days earlier, and now Jesus speaks as if all is forgiven and forgotten. He brings them back and heals their wounds. Ryle declares from Hebrews that this compassionate Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. How does this comfort us as we consider our failings and backslidings?

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John 20:1-10

We are taught that those who love Christ most are those who have received most benefit from Him.
We are taught that there are widely different temperaments in different believers.
We are taught that there may be much ignorance even in true believers.

"How is it that many, whose faith and grace it would be uncharitable to deny, work so little, give so little, say so little, make so little effort to promote Christ’s cause and bring glory to Christ in the world? These questions have only one answer. It is a low sense of debt and obligation to Christ which is the account of the whole matter."

"Let us love all who love Christ in sincerity and thank God that they love Him at all. The great thing is to love Jesus."

"After all we must remember that true grace, and not head knowledge, is the one thing needed. We are in the hands of a merciful and compassionate Saviour who passes by and pardons much ignorance when He sees a heart right in the sight of God."

Questions:

We see that the first person to Jesus' tomb was Mary. Ryle draws from this evidence that Mary had a deep love for Jesus because she felt her need and indebtedness to Him. He asks why many who have faith and grace work so little, give so little say so little, and make so little effort to promote Christianity in the world? The answer is that we, unlike Mary, do not feel our indebtedness to Christ. If this is us, would we make it our daily prayer that we may see the sinfulness of our sin and the amazing grace of Christ more clearly and distinctly?
We see two men, John and Peter, who loved Jesus and yet respond differently when arriving at the tomb of Jesus. Ryle draws out from this that although all Christians are planted by one Spirit and love the same Lord yet have different temperaments and characteristics. Are we guilty of judging others because they are different than us, or don't respond the same way we do or feel the way we feel, or vice versa? Would we be charitable toward those who are different from us and cherish the fact that we love Jesus Christ?
John humbly testifies that Peter and himself did not yet understand that Jesus had to rise again from the dead. Ryle draws from this that a believer may be ignorant of many things, but it is grace in the heart that matters most. Far from discouraging knowledge, Ryle exhorts us to seek knowledge and be ashamed of ignorance, but most importantly to make sure we have grace and right hearts. As Paul tells us, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. May this be true of us for God's glory and our joy.

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John 19:38-42

We learn that there are some true Christians in the world of whom very little is known.
We learn that there are some servants of Christ whose end is better than their beginning.
We learn that the burial of the dead is an act which God sanctions and approves.

"He does not hesitate to confess himself one of Christ’s friends, at a time when Jews and Romans alike had condemned Him as a criminal and put Him to death. Surely the man who could do such things must have had strong faith! Can we wonder that wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, this pious action of Joseph is told of as a memorial of him?"

"We must not condemn others as graceless and godless because they do not see the whole truth at once and only reach definite Christianity by slow degrees. The Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway to heaven. In these there is invariable uniformity. But the Holy Spirit does not always lead believers through the same experience or at the same rate of speed."

"The true Christian need never be ashamed of regarding a funeral with particular reverence and solemnity."

Questions:

We learn of a man not previously known, showing love to Christ when even those who were closest to him had fled. Ryle points out that Joseph of Arimathea was a man of strong faith, and that, like the 7,000 unknown believers in Elijah's day, there are likely numerous Joseph's today we know nothing about. Do we find the greatest value in those who do great things, or do we value all who love Christ despite the flashiness of their works?
We see a man who once came to Jesus by night only 3 years later boldly come forward to serve Christ. Ryle highlights that the Holy Spirit always leads believers to the same foundation truths and into the same highway of heaven, yet he doesn't always lead believers through the same experience, or at the same rate of speed. Are we guilty of condemning young believers for not grasping full maturity or despising the day of small things? Do we deal gently with those who have grace but struggle? What does this truth do to help how we deal with others?
We see that Jesus' body is buried. Ryle draws out from this evidence that sanctions the burial of the dead and that we should never be ashamed to regard a funeral with particular reverence. In the West, we live in a day in which many want to call a service for a loved one who has passed away a 'celebration of life' instead of a funeral. It seems to me that this is a subtle shift from highlighting the sorrow of such a loss to just focus on the 'good' stuff, and I wonder if we do it because we are ashamed as Ryle says. As of recording this, my family, just this morning, buried our 15-month-old child, Tobias. As Christians, we need to recover the funeral in which we mourn and allow others to mourn with us, or take time to mourn with those who have lost loved ones. We need to bury the dead and give respect to the body God knit together for our loved ones, believing that God will raise that body again when Jesus returns. I have two questions. First, do we give dignity to the body or have we said things like, "that person isn't here?" when standing before the dead? We are embodied souls, and we must treat the dead body with the understanding that God will raise it in glory. Second, Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, "It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting." The Preacher then gives the reason: "for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart." Do we run from and find excuses to not attend a funeral or are we wise and go to learn wisdom even while we mourn with those who mourn?

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John 19:28-37

Let us mark the frequent fulfilments of prophetic Scripture in every part of Christ’s crucifixion.
We should mark the particularly solemn saying which came from our Lord’s lips just before He died.
We should mark the reality and truth of Christ’s death.

"It really requires more unreasoning faith to be an unbeliever than to be a Christian. The one who regards the repeated fulfilments of minute prophecies about Christ’s death, such as the prophecies about His dress, His thirst, His pierced side and His bones, as the result of chance and not of design must indeed be willing to believe anything."

"We need not fear that either sin, Satan or law shall condemn us at the last day. We may lean on the thought that we have a Saviour who has done all, paid all, accomplished all, performed all that is necessary for our salvation."

"Whatever view we take of the blood and water, let us make sure that we are among those who “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Revelation 7:14). It will matter nothing at the last day that we held during life the most exalted view of the sacraments if we never came to Christ by faith and never had personal dealings with Him."

Questions:

We see numerous Scriptures fulfilled in Christ's death. Ryle points out that the only rational explanation of so many prophecies being fulfilled so many years later can only point us to God. How well verses are we with these prophecies, and do they have the effect of strengthening our faith?
Jesus's last words on the cross were, "it is finished." Ryle says that we cannot fully comprehend all that this statement contains, though it obviously points to no less than Christ as our substitute, the fulfilling of many prophecies and so forth. One great truth we certainly pull from this is that we need not fear that sin, Satan, or law shall condemn us on the final day, because we lean on a Savior who has done all, paid all, and accomplished all. Stop and praise God for his glorious grace and the firm foundation you stand on in him.
We see the reality of Christ's death as the soldier pierces his side and blood and water come out. Ryle says that there are many interpretations of this, but what matters most is that we have washed our robes white in the blood of the Lamb by faith and had dealings with him. Have we done so? Have we seen that our robes are indeed dirty and that nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash them clean? May it be so, and may it increase thanksgiving to Him as we consider it!

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John 19:17-27

We should observe how our Lord had to bear His cross when He went forth from the city to Golgotha.
We should observe how our Lord was crucified as a King.
We should observe how tenderly our Lord took thought for Mary, His mother.

"To wear crosses as an ornament, to place crosses on churches and tombs, is cheap and easy work and entails no trouble. But to have Christ’s cross in our hearts, to carry Christ’s cross in our daily walk, to know the fellowship of His sufferings, to be conformed to His death, to have crucified affections, and live crucified lives—all this needs self-denial and Christians of this kind are few and far between."

"They only will find Him their Saviour at the last day who have obeyed Him as King in this world. Let us cheerfully pay Him that tribute of faith, love and obedience which He prizes far above gold. Above all, let us never be afraid to declare ourselves His faithful subjects, soldiers, servants and followers however much He may be despised by the world."

"It is not too much to say, however painful the assertion, that of all the inventions of the Church of Rome there never was one more without foundation in Scripture and reason, than the doctrine of Mary-worship."

Questions:

We see Jesus carry the cross like a criminal for our sake. Ryle draws the practical application that just as Jesus bore his cross, so we are called to carry our cross and follow Him. He says that to wear crosses is cheap, but to have Christ's cross in our hearts and to carry Christ's cross in our daily walk and to know the fellowship of his sufferings requires self-denial and is the only cross-bearing and cross-carrying that does any good in the world. Where are we when it comes to denying ourselves and taking up the cross in our lives?
We see that the sign declaring Jesus as the King of the Jews, though mocking, declared what was right and true. As a king he was born, lived, was crucified, and will come again. Ryle exhorts us that only those who know Jesus as King in their hearts will know him as Savior. Are we those who cheerfully pay him the tribute of faith, love and obedience that he prizes far above gold?
We see Jesus, in great pain and agony, caring for his mother. Ryle points out in this how unfounded the Roman Catholic Church is to venerate Mary, but for our purposes, we also see the matchless tenderness, sympathy, and consideration of Jesus for his people. And what a helpful thing to consider in the context of carrying the cross! Do we see in Jesus our Lord the one who also cares for us? May this truth carry us through whatever trials and cross-bearing may bring!

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John 19:1-16

The first portrait in the picture is that of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The second portrait in the picture before us, is that of the unbelieving Jews who favoured our Lord’s death.
The third and last portrait in the picture before us is that of Pontius Pilate.

"Never let us forget when we ponder this tale of suffering that Jesus suffered for our sins, the Just for the unjust, that He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and that with His stripes we are healed."

"There is no worse judgment from God than to be left to ourselves and given over to our own wicked hearts and the devil. There is no surer way to bring that judgment upon us than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light."

"The poorest labourer who has grace and fears God is a nobler being in the eyes of his Creator than the King, ruler or statesman whose first aim it is to please the people."

Questions:

We see a picture of Jesus who willingly went to the cross in our place. Ryle draws from 1 Peter, that not only was this for our sins, but it is also an example for us to follow. Have we armed ourselves with the same way of thinking of Jesus? When suffering comes, do we count it a strange thing or do we expect it?
We see a picture of the Jews exhibiting a hard heart as they press Pilate for the death of Jesus. Ryle warns that the worst judgement God can bring on men and women is to leave them to their own wicked hearts and the devil, and there is no surer way to bring that judgement upon them than to persist in refusing warnings and sinning against light. What effect do the warnings of the Bible have upon us? How do we respond to God's Word when we read it?
We see a picture of Pontius Pilate who, ultimately out of fear of man, declared a wicked sentence upon an innocent man. Ryle declares that rulers who do not fear God and seek to please people are the worst of rulers. He rightly encourages us to pray for our rulers to fear God. When is the last time you prayed for the rulers of your country?

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John 18:28-40

The first point that we should notice is the false conscientiousness of our Lord’s wicked enemies.
The second point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord Jesus Christ gives of His kingdom.
The third point that we should notice in these verses is the account that our Lord gives of His own mission.
The last point that we should notice in these verses is the question that Pontius Pilate addressed to our Lord.

"Christianity is worthless if it makes us try to make up for the neglect of heartfelt faith and practical holiness by an extravagant zeal for human ceremonies or outward forms."

"No doubt the kings of this world cannot make people Christians by laws and statutes, but they can encourage and support Christianity and they will do so if they are wise. The kingdom where there is the most industry, temperance, truthfulness and honesty will always be the most prosperous of kingdoms."

"Like [Jesus] we are to be witnesses to God’s truth, salt in the midst of corruption, light in the midst of darkness, men and women who are not afraid to stand alone and to testify for God against the ways of sin and the world. To do so may involve us in much trouble and even persecution, but the duty is clear and plain.

"God never left any honest, diligent inquirer without light and guidance."

Questions:

We see that the Pharisees, though committing the most grievous act of sin in killing the Messiah, were concerned about being ceremonially clean and did not enter the Praetorium. Ryle points out that the conscious of unbelievers can either become hard or simply put the emphasis on another lesser point. It might be easy to point to the Pharisees but what about us? Can we say, with Psalm 119:128, "Therefore all your precepts concerning all things I consider to be right; I hate every false way?"
Jesus declares before Pilate that his kingdom is not of this world. Ryle points out that while Jesus' kingdom is a spiritual kingdom that will not have taxes and armies, that doesn't mean the rulers in this world should neglect the teachings of this Kingdom. Wise rulers will do all that lies in their power to help Christianity and to discourage unbelief. When is the last time we prayed for our governing authorities to let Christians live a quiet and peaceful life, godly and dignified in every way?
Jesus declares that his mission is to bear witness to the truth. Ryle points out that this is an example of us to follow in this dark and sinful world. Whatever culture we find ourselves in, there are plenty of ways to speak the truth where it is distorted. Is this a mission we are fulfilling? When was the last time we spoke the truth in love to a false idea or action? When was the last time we failed to do so because of the cost?
We see Pilate ask Jesus, 'what is truth?' Ryle points out that this question was likely a sarcastic one rather than an honest question. The truth is that many do the same today and hide behind such statements. The verses in Proverbs quoted offer a good closing question for us, namely, do we seek truth as Solomon told us? He promises, "if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will find the knowledge of God."

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John 18:12-27

We should mark the amazing hardness of the unconverted.
We should mark the amazing condescension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should mark the amazing degree of weakness that may be found in a real Christian.

"Twenty or thirty years of total unbelief, without the influence of Sunday, Bible or Christian teaching, will make a person’s heart hard as stone. Their conscience at last will seem dead, buried and gone."

"To suffer for those whom we love and who are in some sense worthy of our affections is suffering that we can understand. To submit to ill-treatment quietly when we have no power to resist is submission that is both graceful and wise. But to suffer voluntarily when we have the power to prevent it and to suffer for a world of unbelieving and ungodly sinners, unasked and unthanked—this is a line of conduct which passes understanding."

"Few are aware, perhaps, how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of God whom they cannot see."

Questions:

We see, in the example of those who arrested Jesus, and saw the miracles of the soldiers falling back, and the ear of Malchus being healed, a hardness of heart. Ryle points out that such an example with Christ should not surprise us when we see it today. And so, we need to ask ourselves: are we surprised at the hardness of heart we see in those around us who do not believe?
We see the condescension of Christ as He, the King of kings, willingly submits himself to be judged by wicked men all the while knowing all things and able to escape in a moment. This is a doctrine, Ryle says, that must be understood and not forgotten. Jesus Christ not only gave himself for us but did so willingly. Would we not take up one of these passages - 2 Corinthians 5:21 or 1 Peter 3:18 - and memorize and meditate upon it?
We see in the example of Peter how far one can fall who is a true Christian. Peter had just heard the most touching teaching and the most personal prayer and yet denied Christ only hours later. Ryle exhorts us to watch out for the dangers of pride and self-reliance and the fear of others. He warns that few are aware how much more they fear the face of those whom they can see than the eye of whom they cannot see. Would we pray for a distrust in ourselves, and would we ask God that His name would be holy in our lives?

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John 18:1-11

We should notice the exceeding hardness of heart to which a backslider may attain.
We should notice the entire voluntariness of Christ’s sufferings.
We should notice our Lord’s tender care for His disciples’ safety.

"Let us beware of resting our hopes of salvation on knowledge however great or Christian advantages however many. We may know all doctrinal truth and be able to teach others and yet prove rotten at heart and go down to the pit with Judas."

"Let us carefully remember that our blessed Lord suffered and died of His own free will. He did not die because He could not help it. He did not suffer because He could not escape. All the soldiers of Pilate’s army could not have taken Him if He had not been willing to be taken. They could not have hurt a hair of His head if He had not given them permission."

"He watches tenderly over every one of His children and like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill: “They shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28)."

"Determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. The habit of laying all our matters before God in prayer and asking Him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace."

Questions:

We see an account of Judas, a disciple of Christ, standing with the enemies of Christ. Ryle uses this account to highlight the danger of having many spiritual privileges and yet bearing no fruit and proving to be more like Judas than we ever could have imagined. He warns against any secret sin that harbors in our souls, knowing that such a one can be the downfall of anyone. Are there any known secret sins we are harboring that we need to confess and bring to the light?
We see that when Jesus speaks, these armed soldiers fall back, a miracle for eyes to see it. Ryle points out that Jesus could not have been touched by these soldiers, and not even a hair of his head could be touched, without his permission. Jesus willingly suffered and died out of love for His Father and to accomplish the redemption of His people. It was for the joy that was set before him that he endured the cross! What does this glorious truth do to encourage you today?
We see even at the moment Jesus is to be taken away that he shows concern for and protects his disciples. Ryle draws from this a precious truth that Jesus still watches tenderly over his people and "like a wise physician measures out the right quantity of their trials with unerring skill." Do we believe that? Have we found comfort in this truth in times of trial? If not, how will we cling to this truth for tomorrow?
We hear Jesus declare his desire to do the will of the Father as he prepares to take the cup of suffering. Ryle draws out the point that determination to have our own way and do only what we like is one great source of unhappiness in the world. On the contrary, laying our matters before God in prayer and asking him to choose our portion is one chief secret of peace. We naturally want to go our own way, and yet Jesus, in love, gave his life so we could be saved. How many times today have we demanded our own way? this week? Would we start laying ourselves down for the good of our King and his Kingdom and say 'your will be done?'

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John 17:17-26

We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may be sanctified.
We should mark how Jesus prays for the unity and oneness of His people.
We should mark how Jesus prays that His people may at last be with Him and behold His glory.

"Our entrance into heaven will be entirely by grace, not works, but heaven itself would be no heaven to us if we entered it with an unsanctified character. Our hearts must be in tune with heaven if we are to enjoy it. There must be a moral fitness for the inheritance of the saints in light, as well as a title. Christ’s blood alone can give us a title to enter the inheritance. Sanctification must give us a capacity to enjoy it."

"How often Christians have wasted their strength in contending against fellow Christians, instead of contending against sin and the devil!"

"We do not see Christ now. We read of Him, hear of Him, believe in Him and rest our souls in His finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not by sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. There will be an end of all this state of things one day. We will at length see Christ as He is and know as we have been known."

Questions:

Jesus prays that His Father would sanctify his people in truth and that his word is truth. Ryle draws out that this is a call for the Christian to grow in holiness, and that while the blood of Christ alone can give us a title to enter heaven, sanctification is what gives us the capacity to enjoy heaven. Does this strike you as it strikes me? We tend to think that when we die and rise that our minds will be wiped, but this hints that our enjoying of heaven begins now in sanctification. Are we growing in desiring the things of God now or do we expect that to happen suddenly in heaven?
The Lord Jesus prays that Christians should be one. Ryle points out that schisms and sect-making have been sadly prevalent in Church history and given the world much opportunity to not believe. Now, there are times and places when divisions should happen, yet do we treat such things lightly or as occasions for sadness?
Jesus prays for his people to be with him where He is. Ryle says that we do not now see Christ. We read of Him, believe in him and rest our souls in his finished work. But even the best of us, at our best, walk by faith and not be sight and our poor halting faith often makes us walk very feebly on the way to heaven. Yet, he encourages us to not let the vision of being with Christ be long out of our thoughts or distant from our minds. How often do we think of heaven? How will we seek to keep such hope from being long from our thoughts?

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John 17:9-16

We learn that the Lord Jesus does things for His believing people which He does not do for the wicked and unbelieving.
We learn that Christ does not wish His believing people to be taken out of the world, but to be kept from the evil of it.

"This special intercession of the Lord Jesus is one great secret of the safety of all believers. They are daily watched, thought of and provided for with unfailing care, by One who never slumbers and never sleeps."

"To abide here in this vale of tears, tried, tempted, assaulted and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and to glorify Christ. To go to heaven at once in the day of conversion would doubtless be an easy course and would save us much trouble. But the easiest course is not always the path of duty. The one who would win the crown must carry the cross and show themselves light in the midst of darkness and salt in the midst of corruption."

Questions:

Jesus declares that he prays for his disciples and not for the world. Ryle points out that this is a particularly hated doctrine by the world, but one that should be of particular comfort for believers. And so, we need to ask ourselves: am I leaning on this truth that Jesus is praying for me? Is this a great comfort to me?
Jesus prays that his people be kept from evil, but not taken out of the world of evil. Ryle points out that to abide here in this vale, tried, tempted, assaulted, and yet kept from falling into sin, is the surest plan to promote the sanctification of Christians and glorify Christ. Whatever trial we are going through, are we able to trust that God knows better than us? Do we pray to be kept from temptation and delivered from evil?

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John 17:1-8

We should notice what a glorious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s role and dignity.
We should notice what a gracious account they contain of our Lord Jesus Christ’s disciples.

"Forever let us thank God that the hope of a Christian rests on such a solid foundation as a divine Saviour. He to whom we are commanded to flee for pardon and in whom we are bid to rest for peace, is God as well as Man. To all who really think about their souls and are not careless and worldly, the thought is full of comfort."

"Wherever the gracious Saviour of sinners sees true faith in Himself, however feeble, He looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects."

Questions:

These verses contain great truths about Jesus. As I read what Ryle lists once again, would you let your heart praise our great Savior for his mercy and grace? "We read that the Father has “given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life.” The keys of heaven are in Christ’s hands. The salvation of every soul is at His disposal. We read, furthermore, that “this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The mere knowledge of God is not sufficient and saves no one. We must know the Son as well as the Father. God known without Christ is a Being whom we can only fear and dare not approach. It is “God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself” who alone can give to the soul life and peace. We read, furthermore, that Christ has finished the work which the Father gave Him to do. He has finished the work of redemption and made out a perfect righteousness for His people. Unlike the first Adam, who failed to do God’s will and brought sin into the world, the second Adam has done all and left nothing undone that He came to do. Finally, we read that Christ had glory with the Father before the world was. Unlike Moses and David, He existed from all eternity, long before He came into the world and He shared glory with the Father, before He was made flesh and born of the Virgin Mary." Which of these great truths stands out to you and increases thanksgiving to His name, and why?
Ryle points out a number of the gracious sayings about the disciples. Jesus declares that they have kept his word, they believe Jesus has come from the Father, they have received the Father's words, and they believe that the Father sent Jesus. And all this from men who were quite weak and feeble! Ryle points out the life-giving truth that even the least degree of faith is very precious in God's sight, and that he looks with compassion on many weaknesses and passes by many defects. What does this truth do to your heart today?

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John 16:25-33

We learn that clear knowledge of God the Father is one of the foundations of the Christian religion
We learn that our Lord Jesus Christ makes much of a little grace and speaks kindly of those who have it.
We learn that the best Christians know only a little of their own hearts.
We learn that Christ is the true source of peace.

"Let us beware of the mistake which some make, who speak of God as if there was no Christ, and the mistake which others make, who speak of Christ as if there was no God. Let us seek to know all three Persons in the blessed Trinity and give to each One the honour due to Him."

"The Saviour of sinners will not cast off those who believe in Him because they are babes in faith and knowledge."

"None of us, perhaps, have the least idea how much we might fall if placed suddenly under the influence of strong temptation. Happy are those who never forget that the one who thinks they are standing must beware of falling and, remembering our Lord’s disciples, prays daily: “Hold me up and I shall be safe.”

"Let us lean back our souls on these comforting words and take courage. The storms of trial and persecution may sometimes beat heavily on us, but let them only drive us closer to Christ. The sorrows, losses, crosses and disappointments of our life may often make us feel badly cast down, but let them only make us tighten our hold on Christ."

Questions:

1.Jesus declares that he will speak plainly about the Father. Ryle highlights that Christians must beware of the mistake of speaking of God without the Son, and the Son without the Father. We must seek to know all three Persons of the blessed Trinity and to give to each One the honor due his name. Is this a new concept for you? It was to me a number of years ago, but I was encouraged by a prayer by John Stott that highlights this well. It goes like this:

Father, give me grace to live before you and please you more and more.

Lord Jesus, give me grace to deny myself, take up the cross, and follow you.

Holy Spirit, fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life of love, joy,

peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

2.Jesus, knowing the weakness and soon abandonment of his disciples, speaks gracious words of the Father's love for them. Ryle points out that Jesus does not despise one of his children, no matter how weak and feeble, as long as their faith is true. What does this do to encourage your heart?

3.We learn that the disciples, though making genuine statements about their love for Christ, had yet to learn of the weakness of their own flesh, the power of the devil, the feebleness of their own resolutions, and the shallowness of their faith. Ryle points out that the true secret of spiritual strength is self-distrust and deep humility. How do we see ourselves? Do we know how weak we truly are? Are we quick to trust ourselves or do we know that we are weak and seek to be strong in the Lord?

4.Jesus promises tribulation and yet comfort that he has overcome the world. When faced with sorrows, losses, crosses, and disappointments, do we tighten our grip on Christ or are we tempted to doubt his goodness?

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John 16:16-24

We learn that Christ’s absence from the earth will be a time of sorrow to believers, but of joy to the world.
We learn that Christ’s personal return will be a source of boundless joy to His believing people.
We learn that while Christ is absent believers must ask much in prayer.

"Christ’s personal absence must necessarily be a sorrow to all true-hearted believers. Faith is not sight. Hope is not certainty. Reading and hearing are not the same as beholding. Praying is not the same as speaking face to face. There is something, even in the hearts of the most eminent believers that will never be fully satisfied as long as they are on earth and Christ is in heaven."

"It is not enough that we look backward to the cross and rejoice in Christ dying for our sins, or upwards to the right hand of God and rejoice in Christ’s interceding for every believer. We must do more—we must look forward to Christ’s return from heaven to bless His people and to finish the work of redemption."

"Let prayer in the name of Jesus be a daily habit with us every morning and evening of our lives. Keeping up that habit, we shall find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness and support in death. He is faithful who promised that your joy would be full and He will keep His word if we ask in prayer."

Questions:

We hear Christ declare that His leaving will not only cause the disciples sorrow, but will bring joy to the unbelieving world. The truth is, as Ryle says, that faith is not sight, and hope is not certainty, and reading and hearing are not the same as beholding, and praying is not speaking face-to-face. Do we resonate with this?
Jesus declares that when he does return that the heart of believers will be full. Ryle points out that all Christians, while looking back at his death, and looking up at his current intercession ought to include having our eyes fixed on this second coming. When is the last time we longed or asked for this? If too long, how will we seek to place this calling more front and center in our lives?
Jesus declares to his disciples, then and now, that if we ask in his name, we will receive that our joy may be full. Ryle encourages us that out of all Christian duties, none receives such promises as prayer. He exhorts us to keep up that habit and find strength for duty, comfort in trouble, guidance in perplexity, hope in sickness, and support in death. Do our lives declare that we are dependent upon God or dependent upon ourselves? What would it do to our trust in God to memorize this promise and take it to heart?

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John 16:8-15

Our Lord probably meant to show us what the Holy Spirit would do to the world of unbelieving Jews. He would convince them “of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
Our Lord probably meant to foretell what the Holy Spirit would do for the whole of humanity, both Gentiles as well as Jews.

"The difficulty of rightly explaining the sayings of our Lord in this place is undeniably very great. It may well be doubted whether the full meaning of His words has ever been entirely grasped by the human mind and whether there is not something at the bottom which has not been completely unfolded."

"Then let us never forget, in reading the Bible, to pray for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. We must not wonder if we find the Bible a dark and difficult book if we do not regularly seek light from Him by whom it was first inspired. In this, as in many other things, we do not have because we do not ask."

Questions:

Jesus declares that the Spirit will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Ryle, admitting this to be a deep passage in which much is not fully understood, suggests that it speaks first about the Jews and then about the whole world. It is a deeply comforting thought that the Father and Son have sent the Spirit to remind us of all truth. Can we testify of this reality in our own lives? Has the Spirit brought light when reading Scripture and brought remembrance of truth when in conversation? Do we regularly pray for the Spirit to work in our lives?

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John 16:1-7

We find our Lord delivering a remarkable prophecy.
We find our Lord explaining His special reason for delivering the prophecy just referred to, as well as all His discourse.
We find our Lord giving a special reason why it was expedient for Him to go away from His disciples: “if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

"Let it never surprise us to hear of true Christians being persecuted in one way or another, even in our own day. Human nature never changes. Grace is never really popular. The quantity of persecution which God’s children have to suffer in every rank of life, even now, if they confess their Master, is far greater than the thoughtless world supposes."

"We never can tell what is before us in life. But of one thing we may be very sure: we must carry the cross if we would wear the crown."

"He tells them that His departure, however painful it might seem, was not an evil, but a good. They would actually find it was not a loss, but a gain. His bodily absence would be more useful than His presence."

Questions:

Jesus promises his disciples persecution. Ryle points out that this prophecy, like all true prophecy, has been fulfilled to the very letter, and is still true today. Now, we may think that persecution means death threats and prison, but it can, as Jesus declares, include reviling and being spoken evil about on account of his name. Are we surprised when persecution comes? How may we gird ourselves even today for this truth?
The entire discourse Jesus is giving is done so that we would not stumble as we walk the narrow road that is the Christian life. Ryle points out that this is a great kindness from our Master, a kindness we must pass down to all new believers. Were we given such kind warnings to count the cost of following Jesus in our lives? Do we give such exhortations to others?
Jesus tells His disciples that it is good for him to go for then he will send the Holy Spirit to them. Ryle gives a number of reasons to consider this strange truth, the foremost being that the religion of the disciples had become an entirely new thing altogether after Pentecost. Do we believe that it is better that Jesus is in heaven so that the Spirit could dwell amongst and in us?

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John 15:22-27

We should observe how our Lord speaks of the misuse of Christian privileges: it intensifies guilt and will increase condemnation.
We should observe how our Lord speaks of the Holy Spirit: He speaks of Him as a Person.
We should observe how our Lord speaks of the special role of the apostles: they were to be His witnesses in the world.

"Let us settle it down as a first principle of Christianity, that Christian privileges are in a certain sense very dangerous things. If they do not help us toward heaven they will only sink us deeper into hell."

"Let us take care that the work of the Spirit is not so buried under high views of the church, the ministry and the Sacraments that the real Holy Spirit of Scripture is completely put out of sight."

"We must not be ashamed to stand up for Christ’s cause, to speak out for Christ and to persist in maintaining the truth of Christ’s gospel. Wherever we live, in town or in country, in public or in private, abroad or at home, we must boldly confess our Master at every opportunity, So doing, we shall walk in the steps of the apostles. So doing, we shall please our Master and may hope at last that we will receive the apostles’ reward."

Questions:

Jesus declares that the Pharisees are guilty of sin because they heard him speak. Ryle points out that greater privileges will either help us on the road to heaven, or sink us deeper into the depths of hell. What are we doing with the knowledge we have been given in preaching and Bible studies and Bible reading?
Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit as a Person, as the Helper, and as the One He and the Father will send. Ryle declares that we must take care that we have sound and Scriptural views of his nature, person, and work. He also warns that the work of the Spirit is not buried under high views of the church, the ministry, and the Sacraments. Are we guilty of not having Scriptural views of the Spirit or burying his work under other things?
Jesus calls his disciples witnesses. Ryle points out that this is not only the calling of the 11 apostles, but every Christian in every age whether in town or in country, in public or private, abroad or at home. In what ways are we bearing witness for Christ where we are currently placed?

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John 15:17-21

We are shown what true Christians must expect to meet in this world: hatred and persecution.
We are shown two reasons for patience under the persecution of this world.

"Mere church attendance and outward profession are a cheap religion, of course, and cost nothing. But true living Christianity will always bring with it a cross."

"Let us consider that we are only walking in our Master’s footsteps and sharing our Master’s portion. Do we deserve to be better treated? Are we better than He?"

Questions:

Jesus declares that all who follow him will be persecuted. Ryle points out that this has been proven throughout church history and is still true today. Have we ever been ridiculed, mocked, slandered, or misrepresented for following Jesus? Are we currently at a place where such responses are a surprise to us?
Jesus gives two reasons to be patient under persecution: first, because Jesus suffered, and second, it is evidence that we are children of God. For those who haven't suffered, the consideration might bring a kind of bravado, but may those who think so guard against the thought. Only the grace of the Holy Spirit can sustain and keep us faithful in such times. Would we pray for that grace, first to live faithfully and secondly, to bear persecution with endurance and pity for those who persecute?

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John 15:12-16

We should observe how our Lord speaks of the grace of brotherly love.
We should observe how our Lord speaks of the relation between Himself and true believers.
We should observe how our Lord speaks of the doctrine of election.

"Where there is no Christ-like love, there is no grace, no work of the Spirit and no reality in our faith."

"None so rich, so strong, so independent, so well off, so thoroughly provided for, as the one of whom Christ says, “This is my friend!”"

"Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification we may be sure there is no election."

Questions:

Jesus commands us to love as He has loved. We are called to love one another with an active, self-denying, self-sacrificing love, and to not do this or try to do this is to disobey Jesus Christ. Can it be said of us that we love others?
Jesus calls his disciples his friends. Ryle points out that this is a privilege of highest standing. How does this change how we go to the Father in prayer, knowing that Jesus who is our righteousness and Great High Priest is also our Friend?
Jesus speaks of choosing his disciples. Ryle points out that this is a passage that speaks to the doctrine of election, which he rightly declares must be received humbly and believed implicitly. What is helpful is seeing this doctrine tied to bearing fruit and Ryle's helpful comment, "Where there is no visible fruit of sanctification we may be sure there is no election." So, first, is the doctrine of election sweet, pleasant, and give you unspeakable comfort?" And second, how does it being tied to bearing fruit help you understanding of this doctrine?

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John 15:7-11

Our Lord declares, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” This is a distinct promise of power and success in prayer.
Our Lord declares, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” The meaning of this promise seems to be that fruitfulness in Christian practice will not only bring glory to God, but will supply the best evidence to our own hearts that we are real disciples of Christ.
Our Lord declares, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.” The one who makes conscience of diligently observing Christ’s commands is the one who will continually enjoy a sense of Christ’s love in their soul.

"Why is there so little power of prayer like this in our own time? Simply because there is so little close communion with Christ and so little strict conformity to His will."

"People are content with a little Christianity, and a little fruit of the Spirit, and do not labour to be holy in all kinds of conversation. They must not wonder if they enjoy little peace, feel little hope and leave behind them little evidence. The fault lies with themselves. God has linked together holiness and happiness and what God has joined together we must not think to put asunder."

"By the grace of God we may make Christ’s laws our rule of life and show daily that we desire to please Him. So doing, our gracious Master will give us a constant sense of His favour and make us feel His face smiling on us like the sun shining on a fine day."

Questions:

Jesus declares that if we abide in him, and his words abide in us, we will ask and he will answer. Ryle points out that answers to prayer hinge on close communion with Christ which he describes as to always lean on him, resting on him, pouring out our hearts to him, and using him as our Fountain of life and strength, our chief Companion and best Friend. How close do we commune with the Lord Jesus Christ? How can we grow in this today?
Jesus declares that the Father is glorified when we bear much fruit and prove to be disciples. Ryle highlights the misery of always doubting and fearing, and shows that this saying of Jesus gives us the path forward. If we would know we are on the road to heaven, we must strive to bear much fruit in life, habits, temper, words, and works. He warns that little peace and little hope, and thus little evidence flow from being content with only a little Christianity, little fruit and no labors to be holy in all kinds of conversation. If we struggle with this doubting and fearing, could it be tied to contentment with little Christianity and little striving after Christ?
Jesus declares that if we keep his commandments, we will abide in his love. Ryle warns of many who will hear this statement and think it is tantamount to legalism. Yet, if that was true, then Jesus would be a legalist when he declares that he obeys the Father's commands and abides in His love! Would we desire to sense more of Christ's love in our lives? Then we must aim to have Christ's commands before us and, by the Holy Spirit, strive to walk in them with a desire to please Him. Will we not strive to put the commands of our Lord before us because He has so graciously saved us? What is the first step we will take in doing this?

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John 15:1-6

We are meant to learn that the union between Christ and believers is very close.
We are meant to learn that there are false Christians as well as true ones.
We are meant to learn that the fruit of the Spirit is the only satisfactory evidence of someone being a true Christian.
We are meant to learn that God will often increase the holiness of true Christians by His providential dealings with them.

"In themselves believers have no life, strength or spiritual power. All that they have of vital faith comes from Christ. They are what they are, feel what they feel and do what they do because they draw out of Jesus a continual supply of grace, help and ability."

"There are many professing Christians in every church whose union with Christ is only outward and formal. Some of them are joined to Christ by baptism and church membership. Some of them go even further than this, and are regular communicants and loud talkers about Christianity. But they all lack the one thing needed: notwithstanding services, sermons and sacrament, they have no grace in their hearts, no faith, no inward work of the Holy Spirit."

"Where there is no fruit of the Spirit to be seen there is no living faith in the heart. The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus will always make Himself known in the daily conduct of those in whom He dwells."

"Trial, to speak plainly, is the instrument by which our Father in heaven makes Christians more holy. By trial He calls out their passive graces and proves whether they can suffer His will as well as do it. By trial He weans them from the world, draws them to Christ, drives them to the Bible and prayer, shows them their own hearts and makes them humble. This is the process by which He prunes them and makes them more fruitful."

Questions:

Jesus declares that He is the vine and believers are the branches. Ryle points out that there is no closer relationship conceivable than the union believers have with Jesus, just like a branch has with the vine. The believer has no life, strength, or spiritual power to do anything and all comes from Christ. How does this change how you think of time in the Word and prayer?
Jesus declares that there are branches that do not bear fruit. Ryle points out that there are those whose union with Christ is only outward and formal...by baptism and church membership but not in Spirit and truth. Are we content with people seeing us as Christians without the substance? How do the warnings of being cast into the fire affect our hearts?
Jesus declares that whoever abides in him will bear much fruit. Ryle points out that fruit is shown in repentance toward God, faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ and holiness of life and conduct. Fruit is the truest evidence of belonging to Christ. Now, while it is good for us to ask ourselves what kind of fruit God is producing in our lives, it is equally helpful to ask what fruit others who know us well see in our lives too.
Jesus declares that His Father prunes the branches that bear fruit. Ryle points out that this pruning is God's providential working of trials into our lives which, when seen rightly, make us holy. Hebrews 12 tells us to endure suffering as discipline from our heavenly Father, without which we are not true children. How do we respond to the trials God brings into our lives? Does it produce in us grumbling and complaining, or, by God's grace, does it produce a spirit of endurance and trust?

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John 14:27-31

We should observe Christ’s last legacy to His people.
We should observe Christ’s perfect holiness.

"Half our doubts and fears arise from dim perceptions of the real nature of Christ’s gospel."

"In ourselves and our doings we shall find everything imperfect, and if we had no other hope than our own goodness we might well despair. But in Christ we have a perfect, sinless Representative and Substitute."

Questions:

Jesus declares that he gives His own peace, a peace the world cannot give. Ryle declares that Christ's peace is not given unwillingly, sparingly, nor for a little time. He also says that he is more willing to give us his peace than we are to receive it. He closes this section by saying that half our doubts and fears arise from dim perceptions of the real nature of Christ's gospel. Consider your doubts and fears...have you applied the gospel of Grace and peace to those situations?
We hear Jesus declare that Satan has nothing in Him. Ryle points out that this speaks of Christ's perfections and compares this with everyone else. Satan came to Adam and Eve and found weakness. He came to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and all of us, and found imperfection. Yet, he came to Christ and found nothing at all. In ourselves we may well despair, but in Christ we have a perfect, sinless, blameless, spotless righteousness in whom God is well pleased. Take some time to worship King Jesus for these great truths!

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John 14:21-26

We learn that keeping Christ’s commandments is the best test of love to Christ.
We learn that there are special comforts laid up for those who love Christ and prove it by keeping His words.
We learn that part of the Holy Spirit’s work is to teach and to bring things to remembrance.

"Good feelings and desires are useless if they are not accompanied by action. They may even become mischievous to the soul, induce hardness of conscience and do positive harm. Passive impressions which do not lead to action, gradually deaden and paralyze the heart. Living and doing are the only real evidence of grace."

"If we want to be eminently happy, we must strive to be eminently holy."

"Do we complain that though we read and hear, we seem to lose as fast as we gain? Let us pray daily for the help of the Holy Spirit. He can bring things to our remembrance. He can make us remember old and new things. He can keep in our minds the whole system of truth and duty and make us ready for every good word and work."

Questions:

Jesus declares that if we love him, we will obey his commandments. Ryle warns that good feelings and desires are useless if they are not accompanied by action, and that they may even become mischievous to the soul by inducing hardness of conscience and thus do positive harm. We need to ask ourselves: does our love for Christ evidence itself in how we live, or does it remain primarily in the realm of our feelings? Could it be said of us, like the Paul to the Colossians, that others have heard of our faith and love?
Jesus gives the deep promise that those who obey his commandments will be loved by him, and that the Father and Son will come and make their home in that person. Ryle points out that the reason so many Christians are unhappy as they walk the narrow road to heaven is that they do not attend as strictly to Christ's practical sayings and words; that there is too much loose and careless obedience to Christ's commandments. Are we those in this 'unhappy' category? If so, does Ryle's diagnosis prove correct in that we are loose with obeying Christ?
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to help bring remembrance of all He has said. Ryle declares that this promise is not just for the 11 apostles but for all believers at all times. He asks us if we are aware of spiritual ignorance or if we find our memory of spiritual things defective? If so, is it also true that we have not been asking the Holy Spirit for His help in being taught and remembering what we have been taught? May it not be said that we have not because we ask not!

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John 14:18-20

We learn that Christ’s second coming is meant to be the special comfort of believers.
We learn that Christ’s life secures the life of His believing people.
We learn that full and perfect knowledge of divine things will never be attained by believers until the second advent.

"Let us settle it in our minds that all believers are comparatively orphans and children in their minority, until the second advent. Our best things are yet to come. Faith has yet to be exchanged for sight and hope for certain."

"Each child of God is invisibly linked to the throne of the Rock of Ages. When that throne can be shaken and not till then, we may despair. But Christ lives and we will live also."

"Raised from the dead, freed from the darkness of this world, no longer tempted by the devil and tried by the flesh, believers will see as they have been seen and know as they have been known. We will have light enough one day. What we do not know now, we will know then."

Questions:

Jesus promises that he will come for His people. Ryle argues this is referring not just to the 12 apostles but for all believers at all times. The question before us today, as we hear this afresh, is: are we looking forward to the return of Christ? Have we put this hope before us, right next to the atoning death and intercession of Christ?
Jesus declares that because He lives, we also, who are united to Him, live. This, Ryle tells us, should bring great comfort to the Christian! Christ Jesus has been raised and all Christians are united to Him are raised to newness of life and will be finally raised to be with Him forever. And this cannot change because Christ cannot change! Does this not give you hope today? Can we say this is the source of our strength for today and hope for tomorrow?
Jesus declares that at His second coming we will know the that He is in the Father, us in Him, and Him in us. This, as Ryle says, are mysterious truths now and there is much ignorance about them. He also ties this to the sad divisions within the church because as we see in part, we also misunderstand one another. Does that not excite you that all will be clear one day? Does that not produce in us a humility as we disagree with brothers and sisters on issues that have divided true Christians over the years?

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John 14:12-17

We have a striking promise about the works that Christians may do.
We have a striking promise about things that Christians may get by prayer.
We have a striking promise about the Holy Spirit.

"He can help forward His cause on earth quite as much by sitting at the right hand of the Father and sending forth the Holy Spirit, as by being in the world."

"Weak and imperfect as their supplications may be, so long as they are put in Christ’s hands and offered in Christ’s name they shall not be in vain. We have a Friend at Court, an Advocate with the Father and if we honour Him by sending all our petitions through Him, He pledges His word that they shall succeed."

"Any doctrine about the church, the ministry or the sacraments which obscures the Spirit’s inward work or turns it into mere form, is to be avoided as deadly error."

Questions:

We hear Jesus say that his followers will do greater things than Himself. Ryle understands this to be referring not to miracles, but to conversions. No disciple raises a dead person after 4 days being dead or walks on water, but one sermon by Peter sees 3000 souls saved! Do we see the conversion of souls, of men and women being born again, as the greatest miracle?
Jesus gives a striking promise, namely that whatever we ask in His name He will do. Ryle warns against those who apply this to material wealth or worldly prosperity as if God is in the business of giving us idols that would take our hearts away from Him. Yet, if we would make a mark in this world, we must bring our requests to the Father through Jesus Christ. If Jesus only did the things that we asked for in the past 24 hours, what could we expect to happen? Is it significant or minute?
Jesus promises to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to his people. Ryle points out a number of truths about the Holy Spirit that he says we should grasp firmly and never let go of. As I list them again, can we say we are holding fast to these truths? First, the Spirit is a Person. Second, he is the Spirit of truth that leads us in all truth. Third, the world cannot receive Him and simply cannot understand how He works. Fourth, the Spirit dwells in believers and fifth, the Spirit is given to supply all their true needs while Christ's physical presence is removed. Do we know the work of the Spirit in our lives?

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John 14:4-11

We should mark how much better Jesus speaks of believers than they speak of themselves.
We should mark what glorious names the Lord Jesus gives Himself.
We should mark how expressly the Lord Jesus shuts out all ways of salvation except Himself.

"The plain truth is that all believers tend to undervalue the work of the Spirit in their own souls, and to imagine they know nothing because they do not know everything."

"To use Christ daily as the way, to believe Christ daily as the truth, to live on Christ daily as the life—this is to be a well-informed, a thoroughly equipped and an established Christian."

"It counts for nothing that a person is clever, learned, highly gifted, amiable, charitable, kind-hearted and zealous about some sort of faith. All this will not save their soul if they do not draw near to God by Christ’s atonement and make use of God’s own Son as their Mediator and Saviour."

"We must be content to believe when we cannot explain and to admire and revere when we cannot interpret."

Questions:

We hear Jesus speak of his disciples knowing much while Thomas objects. Ryle points out that while the disciples were children in many ways, their knowledge was far greater than the majority of the Jewish nation. Yet, what matters most is that the disciples, and by implication, all disciples, have a heart knowledge that God sees and finds precious in His sight. Is this a new idea to you, namely that God takes more account of a heart knowledge than a head knowledge?
We hear the famous words of Jesus telling his disciples that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Ryle declares that the Christian who uses Christ daily as the way, believes Christ daily as the truth, and lives on Christ daily as the life is to be a well-informed, thoroughly equipped and an established Christian. What does that truth do in simplifying your life and walk?
Jesus declares that He is the only way to God. Ryle warns of a common error then as it is still today, namely that salvation will come to any who have sincere faith in any god. Sincerity counts for nothing if it is in the wrong thing. Is this teaching a hill to die on for us or have we bought into the world's message and are afraid to offend?
We learn from Jesus that He is one with the Father. Ryle points out that this is a deep well and that our minds simply cannot take it all in. Instead, in such cases, we must be content to believe when we cannot explain, and admire and revere when we cannot interpret. If you are like me, we like to be able to wrap our heads around a thing before we have peace, but does this statement not help you? When it comes to the deep things about God, does it lead us to worship and contentment?

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John 14:1-3

We have a precious remedy against an old disease.
We have a very comforting account of heaven, the future home of God’s people.
We have a solid ground for expecting good things to come.

"Faith in the Lord Jesus is the only sure medicine for troubled hearts. To believe more thoroughly, trust more entirely, rest more unreservedly, lay hold more firmly, lean back more completely—this is the prescription which our Master urges on the attention of all His disciples."

"What we shall see and whom we shall see in heaven we cannot fully understand yet, while we are in the body. But one thing is certain: we will see Christ."

"Great is the blessedness of looking back to Christ coming the first time to suffer for us, but no less great is the comfort of looking forward to Christ coming the second time, to raise and reward His people."

Questions:

Jesus tells his disciples, who already showed much evidence in believing, to believe once again! Ryle points out that even weak faith in Jesus saves, but strong faith brings inward comfort, and so faith is the medicine for troubled hearts. What are things that trouble our hearts? What promises do we need to believe and apply to those troubles?
Jesus tells us some rich truths about heaven: that it is home to the Father and all who belong to Him, that it is the place of mansions, and many of them, and that it is the place where Christ dwells. Ryle encourages us that though we may not know much of what is there or who will be there in the end, we will certainly see Jesus. Do these truths excite our hearts and give us comfort? Why or why not?
Jesus declares that He is going to prepare a place for His people. Ryle encourages us with these good words, namely to firmly plant in our hearts that heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and that Christ will come to get us Himself. How often do we think about heaven? What can we do to think about it more?

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John 13:31-38

These verses show us what glory the crucifixion brought both to God the Father and to God the Son.
Secondly, these verses show us what great importance our Lord Jesus attaches to the grace of brotherly love.
Lastly, these verses show us how much self-ignorance there may be in the heart of a true believer.

"Let us remember that painting and sculpture can never tell a tenth part of what took place on the cross. Crucifixes and pictures at best can only show us a human being agonizing in a painful death. But of the length and breadth and depth and height of the work transacted on the cross, of God’s law honored, our sins borne, sin punished in a Substitute, free salvation bought for us—of all this they can tell nothing. Yet all this lies hid under the crucifixion."

"It is called a new commandment, not because it had never been given before, but because it was to be more honored, to occupy a higher position, to be backed by a higher example than it ever had been before. Above all, it was to be the test of Christianity before the world."

"Let it be a settled principle in our faith that there is weakness in all our hearts of which we have no adequate conception, and that we never know how far we might fall if we were tempted."

Questions:

Jesus talks of both His Father and Himself being glorified by the cross. Ryle points out that crucifixes and pictures can only tell us a fraction of what is really going on at the cross, yet the Scriptures reveal to us the transaction, the law of God honored, our sins being nailed to the tree, our sin punished in our place, and free salvation purchased for all God's people. Does this not produce in us a boasting in the cross?
Jesus declares that the litmus test for Christians in the world is love. Ryle warns that of all the Christian graces love is far too often an idea we like to talk about rather than a command to be obeyed. Can our love be seen in our tempers and words? In our bearing and our doing? in our behavior at home and abroad? Do we especially aim to do good to fellow Christians? Do we abhor the idea of envy, malice, and jealousy as downright sin?
We see Peter make a bold claim, and Jesus declare that Peter will deny him 3 times before the day is done. Ryle points out that even the greatest believer can have great self-ignorance. He warns that the seeds of every sin lay latent in our hearts even when renewed and they only need occasion or carelessness and the withdrawal of God's grace for a time to put forward an abundant crop. Are we aware of our own weaknesses? Do we regularly cry out to God to be upheld by His power and kept from temptation and the evil one? Or does the lack of these things declare that we believe ourselves to be strong in ourselves?

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John 13:21-30

Let us mark what trouble our Lord Jesus went through for the sake of our souls.
Let us mark the power and malignity of our great enemy the devil.
Let us mark the extreme hardness which comes over the heart of a backsliding professor of faith.

"How many cups of sorrow He drained to the dregs in working out our salvation, beside the mighty cup of bearing our sins! They show us how little reason we have for complaining when friends fail us and people disappoint us."

"Trifling with the first thoughts of sin, making light of evil ideas when first offered to our hearts, allowing Satan to talk to us, flatter us and put bad notions into our hearts—all this may seem a small matter to many. It is precisely at this point that the road to ruin often begins."

"Let us watch jealously over our hearts and beware of giving way to the beginnings of sin. Happy is the one who fears always and walks humbly with their God."

Questions

We see the heart of Jesus burdened when Judas Iscariot betrays Him. Ryle encourages us to consider how many cups of sorrow he drank besides the mighty cup of bearing out sins. He points out that we should have very little reason for complaining when others fail and disappoint us. Can we say this is true?
We see the evil of Satan who puts a thought into Judas's head, and then enters him when he acts on it. The Bible tells us not to be ignorant of Satan's devices and Ryle encourages that our only safety is to resist him and to not listen to his first advances. Are we aware of Satan's schemes? Do we daily pray to be kept from temptation?
We see the hardness of the heart of Judas as Jesus speaks his last words to him. Ryle warns against resisting the light and knowledge we have, and that such work is most common amongst those who deliberately turn their backs on such light and knowledge. He closes with this helpful word, namely that the strongest Christian is the one who feels their weakness most and cries for help most frequently. In light of this standard, how strong are we?

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John 13:16-20

We are taught that Christians must never be ashamed of doing anything that Christ has done.
We are taught the uselessness of Christian knowledge if not accompanied by practice.
We are taught the perfect knowledge which Christ has of all His people.
We are taught the true dignity of Christ’s disciples.

"We are all too likely to dislike any work which seems to require trouble, self-denial and going down to our inferiors...When feelings of this kind arise within us we shall find it good to remember our Lord’s words in this passage, no less than our Lord’s example.

"[Knowledge] is perfectly valueless unless it produces results in our conduct, and influences our lives, and moves our wills. In fact knowledge without practice does not raise us above the level of the devil."

"A church may be deceived and rank people as apostles who are no better than Judas Iscariot. But Jesus is never deceived for He can read hearts."

"To spend and be spent in trying to do good makes a person far more honorable in the eyes of Jesus than to command armies or amass a fortune."

Questions:

Jesus declares that no servant is greater than his master. And yet, what the Master just did was stoop low to wash his disciple's feet! This is the example we are to follow, and again, we must ask ourselves: do I possess true love and humility in serving others? Do I believe myself to be greater than Jesus Christ?
Jesus declares to his disciples that if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Ryle gives us a helpful balance. On the one hand, knowledge is the beginning of Christianity in the soul, on the other hand, that knowledge is useless if not accompanied by practice and change of heart and life. He warns that it is common for people to say, "I know, I know" while not actually doing what they say they apparently "know." To which side are we more guilty: of not knowing or not doing? What is one thing you know that you are doing?
Jesus declares that He knows whom he has chosen. Ryle points out that this statement declares a truth clearly revealed in Scripture, namely that Jesus knows the hearts of all. He shows that this should cause the hypocrite to repent and cause the believer to find comfort. What does this truth do to our hearts?
Jesus declares that whoever receives whomever he sends received him personally. Ryle points out that this is encouraging for the believer who gives themselves to seeking the good of others. Are we eager and ready to do good to others when opportunities arise or do we tend to grumble and complain?

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John 13:6-15

We should notice the hasty ignorance of the apostle Peter.
We should notice the plain practical lesson which lies upon its surface.
We should notice the deep spiritual lessons which lie beneath its surface.

"We must make allowances for the corruption of the understanding as well as of the will. We must not be surprised to find that the brains as well as the affections of Adam’s children have been hurt by the fall."

"Then if we want to do good to the world and make our calling and election sure, let no one forget our Lord’s example in this passage. Like Him, let us be humble and loving towards all."

"Even the one that is washed needs to wash their feet and to wash them in the same fountain where they found peace of conscience when they first believed. Then let us daily use that fountain without fear. With the blood of Christ we must begin and with the blood of Christ we must go on."

Questions:

We read of Peter lacking understanding as to the actions of His Lord. Ryle points out that the fall has not only affected our emotions but our understanding, and in truth, every part of us! Like Peter, we can look at the happenings of our lives that God has orchestrated and wonder what God is doing. Yet, like Peter, there is a day coming when God will make all things plain. Does this bring us comfort in the midst of trail?
We hear Jesus declare that we should wash the feet of others like He has done. Ryle points out two examples we should follow, namely humility and love. Humility means we die to ourselves and, like our Lord, are willing to serve anyone, no matter how low. Love means we delight to do anything, even little things, to promote the happiness and lessen the sorrows of others. Are these things true of us? Are their people too low for us to serve? Do we find delight and joy in increasing the happiness of others?
We read that those who have been washed still need to wash their feet. Ryle points out that being washed is turning to Christ and His precious blood by faith, and yet, nobody can pass through this evil world without defilement and the need for fresh supplies of mercy. So, take heart! If you are washed, you cannot wash again! Yet, as long as we live in this world, we need to go back to that fountain to wash our feet again and again. What does this truth do to encourage your heart?

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John 13:1-5

We learn what patient and continuing love there is in Christ’s heart towards His people.
We learn what deep corruption may sometimes be found in the heart of a great professor of religion.

"The love of Christ to sinners is the very essence and marrow of the gospel. That He should love us at all and care for our souls, that He should love us before we love Him, or even know anything about Him, that He should love us so much as to come into the world to save us, take our nature on Him, bear our sins and die for us on the cross—all this is wonderful indeed!"

"There can be no greater warning of danger to Christians than Judas Iscariot. He shows us what length someone may go in Christian profession and yet turn out a rotten hypocrite at last and prove never to have been converted. He shows us the uselessness of the highest privileges unless we have a heart to value them and turn them to good account. Privileges alone without grace save nobody and will only make hell deeper."

Questions:

We read of the love of Christ for believers and sinners in this passage. Ryle, speaking of the less often considered love toward sinners says, "That He should bear with all their countless infirmities from grace to glory, that He should never be tired of their endless inconsistencies and petty provocations, that He should go on forgiving and forgetting incessantly, and never be provoked to cast them off and give them up: all this is marvelous indeed!" Will you not give God glory as you consider this love in your life?
We see the sober warning of Judas, who, having been with Jesus for 3 years, proves to belong to Satan in the end. Ryle warns that it is useless to have the highest privileges if they have no value in our hearts and turn them to good account. Do we pray daily that our Christianity may be genuine, sincere, real, and true?

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John 12:44-50

One thing shown in these verses is the dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Another thing shown in these verses is the certainty of a judgment to come.

"Forever let us make much of Christ in all our faith. We can never trust Him too much, follow Him too closely or commune with Him too unreservedly."

"Yet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have no cause to be afraid. For them there is no condemnation and the last court need have no terrors. The bias of their lives will witness for them, while the shortcomings of their lives will not condemn them. It is those who reject Christ and will not hear His call to repentance—they are the ones who, on the judgment day, will have reason to be cast down and afraid."

Questions:

These words of Jesus declare that He is our hope and our light. Ryle declares that we can never trust him too much, follow him too closely, or commune with him to unreservedly, and that looking to him we will find light in our understanding. Are we looking to Christ in such a way that it strips the darkness of half its gloom when it comes into our lives?
We see, in the words of Jesus, that the words he spoke will judge on the last day. Ryle exhorts us to consider the judgment day in our everyday lives and let it have a practical effect of walking in holiness. And so, let us ask ourselves, how often do we think of the judgement day? Does this doctrine have the effect of making us flee sin and strive for holiness? If not, how will we put this before us going forward from this day onwards?

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John 12:34-43

We may learn the duty of using present opportunities.
We may learn the desperate hardness of the human heart.
We may learn the amazing power which the love of the world has over men and women.

"Light is about us and around us and near us on every side. Let us each resolve to walk in the light while we have it, lest we find ourselves at length cast out into outer darkness forever. It is a true saying of an old divine, that the recollection of lost and misspent opportunities will be the very essence of hell."

"The prevalence of unbelief and indifference in the present day ought not to surprise us. It is just one of the evidences of that mighty foundation doctrine, the total corruption and fall of humanity."

"And so they go on from year to year secretly ill at ease and dissatisfied with themselves, knowing too much of truth to be happy in the world and clinging too much to the world to enjoy any faith."

Questions:

Jesus talks about walking in the light while we still have the light. Ryle applies this to walking in the truths we find in the Scriptures and seeking to further God's kingdom on earth while the door of grace is still open. How are we using our time, talent, and treasures? In what ways are we walking in the light today?
Many heard Jesus preach and never believed, and Ryle exhorts us that we should not be surprised when people hear us speak and preach and don't believe. Even so, is our confidence in being faithful to what God has said, or are we tempted to find a 'miracle' that will convince others to believe?
We see that many rulers believed but refused to confess that Jesus was the Christ for fear of man. Ryle says that such people go year after year secretly ill at ease and dissatisfied with themselves because they know too much truth to be happy in the world and cling too much to the world to enjoy any faith. Where are we on this spectrum? Are we miserable knowing too much truth to enjoy the world or are we clinging too much to the world to enjoy any faith? Either way, would we pray that God would increase our faith?

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John 12:27-33

We have in these verses a great doctrine indirectly proved: that doctrine is the imputation of our sin to Christ.
We have in these verses a great mystery unfolded: that mystery is the possibility of much inward conflict of soul without sin.
We have in these verses, a great miracle exhibited: that miracle is the heavenly Voice described in this passage—a Voice which was heard so plainly that people said it thundered—proclaiming, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
We have in these verses a great prophecy delivered. The Lord Jesus declared, “I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”

"Forever let us cling to that doctrine as the only ground of solid comfort for the heart of a Christian. That our sins have been really laid on our divine Substitute and borne by Him and that His righteousness is really imputed to us and accounted ours: this is the real warrant for Christian peace."

"The believer may be known by their inward warfare as well as by their inward peace."

"It is enough for us to believe that this miracle was meant to show the intimate relation and unbroken union between God the Father and God the Son throughout the period of the Son’s earthly ministry."

"Friends and foes, each in their own order, will be drawn from their graves to appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Let us take heed in that day that we are found on His right hand!"

Questions:

Ryle shows us that this text, namely that Christ Jesus declares that his soul is troubled, is one important text that shows us that Christ takes our sin upon Himself. This is the resting place for peace in the heart of a believer, that Jesus has borne, carried, groaned, been troubled by, and really taken away our sins. Doesn't this fill your heart with wonder and awe? Do you believe this was necessary for your salvation?
Jesus, who is sinless, according to this passage, also had inward warfare and strife. Ryle points out that this is evidence that inward conflict is not a sign of lacking grace but should encourage the one who struggles in such ways, even while knowing there may be a need to repent of unbelief and doubt. How will you take this to heart if such trouble is what afflicts you?
Ryle points out the final judgement and reminds us that the day is yet coming when every person will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. How often do we think about this great day? Does it not drive us to be found at Christ's right hand?

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John 12:20-26

We learn from our Lord’s words in this passage, that death is the way to spiritual life and glory: “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
We learn from our Lord’s words that if we profess to serve Christ, we must follow Him: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me.”

"It is as true of Christians as it is of Christ that there can be no life without death, there can be no sweet without bitter, there can be no crown without a cross."

"As the soldier follows the general, the servant follows the master, the pupil follows the teacher, the sheep follows the shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience are the leading marks of real followers and will always be seen in true believing Christians."

Questions:

Jesus, in responding to some Greeks coming to him, declares that unless a seed of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it cannot bear fruit. This, obviously applying to Jesus' death, also has implications for all who follow Him as we cannot bear fruit unless we die to ourselves. Does it sound too strong - maybe even like legalism - for Jesus to say that you cannot be saved without being ready to even give up our lives and deny ourselves anything that hinders our souls for the sake of the gospel? What are areas we need to deny ourselves today? What are ways we need to sow to the Spirit?
Jesus gives a great promise, namely that the one who serves him belong to him. Ryle warns that it is easy to serve Christ in name and form and this satisfies many, but to follow him in faith and life is demanding and will earn us ridicule and opposition from the world. Do we only believe what is convenient and obey when it is easy? May we put before ourselves that great day of standing before Christ and aim to hear, "well done, good and faithful servant!"

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John 12:12-19

We learn how entirely voluntary the sufferings of Christ were.
We learn how minutely the prophecies concerning Christ’s first coming were fulfilled.

"He did not bleed and suffer and die because He was defeated by superior force and could not help Himself, but because He loved us and rejoiced to give Himself for us as our Substitute. He did not die because He could not avoid death, but because He was willing with all His heart to make His soul an offering for sin."

"We must settle it in our minds that the plain, literal meaning of the Bible is generally the true and correct meaning."

Questions:

We see that Jesus is able to draw crowds to him even though the religious leaders, who had great power over the people, were against it. Ryle draws from this the incredible truth that Jesus, who could have resisted his enemies who came to arrest him, willingly went to the cross in love and rejoiced to give Himself as our substitute. What does this do to your heart as you consider the love of God for you in Christ?
We see that a simple but exact prophecy was fulfilled as Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Ryle would have us see that if the prophecies of the first coming were so exactly fulfilled that we have even greater confidence that the second will also be fulfilled. He also encourages us to settle it in our minds that the plain, literal meaning of the Bible is generally the true and correct meaning. Are we happy readers who believe the Bible to mean exactly what it seems to mean?

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John 12:1-11

We see what abounding proofs exist of the truth of our Lord’s greatest miracles.
We see what unkindness and discouragement Christ’s friends sometimes meet with from other people.
We see what desperate hardness and unbelief there is in the human heart.

"In an age of abounding unbelief and scepticism, we shall find that the resurrection of Christ will bear any weight that we can lay on it."

"A day is soon coming when a wondering world will see that every cup of cold water given for Christ’s sake, as well as every gift of precious oil was recorded in heaven and has its rewards. In that great day those who thought that anyone could give too much to Christ will find they had better never have been born."

"Let us pray that our faith may be real, true, genuine and sincere, and not a mere temporary impression like the morning cloud and the early dew. Not least, let us watch and pray against the love of the world."

Questions:

We see a supper in which many see Lazarus eating and drinking, leaving no doubt that he is alive and that Jesus was Messiah. This proof, of which there is no refuting, points forward to Jesus rising from the dead as well as he did many of the same things Lazarus did. Does this reality, of Jesus rising from the dead, cause our hearts to rejoice even now?
We see both a love for Jesus expressed, and one of whom more would have been expected, criticizing such expressions of love. Ryle exhorts us that those indebted to Christ will be those who give much to Christ and that, sadly, there are many who will not understand such giving. How do we respond when we hear of others giving extravagant gifts for Christ? What are we willing to give for the sake of Christ?
Judas Iscariot had the benefit of seeing all Christ's miracles, heard on his teaching, received repeated kindnesses and yet proved rotten in the end. This, as Ryle points out, is evidence of the depth of corruption of the fall of humanity. Do we look at Judas and think we could never be like him or do we need to be careful if we think we stand lest we fall? Do we pray that our faith may be real, true, genuine, and sincere? May it be so for our joy and His glory!

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John 11:47-57

We should observe the desperate wickedness of our natural hearts.
We should observe the blind ignorance with which God’s enemies often act and reason.
We should observe what importance bad people sometimes attach to outward ceremonies, while their hearts are full of sin.

"To fancy, as some do, that if they saw something wonderful done before their eyes in confirmation of the gospel they would at once cast off all indecision and serve Christ is a mere useless dream. It is the grace of the spirit in our hearts and not miracles that our souls require."

"In days of trouble, rebuke and blasphemy, believers may rest patiently in the Lord. The very things that at one time seem likely to hurt them shall prove in the end to be for their gain."

"Let us settle it firmly in our minds that a religion which expends itself in zeal for outward formalities is utterly worthless in God’s sight."

Questions:

We see the hardness of human hearts as the Pharisees see undeniable proof that Jesus is God, and yet harden their hearts against him. Ryle declares that we must not be surprised when people reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is the question: are we surprised at such things or are we surprised when someone believes?
The Pharisees declare that if they leave Jesus alone, they will be ruined, and yet, it was their interfering which brought their downfall. We see here God's sovereign hand at work in history working all things for the good of those who love him. In times of trouble, do we see and trust God's hand, or fret wondering how God can let such things happen?
As the Jews were contemplating the death of Christ, they were also seeking to be ceremonially clean. Ryle points out that outward formalities without inward realities are utterly worthless in God's sight. Do we seek outward acceptance or inward purity before God? Which do we value most?

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John 11:38-46

We should mark our Lord’s words about the stone which lay on the grave of Lazarus.
We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to Martha, when she objected to the stone being removed from the grave.
We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to God the Father when the stone was taken from the grave.
We should mark the words which our Lord addressed to Lazarus when He raised him from the grave.

"In doing spiritual good to others—in training up our children for heaven, in following after holiness in our own daily walk—in these things it is undoubtedly true that we are weak and helpless. Without Christ we can do nothing. But still we must remember that Christ expects us to do what we can."

"Let us pray for such stores of inward faith that when our turn comes to suffer, we may suffer patiently and believe all is well."

"Once more He would have them know that as the words which He spoke were the very words which the Father gave Him to speak, so the works which He did were the very works which the Father gave Him to do. In short, He was the promised Messiah, whom the Father always hears because He and the Father are One."

"Here was public proof that our Lord had absolute power over the material world! A corpse, already decaying, was made alive!"

Questions:

We see that Jesus, although he could have moved the stone by his own power, commanded that others move it. Ryle highlights that although we can do nothing on our own, God has ordained that we do what we can, and so find Christ's blessing in the doing. What blessings have you received this past week in your doing good that you would not have received if you stood idly by?
We read that Martha, a woman who loved Jesus and was full of faith, faltered when Jesus asked for the stone to be moved. Ryle challenges us that it is easy to talk of trusting Jesus when things are well, but O how it is tried in difficulty. Where are we at? Think back to your last trial, or the trial you may be in. How was/is trust for Christ evidenced?
We hear another evidence of Jesus being one with the Father as he declares they are one. Ryle points out that this isn't just some pie-in-the-sky theology but is one secret of inward comfort. How do we view deep truths like this? As essential for our comfort and joy, or as something that theologians care about?
Jesus brings life to a man dead and decaying, which is power that puts his divinity on display. This gives us great hope and confidence that, in Christ, we too shall be raised by His power, and gives us hope that those who are spiritually dead can live as well. Do we have this kind of confidence and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ?

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John 11:30-37

We learn how great a blessing God sometimes bestows on actions of kindness and sympathy.
We learn what a depth of tender sympathy there is in Christ’s heart towards His people.

"Few are aware that one secret of being miserable is to live only for ourselves and one secret of being happy is to try to make others happy and to do a little good in the world."

"To be cold and stoical and unmoved in the sight of sorrow is no sign of grace. There is nothing unworthy of a child of God in tears. Even the Son of God could weep. It shows us above all that the Saviour in whom believers trust is a most tender and feeling Saviour."

Questions:

We see mourners joined Mary and Martha in the passing of their brother Lazarus. Ryle points out that, because they did this, that day was likely the day of salvation for many with the miracle that followed. Ryle highlights that there is often blessings that follow those who live for the good of others. Have we known this to be true in our own lives?
We find that Jesus, though he knew exactly what he would do, wept for the loss of Lazarus. Ryle points out that this Jesus hasn't changed, that he is one who feels and sympathizes for our weaknesses and losses. Do we know this about our Savior or do we have a picture of him being stoic and unmoved when we suffer? How about our walking in his footsteps? Do we have a tender heart like our Savior? Weeping and truly sympathizing with others is hard, but do we have evidence of walking this path with others like our Savior?

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John 11:17-29

We learn what a strange mixture of grace and weakness is to be found even in the hearts of true believers.
We learn what need many believers have of clear views of Christ’s person, role and power.

"Let us settle it in our minds that believers on earth are not perfect angels but only converted sinners. They are sinners renewed, changed, sanctified, but they are still sinners and will be till they die."

"The root of a happy Christian experience is a clear, distinct, well-defined knowledge of Jesus Christ."

Questions:

We see incredible faith on behalf of Martha and yet she only sees dimly, and that her faith is mixed with unbelief. Ryle points out that, on this side of heaven, a Christian is still only a converted sinner. Are we surprised when ourselves or others struggle with unbelief? Do we have on our lips, "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief?"
Martha knew Lazarus would rise and yet Jesus' response shows she needed to hear it afresh. Ryle points out that Martha could have been saved many sighs and tears if she would have had a clearer understanding of Christ and his role and power. Do we find little comfort in our Christianity? Could it be because we fail to connect our need to His provision and promises? Could we be accused of being lazy students in Christ's school and not pressing on it know Christ and the power of His resurrection?

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Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 11:7-16

We should notice how mysterious are the ways in which Christ sometimes leads His people.
We should notice how tenderly Christ speaks of the death of believers.
We should notice how much of natural temperament clings to a believer even after conversion.

"If Christians were allowed to choose their own course through life they would never learn hundreds of lessons about Christ and His grace which they are now taught in God’s ways."

"The grave itself is a conquered enemy. It must render back its tenants safe and sound, the very moment that Christ calls for them at the last day."

"We must not expect all God’s children to be exactly one and the same. Each tree in a forest has its own peculiarities of shape and growth and yet all at a distance look one mass of leaf and growth."

Questions:

In this passage, Jesus leads his disciples back into Judea, and back into danger, and they are confused by this decision, yet they never looked back wondering why. Ryle points out that this has great comfort for us, as we often do not know why God is leading us a certain way but can trust it is for our good. Is there any situation you can look back on which didn't make sense at the time but you can see the wisdom in? Are there any situations currently like this? Are you exercising faith and patience in it?
Jesus refers to Lazarus' death as him falling asleep. Ryle draws much comfort and courage for us in these words as the grave is a conquered enemy who must give up its tenants safe and sound when Christ calls! Do we have this confidence before our Lord that we can lie down and sleep for He makes us dwell in safety?
We see the temperament of Thomas here as similar to needing to see Jesus to believe after his resurrection. Ryle points out that becoming a Christian doesn't eliminate the various temperaments we have, and that we should be careful in making judgments about such things. An example would be seeing a brother or sister who is very cheerful and thinking of those who are not like this as either not being saved or even being less mature or something. Do we know anything of this? What temperaments do we have that might have us think we are lesser or greater than others?

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John 11:1-6

True Christians may be sick and ill as well as others.
Jesus Christ is the Christian’s best Friend in time of need.
Christ loves all who are true Christians.
Christ knows best at what time to do anything for His people.

"But sickness, we must always remember, is no sign that God is displeased with us. Rather, it is generally sent for the good of our souls. It tends to draw our affections away from this world and to direct them to things above. It sends us to our Bibles and teaches us to pray better. It helps to prove our faith and patience, and shows us the real value of our hope in Christ."

"Like afflicted Job, our first action must be to fall on our knees and worship. Like Hezekiah, we must spread our matter before the Lord. Like the holy sisters at Bethany, we must send up a prayer to Christ. Let us not forget, in the hurry and excitement of our feelings, that none can help like Him and that He is merciful, loving and gracious."

"Admitting fully that the foundations of Christian character are always the same and that all God’s children repent, believe, are holy, prayerful and Scripture-loving, we must make allowances for wide varieties in their temperaments and habits of mind. We must not undervalue others because they are not exactly like ourselves."

"The highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still and not complain."

Questions:

We learn that although Jesus, for whom no disease was beyond his healing touch, who knew this family well and loved them, allowed Lazarus to get sick and die. Ryle points out that sickness is a means God uses for the good of our souls: to draw us away from the world and to Him. When we get sick, how do we respond? Do we doubt God's love, or do we seek God and His purpose for it?
We see that Mary and Martha send a simple message to Jesus, "Lord, the one whom you love is ill." Ryle points out that while we should seek medical help in times of illness, we should first remember that the best and ablest and wisest Helper is in heaven at God's right hand! When sick, how quick are we to be like Job and fall on our knees and worship; like Hezekiah who spread the matter before the Lord; and like these sisters?
We learn that Jesus loves all true Christians. Ryle points out that, though all equally loved, each vary in character and grace. He says that while there are differences, "the least, weakest, feeblest, disciples are all loved by the Lord Jesus" and that no believer should dare despise and undervalue a fellow believer who differs from them in character and grace. Is this a temptation for us? How might this change how we see someone we might tend to look down on or think we are not as good as because we count them greater than us?
We learn that Christ waited 4 days before arriving to see those whom he loved, this delay was intentional. This is strange to us, and yet it is essential for us to believe that Christ Jesus, the One who loves us, knows what is best. Are we learning to say, “My times are in Your hand. Do with me as You will, how You will, what You will, and when You will. Not my will, but Yours be done?” Do we believe that the highest degree of faith is to be able to wait, sit still, and not complain?

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John 10:31-42

We should observe the extreme wickedness of human nature.
We should observe the high honor that Jesus Christ puts on the Holy Scriptures.
We should observe the importance which our Lord Jesus Christ attaches to His miracles.

"The true Christian has no right to be surprised if they meet with the same kind of treatment as our blessed Lord. In fact, the more they are like their Master and the more holy and spiritual their life, the more probable is it that they will have to endure hatred and persecution. Let them not suppose that any degree of consistency will deliver them from this cross. It is not their faults but their graces which call forth the enmity of men and women."

"Let us maintain boldly the complete inspiration of every word of the original Hebrew and Greek Scriptures. Let us believe that not only every book of the Bible, but every chapter, and not only every chapter, but every verse, and not only every verse, but every word, was originally given by inspiration of God."

"He who could suspend the laws of creation must be One who ought to be thoroughly believed and implicitly obeyed. To reject One who confirmed His mission by such mighty works is the height of madness and folly."

Questions:

We learn that Jesus was hated though he was perfect and did not sin. In truth, as Ryle points out, it is because he was perfect that he suffered ridicule because it pricks the consciouses of others when they see others better than themselves. If we are going to grow in Christlikeness, we should expect the same treatment as our Lord. And that really is the question: do we suffer for living and speaking in such ways that honor Christ by the world around us? Are we surprised by such actions?
We see that Jesus makes a mic-drop case by quoting one Scripture and declaring that Scripture cannot be broken. Ryle points out that behind this is the doctrine of plenary inspiration, that is, every Word of God (plenary) is from God Himself (inspiration). We are exhorted to keep this doctrine as the apple of our eye. Do we love this doctrine? If we struggle with it, have we considered Ryle's words, "if the difficulties of plenary inspiration are to be numbered by thousands, the difficulties of any other view of inspiration are to be numbered by tens of thousands?"
Jesus declares that even if the Pharisees would not believe his words, that they should believe just by seeing the miracles themselves. If you grew up in the church, there is a chance you take the miracles for granted. Is this true of you? Do the miracles give you unquestionable proof that Jesus is the Son of God?

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John 10:19-30

We should notice what strifes and controversies our Lord occasioned when He was on earth.
We should notice the name which Christ gives to true Christians.
We should notice the vast privileges which the Lord Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians.

"We must not allow ourselves to think the worse of Christian faith because of the strifes and dissensions to which it gives rise. Whatever people may please to say, it is human nature and not Christianity which is to blame. We do not blame the glorious sun because its warmth brings a smell from something foul."

"It would be easy to show that weakness, helplessness, harmlessness, usefulness, are all points of resemblance between the sheep and the believer. But the leading idea in our Lord’s mind was the entire dependence of the sheep upon its Shepherd."

"Whatever people may please to say against [the doctrine of perseverance], it is one which God’s children ought to hold fast and defend with all their might."

Questions:

We learn that Christianity brings strife, and that the problem is not with Christianity, but with human nature. Just like we don't blame the sun for being warm for bringing forth the smell from a rotting corpse, so the gospel is not to blame for contention and hatred from which human nature often responds to it. Are we surprised when we are persecuted for righteousness sake?
Jesus calls his followers sheep, which, Ryle points out gives rise to many connections, namely that sheep are weak, helpless, harmless and useful. Yet the main idea is that of dependence upon the Shepherd. Amazingly, the other thing we need to see is that we are called His sheep, and those who have found a special interest in the Shepherd. What do these rich truths do to our hearts?
Christ says that he knows His sheep, He gives them eternal life, and that they shall never perish. Jesus will never lose any of His sheep, and that they will persevere in this life by God's grace. Do these truths give you strength and encouragement to press on? How will you worship the Lord with things on your mind?

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These verses show us the great object for which Christ came into the world.
These verses show us one of the principal roles which Jesus Christ fills for true Christians.
These verses show us that when Christ died, He died of His own voluntary free will.

"Christ did not come to be only a teacher of new morality or an example of holiness and self-denial or a founder of new ceremonies, as some have foolishly asserted...He came to procure eternal life for humanity by the price of His own vicarious death."

"He provides for all their wants in the wilderness of this world and leads them by the right way to the right place. He bears patiently with their many weaknesses and infirmities and does not cast them off because they are wayward, erring, sick, footsore or lame."

"The treachery of Judas, the armed band of priests’ servants, the enmity of scribes and Pharisees, the injustice of Pontius Pilate, the rude hands of Roman soldiers, the scourge, the nails and the spear—all these could not have harmed a hair of our Lord’s head unless He had allowed them."

Questions:

The purpose of Christ's coming into the world was to bring eternal life. Ryle points out that we must not stretch these words too much, and that salvation for those in the OT comes to us the same way it came to them. Is this how you have understood salvation for OT saints?
Ryle points out three rich truths regarding Jesus being a shepherd: He knows them intimately, He cares for them tenderly, and he laid down His life sacrificially. He also points out that these truths only benefit those who have heard His voice and followed Him. Do we know these great benefits as we follow the Shepherd?
We learn the incredible truth that nobody took Jesus' life, but that, by the command of His Father, He had authority to lay it down and take it up again. Is this a new idea to you? What difference does it make that Jesus wasn't a helpless victim but a victorious conqueror in His death?

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John 10:1-9

We have a vivid picture of a false teacher of religion.
We have a particular picture of true Christians.
We have a most instructive picture of Christ Himself.

"If we would know the value of someone’s ministry, we must never fail to ask, Where is the Lamb? Where is the Door? Do they bring forward Christ, and give Him His rightful place?"

"There is a spiritual instinct in most true believers, which generally enables them to distinguish between true and false teaching. When they hear unsound teaching, there is something within them which says, “This is wrong.” When they hear the real truth as it is in Jesus, there is something in their hearts which responds, “This is right.”"

"The very first questions in Christian faith that must be answered, are these: “How can I draw near to God? How can I be justified? How can a sinner like me be reconciled to my Maker?”"

Questions:

Jesus declares that He is the door and the true shepherd of the sheep, and that others are thieves and robbers. Ryle points out that the minister of Christ will be one who enters the ministry with a single eye on Christ, desiring to glorify Christ, doing all in the strength of Christ, preaching Christ's doctrine, walking in Christ's steps, and laboring to bring men and women to Christ. If you are a pastor, is this true of you? If you are not a pastor, can you see this in your pastor?
We read in this passage that the sheep will hear the voice of the shepherd, and will not listen to strangers. Ryle marks this as a sure proof of conversion, when a man or woman can hear a teaching and know whether it is true or false...even if they cannot explain why. Do we have this testimony in our lives?
We hear on the lips of Jesus the mighty words, "if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." Have we sensed this great barrier between us and God in our sin? Have we entered by faith into the door that, while we still have breath, is open and free to walk in and out? May it be so for our joy and God's glory!

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John 9:26-41

We see how much wiser the poor sometimes are than the rich.
We see how cruelly and unjustly unconverted men and women will sometimes treat those who disagree with them.
We see how great is the kindness and condescension of Christ.
We see how dangerous it is to possess knowledge if we do not make a good use of it.

"The poor Christian man or woman never need be ashamed of their poverty. It is a sin to be proud, worldly minded and unbelieving, but it is no sin to be poor."

"Let the child of God console themselves with the thought that there is a true church out of which no one can cast them and a church membership which no earthly power can take away. They only are blessed whom Christ calls blessed and they only are accursed whom Christ will pronounce accursed on the last day."

"He sees all that His people go through for His sake and feels for all, from the highest to the lowest. He keeps account of all their losses, crosses and persecutions."

"But when knowledge only sticks in a person’s head and has no influence over their heart and life, it becomes a most perilous possession. And when, in addition to this, its possessor is self-conceited and self-satisfied and imagines they know everything, the result is one of the worst states of soul into which a person can fall."

Questions:

Ryle points out that it is often the poor who recognize truth rather than those who are rich. Do we desire to be rich, or do we look with envy at those who are rich? What does this truth do to our hearts if this is true?
We see that the Jews, unable to answer the blind-now-seeing man's words, cast him out, an act which caused the man great harm. Ryle points out that although church tyrants may do such things, there is a church nobody can cast us out of, and the true blessing or curse is what will be given on the day of judgement. Are we living for that day? What difference does living for that day make in our own lives?
We see Christ reveal himself in one of the clearest ways to this now-seeing man. Ryle points out that Christ knows how to comfort His people in their time of need. What are some ways God has comforted you in times of need?
We see that knowledge, though vital and important, can also be a most perilous possession when it has no influence over our hearts and lives. Where are we in regard to this? Are we praying with David in Psalm 86:11, "teach me your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear your name?" May it be so, for God's glory and our joy!

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John 9:13-25

These verses show us how little the Jews of our Lord’s time understood the right use of the Sabbath.
These verses show us the desperate lengths to which prejudice will sometimes carry wicked men and women.
These verses show us that nothing convinces a person so thoroughly as their own senses and feelings.

"A good work had manifestly been done to a helpless fellow-creature. A heavy bodily infirmity had been removed. A mighty act of mercy had been performed. But the blind-hearted enemies of Christ could see no beauty in the act."

"So long as a person is candid, fair and honest-minded there is hope for them, however ignorant they may be."

"Feelings are deceitful and are not everything in Christianity. But if we have no inward feelings about spiritual matters, it is a very bad sign."

Questions:

We come again to Ryle's convictions regarding the Sabbath. If you have followed along over Matthew, Mark, and Luke, you have certainly heard this again and again. The question I simply ask you is: are you convinced? Why or why not?
We see that the Jews had already made up their minds about Jesus in this passage. Ryle points out that this is the most dangerous state of mind to the soul. There is much hope for the one who is teachable, childlike and unfettered by prejudice. Do we pray this for ourselves? How about for those who are unbelievers around us?
The blind man has only one answer for the Pharisees, "I was blind, and now I see." Ryle points out that one's knowledge may be small and their faith feeble, but the question that matters most is: is the Holy Spirit at work within me? Feelings can be deceitful, but no inward feelings about spiritual matters is a very bad sign. Do we come from a background in which feelings were overemphasized or under? Can we say, "I was blind/in the dark/afraid of God/fond of sin and now see/am in the light/love God/hate sin?"

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John 9:1-12

We should observe how much sorrow sin has brought into the world.
We should observe what a solemn lesson Christ gives us about the use of opportunities.
We should observe the almighty power that Christ holds in His hands.

"Let us learn to hate sin with a godly hatred as the root of more than half of our cares and sorrows."

"Our time is very short. Our daylight will soon be gone. Opportunities once lost can never be retrieved. A second lease of life is granted to no one. Then let us resist time wasting as we would resist the devil."

"In conferring blessings on men and women, He will work in His own way and will allow no one to prescribe to Him."

"Why should we despair of salvation while we have such a Saviour? Where is the spiritual disease that He cannot take away? He can open the eyes of the most sinful and ignorant and make them see things they never saw before. He can send light into the darkest heart and cause blindness and prejudice to pass away."

Questions:

This passage reveals to us the evil that sin is in the case of this man born blind. Ryle exhorts us to learn to hate sin with a godly hatred which is the root of more than half of our cares and sorrows. When we see the effects of sin in our own bodies or those of others, how do we respond? How could we grow in hating sin more?
Jesus declares that he must be doing the works of Him who sent him while it is still day. Ryle applies this to the fact that our lives our short and that the time to work is now. Do we live in such a way as to redeem the time and give ourselves for good works? Do we find ourselves structuring good works into our lives, or do we live for rest and comfort?
We see Christ using mud made from his saliva to heal the blind man, yet other times all he needed to do was say the word or touch the person. Ryle sees here the reality that Christ uses different means in his work. He points out that we tend to look at others on the basis of our experience and consequently look down on others who do not match that experience. Are we guilty of this? Are we able to see the fruit instead of the means?
We see that Christ is God in this impossible healing of the man born blind. Ryle wants us to take heart that if He can do this to a man's body, how much power does He have to heal a man's soul? Do we despair of the salvation of anyone? Would we apply this truth and find hope in our prayers and sharing!

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John 8:48-59

We should observe what blasphemous and slanderous language was addressed to our Lord by His enemies.
We should observe what glorious encouragement our Lord holds out to His believing people.
We should observe what clear knowledge of Christ Abraham possessed.
We should observe how distinctly our Lord declares His own pre-existence.

"So long as they serve the world and walk in the broad way little perhaps will be said against them. Once let them take up their cross and follow Christ and there is no lie too monstrous and no story too absurd for some to tell against them, and for others to believe."

"Of course these words do not mean that true Christians will never die. On the contrary, we all know that they must go down to the grave and cross the river just like others. But the words do mean that they shall not be hurt by the second death, that final ruin of the whole man or woman in hell, of which the first death is only a faint type or figure."

"The plain truth is that we are too apt to forget that there was only ever one way of salvation, one Saviour and one hope for sinners and that Abraham and all the Old Testament believers looked to the same Christ that we look to ourselves."

"He to whom the gospel bids us come with our sins and believe for pardon and peace is no mere man. He is nothing less than truly God and therefore able to save to the uttermost all who come to Him."

Questions:

Ryle points out that Jesus' opponents' resort to slanderous language, a common sign of a defeated cause. If we take up our cross and follow Jesus, it is only a matter of time before we also encounter such trials. Have we faced such attacks from others? If so, did it surprise you or were you aware of joining with Christ in that moment?
Ryle points out that Abraham's seeing Christ and being glad was by faith looking forward to the promised one to come, and that today, we only are looking back on His coming. There is some confusion today about how OT men and women were saved, is this a new understanding or just reminding you of something beautiful you already know?
Ryle points out the great comfort we have in knowing that Christ Jesus is the great I AM. Jesus is the eternal God who never changes, and to whom we can come with confidence that he can save to the uttermost. Have we come to Him and put our full weight down on Him? If you have, would you not do so afresh even now as you consider this great truth?

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John 8:37-47

We are taught the ignorant self-righteousness of the unconverted man or woman.
We are taught the true marks of spiritual sonship.
We are taught the reality and character of the devil.

"Church principles and apparently good church practice are fine words and excellent party cries. But they will not deliver our souls from the wrath to come or give us boldness in the day of judgment."

"Where there is no love for Christ, there are no sons or daughters of God."

"Let us not be like many who mock, sneer, scoff and deny the existence of the very being who is invisibly leading them to hell. Let us believe there is a devil and watch, pray and fight hard against his temptations."

Questions:

In this passage we see the Jews relying on their status as Jews and being part of the lineage of Abraham to save them. Jesus is clear that this has no saving value at all, as they are not doing the works Abraham did which flowed out of faith. Going to church, being baptized, and taking the Lord's Supper are good, but only profitable if done in faith. Are we relying on our actions or on Christ?
We are told in this passage that if God is your Father, you will love Jesus. This cuts through so much vague religious talk in our day. So many will say they love God, but do we know and love Jesus Christ? Only those who love Jesus can love the Father!
We see from the lips of Jesus that there is a real being called the devil whose goal is to destroy, to rob us of eternal life, and to bring us down to the second death in hell. If you live in the West, you likely grew up either overemphasizing the devil, or underemphasizing him, yet, the Bible tells us to watch and pray against his schemes. Have we committed our souls to God? Are we daily putting on the armor of God and standing strong in the power of His might?

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John 8:31-36

These verses show us the importance of steady perseverance in Christ’s service.
These verses show us the nature of true slavery.
These verses show us the nature of true liberty.

"Patient continuance in well-doing is the only sure evidence of grace. It is not the one that runs fast and furiously at first, but the one that keeps up their speed who “runs so as to obtain.”

"There is no slavery like this. Sin is indeed the hardest of all taskmasters. Misery and disappointment by the way, despair and hell in the end—these are the only wages that sin pays to its slaves. To deliver men and women from this bondage is the great object of the gospel."

"The noblest liberty is that which is the property of the true Christian. Those only are perfectly free people whom the Son of God makes free. All else will sooner or later be found to be slaves."

Questions:

Ryle points out that it is not how one begins but continues in the Christian life that is the surest evidence of grace. Just as time and wear test metals, so they test the genuineness of someone's faith. Have we seen people start well but fall and not get back up? Do we find our confidence in a decision in the past, or are we continuing day-by-day to look forward to Christ and pressing on?
We see that the nature of sin is to be a slave of sin. Many today will refer to sin as making a mistake or as a problem, but do we know something of this slavery which sin really is?
We see lastly that those whom Christ makes free, are free indeed. Ryle calls this the noblest liberty and it consists of being freed from the guilt and consequences of sin, and gives a boldness on the day of judgment knowing one is no longer under condemnation. We all know the slavery of sin, but do we know something of this being set free?

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John 8:21-30

We learn that it is possible to seek Christ in vain.
We learn how wide is the difference between Christ and the ungodly.
We learn how awful is the end to which unbelief can bring.

"There is no safety except in seeking Christ while He may be found and calling on Him while He is near, seeking Him with a true heart and calling on Him with an honest spirit. Such seeking, we may be very sure, is never in vain."

"The true Christian will do well never to forget this line of demarcation. If they love their soul and desire to serve God, they must be content to find themselves separated from many around them by a gulf that cannot be passed."

"Let us never suppose that there is any lack of love in speaking of hell. Let us rather maintain that it is the highest love to warn men and women plainly of danger, and to plead with them to flee from the wrath to come. It was Satan, the deceiver, murderer and liar, who said to Eve in the beginning, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). To shrink from telling people that unless they believe they will die in their sins may please the devil, but surely it cannot please God."

Questions:

We read here a painful truth, namely that there can be those who look like they are seeking the Lord, but it is in vain. Ryle gives the example of those who seek Christ in certain circumstances, but if they are removed, those seeking in vain would fall away with them. We are encouraged that there is no seeking the Lord with a true heart and calling on him with an honest spirit. How does this truth hit us?
To follow Christ means that the world will not love us. Are we content to find ourselves separated from many around us who do not love Christ? Or, does the world love us as one of its own? Is it clear to those around us that we are Christians?
We read the sobering words in this text that those who do not believe will die in their sins. Ryle exhorts us to consider that to not speak of hell with others is not only unloving but pleases Satan who lied to Even in the garden about dying! Now please hear me clearly, this doesn't mean every conversation with an unbeliever must mention hell, but let us ask ourselves, do I ever speak of hell when I speak to unbelievers or do I avoid it? Let us not deceive ourselves in thinking it is unpopular today, because it has always been an unpopular teaching! But may we be more like Jesus who spoke about hell, than Satan who lied about the death to come!

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John 8:12-20

Let us notice what the Lord Jesus says of Himself. He proclaims, “I am the light of the world.”
Let us notice what the Lord Jesus says of those that follow Him. He promises, “He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
Let us notice what the Lord Jesus says of His enemies. He tells the Pharisees that with all their pretended wisdom, they were ignorant of God. “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

"As the sun is to the whole solar system—the center of light, and heat, and life, and fertility—so has [Jesus] come into the world to be to sinners."

"The lights with which many please themselves shall go out in the valley of the shadow of death and prove worse than useless. But the light Christ gives to everyone that follows Him will never fail."

"The great secret of knowing God is to draw near to Him through Jesus Christ. Approached from this side there is nothing that need make us afraid. Viewed from this standpoint, God is the sinner’s friend."

Questions:

We see the great truth that Jesus is the light of the world, and by implication, the world needs this light for it sits in great darkness. There are, and always have been, many voices in the world that seek our attention and allegiance, but only Jesus is the light we need. What false lights are most tempting to us?
In these verses, Jesus tells the Pharisees that because they do not know Jesus, they do not know the Father. Ryle points out that many, even today, are living and dying in a kind of fog, but to know Jesus is to know the Father. Do we know where we are going? Is Jesus, the light of the world, directing our steps with His truth?
Ryle points out a helpful thing for us to consider. He says that many think they have to understand everything to become a Christian, but he challenges us to, like children, follow him. Do we find ourselves needing to understand every detail of a thing before we follow, or, with the light of God's Word and the clarity it does bring, are we following him as we deny ourselves and take up our cross daily?

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John 8:1-11

We learn for one thing the power of conscience.
We learn the nature of true repentance.

"Happy is the one who never stifles their conscience, but strives to keep it tender! Still happier is the one who prays to have it enlightened by the Holy Spirit and sprinkled with Christ’s blood."

"That repentance which consists in nothing more than feeling, talking, professing, wishing, meaning, hoping and resolving is worthless in God’s sight. Action is the very life of repentance to salvation not to be repented of."

Questions:

We have an example in this passage about the conscience. Ryle tells us that although the conscious cannot save us, it is important to have a clear conscious before God and that it can be shaped by the Holy Spirit through Scripture. Are there areas in our lives in which we ignore our conscience? Are we striving by the grace of God to have a sensitive conscience?
Ryle points out that repentance that is genuine doesn't just feel, talk, profess, wish, hope, or resolve to not sin, but actually turns away from sin. When we sin, are we sad that we have been caught or that we have sinned against God? Is their evidence that we are turning away from the sins in our lives?
Ryle makes mention that this passage has been disputed. It is likely that your Bible has brackets around this portion of Scripture, indicating it is a later writing. Ryle, though, makes an argument why he believes it is part of Scripture. Let me read his arguments and you can see if it is persuasive to you!

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John 7:40-53

These verses show us how useless is knowledge in Christianity, if it is not accompanied by grace in the heart.
These verses show us how eminent must have been our Lord’s gifts as a public Teacher of faith.
These verses show us how slowly and gradually the work of grace goes on in some hearts.

"Heart knowledge, we must always remember, is the one thing needed. It is something which schools and universities cannot confer. It is the gift of God."

"For a combination of power, simplicity, courage, prudence, faithfulness and tenderness, we may well say, “No man ever spoke like this Man! It would be good for the church of Christ if ministers and teachers of Christianity would strive more to speak after their Lord’s pattern."

"The case of Nicodemus is full of useful instruction. It teaches us that there are diversities in the operation of the Holy Spirit. All are undoubtedly led to the same Saviour, but all are not led precisely in the same way. It teaches us that the work of the Spirit does not always go forward with the same speed in the hearts of men and women."

Questions:

Ryle exhorts us to consider that while knowledge of Scripture is important, heart knowledge is the one thing needed. Are we growing in our knowledge of the Scriptures? And more importantly, are the things we know affecting the way we feel and act as well?
We see an insightful statement about the Lord Jesus, namely that nobody spoke like this man. Ryle points out that Jesus had a perfect balance of power, simplicity, prudence, faithfulness, and tenderness in his speaking. If a pastor or preacher, are we seeking to be more like Jesus in these ways? If not a pastor, can we see some of the characteristics in your pastor? Would you pray for these to increase in his life? Would you even encourage him in his preaching in the good things you see that are like Jesus?
We learn in the case of Nicodemus, that the Holy Spirit can work in different people at different speeds. In the case of Nicodemus, it was slow, but sure. Are we quick to look at those who's grace seems slow and judge them accordingly? Are we discouraged because the work of grace seems slow in our own lives? The main question to consider though: do we have grace in our hearts?

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John 7:37-39

We have a case supposed. The Lord Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts.”
We have a remedy proposed. The Lord Jesus says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.”
We have a promise held out. The Lord Jesus says, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

"The beginning of all true Christianity is to discover that we are guilty, empty, needy sinners."

"To come to Christ is to believe in Him, and to believe in Him is to come. The remedy may seem a very simple one, too simple to be true. But there is no other remedy than this, and all the wisdom of the world can never find a flaw in it or devise a better one."

"[This promise] has a double application. They teach for one thing that all who come to Christ by faith will find in Him abundant satisfaction. They teach for another thing that believers will not only have enough for the wants of their own souls, but will also become fountains of blessings to others."

Questions:

We are told in these verses that we are to thirst, which Ryle points out is to know our need for salvation before a Holy God. This, he says, is the first step toward heaven. What do we know of this in our own lives?
We see then the second step, namely, not just to feel our sin, but to come to Jesus. Ryle points out an accusation against true Christianity, namely that it is too simple. But tell me, why would you want to complicate this process, other than to uphold pride and self-reliance? How merciful God has been to make these two steps all that is required! Have we found this Christ to be the giver of life to our souls?
We see that for those who come to Christ, living waters flow from them. Ryle takes this as a double application, namely that all Christians will know life within, and be a blessing to those around them. How have we been blessed by the lives of others? What are ways that we are blessing others with the life of Christ in us?

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John 7:25-36

We see the obstinate blindness of the unbelieving Jews.
We see the overruling hand of God over all His enemies.
We see the miserable end to which unbelievers may one day come.

"They do not believe what they do not like to believe."

"We are immortal till our work is done. Let us suffer patiently, if we must suffer. Our times are in God’s hand (Psalm 31:15); that hand guides and governs all things here below and makes no mistakes."

"It is far too often forgotten that there is such a thing as finding out truth too late. There may be convictions of sin, discoveries of our own folly, desires after peace, anxieties about heaven, fears of hell, but all too late."

Questions:

We learn that the Jews in this passage make false statements regarding Christ, truths that were plainly known to all who searched for it. Ryle reminds us that we often do not believe what we do not want to believe! Have you found this to be true in your life or in the lives of those around you?
We see in this passage that although the Jews sought to kill him, they could not because His hour had not yet come. Ryle points out that this is true comfort for the believer. Not one thing happens in our lives that does not come by the wisdom and control of our loving heavenly Father. What area or circumstance in our lives do we need to remember this in today?
We learn the frightening truth in this passage that we can learn truth, but too late. The door of mercy is still open and the throne of grace still waiting. Have we found interest in Christ while there is still time? May we not hear, "Where I am you cannot come!"

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John 7:14-24

We learn that honest obedience to God’s will is one way to obtain clear spiritual knowledge.
We learn that a self-exalting spirit in ministers is entirely opposed to the mind of Christ.
We learn the danger of forming a hasty judgment.

"Instead of saying, as some do, “I must first know everything clearly and then I will act,” we should say, “I will diligently use such knowledge as I possess and believe that in the using fresh knowledge will be given to me.” How many mysteries this simple plan would solve!"

"Not the one who is ever crying, “Behold the church! Behold the sacraments! Behold the ministry!” but the one who says, “Behold the Lamb!” is the pastor after God’s own heart."

"We forget that all is not good that appears good, even as all is not gold that glitters, and that daily practice, choice, tastes, habits, conduct and private character are the true evidence of what a person is. In a word, we forget our Lord’s saying, “Do not judge according to appearance.”

Questions:

We stumble upon a helpful principle in this passage. It is true that we cannot practice what we do not know, and yet, here Jesus tells us that we need to practice in order to know and grow. Are we seeking to live according to the light we have from God's Word, or do we think we have to know something in full before we practice it?
We learn here the danger of a self-exalting spirit, and particularly as it pertains to pastors. Apply this test to your pastor: does he exalt Christ or other parts of the ministry? Pastors, let us apply this test to ourselves: are we quick to talk about the things we do, or about the God we love?
We see how people make a hasty judgment on Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Ryle warns us that we must beware of making judgments by appearance and applies it both ways. On the one hand, we can see signs of godliness and assume this person is godly, when in truth, they are not. On the other hand, we can see an evil in someone and immediately assume they are evil, when in fact, they are men at best. Are we quick to make such judgments? How about ourselves? Do we judge ourselves as good because all looks good on the outside or are we honest about what is within that nobody sees?

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John 7:1-13

We should observe the desperate hardness and unbelief of human nature.
We should observe one principal reason why many hate Christ.
We should observe the strange variety of opinions about Christ which were current from the beginning.

"In our Lord Jesus Christ there was no fault either in temper, word or deed. Yet even Christ’s own brothers did not believe in Him."

"Teach abstract doctrines only and few will find any fault. Denounce the fashionable sins of the day and call on people to repent and walk consistently with God and thousands at once will be offended."

"So long as the world stands, some when they hear of Him will love and some will hate, some will believe and some will believe not."

Questions:

We learn that even those who knew Jesus best, like his own brothers and sisters, did not believe in Him. Ryle points out that this is good evidence that we should not feel surprised or troubled that we stand alone, either. Have you ever felt alone? Have you taken that suffering to Jesus and believed that he truly understands?
We learn that one of the key reasons people hated Jesus was because he testified that their works are evil. In our gospel sharing, do we talk about evil deeds and call people to repent? Obviously, this will be an area of struggle for us as nobody likes to be disliked, but are we more like Jesus or the world in this regard?
We learn of how divided people were when it came to Jesus Christ, a reality fulfilled by Christ's own words that he came to bring a sword. Are we surprised by the multitude of opinions about Jesus today? Are we taking up the cross and giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure?

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John 6:66-71

Let us mark what an old sin backsliding is.
Let us mark the noble declaration of faith which the Apostle Peter made.
Let us mark what little benefit some people get from Christian privileges.

"All is not gold that glitters. All blossoms do not come to fruit. All are not Israel which are called Israel. People may have feelings, desires, convictions, resolutions, hopes, joys, sorrows in faith and yet never have the grace of God. They may run well for a season and bid fair to reach heaven and yet break down entirely after a time, go back to the world and end like Demas, Judas Iscariot and Lot’s wife."

"Where shall we find such peace, hope and solid comfort as in serving Christ, however poorly we serve Him? Can we better ourselves by turning our back on Christ, and going back to our old ways? We cannot. Then let us hold on our way and persevere."

"Let us settle it firmly in our minds that the possession of Christian privileges alone is not enough to save our souls. It is neither place, nor light, nor company, nor opportunities, but grace that someone needs to make them a Christian."

Questions:

We see the sad case of many disciples ceasing to follow Jesus after this hard teaching. Ryle exhorts us that, while a true believer will never truly fall away, there is much that looks like grace that isn't. All is not gold that glitters. Have you seen such cases in your own life? Did it surprise you? Why or why not?
We see an incredible confession from Peter, namely, when everyone is leaving Jesus, He boldly declares, "to whom shall I go, you have the words of eternal life." When facing doubts and difficulties and hardships, is this where your heart goes as a foundation?
We see that Judas had the most privileged opportunity to be saved, and yet is a devil. It is grace, and not circumstances or privileges or access to the best teaching that saves. Ryle exhorts us to search to see whether we have this grace, and then he encourages us that this grace is for the asking. Jesus is more willing to give grace than we are to ask. Have we found this to be true?

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John 6:60-65

We learn that some of Christ’s sayings seem hard to flesh and blood.
We learn that we must beware of putting a worldly meaning on spiritual words.
We learn that Christ has a perfect knowledge of the hearts of men and women.

"If we find any of Christ’s sayings hard to understand, we should humbly remember our present ignorance and believe that we shall know more eventually. If we find any of His sayings difficult to obey, we should humbly recollect that He will never require of us impossibilities and that what He bids us do, He will give us grace to perform."

"It is not so much by noisy public demonstrations as by the still quiet work of the Holy Spirit on hearts that God’s cause prospers."

"Whatever we are as Christians and however weak, let us be real, true and sincere."

Questions:

These verses highlight the hardness of the human heart to believe what Christ says, which, as Ryle points out, should not surprise us. The question for us, though, is do we have and pray for humble hearts to receive what Christ has said?
Ryle admits that this passage has difficulties but highlights three clear means. First, it is not physical acts but the Holy Spirit that gives life. That doesn't mean we should care about baptism and the Lord's Supper, but they are useless part from faith. Second, the flesh profits nothing, that is, the biblical understanding of heart is not material but spiritual, and needs spiritual food. And third, Christ's Words, and believing them, are the means by which the Spirit gives life. Do we believe these things to be true?
We learn the great truth that Jesus knows all things. What wonder this instills in us that Jesus knew his humiliation and sacrifice and yet pressed on for the joy that was set before Him! What fear this should instill in unbelievers that nothing is hidden before His eyes; what cause to repent and turn from sins He knows perfectly! And what comfort to know that God knows the hearts of all Christians, and that, even when misunderstood by the world, God knows and will bring comfort. How does this great truth hit us today?

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John 6:52-59

Let us first consider carefully what these verses do not mean.
Let us next consider carefully what these verses do mean.

"Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are holy sacraments and mighty blessings, when rightly used, but it is worse than useless to drag them in everywhere and to see them everywhere in God’s Word."

"Whenever a person, feeling their own guilt and sinfulness, lays hold on Christ and trusts in the atonement made for them by Christ’s death, at once they eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood. His or her soul feeds on Christ’s sacrifice by faith, just as their body would feed on bread. Believing, they are said to eat. Believing, they are said to drink."

Questions:

We have considered this difficult expression of eating body and drinking the blood of Jesus. Ryle gives three reasons why this cannot be literal. First, it would have been utterly revolting and is against the command of the Lord in other places. Second, it places an act other than faith and repentance as a requirement to be saved, something the Bible speaks plainly against. And third, it would involve serious blasphemous and profane consequences, namely, that someone dying on their deathbed would be kept out of heaven for not doing so, and many others who do not believe could be saved. Are these reasons helpful as we consider this difficult passage?
The point Jesus is making throughout this passage is that to believe in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins is to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Ryle lays out 3 important truths. First, believing, as we see in the rest of Scripture, is necessary for salvation. Second, believing in Christ's death and resurrection unites us by the closest possible bonds and entitles us to the highest privileges. Third, it is a personal act, a daily act, and an act we can feel as it strengthens our faith and gives us peace. Do we know these things to be true?

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John 6:41-51

We learn that Christ’s lowly condition when He was upon earth is a stumbling-block to the unconverted.
We learn our natural helplessness and inability to repent or believe.
We learn that the salvation of a believer is a present thing.

"His moral teaching they approve, His example and self-denial they admire. But speak to them of Christ’s blood, of Christ being made sin for us, of Christ’s death being the cornerstone of our hope, of Christ’s poverty being our riches and you will find they hate these things with a deadly hatred. Truly the offence of the cross is not yet ceased!"

"It would not be true to say that a person has a real wish and desire to come to Christ but no power to come. It would be far more true to say that a person has no power to come because they have no desire or wish."

"Life, we should observe, is a present possession. It is not said that they will have it at last, on the judgment day. It is now, even now, in this world, their property. They have it the very day that they believe."

Questions:

We see that the offence of the gospel, which was true for those who heard it from Jesus' own lips, is still an offense today. What do we know of this offense in the lives of those around us?
Jesus declares that no one comes to Him unless the Father draws them. This verse highlights the true problem of sin, namely a lack of desire to be saved. And yet, Ryle points out that the only one to blame on the last day will be each person who did not come. These two things, our being accountable for not coming and the need for the Father to draw, truly, are deep and mysterious. Is this something we are currently wrestling with? Do you agree with Ryle's assessment? Why or why not?
As we look at this great truth, the question for us must be: do we believe? Has the Father drawn us to Himself through faith in Jesus alone? What difference has this made in our lives? May it be so, and may we bear fruit 30, 60, and 100 fold!

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John 6:35-40

We have a saying of Christ about Himself: “I am the bread of life."
We have a saying of Christ about those who come to Him: “the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
We have a saying of Christ about the will of His Father: “This is the will of Him who sent me.”

"The soul of every person is naturally starving and famishing through sin. Christ is given by God the Father to be the Satisfier, the Reliever and the Physician of human spiritual need."

"What does “coming” mean? It means that movement of the soul which takes place when a person, feeling their sins and finding out that they cannot save themselves, hears of Christ, applies to Christ, trusts in Christ, lays hold on Christ and leans all their weight on Christ for salvation."

"Just in the same way, everyone who desires eternal life may look to Christ by faith and have life freely. There is no barrier, no limit, no restriction. The terms of the gospel are wide and simple. Everyone may “look and live.”

Questions:

We read in these verses the great truth that Jesus is the bread of life; the one who satisfies our spiritual hunger. Ryle's question here is sufficient to ask: "do we know anything of spiritual hunger? Do we feel anything of craving and emptiness in conscious, heart, and affections? If so, have we sought it by faith in Jesus alone and found our hunger met?
We read a second great truth, namely that all who come to Christ will never be cast out by Christ. Ryle declares this to mean that He will never refuse to save anyone who comes to Him. Have those words been a sweet remedy to our troubled souls at any time? Do we know them to be true?
We read that it is the will of the Father that all who see the Son may have eternal life and that not one will be lost. Do we believe that the gospel is open and free for all who hear and believe?

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John 6:28-34

We should observe the spiritual ignorance and unbelief of the unconverted.
We should observe the high honor Christ puts on faith in Himself.
We shall observe the far greater privileges of Christ’s hearers than of those who lived in the times of Moses.

"If even He, so perfect and so plain a Teacher, was not believed, what right have we to wonder if people do not believe us? Happy are the ministers, missionaries and teachers who keep these things in mind! It will save them much bitter disappointment."

"When the Father sees a sinner casting aside their own righteousness and simply trusting in His dear Son, He is well pleased."

Questions:

Ryle exhorts us of the hardness of unbelief, and that we should not be surprised if our work of sharing the Word of God is met with similar hardness. Do we think it a strange thing when the gospel is met with unbelief? Does it produce in us bitter disappointment?
Ryle points out that the two things in the Bible that are strongly contrasted with one another - namely works and faith - are here placed together: to believe is the work of God. We tend to believe that faith is too easy, but actually, we are here exhorted that it is the most difficult because it requires casting aside our own righteousness and trusting in Jesus alone. With that said, have we put, and do we continually put, our faith in Jesus Christ alone and count all else as loss for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus? Can we say, 'Christ is mine. I have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I know and feel that I am His?"

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We should mark what knowledge of people’s hearts our Lord Jesus Christ possesses.
We should mark secondly in this passage what Christ forbids.
We should mark what Christ advises.
We should mark what a promise Christ holds out.

"It is not hard to deceive ministers, relatives and friends. A little decent outward profession will often go a long way. But it is impossible to deceive Christ: “His eyes like a flame of fire”

"Happy are those who learn the respective value of soul and body and give the first and best place in their thoughts to salvation."

"We must read our Bibles like those digging for hidden treasure. We must wrestle earnestly in prayer, like those contending with a deadly enemy for life. We must take our whole heart to the house of God and worship and hear like those who listen to the reading of a will. We must fight daily against sin, the world and the devil, like those who fight for liberty and must conquer or be slaves. These are the ways we must walk if we would find Christ and be found by Him. This is laboring."

"He is far more willing to give than we are to receive. The more sinners apply to Him, the better He is pleased."

Questions:

We see, once again, that Jesus knows that thoughts and intentions of the heart. He knew why the crowd crossed the lake, and he knows why we do what we do. Nothing is hidden from his sight. What does this do to our hearts? We may have mixed motives, but can we say, "Lord, you know?"
Rightly the Bible calls us to work, but Jesus warns against working only for the things of this world while neglecting our immortal souls. What attention are we giving to our souls before God?
Jesus tells us to work for the food that endures to eternal life. Ryle exhorts us that this work is to read our Bible's like those digging for hidden treasure (see Proverbs 2:1-6), to wrestle in prayer like those contending with a deadly enemy, to take our whole heart to the house of God and listen like those listening to the reading of a will, to fight daily against sin, the world and the devil like those who fight to conquer or be conquered. Can this be said of us? Are we laboring for the things of eternal life? Which of these areas do we need to work on starting today?
Jesus calls us not only to labor for the food of eternal life, but also tells us that he is eager and willing to provide it! Ryle says that He is far more willing to give than we are to receive! Do we believe this of our Lord?

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We should notice our Lord Jesus Christ’s humility.
We should notice the trials through which Christ’s disciples had to pass.
Let us notice our Lord Jesus Christ’s power over the waves of the sea.

“Tell me how much humility a person has and I will tell you how much Christianity he has.”

"Trial, we must distinctly understand, is part of the diet which all true Christians must expect. It is one of the means by which their grace is proved and by which they find out what there is in themselves."

"Let all true Christians take comfort in the thought that their Saviour is Lord of waves and winds, of storms and tempests, and can come to them in the darkest hour, walking on the sea."

Questions:

Ryle exhorts that pride, ambition, and high-mindedness are common, and humility and low-mindedness is rare. How about us? Are we quick to run toward greatness or promotion when offered, or toward being the servant of all?
Ryle encourages us that trials are part of the diet which all true Christians must expect. We naturally want the calm weather with favorable winds and Christ at our side and the sun shining down on our faces, and yet, God grants fair weather and storms for various seasons of our lives (Phil 1:29). In times of suffering, do we believe Christ is far from us or that He doesn't love us, or that we need to cling to him more closely?
We see, in Christ walking on the water and calming the sea, that He is the Lord and Maker of creation. If we have been Christians for a while, we can sometimes take this for granted, and yet, would it not produce in us a love for our Savior, and a trust that He, and He alone, can calm the waves, both physically and those in our lives?

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John 6:1-14

We have a lesson about Christ’s almighty power.
We have a lesson about the office or role of ministers.
We have a lesson about the sufficiency of the gospel for the wants of all humanity.

"Reason and sense may say that some poor sinner is too hardened or too old to be converted. Faith will reply, “Our Master can create as well as renew. With a Saviour who by His Spirit can create a new heart, nothing is impossible.”

"[A minister's] whole business is to be a faithful distributor of the food which their divine Master has provided and that done, their role is discharged."

"Let us never doubt for a moment that the preaching of Christ crucified—the old story of His blood, and righteousness, and substitution—is enough for all the spiritual necessities of all humanity. It is not worn out. It is not obsolete. It has not lost its power."

Questions:

Ryle points out the power of Christ as he creates food out of nothing. In reply, can we despair of the salvation of anyone if He, our great God, can create new hearts?
Ryle highlights a key role of every pastor, namely to humble receive the food which Jesus provides, and to distribute it to those under your care. If you are a pastor, can you say this is your main business? For those not pastoring, is it obvious that this is your pastor's main labor or is it in something else?
We see in this distribution of 5 loaves and 2 fish the all sufficiency of the gospel - the old story of His blood, and righteousness and substitution. Do we believe this message, which is foolishness to the world, is the power of God for salvation, and is sufficient for all who hear? How are we distributing this bread to those around us?

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John 5:40-47

Let us mark the reason why many souls are lost.
Let us mark one principal cause of unbelief.
Let us mark the manner in which Christ speaks of Moses.

"Thousands, in every age, are constantly labouring to shift the blame of their condition from off themselves. They talk of their inability to change. They tell you complacently that they cannot help being what they are! They know that they are wrong but they cannot be different! It will not do."

"True faith does not depend merely on the state of someone’s head and understanding, but on the state of their heart. Their mind may be convinced. Their conscience may be pricked. But so long as there is anything they are secretly loving more than God there will be no true faith."

"Let us beware of handling the Old Testament irreverently and allowing our minds to doubt the truth of any part of it because of alleged difficulties. The simple fact that the writers of the New Testament continually refer to the Old Testament and speak even of the most miraculous events recorded in it as undoubtedly true, should silence our doubts."

Questions:

1.Jesus declares to us that the reason for many not believing comes from an unwillingness to come. Ryle points out that many throughout history are seeking to shift the blame from themselves to anywhere else. Where do we lay the blame for unbelief?

2.Ryle points out that true faith is not just mental consent or understanding, but rests in the heart and a desire to please God. Do we desire, above all else, the praise of God, or do our hearts desire the praise of man?

3.Ryle points out that Jesus believed Moses wrote the Pentateuch, and yet, in his day and ours as well, there are many who want to discredit this. There are many movements to disconnect the Old from the New Testament, or to not put as much weight on the authority of the Old Testament. Yet, how can we imagine Christ and the apostles to be wrong on this issue? Let us mark it in our hearts and minds that Moses wrote the Pentateuch, the first five books of the OT, and that every work of God is true.

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John 5:30-39

Let us observe the honor Christ puts on His faithful servants.
Let us observe the honor Christ puts upon miracles as an evidence of His being the Messiah.
Let us observe the honor that Christ puts upon the Scriptures.

"Forgotten and despised by the world, perhaps, they are never forgotten by their Saviour. He knows where they dwell and what their trials are."

"Let the friends of the Bible not be moved by objections against miracles until that one miracle has been fairly disposed of. If that is proved unassailable they need not care much for quibbling arguments against other miracles. If Christ really did rise from the dead by His own power, there is none of His mighty works which people need hesitate to believe."

"Simple, regular reading of the Bible is the great secret of establishment in the faith. Ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error."

Questions:

1.Ryle takes notice that these words about John the Baptist are likely spoken after his death, and that we are meant to see Jesus’ care for His people. John the Baptist, though dead, will never be forgotten by Jesus, and the same goes for all of God’s people. Do we believe this to be true? Do we live, in faith, that all we do in Jesus’ name, He will never forget?

2.Ryle helpfully points out that many today, which is for a good portion of church history, who have not seen the miracles Jesus did but only read of them, can treat them with silent incredulity. He challenges us not to forget that when they happened, there was no denying them, even if you wanted to! Do we look at the miracles as the evidence of Jesus’ divinity and praise Him for them? Or do we tend to dismiss them as unimportant or even embarrassing to admit?

3.Ryle points out the great truth that Jesus declares, namely that all of Scripture points us to Christ, and that simple regular reading of the Bible is the great secret of establishment in the faith; consequently, ignorance of the Scriptures is the root of all error. What is our practice in Scripture reading? Are we becoming acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to make us wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? Do we tend to avoid the OT because of it’s difficulties? If we do read the OT, are we seeking Christ as we read? There are a number of great resources for reading the OT in this way in the show notes for those interested. May the grace of Christ be with you!

Resources in Reading the OT:

Hope for All the Earth by Mitchell Chase (this is a brief overview)
The Promised One by Nancy Guthrie (this is the first of a whole series and is a Bible study to walk through)
How to Understand and Apply the Old Testament by Jason DeRouchie (in-depth and for preachers)

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John 5:24-29

We see that the salvation of our souls depends on hearing Christ.
We see how rich and full are the privileges of the true hearer and believer.
We see a striking declaration of Christ’s power to give life to dead souls.
We see a most solemn prophecy of the final resurrection of all the dead.

"To submit our hearts to Christ’s teaching, to sit humbly at His feet by faith and learn of Him, to enter His school as penitents and become His believing scholars, to hear His voice and follow Him—this is the way to heaven."

"The privileges of a true Christian are greatly underrated by many. Chiefly from deplorable ignorance of Scripture, they have little idea of the spiritual treasures of every believer in Jesus...It is want of knowledge, in many cases, that is the secret of want of peace."

"Whenever any men or women among ourselves awaken to a sense of their soul’s value and become alive to God, the words are made good before our eyes. It is Christ who has spoken to their hearts by His Spirit. It is the dead hearing Christ’s voice and living."

"All is not over when people die. Whether they like it or not, they will have to come forth from their graves at the last day and to stand at Christ’s bar. None can escape His summons."

Questions:

1.Ryle warns of those who chase after preachers and, without casting such a desire aside, explains that we must hear of the Christ they preach to be saved. He declares that true hearing is to sit humbly at Jesus’ feet by faith and learn of Him…to hear His voice and follow Him. Are we tempted to follow after a preacher for the preacher’s sake, or to hear of Christ for him? What do we know of following Christ?

2.Ryle declares that a Christian is someone who has incredible privileges before God in the present, not just in the future. He highlights the ‘presentness’ of our salvation, the joys of justification, and the complete change in a position with God. Some today declare that theology divides, but Ryle points out that one of the secrets of peace is to know and love these theological truths. Do we find joy and are we led to worship as we learn of such truths as these?

3.We are brought face-to-face with reality when Christ declares that the dead will be raised, either to be justified or condemned before the judgement seat. We might want to shy away from this dreadful thought, but may we behold this sight, and by faith, cling to Christ and follow Him, and thus have confidence that we will not be ashamed of His coming. Is this true of us? May it be, for God’s glory and our joy!

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John 5:16-23

We learn that there are some works which it is lawful to do on the Sabbath day.
We learn the dignity and greatness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"It is as though He said: “Though my Father rested on the seventh day from His work of creation, He has never rested for a moment from His providential governing of the world and from His merciful work of supplying the daily wants of all His creatures."

"Such language, however deep and high, appears to mean that in operation, knowledge, heart and will, the Father and the Son are One—two Persons, but one God. Truths such as these are of course beyond our power to explain clearly. Enough for us to believe and rest upon them."

Questions:

1.We see one of the reasons the Jewish leaders hated Jesus, namely that He healed on the Sabbath. Ryle strongly asserts that there is no argument in not keeping the Sabbath today, but whatever our view on the Sabbath, are we taking time to seek the Lord, to fellowship with His people, and do them good?

2.We see here some of the great evidence in the Bible that Jesus and the Father are one. Jesus says His Father is working, and He is working; He says that He has life, and that He will judge the world. Beloved listener, this is our Savior, and as Ryle says, we can lean on Him and never be afraid. Would we now, even now, put our confidence afresh in Him and put no confidence in the flesh.

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John 5:1-15

We are taught what misery sin has brought into the world.
We are taught how great is the mercy and compassion of Christ.
We are taught the lesson that recovery from sickness ought to impress upon us.

"When we read of cases of sickness like this we should remember how deeply we ought to hate sin! Sin was the original root, cause and fountain of every disease in the world...Surely if men and women would only look at hospitals and infirmaries and think what havoc sin has made on this earth they would never take pleasure in sin as they do."

"He is far more ready to save than we are to be saved, far more willing to do good than we are to receive it."

"Every sickness and sorrow is the voice of God speaking to us. Each has its special message. Happy are they who have an eye to see God’s hand and an ear to hear His voice in all that happens to them. Nothing in this world happens by chance."

Questions:

1.If we have lived in this world for any length of time, we undoubtedly have faced the effects of sickness upon our bodies, and those whom you love. When this happens, do we associate it with the effects of sin or chance? What good might it do to our hearts to experience sickness and hate sin more?

2.Ryle points out that Jesus is a willing Savior, and that he is more willing to save than we are to be saved. Do we believe this? Do we present this Jesus to others?

3.Ryle says that every sickness and sorrow is the voice of God speaking to us, and that happy are they who have ears to hear what He is saying because nothing happens by chance. Do we see sickness and sorrow this way? Equally as important, when we recover from any given sickness, do we have a deeper hatred of sin, a greater watchfulness over our ways, and purpose to live more for God? May it be so, by God’s grace!

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John 4:43-54

We learn that the rich have afflictions as well as the poor.
We learn that sickness and death come to the young as well as to the old.
We learn what benefits affliction can bring on the soul.
We learn that Christ’s word is as good as Christ’s presence.

"Gold and silver can lift no one beyond the reach of trouble. They may shut out debt and rags but they cannot shut out care, disease and death."

"The only true wisdom is to be always prepared to meet God, to put nothing off which concerns eternity, and to live like those who are ready to depart at any moment."

"Affliction is one of God’s medicines. By it He often teaches lessons which would be learned in no other way. By it He often draws souls away from sin and the world which would otherwise have perished eternally. Health is a great blessing but sanctified disease is greater."

"In the things of this world we say that seeing is believing. But in the things of the gospel, believing is as good as seeing. Christ’s word is as good as a person’s deed."

Questions:

1.We learn that riches, while they can keep out dept and rags, do not shut out care, disease, and death. We do not tend to think of ourselves as rich, as we usually say that of those who have more than we do. Yet, the principle here is helpful to us: we should not envy the rich as they have increasing cares and it is harder for them to enter the kingdom of heaven. Do we pray for the rich? Also, if we are those who are rich, can we look down on others who are not?

2.Ryle exhorts us in the fact that, in this story, a father is concerned about his son, while the normal order should be reversed. The young tend to think they will live forever, yet this is folly. Are we living today as those who are ready to depart at any moment?

3.Ryle points out that this man and his household believed upon Christ, but it was only so because of the sickness of his son. We learn that health is a blessing, but sanctified suffering that leads us to Christ is far better. How do we see our suffering, as needless or as God’s discipline to bring us to Him and make us more like Jesus?

4.We learn the incredible truth that while in this world we say, “seeing is believing”, the reality of the gospel is that believing is as good as seeing. We can sometimes think that if only I could see my name in the book of life, I would have peace, but we need to see here that to trust in Christ would make us no safer even if we could! Are we taking God at His Word?

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John 4:31-42

We have an instructive pattern of zeal for the good of others.
We have strong encouragement held out to those who labour to do good to souls.
We have teaching on the variety of ways by which men and women are led to believe Christ.

"Do we try, however feebly, to set forward His cause on earth, to check that which is evil, to promote that which is good? If we do, let us never be ashamed of doing it with all our heart, soul, mind and strength."

"The true antidote against despondency in God’s work is an abiding recollection of such promises as that before us. There are wages laid up for faithful reapers. They will receive a reward on the last day far exceeding anything they have done for Christ, a reward proportioned not to their success but to the quantity of their work."

"The way in which the Spirit leads all God’s people is always one and the same, but the paths by which they are variously brought into that way are often widely different. There are some in whom the work of conversion is sudden and instantaneous. There are others in whom it goes on slowly, quietly and by imperceptible degrees."

Questions:

1.Ryle asks us if we do any work for the Lord? If so, what is it? Are we ridiculed for that work? If so, does it not encourage you that, while the world mocks, Christ is delighted? May we ever seek to please Him, and not man!

2.What do we look to when we are weary of the work and do not see the fruit or results we would like? Ryle encourages us that those who sow will reap a reward far exceeding anything they have done for Christ. Will we not set this precious truth before us?

3.Ryle points out that some are converted through the woman’s testimony, and then, after a few days, others are converted through Christ’s testimony. He draws out that some are saved suddenly, and other slowly, quietly, and imperceptibly, yet all are brought to repentance and faith and holiness. Do we tend to look for ‘sudden’ conversions as true conversions, or the fruit of conversion? What was our experience in coming to Christ?

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John 4:27-30

We see how marvelous in the eyes of men and women are Christ’s dealings with souls.
We see how absorbing is the influence of grace, when it first comes into a believer’s heart.
We see how zealous a truly converted person is to do good to others.

"The astonishment expressed at conversions is a proof of the weak faith and ignorance of these days. The thing that ought to fill us with surprise is the obstinate unbelief of the ungodly and their determined perseverance on the way to ruin."

"Grace once introduced into the heart drives out old tastes and interests. A converted person no longer cares for what they once cared for. A new tenant is in the house. A new pilot is at the helm. The whole world looks different. All things have become new."

"Where is our faith, if we believe that souls around us are perishing and that Christ alone can save them and yet hold our peace? Where is our charity if we can see others going down to hell and yet say nothing to them about Christ and salvation? We may well doubt our own love to Christ if our hearts are never moved to speak of Him."

Questions:

1.Ryle begins by pointing out the astonishment of the disciples at the conversion of this woman at the well, and how this is true today for us still. He exhorts us that if we had more faith, we would, like Jesus, marvel more at the hard-heartedness of unbelievers and expect more people converted. Is this a rebuke to you as it is to me? Would we not pray that conversions would be expected as we seek to faithfully speak the Word of God and expect it to bear fruit?

2.Ryle points out that the woman left her house to get water, but returned having left her waterpot to tell others of the Messiah. He points this out as an example of true conversion; not that we never pick up the waterpot, so to speak, but that there are new desires and interests. What do we know of this?

3.The woman at the well was moved to speak of Christ and was clearly concerned for the state of their souls. Do we believe that the souls around us are perishing? Does it produce a desire to speak to them about the Savior? May this bring us to humble reflection, and may it result in a desire to come to the cross of Christ and produce fruit in our lives.

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John 4:7-26

We should mark the mingled tact and condescension of Christ in dealing with a careless sinner.
We should mark Christ’s readiness to give mercies to careless sinners.
We should mark the priceless excellence of Christ’s gifts when compared with the things of this world.
We should mark the absolute necessity of conviction of sin before a soul can be converted to God.
We should mark the uselessness of any idea of Christianity which only consists of formality.
We should mark Christ’s gracious willingness to reveal Himself to the chief of sinners.

"It is foolish to expect that such persons will voluntarily come to us and begin to seek knowledge. We must begin with them and go down to them in the spirit of courteous and friendly initiative."

"The Lord Jesus is far more ready to hear than we are to pray and far more ready to give favors than we are to ask them. All day long He stretches out His hands to the disobedient and rebellious. He has thoughts of pity and compassion towards the vilest of sinners even when they have no thoughts of Him."

"There is no heart satisfaction in this world until we believe in Christ. Jesus alone can fill up the empty places of our inward selves...The waters may have their ebbing times, but they are living waters and they will never be completely dried.

"Till men and women are brought to feel their sinfulness and need, no real good is ever done to their souls. Till a sinner sees themselves as God sees them, they will continue careless and unmoved."

"The most gorgeous cathedral service is offensive in God’s sight if all is gone through coldly, heartlessly and without grace. The feeblest gathering of three or four poor believers in a home to read the Bible and pray is a more acceptable sight to Him who searches the heart than the fullest congregation which is ever gathered in the great church in Rome."

"Whatever someone’s past life may have been, there is hope and a remedy for them in Christ. If they are only willing to hear Christ’s voice and follow Him, Christ is willing to receive them at once as a friend and to bestow on them the fullest measure of mercy and grace."

Questions:

1.We see, in this passage, Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well, which carries lots of instruction regarding conversations with unbelievers. We see, firstly, that Jesus’ initiates conversation. Ryle encourages us in this as well when he tells us we shouldn’t expect unbelievers to come and seek spiritual conversation. We must find avenues to their hearts. Do we expect people to come to us? How good are we at initiating such conversations? How can we grow?

2.The turning point in this conversation was when Jesus pointed out her sin, namely, that she had no husband currently, and had 5 previously. This is a breach of the 7th commandment. Ryle exhorts us that no good can be done for souls if they do not feel a need for a cure to their disease. This means that we must talk about sin and help other observe themselves before God’s holy law and then apply the healing balm of the gospel. In conversations with unbelievers, do we get to talking about sin or do we just jump to talking about Jesus?

3.In talking about Christ with others, do we believe that no sinner is so far gone that Christ cannot reach them? Do we believe that He holds out his hands to a disobedient people, willing to receive them? Do we believe that Jesus has treasures forever more for all who trust Him? May we believe these things ourselves and hold them out to those around us with confidence!

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John 4:1-6

We should observe what is said about baptism. We read that, “Jesus Himself did not baptize, but his disciples.”
We should observe what is said about our Lord’s human nature. We read that Jesus was “wearied from His journey.”

"Baptism and the Lord’s Supper will always be most truly reverenced in those churches where the truth as it is in Jesus is most fully taught and known."

"He has learned by experience what it is to be a man. To say that the Virgin Mary or anyone else can feel more sympathy for us than Christ is ignorance no less than blasphemy."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that proclamation of, and belief in, the gospel, and not baptism, is the principal thing. He also says that baptism cannot be neglected or despised without committing a great sin, thus emphasizing its importance, nonetheless. If you have put your trust in Jesus Christ, have you been baptized or have you neglected or despised this grace?

2.Ryle points out the live-giving truth that Jesus was both fully God and perfect man. Jesus, in the flesh, can relate to us in everyway, understands our weaknesses, our trials, and temptations. Do we go to Jesus with our difficulties as one who understands, as one who relates to us perfectly, and as our willing High Priest? May we find Him as we have been promised, come to Him, and find rest.

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John 3:22-36

We have a humbling example of the petty jealousies and party spirit which may exist among those who profess Christian faith.
We have a splendid pattern of true and godly humility.
We have an instructive declaration of Christ’s honor and dignity.
We have a broad assertion of the nearness and presentness of the salvation of true Christians.

"Nothing so defiles Christianity and gives the enemies of truth such occasion to blaspheme as jealousy and party spirit among Christians."

"Let us covet earnestly the best gifts, but above all let us covet humility. The way to true honor is to be humble."

"We can never make too much of Christ. Our thoughts about the church, the ministry and the sacraments may easily become too high and extravagant. We can never have too high thoughts about Christ, can never love Him too much, trust Him too implicitly or lay too much weight upon Him and speak too highly in His praise."

"Pardon, peace and a complete title to heaven are an immediate possession. They become a believer’s own from the very moment they put faith in Christ. They will not be more completely their own if they live to the age of Methuselah."

Questions:

1.Ryle warns us of the party spirit we see exhibited in John’s disciples as they complain to John about everyone going after Jesus. Can we truly say that we rejoice when another church that preaches the gospel is blessed and growing? Whatever our denomination, can we praise God when another church in another denomination is seeing souls won to Christ?

2.We see in John the Baptist the grace of humility. There is a lot of confusion regarding humility that can have us going in the wrong direction. It can sometimes be thought about as thinking less of ourselves, but in truth it is just thinking about ourselves less. John the Baptist had his focus so much on Christ that it wasn’t about him anymore. He could receive less, because Christ was being honored. It is in light of this that instead of asking a useless question like, “how humble are you?” it would be better to ask, “how much are we focused on ourselves? Can we look at all we have and admit, “this has all come from God?”

3.I don’t know about you, but I have never read these verses as one of the richest declarations of Christ’s majesty in Scripture. Let this litany of Christ’s majesty wash over us again: John speaks of Christ as the bridegroom of the church, as He who comes from above, as He whom God has sent, as He to whom the Spirit is given without measure, as He whom the Father loves, and into whose hands all things are given. To believe in Him is everlasting life and to reject Him is eternal ruin. Does that not cause your heart to worship?

4.What a tremendously encouraging and terrible thought to consider that if in Christ, heaven is very near to the believer, just a breath away; but, on the contrary, if an unbeliever, hell. Are we trusting in Jesus Christ? Be greatly encouraged: to die is gain! Are you not trusting in Christ? Be greatly afraid, and turn to Christ today, and find His arms open wide!

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John 3:9-21

These verses show us what gross spiritual ignorance there may be in the mind of a great and learned man.
These verses show us the original source from which our salvation springs.
These verses show us the particular plan by which the love of God has provided salvation for sinners.
These verses show us the way in which the benefits of Christ’s death are made our own.
These verses show us the true cause of the loss of a person’s soul.

"Learning, rank and high church office are no proof that a minister is taught by the Spirit. The successors of Nicodemus, in every age, are far more numerous than the successors of Peter."

"Let us take heed that our views of the love of God are Scriptural and well-defined. The subject is one on which error abounds on either side. On the one hand we must beware of vague and exaggerated opinions...On the other hand, we must beware of narrow and contracted opinions."

"It is true that we are sinners, but Christ has suffered for us. It is true that we deserve death, but Christ has died for us. It is true that we are guilty debtors, but Christ has paid our debts with His own blood. This is the real gospel! This is the good news! On this let us lean while we live. To this let us cling when we die. Christ has been lifted up on the cross and has thrown open the gates of heaven to all believers."

"Faith in the Lord Jesus is the very key of salvation. The one who has it has life and whoever does not have it does not have life. Nothing whatever beside this faith is necessary to our complete justification, but nothing whatever, except this faith, will give us an interest in Christ."

"There is no unwillingness on God’s part to receive any sinner however great their sins. God has sent light into the world and if someone will not come to the light, the fault is entirely on their side."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that those words “For God so loved the world” is referring to everyone without exception.” He also points out that we must beware, on one hand of vague and exaggerated opinions, such that God doesn’t hate wickedness and that those who persist in it will not perish because God so loved the world. On the other hand, we must beware of narrow and contracted opinions, such as God only loves the elect. We must declare to sinners that God loves them, and we must believe that God does not delight in the destruction of the wicked. Do we fall on to one side or the other of this topic? A shameless plug would be D.A. Carsons’ The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God for all who would desire to go deeper.

2.The serpent being lifted up in the wilderness is a signpost pointing forward to Jesus being raised up on the cross, taking the penalty for our sin. This is the heartbeat of our salvation. This is the core of the gospel. Is this where we find our hope and peace? Is Christ crucified the hope we lean upon and share with others?

3.Ryle highlights the essential truth that we are justified by faith alone. Yes, true faith will produce works, but those works are not what justifies us. It might seem like splitting hairs to some, but this is the difference between joy and peace in believing, and misery as we look to our works to save us. Do we know this distinction?

4.Ryle touches on another subject and declares that there is no reprobation, that is, a predestination to hell. The Bible, though clearly declaring that God predestines to eternal life, never talks of that the other way, and here, in John 3, we see clear evidence of that: God sent His Son into the world to save it. If anyone is at last not saved, it is on their own heads. What does this truth do to our hearts?

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John 3:1-8

We should notice what a weak and feeble beginning someone may make in Christian faith and yet finally prove a strong Christian.
We should notice what a mighty change our Lord declares to be needful to salvation and what a remarkable expression He uses in describing it.
We should notice the instructive comparison which our Lord uses in explaining the new birth.

"We must not set down someone as having no grace because their first steps towards God are timid and wavering and the first movements of their soul are uncertain, hesitating and stamped with much imperfection."

"The change which our Lord here declares needful to salvation is evidently no slight or superficial one. It is not merely reformation, amendment, moral change or outward alteration of life. It is a thorough change of heart, will and character. It is a resurrection. It is a new creation. It is a passing from death to life. It is the implanting in our dead hearts of a new principle from above. It is the calling into existence of a new creature with a new nature, new habits of life, new tastes, new desires, new appetites, new judgments, new opinions, new hopes and new fears. All this and nothing less than this is implied when our Lord declares that we all need a new birth."

"Would we know what the marks of the new birth are? We shall find them already written for our learning in the First Letter of John. The man or woman born of God believes that Jesus is the Christ, does not commit sin, does righteousness, loves other believers, overcomes the world, keeps themselves from the wicked one. This is the one born of the Spirit!"

Questions:

1.Ryle draws out the implication that Nicodemus started poorly, coming to Jesus by night, but ends strong. I don’t know about you, but it can be tempting to despise the day of small things in faith. An onlooker would not have had much hope for Nicodemus. We like bold, clear, and evident fruit. Would we not find encouragement in this example to, like our Lord, take people by the hand and deal with them gently and lovingly?

2.Jesus is absolutely clear that, by using the expression of the new birth, that we need to be born from above, and that without it, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven or would we want to live there. Salvation is a work of God. Has God done this, and is He continuing to produce in us, new habits of life? New tastes? New desires? New appetites? New judgements? New opinions? New hopes? New fears?

3.Ryle, in this last portion, highlights some further questions from the book of 1 John that show the sound and effects of the Spirit in our lives that can help us discern where we are at. Let us carefully examine ourselves under their light. Do we believe that Jesus is the Christ? Do we fight against sin in our lives? Are we growing in righteousness? Do we love other believers? Are we overcoming the world by our faith? Are we keeping ourselves from the evil one? May such fruit be found in our lives for the glory of God and our joy in Him!

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John 2:12-25

We see how much Christ disapproves of all irreverent behavior in the house of God.
We see how people may remember words of Christian truth long after they are spoken and may one day see a meaning in them which at first they did not see.
We see how perfect is our Lord Jesus Christ’s knowledge of the human heart.

"The one who brings their worldly matters with them when they profess to worship is doing that which is evidently most offensive to Christ."

"Let preachers go on preaching, teachers go on teaching, and parents go on training up children in the way they should go. Let them sow the good seed of Bible truth in faith and patience. Their labor is not in vain in the Lord."

"One thing the servant of Christ can say, when cast down by a sense of their own infirmity, or pained by the slander of a lying world. They can say, “Lord, I am a poor sinner, but I am in earnest, I am true. You know all things: You know that I love You. You know all hearts and You know that, weak as my heart is, it is a heart that is drawn to You.”

Questions:

1.Although our churches are not the temple, Ryle tells us they are places we go to worship God and the manner in which we do so is important. Do we realize that going to church requires watching our hearts? Are we seeking to understand and believe what we are singing and hearing, or do we let our minds wander? How do we come to the house of God?

2.Do we weary of teaching and speaking the truth because we do not see it bearing fruit? Does this example of the disciples remembering these words years after they are spoken not encourage us to labor on in faith?

3.This passage reminds us that Christ sees, and cares about, the heart. Ryle exhorts us that this should frighten the one who pretends, but encourage greatly the one who loves the Lord, even if weak. Do we desire the eye of Christ upon us, or does it cause us to run?

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John 2:1-11

We learn how honorable in the sight of Christ is marriage.
We learn that there are times when it is lawful to celebrate and rejoice.
We learn the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Society is never in a healthy condition and true Christianity never flourishes in that land where the marriage tie is lightly esteemed. They who lightly esteem it have not the mind of Christ."

"On no point of Christian practice is it so hard to get the balance between that which is lawful and that which is unlawful, between that which is right and that which is wrong."

"It is a comforting thought that the same almighty power of will which our Lord here displayed is still exercised on behalf of His believing people. They have no need of His bodily presence to maintain their cause. They have no reason to be cast down because they cannot see Him with their eyes interceding for them, or touch Him with their hands that they may cling to Him for safety. If He wills their salvation and the daily supply of all their spiritual need, they are as safe and well provided for as if they saw Him standing by them."

Questions:

1.Jesus’ presence at the wedding in Cana, even as one of the first acts in His public ministry, speaks to the importance of marriage. If you are married, did you enter marriage, as Ryle says, “reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God?” Have you seen the gracious effects of that, or do you look back wishing you had done so. If you are not married, and are considering marriage, how does the exhortation to not enter “unadvisedly, lightly, wantonly, … and without due consideration” hit your ears? Do we have a high view of marriage?

2.Ryle takes up a difficult topic in any age: the wisdom of knowing what is lawful and unlawful. He warns that there are places in society in which Christians should not go, and yet the example of Jesus commends to us participating in joyful places such as this wedding. He warns that “high spirits soon degenerate into levity, so that serious things are treated without due respect. Acceptance of many invitations to feasts soon leads to waste of time and makes for leanness of soul. Frequent eating and drinking at other people’s tables soon lowers a Christian’s tone of faith.” Have we found this to be true in our own lives? Do we, as a rule, go to such things that our Master would go to, and in the spirit of our Master? We must also ask ourselves, does such an exhortation provoke us to anger? If so, why?

3.Ryle notes that this miracle is done without any words, or prayer, or anything except the will of Jesus, who is Mighty God. We often want to see evidence of God’s work if we would believe, but does this not comfort us to trust Him who works many things on behalf of those who believe? May we look to the fact that Jesus will those who are in Him to be with Him forever, and that it will take place at His marriage supper!

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John 1:43-51

Let us observe how various are the paths by which souls are led into the narrow way of life.
Let us observe how much of Christ there is in the Old Testament Scriptures.
Let us observe the good advice which Philip gave to Nathanael.
Let us observe the high character which Jesus gives of Nathanael.

"All true Christians are led by one Spirit, washed in one blood, serve one Lord, lean on one Saviour, believe one truth and walk by one general rule. But all are not converted in one and the same manner. All do not pass through the same experience. In conversion, the Holy Spirit acts as a sovereign. He calls everyone individually as He wills."

"Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame and not the book...Let us pray for a more humble, childlike and teachable spirit and let us take up Moses and the prophets again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him."

"If Philip had reproved Nathanael’s unbelief he might have driven him back for many a day and given offence. If he had reasoned with him he might have failed to convince him, or might have confirmed him in his doubts. But by inviting him to prove the matter for himself he showed his entire confidence in the truth of his own assertion and his willingness to have it tested and proved."

"An honest unprejudiced mind, a child-like willingness to follow the truth wherever the truth may lead us, a simple heart desire to be guided, taught and led by the Spirit, a thorough determination to use every spark of light which we have, are a possession of priceless value."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that it is not the experience but the fruit that will show true conversion or not. The danger, he warns, is that we can judge others by comparing their experiences to our own. Have we ever done this? Does this exhortation set us free to look for the necessary fruit instead?

2.Ryle exhorts us that Jesus is clearly revealed in the OT, though not if we are looking for His name. The problem is not with the book, but with us. Does this surprise us at all? Do we struggle with the OT and how to find Christ? If so, would we not pray for a more humble, childlike and teachable spirit?

3.Our verses reveal the wisdom of how Philip dealt with Nathaniel: not with reproof or reasoning, but an invitation to come and see for himself. How do we seek to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

4.Ryle notes that Nathaniel was a true Jew and true child of Abraham; a man of faith. He had an honest unprejudiced mind, a child-like willingness to follow the truth, a simple heart desire to be guided by the Spirit, and a thorough determination to use every spark of life he possessed. Could these descriptions be made of us?

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John 1:35-42

We see what good is done by continually testifying of Christ.
We see what good a believer may do to others by speaking to them about Christ.

"Those who have done most for Christ’s cause in every part of the world have been men like John the Baptist. They have not cried, “Behold me,” or “Behold the church,” or “Behold the ordinances,” but “Behold the Lamb.” If souls are to be saved, men and women must be pointed directly to Christ."

"It is not enough to hear Him preached from the pulpit and to read of Him as described in books. We must actually follow Him, pour out our hearts before Him, and hold personal communion with Him. Then, and not till then, we shall feel constrained to speak of Him to others."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that John the Baptist’s testimony bore much fruit with two who hear and follow Jesus. Yet, it is also noted that it was the second, and not the first time he testified to this truth. Salvation comes from hearing, and hearing the Word of Christ. Do we grow weary in sharing the truth about Jesus because we do not see fruit? We must press on in faithfulness trusting God’s promises!

2.Ryle looks to the story of Andrew to encourage us in evangelism. He says that every believer ought to be a home missionary to family, children, co-workers, neighbours, and friends. Do we find it hard to share of Jesus to our friends and family? Could it be due to lack of communing with and following Jesus Christ? If so, the good news is that we can turn to Him, even now, and seek His willing grace!

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John 1:29-34

Let us notice the unique name which John the Baptist gives to Christ.
Let us notice the particular work which John the Baptist describes Christ as doing.
Let us notice the particular role which John the Baptist attributes to Christ.

"Let us serve him faithfully as our Master. Let us obey Him loyally as our King. Let us study His teaching as our Prophet. Let us walk diligently after Him as our Example. Let us look anxiously for Him as our coming Redeemer of body as well as soul. But above all, let us prize Him as our sacrifice and rest our whole weight on His death as an atonement for sin."

"Christ is a complete Saviour—He takes away sin. He did not merely make vague proclamations of pardon, mercy and forgiveness. He took our sins upon Himself and carried them away. He allowed them to be laid upon Himself and “bore our sins in His own body on the tree.”

"Baptism with water is a most blessed and profitable ordinance and cannot be neglected without great sin. But the baptism of the Holy Spirit is of far greater importance. The one who dies with their heart not baptized by Christ can never be saved?"

Questions:

1.John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God, and this is the key way we are to know Him. So, as Ryle points out, let us serve Him as our Master, obey Him as our King, study His teaching as our prophet, walk after Him as our example, and look anxiously to His return. But, can we say above all, that we prize Him as our sacrifice and rest our whole weight down on Him?

2.Ryle warns that sweet texts such as, Jesus taking away our sins, can become dangerously familiar to us. When is the last time we considered this with thanks and gratitude and praise? How can we keep it before us afresh day by day?

3.Ryle points out that baptism of water, though important and neglected as a great sin, is not as necessary as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And one of the ways we will know this is true, is when Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away sins is a precious truth to our souls. Can we say it is so?

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John 1:19-28

We have an instructive example of true humility.
We have a mournful example of the blindness of unconverted men and women.

"We have no true faith about us until we cast away our high thoughts and feel ourselves sinners. This is the grace which all believers may follow after and which none have any excuse for neglecting."

"Christ is still standing among many who neither see, nor know, nor believe. Christ is passing by in many a place and many a congregation and the vast majority have neither an eye to see Him, nor an ear to hear Him. The spirit of slumber seems poured out upon them. Money, pleasure and the world they know, but they do not know Christ. The kingdom of God is close to them, but they sleep. Salvation is within their reach but they sleep. Mercy, grace, peace, heaven and eternal life are so near that they might touch them and yet they sleep."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that John the Baptist’s true shining quality, and that of all Christians, is to be clothed with humility. How do we think of ourselves? We must confess that apart from the cross, very highly. How easy do our thoughts run to thinking ourselves better than others?

2.Ryle also points out the sad reality not only of the Pharisees, but also many today. If we go to a church, or own a Bible, or have Christian books, do we realize how great is our privilege? Have we responded, and do we continue to respond, to Christ in faith and repentance? Are we making use of our privileges or squandering them?

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John 1:15-18

We are taught that it is Christ alone who supplies al the spiritual wants of all believers.
We are taught the vast superiority of Christ to Moses, and of the gospel to the law.
We are taught that it is Christ alone who has revealed God the Father to us.

"The Old Testament believers only saw Christ afar off and not face to face. But from Abel downwards all saved souls have received all they have had from Jesus Christ alone."

"No doubt there was much of grace and truth under the law of Moses, but the whole of God's grace and the whole of God's truth about redemption were never known until Jesus came into the world and died for sinners."

"[The Father's] perfect wisdom, His almighty power, His unspeakable love to sinners, His incomparable holiness, His hatred of sin, could never be represented to our eyes more clearly than we see them in Christ's life and death."

Questions:

It is an incredible truth, that all blessings in all ages have come through Jesus Christ. How could we turn to anyone or anything else than Jesus? Doesn't this cause your heart to praise Him?
It is easy, at surface level, to see these verses and think that the law of Moses did not bring grace and truth. Ryle, rightly, declares that the law did bring grace and truth, but Jesus brings the whole of grace and truth in His death and resurrection. Does this surprise or correct how you have seen this?
Ryle asks, in light of the rich truths in these verses, the question: can we give too much honor to Christ or think too highly of Him? Jesus Christ is making His Father known, and there is no other way to know the Father, except through Him. May we learn to exalt Him more in our hearts and to rest more confidingly the whole weight of our souls in His hands.

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John 1:14

The main truth which this verse teaches is the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ's incarnation, or being made man.

"The passage of Scripture now before us is very short if we measure it by words, but it is very long if we measure it by the nature of its content."

"The union of two natures in Christ's one Person is doubtless one of the greatest mysteries of the Christian faith. It needs to be carefully stated. It is just one of those great truths which we are not meant to be curiously pried into, but to be reverently believed."

"But to say that at any instant of His earthly ministry He was not fully and entirely God is nothing less than heresy."

The second article of the Church of England says, "The Son, which is the Word of the Father, begotten from everlasting of the Father, the very and eternal God, and of one substance with the Father, took human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin, of her substance: so that two whole and perfect Natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one Person, never to be divided, whereof is one Christ, very God, and very Man."

Questions:

We have here a short passage, yet, as Ryle says, is very long in its content. The two natures of Christ, also known as the hypostatic union, is not to be pried into but reverently believed. Like the Trinity, it is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith, and yet, to know it is to know the true God and Jesus Christ who He sent. That is to say, as Jesus prays in John 17, to know these deep truths about God is to know eternal life. A few questions:

Do we see such truths as splitting hairs or as ground for great encouragement and thankfulness?
Do we see in Jesus fallen man dignified, because Jesus took on a body, which, though glorified, he now has for eternity? Does this not encourage us, as Ryle says, to see our bodies rightly and to not defile them with sin? Doesn't this encourage us to fight sin by the power of the Spirit?
Do we see in Jesus one who can sympathize with our weaknesses because He took on flesh and entered this world as we are, yet without sin? Do we tend to run from Him when we sin, or do we run to Him because nobody knows and understands better?

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John 1:6-13

We see the true nature of a Christian minister's office or role.
We see one principal position which our Lord Jesus Christ occupies towards humanity.
We see the desperate wickedness of the human heart.
We see the vast privileges of all who receive Christ and believe in Him.

"Unless a Christian minister bears a full testimony to Christ they are not faithful to their office."

"Christ is to the souls of men and women what the sun is to the world. He is the center and source of all spiritual light, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, and fertility."

"They worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Well may the natural heart be called wicked!"

"Good masters care for their servants and Christ cares for His."

Questions:

We in John the Baptist, that a true ministers call is to faithfully testify to the truth. If you are a minister of the gospel, can this be said you? If not, can you without a doubt declare that this can be said of your minister?
Do we look to and trust Jesus as our only light, and the only light that we can hold out for sinners around us?
Jesus, who gave life, and breath, and everything before coming to His people, was despised then, and even afterwards. How we would want to say that we would never do that, and yet we would, apart from His grace. Does this truth not humble us?
It is fitting to close with Ryle's question: "are we ourselves sons of God? Have we been born again? Have we the marks which always accompany the new birth: a sense of sin, faith in Jesus, love of others, righteous living, and separation from the world? May it be so, for our joy and His glory!

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John 1:1-5

We learn that our Lord Jesus Christ is eternal.
We learn that our Lord Jesus Christ is a Person distinct from God the Father and yet one with Him.
We learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is truly God.
We learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things.
We learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of all spiritual life and light.

"If no one less than the Eternal God, the Creator and Preserver of all things, could take away the sin of the world, sin must be a far more abominable thing in the sight of God than most people suppose."

Questions:

We sometimes look for truths that are practical, but nothing is more practical than knowing God who God has revealed Himself to be. As we hear these 5 glorious declarations of who Jesus is, do we know them to be true and delight in them?
Ryle exhorts us to behold the sinfulness of sin as we consider that it took no one less than Jesus Himself to come for sinners. Does this resonate with us?
Ryle also exhorts us to behold the true Christian's foundation for hope in these 5 glorious declarations of Jesus. Do we not find here a firm foundation for our feet?

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Luke 24:50-53

Let us notice the remarkable manner in which our Lord left His disciples.
Let us notice the place to which our Lord went when He left the world.
Let us notice the feelings of our Lord's disciples when He finally left them and was carried up into heaven.

"If we know anything of true religion, forever let our souls lean on the gracious heart of Christ. We shall never find a heart more tender, more loving, more patient, more compassionate, and more kind. To talk of Mary, the mother of Christ, as being more compassionate than Christ Himself is a proof of miserable ignorance."

"The grand secret of the perseverance of saints is Christ's appearance for them in heaven. They have an everlasting Advocate with the Father, and therefore they are never cast away."

"But it may be well suspected that dim and indistinct views of the gospel are the true cause of many a believer's discomfort. When the Lord Jesus is not clearly known and understood, it must follow that there is little joy in the Lord."

Questions:

Ryle points out that Jesus came to bless, and leaves in the act of blessing. We see here the compassionate heart of Christ that never changes and is ever ready to bless. Are we leaning on this gracious heart?
Ryle mentions that as Jesus left, so will He come. Let us ask ourselves: for this day am I waiting, longing, and praying?
Ryle declares that a settled principle should be that a little degree of joy with many believers feel often arises from lack of knowledge. Do we search the Scriptures and pray over them with hearts to know and love the Lord or do we just scratch the surface of Scripture when we read? Beloved brothers and sisters, as we finish Luke, may this coming year be marked by a settled purpose of heart to seek more spiritual knowledge and search and pray through the Scriptures more heartily. May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you!

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Luke 24:44-49

Let us observe the gift which our Lord bestowed on His disciples immediately before He left the world.
Let us observe the remarkable manner in which the Lord Jesus speaks of His own death on the cross.
Let us observe what were the first truths which the Lord Jesus bade His disciples preach after He left the world.
Let us observe what was the first place at which the disciples were to begin preaching.
Let us observe the peculiar position which believers, and especially ministers, are meant to occupy in this world.

"A humble and prayerful spirit will find a thousand things in the Bible which the proud, self-conceited student will utterly fail to discern."

"Without the death of Christ, God's law could never have been satisfied, sin could never have been pardoned, man could never have been justified before God, and God could never have shown mercy to man."

"Repentance and forgiveness are not mere elementary truths and milk for spiritual babes. The highest standard of sanctity is nothing more than a continual growth in practical knowledge of these two points."

"It is the glory of our Great Physician that He can heal incurable cases. The things which seem impossible to men are possible with Christ."

"But the duty of a witness is to bear his testimony whether he is believed or not."

Questions:

We see that the final gift Jesus gave His disciples was to understand the Scriptures, which Ryle points out, is what we all need if we are to understand what the Bible says. When we open the Bible, are we quick to pray and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit, or do we jump in quickly and show a spirit of independence?
The cross is essential for our salvation, and through the cross God can be just and the justifier of the ungodly. Can we, like Paul, say that we glory in the cross of Christ? Do we find it the source of all our hopes and peace?
Jesus' final words to his disciples is to proclaim repentance and the forgiveness of sins to the world. Ryle mentions that these two points are not just elementary starting points, but what the most eminent saint will have before their eyes. Are we growing in practical knowledge of these two points? Are they before our eyes?
The gospel was to be first preached in Jerusalem, the city that stoned the prophets, and the Son of God. Ryle points out that this shows the compassion and love of God, that the gospel would go to them first! If God desires the gospel to go such a wicked people, can we not hold out hope to those who seem impossible as well?
Ryle closed by asking if we know anything of bearing witness of Christ. Do those around us know we are Christians? Does the world love and accept us as one of its own, or do we stand out for the truth we bear witness to?

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Luke 24:36-43

We should observe the singularly gracious words with which our Lord introduced Himself to His disciples after His resurrection.
We should observe our Lord's marvelous condescension to the infirmity of His disciples.

"He is far more willing to forgive than men are to be forgiven. He is far more ready to pardon than men are to be pardoned."

"Like our Lord, we must be forbearing and patient. Like our Lord, we must condescend to the feebleness of some men's faith and treat them as tenderly as little children in order to bring them into the right way. We must not cast off men simply because they do not see everything at once. We must not despise the humblest and most childish means if we can only persuade men to believe."

Questions:

Brothers and sisters, Ryle points out the great willingness of Christ Jesus to forgive and pardon us from our sins. Dare we be afraid to appeal to this great God for forgiveness if He can forgive and speak graciously to those who betrayed him just days before? Does this not encourage us to be quick to forgive others who have sinned against us?
Ryle draws a principle from our Lord in how He speaks to his disciples, namely how gentle and patient He is with them. Ryle exhorts us that, "he who cannot condescend to deal thus with the young, the ignorant, and the uneducated has not the mind of Christ." Friends, in dealing with others, do we have this mind as well? Are we quick to write off someone who doesn't understand or is slow to believe or understand? May the Holy Spirit give us grace to be like this with those around us!

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Luke 24:13-35

Let us mark what encouragement there is to believers to speak to one another about Christ.
Let us mark how weak and imperfect was the knowledge of some of our Lord's disciples.
Let us mark how full of Christ the Old Testament is.

"Perhaps we read our Bible's, and pray in private, and use public means of grace. It is all well, very well. But if we stop short here, then we neglect a great privilege and have yet much to learn."

"Clear and accurate knowledge is a most useful thing, but it is not absolutely needful to salvation and may even be possessed without grace. A deep sense of sin, a humble willingness to be saved God's way, a teachable readiness to give up our own prejudices when a more excellent way is shown - these are the principal things."

"Let it be a settled principle in our minds in reading the Bible that Christ is the central sun of the whole book. So long as we keep Him in view, we shall never greatly err in our search for spiritual knowledge."

"Our Lord sees it good for us to prove our love by withholding mercies until we ask for them. He does not always force His gifts upon us, unsought and unsolicited. He loves to draw out our desires and to compel us to exercise our spiritual affections by waiting for our prayers."

Questions:

Ryle says that perhaps we read our Bible's and pray and go to Sunday services, but if we fall short of spiritual conversations, we have much to learn. What do we know of spiritual conversation with other Christians? Do we seek out such conversations and find them lifegiving, or do they only come up if someone says something?
Ryle warns us that we should not be surprised by spiritual ignorance around us, if men such as those on the road to Emmaus had the same problem. Clear and accurate knowledge is a most useful thing, but not needful for salvation and can be possessed without grace. Are we growing in clarity of doctrine? But just as importantly, are we growing in hatred for sin, and a depth in humility, and teachability?
I hope it doesn't surprise you that Christ is the central figure in the Old Testament, though how that is known is a great area of study. Do you agree that Jesus Christ is the key to Bible knowledge?
Ryle points out that Jesus acted as if he intended to go further, and stayed because the disciples asked him to. From this he draws out that God loves to be asked and exhorts us to ask much, ask often, and lose nothing for lack of asking. How does this encourage or challenge us? May it not be said of us, we had not because we asked not.

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Luke 24:1-12

We see the reality of Christ's resurrection.
We see how dull the member of the disciples was about some of our Lord's teaching.
We see how slow of belief the first disciples were on the subject of Christ's resurrection.

"If we choose to deny the truth of their account [of the resurrection], then we may deny everything in the world. It is not as certain that Julius Caesar once lived as it is that Christ rose again."

"The true cure for a dull memory in religion is to get deeper love toward Christ and affections more thoroughly set on things above...The more our affections are engaged in Christ's service, the more easy shall we find it to remember Christ's words."

"The unbelief of the apostles is one of the strongest indirect evidences that Jesus rose from the dead. If the disciples were at first so backward to believe our Lord's resurrection, and were at last so thoroughly persuaded of its truth that they preached it everywhere, then Christ must have risen indeed."

Questions:

We see testimony of the great fact that Jesus truly did rise again from the dead. Does this great truth fill our hearts with a joyful sense of the fullness of gospel salvation?
The text before us spoke of the disciples remembering the words Christ had spoken to them in the past. Ryle points out that this dullness of memory is a common spiritual disease and that the remedy is not a better memory but deeper love toward Christ and affections more thoroughly set on things above. I don't know about you, but that strikes me as helpful and profound. How does that land on your heart?
It is easy and marvel at the disciple's unbelief, and yet, as Ryle points out, we would do well to look closer to home at our own church and our own hearts. We must admit we do not believe as we ought when we consider the powerful truth of Christ's resurrection and the final judgment. May these truths dig deeper into our hearts, and may we live them out by God's grace and for His glory.

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Luke 23:50-56

We see that Christ has some disciples of whom little is known.
We see the reality of Christ's death.

"At the very time when the apostles had forsaken Jesus, Joseph is not ashamed to show his love and respect. Others had confessed Him while He was living and doing miracles. It was reserved for Joseph to confess Him when He was dead."

"If Christ did not really die, there would be an end of all the comfort of the gospel. Nothing short of His death could have paid man's sin-debt to God. His incarnation, and sermons, and parables, and miracles, and sinless obedience to the law would have availed nothing if He had not died."

Questions:

Ryle mentions that we know nothing of Joseph before or after this event, and it teaches us that Jesus has friends of whom the church knows little or nothing. Ryle encourages us, in light of this, to be charitable and hopeful in our judgments. Could this be said of us?
We see in this text witness to the reality that Christ actually died, a reality without which the penalty for our sins would remain on us. Brother or sister, here we see the penalty for our sin! Here we see the love of God for sinners! Why not take a few minutes right now to thank and praise the Lord for His grace?

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Luke 23:44-49

Let us observe the miraculous signs which accompanied our Lord's death on the cross.
Let us observe the remarkable words which our Lord spoke when He died.
Let us observe the power of conscience in the case of the centurion and the people who saw Christ die.

"It was proper and right that the attention of all those around Jerusalem should be arrested in a marked way when the great sacrifice for sin was being offered and the Son of God was dying! There were signs and wonders wrought in the sight of all Israel when the law was given on Sinai. There were signs and wonders in like manner when the atoning blood of Christ was shed on Calvary."

"Christ died not as we die, when our hour has come, not because He was compelled and could not help dying, but He died voluntarily and of His own free will."

"He who desires inward peace must beware of quarreling with his conscience. Let him rather use it well, guard it jealously, hear what it has to say, and treat it as his friend. Above all, let him pray daily that his conscience may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit and cleansed by the blood of Christ."

Questions:

Ryle points out a remarkable truth regarding the death of Jesus, namely that even though He was hanging on a cross, His death was voluntary and of His own free will. This is so because He is God and He couldn't die. I don't know about you, but that really elevates the divinity of Christ, and the love of Christ. He knew going to Jerusalem would lead to being arrested and nailed to a cross, and yet He went. He knew He couldn't die and so, He gives up His life only after He hung in agony for hours. Doesn't this make you love Him more?
Although our deaths will be vastly different in the way we have seen earlier, Ryle points out that we should nonetheless, as Christians, be able to face the king of terrors with calmness and patience, and that when we die, our souls will be in good keeping. What does this do to our hearts as we think of death?
We are given an example of the power of conscience in these verses. Ryle exhorts us to use, guard, listen, and befriend our conscience, and especially to pray that it may be enlightened by the Holy Spirit and cleansed by the blood of Christ. Do we tend to ignore our conscience? Do we use, guard, listen, and befriend it? To better understand the conscience, there is a great little book called Conscience by Naselli and J.D. Crowley you can find HERE if you want to learn more!

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Luke 23:39-43

We see the sovereignty of God in saving sinners.
We see the unvarying character of repentance unto salvation.
We see the amazing power and willingness of Christ to save sinners.
We see how near a dying believer is to eternal rest and glory.

"One thief was saved so that no sinner might despair. But only one was saved so that no sinner might presume."

"Let us beware of a repentance without evidences."

"Do we want proof that salvation is of grace and not of works? WE have it in the case before us. The dying thief was nailed hand and foot to the cross. He could do literally nothing for his own soul. Yet even he, through Christ's infinite grace, was saved."

"Let us remember these things when our believing friends fall asleep in Christ. We must not sorrow for them as those who have no hope. While we are sorrowing, they are rejoicing."

Questions:

We see in this famous account that both men were equally near to Christ, and both heard the same things, but only one repents and believes, and the other dies in his sins. Ryle points out that this should greatly humble us and cause us to diligently use all the means of grace that God has appointed. Do we take Bible reading and the pastoral ministry of preaching and teaching for granted? Do we treat fellowship cheaply or do we value it?
Ryle points out what many leave out, namely the 6 various evidences of repentance seen in the dying thief: his concern for his companion's wickedness, full acknowledgement of his own sin, an open confession of Christ's innocence, faith in Christ's power and will to save, prayer, and humility. Are we guilty of not seeing these things and finding comfort in this dying thief's death-bed conversion without repentance?
Christ, who forgave the thief on the cross, still lives. Does this not give us hope that God can save even the most unlikely? Doesn't this give us hope to keep pursuing Christ?
Jesus tells the penitent thief that he will be with Him today in paradise. Ryle points out that this should give us hope in the midst of sorrowing over a believer's death, and also gives us joy in looking forward to our own deaths. As Philippians 1:23 says, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." How does that encourage us in our walk with Christ today?

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Luke 23:26-38

We ought to notice our Lord's words of prophetic warning.
We ought to notice our Lord's words of gracious intercession.

"Let us beware of supposing that the Lord Jesus holds out to man nothing but mercy, pardon, love, and forgiveness...He delights in mercy. But we must never forget that there is justice with Him as well as mercy."

"The Lord Jesus is indeed most pitiful, most compassionate, and most gracious. None are too wicked for Him to care for. None are too far gone in sin for His almighty heart to take interest in their souls."

Questions:

If you are from the West, you know that a good portion of so-called churches will talk of the love of God, but will speak nothing of His wrath. May we not be deceived! There is rich mercy in Christ, but that mercy will one day end, and justice will be executed on the earth against all who did not repent and believe. Are we clear on this when we talk with others about the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Ryle points out that the first of Jesus' seven sayings on the cross is for the Father to forgive His murderers! We see in Christ a heart gracious to forgive and pardon those who turn to Him, and we also see an example of loving our enemies. Beloved brother or sister, for those whom are our enemies, can we say that we love them and pray God would forgive them? May God grant us grace for it to be so!

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Luke 23:13-25

We should observe what striking testimony was borne to our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect innocence by His judges.
Let us learn how thoroughly the Jews took on themselves the whole responsibility of our Lord Jesus Christ's death.
We should observe the remarkable circumstances connected with the release of Barabbas.

"Jesus is the righteousness of all sinners who believe in Him. In Him, all believers are counted perfect fulfillers of the law. The eyes of a holy God behold them in Christ, clothed with Christ's perfect righteousness. For Christ's sake, God can now say of the believer, "I find no fault at all in him.""

"Marvelous indeed is the thought that there is mercy in store for Israel, notwithstanding all its sins and unbelief!"

"If we are true Christians, let us daily lean our souls on the wondrous thought that Christ has really been our Substitute and has been punished in our stead."

Questions:

Ryle starts by pointing out that even those who were Christ's judges, could find no fault in Him. While this might not seem significant, for the true believer it highlights the truth of Scripture, that Jesus was the spotless Lamb who can take away the sins of the world, and that He is the perfect righteousness we need to be right with God. Beloved brother or sister, we have a perfect righteousness in Jesus Christ! Doesn't this make your heart want to sing?
We are given here a little insight of how those before the modern-day nation of Israel viewed the Jewish people. Ryle mentions that God has dealt with the Jews according to their words, and how He has scattered them all over the earth...without a land, without a government, and without a home. We must not think the events of 1946 undo this perse, but we must remember that God is merciful even to the nation that rejected their Savior! May we as Gentiles fear lest we too be broken off the olive tree!
Ryle points out that the exchange of Barabbas for Jesus is a lively emblem of our salvation. We are Barabbas, deserving death, and Jesus takes our place so that we may be set free! O beloved brother or sister, do we cling to this truth?

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Luke 23:1-12

Let us observe what false accusations were laid to our Lord Jesus Christ's charge.
Let us observe the strange and mingled motives which influence the hearts of unconverted great men.
Let us observe how easily and readily unconverted men can agree in disliking Christ.

"Lying and slander are two favorite weapons of the devil...When he finds that he cannot stop God's work, his next device is to blacken the character of God's servants and to destroy the value of their testimony."

"Let us learn from Herod's case to pity great men. With all their greatness and apparent splendor, they are often thoroughly miserable within. Silks and satins and official robes often cover hearts which are utter strangers to peace. That man does not understand what he is wishing for who wishes to be a rich man."

"The true Christian must not count the enmity of the world to be a strange thing...If he expects that by any concession he can win the favor of man, then he will be greatly deceived."

Questions:

We see in this passage that our Lord Jesus was slandered, and we must not be surprised if we are slandered as well. Unlike our Lord, we may be accused rightly, but in times where there is no grounding, can we keep silent and patiently wait for the Lord?
Ryle points out the misery of rich men, and exhorts us to pity and pray for them. He highlights how foolish it is in light of these things to wish to be like them. Do we pity and pray for the rich? Does this not help us in the fight against the desires for riches?
Ryle speaks to the uniting of two enemies, Herod and Pilate, because of their common hatred for Christ. He declares this is no different today against many groups that hate one another but unite against the gospel and the true church. Brothers and sisters, do we love the favor of man or the favor of God? Do we seek to make the gospel palatable to the world, forgetting that even our Lord Jesus was hated by the world for speaking the truth? May we be those who are not surprised by opposition and continue to speak the truth in love.

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Luke 22:63-71

We should notice the shameful treatment that our Lord Jesus Christ underwent at the hands of His enemies.
We should notice the striking prophecy which our Lord delivers about His own coming glory.
We should notice what a full and bold confession our Lord makes of His own messiahship and divinity.

"It is not too much to say that if unconverted men had their own way entirely, the earth would soon be little better than a hell!"

"We see but half the truth if we see nothing but the cross and the first coming. It is essential to our own comfort to see also the second coming and the crown."

"A confessing Master loves bold, uncompromising, and confessing disciples. Those who honor Him by an outspoken, courageous testimony He will honor because they are walking in His steps."

Questions:

We see the love and patience of the Lord Jesus as He was beaten and mocked, and, as Ryle points out in 1 Peter 2, this is an example for us to follow. Think of past times when you have been insulted, what did you do? How does this passage change how we would act if this would happen again tomorrow?
Ryle exhorts us to take heed that the future glory of Christ forms a part of our creed as much as Christ's cross and passion. When is the last time we considered the glorious return of Jesus? What good would it do to our souls to do this often?
We see again another example for us today in our Lord's bold confession of who He was. Ryle tells us we don't need to go blow our trumpet, but that opportunities are sure to occur, and that when they do, we must be bold to confess the Lord Jesus. Can you think of a time this happened to you? Do we pray for such opportunities to honor the Lord?

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Luke 22:54-62

The story of Peter's fall teaches us how small and gradual are the steps by which men may go down into great sins.
The story of Peter's fall teaches us how very far a true believer may backslide.
The story of Peter's fall teaches us the infinite mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The story of Peter's fall teaches us how bitter sin is to believers when they have fallen into it and discovered their fall.

"The profession Christian who begins to say of any sin or evil habit, "It is but a little one," is in imminent danger. He is sowing seeds in his heart which will one day spring up and bear bitter fruit."

"The best and highest believer is a poor weak creature even at his best times...when we read the falls of Noah, Lot, and Peter, we only read what might possibly befall any of us."

"The love of Christ toward His people is a deep well which has no bottom. Let us never measure it by comparison with any kind of human love. It exceeds all other love as far as the sunlight exceeds the candlelight."

"Sorrow like this, let us always remember, is an inseparable companion of true repentance."

Questions:

Ryle identifies 5 steps in Peter's fall: first was proud self-confidence, second was slothful neglect of prayer, third was vacillating indecision, fourth was mingling with bad company, and lastly was the natural consequences of the previous four. Are there areas in our lives in which we are compromising our faith? Have we said of a sin that clings so closely, "this is just a little one?"
Ryle points out that even the best Christian is a weak creature even at his best times, and that we carry within us boundless capacity for wickedness. Do we see ourselves like this? Does this cause us to watch and pray?
Ryle highlights that the love of Christ toward His people is a deep well which has no bottom, and that we must not be afraid to trust that love when we first feel our sins, nor afraid to go on trusting it after we have once believed. Is this true for us, by God's grace?
Ryle notes that falling into sin must be met with sorrow for sin if one is to turn back to God. Is this true in our lives? Do we have a growing hatred for sin, and a turning away from it?

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Luke 22:47-53

We should learn that the worse and most wicked acts may be done under a show of love for Christ.
We should learn that it is much easier to fight a little for Christ than to endure hardship and go to prison and death for his sake.
We should learn that the time during which evil is permitted to triumph is fixed and limited by God.

"To injure the cause of religion under any circumstances is a great sin, but to injure it while we pretend to show kindness is the blackest of crimes!"

"To suffer patiently for Christ is far more difficult than to work actively. To sit still and endure calmly is much harder than to stir about and take part in the battle."

"Let us take comfort in these words of our Lord in looking forward to our own future lives. If we are followers of Christ, then we shall have our hour of trial, and it may be a long hour too. But we may rest assured that the darkness shall not last one moment longer than God sees fit for us. In His good time, it shall vanish away. At evening time, there shall be light."

Questions:

Ryle speaks about grace being the true motive that enables us to endure for Christ, and that patient suffering is the grand test of that grace. Are we easily motivated by excitement, emulation, a party spirit, or the love of praise? Or are we motivated by the love of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and a desire to please Him?
Ryle speaks of God's sovereignty over the affairs of man, and even over our trials. He even takes note that whatever trials are allowed by God, they are always followed by light, just like the blue sky after a storm. Do we trust that, whatever happens to us, God has allowed it and will allow it for not a second longer than He ordains for it? Do we not find comfort in this truth?

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Luke 22:39-46

We see an example of what believers ought to do in times of trouble.
We see what kind of prayers a believer ought to make to God in times of trouble.
We see an example of the exceeding guilt and sinfulness of sin.
We see an example of the feebleness of the best of saints.

"If we want comfort in affliction, then let us take care that we use our Master's remedy. Whatever other means of relief we use, let us pray. The first Friend we should turn to ought to be God."

"Like Jesus, [we] should tell [our] desires openly to [our] heavenly Father, and spread [our] wishes unreservedly before Him. But like Jesus, [we] should do it all with an entire submission to the will of God."

"We must beware jealously of the modern notion that our blessed Lord's life and death were nothing more than a great example of self-sacrifice. Such a notion throws darkness and confusion over the whole gospel."

"When apostles can behave in this way, then the Christian who thinks he can stand should take heed lest he fall."

Questions:

When afflictions or difficulty or trials come upon us, to what or whom do we turn first? Can we say that the first Friend we turn to is God? Or do we tend to give way to any one of Satan's many excuses for keeping silent before God?
Ryle encourages us, like Jesus to bring our requests to the Father, but also that the highest grace, especially in affliction, is that we would also pray, "not my will, but yours be done." Do we pray this way, even in times of affliction?
Ryle gives a number of questions worth repeating: Would we see the sinfulness of sin in its true colors? Would we learn to hate sin with a godly hatred? Would we know something of the intense misery of souls in hell? Would we understand something of the unspeakable love of Christ? Would we comprehend Christ's ability to sympathize with those who are in trouble? He then declares that considering the agony of Jesus suffering in the garden is one of the means to that end. Will we not take time to consider this very thing for the sake of knowing these things more?
Ryle tells us that what we read of the disciples sleeping while Jesus prayed is an example of the weakness of the flesh in the best of believers. If the disciples can fail in such a way, then we should take heed lest we fall. Does this not teach us humility and give us a longing for our new bodies when Jesus returns?

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Luke 22:31-38

We learn from these verses what a fearful enemy the devil is to believers.
We learn one great secret of a believer's perseverance in the faith.
We learn the duty incumbent on all believers who receive special mercies from Christ.
We learn that the servant of Christ ought to use all reasonable means in doing his Master's work.

"The world is a snare to the believer. The flesh is a burden and a clog. But there is no enemy so dangerous as that restless, invisible, subtle, experienced Enemy - the devil!

"If we are true Christians, we shall find it essential to our comfort in religion to have clear views of Christ's priestly office and intercession."

"[God] can make the fall of a disciple the means of fitting him to be the strengthener and upholder of others."

"Let us labor, and toil, and give, and speak, and act, and write for Christ as if all depended on our exertions. And yet let us never forget that success depends entirely on God's blessing! To expect success by our own money bag and sword is pride and self-righteousness. But to expect success without the money bag and the sword is presumption and fanaticism."

Questions:

Ryle mentions that the world is a snare, the flesh a burden, but none so dangerous and evil as the devil. Do we take this evil foe lightly, or do we, knowing our weakness, watch and pray and resist him trusting he will then flee from us?
The perseverance of the saints rests in the fact that Christ died, rose again, and is now interceding on our behalf! Is this doctrine new to you? Why do you think Ryle says this doctrine is essential to our comfort in religion?
Friends, if we have fallen and been restored, do we encourage and strengthen others in their failings? Like 2 Corinthians 1, do we give comfort to others that we have received from God?
We learn a principle from this passage that is important to take to heart, especially when we consider God's sovereignty and our responsibility. Ryle tells us to labor, and toil, and give, and speak, and act, and write for Christ as if all depended on our exertions. And yet let us never forget that success depends entirely on God's blessing! In the words of Jerry Bridges, "we should act as if it all depends on us, and pray like it all depends on God." Do our lives reflect this balance of acting and trusting?

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Luke 22:24-30

Let us observe how firmly pride and love of preeminence can stick to the hearts of Christian men.
Let us observe the striking account which our Lord gives of true Christian greatness.
Let us observe our Lord's gracious commendation of His disciples.
Let us observe what a glorious promise our Lord holds out to His faithful disciples.

"Let us learn to take pleasure in the prosperity of others and to be content with the lowest place for ourselves."

"Usefulness in the world and church, a humble readiness to do anything and put our hands to any good work, a cheerful willingness to fill any post, however lowly, and discharge any office, however unpleasant, if we can only promote happiness and holiness on earth - these are the true tests of Christian greatness."

"If we are true believers, then let us know that He looks at our graces more than at our faults, that He pities our infirmities, and that He will not deal with us according to our sins."

"It is enough for us to know that our Lord promised his eleven faithful ones glory, honor, and rewards far exceeding anything they had done for Him."

Questions:

We are warned of pride, and how even those who claim to be humble cannot bear to see an equal of theirs more honored and favored than themselves. When someone else does well or gets promoted or publicly noticed, can we truly rejoice with them, or do we secretly despise them?
Ryle says that the true tests of greatness are: usefulness in the world and church, a humble readiness to do anything and put our hands to any good work, a cheerful willingness to fill any post, however lowly, and discharge any office, however unpleasant, if we can only promote happiness and holiness on earth. How do we match up to these tests?
Ryle points out that Jesus's words to his disciples, namely that they have stood by him in trials, is most striking when compared to his many rebukes and their many failings. Ryle highlights that He still deals with true believers the same. Does this not make you love Jesus more?
Jesus promised the eleven, and promises every believer an eternal kingdom, which will far outweigh anything we can do for Him in this world. Do we have this kingdom promise before us? Does the reality that every deed done in the name of Jesus will be remembered by Him? Let us press on with this in mind!

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Luke 22:14-23

We should notice that the principal object of the Lord's Supper was to remind Christians of Christ's death for sinners.
We should notice that the observance of the Lord's Supper is a duty binding on all true Christians.
We should notice who were the partakers at the first appointment of the Lord's Supper.

"He who comes to the Lord's Table with faith in Christ may confidently expect to have his faith increased by receiving the bread and wine. But he who comes without faith has no right to expect a blessing. Empty he comes to the ordinance, and empty he will go away."

"Do we stay away from the Lord's Table because we are not fit to be partakers of it? If we do, then let us thoroughly understand that we are not fit to die."

"The Lord Himself tolerated a Judas at the first Lord's Supper that ever took place. The servant of God must not pretend to be more exclusive than his Master."

Questions:

The Lord's Table is a means of grace by which, when we come in faith, our faith increases, and with it our love for God. How do we approach the Lord's Table? As an empty act, or in faith?
Ryle, speaking of a seemingly common problem in his day, speaks of those who do not go to the Lord's Table because they are unfit to partake. He warns that this means one is not fit to die! There are lots of views of what it means to examine oneself, but we are told in 1 Corinthians 11 to then eat! Does this change anything of how we partake of the Table?
What does any of this exhortation do to our hearts as we consider the next time we will partake of the Lord's Supper?

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Luke 22:1-13

We see that high offices in the church do not preserve the holders of them from great blindness and sin.
We see how far men may fall after making a high profession.
We see the enormous power of the love of money.
We see the close connection between our Lord Jesus Christ's death and the Feast of the Passover.

"It matters little who says a thing in religion, but it matters greatly what is said. Is it scriptural? Is it true? This is the only question.

"At best, we have but a faint conception of the deceitfulness of our hearts."

"It is possible to love money without having it, and it is possible to have it without loving it."

"The death of Christ was the fulfillment of the Passover lamb."

Questions:

Ryle warns us that so much heresy comes not from the unlearned, but religious elites and those who know the Bible. Do we have as our standard: is it scriptural? Is it true?
Ryle warns us that we should look to Judas Iscariot and pray often for humility. Do we pray, with the Psalms, "search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts?"
Ryle tells us that it is possible to have no money and love it, and to have it without loving it. What is our heart toward money? Do we recognize that it is the root of all kinds of evil, and watch and pray against such love?
Jesus died on the cross as our Passover lamb. Have we, as Ryle exhorts us, grasped this truth firmly? May it be so by God's grace!

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Luke 21:34-38

Let us learn the spiritual danger to which even the holiest believers are exposed in this world.
Let us learn the exceeding suddenness of our Lord's second coming.
Let us learn the special duties of believers in the prospect of the second advent of Christ.

"Excess in eating and drinking is not the only excess which injures the soul. There is an excessive anxiety about the innocent things of this life, which is just as disastrous to our spiritual prosperity, and just as poisonous to the inner man. Never, never let us forget that we may make spiritual shipwreck on lawful things, as really and truly as on open vices."

"The Gospel does not call on us to retire from earthly callings, or neglect the duties of our stations. It does not bid us retire into hermitages, or live the life of a monk or a nun. But it does bid us to live like men who expect their Lord to return."

"Let us leave the whole passage with a hearty determination, by God's help, to action what we have been reading. If we believe that Christ is coming again, let us get ready to meet Him."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that this warning about watching out for drunkenness and the cares of this life were made to none less than Peter, James, and John who had given up everything to follow Christ! He also warns that it is not just excess eating and drinking that can ruin the soul, but excess anxiety about the things on earth. Are we largely concerned about great sins in our lives, or do we also watch out for lawful things as well?

2.Ryle rightly points out that, if we believe in the imminent return of Christ, no, we should not stop doing everything and put on a sandwich board, but we are to live and speak as if Christ could return at any moment. In what ways would this belief change how we are living today? What are ways we can have the second coming more clearly before our eyes day-by-day?

3.Ryle exhorts us, from this passage, to watch our habits of devotion with godly jealousy. Are we quick to run over times of prayer? Do we watch our souls and bring our cares to God? May God help us by His grace!

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Luke 21:25-33

We see how terrible will be the circumstances accompanying the second advent of Christ.
We see how complete will be the security of true Christians at the second advent of Christ.
We see how needful it is to watch the signs of the times in the prospect of the second advent of Christ.
We see how certain it is that all our Lord's predictions about the second advent will be fulfilled.

"Happy will they be in that day who have fled beforehand from the wrath to come, and been washed in the blood of the Lamb!"

"The servant of God should often look forward to Christ's second advent. He will find the thought of that day a cordial to sustain him under all the trials and persecutions of this present life."

"That Christ should come again in power to judge the world and reign, is not half so improbable as it was that Christ should come to suffer and die. If He came the first time, much more may we expect that He will come the second time. If he came to be nailed to the cross, much more may we expect that He will come in glory and wear the crown."

Questions:

1.When we think about the day of the Lord, do we see it as a day of fear and terror? Does such a thought not encourage us to persuade others to be reconciled to Christ?

2.Although a day of terror, it will not be so for the believer. Ryle encourages us that looking forward to that day, which Jesus says is our redemption, should be a cordial in days of trial and persecution. Can we say, it is well with my soul?

3.We are told to watch for the signs of the times, and Ryle exhorts us to do so by marking politics, not be absorbed in them, and to not turn prophets ourselves, but watch for the signs. Undoubtedly, there are many who fall on either side of either ignoring the signs or be obsessed with them. Which one are you, and how might this encourage us to either not obsess or to be more watchful? Also, isn’t it interesting hearing the different signs Ryle noticed in his day, about 150 years ago?

4.The second coming of Christ is one of the leading truths of Christianity. Are we longing for this return with confidence that we, even now, have found refuge in Christ? May our confidence be that if Christ came the first time to suffer and die, He will certainly come a second in power and glory!

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Luke 21:20-24

We should mark our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge.
We should mark our Lord's words about flight in time of danger.
We should mark our Lord's words about vengeance.
We should mark our Lord's words about the times of the Gentiles.

"The true Christian should continually keep in mind this perfect knowledge of Christ. Past things, present things, and things to come, are all naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. The recollection of the sins of youth may well make us humble. The sense of present weakness may make us anxious. The fear of trials yet to come may make our hearts faint. But it is a strong consolation to think that Christ knows all. For past, present, and future things we may safely trust Him."

"To meet death patiently and courageously, if it comes on us in the path of God's providence, is a duty incumbent on every believer. But to court death and suffering, and rush needlessly into danger, is the part of the fanatic and enthusiast, not of the wise disciple of Christ."

"God's "sentence against an evil work" is not always executed speedily, but it does not follow that it will not be executed at all. The wicked may flourish for many years "like a green bay-tree," but his latter end will be that his sin will find him out."

"The Lord Jesus shall come again in power and great glory. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God and of His Christ, and the "times of the Gentiles" shall come to an end."

Questions:

1.We see in this passage that Jesus had detailed knowledge of events that would take place in the future, and we see that He is truly God who knows the end from the beginning. Ryle applies this attribute to our knowing God in three areas. “The recollection of the sins of youth may well make us humble. The sense of present weakness may make us anxious. The fear of trials yet to come may make our hearts faint.” But does this give us consolation and strong reason to trust Him?

2.Ryle gives two encouragements regarding danger in the Christian life. First, that we must be ready to face death for the sake of Christ, but second, we may also be wise to flee from danger if presented with a way of escape. Have you ever considered these two options before? Does facing death sound too extreme? Does escaping danger if able sound cowardly?

3.2 Peter 3 warns against those who presume that if God’s judgement hasn’t come already, why should we expect it at all. We tend to think of consequences as those that happen shortly after, but we must not forget the longsuffering of God. What does this passage do to our hearts as we consider the pent-up river of God’s wrath this is yet to come upon the world and all who are enemies of Christ?

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Luke 21:10-19

We should notice Christ's prediction concerning the nations of the world.
We should notice Christ's prediction concerning His own disciples.
We should notice Christ's gracious promise to His disciples.

"Nothing is so calculated to chill the heart and dampen the faith of a Christian as indulgence in unscriptural expectations."

"No consistency of conduct, however faultless, no kindness and amiability of character, however striking, will exempt a believer from the world's dislike, so long as he lives. It is foolish to be surprised at this. It is mere waste of time to murmur at it. It is a part of the cross, and we must bear it patiently."

"If we believe in Christ, let us rest in the comfortable thought that Christ has pledged His word that we shall not perish. We may lose much by serving Christ, but we shall never lose our souls."

Questions:

1.We are told that the end times are times where nation goes to war against nation, and not times of peace on earth. While the world trembles, do we find our feet on solid ground? Do we, like Noah, find ourselves in the ark?

2.When we think of persecution and difficulty, does it strike us as a strange thing or as something we should expect? You might be living in a country where persecution faces you daily, or in one in which such difficulties are not as prevalent yet. Either way, is it a settled principle in our hearts that we must enter the kingdom through persecution?

3.The promise of persecution may make one fainthearted, but Jesus gives the incredible promise that not a hair will shall perish from our heads. Ryle declares that this cannot be literal, but that the world cannot take what matters most: our souls or eternal rewards. Even at the end of time, our bodies will be raised! Beloved brother or sister, does this give you hope in whatever you may be facing? Does it give us courage to be faithful in the midst of various trials? May it be so, by the grace of God!

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Luke 21:5-9

Let us notice our Lord Jesus Christ's words about the temple at Jerusalem.
Let us notice our Lord Jesus Christ's solemn warning against deception.

"But let it never be forgotten that the material part of a Christian Church is by far the least important part of it. The fairest combinations of marble, and stone and wood, and painted glass, are worthless in God's sight, unless there is truth in the pulpit and grace in the congregation."

"Dogmatism, positiveness, controversial bitterness, obstinacy in maintaining untenable positions, rash assertions and speculations, have too often brought discredit on the whole subject of the prophetical Scriptures, and caused the enemies of Christianity to blaspheme. There are only too many books on prophetical interpretation, on the title-pages of which might be justly written, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?""

Questions:

1.The Bible declares to us that while man looks at the outward appearance, God looks at the heart, and Jesus applies this same standard to the temple and what is happening inside. Ryle applies this to our churches today as well. What God looks for is truth in the pulpit and grace in the congregation. Can that be said of the church we attend? Is that what we value?

2.Ryle gives two helpful warnings in regards to unfulfilled prophecy in the Scripture. On the one hand is lazy indifference due to the difficulties of it, on the other hand, is talking as confidently as if we were prophets ourselves. Which side of this do we fall on, and how can we grow in doing otherwise?

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Luke 21:1-4

We learn how keenly our Lord Jesus Christ observes the things that are done upon earth.
We learn who they are whom Christ reckons most liberal in giving money to religious purposes.
Finally, let us pray for rich men, who as yet know nothing of the luxury of "giving," that their riches may not be their ruin.

"The acts of a poor believer have as much dignity about them as the acts of a prince. The little contributions to religious objects which the laborer makes out of his scanty earnings, are as much valued in God's sight as a ten thousand dollar check from a noble. To know this thoroughly is one great secret of contentment. To feel that Christ looks at what a man is, and not at what a man has, will help to preserve us from envious and murmuring thoughts."

"Let us judge ourselves in this matter of giving, that we may not be judged and condemned at the great day. Let it be a settled principle with us to watch against stinginess, and whatever else we do with our money, to give regularly and habitually to the cause of God."

"A giving Savior ought to have giving disciples."

Questions:

1.How amazing that, with all that Jesus had on His mind, that he notices the widow giving two copper coins! Ryle points out that this Jesus who sees even the smallest details hasn’t changed. He also mentions that one of the keys to contentment is knowing that God cares about what a person is, not what a person has. The rich man who gives a 10,000 dollar check is not more significant than the poor widow who gives 2 copper coins. What does this do to our hearts?

2.Ryle says that Jesus would have us know that some people appear to give much to religious purposes who in God's sight give very little, and that some appear to give very little who in God's sight give very much. This is a heart-searching question, indeed! When we stand before the great judgement seat, and our expenditures are exposed for an assembled world, will we have thankfulness in our hearts, or wish we were never born?

3.Do we know the riches we have in the Bible, the Holy Spirit, the gospel, the means of grace, and all the gifts that God has given to us? Do our lives show we treasure these gifts, and desire to further the kingdom in the giving of what God has given to us? May we take hold of that which is truly life, by the grace of God!

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Luke 20:41-47

Let us observe what striking testimony to Christ's divinity the book of Psalms contains.
Let us observe how abominable is hypocrisy in the eyes of Christ.
Let us observe that there will be degrees of condemnation and misery in hell.

"The book of Psalms, in a word, is a book full of Christ--Christ suffering--Christ in humiliation--Christ dying--Christ rising again--Christ coming the second time--Christ reigning over all...Let us say to ourselves as we read, "A greater than David is here."

"Whatever else we are in religion let us be true. However feeble on faith, and hope, and love, and obedience may be, let us see to it that they are real, genuine, and sincere. Let us abhor the very idea of play-acting and mask-wearing in our Christianity."

"The reality and eternity of future punishment are among the great foundation truths of revealed religion, which it is hard to think upon without a shudder. But it is well to have all that the Bible teaches about heaven and hell firmly fixed on our minds."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that no book is more known in letter, but less understood in spirit, than the Psalms. He says that, in a word, the Psalms are about Christ and his suffering, humiliation, dying, rising, and coming a second time. Does this surprise us? Do we read the Psalms to find Christ?

2.Ryle warns that whatever else we are in religion, that it should be true. He says that however feeble on faith, and hope, and love, and obedience we may be, let us see that it be genuine, real, and sincere. How do we measure up to this?

3.Brother or sister, do we have the realities of heaven and hell fixed upon our minds? If not, how will we strive to not run from the these difficult teachings of Scripture, but rather to remember and live by them?

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Luke 20:27-40

We see in these verses what an old thing unbelief is.
We see what a favorite weapon of skeptics is a 'supposed case'.
We see something of the true character of the saints' existence in the world to come.
We see the antiquity of belief in a resurrection.

"It is not in reality an astonishing thing that there should rise up so many who call in question the truth of the Bible. The marvel is rather, that in a fallen world the sect of the Sadducees should be so small."

"For one thing, we have nothing to do with 'supposed and imaginary cases'. It will be time enough to discuss them when they really arise. Enough for us to talk and argue about facts as they are."

"A heaven where all the joy is spiritual, would surely be no heaven to an unconverted soul! Few subjects are so likely to cheer and animate the mind of a true Christian."

"Let us anchor our own souls firmly on this great foundation truth, "that we shall all rise again.""

Questions:

1.Ryle warns us that strange doctrines arising and pulling people away from the church should not be counted as a strange or rare thing. Rather, we should be surprised when there are so few of them! Does this change any preconceived notions in our thinking? How so?

2.Have you ever encountered fancied and invented stories from others to make a doctrine seem foolish? What encouragement does Ryle’s advice give you regarding such situations?

3.Ryle points out two truths revealed here about heaven: one, that it is a world of spiritual joy, and second, it is eternal. He also points out that those who are not spiritually minded now, will be no heaven to the unconverted. Do we long for the joys of heaven and being with God?

4.How often do we think of the resurrection of the dead? Ryle says it will cheer us in the day of trial and comfort us in the hour of death. How precious is this great promise! Let us put it before us often!

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Luke 20:20-26

Let us mark the cloak of goodness under which some of our Lord's enemies approached Him.
Let us mark the consummate wisdom of our Lord's answer to His enemies.

"We shall discover by experience that all is not gold that glitters, and all are not true Christians who make a loud profession of Christianity. The language of Christianity is precisely that part of religion which a false Christian finds it most easy to attain. The walk of a man's daily life, and not the talk of his lips, is the only safe test of his character."

"To distinguish rightly between the things of Caesar, and the things of God, and to pay to each their real dues regularly, habitually, and cheerfully, is a great help towards a quiet and peaceable life."

Questions:

1.Ryle warns against believing loud professions of Christianity to be true, but to rather judge them by their works. Does this sound narrow-minded to us? Do you have any examples of this in your life?

2.We see our Lord’s wisdom on display in answering an ensnaring question in such a way as to expose his opponents. Do we worship our Lord for this wisdom? Also, do we entreat him for his wisdom in the difficult things that we face? May we find, as James says, that he delights to answer prayers for wisdom!

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Luke 20:9-19

The parable shows us the deep corruption of human nature.
This parable shows us the amazing patience and patience of God.
This parable shows us the severity of God's judgments when they fall on obstinate sinners.

"Christ is never fully valued, until sin is clearly seen. We must know the depth and malignity of our disease, in order to appreciate the great Physician."

"We should learn to be more thankful for God's mercy. We have probably little idea of the extent of our obligations to it, and of the number of gracious messages which the Lord of the vineyard is constantly sending to our souls. The last day will unfold to our wondering eyes a long list of unacknowledged kindnesses, of which while we lived we took no notice."

"Happy will they be who are found hidden in the ark, in the day of the Lord's anger!"

Questions:

1.It is safe to say that nobody knows how truly wicked our sin is, as God does. Yet, as Ryle points out, Christ is never fully valued until sin is clearly seen. How do we view our sin? Are their sins that we coddle or downplay? Do we pray for grace to see our sin more clearly as it is?

2.Ryle points out God’s mercy in this text. He says “Mercies before conversion, mercies after conversion, mercies at every step of their journey on earth, will be revealed to the minds of saved saints, and make them ashamed of their own thanklessness.” Friends, how often do we give thanks for God’s many mercies to us? Does thankfulness mark us?

3.This passage closes with a serious warning about the wrath of the Lamb. Yes, God is a God of infinite grace and compassion, but He is also a consuming fire and will not be patient forever. We must ask ourselves, are we living up to our knowledge? Do we tend to think of God as one who must forgive us or as a God who is gracious to forgive? May we be the happy ones who are found taking refuge in the ark on that final day!

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Luke 20:1-8

Let us notice the demand which the chief Priests and scribes made upon our Lord.
Let us notice the manner in which our Lord speaks of John the Baptist's ministry.
Let us notice the falsehood of which our Lord's enemies were guilty.

"The world's opposition is sure to attend every really good work. If the servants of Christ are to cease from every movement which the world calls in question, they will soon come to an entire stand-still. If we are to wait until the world approves our plans, and is satisfied with the propriety of our efforts, we shall never do anything on earth."

"However little man may esteem the work of faithful ministers there is One in heaven who sees it, and keeps account of all their labor. However little their proceedings may be understood, and however much they may be slandered and misrepresented, the Lord Jesus Christ writes all their doings in His book."

"Lying is just one of the sins to which the human heart is most naturally inclined, and one of the commonest sins in the world. Gehazi, Ananias, and Sapphira have more followers and imitators than Peter and Paul."

Questions:

1.Ryle encourages us to remember Jesus and his opposition when we face any opposition for any good work. Does opposition surprise us or the fear of opposition restrain us from doing good works in Jesus name?

2.By the time Jesus said these words, John the Baptist was already dead. Yet, Jesus recalls his works, and he who recalls the works of His saints keeps a record of them in heaven. How does this encourage us even today to keep pressing on in faithfulness?

3.Our Lord Jesus exposes the Pharisees and scribes by asking them a question they could not but lie about, and Ryle tells us that this is still very common today. He says that Gahazi, Ananias and Sapphira have more followers and imitators than Peter and Paul! Are we surprised when sinners lie about what they know to be true? Are we aware of our own inclinations to lie to get out of trouble?

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Luke 19:41-48

We learn how great is the tenderness and compassion of Christ towards sinners.
We learn that there is a religious ignorance which is sinful and blameworthy.
We learn that God is sometimes pleased to give men special opportunities and invitations.
We learn how much Christ disapproves of the profanation of holy things.

"We know but little of true Christianity, if we do not feel a deep concern about the souls of unconverted people."

"There is a degree of knowledge for which all are responsible, and if from indolence or prejudice we do not attain that knowledge, the lack of it will ruin our souls."

"Deep as the subject is, it should teach men one practical lesson. That lesson is the immense importance of not stifling convictions, and not quenching the workings of conscience. He that resists the voice of conscience may be throwing away his last chance of salvation."

"Let us remember this conduct and language of our Lord, whenever we go to a place of public worship. Christian churches no doubt are not like the Jewish temples. They have neither altars, priesthood, sacrifices, nor symbolical furniture. But they are places where God's word is read, where Christ is present, and where the Holy Spirit works on souls."

Questions:

1.We see in these passages, the love of Christ toward sinners, and Ryle pointed out similar hearts in King David and the Apostle Paul’s lives. Is our heart more like these men, or like the world when it comes to the unbelievers around us?

2.Ryle points out that Jerusalem did not know the time of His visitation, and as a result, ignorance is not bliss. This is especially true when it comes to the gospel. Do we impress on others their need to search the Scriptures?

3.Ryle highlights a practical lesson in thinking about the day of visitation, namely not stifling convictions and quenching the workings of conscience. What do we do when such convictions and workings of conscience come upon us? Do we ignore or bend to them?

4.How do we treat the regular means of grace, particularly the weekly gathering of God’s people? Do we treat these times seriously, or with indifference? May we make much of the various means of grace God has given for us!

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Luke 19:28-40

Let us mark the perfect knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us mark the public visibility of our Lord's last entry into Jerusalem.

"The thought of Christ's perfect knowledge should comfort all true-hearted Christians, and quicken them to increased diligence in good works."

"The great sin-offering was about to be killed. It was fit that the eyes of all Israel should be fixed upon Him. This great thing was not to be done in a corner."

Questions:

1.We see, in this passage, another one of the many proofs of Jesus’ divinity while one earth in how he knew the thoughts of those around him. Does this, as Ryle says, comfort us and encourage us on toward good deeds? If not, why?

2.The truth of Christianity rests in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without it we are dead in our sins and our faith is futile; with it we have hope of eternal life. Ryle speaks of the untainted joy that will be ours at the second coming of Christ. What does reflecting on this do to our hearts?

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Luke 19:11-27

We see the present position of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see the present position of all professing Christians.
We see the certain reckoning which awaits all professing Christians.
We see the certain reward of all true Christians.
We see the certain exposure of all unfaithful Christians at the last day.

"He is there sitting at the right hand of God, doing the work of a High Priest for His believing people, and ever making intercession for them. But He will not sit there always."

"The most of us, it may be feared, have little idea of the extent of our responsibility. To whomsoever much is given, of them much will be required."

"The course of this world shall not always go on as it does now. Disorder, confusion, false profession, and unpunished sin, shall not always cover the face of the earth. The great white throne shall be set up."

"Let us often look forward to the good things which are yet to come. The "sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed." (Rom. 8:18.) Let the thought of that glory cheer us in every time of need, and sustain us in every dark hour."

"False profession and formality will fail to abide the fire of God's judgment. Grace, and grace alone, shall stand. Men will discover at last, that there is such a thing as "the wrath of the Lamb.""

Questions:

1.If you are like me, it can be easy to forget the important truth that Jesus is returning. What are ways that we can put this truth before us?

2.How are we using our time, talent, and treasures for the good of the Kingdom? Can we say that we are, ‘occupying’ or as the ESV says, ‘engaging in business?’

3.We are called to live our daily lives under the reality of the judgement and having to give an account. Even just taking today, what are things we would have done differently if we have had this in mind?

4.Not only does the second coming of Christ give us direction now, but the eternal reward also encourages us through dark and difficult times. When in trial, do we think about the glories to be revealed? Where do our minds go?

5.Beloved brother or sister, do we really believe that there is such a thing as the wrath of the Lamb or do we ignore or soften the sharp edges of this truth? May putting this doctrine before our hearts and minds have a purifying effect, and keep our eyes on Christ, for His glory and our joy.

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Luke 19:1-10

We learn that no one is too bad to be saved, or beyond the power of Christ's grace.
We learn how little and insignificant are the things on which a soul's salvation often turns.
We learn Christ's free compassion towards sinners, and Christ's power to change hearts.
We learn that converted sinners will always give evidence of their conversion.

"Hospitals discharge many cases as incurable. But there are no incurable cases under the Gospel. Any sinner may be healed, if he will only come to Christ."

"We must never reckon anything little that concerns the soul. The ways by which the Holy Spirit leads men and women to Christ are wonderful and mysterious. He is often beginning in a heart a work which shall stand to eternity, when a looker-on observes nothing remarkable."

"We cannot maintain too strongly that there is in Him an infinite readiness to receive, and an infinite ability to save sinners. Above all, we cannot hold too firmly that salvation is not of works, but of grace. If ever there was a soul sought and saved, without having done anything to deserve it, that soul was the soul of Zaccheus."

"Grace that cannot be seen, like light--and tasted, like salt, is not grace, but hypocrisy. The man who professes to know Christ and trust Him, while he cleaves to sin and the world, is going down to hell with a lie in his right hand. The heart that has really tasted the grace of Christ, will instinctively hate sin."

Questions:

1.Is there anyone in our lives who we have written off as impossible? With the encouragement of Zacchaeus, will we not begin or keep on praying for such a one?

2.We are told not to despise the day of small things, especially when it comes to the soul. Nobody looked at Zaccheaus that day and suspected he would be transformed. When we see potential evidence of grace, do we look down on them in others, or do we find encouragement there?

3.We see here an example of God’s free grace in saving sinners. Why is this doctrine precious to you?

4.Ryle says the man who professes to know Christ and trust Him, while he cleaves to sin and the world, is going down to hell with a lie in his right hand. Are we living lives that turn away from sin? May it be so for our joy and God’s glory!

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Luke 18:35-43

We see the importance of diligence in the use of means.
We see an example of our duty in the matter of prayer.
We see an encouraging instance of Christ's kindness and compassion.
We see a striking example of the conduct which becomes one who has received mercy from Christ.

"To expect grace to be put into our hearts, if we sit idling at home on Sundays, and go to no place of worship, is presumption and not faith."

"What the blind man did on behalf of his bodily ailment, it is surely our bounden duty to do on behalf of our souls. Our need is far greater than his. The disease of sin is far more grievous than the lack of sight."

"Such people may be sensible of much infirmity in all their approaches to the Son of God. Their faith may be very feeble--their sins many and great--their prayers very poor and stammering--their motives far short of perfection. But after all, do they really come to Christ with their sins?"

"The ungodly are what they are, because they have no sense of sin, and no consciousness of being under any special obligation to Christ. The godly are what they are, because they love Him who first loved them, and washed them from sin in His own blood."

Questions:

1.Ryle sees an illustration here of greater things: that if we expect grace to fall into our hearts while sitting at home instead of at the wayside, like this blind man, it is presumption and not faith. Are we prevailing ourselves of the means of grace of reading and hearing God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship? Are we doing so expecting to meet with Jesus as we do?

2.We can sometimes say we prayed and nothing happened, so we stopped, yet this is not the example we see here. If you have never prayed, will you begin? If you have, would we not pray more heartily and earnestly?

3.God shares His glory with no one. The question for us is: do we have confidence in Jesus alone to forgive our sins or do we find confidence in ourselves?

4.What is the root of our obedience? If His commands are burdensome, can it be out of gratitude for what Christ has done? Whom does the bias of our lives show we love and follow?

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Luke 18:28-34

Let us observe what a glorious and satisfying promise our Lord holds out to all believers who make sacrifices for His sake.
Let us observe the clear and plain prediction which our Lord makes about His own death.
Let us observe the slowness of the disciples to understand Christ's death.

"Let us press onward with a strong persuasion, that if we lose anything for Christ's sake, Christ will make it up to us even in this present world. What believers need is more daily practical faith in Christ's words."

"Such love passes knowledge. It is unspeakable--unsearchable. We may rest on that love without fear. If Christ so loved us before we thought of Him, He will surely not cease to love us after we have believed."

"We live in a day when false doctrines about Christ's death abound on every side. Let us see that Christ crucified is really the foundation of our own hopes, and that Christ's atoning death for sin is indeed the whole life of our souls."

Questions:

1.Jesus encourages us that though we may give up all for His kingdom, that he will make up for it even in this life. Ryle applies this to a spiritual sense in knowing His peace and joy, and yet, he also warns that we need more practical faith to believe in these promises when things are hard. Do we know anything of this provision in this life now?

2.Ryle tells us that if Christ could go to His death with such resolve even before we thought of Him, how much can we then trust His love for us now! What does this do to encourage our hearts?

3.Ryle warns us that, lest we be surprised at the disciples slow hearts to believe the plain teaching of Jesus, we should look to our own hearts that Christ crucified is really the foundation of our own hopes. Brothers and sisters, can we say with Paul that we glory in nothing but the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? May it be so!

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Luke 18:18-27

We learn to what lengths men may go in self-ignorance.
We learn what harm one master-sin may do to a soul.
We learn how great is the difficulty of a rich man being saved.
We learn how mighty is the power of God's grace.

"No man really taught of the Spirit will ever talk of having "kept all God's commandments from his youth.""

"There must be no reserve in our hearts, if we would receive anything at Christ's hands. We must be willing to part with anything, however dear it may be, if it stands between us and our salvation."

"Let us beware of envying rich men and coveting their possessions. We little know what we might come to if our desires were granted. Money, which thousands are constantly wanting and longing for--money, which many make their god--money keeps myriads of souls out of heaven!"

"It matters not what our income may be, whether we are burdened with riches, or pinched with poverty. Grace, and not place, is the hinge on which our salvation turns. Money will not keep us out of heaven if our hearts are right before God."

Questions:

1.We learn in these verses of the ignorance that can exist in regards to the law, which was not meant to make us feel good about ourselves, but rather expose our inability to keep it. Do we, as Paul says to Timothy, use the law lawfully? Do we read the commandments and feel encouraged or do we come face-to-face with an impossible standard?

2.We learn the frightening truth that someone may be upright and desire to give everything for Christ, but can be ultimately lost due to the love of master-sin. What are the sins that cling so closely to us like Hebrews 12 says? What is their comparison to the gift of eternal life?

3.We are warned, among other things, that a rich person has increased problems due to many friends who tend to flatter and not call out faults and errors. Do we have friends, rich or not, who love us enough to speak the truth in love? If so, do we tend to see these actions as love or get offended by them?

4.We are told that nothing is impossible with God, and that grace, not place, is the hinge of our salvation. If we have riches or high positions, do we have a right heart regarding these things? Are we using them to serve Christ and His kingdom, or ourselves? May our lives reflect the grace of God for our joy and His glory!

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Luke 18:15-17

Let us observe how ignorantly people are apt to treat children, in the matter of their souls.
Let us observe the strong declaration which our Lord Jesus Christ makes about little children.

"The souls of young children are evidently precious in God's sight."

"Let us believe that they think more, and feel more, and consider more, than at first sight appears; and that the Spirit is often working in them, as really and truly as in older people."

Questions:

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Luke 18:9-14

Let us notice the sin against which our Lord Jesus Christ warns us in these verses.
Let us notice the prayer of the Pharisee, which our Lord condemns.
Let us notice the prayer of the tax-collector, which our Lord commends.
Let us notice the high praise which our Lord bestows on humility.

"The true cure for self-righteousness is self-knowledge. Once let the eyes of our understanding be opened by the Spirit, and we shall talk no more of our own goodness."

"Never are men's hearts in such a hopeless condition, as when they are not sensible of their own sins. He that would not make shipwreck on this rock, must beware of measuring himself by his neighbors."

"The tax-collector confessed plainly that he was a sinner. This is the very "A B C" of saving Christianity. We never begin to be good until we can feel and say that we are bad."

"All the Lord's people have not gifts or money. All are not called to preach, or write, or fill a prominent place in the church. But all are called to be humble. "

Questions:

1.We are told in these verses that self-righteousness is something we are born with as children of Adam. It is our default. The solution to self-righteousness, as Ryle points out, is self-knowledge: to know who we are in the sight of a holy God. How prevalent is this condition in our hearts? Do we often think well of ourselves because we look at others? This can also happen in the reverse: do we feel discouraged when we don’t measure up with others? How often do we look to God’s standard in judging ourselves?

2.Ryle says we are never in the way of salvation until we know that we are lost, ruined, guilty, and helpless, and then find mercy in Christ. Is this our experience?

3.Often the Bible tells us to clothe ourselves with humility, and Ryle says that humility is one thing we are all called to. Humility is not something we can think too much about, but as we look to the cross, we will be humbled and think more highly of our Lord, and consequently, others. Is humility the grounds of pride as we look for humility in our lives, or do we find it at the cross?

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Luke 18:1-8

These verses teach us the great importance of perseverance in prayer.
These verses teach us that God has an elect people upon earth, who are under His special care.
These verses teach us that true faith will be found very scarce at the end of the world.

"Do we ever feel a secret inclination to hurry our prayers, or shorten our prayers, or become careless about our prayers, or omit our prayers altogether? Let us be sure, when we do, that it is a direct temptation from the devil."

"Election is a truth which should call forth praise and thanksgiving from all true Christians. Except God had chosen and called them, they would never have chosen and called on Him."

"Have we faith ourselves? If we have, let us bless God for it. It is a great thing to believe all the Bible. It is matter for daily thankfulness if we feel our sins, and really trust in Jesus. We may be weak, frail, erring, short-coming sinners. But do we believe? That is the grand question."

Questions:

1.Our passage today encourages us to pray and never give up. Beloved brother or sister, have we, as Ryle asks, ever felt a secret inclination to hurry our prayers, shorten them, become careless about them, or omit them altogether? Knowing the answer, what does it do to our hearts to know that this is a direct temptation from the devil? Will we not commit to pray and never give up by the grace of God?

2.Our passage is one that speaks of God’s electing grace. Ryle points out that true Christians will praise God for this grace, and others will revile it. Does this doctrine bring forth from us praise, or does it produce more controversy and distain?

3.Ryle, again, gives evidence against a postmillennial view that things will be better and then Christ will return. The real question for us is, though we be weak, frail, erring, short-coming Christians, do we believe? And if so, do we give thanks to God for His grace?

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Luke 17:26-37

We should observe what a fearful picture our Lord gives of the state of the professing Church at His second coming.
We should observe what a solemn warning our Lord gives us against unsound profession.
We should observe what a dreadful separation there will be in the professing Church when Christ comes again.

"It is not enough to do as others, and buy, and sell, and plant, and build, and eat, and drink, and marry, as if we were born for nothing else. Exclusive attention to these things may ruin us as thoroughly as open sin. We must come out from the world and be separate. We must dare to be singular."

"Let us not profess to serve Christ for no higher motive than to please husbands, or wives, or masters, or ministers. A mere formal religion like this will never save our souls. Let us serve Christ for His own sake."

"Let us lay to heart these things. He that loves his relatives and friends is specially bound to consider them. If those whom he loves are true servants of Christ, let him know that he must cast in his lot with them, if he would not one day be parted from them forever. If those whom he loves are yet dead in trespasses and sins, let him know that he must work and pray for their conversion, lest he should be separated from them by and bye to all eternity."

Questions:

1.We again are brought to think about the second coming of Christ. The question we must first ask is, “am I living for the things of this world, or for another?” In what ways are we different from those who do not love Christ?

2.Lot’s wife, by all accounts would have looked godly, but the world was in her heart, and her heart in the world. For what reason do we serve spouses, or employers or leaders? Is it for Christ from the heart, or is it only external?

3.On the last day it will not matter our connections, but what is in our hearts. If we have godly relatives, have we cast our lot in with them? If we have unbelieving relatives, are we praying and seeking their conversion?

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Luke 17:20-25

We are taught that the kingdom of God is utterly unlike the kingdoms of this world.
We are taught that the second coming of Jesus Christ will be a very SUDDEN event.
We are taught that there are two personal comings of Christ revealed to us in Scripture.

"The literal kingdom which Christ shall set up one day will begin in some respects very like His spiritual one."

"Those who denounce the doctrine of the second advent as speculative, fanciful, and unpractical, would do well to reconsider the subject."

"He was appointed to come the first time in weakness and humiliation, to suffer and to die. He was appointed to come the second time in power and great glory, to put down all enemies under His feet, and to reign. At the first coming He was to be "made sin for us," and to bear our sins upon the cross. At the second coming He was to appear without sin, for the complete salvation of His people."

Questions:

1.Ryle declares that there will be no observable indication of the coming kingdom, and that those who think otherwise are asleep (clearly, Ryle is not a Postmillennialist)! Whether you hold to his view or not, an expectation of the Kingdom is a means of grace of living holy lives now. Are we living in such a way as to be ready for Christ to return?

2.Ryles points out the two personal returns of Christ, His first 2000 years ago, and His second coming at a time nobody but the Father knows. Are we living in light of these two markers in history?

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Luke 19:11-19

Let us mark how earnestly men can cry for help when they feel their need of it.
Let us mark how help meets men in the path of obedience.
Let us mark what a rare thing is thankfulness.

"How is it, again, that many true believers often pray so coldly? What is the reason that their prayers are so feeble, and wandering, and lukewarm, as they frequently are? The answer once more is very plain. Their sense of need is not so deep as it ought to be."

"It does not become us to stand still, and reason, and doubt, when our Master's commands are plain and unmistakable."

"Thankfulness is a flower which will never bloom well excepting upon a root of deep humility!"

Questions:

1.We are instructed, first, on prayer and the real source of crying out to God. Beloved brother or sister, do we feel our need and helplessness before God? Do we act as if success is up to us or God?

2.We are told that the lepers healing came from their obedience to what Christ said. What is our posture before the Word of God? Are we willing to obey our Lord’s commands, or do we question or reason away the things that are difficult and hard?

3.We are told that a deeper sense of our sinfulness, guilt, and undeserving are the secret to a thankful spirit. Will we, even today, not ask the Lord to produce these things in us, that He may increase thanksgiving in our hearts for His glory and our joy? May the roots go deep so that the flower of thankfulness may bloom!

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Luke 17:5-10

Let us notice the important request which the apostles made.
Let us notice what a heavy blow our Lord gives to self-righteousness.

"The more faith a Christian has the more happy, holy, and useful will he be. To promote the growth and progress of faith should be the daily prayer and endeavor of all who love life."

"To give up self-righteousness is absolutely needful to salvation. He that desires to be saved must confess that there is no good thing in him, and that he has no merit, no goodness, no worthiness of his own."

Questions:

1.Ryle mentions that we are not to despise the day of small things in our brother, but also that we should not be content with it in ourselves. The more faith we have, the more happy, holy, and useful we will be. If we have faith, are we asking God to increase it?

2.Do we know the disease of self-righteousness and our need for Christ’s righteousness? Are we battling the sin of pride with the cross of Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that we are undeserving servants only doing our due?

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Luke 17:1-4

We are taught the great sinfulness of putting stumbling-blocks in the way of other men's souls.
We are taught the great importance of a forgiving spirit.

"The cross of Christ will always give offence. Let us not increase that offence by carelessness in our daily life."

"The man who cannot forgive his neighbor the few trifling offences he may have committed against him, can know nothing experimentally of that free and full pardon which is offered now by Christ."

Questions:

1.This passage warns us against putting stumbling blocks before others, which Ryle points out is even living the Christian life inconsistently and, by doing so, adding offence to an already offensive gospel. Is this how we have thought of this passage before? In what ways may our lives be adding offence to others?

2.The readiness to forgive is one of the clear marks of the indwelling Holy Spirit. How are our hearts when it comes to forgiving those who have offended us and repent, even 7 times in a day? Can we say that we have this evidence of grace in knowing how much we have been forgiven? May it be so!

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Luke 16:19-31

We learn that a man's worldly condition is no test of his state in the sight of God.
We learn that death is the common end to which all classes of mankind must come.
We learn that the souls of believers are specially cared for by God in the hour of death.
We learn the reality and eternity of hell.
We learn that unconverted men find out the value of a soul, after death, when it is too late.
We learn that the greatest miracles would have no effect on men's hearts, if they will not believe God's Word.

"Wealth is no mark of God's favor. Poverty is no mark of God's displeasure."

""The beggar died," and his bodily wants were at an end. "The rich man died," and his feasting was stopped for evermore."

"When our own last hour comes, and we lie down to die, we shall be like those who journey into an unknown country. But it may satisfy us to know that all who fall asleep in Jesus are in good keeping."

"The certainty and endlessness of the future punishment of the wicked, are truths which we must hold fast and never let go."

"There is no infidelity, or skepticism, or unbelief after death. It is a wise saying of an old divine, that "hell is nothing more than truth known too late.""

"The man who has the Bible, and can read it, and yet waits for more evidence before he becomes a decided Christian, is deceiving himself."

Questions:

1.Are we ever tempted to think more highly or favorably toward those with money? Or as James says, ‘are we filled with evil thoughts in showing partiality to those who are rich?

2.Ryle quotes an old divine who said that “He that would live well should often think of his last day, and make it his company-keeper." When is the last time we thought and dwelt upon our last day? When is the last time we went to a funeral and learned wisdom as Ecclesiastes 7:2 would teach us?

3.If we have lost loved ones, what comfort does it give to think of our loved ones being in good keeping before the return of Christ?

4.Are we holding fast and not letting go of the doctrine of the endlessness of the future punishment of the wicked? If so, what good has it done to our souls. If not, let us make plans to do so!

5.Here again we see the fearful reality of life after death for those who did not believe, and we discover that there is no unbelief in hell. What does this truth do in our hearts as we think about their condition now?

6.We see here the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures, that not even if someone would rise from the dead would an unbeliever truly believe. In light of this, do we see the value of what we have in the Scriptures? Are we using those Scriptures and believing what they say?

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Luke 16:13-18

These verses teach us the uselessness of attempting to serve God with a divided heart.
These verses teach us how widely different is the estimate set on things by man from that which is set on things by God.
These verses teach us the dignity and sanctity of the law of God.

"If it is worthwhile to serve Christ at all, let us serve Him with all our heart, and soul, and mind and strength."

"Riches, and honors, and rank, and pleasure, are the chief objects for which the greater part of mankind are living. Yet these are the very things which God declares to be "vanity," and of the love of which He warns us to beware! Praying, and Bible-reading, and holy living, and repentance, and faith, and grace, and communion with God, are things for which few care at all. Yet these are the very things which God in His Bible is ever urging on our attention!"

"[The law] is intended to show us God's holiness and our sinfulness--to convince us of sin and to lead us to Christ--to show us how to live after we have come to Christ, and to teach us what to follow and what to avoid. He that so uses the law will find it a true friend to his soul."

Questions:

1.In this passage we are warned of serving God and money, a better word being mammon, which means possessions and money. Ryle reveals that many are trying to do the impossible: to be friends of the world and friends of God at the same time. It is an important question to ask: are we trying to live for both? Do we, as Ryle warns, live in a state of discomfort? They we too much religion to be happy in the world, and too much of the world in our hearts to be happy in our religion?

2.Jesus says that what the Pharisees love are an abomination to the Lord. Do we value the things that God values, and do we hate the things that God hates? For who’s opinion are we living for?

3.There is much confusion in our day regarding the relationship between the law and the gospel. A great summary of Ryle’s point comes from a puritan who said, ‘the law points us to Christ for salvation, and then Christ points us to the law for how the saved are to live.’ And so the question for us, from 1 Timothy 1:8 is: are we using the law lawfully?

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Luke 16:1-12

Let us beware that we do not draw from these verses lessons which they were never meant to teach.
Let us observe that one principal lesson of the parable before us, is the wisdom of providing against coming evil.
Let us notice the remarkable expressions which our Lord uses about little things, in close connection with the parable of the unjust steward.

"The steward, whom our Lord describes, is not set before us as a pattern of morality. He is distinctly called the "unjust steward."...In short, in his treatment of his master, the steward is a beacon to be avoided, and not a pattern to be followed."

"The diligence of worldly men about the things of time, should put to shame the coldness of professing Christians about the things of eternity. The zeal and perseverance of men of business in compassing sea and land to get earthly treasures, may well reprove the slackness and indolence of believers about treasures in heaven."

"Let us contend earnestly for the glorious doctrines of salvation by grace, and justification by faith. But let us never allow ourselves to suppose that true religion sanctions any trifling with the second table of the law. Let us never forget for a moment, that true faith will always be known by its fruits. We may be very sure that where there is no honesty, there is no grace."

Questions:

1.The seeming commendation of the unjust steward is what makes this passage so hard to understand, and Ryle warns against seeing him as a moral example. In our dealings with others, especially in business, are we treating others the way we want to be treated?

2.Ryle does point out that the unjust steward is an example in looking to the future. Are we seeking heavenly treasure with the shrewdness and boldness of the unjust steward in his seeking earthly treasure?

3.Jesus is clear on the importance of being faithful in the so-called “little things,” and this is a striking question to ask ourselves: are we, truly, faithful in the little things in our lives? May it be so, by God’s grace.

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Luke 1525-32

We are taught how unkind and ill-natured are the feelings of self-righteous men towards sinners.
We are taught that the conversion of any soul ought to be an occasion of joy to all who see it.

"There are thousands on every side who dislike a free, full, unfettered Gospel to be preached. They are always complaining that ministers throw the door too wide open, and that the doctrine of grace tends to promote licentiousness. Whenever we come across such people, let us remember the passage we are now considering. Their voice is the voice of the "elder brother.""

"Nothing ought to give us such true pleasure as the conversion of souls. It makes angels rejoice in heaven. It ought to make Christians rejoice on earth."

Question:

1.The voice of the elder-brother who complains about the younger brother being welcomed back, as Ryle points out, comes from either ignorance, a lack of charity, but especially a wrong understanding of the gospel of grace. He goes on to say that a lack of interest in the conversion of others is a true sign of being unconverted. What is our gut response to the salvation of others? Do we rejoice or do we have hints of grumbling like the elder brother?

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Luke 15:11-24

We see a man following the natural bent of his own heart.
We see man finding out that the ways of sin are hard, by bitter experience.
We see man awaking to a sense of his natural state, and resolving to repent.
We see man turning to God with true repentance and faith.
We see the penitent man received readily, pardoned freely, and completely accepted with God.

"We are all naturally proud and self-willed. We have no pleasure in fellowship with God. We depart from Him, and go afar off. We spend our time, and strength, and faculties, and affections, on things that cannot profit."

"Sin is a hard master, and the servants of sin always find it out, sooner or later, to their cost."

"Conviction is not conversion, but it is one step, at any rate, in a right direction. The ruin of many people's souls is simply this, that they never think at all...One caution, however, must always be given. Men must beware that they do not stop short in "thinking." Good thoughts are all very well, but they are not saving Christianity."

"The man in whose heart a true work of the Holy Spirit has begun, will never be content with thinking and resolving. He will break off from sin. He will come out from its fellowship. He will cease to do evil. He will learn to do well. He will turn to God in humble prayer. He will confess his iniquities. He will not attempt to excuse his sins."

"Let this boundless mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be engraved deeply in our memories, and sink into our minds. Let us never forget that He is One "that receives sinners."

Questions:

1.The first lesson we learn in this parable is that the younger brother reflects the heart of us all, and Ryle says that anyone who does not yet know this has much yet to learn! Do we know this of our own hearts, and the hearts of those around us?

2.Proverbs 13:15 tells us that the way of the transgressor is hard. What are some of the areas in our lives where we have had to learn this?

3.Ryle says that ‘conviction is not conversion.’ True Christianity is more than mental assent to certain truths but a heart change. How does this strike us?

4.True repentance requires action to the thoughts and convictions and results in a breaking from sin. Truly, how can we love Jesus and love the sin he died for that separated us from Him at the same time?

5.Jesus vividly paints the picture of His heart toward repenting sinners, that of full acceptance and love. Do we struggle with whether God loves us or not? What other proof do we need if we belong to Him?

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Luke 15:1-10

We should observe the striking testimony which was borne to our Lord by His enemies.
We should observe the remarkable figures under which our Lord describes His own love towards sinners.
We should observe the wide encouragement which our Lord holds out to repentance.

"The Lord Jesus is indeed one that "receives sinners." He receives them to pardon them, to sanctify them, and to make them fit for heaven. It is His special office to do so."

"Christ's love is an active, working love. Just as the shepherd did not sit still bewailing his lost sheep, and the woman did not sit still bewailing her lost money, so our blessed Lord did not sit still in heaven pitying sinners. He left the glory which He had with the Father, and humbled Himself to be made in the likeness of man. He came down into the world to seek and save that which was lost."

"He is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved."

"The thing is doubled, to make doubt impossible. The idea is repeated, in order to meet man's unbelief."

Questions:

1.Ryle’s questions are worth repeating: Have we any sense of sin? Do we feel bad, and wicked, and guilty, and deserving of God's anger? Is the remembrance of our past lives bitter to us? Does the recollection of our past conduct make us ashamed? Then we are the very people who ought to apply to Christ, just as we are, pleading nothing of our own, making no useless delay.

2.Ryle draws out three characteristics of Christ’s love: that it is an active and working love, that it is self-denying, and deep and mighty. He says that if we take comfort in our love, that we are building on sand, but if we are looking to His love, we stand on a rock. Are we caught up looking to our own love or His love for us?

3.Friends, do we believe that Christ receives all who repent? Have we repented, and are we repenting, of our sin and bringing joy to the angels in heaven?

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Luke 14:25-35

We learn that true Christians must be ready, if need be, to give up everything for Christ's sake.
We learn that those who are thinking of following Christ should be warned to "count the cost."
We learn how miserable is the condition of backsliders and apostates.

"We must choose rather to displease those we love most upon earth, than to displease Him who died for us on the cross."

"By all means let us encourage the first beginnings of religion in a soul. But never let us urge people forward without telling them what true Christianity entails. Never let us hide from them the battle and the toil. Let us say to them "come with us"--but let us also say, "count the cost.""

"Let us never be afraid of beginning to serve Christ. But let us begin seriously, thoughtfully, and with a due consideration of the step we take. And having once begun, let us pray for grace that we may persevere, and never fall away."

Questions:

1.Jesus is to be loved more than our closest friends and even ourselves. Maybe you have faced this and know the heavy cross it is to bear. If not, would you put it before your heart and ask, “what would I do if ______ told me to stop following Christ?”

In sharing the gospel with an unbeliever, or even in speaking the truth in love to a fellow believer, have we exhorted them to count the cost or has this question been left out?

3.We can probably think of a number of people who once professed Christ and now, either bear little fruit or have completely walked away. Do we think we are immune from this being us? Will we not pray, even now, to persevere in the faith?

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Luke 14:15-24

We are taught that God has made a great provision for the salvation of men's souls.
We are taught that the offers and invitations of the Gospel are most broad and liberal.
We are taught that many who receive Gospel invitations refuse to accept them.
We are taught that God earnestly desires the salvation of souls, and would have all means used to procure acceptance for His Gospel.

"The Gospel contains a full supply of everything that sinners need in order to be saved."

"There is nothing lacking on God's part for the salvation of man. If man is not saved, the fault is not on God's side."

"Infidelity and immorality, no doubt, slay their thousands. But decent, plausible, smooth-spoken excuses slay their tens of thousands. No excuse can justify a man in refusing God's invitation, and not coming to Christ."

"We must deal with many an unconverted man, as one who is half-asleep, half out of his mind, and not fully conscious of the state he is in. We must press the Gospel on his notice again and again. We must cry aloud and spare not. We must deal with him as we would with a man about to commit suicide."

Questions:

1.Do we believe that Jesus is all we need for salvation? Have we, as Paul says, counted all things as loss for the sake of Christ?

2.Here we see again the clear call of God to come to Jesus Christ, and that no fault will be on God for those who refuse. Ryle says that infidelity and immorality slay their thousands, but decent, plausible, smooth-spoken excuses their tens of thousands. Have we answered the call to come or given excuses why we cannot today?

3.God is gracious toward sinners and desires them to come to His banquet feast. Are we compelling those around us to come in?

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Luke 14:7-14

Let us learn from these verses the value of humility.
Let us learn the duty of caring for the poor.
Let us learn the great importance of looking forward to the resurrection of the dead.

"Would we know the root and spring of humility? One word describes it. The root of humility is right knowledge. The man who really knows himself and his own heart--who knows God and His infinite majesty and holiness--who knows Christ, and the price at which he was redeemed--that man will never be a proud man."

"The Lord Jesus would have us care for our poorer brethren, and help them according to our power. He would have us know that it is a solemn duty never to neglect the poor, but to aid them and relieve them in their time of need."

"Let us strive to live like men who believe in a resurrection and a life to come, and desire to be always ready for another world. So living, we shall look forward to death with calmness. We shall feel that there remains some better portion for us beyond the grave."

Questions:

1.It has been said that humility is that thing you don’t have when you think you finally have it. Humility is not something you focus on that produces more humility, but, as Ryle says, the knowledge of self and of God is what produces humility in us. Would others define us as being humble?

2.We are told that we will always have the poor with us. In what ways are we giving relief to the poor around us?

3.What comes to mind when we think of the return of Christ? Are we filled with thoughts of wanting to enjoy the good things of life, or with alarm of not being ready, or do we rejoice at the thought of it?

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Luke 14:1-6

Let us mark how our Lord Jesus Christ accepted the hospitality of those who were not His disciples.
Let us mark how our Lord was watched by His enemies.
Let us mark how our Lord asserts the lawfulness of doing works of mercy on the Sabbath day.

"We ought not to withdraw entirely from all communion with unconverted people. It would be cowardice and indolence to do so, even if it were possible. It would shut us out from many opportunities of doing good. But we ought to go into their society moderately, watchfully, and prayerfully, and with a firm resolution to carry our Master and our Master's business with us."

"He that desires to serve Christ must make up his mind to be "watched" and observed, no less than His Master...Let us endeavor to live daily as in the sight of a holy God. So living, it will matter little how much we are "watched" by an ill-natured and malicious world."

"The Sabbath was made for man, for his benefit, not for his injury, for his advantage, not for his hurt. The interpretation of God's law respecting the Sabbath was never intended to be strained so far as to interfere with charity, kindness, and the real needs of human nature."

Questions:

1.Ryle encourages us to follow Christ’s example of being in the lives of unbelievers, yet with intention. He challenges us to enter into such situations moderately, watchfully, and prayerfully, so that we are being light to those around us, and not the other way around. When in such situations, are we at very least praying for a door to be open for the Word to be shared? Are their situation we should avoid because we are unable to be a light there?

2.As Christians, we are to be the fragrance of Christ to the world around us, so we should not be surprised that the world is watching us. Are we living in such a way that not only do those around us know we are Christians, but that we are faithful witnesses of Him?

3.What is your view of the Sabbath command under the new covenant? Whether you are convinced by Ryle’s arguments or not regarding the Sabbath, it is not an option to have no view at all.

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Luke 13:31-35

Let us learn how entirely our times are in God's hands.
Let us learn how great is the compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ towards sinners.

"There is no such thing as chance, luck, or accident, in the life of a believer. There is but one thing needful, in order to make a believer calm, quiet, unruffled, undisturbed in every position, and under every circumstance. That one thing is faith in active exercise. For such faith let us daily pray."

"Let us thoroughly understand that if we die in our sins and go to hell, our blood will be upon our own heads. We cannot lay the blame on God the Father, nor on Jesus Christ the Redeemer, nor on the Holy Spirit the Comforter. The promises of the Gospel are wide, broad, and general. The readiness of Christ to save sinners is unmistakably declared. If we are lost, we shall have none to find fault with but ourselves."

Questions:

1.We are told of the active faith of Jesus Christ in events that would send most of us trembling in our souls, namely that Herod was seeking to kill him. Do we truly believe that there is no such things as chance, luck, or accident in our lives? Do we encounter circumstances in calm, quiet, unruffled and undisturbed manner, or are we quick to be anxious?

2.Ryle briefly explains the biblical balance of God’s Sovereignty and man’s responsibility. Do you believe that Christ is willing to save and that only each person will be to blame for being lost? May the Scriptures direct us in this matter!

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Luke 13:22-30

We see in these verses a remarkable question asked.
We see, secondly, in these verses, a striking exhortation given.
We see, thirdly, in these verses, a day of dreadful solemnity described.
We see, lastly, in these verses, a heart-searching prophecy delivered.

"Salvation to the uttermost is offered to men. All things are ready on God's part. Christ is willing to receive sinners. But sinners are not willing to come to Christ. And hence few are saved."

"We are to draw near to Him in the use of the means of grace. How we can do it is a question with which we have nothing to do. It is in obedience that the knot will be untied."

"The door of mercy, which has been so long open, shall at last be shut. The fountain opened for all sin and uncleanness shall at length be closed. The throne of grace shall be removed, and the throne of judgment shall be set up in its place."

"Myriads shall wake up in another world, and be convinced of truths which on earth they refused to believe. Earth is the only place in God's creation where there is any infidelity. Hell itself is nothing but truth known too late."

Questions:

1.What does the truth that few will be saved do to our hearts?

2.Jesus answers the question how we are to enter the narrow gate: by striving. Ryle says this is done by the regular means of grace: reading God’s Word, prayer, gathering with God’s people. How do we treat these means? Are they a convenience or a necessity in our lives?

3.Jesus talks clearly of the blessings for entering the narrow gate, and the judgement that faces those who don’t. We tend to not think about these great truths, but how necessary they are to striving?! Does such consideration not cause us to cling more to Christ and strive more for His kingdom?

4.Ryle says that “Hell itself is nothing but truth known too late.” What a striking reality! Dear friend, are we amongst the many or the few? Let us put these truths before us and ask the Lord to bring the fruit for His glory.

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Luke 13:18-21

The parable of the mustard seed is intended to show the progress of the Gospel in the WORLD.
The parable of the leaven is intended to show the progress of the Gospel in the heart of a BELIEVER.

"Let us learn from this parable never to despair of any work for Christ, because its first beginnings are feeble and small."

"The soul must creep before it can walk, and walk before it can run. If we see any sign of grace beginning in a brother, however feeble, let us thank God and be hopeful."

Questions:

1.There are lots of things God calls us to that seem very small: being faithful to love and serve our spouses, diligence in raising our children in the ways of the Lord, speaking the truth in love to a friend. Are we tempted to despise the day of small things and look for greater things, or are we trusting that those seeds carry God’s promise of growth and have hope to press on?

2.Ryle’s question should satisfy us here: Are we resting satisfied with a few vague wishes and convictions or do we know anything of a gradual, growing, spreading, increasing, leavening process in our hearts?

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Luke 13:10-17

We see a striking example of diligence in the use of means of grace.
We see the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see the right observance of the Sabbath day asserted and defended by our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Let us never forget that our feelings about Sundays are sure tests of the state of our souls. The man who can find no pleasure in giving God one day in the week, is manifestly unfit for heaven."

"Let us never despair about our own salvation. Our sins may be countless. Our lives may have been long spent in worldliness and folly. Our youth may have been wasted in soul-defiling excesses, of which we are lamentably ashamed. But are we willing to come to Christ, and commit our souls to Him? If so, there is hope. He can heal us thoroughly, and say, "you are loosed from your infirmity.""

"The Sabbath was made for man's benefit, and not for his hurt. It was appointed to promote man's best and highest interests, and not to debar him of anything that is really for his good."

Questions:

1.What is our attitude toward Sunday’s and Sunday morning services? Are other things quick to have our attention or can we say that we delight in the gathering of God’s people? Where there is a will, there is a way…what do our ways tell of our wills?

2.Do we despair of our own salvation or the salvation of others? Do we believe that Christ has the power to change our affections and hearts? Will we not continue to knock on His door for ourselves and others?

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Luke 13:6-9

We learn that where God gives spiritual privileges He expects proportionate returns.
We learn that it is a most dangerous thing to be unfruitful under great religious privileges.
We learn what an infinite debt we all owe to God's mercy and Christ's intercession.

"Few things are so much forgotten by men as the close connection between privilege and responsibility."

"Never let us forget that to be content with sitting in the congregation and hearing sermons, while we bear no fruit in our lives, is conduct which is most offensive to God. It provokes Him to cut us off suddenly, and that without remedy."

"Mercy has been truly called the darling attribute of God. Power, justice, purity, holiness, wisdom, unchangeableness, are all parts of God's character, and have all been manifested to the world in a thousand ways, both in His works and in His word. But if there is one part of His perfections which He is pleased to exhibit to man more clearly than another, beyond doubt that part is mercy. He is a God that "delights in mercy.""

Questions:

1.Whether you are listening from Canada, America, North Macedonia, Indonesia, or anywhere else in the world, if we have the Bible and are exposed to the whole counsel of God, God is looking for fruit. Do we take the truths we know for granted or are they bearing fruit in our lives? What is some of the fruit, and would you not give God the glory for it?

2.We heard of God’s long-suffering and of His delighting in mercy. Let us think back to our past, and consider how God has shown mercy and been patient with us.

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Luke 13:1-5

Let us observe how much more ready people are to talk of the deaths of others than their own.
Let us observe how strongly our Lord lays down the universal necessity of repentance.

"The state of our own souls should always be our first concern. It is eminently true that real Christianity will always begin at home."

"The nature of true repentance is clearly and unmistakably laid down in holy Scripture. It begins with knowledge of sin. It goes on to work sorrow for sin. It leads to confession of sin before God. It shows itself before man by a thorough breaking off from sin. It results in producing a habit of deep hatred for all sin. Above all, it is inseparably connected with lively faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

Questions:

1.Ryle encourages us to think about ourselves when we hear the news of others. Where do our hearts go when we hear of the death of another, or a tragic accident, or of the sins of others?

2.Jesus’ call to repent: to know our sinfulness, to have sorrow over it, to confess, turn from it, and to hate it is clear in Scripture. Ryle’s serious inquiries are worth considering here again: Do we really know our own sinfulness? Do our sins cause us any sorrow? Have we cried to God about our sins, and sought forgiveness at the throne of grace? Have we ceased to do evil, and broken off from our bad habits? Do we cordially and heartily hate everything that is evil?

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Luke 12:54-59

The first thing which this passage teaches us is the duty of noticing the signs of the times.
The second thing which this passage teaches us, is the immense importance of seeking reconciliation with God before it is too late.

"May we not sleep as do many, but watch and discern our time!"

"The chief and foremost desire of everyone who professes to have any religion, should be to obtain reconciliation. Until this is done, nothing is done."

Questions:

1.We are called to be discerning of the times God has placed us in, and be watch and wait for the return of our Lord. Do we grow in anticipation of our Lord’s return as we see the ‘labor pains’ around us?

2.Ryle says that until we are reconciled to God, we have nothing in Christianity. The purpose of the cross was to remove the curse of God’s law and its demands, so that we could be brought to God. Do we know our sins to be forgiven and our souls reconciled to the God of the universe?

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Luke 12:49-53

We learn how thoroughly the heart of Christ was set on finishing the work which He came into the world to do.
We learn how useless it is to expect universal peace and harmony from the preaching of the Gospel.

"There is in Him an infinite willingness to receive, pardon, justify, and deliver the souls of men from hell. Let us strive to realize that willingness, and learn to believe it without doubting, and repose on it without fear. It is a certain fact, if men would only believe it, that Christ is far more willing to save us than we are to be saved."

"So long as some men and women will not repent and believe, and some will, there must needs be division. To be surprised at it is the height of folly. The very existence of division is one proof of Christ's foresight, and of the truth of Christianity."

Questions:

1.Do we believe that Christ has an infinite willingness to receive, pardon, justify, and deliver our souls from hell? In our minds eye, do we believe He desires to save us and bring us to Himself?

2.Both unity and truth are important to God, but the important thing is that unity is based on truth. What has been your experience with seeking peace at the expense of truth? Have you ever had to depart from family or friends because of truth?

3.The gospel divides those who believe from those who do not. Does this teaching rub any of us the wrong way? If so, why? How does this truth challenge or encourage you?

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Luke 12:41-48

We learn the importance of doing in our Christianity.
We learn the dreadful danger of those who neglect the duties of their calling.
We learn that the greater a man's religious light is, the greater is his guilt if he is not converted.

"If we love life, let us resolve by God's help, to be "doing" Christians. This is to be like Christ."

"It is a vain delusion to suppose that the Gospel speaks nothing but "smooth things." The same loving Savior who holds out mercy to the uttermost to the penitent and believing, never shrinks from holding up the judgments of God against those who despise His counsel."

"Our judgment at the last day will be according to our light and opportunities."

Questions:

1.Ryle clarifies the difference between justification and sanctification, and that our Lord’s call for us to be doing good works is part of our sanctification. If we died today, would our lives be described as those who did ‘good works?’ Do we give ourselves for the good of others, both spiritually and physically?

Are we living in such a way that if King Jesus returned today, we would be ready to receive him? Ryle offers 3 discerning areas that would spell out danger for our souls which are worth pondering here: are we lowering our standard of holiness in any given area? Do we tend to dislike those who are more spiritually mature than us? And are we conforming to this world in any way? Let us take heed!

3.Our judgment at the last day will be according to our light and opportunities. This is a heavy but important question: what difference is what we know about God and the Scriptures doing in our daily lives?

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Luke 12:32-40

What a gracious word of consolation this passage contains for all true believers.
What a striking exhortation these verses contain to seek treasure in heaven.
What an instructive picture these verses contain of the frame of mind which the true Christian should endeavor to keep up.

"Believers are tenderly loved by God the Father. It is "the Father's good pleasure" to give them a kingdom. He does not receive them grudgingly, unwillingly, and coldly. He rejoices over them as members of His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased."

"Would we know what our treasure is? Let us ask ourselves what we love most? This is the true test of character."

"Are we ourselves living as if we were ready for the second coming of Christ? Well would it be if this question were put to our consciences more frequently. It might keep us back from many a false step in our daily life. It might prevent many a backsliding."

Questions:

1.What does such a great and precious promise, such as God giving us a kingdom, do for our seeking for His kingdom and righteousness? What does this do to our hearts as we consider the kindness and generosity of God?

2.Jesus tells us that where our treasure is, that is where our hearts will be also. Where our affections and loves are is of much greater importance than what we simply say. And that is the great question: what do we really love? What do we truly consider of most importance, which is usually shown in where we are eager to spend our time, our money, and our efforts.

Brothers and sisters, are we living in light of Jesus return? When applied to our calendar this week or our thought life today, would it make any difference?

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Luke 12:22-31

We have a collection of striking arguments against over-anxiety about the things of this world.
We have a high standard of living commended to all Christians.
We have a marvelous promise held out to those who seek the kingdom of God.

"But the man who can say of God, "He is my Father," and of Christ, "He is my Savior,” ought surely to be above such anxieties and cares. A clear faith should produce a light heart."

"The kingdom of God is the only kingdom which shall endure forever. Happy are they who belong to it, love it, live for it, pray for it, and labor for its increase and prosperity. Their labor shall not be in vain."

"The man who seeks first God's kingdom shall never lack anything that is for his good. He may not have so much health as some. He may not have so much wealth as others. He may not have a richly spread table, or royal delicacies. But he shall always have enough."

Questions:

1.In our thoughts about God, do we really believe He knows and cares about our needs? What does that realization do to our hearts?

2.Do we belong to, love, live, pray, and labor for the Kingdom of God?

3.God has promised that we will never lack what is good for us when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Can we say that this is our top priority?

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Luke 12:13-21

Let us mark what a solemn warning our Lord pronounces against covetousness.
Let us mark what a withering exposure our Lord makes of the folly of worldly-mindedness.
Let us mark how important it is to be rich towards God.

"Let us pray for a thorough confidence in God's superintending providence over all our worldly affairs, and God's perfect wisdom in all His arrangements concerning us. If we have little, let us be sure that it would be not good for us to have much. If the things that we have are taken away, let us be satisfied that there is a needs be."

"Poverty has many disadvantages. But riches destroy far more souls than poverty!"

"When can it be said of a man, that he is rich towards God? Never until he is rich in grace, and rich in faith, and rich in good works! Never until he has applied to Jesus Christ, and bought of him gold tried in the fire! (Rev. 3:18.) Never until he has a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens! Never until he has a name inscribed in the book of life, and is an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ! Such a man is truly rich."

Questions:

1.Brothers and sisters, the advertising we are bombarded with in our world seeks to do one thing: make us discontent and want what is being offered. What are areas in our lives in which we are tempted to be discontented?

2.Ryle encourages us to pray for rich people due to the temptation of riches, do we do this? But this begs another question: are we those deemed rich? If you are living in the West like I am, this is very likely true. Are we aware of the dangers of the wealth we have and that more souls are destroyed by riches than poverty?

3.To be rich toward God is to be rich in grace, faith, and good works. Are we rich toward God? And why?

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Luke 12:8-12

We are taught that we must confess Christ upon earth, if we expect Him to own us as His saved people at the last day.
We are taught that there is such a thing as an unpardonable sin.
We are taught that Christians need not be over anxious as to what they shall say, when suddenly required to speak for Christ's cause.

"For us to deny Christ or be ashamed of His Gospel, may get us a little of man's good opinion for a few years, though it will bring us no real peace. But for Christ to deny us at the last day will be ruin in hell to all eternity! Let us cast away our cowardly fears. Come what will, let us confess Christ."

"Let us pray that we may be delivered from a cold, speculative, unsanctified head-knowledge of Christianity. It is a rock on which thousands make shipwreck to all eternity."

"Let us pray for a good memory about Bible promises. We shall find it an inestimable comfort. There are far more, and far wider promises laid down in Scripture for the comfort of Christ's people, than most of Christ's people are aware of."

Questions:

1.We are told to confess Christ; to not be ashamed of Him before others. This is a struggle for all of us to various extents. Would we commit ourselves, here and now, to confess Christ and be bold to speak of him, and that God would give us such an opportunity?

2.Ryle points out that the unpardonable sin is to know the truth and not let it touch our hearts. Would we pray that we may be delivered from a cold, speculative, unsanctified head-knowledge of Christianity?

3.If speaking about Christ before others alarms us, would we claim this promise, even now in Jesus name, and ask for His grace to speak?

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Luke 12:1-7

The first thing is Christ's warning against hypocrisy.
The second thing is Christ's warning against the fear of man.
The last thing is Christ's encouragement to persecuted believers.

"If we would not become Pharisees, let us cultivate a 'heart religion'. Let us realize daily that the God with whom we have to do, looks far below the outward surface of our profession, and that He measures us by the state of our hearts. Let us be real and true in our Christianity."

"We must turn our eyes from those who can only injure us in the life that now is, to Him who can condemn us to eternal misery in the life to come. Armed with this mighty principle, we shall not play the coward. Seeing Him that is invisible, we shall find the lesser fear melting away before the greater, and the weaker before the stronger."

"Let us strive to realize that a Father's hand is measuring out our daily portion, and that our steps are ordered by Him. A daily practical faith of this kind, is one grand secret of happiness, and a mighty antidote against murmuring and discontent."

Questions:

1.Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. Are we content with fooling man but not being real before God? What are some areas in which this might be the case?

2.The question is not whether we fear man, for this is the default of us all, but how we are seeking to supplant this fear with the greater and life-giving fear of God. Will we pray that the fear of God would be greater in our lives?

3.Take a moment to think about any difficult things happening in your life right now or in the past. Say over each of them, “God could keep away from me these things if He thought fit. But He does not do so, and therefore they must be for my advantage. I will lie still, and bear them patiently.”

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Luke 11:45-54

We learn how great is the sin of professing to teach others what we do not practice ourselves.
We learn how much more easy it is to admire dead saints than living ones.
We learn how surely a reckoning day for persecution will come upon the persecutors.
We learn how great is the wickedness of keeping back others from religious knowledge.

"One thing at all events is very certain. No lessons produce such effects on men as those which the teacher illustrates by his own daily life."

"When a man can see no beauty in living saints, but much in dead ones, his soul is in a very rotten state."

"The great white throne and the books of God shall put all things in their right places. The tangled maze of God's providence shall be unraveled. All shall be proved to a wondering world to have been "well done."

"Whatever we are ourselves in religion, let us dread discouraging others, if they have the least serious concern about their souls."

Questions:

1.Jesus charges the pharisees with telling others to do things they themselves do not do. Ryle encourages us that perfection is not possible, but that the goal should be that our teaching and practice are closer than further apart. Are their any areas in our lives in which there is no match between the two? What are other areas in which it could be closer?

2.Ryle’s test is insightful, and maybe has a different but helpful application to us today. Where it is easier to admire dead saints instead of living ones because they don’t know our lives and can rebuke us if necessary, isn’t that the same with loving online preachers instead of our own pastors? If we find it easier to listen to online preaching, the question we should ask ourselves is: why?

3.How often do we think of our daily actions in light of the great judgment day? What does recollection of this day do in our hearts? Why?

4.Jesus warns against keeping the key of knowledge from others. Instead of just asking if we have ever discouraged someone, maybe we should also ask, how many do we encourage in the things of God?

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Luke 11:37-44

Let us notice our Lord Jesus Christ's readiness, when needful, to go into the company of the unconverted.
Let us notice the foolishness which accompanies hypocrisy in religion.
Let us notice the gross inconsistency which is often exhibited by hypocrites in religion.
Let us notice the falseness and hollowness which characterize the 'religious hypocrite'

"If we feel that we dare not imitate Christ in the company which we, are invited to join, we may be sure that we had better stay at home."

"External devoutness of conduct, a grave face, and a bowed head, and a solemn countenance, and a loud amen, are all abominable in God's sight, so long as our hearts are not washed from their wickedness, and renewed by the Holy Spirit. Let this caution never be forgotten."

"Let us beware of putting the second things out of their place, and so by degrees losing sight of the first entirely."

Questions:

1.The first point here is a call for integrity: are we one way with fellow Christians but then another with unbelievers?

2.This passage warns us against an outward appearance of godliness. Ryle’s question before drawing near to God, whether in public or in private, is worth making a regular practice: “where is my heart in this moment?”

3.Ryle warns against putting secondary things before the things of first importance, which reminds me of the church in Ephesus as recorded in Revelation 2, where although they were good in many respects, they had lost their first love. Are there things in our lives in which secondary things are eclipsing the first things?

4.Brothers and sisters, the only opinion we need to care about is that of our Heavenly Father. Even if we are weak, erring, and frail, will we make it our aim to be true and to come again and again to the cross of our Savior?

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Luke 11:33-36

We learn the importance of making a good use of religious light and privileges.
We learn the value of a single and undivided heart in religion.

"A man's religion may well be suspected, when he is content to go to heaven alone."

"It is a heart which abhors all compromises, all luke-warmness, all halting between two opinions in religion. It sees one mighty object--the love of Christ dying for sinners. It has one mighty aim--to glorify God and do His will. It has one mighty desire, to please God and be commended by Him."

Questions:

1.In what ways are the truths of God’s Word shining forth from our lives? Do our lives commend the gospel we love to our family members, friends, and colleagues?

Ryle points out the value of being single-hearted and thorough in religion. How single-hearted are we? What are areas the Holy Spirit might be pointing out that need to be under His control?

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Luke 11:27-32

We should observe how great are the privileges of those who hear and keep God's word.
We should observe the desperate unbelief of the Jews in our Lord's time.
We should observe how our Lord Jesus Christ testifies to the truth of a resurrection, and a life to come.

"No man can be nearer and dearer to Jesus than the man who simply believes."

"Let it never surprise us to see unbelief abounding, both in the church and in the world. So far from wondering that there have been men like Hobbes, and Paine, and Rousseau, and Voltaire, we ought rather to wonder that such men have been so few."

"Let the truth of the resurrection be often before our minds. Let the life to come be frequently before our thoughts."

Questions:

1.It is our human nature that inclines us to think that having any kind of connection to Christ, whether it be through His mother or other saints, that we have some special privileges that others do not have. Yet, as Ryle says, no one can be nearer or dearer to him than the one who simply believes. Does that offend us in any way? If so, why?

2.Have you ever thought to be surprised, not that people believe, but that anyone believes at all? Have we ever been surprised, rather, that there is not more wicked men and women in the world?

3.How often do we think of the resurrection? When is the last time you went to a funeral and discovered the biblical truth: it is better to go to the house of mourning, than the house of feasting?

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Luke 11:21-26

Let us observe what a fearful picture our Lord draws of Satan's power.
Let us observe how strongly our Lord teaches the impossibility of neutrality.
Let us observe how dangerous it is to be content with any change in religion short of thorough conversion to God.

"A prisoner must be a very hardened man who jests about the executioner and the gallows. The heart must be in a very bad state, when a man can talk with levity about hell and the devil."

"He that follows Jesus most fully, will always follow Him most comfortably."

"The devil must not only be cast out. The Holy Spirit must take his place. Christ must dwell in our hearts by faith. We must not only be moralized, but spiritualized. We must not only be reformed, but born again."

Questions:

1.It has been said that the two dangers, when it comes to understanding Satan, is either to overemphasize his work or to underemphasize. Do we know Satan as a powerful foe, and does it cause us to run to Christ to rest in the strength of His might?

2.Ryle says that “he who follows Jesus most fully, will always follow Him most comfortably.” Are we following Jesus ‘most fully?’ Can we say we have joy in the Lord in the areas in which we are not?

3.Are we content with a heart that is growing in love for God, or in just looking good and acceptable on the outside? Are we just stopping obvious sins, or do we actually have a growing hatred for them? Has the Holy Spirit come to take residence or is it just a new, better looking devil?

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Luke 11:14-20

Let us notice the variety of ways in which Satan exhibits his desire to injure man.
Let us notice the amazing power of prejudice over the hearts of unconverted men.
Let us notice the great evil of religious divisions.

"The prayerless man is dead while he lives."

"Let us strive to be of a fair, and honest, and candid spirit in our judgment of men and things in religion. Let us be ready to give up old and cherished opinions the moment that any one can show us a "more excellent way.""

"What are the best remedies against needless divisions? A humble spirit, a readiness to make concessions, and an enlightened acquaintance with holy Scripture."

Questions:

1.Ryle connects the mute spirit with a lack of praise and prayer to God in our day. He calls moralism and avoiding open sin as ‘negative goodness,’ but prayer and praise the result of true Christianity. How does this change the way we see the world around us? How about our own hearts?

2.Ryle warns against a prejudiced spirit towards men and religion, and that, if someone can show us a more excellent way, we need to be open to it. When is the last time someone showed us a ‘more excellent way’ and we listened?

3.1 Corinthians 15 tells us that there are things – like the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – that are of first importance. Dr. Mohler of the SBTS has coined the term ‘theological triage.’ Have we ever thought through different doctrines in this light or do we tend to push people away who disagree on anything with us?

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Luke 11:5-13

We learn the importance of perseverance in prayer.
We learn how wide and encouraging are the promises which the Lord Jesus holds out to prayer.

"The application of the parable is clear and plain. If importunity succeeds so well, between man and man, how much more may we expect it to obtain mercies when used in prayer to God."

"A man's state before God may always be measured by his prayers. Whenever we begin to feel careless about our private prayers, we may depend upon it, there is something very wrong in the condition of our souls."

Questions:

1.It is probably safe to say that those words “it is no use to pray” is the reason we struggle so much to pray. Will we resolve, here and now, to continue in prayer in faith that God not only hears but delights to hear our prayers and answer our requests and give the Holy Spirit?

2.If prayer is an indicator of the condition of our souls, what is it saying in our lives right now? That things are well in our souls, or that they are in imminent danger?

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Luke 11:1-4

The first division of the Lord's Prayer respects the God whom we worship.
The second division of the Lord's Prayer respects our own daily needs.
The third division of the Lord's Prayer respects our daily dangers.

"Blessed indeed are those Christians who have learned that God's name is far more honorable than that of any earthly ruler; God's kingdom the only kingdom that shall stand forever--and God's law the rule to which all laws ought to be conformed!"

"The child of God, no doubt, is fully justified before God, and all things are working for his good. But it is the life of true faith to apply daily for fresh supplies for all our needs."

"We include under the word evil, everything that can hurt us, either in body or soul, and especially every weapon of that great author of evil, the devil."

Questions:

1.It is amazing that our Lord Jesus Christ did not write an entire book on prayer when asked how to pray. He made it simple, yet highlighting the things most important for us. These are the things the Lord is doing and working in our lives, and which, when we pray for, are praying according to God’s will. So, only one question is needed: is this prayer simply a repetition for us, or, as Ryle says, do we feel our need for these requests? Would we not start praying, today, for these very things?

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Luke 10:38-42

Let us observe how different the characters and temperaments of true Christians may be.
Let us observe what a snare to our souls the cares of the world may be, if allowed to take up too much attention.
Let us observe the solemn rebuke our Lord Jesus Christ gave to His servant Martha
Let us observe what high commendation our Lord Jesus Christ pronounced on Mary's choice.

"We must not expect all believers in Christ to be exactly like one another."

"If we love life, we must hold the things of this world with a very loose hand, and beware of allowing anything to have the first place in our hearts, excepting God. Let us write 'poison' on all temporal good things."

"Health, and money, and lands, and rank, and honors, and prosperity, are all well in their way. But they cannot be called needful."

Questions:

First, Ryle points out that Christians have different temperaments. Are their certain temperaments that we value and others we despise? What are they?

Second, this passage warns us of good things becoming bad things when they become god things. Lawful things are good, says Ryle, but permitted to fill our minds they become positive curses. Are there any good things in our lives that are taking the place of first importance?

Third, Jesus tells Martha that one thing is needful. Do our lives give evidence that this is true? If so, how?

Fourth, as Ryle points out how grace - the one thing needful - is good in life and death, now and for eternity, doesn't this cause our hearts to value the Lord Jesus?

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Luke 10:29-37

We are taught how rare and uncommon is true brotherly love.
We are taught who they are to whom we should show kindness, and whom we are to love as neighbors.
We are taught after what manner, and to what extent we are to show kindness and love to others.

"That cheap charity which costs nothing more than a trifling subscription or contribution, is common enough. But that self-sacrificing kindness of heart, which cares not what trouble is entailed, so long as good can be done, is a grace which is rarely met with."

"We should regard the whole world as our parish, and the whole race of mankind as our neighbors...To be friendly to all men in this way, is to show something of the mind that was in Christ."

"He should think it no misspent time to work as hard in doing good to those who need help, as others work in trying to get money. He should not be ashamed to toil as much to make the misery of this world rather smaller, as those toil who hunt or shoot all day long. He should have a ready ear for every tale of sorrow, and a ready hand to help every one in affliction, so long as he has the power."

Questions:

1.I don’t know about you, but I can easily read the command to love God and neighbor, or read that love is fruit produced by the Spirit, and it not hit me that I fall so short of this calling! Does Ryle saying that this love is rare and uncommon humble us or make us proud?

2.The answer to who our neighbor is, is the person we see in need and can help. Is this our practical response to those around us? Are we quick to meet needs that we see, or run away from them?

3.As Ryle asks, “what are we doing, each in our own station, to prove that this mighty parable is one of the rules of our daily life? What are we doing for the heathen, at home and abroad? What are we doing to help those who are troubled in mind, body, or estate? There are many such in this world. There are always some near our own door. What are we doing for them? Anything, or nothing at all?”

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Luke 10:25-28

We should notice the solemn question which was addressed to our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should notice the high honor which our Lord Jesus Christ places on the Bible.
We should notice the clear knowledge of duty to God and man, which the Jews in our Lord's time possessed.

"Let us not be ashamed of putting the lawyer's question to our own souls. Let us rather ponder it, think about it, and never be content until it fills the first place in our minds."

"Let the principle contained in these words, be one of the foundation principles of our Christianity. Let the Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the Bible, be the rule of our faith and practice...It matters nothing who says a thing in religion, whether an ancient father, or a modern Bishop, or a learned divine. Is it in the Bible? Can it be proved by the Bible? If not, it is not to be believed."

"Clear knowledge of the head, when accompanied by determined impenitence of heart, is a most dangerous state of soul."

Questions:

1.In the midst of life and all its needs, how much time do we give to considering the salvation of our eternal souls? Can we say this subject has filled our minds and has our concern, and has found its answer in Jesus Christ?

2.Do we, as Ryle says, cast our anchor and abide on the principle of the Scriptures, and the Scriptures alone, being our rule of faith and practice? What evidence can we give for it?

3.If someone has been a Christian for any length of time, they have probably heard of this greatest commandment of love to God and neighbor. In reading it, has it caused us to be puffed up or humbled? Have we skimmed over it, or has the weight of it hit us?

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Luke 10:21-24

We should observe the one instance on record of our Lord Jesus Christ rejoicing.
We should observe the sovereignty of God in saving sinners.
We should observe the character of those from whom truth is hidden, and of those to whom truth is revealed.
We should observe the majesty and dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us observe the peculiar privileges of those who hear the Gospel of Christ.

"Three times we are told in the Gospels that our Lord Jesus Christ wept. Once only we are told that He rejoiced. And what was the cause of our Lord's joy? It was the conversion of souls."

"Why England is a Christian country and China buried in idolatry, is a problem we cannot solve. We only know that it is so. We can only acknowledge that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ supply the only answer that mortal man ought to give--"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight."

"To see that we are bad, is the first step towards being really good. To feel that we are ignorant is the first beginning of all saving knowledge."

"Many and weighty as our sins are, Christ can bear them all. Difficult as is the work of our salvation, Christ is able to accomplish it. If Christ was not God as well as man we might indeed despair. But with such a Savior as this we may begin boldly, and press on hopefully, and await death and judgment without fear."

"Let us leave the passage with a deep sense of our own debt to God and of our great responsibility for the full light of the Gospel. Let us see that we make a good use of our many privileges."

Questions:

1.Ryle points out that this is the only time in Scripture in which Jesus is said to rejoice, and it centers around conversion. Do we rejoice like Jesus when the Lord brings sinners to himself?

2.What effect does the Sovereignty of God in salvation do to our hearts? Does it increase our thankfulness or does it produce anger?

3.Self-righteousness is the natural default of our sinful hearts. Have we come to say with Paul that we count all things as loss for the sake of Christ and put no confidence in the flesh?

4.Ryle says, “Many and weighty as our sins are, Christ can bear them all. Difficult as is the work of our salvation, Christ is able to accomplish it.” No wonder we are to despair of our self-righteousness! Does this not give us confidence before our great God in heaven?

5.Does it shock you that you have more light of the gospel than David and Isaiah? How are we using what we know to bless and encourage others?

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Luke 10:17-20

We learn how ready Christians are to be puffed up with success.
We learn that gifts, and power of working miracles, are very inferior to grace.

"Let it, however, never be forgotten, that the time of success is a time of danger to the Christian's soul. The very hearts that are depressed when all things seem against them are often unduly exalted in the day of prosperity. Few men are like Samson, and can kill a lion without telling others of it. (Judges 14:6.)"

"Let the religion which we aim to possess be a religion in which grace is the main thing."

Questions:

1.Ryle warns against the danger of seasons of success and what it can do for our pride. He says that few can carry a full cup with an even hand. How do our hearts fair in success? Do we trend toward being proud and independent or deeply aware of God’s kindness and our need?

2.Ryle says that grace is greater than gifts. Can we say that is what we value in ourselves or in those around us?

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Luke 10:8-16

The simplicity of the tidings which our Lord commanded some of His first messengers to proclaim.
The great sinfulness of those who reject the offers of Christ's Gospel.
The honor which the Lord Jesus is pleased to put upon His faithful ministers.

"Simple plain statements, boldly and solemnly made, and made in such a manner that they are evidently felt and believed by him who makes them, seem to have the most effect on hearts and consciences."

"Those who reject the Gospel, and remain impenitent and unbelieving, are not merely objects of pity and compassion, but deeply guilty and blameworthy in God's sight."

"The rich may trample on him. The wicked may hate him. The pleasure-lover may be annoyed at him. The covetous may be vexed by him. But he may take comfort daily in His Master's words, "He that despises you despises me." The last day will prove that these words were not spoken in vain."

Questions:

1.Ryle’s opening thought suggests that simple open statements of the truth of God’s word is more powerful that much reasoning and the like. How does that hit you? Do you agree or disagree? Why?

2.Does it strike our ears as strange to hear that the most damning sin is not those that come as mind as obvious that of unbelief? Are we on guard to hear and believe what God says in His Word?

3.Ryle points out the two-sided danger of superstitious respect or contempt for ministers. Do we respect ministers only for their office, or for their being faithful to God’s Word while serving in that office?

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Luke 10:1-7

The first point in our Lord's charge to the seventy disciples is the importance of prayer and intercession.
The second point in our Lord's charge to the seventy disciples, is the perilous nature of the work in which they were about to be engaged.
The third point in our Lord's charge to the seventy disciples is, the thorough devotion to their work which He enjoined upon them.
The fourth point in our Lord's charge to the seventy disciples is the simple-minded and contented spirit which He bade them to exhibit.

"Not all believers have money to give to missions. Very few have great intellectual gifts, or extensive influence among men. But all believers can pray for the success of the Gospel--and they ought to pray for it daily."

"So long as the Church stands believers must expect to be like "lambs among wolves.""

"They teach us that ministers and teachers of the Gospel should beware of allowing the world to eat up their time and thoughts, and to hinder them in their spiritual work. They teach us that care about money, and excessive attention to what are called "the courtesies of life," are mighty snares in the way of Christ's laborers, and snares into which they must take heed lest they fall."

"The sermon about "things unseen" will produce little effect when the life preaches the importance of the "things that are seen.""

Questions:

1.Brother or sister, when is the last time we prayed that the Lord of the harvest would send workers into His harvest?

2.Are we surprised when we hear of, or personally face, persecutions of various kinds?

3.Are we thoroughly giving ourselves to the work God has placed before us? Whether a pastor or not, are we faithfully giving ourselves to the Kingdom wherever God has placed us?

4.Ryle says that “The sermon about "things unseen" will produce little effect when the life preaches the importance of the "things that are seen."” What do our lives communicate to those around us, that we are living for the world or that we are not yet at home?

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Luke 9:57-62

The first of these sayings was addressed to one who offered to be a disciple unconditionally, and of his own accord.
The second of our Lord's sayings is addressed to one whom Jesus invited to follow Him.
The third of our Lord's sayings in this passage was addressed to one who volunteered to follow Him, but marred the grace of His offer by interposing a request.

"Salvation He is ready to bestow, without money and without price. Grace by the way, and glory in the end, shall be given to every sinner who comes to Him. But He would not have us ignorant that we shall have deadly enemies--the world, the flesh, and the devil, and that many will hate us, slander us, and persecute us, if we become His disciples. He does not wish to discourage us, but He does wish us to know the truth."

"Funerals, and marriages, and visits of courtesy, and the like, unquestionably are not in themselves sinful. But when they are allowed to absorb a believer's time, and keep him back from any plain religious duty, they become a snare to his soul."

"No doubt we are to honor father and mother, and love all around us. But when love to Christ and love to relatives come in collision, Christ must have the preference. We must be ready, like Abraham, if needs be, to come out from kindred and father's house for Christ's sake. We must be prepared in case of necessity, like Moses, to turn our backs even on those who have brought us up, if God calls us, and the path is plain."

Questions:

1.Dear brother or sister, have we counted the cost of following Jesus? Does suffering for Christ surprise or discourage us? What are areas you have paid this cost?

2.Ryle says that, although funerals and the such are unquestionably not sinful, the Christian has a priority to serve the Kingdom of God. What has the priority in our lives? Are our days taken up with the pleasures or trials of the world, or with God’s kingdom work?

3.“We might not be faced with making the same sacrifices as in Christ’s day,” says Ryle, “but the heart of man never changes.” If faced with a decision between Christ and family, how quick would we be to choose Christ?

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Luke 9:51-56

Let us notice the steady determination with which our Lord Jesus Christ regarded His own crucifixion and death.
Let us notice the unusual conduct of two of the apostles, James and John.
Let us notice what a solemn rebuke our Lord gives to persecution carried on under color of religion.

"The man that comes to Christ by faith should never doubt Christ's willingness to receive Him. The mere fact that the Son of God willingly came into the world to die, and willingly suffered, should silence such doubts entirely. All the unwillingness is on the part of man, not of Christ."

"It is possible to have much zeal for Christ, and yet to exhibit it in most unholy and unchristian ways. It is possible to mean well and have good intentions, and yet to make most grievous mistakes in our actions. It is possible to imagine that we have Scripture on our side, and to support our conduct by scriptural quotations, and yet to commit serious errors."

"Let it be a settled principle in our minds, that whatever men's errors may be in religion, we must never persecute them. Let us, if needful, argue with them, reason with them, and try to show them a more excellent way. But let us never take up the "carnal" weapon to promote the spread of truth."

Questions:

1.If we have ever struggled with assurance of salvation, what does the willingness of Christ to save do to such a heart? As Ryle says, the problem is not with Christ, but with us.

2.Ryle said that zeal without knowledge is like an army without a general. Have their been times when we have been zealous but wrong? Will we pray not only to rightly divide the word, but also to apply it properly?

3.Do we really believe that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but those of doctrines, and precepts, and texts? The proof will be clear: what we are confident in is what we will speak and do.

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Luke 9:46-50

The Lord Jesus gives us a warning against pride and self-conceit.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gives us a warning against a bigoted and illiberal spirit.

"[Pride] is a pestilence that walks in darkness, and a sickness that destroys at noon-day. No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature. It cleaves to us like our skin. Its roots never entirely die...It can wear the garb of humility itself. It can lurk in the hearts of the ignorant, the ungifted, and the poor, as well as in the minds of the great, the learned, and the rich."

"We forget that no individual Church on earth has an absolute monopoly of all wisdom, and that people may be right in the main, without agreeing with us. We must learn to be thankful if sin is opposed, and the Gospel preached, and the devil's kingdom pulled down, though the work may not be done exactly in the way we like."

Questions:

1.Ryle says that pride cleaves to us like skin and can even wear the garb of humility, that is, pride is deceitful! Would we, as Ryle exhorts, add to our daily prayers to put on humility and the spirit of a little child?

2.Undoubtedly, we can think of examples of those who do not do things that way we do them. What is our heart toward them? If the gospel is proclaimed, and people are saved, can we say with Paul that we rejoice?

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Luke 9:37-45

We have an example of what a parent should do when he is troubled about his children.
We have an example of Christ's readiness to show mercy to young people.
We have an example of the spiritual ignorance which may be found even in the hearts of good men.

"The child of many prayers shall seldom be cast away. God's time of conversion may not be ours. He may think fit to prove our faith by keeping us long waiting. But so long as a child lives, and a parent prays, we have no right to despair about that child's soul."

"They supply us with an antidote to the common idea that it is useless to press religion on the attention of young people. Such an idea, let us remember, comes from the devil and not from Christ. He who cast out the evil spirit from the child before us, still lives, and is still mighty to save. Let us then work on, and try to do good to the young. Whatever the world may think, Jesus is well pleased."

"If Jesus could endure so much weakness in His disciples, we may surely do likewise."

Questions:

1.For those who are parents, if each prayer could be counted, how many would fill the throne room of grace for our children or grandchildren? Will we be found faithful in trusting our faithful God with these most precious gifts?

2.Ryle says that the notion of teaching young people religion is foolish is from the devil. For those who labor in Sunday Schools and, really any ministry to children – including parents - do we really believe Christ takes an interest in them and, as a result, speak God’s Word to them? Are we faithful to point them to Jesus in teaching and by example, or have we been influenced by this lie as well?

3.Jesus endured patiently with his disciples in their ignorance. Can the same be said of us with those around us, and especially with new believers?

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Luke 9:28-36

This passage shows us something of the glory which Christ will have at His second coming.
This passage shows us the safety of all true believers who have been removed from this world.
This passage shows us that the Old Testament saints in glory take a deep interest in Christ's atoning death.
The passage shows us the immense distance between Christ and all other teachers whom God has given to man.

"Let us take comfort in the thought, that there are good things laid up in store for all true Christians, which shall make ample amends for the afflictions of this present time. Now is the season for carrying the cross, and sharing in our Savior's humiliation. The crown, the kingdom, the glory, are all yet to come."

"But, above all, let us take comfort in the thought, that until the day dawns, and the resurrection begins, the people of God are safe with Christ."

"But there is not the slightest proof that any Old Testament saint ever looked to any other satisfaction for sin, but that which God promised to make by sending Messiah."

"That voice proclaimed to Peter's ear that however great Moses and Elijah might be, there stood One before him far greater than they. They were but servants; He was the King's Son. They were but stars; He was the Sun. They were but witnesses; He was the Truth."

Questions:

1.In this account of the Mount of Transfiguration, we are given a glimpse into eternity as a means of encouragement after being called to deny ourselves. How often do we think of our eternal home and rewards? What are some ways we will seek to put these things before us so that we can walk more faithfully with God?

2.The doctrine of the intermediate state, that is, the location of the souls before judgment day, is little known, but here we have a glorious encouragement that all souls in Christ are with Christ. Take a moment to consider those who have died in the Lord, and rejoice in God’s care for them, and us.

3.What an incredible thing to consider: that if Moses and Elijah talked about the coming death of Christ, how much more ought we! Friends, can we say with Paul that we boast only in the cross of Christ and put no confidence in the flesh?

4.Brothers and sisters, Jesus shares His glory with no one, not even such figures as Moses and Elijah. We can rejoice in good preachers and teachers, but is what sits at the center of our hearts to hear the voice of Christ Jesus and follow Him alone?

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Luke 9:23-27

We learn the absolute necessity of daily self-denial.
We learn the unspeakable value of the soul.
We learn the guilt and danger of being ashamed of Christ and His words.

"A crucified Savior will never be content to have a self-pleasing, self-indulging, worldly-minded people. No self-denial--no real grace! No cross--no crown!"

"The plain account of many professing Christians is this, that they are daily sinning against the sixth commandment. They are murdering their own souls!"

"Boldness in Christ's service always brings its own reward. The boldest Christian is always the happiest man."

Questions:

1.A religion without self-denial is not the Christianity Christ is proclaiming here. Ryle’s questions are worth repeating and considering: Where is our self-denial? Where is our daily carrying of the cross? Where is our following of Christ?

2.I don’t know about you, but I have never thought, as Ryle puts it, that to try and save our souls is to break the command not to murder! Are we living as if our souls will live forever or as if our physical bodies will live forever?

3.Are their times when we have shrunk back and been ashamed of our Lord? Was it for a certain unpopular doctrine? A command? Being associated with His people? May we resolve, even now in prayer, by God’s grace, to not be ashamed of Him!

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Luke 9:18-22

Let us notice the variety of opinions about our Lord Jesus Christ, which prevailed during His earthly ministry.
Let us notice the singular knowledge and faith displayed by the Apostle Peter.
Let us notice our Lord's prediction of His own coming death.

"Year rolls on after year, and finds them in the same state--talking, criticizing, fault-finding, speculating, but never getting any further--hovering like the moth round religion, but never settling down like the bee, to feed on its treasures."

"Honest, practical obedience, is one of the keys of the gate of knowledge."

"Knowledge, no doubt, is an excellent thing; but knowledge without zeal and warmth will never do much for the world."

"Let us beware of allowing traditions, old preconceived notions, unsound interpretations, baseless theories in religion, to find root in our hearts. There is but one test of truth "What says the Scripture?" Before this let every prejudice go down."

Questions:

1.The goal of knowing God is loving Him more deeply. Does our study and meditation of Scripture and sermons have this effect or are we content to speculate without, as Ryle says, “settling down like the bee, to feed on its treasures?”

2.Ryle says that although knowledge is excellent, it will never do much for the world without zeal and warmth. To what degree would we say our zeal and warmth meet our knowledge?

3.The gospel can become negatively familiar to us, but what does hearing of the willingness of Christ’s going to the cross, His being very God of very God do to our hearts as we hear this good news again?

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Luke 9:12-17

We see a striking example of our Lord Jesus Christ's DIVINE POWER.
We see a striking emblem of Christ's ability to supply the spiritual needs of mankind.

"When He wills a thing, it shall be done. When He commands a thing, it shall come to pass. He can create light out of darkness, order out of disorder, strength out of weakness, joy out of sorrow, and food out of nothing at all. Forever let us bless God that it is so!"

"Of their own invention they are not commissioned to give anything. All that they convey to men, must be from Christ's hands. So long as they faithfully discharge this office, they may confidently expect their Master's blessing."

Questions:

1.Ryle says that this account of feeding 5000 men is an example that nothing is impossible for God. How does this account of Jesus’ power encourage us in the things like an unbelieving child or impossible circumstance?

2.Ryle argues that this miracle is an acted parable of the glorious gospel: a lost world, a merciful Christ, and disciples being given what is necessary to feed the lost. Have we tasted of the bread of life? Are we faithfully giving Him to others?

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Luke 9:7-11

Let us mark the power of a bad conscience.
Let us mark the importance to Christians of occasional privacy and retirement.
Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's readiness to receive all who come to Him.

"Conscience is a most powerful part of our natural constitution. It cannot save our souls. It never leads a man to Christ. It is often blind, and ignorant, and misdirected. Yet conscience often raises a mighty testimony against sin in the sinner's heart, and makes him feel that "it is an evil and a bitter thing" to depart from God."

"Occasional retirement, self-inquiry, meditation, and secret communion with God, are absolutely essential to spiritual health. The man who neglects them is in great danger of a fall."

"We are apt to be wearied of their instability, and fickleness, and halting between two opinions. But let us remember Jesus, and not be weary. He "received all," spoke to all, and did good to all. Let us go and do likewise. As Christ deals with us, so let us deal one with another."

Questions:

1.Do we know from experience, the silencing of our guilty consciences, by the blood of Jesus Christ? Do we run quickly to the cross when our consciences condemn us?

2.Do we have times of ‘being alone with God?’ Do we believe that the neglect of such times is the occasion of many backslidings away from Christ?

3.Ryle points out that Jesus was always willing to receive, speak, and do good to all. How much like Jesus are we in this way?

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Luke 9:1-6

Let us observe that the commission to the apostles contained special reference to the devil and bodily sickness.
Let us observe that one of the principal works which the apostles were commissioned to take up was preaching.
Let us observe that our Lord charges His apostles, when He sends them forth, to study simplicity of habits, and contentment with such things as they have.
Let us observe that our Lord prepares His disciples to meet with unbelief and impenitence in those to whom they preached.

"The minister who neglects the sick members of his flock is no true pastor."

"A preaching ministry is absolutely essential to the health and prosperity of a visible church...The minister who exalts the sacraments, or forms of the Church, above preaching, may be a zealous, earnest, conscientious, and respectable minister; but his zeal is not according to knowledge. He is not a follower of the apostles."

"From no quarter has Christianity received such damage as it has from the hands of its own teachers. On no point have its teachers erred so much, and so often, as in the matter of personal worldliness and luxury of life. They have often destroyed, by their daily lives, the whole work of their lips."

"Let them work on patiently, and sow the good seed without fainting. Duties are theirs. Results are God's. Apostles may plant and water. The Holy Spirit alone can give spiritual life."

Questions:

This passage is particularly directed toward ministers, but, lest we forget, ministers are to set an example for the flock as well, and so there is much to glean for all here.

1.When we hear of a fellow brother or sister being sick, are we inclined to visit or avoid such situations? Also, are we known for opposing the works of the devil and using the grace of church discipline to win others?

Ryle says that the preaching ministry is essential to the health of the church. To what degree do we value this part of our worship? If the minister is to give primary effort and prayer to this labor, do we equally labor and pray to hear and be changed by what we hear?

3.The Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and that we are to store up treasures in heaven, and not on earth. Would those who know us best be able to say that we live in light of these truths?

4.Are we discouraged when our labors bear no fruit? What will we do, even today, to ensure that this truth – namely that we labor and God brings the grow – is etched into our hearts?

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Luke 8:49-56

Let us notice how universal is the dominion which death holds over the sons of men.
Let us notice that faith in Christ's love and power is the best remedy in time of trouble.
Let us notice the almighty power which our Lord Jesus Christ possesses even over death.

"Why should we not rather look the subject of death in the face, in order that when our turn comes we may be prepared to die? Death will come to our houses, whether we like it or not. Death will take each of us away, despite our dislike to hearing about it. Surely it is the part of a wise man to get ready for this great change. Why should we not be ready? There is one who can deliver us from the fear of death."

"Nothing will make us cheerful and tranquil but an abiding sense of Christ's love, Christ's wisdom, Christ's care over us, and Christ's providential management of all our affairs. Faith will not sink under the weight of evil tidings. (Psalm. 112:7.) Faith can sit still and wait for better times. Faith can see light even in the darkest hour, and a needs-be for the heaviest trial. Faith can find room to build Ebenezers under any circumstances, and can sing songs in the night in any condition."

"Patriarchs, and kings, and prophets, and apostles, have all in turn been obliged to yield to him. They have all died. But thanks be unto God, there is one stronger than death."

Questions:

1.Can we say with Paul, “for to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain?” Death is a great enemy, but Christ has removed the sting of death in His death and resurrection. What does this truth do to our hearts?

2.Ryle says that “faith will not sink under the weight of evil tidings, can sit still and wait for better times, can see light even in the darkest hour, is a needs-be for the heaviest trial, and can find room to build Ebenezers under any circumstances.” Have we found this to be true? What are areas we need God to increase our faith?

3.Ryle vividly describes the great enemy death is, and then the great hope we have in Jesus who is stronger than death! What do these verses of Christ’s victory do to our hearts?

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Luke 8:41-48

Let us see a striking picture of the condition of many souls.
Let us see a striking picture of the first beginnings of saving faith and its effect.
Let us see how much our Lord desires that those who have received benefit from Him should confess Him before men.

"There are men and women in most congregations who have felt their sins deeply, and been sorely afflicted by the thought that they are not forgiven and not fit to die...Let them consider the conduct of the woman before us in her necessity. When all other means had failed, she went to Jesus for help. Let them go and do likewise."

"Forever let it be engraved on our hearts that faith in Christ is the grand secret of peace with God."

"The work that we can do for our blessed Master is little and poor. Our best endeavors to glorify Him are weak and full of imperfections. Our prayers and praises are sadly defective. Our knowledge and love are miserably small. But do we feel within that Christ has healed our souls? Then can we not confess Christ before men?"

Questions:

1.Ryle compares the woman sick for 12 years as an example of many souls when it comes to sin: how she tried everything but Jesus. Is this you? If so, would you not taste and see that the Lord is good and take hold of His very great and precious promises?

2.How do we have peace with God? Do we feel particularly at peace when everything is going well in our lives, or do we have it by faith, and have peace even when life is not going according to plan?

3.Ryle solemnly reminds us that whoever is ashamed of Christ will be ashamed of by Christ. Are we afraid to confess Christ to those around us? How does this verse encourage/challenge us?

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Luke 8:37-40

Let us observe that the Gadarenes besought our Lord to depart from them, and their request was granted.
Let us observe that the man out of whom the devils were departed, besought our Lord that he might be with Him, but his request was not granted.

"People who have the Gospel, and yet refuse to obey it, must not be surprised if the Gospel is removed from them...Let us beware lest by coldness, and inattention, and worldliness, we drive Jesus from our doors, and compel Him to forsake us entirely. Of all sins which we can sin, this is the most sinful."

"There is a lesson of deep experimental wisdom in this little incident, which all true Christians would do well to lay to heart. That lesson is our own utter ignorance of what position is good for us in this world, and the necessity of submitting our own wills to the will of Christ."

Questions:

1.What are we doing with the gospel? Do we approach it with familiarity, coldness, and inattentiveness, or do we seek, by the grace of Christ, to let its rich truths dig deep into our hearts?

2.Are we content with where God has us, whether good and enjoyable, or disagreeable to flesh and blood? Would we make it our daily prayer, “give me what you will. Place me where you will. Only let me be your disciple and abide in you.”

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Luke 8:26-36

Let us mark the miserable condition of those over whom the devil reigns.
Let us mark the absolute power which the Lord Jesus Christ possesses over Satan.
Let us mark the wonderful change which Christ can work in Satan's slaves.

"Demoniacal possession of men's bodies may be comparatively rare. But many, unhappily, are the cases in which the devil appears completely to possess men's souls."

"To feel that we have ever near us an invisible spiritual enemy, laboring night and day to compass our destruction, would be enough to crush our every hope, if we did not know a Friend and Protector. Blessed be God! The Gospel reveals such a One. The Lord Jesus is stronger than that "strong man armed," who is ever warring against our souls."

"One thing, however, must never be forgotten. Striking and miraculous as this cure was, it is not really more wonderful than every case of decided conversion to God. Marvelous as the change was which appeared in this demoniac's condition when healed, it is not one whit more marvelous than the change which passes over every one who is born again, and turned from the power of Satan to God."

Questions:

1.Over 150 years ago, Ryle could say that in modern times, demon possession is rarely encountered. I would dare say we would agree, but does that mean we do not give the appropriate biblical weight to the great enemy of our souls?

2.Only if we understand the power of the roaring lion, can we rejoice and take refuge in the power of Christ over Him? Indeed, what does this truth of Christ’s power do for your heart?

3.How do we view conversion? It might not be as drastic as the man possessed by demons, but it is nothing less than a new creation in the hearts of men and women.

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Luke 8:22-25

We see that our Lord Jesus Christ was really man as well as God.
We see what fears and anxiety may assault the hearts of true disciples of Christ.
We see how great is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see how needful it is for Christians to keep their faith ready for use.

"The mighty High Priest, who is living for us at God's right hand, has had personal experience of all the sinless infirmities of the body. He has himself hungered, and thirsted, and suffered pain. He has himself endured weariness, and sought rest in sleep. Let us pour out our hearts before him with freedom, and tell Him our least troubles without reserve."

"It is only too true that sight, and sense, and feeling, make men very poor theologians."

"It is a blessed and comfortable thought, that all this almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ is engaged on behalf of His believing people. He has undertaken to save every one of them to the uttermost, and He is "mighty to save.""

"Where was the benefit of trusting, if they were to trust their Master in sunshine only, but not in storms? The lesson now before us is one of deep practical importance. To have true saving faith is one thing. To have that faith always ready for use is quite another."

Questions:

1.Do we believe that Jesus really does care to hear from us about our infirmities, or those of others? Do we think such requests to be unspiritual?

2.Ryle says that the disciples give us an example that should give a modest expectation from believers. When a professing believer is struggling or afraid – especially in areas where we feel strong - are we quick to call them an unbeliever or doubt their salvation?

3.Ryle helpfully says that this great power that stops the waves is engaged on behalf of His people. Is this one of the truths that brings us comfort and strength in times of difficulty?

4.Consider the last trial you faced. How quick were we to respond in faith? Is there evidence that we have, as Ryle says, a stock of faith ready to use at a moments notice?

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Luke 8:16-21

We learn that spiritual knowledge ought to be diligently used.
We learn the great importance of right hearing.
We learn the great privileges of those who hear the word of God and DO it.

"The highest form of selfishness is that of the man who is content to go to heaven alone."

"Let us bear these rules in mind every Sunday morning, before we go to hear the Word of God preached. Let as not rush into God's presence careless, reckless, and unprepared, as if it mattered not in what way such work was done. Let us carry with us faith, reverence, and prayer. If these three are our companions, we shall hear with profit, and return with praise."

"The man who hears the word of God, and does it, is the true Christian."

Questions:

1.In what practical ways is the gospel of Jesus Christ changing us? Are we content to go to heaven alone?

2.Would our listening to sermons be described more as passive or active? Are we careful to hear with faith, reverence, and prayer, or careless, reckless, and unprepared? What is one practical step we will start this week to grow in hearing?

3.Ryle says that the one who hears and does God’s Word is the true Christian. As we walk this Christian path does it feel narrow? If not, how can we be sure we are on the right path? If so, be comforted that first, we are on the right path, and second, we are Christ’s brother or sister.

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Luke 8:4-15

The first caution that we learn is to beware of the devil when we hear the Word.
The second caution that we learn is to beware of resting on mere temporary impressions when we have heard the word.
The third caution is to beware of the cares of this world.
The last caution is to beware of being content with any religion which does not bear FRUIT in our lives.

"The parable is preeminently a parable of caution, and caution about a most important subject--the way of hearing the word of God."

"But nowhere perhaps is the devil so active as in a congregation of Gospel-hearers. Nowhere does he labor so hard to stop the progress of that which is good, and to prevent men and women being saved. From him come wandering thoughts and roving imaginations--listless minds and dull memories--sleepy eyes and fidgety nerves, weary ears and distracted attention. In all these things Satan has a great hand."

"We may be warm admirers of favorite preachers, and yet remain nothing better than stony-ground hearers. Nothing should content us but a deep, humbling, self-mortifying work of the Holy Spirit, and a heart-union with Christ."

"The money, the pleasures, the daily business of the world, are so many traps to catch souls. Thousands of things, which in themselves are innocent, become, when followed to excess, little better than soul-poisons, and helps to hell. Open sin is not the only thing that ruins souls."

"Let us leave the parable with a deep sense of the danger and responsibility of all hearers of the Gospel. There are four ways in which we may hear, and of these four only one is right. There are three kinds of hearers whose souls are in imminent peril."

Questions:

1.Ryle says that Satan is very present in a congregation of Gospel-hearers. Does that surprise us? Are we suspicious of anything that would keep us from hearing and reading God’s Word?

2.Ryle says that emotions are good, but not deep enough for God’s intent for the Word. Are we content to only be filled with joy or tears to fill our eyes and nothing else?

3.It has been said elsewhere that ‘good things become bad things when they become god-things.’ What cares in this world, even good things, are trapping and poisoning our souls?

4.The question that must sit upon us is this: are we those who hear and do the Word of God? Does our hearing produce practical results in faith and practice?

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Luke 8:1-3

Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied diligence in doing good.
Let us mark the power of the grace of God, and the constraining influence of the love of Christ.
Let us mark the peculiar privilege which our Lord grants to His faithful followers.

"Let the diligence of Christ be an example to all Christians. Let us follow in His steps, however far we may come short of His perfection. Like Him, let us labor to do good in our day and generation, and to leave the world a better world than we found it."

"Let the recollection of these women encourage all the daughters of Adam who read of them, to take up the cross and to follow Christ. Let no sense of weakness, or fear of falling away, keep them back from a decided profession of religion."

"He is pleased to work by means. He condescends to use the agency of missionaries, and the foolishness of man's preaching, in order to spread His Gospel. And by so doing, He is continually proving the faith and zeal of the churches."

Questions:

1.Do we lean towards idleness or diligence in our daily lives? In what ways are we ‘redeeming the time’ in this season for the glory of God?

2.Dear sisters, does the example of Mary and Joanna and others encourage you to take up the cross and follow our Lord despite opposition?

3.Ryle says that “true love counts it a pleasure to give anything to the object loved.” In our efforts to redeem the time, do we do it with joy? Is our giving done with a cheerful heart or begrudgingly? Do we love giving ourselves for Christ’s sake?

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Luke 7:36-50

We see that men may show some outward respect to Christ, and yet remain unconverted.
We see that grateful love is the secret of doing much for Christ.
We see that a sense of having our sins forgiven is the mainspring and life-blood of love to Christ.

"Do we really feel affection toward the Lord Jesus? Can we say, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you?""

"All desire to see among Christians, more good works, more self-denial, more practical obedience to Christ's commands. But what will produce these things? Nothing, nothing but love. There never will be more done for Christ until there is more hearty love to Christ Himself."

"The only way to make men holy, is to teach and preach free and full forgiveness through Jesus Christ. The secret of being holy ourselves, is to know and feel that Christ has pardoned our sins. Peace with God is the only root that will bear the fruit of holiness."

Questions:

1.Ryle asked the following questions for us to consider: Do we really feel affection toward the Lord Jesus? Can we say, "Lord, you know all things, you know that I love you?" Have we cordially embraced His whole Gospel? Are we willing to enter heaven side by side with the chief of sinners, and to owe all our hopes to free grace?

2.When it comes to emotions, we can tend to downplay them, maybe even as a reaction to the Pentecostal movement, but the Bible talks about affection for Christ that flows out of the gospel. Does our affection for Christ look more like Simon or the woman of the city?

3.Let me repeat Ryle’s serious, closing questions: What we are doing for Christ's glory? What kind of lives are we living? What proof are we making of our love to Him which loved us, and died for our sins?

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Luke 7:31-35

We learn that the hearts of unconverted men are often desperately perverse as well as wicked.
We learn that the wisdom of God's ways is always recognized and acknowledged by those who are wise-hearted.

"We must give up the vain idea of trying to please everybody. The thing is impossible, and the attempt is mere waste of time. We must be content to walk in Christ's steps, and let the world say what it likes."

"The children of this world may mock at the Gospel, and pour contempt on the lives of believers. They may count their practice madness, and see no wisdom nor beauty in their ways. But God will take care that He has a people in every age. There will be always some who will assert the perfect excellence of the doctrines and requirements of the Gospel, and will "justify the wisdom" of Him who sent it."

Questions:

1.Beloved brother or sister, Ryle observes that it is impossible to please everyone. Are we content to walk in Jesus’ steps? Is it more important for us to be servants of Christ or servants of man?

2.Are the ways of God His power to save, or foolishness to us? Have we had the eyes of our understanding opened? What evidences show that we truly have the wisdom that comes from above?

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Luke 7:24-30

The first point that demands our notice in this passage, is the tender care which Jesus takes of the characters of His faithful servants.
The second point which demands our attention in these verses is, the vast superiority of the privileges enjoyed by believers under the New Testament, compared to those of believers under the Old.
The last point which demands our attention in these verses is, the solemn declaration which it makes about man's power to injure his own soul.

"Lies and false reports are the chosen weapons by which he labors to injure the Christian's usefulness, and destroy his peace. But let all who are assaulted in their characters rest in the thought that they have an Advocate in heaven who knows their sorrows."

"We little know how many blessed truths of the Gospel were at one time seen through a glass darkly, which now appear to us plain as noon-day. Our very familiarity with the Gospel makes us blind to the extent of our privileges."

"That every man possesses a power to ruin himself forever in hell is a great foundation truth of Scripture, and a truth which ought to be continually before our minds."

Questions:

1.Ryle tells us that slander and lies are one of Satan’s tools against a Christian’s usefulness. When are times this has happened in our lives, and do we believe the words of Jesus that, blessed are you when you are persecuted and reviled for his name’s sake?

2.Does Ryle’s explanation of John being the greatest and yet the least make us thankful for the knowledge we now have in the NT? Are we guilty of taking these truths we see now more clearly for granted?

3.Beloved listener, where does the conduct of our lives declare we are heading: on the straight and narrow road to heaven, or the broad and wide path to hell? Are we living the Bible we profess to believe?

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Luke 7:18-23

We should mark the wise fore-thought which John exhibited about his disciples, before he left the world.
We should mark the peculiar answer which the disciples of John received from our Lord.
We should mark the solemn warning which our Lord gave to John's disciples.

"Happy are those ministers and parents, whose consciences can testify on their deathbeds, that they have told their hearers and children to go to Jesus and follow Him!"

"Would we know whether a Church is true and trust-worthy? Would we know whether a minister is really called of God, and sound in the faith? We must apply the old rule of Scripture, "You shall know them by their fruits." As Christ would be known by His works and doctrine, so must true Churches of Christ, and true ministers of Christ."

"Let us beware of being stumbled, either by the humbling doctrines of the Gospel, or the holy practice which it enjoins on those who receive it. Secret pride is one of the worst enemies of man. It will prove at last to have been the ruin of thousands of souls."

Questions:

1.What evidences are there in our lives, that we are endeavoring to point our children and others to Jesus Christ?

2.What fruit is evidenced in the lives of the churches we call home? Remember that busyness is not an evidence of fruit, but true love and the fruit the Spirit would bear in our lives.

3.Ryle offers two warnings of what it means to be offended by Christ: either the humbling effect of the Gospel, or the holy practice believers are called to. Do these things offend us or do we, by God’s grace, walk in them boasting in the cross?

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Luke 7:11-17

We learn what sorrow SIN has brought into the world.
We learn how deep is the COMPASSION of our Lord Jesus Christ's heart.
We learn the almighty POWER of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"How much we ought to hate sin! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, dallying with it, excusing it, playing with it, we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred."

"Our Lord Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His heart is still as compassionate as when He was upon earth. His sympathy with sufferers is still as strong. Let us bear this in mind, and take comfort in it. There is no friend or comforter who can be compared to Christ."

"Let us pray for our children, and faint not. Our young men and our young women may long seem traveling on the way to ruin. But let us pray on. Who can tell but He that met the funeral at the gates of Nain may yet meet our unconverted children, and say with almighty power, "Young man, arise!" With Christ nothing is impossible."

Questions:

1.Ryle states: “how much we ought to hate sin! Instead of loving it, cleaving to it, dallying with it, excusing it, playing with it, we ought to hate it with a deadly hatred.” To what degree do we hate sin? Are we praying for grace to see sin for what it is, and to hate it more?

2.In our prayers, do we believe that Christ Jesus is compassionate toward our suffering and sorrows? That He has sympathy in our weaknesses?

3.When is the last time we thought about the resurrection hope we have in Christ? What steps will we take, by God’s grace, to put this great truth before us?

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Luke 7:1-10

We should notice the KINDNESS of the centurion.
We should notice the HUMILITY of the centurion.
We should notice the centurion's FAITH.
We should notice the advantage of being connected with godly families.

"Let us strive to have an eye ready to see, and a hand ready to help, and a heart ready to feel, and a will ready to do good to all. Let us be ready to weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. This is one way to recommend our religion, and make it beautiful before men."

Questions:

1.Do we strive to have an eye ready to see, and a hand ready to help, and a heart ready to feel, and a will ready to do good to all? Would others say this about us?

2.Would our family, friends, and co-workers describe us as humble? Do we strive for humility by the grace of God?

3.Do we cling to Christ’s promises like they are our only hope? Are we confident that what Christ said, He will do?

4.“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Do we make decisions for ourselves or our children with this great truth in mind?

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Luke 6:46-49

Let us mark what an old and common sin is profession without practice.
Let us mark what a striking picture our Lord draws of the religion of the man who not only hears Christ's sayings, but DOES Christ's will.
Let us mark what a mournful picture our Lord draws of the religion of the man who hears Christ's sayings, but does not obey them.

"It is a soul-ruining plague, which is continually sweeping away crowds of Gospel-hearers down the broad way to destruction. Open sin, and avowed unbelief, no doubt slay their thousands. But profession without practice slays its tens of thousands."

"Such a man's religion may cost him much. Like the house built on a rock, it may entail on him pains, labor, and self-denial. To lay aside pride and self-righteousness, to crucify the rebellious flesh, to put on the mind of Christ, to take up the cross daily, to count all things but loss for Christ's sake--all this may be hard work. But, like the house built on the rock, such religion will stand."

"Are we upon the rock, or are we upon the sand? We love perhaps to hear the Gospel. We approve of all its leading doctrines. We assent to all its statements of truth about Christ and the Holy Spirit, about justification and sanctification, about repentance and faith, about conversion and holiness, about the Bible and prayer. But what are we doing? What is the daily practical history of our lives, in public and private, in the family and in the world? Can it be said of us, that we not only hear Christ's sayings, but that we also do them?"

Questions:

1.Ryle says that obedience to Christ’s commands is the clearest evidence of saving faith. What are some of those evidences in our lives?

2.What are different forms of temptations and persecutions we have weathered because, by God’s grace, we have a firm foundation in Christ?

3.Brothers and sisters, it is not enough that we love to hear the gospel, approve of all its leading doctrines, assent to statements of truth about Christ, about justification and sanctification, about repentance and faith, about holiness, the Bible and prayer, the question is: what difference do these things make in our lives?

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Luke 6:39-45

We learn the great danger of listening to false religious teachers.
We learn that those who reprove the sins of others should strive to be of blameless life.
We learn that there is only one satisfactory test of a man's religious character.

"With the Bible in our hands, and the promise of guidance from the Holy Spirit to all who seek it, we shall be without excuse if our souls are led astray. The blindness of ministers is no excuse for the darkness of the people."

"The passage is a solemn warning not to contradict by our lives, what we have said with our lips. The office of the preacher will never command attention unless he practices what he preaches. Episcopal ordination, university degrees, high-sounding titles, a loud profession of doctrinal purity, will never procure respect for a minister's sermon, if his congregation sees him cleaving to ungodly habits."

"Let it be a settled principle again in our religion, that when a man's general conversation is ungodly, his heart is graceless and unconverted. Let us not give way to the vulgar notion, that no one can know anything of the state of another's heart, and that although men are living wickedly, they have got good hearts at the bottom."

Questions:

1.Do we test all we hear, like the Thessalonians, through the Scriptures and with the help of the Holy Spirit? Is it normal practice for us to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance?

2.How important is it to us that our lives match our words? Are we quick to examine our lives first before we examine the lives of others?

3.Ryles final questions are good to consider: What fruits are we bringing forth in our lives? Are they, or are they not, fruits of the Spirit? What kind of evidence do our words supply as to the state of our hearts? Do we talk like men whose hearts are "right in the sight of God?"

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Luke 6:27-38

Our Lord explains the nature and extent of Christian charity.
Our Lord lays down a golden principle for the settlement of doubtful cases.
Our Lord points out to His disciples the necessity of their having a HIGHER STANDARD OF DUTY to their neighbor than the children of this world.
Our Lord shows His disciples that in discharging their duty to their neighbors, they should look to the example of God.
Our Lord assures His disciples that the practice of the high standard of charity He recommends shall bring its own REWARD.

"They were to forego even their rights, and submit to wrong, rather than awaken angry passions and create quarrels. In this they were to be like their Master, long-suffering, meek, and lowly of heart."

"If He had dealt with the world as the world dealt with Him, we would all have been ruined forever in hell."

"The Christian must be altogether another style of man. His feelings of love, and his deeds of kindness, must be like his Master's--free and gratuitous."

Questions:

1.Jesus says we are to love our enemies, ultimately because he loved us while we were his enemies. Contemplate two things here: the Bible says we have enemies, who are they and how are we loving them?

2.In what ways do we like to be treated? Do we treat others in those ways?

3.The world has always known to love those who love them, but Jesus has called us to a higher standard. In what ways is God leading us to love or lend without expecting anything in return?

4.Are we tempted to not do good, or to grumble, when others do not recognize our love or kindness? Are we content to give and be noticed by God alone?

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Luke 6:20-26

Let us first notice who are those whom the Lord Jesus pronounced BLESSED.
Let us notice secondly who are those to whom our Lord addresses the solemn words, "WOE unto you."

"We must not for a moment suppose that the mere fact of being poor, and hungry, and sorrowful, and hated by man, will entitle any one to lay claim to an interest in Christ's blessing. The poverty here spoken of, is a poverty accompanied by grace. The need is a need entailed by faithful adherence to Jesus."

"The conditions of life which the world reckons desirable, are the very conditions upon which the Lord pronounces "woes." Poverty, and hunger, and sorrow, and persecution, are the very things which man labors to avoid. Riches, and fullness, and merriment, and popularity, are precisely the things which men are always struggling to attain."

Questions:

1.There really is only one major question we need to ask ourselves: do we count being poor, hungry, weeping, and persecutions as blessings from God for the sake of the gospel or do we, like the world, run from such things in seeking for worldly pleasures at the expense of the gospel? May we know the blessings of Christ from experience!

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Luke 6:12-19

Let us observe that when our Lord ordained His first ministers, He did it after much prayer.
Let us observe how little we are told of the worldly position of the first ministers of the Christian Church.
Let us observe that one whom our Lord chose to be an apostle, was a false disciple and a traitor.

"Do we desire to help forward the cause of pure and undefiled religion in the world? Then let us never forget to pray for ministers, and especially for young men about to enter the ministry."

"With a doctrine most unpalatable to the natural heart--with nothing whatever to bribe or compel obedience--a few lowly Galileans shook the world, and changed the face of the Roman empire. One thing only can account for this. The Gospel of Christ, which these men proclaimed, was the truth of God."

"Again, the choice of Judas was meant to teach the lay-members of the Church, not to make idols of ministers. They are to esteem them highly in love for their work's sake, but they are not to bow down to them as infallible, and honor them with an unscriptural honor. They are to remember that ministers may be successors of Judas Iscariot, as well as of Peter and Paul."

Questions:

1.Hebrews 13 demands that we answer the question: who is your leader? This passage asks another question: do you pray for your leaders? Is heaven filled with petitions for your pastors?

2.Ryle says that if we would do good for souls, we must not look first to the powers of the world. What does our time and practice reveal our confidence is in?

3.Ryle mentions that Jesus’ choice of Judas was to teach ministers humility, lay-members not to make idols of ministers, and the whole church that there is no perfect church on earth. Have you ever thought of Judas this way?

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Luke 6:6-11

We are taught the lawfulness of doing works of mercy on the Sabbath day.
We are taught the perfect knowledge that our Lord Jesus Christ possesses of men's thoughts.
We are taught the nature of the first act of faith, when a soul is converted to God.

"We must take heed that we do not abuse the liberty which Christ has given us."

"Let the remembrance of our Lord's perfect knowledge always exercise a humbling influence upon our souls. How many vain thoughts, and worldly imaginations, pass through our minds every hour, which man's eye never see! What are our own thoughts at this moment? What have they been this very day, while we have been reading, or listening to this passage of Scripture? Would they bear public examination? Would we want others to know all that passes in our mind?"

"But we may boldly make the assertion, that in the act of striving to draw near to God, they shall find God drawing near to them, but that if they deliberately sit still, they must never expect to be saved."

Questions:

1.With an eye to the Sabbath again, what is our view on this doctrine and are we seeking to be faithful to it?

2.Ryle mentions that the same God who read the thoughts of the Pharisees, knows all our thoughts today as well. Would our thoughts this past hour be pleasing to Him? How useful would this doctrine be in fighting sin if we really believed it?

3.I don’t know about you, but this last point is very helpful! True faith acts! The man with the withered hand was only able to be healed because he obeyed the command of Christ to move. Do we draw near to God believing He will draw near to us?

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Luke 6:1-5

We should notice what excessive importance hypocrites attach to trifles.
We should notice how graciously our Lord Jesus Christ pleaded the cause of His disciples, and defended them against their accusers.
We should notice the clear light which our Lord Jesus Christ throws on the real requirements of the fourth commandment.

"It is a bad symptom of any man's state of soul, when he begins to put the second things in religion in the first place, and the first things in the second, or the things ordained by man above the things ordained by God. Let us beware of falling into this state of mind."

"How many grounds of accusation we give him, by reason of our infirmity! How many charges he may justly lay against us before God! But let us thank God that believers "have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous," who is ever maintaining the cause of His people in heaven, and continually making intercession for them. Let us take comfort in this cheering thought."

"And He argues from David's case, that He who permitted His own temple rules to be infringed, in cases of necessity, would doubtless allow work to be done on His own Sabbath days, when it was work for which there was really a need."

Questions:

1.As we think about the Pharisees who prized certain commands over others, are their sins we overlook in light of ones we deem as worse? Do we emphasize the inward working or only the external?

2.Do we lean more towards thinking our sins are so great that God could not, or at least begrudgingly, forgive us? What does this truth of Jesus being an Advocate for our souls do to our hearts?

3.Whatever your view of the Sabbath, the one option we don’t have is to throw it into the wind as if it never existed. Why do you practice what you do regarding the Sabbath?

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Luke 5:33-39

We should observe that men may disagree on the lesser points of religion, while they agree on its weightier matters.
We should observe the name by which our Lord Jesus Christ speaks of Himself.
We should observe how gently and tenderly Christ would have His people deal with young and inexperienced Christians.

"About sin and salvation, about repentance, and faith, and holiness, there is a mighty unity among all believers, of every name, and nation, and people, and tongue. Let us make much of these points in our own personal religion. These, after all, are the principal things which we shall think of in the hour of death, and the day of judgment."

"If we know anything of true and saving religion, let us often rest our souls on this name and office of Christ. Let us remember daily, that the weakest of Christ's people are cared for with a tender care that passes knowledge, and that whoever hurts them is hurting the apple of Christ's eye."

"We must not expect a learner of Christianity to show the faith, and love, and knowledge of an old soldier of the cross. He may become by and bye a mighty champion of the truth. But at first we must give him time...We must bear with much weakness and infirmity, and not expect to find old heads on young shoulders, or ripe Christian experience in those who are only babes."

Questions:

1.Ryle has encouraged us with emphasizing the weightier matters of the law. What doctrines will you say, like Martin Luther, “here I can stand, and I can do no other?” And why? Can we disagree with someone on lesser matters and love them still?

2.How does Jesus calling himself the bridegroom change our understanding of our relationship with Him? What rich dimensions does this add to other things such as Master, Lord, and Shepherd?

3.Are we patient with young believers or do we have unrealistic expectations, like expecting a new-born baby to run? If you are a young believer, are your parents or leaders treating you like this? If so, would you prayerfully talk with them about it?

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Luke 5:27-32

We are taught the power of Christ's calling grace.
We are taught that conversion is a cause of joy to a true believer.
We are taught that converted souls desire to promote the conversion of others.
We are taught one of the chief objects of Christ's coming into the world.

"No sins are too many, or too bad, to be forgiven. No heart is too hard or too worldly to be changed. He who called Levi still lives, and is the same that He was 1800 years ago. With Christ nothing is impossible."

"Let us not heed the opinion of the world in this matter. They speak evil of things which they know not. Let us, with Levi, consider every fresh conversion as a cause for great rejoicing."

"It should not satisfy us to be safe ourselves. We ought also to try to do good to others. All cannot go to the heathen, but every believer should strive to be a missionary to his fellow men. Having received mercy, we should not hold our peace."

"Do we feel that we are unworthy of anything but wrath and condemnation? Then let us understand that we are the very people for whose sake Jesus came into the world. If we feel ourselves righteous, Christ has nothing to say to us."

Questions:

1.As we consider the seeming audacity for Jesus to call one like a tax collector, do we despair of anyone’s being saved? Do we believe that anything is possible with Christ?

2.Listen again to the list of blessings God gives to the converted:

a.It is the birth of an immortal soul!

b.It is the rescue of a sinner from hell!

c.It is a passage from life to death!

d.It is being made a king and priest for evermore!

e.It is being provided for, both in time and eternity!

f.It is adoption into the noblest and richest of all families, the family of God!

What does this list do to your heart as you think about your conversion or the conversion of others?

3.Like Luke throwing a party for tax collecting friends, do we desire unbelievers around us to know the Lord Jesus Christ? Having been shown mercy, do we show mercy to others?

4.Do we feel ourselves to be sinners or righteous before a Holy God? Have we found refuge in Christ, or in our own works? Remember, Christ came for the sinners to bring them to repentance!

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Luke 5:17-26

Let us mark what pains men will take about an object when they are in earnest.
Let us mark the kindness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge of the thoughts of men.

"We must allow no difficulties to check us, and no obstacle to keep us back from anything which is really for our spiritual good. Specially must we bear this in mind in the matter of regularly reading the Bible, hearing the Gospel, keeping the Sabbath holy, and private prayer. On all these points we must beware of laziness and an excuse-making spirit. Necessity must be the mother of invention."

"Christ's love and mercy must be a sinner's plea when he first begins his journey. Christ's love and mercy will be his only plea when he crosses the dark river and enters home. Let us seek to know this love by inward experience, and prize it more."

"How many searchings of heart this mighty truth ought to awaken within us! Christ ever sees us! Christ always knows us! Christ daily reads and observes our acts, words and thoughts! The recollection of this should alarm the wicked and drive them from their sins!"

Questions:

1.Ryle says that ‘necessity must be the mother of invention,’ that is, if something is important to us, we will find a way. When it comes to prospering our souls in bible reading, prayer, being part of the church, are we driven by necessity to find a way or do we easily give in to other things? Is how we are living right now proof that we believe our souls are eternal or that this world is our true treasure?

2.Can we say that Christ’s love and mercy has been, and is, our only plea? Or do we find comfort and hope in other things?

3.What does God’s omniscience do to our souls? Does the fact that God knows our thoughts give us a godly fear that drives us away from sin and toward the one who loves us or away from Him?

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Luke 5:12-16

We see our Lord Jesus Christ's POWER over incurable diseases.
We see our Lord Jesus Christ's WILLINGNESS to help those that are in need.
We see what respect our Lord Jesus Christ paid to the ceremonial law of Moses.
We see our Lord Jesus Christ's diligence about private prayer.

"Who shall deliver us from this body of death? Let us thank God that Jesus Christ can. He is that divine Physician, who can make old things pass away and all things become new."

"Those two little words, "I will," deserve special notice. They are a deep mine, rich in comfort and encouragement to all laboring and heavy laden souls. They show us the mind of Christ towards sinners."

"We have nothing to do now with altars, sacrifices, or priests. Those who wish to revive them are like men who light a candle at noon day. But true as this is, we must never forget that the ceremonial law is still full of instruction. It contains that same Gospel in the bud, which we now see in full flower. Rightly understood we shall always find it throwing strong light on the Gospel of Christ."

"The cause of Christ does not need less working, but it does need among the workers more praying. Let us each examine ourselves, and amend our ways. The most successful workmen in the Lord's vineyard, are those who are like their Master, often and much upon their knees."

Questions:

1.Do we see ourselves a spiritual lepers and that healing can come only through the hand of Jesus, the great Physician? Do we believe that there is no spiritual sickness that Jesus cannot heal?

2.Do we really believe that Jesus takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked and desires all to reach repentance? Do we believe He desires to heal sin-sick hearts?

3.Ryle declares that though the ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ, they are still full of gospel instruction and are neglected to our detriment. Do we avoid the OT or quickly read over those larger portions of Leviticus or do we believe they, rightly understood, point to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

4.How close does our practice of prayer match with the Lord Jesus?

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Luke 5:1-11

We should observe our Lord Jesus Christ's unwearied readiness for every good work.
We should observe what encouragement our Lord gives to unquestioning obedience.
We should observe how much a sense of God's presence abases man and makes him feel his sinfulness.
We should observe the mighty promise which Jesus holds out to Peter--"Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men”

"Where we are and as we are, in season of out of season, by one means or by another, by tongue or by pen, by speaking or by writing, let us strive to be ever working for God. But let us never stand still."

"We are to go straight forward when Jesus says, "go;" and do a thing boldly, unflinchingly, and decidedly, when Jesus says, "do it." We are to walk by faith and not by sight, and believe that what we don't see now to be right and reasonable, we shall see hereafter."

"Let us seek more and more to realize that without a mediator our thoughts of God can never be comfortable, and the more clearly we see God the more uncomfortable we must feel... Outside of Christ, God is a consuming fire. In Christ, He is a reconciled Father."

"Let us pray daily for all ministers that they may be true successors of Peter and his brethren, that they may preach the same full and free Gospel which they preached, and live the same holy lives which they lived. These are the only ministers who will ever prove successful fishermen."

Questions:

1.In what are we working toward in furthering the Kingdom of God? Are we hindered by inconvenient situations and if so, what could be done instead?

2.When a thing is clear, even if difficult, are we like Peter and obey or do we question and procrastinate? When is the last time we did a clear command boldly, unflinchingly, and decidedly?

3.What do we know about the fear of the Lord? Do we feel comfortable when around God, or are we growing in awareness of the greatness of God and our need for Jesus Christ?

4.Do we pray that our pastor, and the pastors in churches around us, may preach the full and free Gospel and to live holy lives for the glory of God? If not, will you start today?

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Luke 4:33-44

We should notice the clear religious knowledge possessed by the devil and his agents.
We should notice the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We should notice our Lord's practice of occasional retirement from public notice into some solitary place.
We ought to notice the declaration of our Lord as to one of the objects of His coming into the world.

"Let it never content us to know religion with our heads only. We may go on all our lives saying, "I know that, and I know that," and sink at last into hell, with the words upon our lips."

"The ability of Christ to supply to the uttermost every need of human nature, is the very cornerstone of Christianity. Christ, in one word, is "all.""

"The more work we have to do the more we ought to imitate our Master. If He, in the midst of His abundant labors, found time to retire from the world occasionally, how much more may we? If the Master found the practice necessary, it must surely be a thousand times more necessary for His disciples."

"To speak of preaching, as some do, as a thing of less importance than reading public prayers or administering the sacraments, is, to say the least, to exhibit ignorance of Scripture."

Questions:

1.Do we reflect the devil in knowing truth about God but are not transformed by it? What differences does our theology make? Let me ask Ryle’s questions again:

a.Does our knowledge of sin make us hate it?

b.Does our knowledge of Christ make us trust and love Him?

c.Does our knowledge of God's will make us strive to do it?

d.Does our knowledge of the fruits of the Spirit make us labor to show them in our daily

behavior?

2.Do we really believe that Christ is the cornerstone of all our needs and hopes? That in Him are found all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge?

3.Ryle, like us, lived in “hurrying, busy times.” What is our practice of making time for private meditation and being alone with God? What difference would it make if we did?

4.Do we see preaching as a primary means of grace? Do we come to sermons with humble, prayerful hearts to hear from God and apply what we hear?

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Luke 4:22-32

We learn how apt men are to despise the highest privileges, when they are familiar with them.
We learn how bitterly human nature dislikes the doctrine of the sovereignty of God.
We learn how diligently we ought to persevere in well doing, notwithstanding discouragements.

"It is an evil day with our souls, when Christ is in the midst of us, and yet, because of our familiarity with His name, is lightly esteemed."

"Let us settle it in our minds that, whether we like it or not, the sovereignty of God is a doctrine clearly revealed in the Bible, and a fact clearly to be seen in the world...Let us pray for humility in respect of this deep teaching.

"Whether preachers, or teachers, or visitors, or missionaries, they must labor on and not faint. There is often more stirring in the hearts and consciences of people than those who teach and preach to them are at all aware of."

Questions:

1.Do we approach the Bible, the preaching of the Word, the Lord’s Table, and the gathering of God’s people lightly? Do we take seriously that the one to whom God looks is the one who is humble, and contrite, and trembles at God’s Word?

2.What does the Sovereignty of God do in our hearts as we hear those words? Does it produce in us humility or anger? Disbelief or thankfulness? Why?

3.How do we count success in whatever service God has called us into? Do we press on faithfully if we don’t see worldly success in faith that God is working?

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Luke 4:14-21

We should observe what marked honor our Lord Jesus Christ gave to public means of grace.
We should observe what a striking account our Lord gave to the congregation at Nazareth, of His own office and ministry.
We should observe what an instructive example we have in these verses of the manner in which religious teaching is often heard.

"He would have us know that we are not lightly to forsake any assembly of worshipers, which professes to respect the name, the day, and the book of God."

"We must know Jesus as the Friend of the poor in spirit, the Physician of the diseased heart, the deliverer of the soul in bondage. These are the principal offices He came on earth to fulfill."

"Let us see what practical effect is produced on our hearts and lives by the preaching which we profess to like. Does it lead us to true repentance towards God, and lively faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ? Does it excite us to weekly efforts to cease from sin, and to resist the devil? These are the fruits which sermons ought to produce, if they are really doing us good."

Questions:

1.In a day in which many are led stray by wanting a new spiritual experience, do we think lightly of God’s means of grace in the regular meeting of God’s people under God’s Word? Do we treasure the gathering on Sunday mornings or despise it?

2.How do we know Christ? As King only? As Prophet? Or do we know Him, along with those things, as the friend of the poor in spirit and Savior from our sin?

3.Do we listen to sermons week-after-week with a heart to grow in faith and repentance? Does it cause us to turn away from sin and resist the devil? Does it produce love in us for God and one another?

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Luke 4:1-13

Let us first mark the power and unwearied malice of the devil.
Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's ability to sympathize with those who are tempted.
Let us mark the exceeding subtlety of our great spiritual enemy, the devil.
Let us mark the manner in which our Lord resisted Satan's temptations.

"That murderer and liar who vexed Job, and overthrew David and Peter, still lives, and is not yet bound. If he cannot rob us of heaven, he will at any rate make our journey there painful."

"It was proper that He who came "to destroy the works of the devil," should begin His own work by a special conflict with Satan."

"The acts that Satan suggests to us to do, are often in appearance trifling and unimportant. But the principle involved in each of these little acts, we may be sure, is nothing short of rebellion against God. Let us not be ignorant of Satan's devices."

"Let us learn from this single fact, if we learn nothing else from this wondrous history, the high authority of the Bible, and the immense value of a knowledge of its contents. Let us read it, search into it, pray over it, diligently, perseveringly, unweariedly."

Questions:

1.Do we regard lightly the power and schemes of Satan? Are we aware of our need to put on the armor of God and to pray to be delivered from him?

2.When approaching the throne of God by faith, do we sense His smile or disappointment? Do we sense He understand and delights to help, or that he is weighed down by our burdens?

3.How familiar are we with these three favorite weapons of Satan: unbelief, worldliness, and presumption? If they seem small to us, is it not possible that we have tripped over these schemes?

4.O friends, how familiar are we with the sword of the Spirit against Satan’s schemes? Are we regular in reading, searching, and praying over the Scriptures? In the areas we are weak, do we have verses from the Bible quick at hand?

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Luke 3:21-38

We see the high honor the Lord Jesus has put on baptism.
We see the close connection that ought to exist between the administration of baptism and prayer.
We see a remarkable proof of the doctrine of the Trinity.
We see a marvelous proclamation of our Lord's office as Mediator between God and man.
We see what a frail and dying creature is man.

"Let it suffice us to hold firmly the general principle, that baptism was graciously intended by our Lord to be a help to His Church, and "a means of grace," and that, when rightly and worthily used, we may confidently look upon it for a blessing."

"A baptism without prayer, it may be confidently asserted, is a baptism on which we have no right to expect God's blessing."

"The enemies of our souls are mighty, but the Friends of our souls are mightier still. The whole power of the triune Jehovah is engaged upon our side."

"Forever let us bless God, that in a dying world we are able to turn to a living Savior, "I am he," says Jesus, "who lives and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore." "I am the resurrection and the life."

Questions:

1.What place does baptism have for you or your church? If you have not been baptized, does the fact that Christ was baptized not encourage you to follow him in obedience? If you have been, is it a means of grace and blessing to remember you belong to Jesus Christ?

2.Do we understand that the act of baptism is a means of grace only as the inward reality is there and it is met with us in prayer?

3.Are we aware of, and do we give thanks to, the Triune God for our salvation, or do we tend to only think of Jesus, the second person of the Trinity? Does such a thought not, even now, bring you comfort and strength on this journey?

4.Do we find our confidence and joy in the fact we have a perfect Mediator between us and the Father through Jesus Christ? Do we believe that all our sins can be fully forgiven in Him alone?

5.Are we aware of our frailty or do we live day-by-day like tomorrow is owed to us? In light of this, isn’t a risen and glorious Savior all the more marvelous?

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Luke 3:15-20

We learn that one effect of a faithful ministry is to set men thinking.
We learn that a faithful minister will always exalt Christ.
We learn the essential difference between the Lord Jesus and even the best and holiest of His ministers.
We learn the change that Christ will work in his visible church at his second appearing.
We learn that the reward of God's servants is often not in this world.

"Thinking, no doubt, is not faith and repentance. But it is always a hopeful symptom. When hearers of the Gospel begin to "muse in their hearts," we ought to bless God and take courage."

"Would we know whether we ourselves are receiving benefit from the preaching we attend? Let us ask whether its effect is to magnify Christ in our esteem? A minister who is really doing us good will make us think more of Jesus every year we live."

"May we often look forward to that day, and judge ourselves, that we be not judged of the Lord. May we give all diligence to make our calling and election sure, and to know that we are God's "wheat." A mistake in the day that the floor is "purged," will be a mistake that is irretrievable."

"All true servants of Christ must be content to wait for their wages. Their best things are yet to come."

Questions:

1.Does the preaching you hear at church or online make you and others think or lull to sleep?

2.Does the preaching and teaching you sit under pass the bar of this qualification of exalting and making much of Christ Jesus? Has sitting under such teaching increased your esteem of Jesus?

3.Do we find comfort in being baptized by water and taking the elements of the Lord’s Supper and being on a membership list or in the work that necessarily must lie behind them? What exactly are we trusting in?

4.To what effect have the doctrines of heaven and hell on our souls? Does the finality and fearfulness of not belong to the Lord cause us to make our calling and election sure?

5.How does our hope of heaven change how we live today?

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Luke 3:7-14

We should mark the holy boldness with which John addresses the multitudes who came to his baptism.
We should mark how plainly John speaks to his hearers about hell and danger.
We should mark how John exposes the uselessness of a repentance which is not accompanied by fruits in the life.
We should mark what a blow John strikes at the common notion, that connection with godly people can save our souls.
We should remark in this passage, the searching test of sincerity which John applied to the consciences of the various classes who came to his baptism.

"Uncharitable language is no doubt always to be deprecated. But there is no charity in flattering unconverted people, by abstaining from any mention of their vices, or in applying smooth epithets to damnable sins."

"That loving Savior, who spoke so graciously of the way to heaven, has also used the plainest language about the way to hell."

"It can never be impressed on our minds too strongly, that religious talking and profession are utterly worthless, without religious doing and practice."

"It will save no man to have had Abraham's blood in his veins, if he did not possess Abraham's faith and do Abraham's works."

"It must not content us to cry out against sins to which, by natural temperament, we are not inclined, while we deal gently with other sins of a different character. Let us find out our own peculiar corruptions. Let us know our own besetting sins. Against them let us direct our principal efforts. With these let us wage unceasing war."

Questions:

1.When was the last time your pastor called out a particular sin from the pulpit? Would such a prospect offend us? Why or why not?

2.When is the last time we heard a sermon on, or dwelt upon the doctrine of hell? Has this doctrine done you good in keeping you on the straight and narrow road?

3.What are the sins that cling so closely? Is our repentance of them marked by words or by words and actions? What sins are we actively turning away from by God’s grace?

4.Do we find our confidence in Christ or in our connection with other godly men or women? Do we glory in Christ Jesus alone?

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Luke 3:1-6

Let us notice the wickedness of the times when Christ's Gospel was brought into the world.
Let us notice the account which Luke gives of the calling of John the Baptist into the ministry.
Let us notice the close connection between true repentance and forgiveness.

"Let us learn never to despair about the cause of God's truth, however black and unfavorable its prospects may appear. At the very time when things seem hopeless, God may be preparing a mighty deliverance."

"[Minister]is an office which no man has a right to take up, unless he has an inward call from God, as well as an outward call from man. Visions and revelations from heaven, of course we have no right to expect. Fanatical claims to special gifts of the Spirit must always be checked and discouraged. But an inward call a man must have, before he puts his hand to the work of the ministry."

"We must know our sins, mourn over them, forsake them, abhor them, or else we shall never enter the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing meritorious in this."

Questions:

1.Does this dark world discourage us when we think of the kingdom of God and our part in it? Do we truly believe that God works all things for good, and that He is sovereign over every detail?

2.Do we pray that churches would only have ministers who are called of God to this work? Do we pray for those who watch over our souls?

3.Can we say, ‘I repent’ as well as “I believe?” Do we have a growing knowledge of and mourning over sin? Is there evidence of us forsaking and abhorring sin?

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Luke 2:41-52

A lesson for all married people.
An example for all young people.
An example for all true Christians.

"Marriage is a state of life which has the greatest effect on the souls of those who enter into it. It helps them upwards or downwards. It leads them nearer to heaven or nearer to hell. We all depend much on the company we keep."

"So ought it to be with the younger members of Christian families. They ought to be steady and trustworthy behind the backs of their parents, as well as before their faces. They ought to seek the company of the wise and prudent, and to use every opportunity of getting spiritual knowledge, before the cares of life come on them, and while their memories are fresh and strong."

"The expression is one that ought to sink down deeply into the hearts of all Christ's people. It should supply them with a mark at which they should aim in daily life, and a test by which they should try their habits and conversation. It should quicken them when they begin to be slothful. It should check them when they feel inclined to go back to the world. "Are we about our Father's business?"

Questions:

1.For those who are married, do we follow the example of Joseph and Mary in stirring one another on toward good works? Can our spouse say that they are more godly because of us? For those who are single and desiring to be married, is their godliness at the top of the list of qualities you are looking for? Are you tempted to compromise in this area?

2.For any 12 year old's, or any child who listens, do you act one way when your parents are watching and then do something else when they are not? Do you seek learn wisdom from your parents and other adults, or do you think you know better? Do you follow the example of Jesus when he was young?

3.What benefit would we gain if we started asking ourselves and aiming to say in all we do, “I must be about my Father’s business?” Would that change anything you have done today? This week?

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Luke 2:36-40

Let us observe the character of a holy woman before the establishment of Christ's Gospel.
Let us observe the description given of saints in Jerusalem in the time when Jesus was born.
Let us observe what clear proof we have that the Lord Jesus was really and truly man, as well as God.

"When we read of her consistency, and holiness, and prayerfulness, and self-denial, we cannot but wish that many daughters of the Christian Church would strive to be like her."

"Let us declare plainly by our lives and conduct, that for this second advent we look and long. We may be sure that the highest style of Christianity even now, is to "wait for redemption," and to love the Lord's appearing."

"Let us never forget this in dealing with young people about their souls. Let us tell them confidently, that there is One in heaven at the right hand of God, who is exactly suited to be their Friend. He who died on the cross was once a boy Himself, and feels a special interest in boys and girls, as well as in grown up people."

Questions:

1.Sisters, Anna is held up as an example to be imitated. As you examine your lives, is there evidence of consistency, holiness, prayerfulness, and self-denial like her? Brothers, these things are more than just for our sisters, how about us?

2.Can we say that we are eager for Christ to appear and love His appearing? Are the weeds of the world choking the fruit this doctrine would produce in our lives?

3.Do we really believe that Jesus, who experienced childhood, boyhood, and adulthood (notice the lack of the teenager category) can sympathize with our weaknesses? Do we tell children that Jesus is best suited to be their friend?

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Luke 2:25-35

We see, in the case of Simeon, how God has a believing people even in the worst of places, and in the darkest times.
We see in the song of Simeon how completely a believer can be delivered from the fear of death.
We see, furthermore, in the song of Simeon, what clear views of Christ's work and office some Jewish believers attained, even before the Gospel was preached.
We see, lastly, in this passage, a striking account of the RESULTS which would follow when Jesus Christ and His Gospel came into the world.

"It is a cheering thought that God never leaves Himself entirely without a witness. Small as His believing church may sometimes be, the gates of hell shall never completely prevail against it."

"What can take the sting of death away? There is but one answer to such questions. Nothing but strong faith can do it. Faith laying firm hold on an unseen Savior, faith resting on the promises of an unseen God--faith, and faith only, can enable a man to look death in the face, and say, "I depart in peace.""

"The Gospel of Christ was like sunrise to Greece and Rome, and the whole heathen world. The light which it let in on men's minds on the subject of religion, was as great as the change from night to day."

"Men who agreed in nothing else have agreed in hating Christ. From the very first, thousands have been persecutors and unbelievers. Christ was to be the occasion of "the fall of many in Israel.""

Questions:

1.In the darkness of the times we live, do we tend toward discouragement thinking those who love God are few, or, in faith, are we filled with hope that grace can flourish even in the most unfavorable of circumstances?

2.Ryle is very discerning here. Do we long for heaven only when we are sick and want a better change or when we no longer have the strength to enjoy the world? True faith desires heaven when we are well and, like Moses, had access to the pleasures of Egypt. Do we have this faith?

3.Simeon, through the Scriptures and by the Spirit, understood that Christ was a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel. Yet, there is a day coming in which all shall glory in the Lord. Do we long for that day?

4.To ask Ryle’s questions: Are we for Christ, or are we against Him? Do we love Him, or do we neglect Him? Do we stumble at His doctrine, or do we find it life from the dead?

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Luke 2:21-24

The first point which demands our attention in this passage, is the obedience which our Lord rendered, as an infant, to the Jewish law.
The second point which demands our attention in this passage, is the name by which our Lord was called, by God's special command.
The last point which demands our attention in this passage, is the poor and humble condition of our Lord's mother, the Virgin Mary.

"Let us endure much, rather than increase the offence of the Gospel, or hinder in any way the cause of God."

"Let it not content us to know Christ as One who wrought mighty miracles, and spoke as never man spoke; or to know Him as One who is very God, and will one day judge the world. Let us see that we know Him experimentally, as our Deliverer from the guilt and power of sin, and our Redeemer from Satan's bondage."

"Let him remember in all his prayers that his mighty Mediator in heaven is accustomed to poverty, and knows by experience the heart of a poor man. Well would it be for the world if working men could only see that Christ is the true poor man's friend!"

Questions:

1.If our efforts to share a gospel which is in and of itself offensive, are we raising up additional offences that hinder the gospel?

2.What do our hearts know of the Savior? Is His name precious ointment poured forth? Are we striving to say that “He is my friend, I was dead and He gave me life – I was a prisoner and he set me free?”

3.Ryle mentions an argument of the day, namely that ‘religion is not for the poor,’ which seems unapplicable to us today. Nonetheless, do we look down on the poor around us or do we regard them as equal heirs of the grace of life?

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Luke 2:8-20

Let us mark who they were to whom the tidings first came that Christ was born.
Let us mark the language used by the angel in announcing Christ's birth to the shepherds.
Let us mark who they were that first praised God, when Christ was born.
Let us mark the hymn of praise which the heavenly host sung in the hearing of the shepherds.
Let us mark the prompt obedience to the heavenly vision displayed by the shepherds.

"The busy labor of the hands need not prevent a man being favored with special communion with God. Moses was keeping sheep, Gideon was threshing wheat, Elisha was ploughing, when they were each honored by direct calls and revelations from God. Let us resist the suggestion of Satan, that religion is not for the working man."

"If [the news the angels brought] was not "good tidings," there never were tidings that deserved the name."

"Our spiritual ignorance and deadness appear most painfully in our inability to enter into the joy which we see them here expressing. Surely if we hope to dwell with them forever in heaven, we ought to share something of their feelings while we are here upon earth. Let us seek a more deep sense of the sinfulness and misery of sin, and then we shall have a more deep sense of thankfulness for redemption."

"His power was seen in creation. His justice was seen in the flood. But His mercy remained to be fully revealed by the appearing and atonement of Jesus Christ."

"May our spirit be like theirs! May we ever believe implicitly, act promptly, and wait for nothing, when the path of duty is clear! So doing, we shall have a reward like that of the shepherds. The journey that is begun in faith, will generally end in praise."

Questions:

1.Do we tend to count the rich and successful as blessed by God, or do we believe, as James says, that God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith?

2.I wonder, as I can be, if we are tempted to not consider the good news as good as the good news really is? Can we say with the angel that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news filled with great joy?

3.What a helpful insight into the spiritual-mindedness of the angels! Ryle says, ‘our spiritual ignorance and deadness appear most painfully in our inability to enter into the joy which we see them here expressing.’ Would we seek a more deep sense of the sinfulness and misery of sin so that, by God’s grace, our hearts would have a deeper sense of thankfulness?

4.Does any of what Ryle says about “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men” strike your heart in any way? Can we enter experimentally with the language of heaven’s inhabitants?

5.Are we prompted to obey, like the Shepherds, when God’s will is clear before us?

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Luke 2:1-7

Let us notice the TIMES when Christ was born.
Let us notice the PLACE where Christ was born.
Let us notice the MANNER in which Christ was born.

"Let us ever rest our souls on the thought, that times are in God's hand. (Psalm 31:15.) He knows the best season for sending help to His church, and new light to the world. Let us beware of giving way to over anxiety about the course of events around us, as if we knew better than the King of kings what time relief should come."

"A true Christian should never be greatly moved or disturbed by the conduct of the rulers of the earth. He should see with the eye of faith a hand overruling all that they do to the praise and glory of God."

"We see here the grace and condescension of Christ. Had He come to save mankind with royal majesty, surrounded by His Father's angels, it would have been an act of undeserved mercy. Had He chosen to dwell in a palace, with power and great authority, we should have had reason enough to wonder. But to become poor as the very poorest of mankind, and lowly as the very lowliest--this is a love that passes knowledge."

Questions:

1.When evil prevails and trial’s press in on us, where do we find hope and peace? Do we rest our souls on the thought that all of history is in God’s hands and that He works all things according to the council of His own will?

2.Politics are an increasingly dividing issue today. Do we believe that all our governing authorities – the ones we wanted elected or not – are so placed by God Himself? Do we regard them as creatures who can only do as God allows them and, by whatever they do, are actually carrying out God’s will?

3.Have we ever considered that Jesus was poor in this world? As such, do we believe that it is no disgrace to be poor, that such a position has been sanctified and honored by the Son of God entering as such into our world? May this thought also be a means of grace in fighting temptations to be rich in this world!

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Luke 1:67-80

We should notice the deep thankfulness of a Jewish believer's heart in the prospect of Messiah's appearing.
We should notice how much emphasis Zechariah lays on God's fulfillment of His promises.
We should notice what clear views of Christ's kingdom Zechariah possessed.
We should notice what clear views of doctrine Zechariah enjoyed.

"It may be feared that Christians have very low and inadequate conceptions of their amazing privileges in living under the full light of the Gospel."

"Let us learn to rest on promises and embrace them as Zechariah did...Let us embrace them and not let them go. They will never fail us. God's word is never broken. He is not a man that He should lie."

"Let us give all diligence to belong to this kingdom. Small as it seems now, it will be great and glorious one day."

"Let us never rest until the Spirit witnesses with our spirit that our sins are forgiven us, that we have passed from darkness to light, and that we are actually walking in the narrow way, the way of peace."

Questions:

1.Truly, we do not understand the privilege we have in the New Covenant of seeing with great clarity what God has done compared to those in the Old Covenant. Do we take the gospel for granted or does it lead us to thanksgiving to God?

2.God, the promise keeping God, cannot lie. Are we persuaded that God will do as He has promised? What promises are we clinging to?

3.Zechariah had a clear view of Christ’s kingdom, do we? Are we seeking first God’s kingdom and righteousness?

4.Do we know the privileges of the forgiveness of our sins, walking in the light, and walking in the narrow way which is the way of peace?

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Luke 1:57-66

We see in the conduct of Elizabeth's neighbors and cousins, a striking example of the kindness we owe to one another.
We see in the conduct of Zechariah in this passage, a striking example of the benefit of affliction.
We see in the early history of John Baptist the nature of the blessing that we should desire for all young children.

"Sympathy in one another's joys and sorrows costs little, and yet is a grace of most mighty power. Like the oil on the wheels of some large engine, it may seem a trifling and unimportant thing, yet in reality it has an immense influence on the comfort and well-working of the whole machine of society."

"The sorrow that humbles us, and drives us nearer to God, is a blessing, and a downright gain. No case is more hopeless than that of the man who, in time of affliction turns his back against God."

"[The hand of the Lord] is the portion that we ought to seek for our children. It is the best portion, the happiest portion, the only portion that can never be lost, and will endure beyond the grave."

Questions:

1.Ryle says that “Sympathy in one another’s joys and sorrows costs little, and yet is a grace of most mighty power.” When was the last time we rejoiced with those who rejoice, and mourned with those who mourn? Do we run to or from these opportunities?

2.Can we call our sanctified afflictions a “spiritual promotion?” When afflictions of various kinds come, are we quick to turn our face toward God in trust or our backs in rejection of Him?

3.For those listening who are parents and grandparents, do we truly desire the hand of the Lord to be with our children and grandchildren? Are we diligent to ask this for them?

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Luke 1:46-56

Let us mark the full acquaintance with Scripture which this hymn exhibits.
Let us mark the Virgin Mary's deep humility.
Let us mark the lively thankfulness of the Virgin Mary.
Let us mark the experimental acquaintance with God's former dealings with His people, which the Virgin Mary possessed.
Let us mark the firm grasp which the Virgin Mary had of Bible promises.

"Such knowledge of the Bible can doubtless never be attained without regular, daily study. But the time spent on such study is never mis-spent. It will bear fruit after many days."

"Humility is the highest grace that can adorn the Christian character."

"Let us rise from our beds every morning with a deep conviction that we are debtors, and that every day we have more mercies than we deserve."

"The true Christian should always give close attention to Bible history, and the lives of individual saints...What He does for them, and to them, in time past, He is likely to do in time to come. Such study will teach us what to expect, check unwarrantable expectations, and encourage us when cast down. Happy is that man whose mind is well stored with such knowledge. It will make him patient and hopeful."

"Let us learn from this holy woman's example, to lay firm hold on Bible promises. It is of the deepest importance to our peace to do so. Promises are, in fact, the manna that we should daily eat, and the water that we should daily drink, as we travel through the wilderness of this world."

Questions:

1.Are we regularly seeking to meet God in His Word? Has our knowledge of God grown in this past year due to such study?

2.“Humility”, says Ryle, “is the highest grace that can adorn the Christian character” and that it “is in reach of every converted person.” Would those who know us best describe us as humble? Does our doctrine humble or puff us up?

3.The Bible says that there is nothing we have that we have not received. Are we thankful as we consider all we have is from our loving heavenly Father? Or do we have difficulty building an Ebenezer of thankfulness?

4.God’s faithfulness with His people in the past informs us of His future faithfulness. Are we students of the history of the Bible, or do we tend to shy away from it?

5.Do we read the Bible looking for the promises God has made, and then cling to them as if our lives depended on them? If God’s promises are manna and water on our journey, shouldn’t we be diligent in this task?

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Luke 1:39-45

We should observe the benefit of fellowship and communion between believers.
We should observe the clear spiritual knowledge which appears in the language of Elizabeth.
Finally, we should observe the high praise which Elizabeth bestows upon the grace of faith.

"First let us seek the face of God. Then let us seek the face of God's friends. If we did this more, and were more careful about the company we keep, we would more often know what it is to feel filled with the Holy Spirit."

"Let us remember the deep meaning of the words, "the Lord," and beware of using them lightly and carelessly. Let us consider that they rightly apply to none but Him who was crucified for our sins on Calvary. Let the recollection of this fact invest the words with a holy reverence, and make us careful how we let them fall from our lips."

"Better a thousand times be rich in faith than rich in gold. Gold will be worthless in the unseen world to which we are all traveling. Faith will be owned in that world before God the Father and the holy angels."

Questions:

1.Do we see fellowship as a means of grace to know God better? Do we go to church, or meet with fellow believers, with the purpose of encouraging them on their walk, and seeking to be encouraged by them? Let us seek the face of God and then the face of God’s friends!

2.How careless are we to let the name “Lord” fall from our lips? When we do, is it done with reverence?

3.What a powerful statement that gold will be worthless in the unseen world, but faith will be owned by the Father! Are we seeking to be rich in worldly treasures or in faith?

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Luke 1:34-38

Let us mark the reverent and discreet manner in which the angel Gabriel speaks of the great mystery of Christ's incarnation.
Let us mark the prominent place assigned to the Holy Spirit in the great mystery of the incarnation.
Let us mark the mighty principle which the angel Gabriel lays down to silence all objections about the incarnation.
Let us mark the meek and ready acquiescence of the Virgin Mary in God's revealed will concerning her.

"In a religion which really comes down from heaven there must be mysteries. Of such mysteries in Christianity, the incarnation is one."

"Let us remember, that all that believers have, and are, and enjoy under the Gospel, they owe to the inward teaching of the Holy Spirit."

"Faith never rests so calmly and peacefully as when it lays its head on the pillow of God's omnipotence."

"Let us be willing to go anywhere, and do anything, and be anything, whatever be the present and immediate inconvenience, so long as God's will is clear and the path of duty is plain."

Questions:

1.Are we content in mystery, or do we feel we must go further? Are we surprised that the Scriptures, being the very thoughts and wisdom from God, would have thoughts that wouldn’t make sense to us?

2.If we believe the gospel and love God, it is a result of the work of the Spirit. Do we worship the Spirit for the work the Bible reveals He does?

3.When doubts arise and our faith feels weak, do we, as Ryle says, “find calm and peace when we lay our heads on the pillow of God’s omnipotence?” That nothing is impossible for God if it is according to His will?

4.Are we ready and eager to respond like Mary to God’s revealed will or do we tend to question and divert? Would we pray that God would give us faith like Mary?

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Luke 1:26-33

We should notice the lowly and unassuming manner in which the Savior of mankind came among us.
We should notice the high privilege of the Virgin Mary.
We should notice the glorious account of our Lord Jesus Christ, which the angel gives to Mary.

"It would have been condescension to come on earth as a king and reign. It was a miracle of mercy passing our comprehension to come on earth as a poor man, to be despised, and suffer, and die."

"There is a relationship to Christ within reach of us all--a relationship far nearer than that of flesh and blood--a relationship which belongs to all who repent and believe."

"Now is the time for carrying the cross, and for fellowship with Christ's sufferings. The day draws near when Christ shall take His great power and reign; and when all who have served Him faithfully shall exchange a cross for a crown."

Questions:

1.When is the last time we considered the utter and complete humiliation of the Lord Jesus Christ coming to the earth? Do we see the mercy of God in that even though He was rich, He became poor for our sakes?

2.For as honored as Mary was to be shown favor and bear the Savior in her womb, does it strike us that we can have a relationship closer than that of Mary, namely that all believers who do the will of God are part of the forever family of God?

3.O brothers and sisters, we are told that we are being transformed from one degree of glory to another as we behold the glory of the Lord. Do we dwell often upon the glorious truths like we have read here about who Jesus is? Sometimes the application of a passage is not a ‘go and do this or that’ but simply: ‘Behold, your God!’

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Luke 1:18-25

We see the power of unbelief in a good man.
We see the privilege and portion of God's angels.
We see how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief in the sight of God.

"And it often happens in religious matters, that where reason begins, faith ends."

"This mighty spirit, far greater in power and intelligence than we are, counts it his highest honor to 'stand in God's presence' and do His will. Let our aims and desires be in the same direction."

"According to the degree of our faith will be our enjoyment of Christ's salvation--our patience in the day of trial--our victory over the world. Unbelief, in short, is the true cause of a thousand spiritual diseases, and once allowed to nestle in our hearts, will eat as does a canker."

Questions:

1.When is the last time we prayed, “Lord, increase my faith?”

2.The angel Gabriel counts it his highest honor to stand in the presence of God and do His will. Jesus, through His work on the cross, has brought us into the presence of God. So it is a good question: do we count it our highest honor to stand in the presence of God, washed in the blood of Jesus, and to do His will? Would we pray for grace to fear the Lord above all?

3.Do we live in the reality that unbelief is a grievous sin or do we believe that designation belongs only to ‘big sins’ like sexual immorality or murder? Would we pray like the father, “I believe, help my unbelief?”

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Luke 1:13-17

We learn here that prayers are not necessarily rejected because the answer is long delayed.
We learn that no children cause such true joy, as those who have the grace of God.
We learn the nature of true greatness.
We learn that children are never too young to receive the grace of God.
We learn the character of a really great and successful minister of God.

"Delay of answer," says an old divine, "must not discourage our faith. It may be, God has long granted, before we shall know of His grant."

"Grace is the principal portion that we should desire for our children. It is a thousand times better for them than beauty, riches, honors, rank, or high connections."

"Without such men, learning, titles, endowments, and splendid buildings, will keep no Church alive. Souls will not be saved--good will not be done--Christ will not be glorified, except by men full of the Holy Spirit."

Questions:

1.How do we view God’s answers to our prayers, especially when they do not happen the way we ask quickly? Do we despair or stop asking immediately? Does that last quote “delay of answer must not discourage our faith. It may be God has long granted, before we shall know of His grant” encourage us in prayer?

2.Parents and grandparents, what do we truly want for our children? Do our actions and words show we want eternal riches or worldly riches for them?

3.Are we seeking greatness here and now, or in an eternal world? Are we seeking to live as servants of Christ or servants of man? Are we living for the glory of man or of God?

4.I have mentioned in the past that I would not edit any of Ryle’s words as I want to faithfully let him speak his own convictions and be faithful to what he said. That said, there is no clear verse in the NT that would teach Ryle’s view on infant baptism. If such a verse existed, all of Christendom would practice it! All hints are a far cry from what is clear in descriptive and prescriptive texts: baptism is done in response to faith and repentance in the Lord Jesus Christ. That said, parents, are we being diligent to pray for and raise our children in the ways of God, trusting that the Holy Spirit can work in even our young children?

5.Do we pray for our pastors to be faithful to preach and teach God’s Word?

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Luke 1:5-12

Let us mark the high testimony which is borne to the character of Zechariah and Elizabeth. We are told that they were "both righteous before God," and that [they walked] “blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.”
Let us mark the heavy trial which God was pleased to lay on Zechariah and Elizabeth. We are told that "they had no child."
Let us mark the means by which God announced the coming birth of John the Baptist. We are told that "an ANGEL of the Lord appeared to Zechariah."
Let us mark the effect which the appearance of an angel produced on the mind of Zachariah. We are told that he "was troubled, and fear fell upon him."

"It matters little whether we interpret this "righteousness" as that which is imputed to all believers for their justification, or that which is wrought inwardly in believers by the operation of the Holy Spirit, for their sanctification. The two sorts of righteousness are never disjoined. There are none justified who are not sanctified, and there are none sanctified who are not justified."

"If afflictions drive us nearer to Christ, the Bible, and prayer, they are positive blessings. We may not think so now. But we shall think so when we wake up in another world."

"Believing on Him, we may draw near to God with boldness, and look forward to the day of judgment without fear. When the mighty angels shall go forth to gather together God's elect, the elect will have no cause to be afraid. To them the angels are fellow-servants and friends. (Rev. 22:9.)"

Questions:

1.Could it be said that we are striving, by the grace of God, to serve God faithfully and living up to the light of God’s Word that we have?

2.When we suffer or go through trials, are we tempted to consider ourselves cursed or do such things draw us closer to Christ, the Bible, and prayer? Let us pray for the grace to see such results as positive blessings!

3.Angels take deep interest in the work of Christ and the salvation of sinners; they rejoice when sinners repent and delight to serve the saints. Do we think, or strive to think like them in these ways?

4.Do we tend to think of angels as cute and fat little cherubs that sit comfortably on a shelf or as beings that always have to tell people, ‘do not be afraid?’ Do these beings remind us of our need for a great mediator and give us confidence in the work of Christ?

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Luke 1:1-4

Luke gives us a short, but valuable, sketch of the nature of a Gospel. It is a narrative of facts about Jesus Christ.
Luke draws a beautiful picture of the true position of the apostles in the early church. They are witnesses and ministers of the word.
Luke describes his own qualifications for the work of writing a Gospel. He followed all things closely for some time past.
Luke informs us of one main object he had in view in writing his Gospel: that Theophilus will have certainty concerning the things he was taught.

"The first preachers did not go up and down the world, proclaiming an elaborate, artificial system of abstruse doctrines and deep principles. They made it their first business to tell men great plain facts."

"They were men who counted it their highest privilege to carry about, as messengers, the tidings of God's love to a sinful world, and to tell the story of the cross."

"Let it be a settled principle with us in reading the Bible, that when we cannot understand a passage, or reconcile it with some other passage, the fault is not in the Book, but in ourselves. The adoption of this principle will place our feet upon a rock. To give it up is to stand upon a quicksand, and to fill our minds with endless uncertainties and doubts."

"Let us close the passage with thankfulness for the Bible. Let us bless God daily that we are not left dependent on man's traditions, and need not be led astray by ministers' mistakes."

Questions:

1.All theology is important and worthy of our study, but as Ryle points out, at the heart of Christianity is Christ. Is He the one we are seeking? Are different doctrinal points connecting us to the life of Christ or simply for argumentation?

2.The apostles were content to call themselves witnesses and ministers of the word. Do we elevate ourselves or our leaders to a position the Bible doesn’t give to them? Do we elevate leaders as something above servants of the word? Have we ceased to expect this of our leaders?

3.When faced with difficult doctrines, or struggle to reconcile seeming contradictions, do we place the blame on the Bible or our lack of understanding? Has trusting the inspiration of the Bible lead you to greater peace or unrest?

4.Are you thankful for the carefully written account that we have been given in the Scriptures? In the silence of where you sit, would you not give thanks to God that He has not left us without a witness, but has led men like Luke to write down what God wants to say to us?

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Season 2 Ending

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Mark 16:19-20

Let us mark the place to which our Lord went when He had finished His work on earth, and the place where He is at this present time.
Let us mark the blessing which our Lord Jesus Christ bestows on all who work faithfully for Him.

"He returned to that glory which He had with the Father before He came into the world He received, as our victorious Mediator and Redeemer, the highest position of dignity and power in heaven which our minds can conceive. There He sits, not idle, but carrying on the same blessed work for which He died on the cross. There He lives, ever making intercession for all who come unto God by Him, and so able to save them to the uttermost." (Heb. 7:25.)

"But we know also that, in spite of every effort of Satan, the word of truth was not preached in vain. Believers from time to time were gathered out of the world. Churches of saints were founded in city after city, and country after country. The little seed of Christianity grew gradually into a great tree."

Questions:

1.Can we see how important it is where Jesus is now? Does it not give our hearts great encouragement to know Jesus lives to make intercession for us? Doesn’t a living Savior give great hope as we think about another unseen and eternal world?

2.Have we grown weary in doing good for the kingdom of God? Does it feel hopeless, or does the encouragement to be steadfast, immovable, and to abound give us grace to press on in Jesus’ name?

3.Do we know the life of God within? Can we really say that we are living the life of faith in the son of God; that Christ is precious to our souls? May it be true!

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Mark 16:15-18

We ought to notice the parting commission which our Lord gives to His apostles.
We ought to notice the terms which our Lord tells us should be offered to all who hear the Gospel.
We ought to notice the gracious promises of special help which our Lord holds out in His parting words to His apostles.

"We are not justified in making any exception in the proclamation. We have no warrant for limiting the offer to the elect. We come short of the fullness of Christ's words, and take away from the breadth of His sayings, if we shrink from telling any one, "God is full of love to you, Christ is willing to save you." "Whoever will, let him take the water of life freely." (Rev. 22:17.)

"Except we feel our sins, and feeling them flee to Christ by faith, and lay hold on Him, we shall find at length we had better never have been born."

"Finally, let us never forget, that Christ's believing Church in the world is of itself a standing miracle. The conversion and perseverance in grace of every member of that Church, is a sign and wonder, as great as the raising of Lazarus from the dead."

Questions:

1.Is this command to proclaim the gospel freely to all evident in our lives? Do we see this as optional or as a command of love from our gracious Savior?

2.Have we only received baptism by water or the very thing that water baptism points to, namely, the baptism of the Holy Spirit? Was our baptism just ceremonial, or did it point to an inward reality of turning from sin and toward God?

3.Do we believe in the reality of hell? Does it cause us to cling more to Christ, and does it cause us to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ alone all the more?

4.Whether we agree or not with Ryle’s view of gifts, do we not believe that the church is a miracle in and of itself? Even this coming Sunday, would we not look around and remember God’s great work in gathering a people for himself and worship Him?

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For John MacArthur's sermon on Mark 16:9-20, click HERE.

Mark 16:9-14

Let us mark what abundant proof we have that our Lord Jesus Christ really rose again from the dead.
Let us mark our Lord Jesus Christ's singular kindness to Mary Magdalene.
Let us mark how much weakness there is sometimes in the faith of the best Christians.

"We ought to thank God that the fact of the resurrection is so clearly established. The Jew, the Gentile, the priests, the Roman guard, the women who went to the tomb, the disciples who were so hesitant to believe, are all witnesses whose testimony cannot be denied."

"We need not doubt, for another thing, that our Lord's appearing "first to Mary Magdalene" was intended to comfort all who have become penitent believers, after having run into great excesses of sin. It was meant to show us that, however far we may have fallen, we are raised to entire peace with God, if we repent and believe the Gospel."

"Let us however see in the doubts of these good men the over-ruling hand of an all-wise God. If they were convinced at last, who were so unbelieving at first, how strong is the proof supplied us that Christ rose indeed."

Questions:

1.In the West particularly, we have emphasized the cross above the resurrection. You cannot have the resurrection without a cross first, but a cross without a resurrection means we are dead in our trespasses and sins. Do our hearts rightly emphasize the importance of this great, undeniable fact of the resurrection? Is it a cause of great joy even as you think of it now?

2.Do we believe that the same Jesus who appeared first to Mary, is the same Jesus who shows compassion on all who believe in the gospel? Do we see a Jesus who is stingy and skeptical, or a Jesus who joyfully pardons?

3.How do we respond when we or other Christians doubt? Are we harsh on ourselves and others, or are our hearts filled with grace? At the same time, do we watch and pray against unbelief as the sin it is, or do we let it fester?

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Mark 16:1-8

Let us observe the power of strong love to Christ.
Let us observe how the difficulties which Christians fear, will sometimes disappear as they approach them.
Let us observe that the friends of Christ have no cause to be afraid of angels.
Let us observe the exceeding kindness of God towards his backsliding servants.

"A large proportion of a saint's anxieties arise from things which never really happen. We look ahead to all the possibilities of the journey towards heaven. We conjure up in our imagination all kind of crosses and obstacles. We mentally carry tomorrow's troubles, as well as today's. And often, very often, we find at the end, that our doubts and alarms were groundless, and that the thing we dreaded most has never come to pass at all."

"We may well say when we read words like these, "this is not the manner of man." On no point perhaps are our views of religion so narrow, low, and contracted, as on the point of God's exceeding willingness to pardon penitent sinners. We think of Him as such an one as ourselves. We forget that "he delights in mercy." (Micah 7:18.)

Questions:

1.Do we see that love for God and knowing our debt toward God for forgiving our sins go together?

2.Ryle states that Christians are often anxious about things that never really happen. Have you found this experience to be true? Do we tend to bringing our cares and anxieties to the Lord or to fretting about them?

3.Are we living in such a way that even the angels will rejoice when the Lord calls us home?

4.Do we think of God as reluctant to forgive our sins when we confess and repent, or that he delights in mercy? Can we be accused of having a narrow, low, and contracted view of God’s desire to pardon our sins, or that He abundantly pardons?

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Mark 15:39-47

Let us notice what honorable mention is here made of women.
Let us notice that Jesus has friends of whom little is known.
Let us notice what honor our Lord Jesus Christ has placed on the grave, by allowing Himself to be laid in it.

"As surely as He rose again victorious from the tomb, so surely shall all who believe in Him rise gloriously in the day of His appearing. Remembering this, they may look down with calmness into the "house appointed for all living." They may recollect that Jesus himself was once there on their behalf, and has robbed death of his sting."

Questions:

1.Sisters, are you reminded of your equal value and worth to the Lord, and eagerly using the gifts He has given you to serve? Brothers, are we encouraging our sisters in their gifts?

2.Do we tend to think like Elijah and say, “I am alone” or do we recognize that God is at work in places we simply do not see? Do we rejoice in the fact that we are not alone?

3.The topic of death is typically avoided, but dear Christian, are we filled with hope that our Lord has conquered sin and death, and has promised to raise us to newness of life? Have we been united with him in a death like His as evidence of this hope of life being ours?

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Mark 15:33-38

Let us observe the visible signs and wonders which accompanied our Lord's death.
Let us observe how truly and really our Lord Jesus Christ was made a curse for us, and bore our sins.
Let us observe that it is possible to be forsaken of God for a time, and yet to be loved by Him.

"To attempt to revive the Jewish ceremonial in the Church of Christ, by returning to altars, sacrifices, and a priesthood, is nothing better than closing up again the rent veil, and lighting a candle at noon-day."

"The darkness endured by our blessed Surety on the cross was only for three hours. The chains of darkness which shall bind all who reject His atonement and die in sin, shall be for evermore."

Questions:

1.Does it not strike us that it took the very Son of God to come and pay for our sins and bring us to God? Do we think little or much of the offence our sin is to God?

2.Even though this text is very specific to Jesus, Ryle argues it has implication for believers as well. Have you ever felt forsaken of God? If so, does this truth give you encouragement, and if it doesn’t, why not?

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Mark 15:16-32

We see Jesus delivered into the hands of the Roman soldiers, as a criminal condemned to death.
We see Jesus insulted and made a laughing-stock by the Roman soldiers.
We see Jesus stripped of His garments and crucified naked before His enemies.
We see Jesus suffering the most ignominious and humiliating of all deaths, even the death of the cross.
We see Jesus reckoned a transgressor and a sinner.
We see Jesus mocked when dying, as one who was an impostor, and unable to save Himself.

"The sufferings described in it would fill our minds with mingled horror and compassion, if they had been inflicted on one who was only a man like ourselves. But when we reflect that the sufferer was the eternal Son of God, we are lost in wonder and amazement. And when we reflect further that these sufferings were voluntarily endured to deliver sinful men and women like ourselves from hell, we may see something of Paul's meaning when he says, "The love of Christ passes knowledge."

"Let us leave the passage with a deep sense of the enormous debt which all believers owe to Christ. All that they have, and are, and hope for, may be traced up to the doing and dying of the Son of God. Through His condemnation, they have acquittal--through His sufferings, peace--through His shame, glory--through His death, life."

Question:

1.Brothers and sisters, I want to close with a quote from Mike McKinley’s book Friendship with God. He says, “Communion with Jesus, then, means letting our minds dwell upon the power of his blood and the wonderful gift of being set free from the pollution of sin…One moment’s communion with Christ by faith herein is more effectual to the purging of the soul, to the increasing of grace, than the utmost self-endeavors of a thousand ages.”

And so my only question is: do we see the love of God for us in Christ as we read these words in Mark? Do we let our minds go here more than just at an Easter service? If McKinley is right, shouldn’t we let our minds dwell upon the power of His blood often?

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Mark 15:1-15

Let us mark what a striking proof the Jewish rulers gave to their own nation that the times of Messiah had come.
Let us mark the meekness and lowliness of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us mark the wavering and undecided conduct of Pilate.
Let us mark the exceeding guilt of the Jews in the matter of the death of Christ.
Let us mark what a striking type the release of Barabbas affords of the Gospel plan of salvation.

"We should remember that His death is the life of our souls, and that unless His blood had been shed, we must have perished miserably in our sins."

"Let us beware of giving way to irritation and ill temper, however provoking and undeserved our trials may seem to be. Nothing in the Christian character glorifies God so much as patient suffering."

"Let us pray much for great men. They need great grace to keep them from the devil. High places are slippery places."

"The service of sin and the service of God are continually before us. The friendship of the world and the friendship of Christ are continually pressed upon our notice. Are we making the right choice? Are we cleaving to the right Friend?"

"We are all by nature in the position of Barabbas. We are guilty, wicked, and worthy of condemnation. But "when we were without hope," Christ the innocent died for the ungodly. And now God for Christ's sake can be just, and yet "the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus.""

Questions:

1.As we read this part of gospel history, which Ryle says should ‘always be read with peculiar reverence,’ would we pray that we would see with fresh eyes what can be so familiar?

2.When we suffer, do we complain and excuse ourselves like the first Adam, or do we suffer patiently like the second? Are we prone to irritation and an ill temper when suffering comes?

3.Do we pity our leaders, godly or not, and pray for them, knowing that high places are slippery places?

4.The service of sin and the service of God are continually before us. The friendship of the world and the friendship of Christ are continually pressed upon our notice. Are we making the right choice? Are we cleaving to the right Friend?

5.Are we aware of our great need of the perfect substitute or are we prone to think we deserve being released? Do we, as Ryle says, make use of the cross for our own souls? Can we say, “Christ is mine. I deserve hell. But Christ has died for me, and believing in Him I have a hope of heaven?"

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Mark 14:66-72

Let us learn how far and how shamefully a great saint may fall.
Let us learn how small a temptation may cause a saint to have a great fall.
Finally, let us learn that backsliding brings saints into great sorrow.

"The histories of Noah, Abraham, David, Hezekiah, will supply us with mournful proof, that "the infection of sin remains even in the regenerate," and that no man is so strong as to be beyond the danger of falling. Let us not forget this. Let us walk humbly with our God. "Happy is the man who fears the Lord always." (Prov. 28:14.)"

"Let us beware of making light of temptations because they seem little and insignificant. There is nothing little that concerns our souls. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. A little spark may kindle a great fire. A little leak may sink a great ship. A little provocation may bring out from our hearts great corruption, and end in bringing our souls into great trouble."

"Those that follow the Lord most fully, shall always follow Him most comfortably."

Questions:

1.Are we aware of how great the enemies of the world, the flesh, and the devil are, or do we think ourselves better than Peter? Do we watch and pray over the sins that cling so closely?

2.Do we treat little sins as little and benign or do we take seriously that even such could be enough to bring our souls down deep into sin?

3.Are we seeking to see how close we can get to sin, or how close we can get to God in holiness? Do our lives reflect that truth that the most happiness is found in pursuing the most holiness?

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Mark 14:53-65

Let us observe how foolishly Christians sometimes thrust themselves into temptation.
Let us observe how much our Lord Jesus Christ had to endure from lying lips, when tried before the chief priests.
Let us observe what distinct testimony our Lord bore to His own Messiahship, and second advent in glory.

"Once out of the way of holiness, there is no saying to what we may come. Once giving way to petty inconsistencies, we may find ourselves one day committing every sort of wickedness. Let us keep far from the brink of evil. Let us not play with fire."

"Let it never surprise true Christians if they are slandered and misrepresented in this world. They must not expect to fare better than their Lord. Let them rather look forward to it as a matter of course, and see in it a part of the cross which all must bear after conversion."

"Let it be one of the leading truths in our own personal Christianity. Let us live in the daily recollection that our Savior is one day coming back to this world. Let the Christ in whom we believe, be not only the Christ who died for us and rose again--the Christ who lives for us and intercedes--but the Christ who will one day return in glory, to gather together and reward His people, and to punish fearfully all His enemies."

Questions:

1.You probably know the line from the hymn, “prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.” Are we aware of the evils of our own hearts, and the temptations to sin? When was the last time we asked God to keep us from temptation?

2.When harassed and Christ’s service is uncomfortable, are we surprised as if something strange were happening to us or do we bear such things patiently? Are we aware of the sufferings of our Master, and that we should expect no better treatment than Him?

3.Is the return of Christ one of the leading truths of our own personal Christianity? When was the last time you thought about and rejoiced or took warning in Christ’s second coming?

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Mark 14:43-52

Let us notice how little our Lord's enemies understood the nature of His kingdom.
Let us notice how all things in our Lord's passion happened according to God's Word.
Let us notice how much the faith of true believers may give way.
Let us leave the passage with a deep sense of our Lord's ability to sympathize with His believing people.

"The cause of truth does not need force to maintain it...It stands by the power of the Holy Spirit. It grows by the hidden influence of the Holy Spirit on men's hearts and consciences. There is no clearer sign of a bad cause in religion than a readiness to appeal to the sword."

"The course of this world may often be contrary to our wishes. The position of the Church may often be very unlike what we desire. The wickedness of worldly men, and the inconsistencies of believers, may often afflict our souls. But there is a hand above us, moving the vast machine of this universe, and making all things work together for His glory."

"Let us learn to be charitable in our judgment of other Christians. Let us not expect too much from them, or set them down as having no grace at all, if we see them overtaken in a fault. Let us not forget that even our Lord's chosen apostles forsook Him in His time of need. Yet they rose again by repentance, and became pillars of the Church of Christ."

"He is never weary of forgiving."

Questions:

1.Is our confidence in the Spirit of God to take and use His Word to transform hearts, or do we find greater power in other things?

2.Does the Sovereignty of God and his providential hand in all things give us comfort and peace, or does it just make us uncomfortably and is an area of dispute?

3.Are we more often confident in our own abilities or in God’s abilities? Are we clothed with humility as we walk day-by-day in this world?

4.When we sin and fall, do we find Jesus as one who can sympathize with us, or is He more like a moral police officer rifling through our baggage longing to find something and beat us over the head?

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Mark 14:32-42

Let us mark how keenly our Lord felt the burden of a world's sin.
Let us mark what an example our Lord gives us of the importance of prayer in time of trouble.
Let us mark what a striking example our Lord gives us of submission of will, to the will of God.
Let us mark how much infirmity may be found even in the best Christians.

"We ought to see in our Lord's agony in Gethsemane the exceeding sinfulness of sin. It is a subject on which the thoughts of professing Christians are far below what they should be."

"The first person to whom we should turn in our trouble is God. The first expression of grief we should make, should be in the form of a prayer."

"To take patiently whatever God sends--to like nothing but what God likes--to wish nothing but what God approves--to prefer pain, if it pleases God to send it; to forego ease, if God does not think fit to bestow it--to lie passive under God's hand, and know no will but His--this is the highest standard at which we can aim, and of this our Lord's conduct in Gethsemane is a perfect pattern."

"We must pray as well as watch, and watch as well as pray. Watching without praying is self-confidence and self-conceit. Praying without watching is enthusiasm and fanaticism. The man who knows his own weakness, and knowing it both watches and prays, is the man that will be held up and not allowed to fall."

Questions:

1.Beloved brother or sister, do we take sin lightly in our own hearts or when we hear the talk of others? Would we pray that God would impress upon us the exceeding sinfulness of sin?

2.What is our first response when we are afflicted or faced with difficulty? How quick are we to pray and bring our burdens to God?

3.Does our experience not agree with Ryle’s statement: ‘nothing brings us so much misery as getting our own way?’ Do we see this clearest of evidences of God’s grace in submitting our will to the will of the Father?

4.Are we aware of the areas in which we are prone to stumble? If so, what are they? Are we watchful and prayerful over those areas? If we stumble over those areas often, could it be proof we are missing at least one of these commands of our Lord?

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Mark 14:26-31

We see how well our Lord foreknew the weakness and infirmity of His disciples.
We see how much comfort professing Christians may miss by carelessness and inattention.
We see how much ignorant self-confidence may sometimes be found in the hearts of professing Christians.

"He knew what they were before conversion--wicked, guilty, and defiled; yet He loved them. He knows what they will be after conversion--weak, erring, and frail; yet He loves them."

"Let us pray for a quick understanding in hearing and reading God's word. Let us search into every part of it, and not lose any precious truth in it for lack of care. So doing, we shall lay up a good foundation against the time to come, and in sorrow and sickness be found armed."

"There is far more wickedness in all our hearts than we know. We never can tell how far we might fall, if once placed in temptation. There is no degree of sin into which the greatest saint may not run, if he is not held up by the grace of God, and if he does not watch and pray."

Questions:

1.Do we have a realistic view of the people of God? When sin takes place in the church, are we surprised or are we reminded that the church is more of a hospital than a museum? Do we believe God is patient and merciful toward sinners?

2.Do we read the Bible and its precious truths as if they are life and peace and seek to store them up as if our lives depend on it, or do we read, close, and forget?

3.Are we arrogant thinking that we are immune to sin or do we walk in humility, being careful if we think we stand, lest we fall?

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Mark 14:17-25

Let us learn that self-examination should precede the reception of the Lord's Supper.
Let us learn that the principal object of our Lord's Supper, is to remind us of Christ's sacrifice for us on the cross.
Finally the nature of the spiritual benefits which the Lord's supper was intended to convey, and the persons who have a right to expect them.

"The bread which we there eat, and the wine which we there drink, have no power to do good to our souls, as medicine does good to our bodies, without the co-operation of our hearts and wills."

"It is a dreadful thing to be unfit for the sacrament, for this is to be unfit to die."

"It will produce in us true humility of spirit. The bread and wine, will remind us how sinful sin must be, when nothing but Christ's death could atone for it. It will produce in us hopefulness about our souls. The bread and wine will remind us that though our sins are great, a great price has been paid for our redemption. Not least, it will produce in us gratitude. The bread and wine will remind us how great is our debt to Christ, and how deeply bound we are to glorify Him in our lives."

"Faith is the one grand means of communication between the soul and Christ. The Lord's supper can aid, quicken, and confirm faith, but can never supersede it, or supply its absence. Let this never be forgotten. Error on this point is a most fatal delusion, and leads to many superstitions."

Questions:

1.Have we ever not taken the Lord’s Supper due to feelings of being unworthy, not realizing that its not unworthy persons but unworthy participation that is the problem?

2.When we do take, what do we think about? Is it just a rote thing we do, or do our minds consider the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ? Does our meditation result in humility as we take?

3.When we take of the Table, does it simplify our faith – reminding us of the main thing – and does it give grace to trust Jesus more?

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Mark 14:10-16

We ought to mark to what lengths a man may go in a false profession of religion.
We ought to mark the intentional connection between the time of the Jewish Passover and the time of Christ's death.

"The true Christian ought to be far more afraid of being rich than of being poor."

"Those who neglect to study the Jewish ordinances, as dark, dull, and uninteresting parts of the Bible, only show their own ignorance, and miss great advantages. Those who examine them with Christ as the key to their meaning, will find them full of Gospel light and comfortable truth."

Questions:

1.Have we taken heed the warnings and potential dangers of being rich? Do our hearts tend to covet the newest thing we see, or are we content with what we have?

2.When we read the Old Testament, do we struggle and find it boring, or do we read the types and ordinances with prayerful attention to what they tell us about Christ and His work? Reading a book like Leviticus with this in mind can radically transform our understanding of our Savior.

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Mark 14:1-9

Let us first observe how God can disappoint the designs of wicked men, and over-rule them to His own glory.
Let us observe how good works are sometimes undervalued and misunderstood.
Let us observe how highly our Lord Jesus Christ esteems any service done to Himself.

"They thought they were going to put an end forever to Christ's spiritual kingdom; and in reality they were helping to establish it. They thought to have made Him vile and contemptible by the crucifixion; and in reality they made Him glorious. They thought to have put Him to death privily and without observation; and instead, they were compelled to crucify Him publicly, and before the whole nation of the Jews. They thought to have silenced His disciples, and stopped their teaching--and instead, they supplied them with a text and a subject for evermore."

"If a man devotes his time, money, and affections to the pursuit of worldly things, they do not blame him. If he gives himself up to the service of money, pleasure, or politics, they find no fault. But if the same man devotes himself, and all he has, to Christ, they can scarcely find words to express their sense of his folly."

"A cold heart makes a slow hand. If a man once understands the sinfulness of sin, and the mercy of Christ in dying for him, he will never think anything too good or too costly to give to Christ."

Questions:

1.Does the sovereignty of God bring you comfort, knowing that all things work for the good of those who love Him? How would this truth comfort you in the midst of difficulties?

2.Have we seen others give in abundance? If so, what was our reaction? Utterly foolish or rightfully lavish? What does the speed of our hands to help and give for the good of God’s kingdom say about our hearts?

3.What is our primary motive for doing good? Would Christ say it was a beautiful thing done for Him or for self? Are we doing what we can for God and His kingdom?

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Mark 13:32-37

We learn that the exact time of our Lord Jesus Christ's second advent is purposely withheld from His church.
We learn what are the practical duties of all true believers in the prospect of the second coming of Jesus Christ: to watch, pray, and work

"The hearts of men like Athanasius, Chrysostom, and Augustine, might well have sunk within them, if they had been aware of the centuries of darkness through which the world would pass, before their Master came back to take the kingdom. What a quickening motive, on the other hand, true Christians have perpetually had, for a close walk with God! They have never known, in any age, that their Master might not come suddenly to take account of his servants. This very uncertainty has supplied them with a reason for living always ready to meet Him."

"All He asks is that baptized people should live up to the faith into which they were baptized--should live as penitent people--live as believing people--live as people who know that "without holiness no man can see the Lord." So living, we are ready to meet our Master. Not living in this way, we are neither fit for death, judgment, nor eternity."

Questions:

1.Do you see how God’s holding back the day and time of Jesus’ return is wisdom? Although we may admit we would like to know, doesn’t not knowing keep us pressing on in faithfulness?

2.Is there evidence of watching, praying, and working in our lives? If not, what steps will we take to make it so? It does strike me as interesting in how the Lord’s Prayer sets for us a model of doing the first 2 of these things!

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Mark 13:24-31

Let us observe what solemn majesty will attend our Lord Jesus Christ's second coming to this world.
Let us observe that the first event after the Lord's second coming, shall be the gathering of His elect.
Let us observe how important it is to note the signs of our own times.
Let us observe how carefully our Lord asserts the certainty of His predictions being fulfilled.

"He came the first time in weakness, a tender infant, born of a poor woman in the manger at Bethlehem, unnoticed, unhonored, and scarcely known. He shall come the second time in royal dignity, with the armies of heaven around Him, to be known, recognized, and feared by all the tribes of the earth."

"The wrath of God on unbelievers shall not be let loose until believers are hidden and secure."

"Let us leave the passage with a thorough conviction of the truth of every jot of its predictions. Let us believe that every word of it shall prove at last to have been fully accomplished. Above all, let us strive to live under an abiding sense of its truth, like good servants ready to meet their master. Then, whatever be the fulfillment of it, or however soon, we shall be safe."

Questions:

1.Does hearing of Christ’s second coming give us comfort or does it confound us?

2.Do we long for the return of Christ? Are we those, whom Hebrews describes, as those who are eagerly waiting for Him?

3.Are we ignorant of the things going on around us or do we pay attention to the happenings of our world?

4.Do we read words like this and dismiss them, thinking it has been a long time and that it likely will not happen in our day, or do we live as if that day could be in our lifetime?

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Mark 13:14-23

We are taught the lawfulness of using means to provide for our own personal safety.
We are taught the great privileges of God's elect.

"A believer is not to suppose that God will take care of him, and provide for his needs, if he does not make use of means and the common sense which God has given him, as well as other people...To profess to trust God, while we idly sit still and do nothing, is nothing better than fanaticism, and brings religion into contempt.

"To use all means diligently, and then leave the whole event in the hand of God, is the mark at which a true believer ought to aim."

"Rightly used, and fenced with proper cautions, election is a doctrine "full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort.""

"Let us cease to do evil. Let us learn to do well. Let us break off from sin. Let us lay hold on Christ. Let us draw near to God in prayer. So doing, we shall soon know and feel whether we are God's elect. To use the words of an old divine, we must begin at the grammar school of repentance and faith before we go to the university of election."

Questions:

1.Do we believe that means are not contrary to trust in God? With that said, do we rely on means or on the God who orchestrates what takes place? When situations take place, are we quicker to pray or act?

2.Does the doctrine of election bring up thoughts of dislike and controversy, or is it a doctrine ‘full of sweet, pleasant, and unspeakable comfort?

3.Does the doctrine of election give you ease or does it motivate you to repent, believe, seek, pray, strive, and labor? Election that brings ease and carelessness is proof of not being elect. Are we, like 2 Peter says, making our calling and election sure?

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Mark 13:9-13

Let us observe what troubles our Lord bids His people expect between the time of His first and second comings.
Let us observe what rich encouragement the Lord Jesus holds out to His persecuted people.

"In reading the prophecies of the Bible concerning Christ's Church, we shall generally find judgment and mercy blended together. They are seldom all bitter without any sweet--seldom all darkness without any light. The Lord knows our weakness, and readiness to faint, and has taken care to mingle consolations with threatenings--kind words with hard words, like warp and woof in a garment."

"The end of all that they see going on around them is certain, fixed, and sure. The kingdoms of this world shall yet become the kingdoms of their God and of his Christ. And when the scoffers and ungodly, who so often insulted them, are put to shame, believers shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away."

Questions:

1.Like Britain in Ryle’s day, at least in Canada, we enjoy a degree of protections and acceptance, though it looks as if these are fraying more quickly than not. Do we believe these protections and acceptance are our due, or do we believe that persecution and ridicule is normal? Are we surprised when people mock or scoff when we stand on biblical truth? Are we afraid to speak when we know it will invite such responses?

2.Do such promises as the gospel going to the nations, the help of the Holy Spirit, and eternal life give comfort and encouragement to press on in faithfulness?

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Mark 13:1-8

The first thing that demands our attention is the prediction of our Lord concerning the temple at Jerusalem.
The second thing that demands our attention is the remarkable manner in which our Lord commences the great prophecy of this chapter.

"Let us learn from this solemn saying, that the true glory of a Church does not consist in its buildings for public worship, but in the faith and godliness of its members. The eyes of our Lord Jesus Christ could find no pleasure in looking at the very temple which contained the holy of holies, and the golden candlestick, and the altar of burnt offering."

"We need not doubt the Parthenon had no glory in God's sight compared to the dens and caves where the early Christians worshiped, or that the lowest room where Christ is preached at this day, is more honorable in his eyes than St. Peter's Cathedral at Rome."

"It looks as if our Lord knew well that man is always catching at the idea of a "good time coming," and as if He would give us plain notice that there will be no "good time" until He returns."

Questions:

1.Do we put any confidence in the building we worship in or the quality of the music ministry, or do we primarily value the preaching of the gospel and pursuing holiness?

2.Do we hold high expectations of things getting better, or do we have moderate expectations of difficulty and trouble like this passage shows us?

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Mark 12:35-44

Let us learn how much there is about Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures.
Let us learn how odious is the sin of hypocrisy in the sight of Christ.
Let us learn how pleasing to Christ is self-denying liberality in giving.

"Well would it be for the church if theological discussions were less about trifles, and more about weighty matters, and things necessary to salvation."

"A boastful contempt for the Old Testament Scriptures has often proved the first step towards infidelity."

"It is bad enough to be led away captive by open sin, and to serve diverse lusts and pleasures. But it is even worse to pretend to have a religion, while in reality we serve the world."

"Let us confess our Master modestly and humbly, but firmly and decidedly, and show the world that although some men may be hypocrites, there are others who are honest and true."

"Above all, let us each do our own duty, and give liberally and gladly to every Christian object while we can. There will be no giving when we are dead...Above all let us give as the disciples of a crucified Savior, who gave Himself for us, body and soul, on the cross. Freely we have received. Let us freely give."

Questions:

1.Do we love and treasure the Old Testament as much as the New? If we do read the Old Testament, do we seek Christ there or is it just about moralizing familiar stories?

2.Friends, does this truth that God sees our hearts, free us from pretending and tell him honestly what He already knows or do we care only to make other people believe we are something we are not?

3.On the other hand, do we adorn the doctrine of Christ by publicly living out our faith or do we hide it under a false pretense of humility?

4.Do we give freely and cheerfully, or are we stingy and exacting in our giving? Are we ‘rich toward God’ or rich toward ourselves?

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Mark 12:28-34

Let us observe how high is our Lord Jesus Christ's standard of duty to God and man.
Let us observe how far a man may go in religion, and yet not be a true disciple of Christ.

"Let us learn from this brief exposition of the true standard of duty, how great is the need in which we all naturally stand of the atonement and mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ...It is only gross ignorance of the requirements of God's law which makes people undervalue the Gospel. The man who has the clearest view of the moral law, will always be the man who has the highest sense of the value of Christ's atoning blood."

"We must not only know the leading doctrines of the Gospel with our heads, but receive them into our hearts, and be guided by them in our lives. May we never rest until we are inside the kingdom of God, until we have truly repented, really believed, and have been made new creatures in Christ Jesus."

Questions:

1.If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you have undoubtedly heard this call of love for God and neighbor. Do we read it and find encouragement or does it humble us and make us more thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ? Is this the standard we set in all we do?

2.What does this reality of ‘being not far from the kingdom’ do to our hearts? Does it challenge our comfort? Does it produce a searching to make sure we are in the kingdom? Does our intellectual knowledge stay there, or does it affect our hearts?

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Mark 12:18-27

We learn how much unfairness may often be detected in the arguments of infidels.
We learn how much of religious error may be traced to ignorance of the Bible.
We learn how different will be the state of things after the resurrection, from the state in which we live now.

"For one thing, let us remember that an infidel will always try to press us with the difficulties and abstruse things of religion, and especially with those which are connected with the world to come. We must avoid this mode of argument as far as possible. It is leaving the open field to fight in a jungle."

"The reformation in Josiah's day was closely connected with the discovery of the book of the law. The false doctrines of the Jews in our Lord's time were the result of neglecting the Scriptures. The dark ages of Christendom were times when the Bible was kept back from the people. The Protestant Reformation was mainly effected by translating and circulating the Bible. The churches which are most flourishing at this day, are churches which honor the Bible. The nations which enjoy most moral light, are nations in which the Bible is most known. The parishes in our land where there is most true religion, are those in which the Bible is most studied. The godliest families are Bible-reading families. The holiest men and women are Bible-reading people. These are simple facts which cannot be denied."

"The world beyond the grave is a world unseen by mortal eye, and therefore unknown. The conditions of existence there, are necessarily hidden from us, and if more were told, we would probably not understand it."

Questions:

1.In dealing with infidels (those known to us as unbelievers), have you ever been pressed by strange questions instead of clear doctrinal truths? Will you commit to not entertain such questions and point to clear biblical teaching instead and appeal to their conscience?

2.Do our lives show that the Bible is consumed or ignored? If we do read, do we just check off a list or do we read to make it our rule of faith and practice?

3.Do we long for this glorious heavenly home God has promised for those who love Him? This demands the greater question: do we really love Him?

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Mark 12:13-17

Let us observe how men of different religious opinions can unite in opposing Christ.
Let us observe the exceeding subtlety of the question propounded to our Lord.
Let us observe the marvelous wisdom which our Lord showed in His answer to His enemies.

"Worldly men and formalists have little real sympathy with one another. They dislike one another's principles, and despise one anther's ways. But there is one thing which they both dislike even more, and that is the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ."

"Never does the cause of Christ suffer so much as when the devil succeeds in bringing churches into collisions and lawsuits with the civil power. In such collisions precious time is wasted--energies are misapplied--ministers are drawn off from their proper work--the souls of people suffer, and a church's victory often proves only one degree better than a defeat."

"In short, He bids the proud Pharisee not to refuse his dues to Caesar, and the worldly Herodian not to refuse his dues to God."

Questions:

1.Can you think of any examples of formalists and worldliness joining together in common hatred of the true gospel?

2.Although a great question needs to be answered regarding church and governing authorities, do we spend a great deal of time on the things of the kingdoms of the world or on the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

3.Do we willingly submit to our governing authorities out of reverence for Christ, as long as they are not calling us to disobey Christ, or do we rejoice in raising our fists at them?

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Mark 12:1-12

Let us observe God's special kindness to the Jewish Church and nation.
Let us observe God's patience and patience towards the Jewish nation.
Let us observe the hardness and wickedness of human nature, as exemplified in the history of the Jewish people.
Let us observe that men's consciences may be pierced, and yet they may continue impenitent.

"Let us dismiss from our minds the idea that there is any innate goodness or natural rectitude, in our hearts. Let us put away the common notion that seeing and knowing what is good is enough to make a man a Christian. The great experiment has been made in the instance of the Jewish nation. We, too, like Israel, might have among us miracles, prophets, and the company of Christ Himself in the flesh, and yet, like Israel, have them in vain."

"Let us learn from this dreadful fact, that knowledge and conviction alone save no man's soul. It is quite possible to know that we are wrong, and be unable to deny it, and yet to cleave to our sins obstinately, and perish miserably in hell. The thing that we all need, is a change of heart and will. For this let us pray earnestly."

Questions:

1.Not only Israel, nor Great Britian, but have we not (at least in Canada or in the United States also received blessings from the Lord? Do we give thanks for the various blessings or do we only grown under the evils that we see?

2.In the mercies we do enjoy, does this not only lead to thankfulness, but a desire to bear fruit for God’s glory? Do we believe that God’s kindness leads to repentance?

3.Do we believe that the ultimate problem is the human heart or a host of other issues that the world is trying to sell to us, such as skin color? Do we believe that the only hope to this problem is the gospel by which the Spirit makes us born again?

4.Do we pray for God to change our hearts and wills, the only hope we have, and so prove to be His disciples?

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Mark 11:27-33

Let us observe how much spiritual blindness may be in the hearts of those who hold high ecclesiastical office.
Let us observe how envy and unbelief make men throw discredit on the commission of those who work for God.
Let us observe what dishonesty and equivocation unbelievers may be led into by prejudice against the truth.

"Their acts and teaching must always be tested by the word of God. They must be followed so far as they follow Scripture, and no further. There is only one Priest and Bishops of souls, who makes no mistakes. That one is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him alone is no weakness, no failure, no shadow of infirmity. Let us learn to lean more entirely on Him. Let us "call no man father on earth," (Matt. 23:9.) So doing, we shall never be disappointed."

"The first question after all is this--"Is a man for Christ, or against Him? What does he teach? How does he live? Is he doing good?" If questions like these can be answered satisfactorily, let us thank God and be content. We must remember that a physician is useless, however high his degree and diploma, if he cannot cure diseases, and a soldier useless, however well dressed and drilled, if he will not face the enemy in the day of battle. The best doctor is the man who can cure, and the best soldier the man who can fight."

"The plain truth is that we ought to be very slow to give credit to the unconverted man's professed reasons for not serving Christ. We may be tolerably sure that when he says "I cannot," the real meaning of his heart is "I will not.""

Questions:

1.Have you ever been disappointed with a leader? If so, how disappointed? Does it show a leaning more on a leader than on Christ Himself?

2.Although it can be a valuable thing, do we find confidence in the credentials and degrees a person has earned more than the evidence of fruit and their usefulness toward others?

3.Do we know of this ‘mighty blessing’ of an honest spirit in religious matters? Do we make things sound better than they really are when it benefits us?

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Mark 11:22-26

Let us learn from these words of our Lord Jesus Christ, the immense importance of faith.
Let us learn the absolute necessity of a forgiving spirit towards others.

"According to our faith will be the degree of our peace, our hope, our joy, our decision in Christ's service, our boldness in confession, our strength in work, our patience in trial, our resignation in trouble, our sensible comfort in prayer. All, all will hinge on the proportion of our faith. Happy are they who know how to rest their whole weight continually on a covenant God, and to walk by faith, not by sight."

"Our prayers must not only be earnest, fervent, and sincere, and in the name of Christ. They must contain one more ingredient besides. They must come from a forgiving heart. We have no right to look for mercy, if we are not ready to extend mercy to our brethren. We cannot really feel the sinfulness of the sins we ask to have pardoned if we cherish malice towards our fellow men. We must have the heart of a brother toward our neighbor on earth, if we wish God to be our Father in heaven."

Questions:

1.Do we desire to grow in grace, in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to make progress in becoming strong Christians? If so, do we regularly pray to grow in faith?

2.Are our hearts quick to forgive others who have sinned against us or are we quick to hold a grudge against them? Do we forgive as we have been forgiven?

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Mark 11:12-21

We see one of the many proofs that our Lord Jesus Christ was really man.
We learn the great danger of unfruitfulness and formality in religion.
We learn how reverently we ought to use places which are set apart for public worship.

"He has allowed Himself the severe sufferings that the body of man is liable to. He has tasted pain, and weakness, and weariness, and hunger, and thirst. When we tell Him of these things in our prayers, He knows what we mean, and is no stranger to our troubles. Surely this is just the Savior and Friend that poor aching, groaning, human nature requires!"

"Like the fig leaves of which Adam and Eve made themselves garments, they will not hide the nakedness of our souls from the eye of an all-seeing God, or give us boldness when we stand before Him at the last day. No! we must bear fruit, or be lost forever."

"Let us beware of giving God a mere formal service, while our hearts are full of the world. Let us leave our business and money at home, and not carry them with us to church. Let us beware of allowing any buying and selling in our hearts, in the midst of our religious assemblies."

Questions:

1.Do we believe that Jesus really does understand our weaknesses and sorrows when we bring them to Him? Does knowing this encourage us to pour our hearts out to Him?

2.Are we content to look like Christians before a watching world, or to be Christians before the God who knows our hearts? Are we content with the leaves or, by the grace of God, are we bearing fruit for God’s glory?

3.Do we know something of the good fight of faith as we seek to worship God on Sunday’s in the midst of distractions and intruding thoughts or do we often easily find ourselves thinking on other things than what is being said and sung?

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Mark 11:1-11

Let us observe how public our Lord purposely made the last act of His life.
Let us observe the voluntary poverty which our Lord underwent, when He was upon earth.
Let us see in the simple fact, that our Lord rode on a borrowed donkey, one more proof that poverty is in itself no sin.

"But never let us forget that the crowning fact in all we know of Jesus Christ, is His death upon the cross. From that death flow all our hopes. Without that death we would have nothing solid beneath our feet. May we prize that death more and more every year we live; and in all our thoughts about Christ, rejoice in nothing so much as the great fact that He died for us!"

"If we saw His divine acts only, we might forget that He was man. If we saw His seasons of poverty and weakness only, we might forget that He was God. But we are intended to see in Jesus divine strength and human weakness united in one person. We cannot explain the mystery; but we may take comfort in the thought, "this is our Savior, this is our Christ--one able to sympathize, because He is man, but one Almighty to save, because He is God.""

"Let us do our duty in that state of life to which God has called us, and if He thinks fit to keep us poor let us not be ashamed. The Savior of sinners cares for us as well as for others. The Savior of sinners knows what it is to be poor."

Questions:

1.Is the crowning fact of all we know about Jesus His death on the cross on our behalf? Do all our hopes flow from this substitutionary act?

2.Does the truth of Jesus’ full divinity and humanity remind your heart that, apart from this truth, he could not sympathize with our weaknesses and/or not save us? Does it bring you to worship our Great God for this unique and only Savior?

3.Does it amaze us that our Savior, the very Son of God, was poor? Does this humble us as we think of the poor around us?

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Mark 10:46-52

We have here an example of strong faith.
We have here an example of determined perseverance in the face of difficulties.
We have an example of the constraining influence which gratitude to Christ ought to have upon our souls.

"What is the beginning of all saving faith, but a soul's venture on Christ? What is the life of saving faith, when once begun, but a continual leaning on an unseen Savior's word? What is the first step of a Christian, but a crying, like Bartimaeus, "Jesus have mercy on me?" What is the daily course of a Christian, but keeping up the same spirit of faith?"

"Why are they so soon deterred, and checked, and discouraged in drawing near to God? The answer is short and simple. They do not feel sufficiently their own sins."

"Freely pardoned, he ought to give himself freely and willingly to Christ's service. Bought at so mighty a price as the blood of Christ, he ought to devote himself heartily and thoroughly to Him who redeemed him. Grace really experienced will make a man feel daily, "What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits.""

Questions:

1.Do we ask for faith like that of this blind man, who believed even though he had not seen? Does this not encourage us to cry out to Jesus Christ for mercy, knowing that He hasn’t changed?

2.Do we know the plague of sin in our souls, and have we found rest in no one less than Jesus Christ and His blood and perfect righteousness?

3.Has the gospel of grace, free pardon of our sins, drawn our hearts to treasure Jesus above all and freely give ourselves to His service? Or are we self-deceived, still walking on the broad path, not following our Lord willingly?

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Mark 10:35-45

Let us mark the ignorance of our Lord's disciples.
Let us mark what praise our Lord bestows on lowliness, and devotion to the good of others.
Let us mark the language which our Lord uses in speaking of His own death.

"But let us not, like them, forget that there is a cross to be borne by every Christian, and that "through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14:22.) Let us not, like them, be over-confident in our own strength, and forward in professing that we can do anything that Christ requires. Let us, in short, beware of a boastful spirit, when we first begin to run the Christian course. If we remember this, it may save us many humbling falls."

"[True greatness] consists in devoting ourselves, body, and soul, and spirit to the blessed work of making our fellow men more holy and more happy...Let us strive to leave the world better, holier, happier than it was when we were born."

"When He died, He died for us. When He suffered, He suffered in our stead. When He hung on the cross, He hung there as our Substitute. When His blood flowed, it was the price of our souls. Let all who trust in Christ take comfort in the thought that they build on a sure foundation."

Questions:

1.Are we regularly/daily aware of the truth: be careful if you think you stand lest you fall? It is only when we walk humbly with God that we will be kept from many falls.

2.Do we watch and pray against self-esteem? Can we rejoice when a brother or sister is honored and we are not, or do we envy their attention?

3.Do we simply agree with this teaching that we are called to be servants of all, or is their evidence that we believe it? Are we giving ourselves body, mind, and soul, to make those around us holy and happy?

4.Do we believe that Christ has paid our debt in our place on the cross? Does this truth give us joy and cause us to serve others as we have been served?

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Mark 10:28-34

The first thing which demands our attention is the glorious promise which they contain.
The second thing which demands our attention is the solemn warning which they contain.
The last thing that demands our attention is our Lord's clear foreknowledge of His own suffering and death.

"Where is the saint who will dare to say in the face of these glorious promises, that there is no encouragement to serve Christ? Where is the man or woman whose hands are beginning to hang down, and whose knees are beginning to faint in the Christian race? Let all such ponder this passage, and take fresh courage."

"It is not enough to begin well. We must persevere, and go on, and continue in well-doing. We must not be content with the fair blossoms of a few religious convictions, and joys, and sorrows, and hopes, and fears. We must bear the good fruit of settled habits of repentance, faith, and holiness. Happy is he who counts the cost, and resolves, having once begun to walk in the narrow way, by God's grace never to turn aside."

"Let us ever bless God that the Gospel sets before us such a Savior, so faithful to the terms of the covenant--so ready to suffer--so willing to be reckoned sin and a curse in our stead. Let us not doubt that He who fulfilled his engagement to suffer, will also fulfill His engagement to save all who come to Him."

Questions:

1.Do the promises for here and the life to come encourage your heart when you contemplate them? When is the last time you thought about these blessings?

2.Friends, are we not humbled by the fact that it doesn’t matter how we start, but that we persevere to the end in faith and well-doing? How many do we count who started and have fallen since? Do we not see our need for daily grace?

3.Do our hearts not hear of the faithfulness of Jesus and bless His name? Does hearing this give us fresh confidence that God who began a good work will bring it to completion? Does this cause us to take God for granted or desire to live for Him today?

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Mark 10:17-27

Let us learn the self-ignorance of man.
Let us learn the love of Christ towards sinners.
Let us learn the immense danger of the love of money.

"So long as we think that we can keep the law of God, Christ profits us nothing. Let us pray for self-knowledge. Let us ask for the Holy Spirit to convince us of sin, to show us our own hearts, to show us God's holiness, and so to show us our need of Christ...Ignorance of the Law and ignorance of the Gospel will generally be found together. He whose eyes have really been opened to the spirituality of the commandments, will never rest until he has found Christ."

"If men are lost, it is not because Jesus does not love them, and is not ready to save. His own solemn words unravel the mystery, "Men love darkness rather than light." "You will not come unto me that you might have life.""

"Let us watch against the love of money. It is a snare to the poor as well as to the rich. It is not so much the having money, as the trusting in it, which ruins the soul."

Questions:

1.Do we think we can keep the law of God, or have we seen, by the grace of God, that we cannot keep the commandments, and has this brought us to Christ? Do we pray for the work of the Spirit to give self-knowledge and convict us that we fall short of God’s requirements?

2.Do we see in Ryle’s insightful words that the love of God, while for all, has different levels? While He does love all, He loves his sheep, His bride, His elect with a special, saving love! Are we confident to tell the lost of the love of Christ and plead with them to go to Him?

3.Do we really believe that the love or trust of money is the root of all kinds of evil? Do we pray for contentment in what we have? Can we say with Paul, I have learned in whatever situation to be content?

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Mark 10:13-16

Let us learn how much attention the souls of children should receive from the Church of Christ.
Let us learn how much encouragement there is to bring young children to be baptized.

"They are never too young to receive religious impressions. They think in their childish way about God, and their souls, and a world to come, far sooner and far more deeply than most people are aware."

"No church can be regarded as being in a healthy state which neglects its younger members, and lazily excuses itself on the plea, that "young people will be young," and that it is useless to try to do them good. Such a church shows plainly that it does not have the mind of Christ."

"...Christians who do not use every means to bring children to Christ are committing a great sin."

"The baptism that it concerns us all to know, is not so much the baptism of water, as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Thousands are washed in baptismal waters who are never renewed by the Spirit."

Questions:

1.Could it be said that we are using every means available to us to point our own children, and the children in the church around us, to God? Have we said, or thought, such things as “children cannot understand” or “kid’s will be kids?” and justified our actions on that basis instead of God’s Word?

2.We see here some brief statements on the position of infant baptism, and convinced of believer’s baptism, I have a few comments of my own.

a.Ryle is right to say this passage carries an indirect argument for infant baptism, and therein lies the problem, as the direct arguments are missing, but not only from this passage, but from the whole NT, which he goes on to prove. If there was even one direct reference or strong biblical argument showing that baptism replaced circumcision, there would be a direct argument and no Baptists! Paul talks much about circumcision in his letters but never says circumcision is not required because baptism has replaced it, but he does say that if you pursue circumcision you nullify the cross of Christ! Here, in the cross of Christ, is where circumcision finds its true fulfillment, not in any physical act, but in a new creation, which is then expressed in baptism. This leads to the second point:

b.It seems to me that the weakest part of his argument is that infants may be elect and chosen of God unto salvation. Yes, but not without first calling on the name of the Lord, and understanding their need for Jesus as their Savior, something Ryle has been so clear in His expositions! How can that be a weighty argument?

c.So much more can be said, but a more pressing question needs to be asked: which ever side of the argument we find ourselves, are we quick to reach over the fence of this divide and eager to shake hands with all who love the Lord Jesus and hold fast the Word of life? Are we willing to cause harm to the gospel for the sake of an important, but secondary issue as this?

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Mark 10:1-12

The opening verse of this passage shows us the patient perseverance of our Lord Jesus Christ as a teacher.
The greater portion of this passage is meant to show us the dignity and importance of marriage.

"He knows that success is not in their hands. He knows that they cannot change hearts. He will reward them according to their labor, and not according to the fruits which have resulted from their labor. It is not "the good and successful servant," but "the good and faithful servant," to whom He will say, "Enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matt. 25:21.)

"Happy are they, who in the matter of marriage observe three rules. The first is to marry only in the Lord, and after prayer for God's approval and blessing. The second is not to expect too much from their partners, and to remember that marriage is, after all, the union of two sinners, and not of two angels. The third rule is to strive first and foremost for one another's sanctification. The more holy married people are, the happier they are."

Questions:

1.Do we believe and live the truth that God will say “Good and faithful servant” and not “Good and successful servant?” Are we faithful to do good, even when it seems like it is not being received?

2.Isn’t it striking that the main actor in a marriage is God who joins the husband and wife? Do we take marriage as seriously as God does? Is this covenant commitment the bedrock that your relationship rests on?

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Mark 9:38-50

We see the mind of Christ on the great subject of TOLERATION in religion.
We see the need of giving up anything that stands between us and the salvation of our souls.
We see the reality, awfulness, and eternity of future punishment.

"Is our neighbor warring against Satan? Is he really trying to labor for Christ? This is the grand question. Better a thousand times that the work should be done by other hands than not done at all."

"Our bodily members are ready instruments of evil, but slow to that which is good. The eye, the hand, and the foot are good servants, when under right direction. But they need daily watching, lest they lead us into sin."

"Were there no boundless mercy in Christ for all that believe in Him, we might well shrink from the dreadful topic. Were there no precious blood of Christ able to cleanse away all sin, we might well keep silence about the wrath to come. But there is mercy for all who ask in Christ's name. There is a fountain open for all sin. Let us then boldly and unhesitatingly maintain that there is a hell, and beseech men to flee from it, before it be too late."

Questions:

1.Although we should be firmly convinced in our own minds, do we think less of those doing gospel work because they disagree on other important, but not gospel issues? Are we filled with pride or do we rejoice and pray for those other gospel ministries?

2.Do we hear warnings like those of cutting off hands and tearing out eyes and ignore it, or do we take fighting sin seriously? Do we think our liberty in Christ makes God soft toward the sin in our lives? Does this cause us to rightly fear the sins that cling so closely?

3.The doctrine of hell has been called a ballast, that if missing, means that many other doctrines are in peril with it. Are we ashamed of the doctrine of hell? Does it cause you to blush or are we tempted to soften it’s sharp edges when talking to others?

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Mark 9:30-37

Let us mark our Lord's renewed announcement of His own coming, death, and resurrection.
Let us mark the ambition and love of pre-eminence which the apostles exhibited.
Let us mark the peculiar standard of true greatness which our Lord sets before His disciples.
Let us mark what encouragement our Lord gives us to show kindness to the least and lowest who believe in His name.

"Never are we so slow to understand, as when prejudice and pre-conceived opinions darken our eyes."

"The incarnation, and example, and words of Christ, are all of deep importance. But the grand object which demands our notice in the history of His earthly ministry, is His death on Calvary."

"Of all garments, none is so graceful, none wears so well, and none is so rare, as true humility."

"The men who are willing to be last of all, and servants of all, for Christ's sake, are always few. Yet these are the men who do good, break down prejudices, convince infidels that Christianity is a reality, and shake the world."

Questions:

1.Do we consider the cross the key to understanding our Lord’s work?

2.Are we aware of the dangers of the naturally besetting, easily disguised, and soul-ruining sin pride is in our lives? Does it shock us that pride can be disguised as humility? Do we watch against it? Do we apply the humbling medicine of meditating on the cross of Christ?

3.Do we truly believe that being the servant of all is to be the greatest? Are we ready and eager to serve others when we see needs arise and are able to meet them, or are we hesitant and reserved?

4.Do we believe that when we receive one such child in his name, we receive Christ and God as well? What would believing this do to our serving others?

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*There is a reference to Cranmer, you will find a short telling of that story HERE.

Mark 9:14-29

Let us learn how dependent Christ's disciples are on the company and help of their Master.
Let us learn how early in life we are liable to be injured by Satan.
Let us learn how faith and unbelief can be mixed together in the same heart.
Let us mark the complete dominion which our Lord exercises over Satan and all his agents.

"The contrast, we must all feel, is very great. Yet it is but a faint emblem of the change of scene that Jesus voluntarily undertook to witness, when He first laid aside His glory and came into the world. And it is after all a vivid picture of the life of all true Christians. With them, as with their Master, work, conflict, and scenes of weakness and sorrow will always be the rule. With them too, visions of glory, foretastes of heaven, seasons on the mount, will always be the exception."

"Let us strive to realize every day our need of the grace and presence of Christ. With Him we may do all things. Without Him we can do nothing at all. With Him we may overcome the greatest temptations. Without Him the least may overcome us."

"If young hearts can be filled by Satan, they can also be filled with the Spirit of God."

"It is of the utmost importance to our comfort to know, that a true believer may be known by his inward warfare, as well as by his inward peace."

Questions:

1.Are we daily aware of our need for Christ and His grace? Do we really believe that without Christ the only thing we can do is nothing?

2.Parents, are we diligent to use every means to point our children to Jesus and pray for them, even while they are very young?

3.Do we struggle with sin and doubt and unbelief? Does it surprise us to hear that this inward warfare against these foes is actually proof of truly believing?

4.Do we find great comfort in the fact that Jesus is for us and is able to save us to the uttermost, that in His hands we are safe?

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Mark 9:1-13

The first thing which demands our notice in these verses, is the marvelous vision they contain of the glory which Christ and His people shall have at His second coming.
The second thing which demands our notice in this passage, is the strong expression of the apostle Peter, when he saw his Lord transfigured.
The last thing which demands our notice in this passage is the distinct testimony which it bears to Christ's office and dignity, as the promised Messiah.

"The vision of the holy mount is a gracious pledge that glorious things are in store for the people of God. Their crucified Savior shall come again in power and great glory. His saints shall all come with Him, and are in safe keeping until that happy day."

"Let us look forward, and try to form some idea of the pleasure which the saints shall experience, when they shall at last meet the Lord Jesus at His second coming, and meet to part no more."

"The grand question that concerns us all is not so much what man says, or ministers say--what the Church says, or what councils say--but what says Christ? Him let us hear. In Him let us abide. On him let us lean. To Him let us look. He and He only will never fail us, never disappoint us, and never lead us astray."

Questions:

1.When tempted or doubting, do we find comfort in the hope that God has promised? Does this future grace give us grace for today?

2.With that in mind, when was the last time we sought to form some idea of the pleasure that will be ours at the second coming of Christ? When we do, do we find joy and strength from the thought of it?

3.The Father tells us to listen to His Son. Have these words directed and brought clarity to our daily lives? How helpful in a world with so many voices vying for our attention!

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Mark 8:34-38

We learn the absolute necessity of self-denial, if we would be Christ's disciples, and be saved.
We learn the unspeakable value of the soul.
We learn the great danger of being ashamed of Christ.

"No good thing on earth was ever attained without trouble. We cannot surely expect that without trouble we can enter the kingdom of God. Let us go forward boldly, and allow no difficulty to keep us back. The cross by the way is but for a few years. The glory at the end is for evermore...A religion which costs nothing, is worth nothing."

"Of all unprofitable and foolish bargains that man can make, the worst is that of giving up his soul's salvation for the sake of this present world."

"Christ's doctrine, laws, and people were never popular, and never will be. The man who boldly confesses that he loves them, is sure to bring on himself ridicule and persecution."

Questions:

1.Does our Christianity cost us anything? What are times or situations in which we have had to sacrifice for the sake of Christ and His gospel?

2.Do we live as if the world is passing away and our souls will go on forever? If truly believing this results in clinging to the cross and denying self, could we say that we believe it?

3.When confronted with confessing Christ, are we ashamed or afraid of what others think of us? Do we fear more of Christ being ashamed of us on the final day or of being ridiculed by others? Would we pray regularly to fear Christ rather than man?

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Mark 8:27-33

Let us observe the variety of opinions about Christ which prevailed among the Jews.
Let us observe the good confession of faith which the apostle Peter witnessed.
Let us observe the full declaration which our Lord makes of His own coming death and resurrection.
Finally, let us observe in this passage the strange mixture of grace and infirmity which may be found in the heart of a true Christian.

"He "must" suffer to make reconciliation for iniquity. He "must" die, because without His death as a propitiatory offering, sinners could never have life. He "must" suffer, because without His vicarious sufferings, our sins could never be taken away."

"And last, but not least, Simon Peter did it all with the best intentions! He meant well. His motives were pure. But zeal and earnestness are no excuse for error. A man may mean well and yet fall into tremendous mistakes."

Questions:

1.Do we know about Christ or do we know, love, and trust Christ? Can we say “My beloved is mine, and I am His?”

2.Are we ready to confess Christ even when it is not popular, when it might cost us?

3.Is penal substitution, that Jesus took our place on the cross, the center piece of our theology or is it something we are embarrassed to talk about? Do we lean on this truth as if our lives depended on it?

4.Does the fact that Peter received such a strong rebuke from our Lord humble us, exposing that if even he could err so greatly, that we very well may as well? Do we think ourselves above his error? Do we ask our Lord to hold, keep, teach us and help us not to err? Does this give us grace in dealing with the faults of others?

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Mark 8:22-26

But it is well to remember that the Lord is not tied to the use of any one means.
Notice the gradual nature of the cure which our Lord performed on this blind man.
Let us see then in this gradual restoration to sight, a vivid illustration of the manner in which the Spirit frequently works in the conversion of souls.
Finally, let us see in the gradual cure of this blind man, a striking picture of the present position of Christ's believing people in the world, compared with that which is to come.

"Conversion is an illumination, a change from darkness to light, from blindness to seeing the kingdom of God. Yet few converted people see things distinctly at first. The nature and proportion of doctrines, practices, and ordinances of the Gospel are dimly seen by them, and imperfectly understood. They are like the man before us, who at first saw men as trees walking. Their vision is dazzled and unaccustomed to the new world into which they have been introduced."

Questions:

1.Are we aware that God works in various ways, or do we think He must work in the way we are familiar?

2.Are we humbled by the fact that there are more areas than we are likely aware, of things we do not yet understand, either in knowledge or practice? Does this give us grace in dealing with others? Do we find comfort in knowing that there is a day coming when we will see clearly?

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Mark 8:14-21

Let us notice the solemn warning which our Lord gives to His disciples at the beginning of this passage.
Let us notice the dull understanding of the disciples, when our Lord gave the warning of this passage.

"The sword of the foe has never done such damage to the cause of truth as the tongue and the pen."

"Let us no more trifle with a little false doctrine, than we would trifle with a little immorality or a little lie."

"Let it be a rule with us never to despise the weakness and dullness of young Christians. Wherever we see a spark of true grace, however dim and mixed with infirmity, let us be helpful and kind. Let us do as we would be done by."

Questions:

1.Do we consider doctrine important or inconsequential? Do we have discernment to know the difference between what is true and what is almost true? Are we careful to watch our life and our doctrine?

2.Are we patient with those who do not understand and seem to make many mistakes in doctrine? Do we correct with patience? Do we remember that Christ, and who knows how many others, have had to be patient with us as well?

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Mark 8:1-13

Let us observe how great is the kindness and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us observe that with Christ nothing is impossible.
Let us observe how much sorrow unbelief occasions to our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Let us strive to make Jesus our pattern in this, as well as in everything else. Let us be kind, and compassionate, and piteous, and courteous to all men. Let us be ready to do good to all men, and not only to friends and the household of faith."

"Weak, infirm, corrupt, empty as believers feel themselves, let them never despair, while Jesus lives. In Him there is a boundless store of mercy and grace, laid up for the use of all His believing members, and ready to be bestowed on all who ask in prayer."

"There are few surer marks of an unconverted heart, than carelessness and indifference about the souls of others."

Questions:

Do we have hearts like the Lord Jesus, that show compassion to others? Are we ready to do good works when needs arise?
Do we find comfort in the providential care of the one who knows even when the sparrow falls from the sky? Do we trust Him to give us our daily bread in due time?
Do we feel hurt, pain, and sorrow when we see others continuing in sin and unbelief? Do we feel grieved and concerned about the state of the unconverted?
Do we realize that our sin and unbelief still grieve our Lord? Do we strive and pray that we may not add to, but rather be delivered, from such?

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Mark 7:31-37

The first thing that demands our notice in these verses, is the mighty miracle that is here recorded.
The second thing which demands our notice in these verses, is the peculiar manner in which our Lord thought good to work the miracle here recorded.
The last thing which demands our notice in these verses, is the remarkable testimony which was borne by those who saw the miracle here recorded.

"He will not have any means of grace made an idol and exalted, to the disparagement of other means. He will not have any means despised as useless, and neglected as of no value. All are good and valuable. All are in their turn employed for the same great end, the conversion of souls."

"We shall never see the full beauty of these words until the resurrection morning. We shall then look back over our lives, and know the meaning of everything that happened from first to last. We shall remember all the way by which we were led, and confess that all was "well done.""

Questions:

Do we pray trusting that, if according to God’s will, he can turn the hardest heart to Him? In like manner, do we pray for ourselves believing that the power of the Holy Spirit can grant deliverance and strength to be more like Christ?
Do we believe God can only work in one way or another? Maybe He worked a particular way in our lives, but do we expect it has to be the same in others or not be of God?
As we look back on our lives, can we say in faith, that God has done all things well? As we think about the unknown future, is their comfort knowing that the God who has ordained whatever may come will do it well? The He makes no mistakes?

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Mark 7:24-30

This passage is meant to encourage us to pray for others.
This passage is meant to teach us to persevere in praying for others.

"Fathers and mothers cannot give their children new hearts. They can give them Christian education, and show them the way of life; but they cannot give them a will to choose Christ's service, and a heart to love God. Yet there is one thing they can always do--they can pray for them."

"But do we pray for ourselves? Then let us take heed that we pray for others also. Let us beware of selfish prayers--prayers which are wholly taken up with our own affairs, and in which there is no place for other souls beside our own. Let us name all whom we love before God continually."

Questions:

1.Beloved parents, will we stand before the throne one day and hear from our gracious God, “I have a long record of prayers that were a sweet aroma to me and evidence of your faith in me and love for your son/your daughter?” May it be so!

2.Do we pray or are we, as Ryle says, godless, Christless, and hopeless?

3.Do we pray for others or only for ourselves? If we do pray for others, do we persevere in our prayers for them like the Syrophoenician woman, or are our hearts quickly cooled after a short season of no answers? Do we name all whom we love regularly?

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Mark 7:14-23

We see how slow of understanding men are in spiritual things.
We see that the heart is the chief source of defilement and impurity in God's sight.
We see what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains.

"In reading the Bible and hearing sermons, everything depends on the spirit in which we read and hear. A humble, teachable, child-like frame of mind is the grand secret of success."

"If parents were half as diligent in praying for their children's conversion as they are in keeping them from bad company, their children would turn out far better than they do."

"Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds. Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, "lead us not into temptation.""

Questions:

1.Do we approach the Bible with humility and pray for the help of the Holy Spirit or are we quick to skip that part and read on our own strength?

2.Do we really believe that the primary, root problem with each person is what comes from our hearts and not from outside of us? Parents, do we spend as much time praying for the work on the Holy Spirit to give our children new hearts, or are we happy to have outward obedience or ease?

3.As we consider the list of vices, do we quickly read and move on, or do we stop to realize that these evils exist in our own hearts? Does this list humble us?

4.Does considering this list make us thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ?

5.Does this reality cause us to cry out, “Lord, keep me from temptation?” or do we feel strong in our own abilities?

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Mark 7:1-13

Is the low and degraded condition of Jewish religion, when our Lord was upon earth.
Is the uselessness of mere lip-service in the worship of God.
Is the tendency of man's inventions in religion to supplant God's word.

"External observances alone feed no consciences and sanctify no hearts!"

"It must not content us to take our bodies to church, if we leave our hearts at home."

"Heart-prayers are the prayers He loves to hear. Heart-prayers are the only prayers that He will answer. Our petitions may be weak, and stammering, and poor in our eyes. They may be presented with no fine words, or well-chosen language, and might seem almost unintelligible, if they were written down. But if they come from a right heart, God understands them. Such prayers are His delight."

Questions:

1.Are we aware of how dangerous false teaching is? How slippery it can be? Are we careful to watch our lives and our doctrine?

2.Have we been humbled by the fact that God sees our hearts, what we are thinking and what we really want? Do we believe that God cares most about the heart and asks us to give Him our hearts? Have we asked God to unite our divided hearts to fear His name?

3.There may be commands of men that are useful, but do they take precedence over God’s commands? Do we really believe that God’s Words carry the authority of God?

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Mark 6:47-56

Let us notice how our Lord sees the troubles of His believing people, and in due time will help them.
Let us notice the fears of the disciples, when they first saw our Lord walking upon the sea.
Let us notice what a bright example we have of our duty to one another.

"The event first recorded in these verses, is a beautiful emblem of the position of all believers, between the first and second advents of Jesus Christ. Like the disciples, we are now tossed to and fro by storms, and do not enjoy the visible presence of our Lord. Like the disciples, we shall see our Lord face to face again, though it may be a time of great extremity, when He returns. Like the disciples, we shall see all things changed for the better, when our Master comes to us. We shall no longer be buffeted by storms. There will be a great calm."

"The plain duty of the true Christian is, to live provided with an antidote against all fears of the great unseen world. That antidote is faith in an unseen Savior, and constant communion with Him. Armed with that antidote, and seeing Him who is invisible, nothing need make us afraid."

Questions:

1.When faced with various trials, do we believe we are never out of the eye and care of our Lord? Do we believe that He always comes at the right time, even when we might have wished sooner?

2.When faced with the realities of the unseen world, do we turn to our unseen Savior who is over all? Do we find comfort as we commune with our great Shepherd?

3.Do we labor to bring people to Jesus, the great Physician, to be healed of the plague of sin? Do we believe He can make them well?

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Mark 6:35-46

Let us observe what an example this miracle affords of our Lord Jesus Christ's almighty POWER.
Let us observe our Lord Jesus Christ's conduct, when the miracle of feeding the multitude had been performed.

"We live in the midst of an evil world, and see few with us, and many against us. We carry within us a weak heart, too ready at any moment to turn aside from the right way. We have near us, at every moment, a busy devil, watching continually for our halting, and seeking to lead us into temptation. Where shall we turn for comfort? What shall keep faith alive, and preserve us from sinking in despair? There is only one answer. We must look to Jesus."

"There are few things, it may be feared, in which Christians come so far short of Christ's example, as they do in the matter of prayer. Our Master's strong crying and tears--His continuing all night in prayer to God--His frequent withdrawal to private places, to hold close communion with the Father, are things more talked of and admired than imitated."

Questions:

1.In a world of opposition, were do we turn for comfort and strength? Do we have accounts such as this etched into our hearts? Are we quick to turn to Christ, who has never changed and is on our side?

2.It is interesting to hear Ryle talk about living in an age of hurry, bustle, and such…sounds like nothing has changed! Do we imitate Christ in His example of prayer, or do we talk of and admire it? Have we grown in prayer over the years? How much time do we give in a 24-hour period to this important task?

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Mark 6:30-34

Let us mark the conduct of the apostles when they returned from their first mission as preachers.
Let us mark the words of our Lord to the apostles, when they returned from their first public ministry.
Let us mark the feelings of our Lord Jesus Christ towards the people who came together to Him.

"Prayer is the main secret of success in spiritual business. It moves Him who can move heaven and earth. It brings down the promised aid of the Holy Spirit, without whom the finest sermons, the clearest teaching, and the most diligent labors, are all alike in vain."

"The prosperity of a man's ministry and public work is intimately bound up with the prosperity of his own soul."

"The man who cares nothing for the souls of other people is not like Jesus Christ. It may well be doubted whether he is converted himself, and knows the value of his own soul."

Questions:

1.Do we labor, in whatever we do, trusting God to bring the growth in prayer, or do we labor as if it is completely up to us?

2.For those who labor hard in whatever they do, are you aware that you are finite and limited and need rest? Are you economizing your health as a talent from God or squandering it away like a gambler?

3.Do we have minds and hearts that are growing to be like Christ? Do we feel compassion for the lost, both near and far? Are we concerned to give of our means to spread the gospel in the world? Does this matter to us?

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Mark 6:14-29

We see the amazing power of truth over the conscience.
We see how far people may go in religion, and yet miss salvation by yielding to one master-sin.
We see how boldly a faithful minister of God ought to rebuke sin.
We see how bitterly people hate a reprover, when they are determined to keep their sins.
We see how much sin may sometimes follow from feasting and reveling.
We see how little reward some of God's best servants receive in this world.

"Let us often look within, and make sure that there is no darling lust or pet transgression, which, Herodias-like, is murdering our souls."

"If he believes a man is injuring his soul, he ought surely to tell him so. If he loves him truly and tenderly, he ought not to let him ruin himself unwarned. Great as the present offence may be, in the long run the faithful reprover will generally be respected."

"It is no disgrace to a minister's character to be disliked by the wicked and ungodly. It is no real honor to a minister to be thought well of by everybody."

"Histories like these are meant to remind us, that the true Christian's best things are yet to come. His rest, his crown, his wages, his reward, are all on the other side of the grave."

Questions:

1.Beloved brother or sister, are their any ‘pet’ sins we are unwilling to give up, when made aware of them? As we grow in godliness, can we say that I hate every false way?

2.We are told in 1 Corinthians 5 to judge those who are inside the church, and in Matthew 18 to win them by doing so. Have we ever, or are we willing, to reprove a brother and sister in open sin? Do we believe that to rebuke is our calling and the results are up to God?

3.Can it be said that everybody speaks well of us? Have we suffered hatred and reviling for speaking the truth in love and calling out sin in someone’s life? If not, why?

4.If there is a sin we constantly struggle with, could it be because we open ourselves to unnecessary temptations like Herod did?

5.Are we disappointed with our life situation, or have we placed our hope fully on our heavenly home where all amends will be made? If we are looking for the praise of man, that is all we will get, but if we are looking for the praise of God, no eye has seen, nor ear heard, the glorious things that God has laid up for those who love Him! Is that where our hope is?

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Mark 6:7-13

Let us observe how our Lord Jesus Christ sent forth His apostles "two by two."
Let us observe what solemn words our Lord uses about those who will not receive nor hear His ministers.
Let us observe what was the doctrine which our Lord's apostles preached.

"Two men together will do more work than two men individually. They will help one another in judgment, and commit fewer mistakes. They will aid one another in difficulties, and less often fail of success. They will stir one another up when tempted to idleness, and less often relapse into indolence and indifference. They will comfort one another in times of trial, and be less often cast down.

"Have we, in short, laid hold on the hope set before us, taken up the cross, and followed Christ? If not, we are far worse than the heathen, who bow down to stocks and stones. We are far more guilty than the people of Sodom and Gomorrah."

"They do not see that one of the greatest sins a man can commit in the sight of God, is to hear the Gospel of Christ and not believe it--to be invited to repent and believe, and yet to remain careless and unbelieving. In short, to reject the Gospel will sink a man to the lowest place in hell."

Questions:

This principle of two-by-two from Ecclesiastes is often applied to marriage, but here Ryle rightly applies it to the church. Is this what we often see? Is this something we desire when we go to serve others? Are we seeking to stir up others to love and good works?
What are we doing with the Gospel? We might not live in a Christian land, but, if you are listening to this podcast, you probably have a Bible and have heard the gospel. But have we received it into our hearts? Have we really obeyed it in our lives? Have we, in short, laid hold on the hope set before us, taken up the cross, and followed Christ?
Beloved brother or sister, have we felt, mourned over, forsaken, and sought pardon for sin?

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Mark 6:1-6

We see how apt men are to undervalue things with which they are familiar.
We see how humble was the rank of life which our Lord condescended to occupy before He began His public ministry.
We see how exceedingly sinful is the sin of unbelief.

"It is a dreadful truth, that in religion, more than in anything else, familiarity breeds contempt."

"He who made heaven, and earth, and sea, and all that therein is within them--He, without whom nothing was made that was made--the Son of God Himself, took on Him the form of a servant, and "by the sweat of his brow ate food” as a working man. This is indeed that love of Christ “that surpasses knowledge.""

"Let us watch our own hearts carefully in the matter of unbelief. The heart, and not the head, is the seat of its mysterious power. It is neither the lack of evidence, nor the difficulties of Christian doctrine, that make men unbelievers. It is lack of will to believe."

Questions:

Are we overly familiar with the truths of God’s Word? Do we hear about a crucified Savior and are left without being affected?
Do we despise or think less than those who are poor or have less than we do?
How humbling but helpful to remember that unbelief is never entirely destroyed in this life. Are we aware of how prevalent unbelief is, not only in our heads but in our hearts and in how we live day-by-day? Is the exhortation to watch and pray against unbelief surprising or are we daily aware of our need for God’s grace to believe and walk in the truth? Have we seen our need and asked the Lord to increase our faith?

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Mark 5:35-43

Let us learn that rank places no man beyond the reach of sorrow.
Let us learn how almighty is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us see in this miracle a blessed pledge of what our Lord will do in the day of His second appearing.

"Let us beware of sorrowing like those who have no hope, over friends who fall asleep in Christ. The youngest and loveliest believer can never die before the right time. Let us look forward. There is a glorious resurrection morning yet to come."

Questions:

Does the reality of death humble us as the great leveler, or do we live as if tomorrow is promised?
Do you have a child or friend who does not believe and is spiritually dead? Do you pray trusting that the same God who brought us to life can do so with them, if He so pleases? Does the Lord have message after message from you with that request?
Beloved friend, do you have a loved one who has passed away in the Lord? Do you grieve with the promised hope that you will see them again? Do you not believe that Jesus has the keys of death and Hades in his hands? Take hold of that closing verse form Hosea 13:14…

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Mark 5:21-34

Let us mark what misery sin has brought into the world.
Let us mark how different are the feelings with which people draw near to Christ.
Let us mark how immediate and instantaneous was the cure which this woman received.
Let us mark how much it becomes Christians to confess before men the benefit they receive from Christ.
Let us mark how precious a grace is faith.

"The Savior of the Christian is always set before us as gentle, and easy to be entreated, the healer of the broken hearted, the refuge of the weak and helpless, the comforter of the distressed, the sick man's best friend. And is not this just the Savior that human nature needs?"

"One touch of real faith can do more for the soul than a hundred self-imposed austerities. One look at Jesus is more efficacious than years of sackcloth and ashes. May we never forget this to our dying day! Personal application to Christ is the real secret of peace with God."

"Faith brings an empty hand, receives everything, and can give nothing in return."

Questions:

Dear friend, do we see every racking pain, every loathsome infirmity, every humbling weakness in our world and hate the sin that is its ultimate source? Or are we prone to question and doubt God’s goodness instead?
Are we those who have come to Christ and found true benefit in Him – His steadfast love, peace and joy – or are we like the crowds who are just curious? Do we, like the woman, continue to strive to find these benefits in our own works or earthly remedies, or by looking to Jesus with faith?
Are we willing to acknowledge Christ and tell others what He has done for our souls? If not, why? Have we forgotten that if we are not ashamed of Him, He will not be ashamed of us?
Beloved friend, do you really believe, having, with empty hands, received what the Lord has said and walk by that same faith?

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Mark 5:18-20

We learn that the Lord Jesus knows better than His people what is the right position for them to be in.
We learn that a believer's own home has the first claims on his attention.

"With the best intentions, they are apt to fall into mistakes about their plans in life, their choices, their moves, their professions. They forget that what we like best, is not always best for our souls, and that the seed of grace needs winter as well as summer, cold as well as heat, to ripen it for glory."

"All are not called to be ministers. All are not intended to preach. But all can walk in the steps of the man of whom we have been reading, and in the steps of Andrew, and Philip, and the Samaritan woman."

Questions:

Have we humbly prayed for God’s guidance and that he would keep us from erring in our choices or from making hasty decisions? Do we seek the humility that comes from the gospel, knowing our sinfulness and our dependence on God by faith?
As the Lord has graciously made us new creatures, and as the Lord gives opportunity, do we share of that good news with our family and friends, those who know us best?

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Mark 5:1-17

We see that the possession of a man's body by the devil, was a real and true thing in the time of our Lord's earthly ministry.
We see what an awfully cruel, powerful, and malicious being Satan is.
We see how complete is our Lord's power and authority over the devil.

"Unbelief about the existence and personality of Satan, has often proved the first step to unbelief about God."

"Well would it be for us all, if we strove more to realize the power and presence of our great spiritual enemy, and prayed more to be delivered from him. It was a true saying of an eminent Christian, now gone to rest, "No prayer is complete which does not contain a petition to be kept from the devil.""

"We live in a world full of difficulties and snares. We are ourselves weak and encompassed with infirmity. The dreadful thought that we have a mighty spiritual enemy ever near us, subtle, powerful, and malicious as Satan is, might well disquiet us, and cast us down. But, thanks be unto God, we have in Jesus an almighty Friend, who is "able to save us to the uttermost.""

Questions:

Do we believe that Satan is a real being and that demonic possession, although hard to understand and explain, is a real thing in this world?
Do we understand our need for and ask our God for the request Jesus called us to pray, “and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one?”
Have we been set free from the devil’s schemes by the power of the gospel? Do we daily resist the devil and make Him flee like Peter tell us?

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Mark 4:35-41

Let us learn that Christ's service does not exempt His servants from storms.
Let us learn that our Lord Jesus Christ was really and truly man.
Let us learn that our Lord Jesus Christ, as God, has almighty power.
We learn from this passage that our Lord Jesus Christ is exceedingly patient and piteous in dealing with His own people.

"But He has never promised that we shall have no affliction. He loves us too well to promise that. By affliction He teaches us many precious lessons, which without it we should never learn. By affliction He shows us our emptiness and weakness, draws us to the throne of grace, purifies our affections, weans us from the world, makes us long for heaven. In the resurrection morning, we shall all say, "It is good for me that I was afflicted." We shall thank God for every storm."

"With the Lord Jesus Christ nothing is impossible. No stormy passions are so strong that He cannot tame them. No temper is so rough and violent that He cannot change it. No conscience is so disturbed, that He cannot speak peace to it, and make it calm. No man ever need despair, if He will only bow down his pride, and come as a humbled sinner to Christ."

Questions:

Do we live thinking that Christ owes us an easier life, or are we prepared to count various trials as joy by the grace of God? If the Lord would take us home today, would we say, “it was good that I was afflicted?”
Do we believe that Jesus understands our weaknesses and frailties? Does this give us comfort in coming to Him?
Do we believe that if Christ is for us, who can be against us?
Do we believe Jesus is patient toward us, or do we think of Him as an imperfect earthly father? And in the same vain, do we seek to show the same patience toward others who err if Jesus has received them?

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Mark 4:30-34

We learn that, like the grain of mustard seed, Christ's visible church was to be small and weak in its beginnings.
We learn that, like the mustard seed, the visible church, once planted, was to grow and greatly increase.

"Let us leave the parable with a resolution never to despise any movement or instrumentality in the church of Christ, because at first it was weak and small."

Question:

Do we despise the small and seemingly insignificant things? Do we put our hope in our great God who is pleased to take what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; the weak to shame the strong, and the low and despised to bring to nothing things that are?

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Mark 4:26-29

We are taught that, as in the growth of grain, so in the work of grace, there must be a sower.
We are taught that, as in the growth of grain, so in the work of grace, there is much that is beyond man's comprehension and control.
We are taught that, as in the growth of grain, so in the work of grace, life manifests itself gradually.
We are taught that, as in the growth of grain, so in the work of grace, there is no harvest until the seed is ripe.

"Let us remember that grace, like everything else, must have a beginning. The mightiest oak was once an acorn. The strongest man was once a babe. Better a thousand times have grace in the blade than no grace at all."

"The highest abilities, the most powerful preaching, the most diligent working, cannot command success. God alone can give spiritual life. But it is a truth at the same time, which supplies an admirable antidote to over-anxiety and despondency."

Questions:

Are we humbled by the fact that God is the one who brings the growth? In like manner, does that fact that God brings the growth take away anxiety as if growth is up to me?
Do we look down on those who are young or weak in the faith or do we rejoice in the fact that He who began a good work will bring it to completion?
Are we prone to say about believers who have passed: why would God take them so early? Do we have God’s perspective regarding death that they never die at the wrong time?

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Mark 4:21-25

We learn that we ought not only to receive knowledge, but to impart it to others.
We learn the importance of hearing, and of considering well what we hear.
We learn the importance of a diligent use of religious privileges.

"It is high time that the old tradition, that the clergy alone ought to teach and spread religious knowledge, should be exploded and cast aside forever. To do good and diffuse light is a duty for which all members of Christ's Church are responsible, whether ministers or laymen."

"Attention to this great principle is the main secret of spiritual prosperity. The man who makes rapid progress in spiritual attainments--who grows visibly in grace, and knowledge, and strength, and usefulness--will always be found to be a diligent man."

Questions:

Are we sharing what with others what we are learning and applying from God’s Word? What will God say about this when we stand before Him?
Do we not only value preaching, but seek to learn what we hear? Do we realize that when we hear faithful preaching, we are receiving a great gift?
Are we diligent to use the means of grace of preaching, prayer, private devotion, fellowship, etc.?

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Mark 4:1-20

We are taught that there are some hearers of the Gospel, whose hearts are like the path.
We are taught that there are some hearers of the Gospel whose hearts are like the stony ground in a field.
We are taught that there are some hearers of the Gospel, whose hearts are like the thorny ground in a field.
We are taught that there are some hearers of the Gospel, whose hearts are like the good ground in a field.

"SIN will be truly hated, mourned over, resisted, and renounced. CHRIST will be truly loved, trusted in, followed, and obeyed. HOLINESS will show itself in all their life, in humility, spiritual-mindedness, patience, meekness, and charity. There will be something that can be seen. The true work of the Holy Spirit cannot be hidden."

Questions:

There is only one question that really needs to be asked: am I bearing fruit? Are we growing in hatred of sin? Are we growing in love for Christ and seeking to obey Him? Are we growing in holiness shown in such things as humility, spiritual-mindedness, patience, meekness, and charity? As a side note: sometimes we are bad judges of such fruit, and it is important to be in community where brothers and sisters can point out fruit in one another’s lives. There would be no greater encouragement to the believer, to hear from another believer that they are seeing certain fruits in their lives. This produces two questions:

a. Am I living in community in such a way that I can observe fruit in others lives?

b. Do I make it a ministry to encourage others when I see fruit in their lives?

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Mark 3:31-35

We learn from these verses one mighty lesson: who they are that are reckoned the relations of Jesus Christ.

"Who can conceive the depth of our Lord's love towards Mary the mother that bore Him, and on whose bosom He had been nursed? Who can imagine the breadth of His love towards His brethren according to the flesh, with whom the tender years of his childhood had been spent? Doubtless no heart ever had within it such deep well-springs of affection as the heart of Christ. Yet even He says, of all who "do the will of God," that each "is his brother, and sister, and mother."

Questions:

Whether poor, persecuted, or whatever situation, do you feel the great comfort that there is One who knows, loves, cares, and reckons you as His son or daughter? Does contemplating on this give you joy and peace?
If you happen to be listening to this and have persecuted or made fun of Christians for their beliefs or godly lifestyles? Would you not, even now, fear that you have done so toward one of God’s own, repent, and become one of His as well?

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Mark 3:22-30

We ought to notice how great is the evil of dissension and divisions.
We ought to notice what a glorious declaration our Lord makes in these verses about the forgiveness of sins.
We ought to notice that it is possible for a man's soul to be lost forever in hell.

"Nothing justifies separation from a church but the separation of that church from the Gospel. Let us be ready to concede much, and make many sacrifices for the sake of unity and peace."

"We may sometimes feel faint, and unworthy, and cast down. But if we have really come to Jesus by faith, our sins are fully forgiven. They are cast behind God's back--blotted out of the book of His remembrance--sunk into the depths of the sea. Let us believe and not be afraid."

"Of sin, worldliness, and the love of pleasure, we may well be ashamed. But we never need be ashamed of seeking to be delivered from an eternal hell."

Questions:

Are we eager to fight over any doctrinal issue that someone disagrees with us on or eager to unite with all who love the gospel of Jesus Christ and, as one author has said, “to reach over the fence and shake hands often” with those whom we disagree on issues not related to the gospel?
Do we believe that our sins freely pardoned and fully forgiven? If not, what stops you from turning to Christ even now? If you have, do you struggle to believe this from time to time? If this is you, put your full weight down on this glorious promise; cling to it believing the word of Christ rather than your fickle feelings!
Do we struggle to believe in an eternal hell? Are we tempted to find a thousand difficult arguments to do away with a clear teaching such as this? Does believing this doctrine cause us to flee to Christ and be ashamed of the sins that would send us to such an end? May it be so!

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Mark 3:13-21

Let us notice how many of the twelve who are here named, had been called to be disciples before they were ordained apostles.
Let us notice the nature of the office to which the apostles were ordained.
Let us notice how our Lord Jesus Christ's zeal was misunderstood.

"None do such injury to the cause of Christianity, as unconverted, worldly ministers. They are a support to the infidel, a joy to the devil, and an offence to God."

"How great is the responsibility of ministers! How heavy their work, if they do their duty! How much they need the prayers of all praying people, in order to support and strengthen their hands! No wonder that Paul says so often to the churches, "Pray for us.""

Questions:

In summing up the first two points, beloved brother or sister, do you pray for your pastor(s)? Do you regularly bring them before the throne of grace to increasingly know the grace of our God?
Are we surprised when the world doesn’t understand what we do for the Lord? Why we would follow Him and not the ways of the world? 1 Peter 4 tells us to not be surprised when the fiery trial comes upon us to test us, as if something strange were happening.

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Mark 3:1-12

Let us observe how our Lord Jesus Christ was watched by His enemies.
Let us observe the great principle that our Lord lays down about Sabbath observance.
Let us observe the feelings which the conduct of our Lord's enemies called forth in His heart.

"Wherever we go, and whatever we do, let us remember that, like our Master, we are "watched." The thought should make us exercise a holy jealousy over all our conduct, that we may do nothing to cause the enemy to blaspheme."

"We may rest assured that there is no human feeling which needs so much cautious guarding as this. A sinless wrath is a very rare thing."

Questions:

Do we live as those who are watched by the world around us; as those who bear the name of Christ and either live to commend the gospel or drag it through the mud? Do we pray as if our witness depends on it?
Are we quick to justify our anger, or do we realize that anger – even for righteous purposes – is a short jump away from sinful anger? Is anger an area in my life that gives Jesus a bad name to the watching world?

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Mark 2:23-28

We see what extravagant importance is attached to trifles by those who are mere formalists in religion.
We see the value of a knowledge of holy Scripture.
We see the true principle by which all questions about the observance of the SABBATH ought to be decided.

"It ought to be a settled principle in our minds, that a man's soul is in a bad state, when he begins to regard man-made rites and ceremonies, as things of superior importance, and exalts them above the preaching of the Gospel."

"There is no royal road to the knowledge of the Bible. It does not come to man by intuition. The book must be studied, pondered, prayed over, searched into, and not left always lying on a shelf, or carelessly looked at now and then. It is the students of the Bible, and they alone, who will find it a weapon ready in hand in the day of battle."

Questions:

Do we care more about outward religiosity more than sound doctrine and believing it from the heart?
Are we students of the Bible? Are we growing in our knowledge of what it says? Are we hiding God’s Word in your heart that we might not sin against Him? It is a large book, and it can feel daunting, but the journey of 1000 miles is only accomplished one step at a time.
On keeping the Sabbath, we ought to wrestle and pray! Does our practice come out of convenience or, like the previous point, biblical conviction?

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Mark 2:13-22

We learn from these verses the power of Christ to call men out from the world, and make them His disciples.
We learn that one of Christ's principal offices is that of a Physician.
We learn that in religion it is worse than useless to attempt to mix things which essentially differ.

"We ought never to despair entirely of any one's salvation, when we read this passage of Scripture. He who called Levi, still lives and still works. The age of miracles is not yet past. The love of money is a powerful principle, but the call of Christ is more powerful."

"To feel our sins, and know our sickness is the beginning of real Christianity. To be sensible of our corruption and abhor our own transgressions, is the first symptom of spiritual health."

Questions:

Do we pray for unbelievers in our lives in faith that God can save them, even if they seem too far gone?
Do we know Jesus as the Physician of our own sin-sick souls? Do we feel and know our need for Him?
Are we seeking to live for the world and for Christ at the same time, to put old wine in new wine skins, as Ryle understands it? Let us remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God and commit ourselves afresh to seeking first His kingdom and righteousness.

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Mark 2:1-12

We see what great spiritual privileges some people enjoy, and yet make no use of them.
We see how great a blessing AFFLICTION may prove to a man's soul.
We see the priestly power of forgiving sins, which is possessed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

"We need reminding that the same Gospel which is the savor aroma of life to some, is the savor aroma of death to others, and that the same fire which softens the wax will also harden the clay. Nothing, in fact, seems to harden man's heart so much, as to hear the Gospel regularly, and yet deliberately prefer the service of sin and the world."

"How many in every age can testify that this paralyzed man's experience has been their own! They have learned wisdom by affliction. Bereavements have proved mercies. Losses have proved real gains. Sicknesses have led them to the great Physician of souls, sent them to the Bible, shut out the world, shown them their own foolishness, taught them to pray."

Questions:

Do we find confidence sitting under good preaching and a good church rather than in the good news that is spoken and proclaimed Sunday after Sunday?
Do we see the various afflictions sent our way as gracious gifts from God or God’s curse upon us? Do we tend to murmur when tried? Do we see trials as opportunities to learn?
Have we gone to Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins? Have we heard Him tell us, by faith, that our sins are forgiven?

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Mark 1:40-45

Let us try to realize the dreadful nature of the disease which Jesus cured.
Let us learn the wondrous and almighty power of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us learn that there is a time to be silent about the work of Christ, as well as a time to speak.

"Blessed indeed is he who has learned that he is a spiritual leper, and a bad, wicked, sinful creature! To know our disease is one step towards a cure."

"The chief of sinners may yet be brought near to God by the blood and Spirit of Christ. Men are not lost, because they are too bad to be saved, but because they will not come to Christ that He may save them."

Questions:

Do we know ourselves to be sinners or those who just make mistakes from time-to-time? The wrong diagnosis will mean no correct cure.
Do we have family members or friends we do not believe could be saved? Have we stopped praying for them? Might we need to remember the words “with God all things are possible” and press on?
Are we inclined to be silent or outspoken about our Lord? Are we aware of times when one may be called for than the other? What does this present time or even a particular situation call for?

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Mark 1:35-39

We see an example of our Lord Jesus Christ's habits about private prayer.
We see a remarkable saying of our Lord as to the purpose for which He came into the world.
We ought to observe what infinite honor the Lord Jesus puts on the office of the preacher.

"A praying Master, like Jesus, can have no prayerless servants. The Spirit of adoption will always make a man call upon God. To be prayerless is to be Christless, Godless, and in the high road to destruction."

"The faithful preacher of the Gospel is handling the very weapon which the Son of God was not ashamed to employ. This is the work of which Christ has said, "That is why I have come."

Questions:

Do we pray? What does our prayer lives say about our dependence on the Lord? Do we depend on Christ much or little? Is our strength great or small? Our faith? May this question not finally lead to shame, but a renewed strength to cry out to God!
Do we view preaching as important as Jesus did, who came out for this very reason?

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Mark 1:21-34

We learn the uselessness of a mere intellectual knowledge of religion.
We learn to what remedy a Christian ought to resort first, in time of trouble.
We learn what a complete and perfect cure the Lord Jesus makes, when He heals.

"It is one thing to say "Christ is a Savior." It is quite another to say "He is my Savior and my Lord." The devil can say the first. The true Christian alone can say the second."

"Let us know what to do, when sickness, or bereavement, or cross, or loss, or disappointment breaks in upon us like an armed man. Let us do as they did in Simon's house at Capernaum. Let us at once "tell Jesus."

"Those whom He justifies, He also sanctifies. When He bestows an absolution, He also bestows a new heart. When He grants free forgiveness for the past, He also grants strength to "minister" to Him for the time to come. The sin-sick soul is not merely cured, and then left to itself. It is also supplied with a new heart and a right spirit, and enabled so to live as to please God."

Questions:

Is what we know about God and His gospel changing us? Do we know things about Christ, or do we love the One we know? Do we believe Jesus is the Son of God, or do we also rejoice and cling to Him? Do we daily come to Him for grace?
Do we have it as an established rule that the first thing I must do when trials come my way, is to tell Jesus first? What we go to first is telling of what our confidence is in.
Are we giving ourselves, by the strength that God supplies, to good works and serving?

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Mark 1:9-20

Let us notice the voice from heaven which was heard at our Lord's baptism.
Let us notice the nature of Christ's preaching.
Let us notice the occupation of those who were first called to be Christ's disciples.
Let us notice the office to which our Lord called His first disciples.

"All of us are by nature guilty and condemned before God, and all must flee to the hope set before us in the Gospel, and believe in it, if we would be saved. All of us, once penitent, need daily stirring up to deeper repentance. All of us, though believing, need constant exhortation to increased faith."

"Let us resolve to pray much for ministers. Their office is no light one if they do their duty. They need the help of many intercessions from all praying people. They have not only their own souls to care for, but the souls of others. No wonder that Paul cries, "Who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:16.) If we never prayed for ministers before, let us begin to do it this day."

Questions:

Are we aware and confident that there is nothing in ourselves that pleased a holy God other than being in Jesus Christ, who full pleased His Father?
Have we felt our sins and forsaken them? Have we laid hold of Christ and believed?
Do we have a high view of ourselves and our positions, and do we look down on others?
Are we fishers of men, seeking to win others to Christ with diligence and patience?
Do we pray for our pastors?

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Mark 1:1-8

Let us observe what a full declaration we have of the dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ's person.
Let us observe how the beginning of the Gospel was a fulfillment of Scripture.
Let us observe how great were the effects which the ministry of John the Baptist produced for a time on the Jewish nation.
Let us observe what clear doctrine characterized John the Baptist's preaching.

"There is a beautiful fitness in placing this truth in the very beginning of a Gospel. The divinity of Christ is the citadel and keep of Christianity...Let believers cling to this doctrine with jealous watchfulness. With it, they stand upon a rock. Without it, they have nothing solid beneath their feet."

Questions:

Do you cling with careful watchfulness to the truth that the one who died for you is none other than God Himself in the flesh? Able to save to the uttermost?
Do you read the OT with an eye on Jesus Christ?
Are you taking care to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him, or do you find confidence in other things, like the size of the crowd at church?
Have you felt your need of Christ and fled to Him for peace?
Has the Holy Spirit renewed and changed your heart?

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Season 2 begins Tuesday, August 1st!

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As mentioned, I would love to hear how this work has blessed you. Please feel free to email whatever the Lord lays on your heart, or feedback that might be helpful, to smartens@firstbaptistcalgary.com

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Matthew 28:11-20

Let us observe the honor which God has put on our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Let us observe the duty which Jesus lays on His disciples. He bids them to "go and teach all nations."
Let us observe the public profession which Jesus requires of those who believe His Gospel. He tells His apostles to "baptize" those whom they received as disciples.
Let us observe the obedience which Jesus requires of all who profess themselves to be His disciples. He bids the apostles to teach “them to observe all that I have commanded you."
Let us observe the solemn mention of the blessed Trinity which our Lord makes in these verses. He bids the apostles to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Finally, let us observe the gracious promise with which Jesus closes His words. He says to His disciples "I am with you always even to the end of the world."

"Obedience is the only proof of reality. Faith without works is dead, being alone. "You are my friends," says Jesus, "if you do whatever I command you.""

"Let us believe that no sinful soul could be saved without the work of all three Persons in the blessed Trinity, and let us rejoice that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who co-operated to make man, do always co-operate to save him."

"What stronger consolation could believers desire than this? Whatever happens, they at least are never completely friendless and alone. Christ is ever with them. They may look into the grave, and say with David, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for you are with me." They may look forward beyond the grave, and say with Paul, "we will always be with the Lord.""

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Matthew 28:1-10

Let us notice the glory and majesty with which Christ rose from the dead.
Let us notice the terror which Christ's enemies felt at the period of His resurrection.
Let us notice the terror which Christ's enemies felt at the period of His resurrection.
Let us notice the words of comfort which the angel addressed to the friends of Christ.
Let us notice the gracious message which the Lord sent to the disciples after His resurrection.

"Never was there a fact which the friends of God were so slow to believe, as the resurrection of Christ. Never was there a fact which the enemies of God were so anxious to disprove. And yet, in spite of the unbelief of professed friends, and the enmity of foes, the fact was thoroughly established."

"Let us take comfort in this thought. Trial, sorrow, and persecution are often the portion of God's people. Sickness, weakness, and pain often hurt and wear their poor earthly body. But their good time is yet to come. Let them wait patiently, and they shall have a glorious resurrection. When we die, and where we are buried, and what kind of a funeral we have, matters little. The great question to be asked is this, "How shall we rise again?""

"Much as [the disciples] had come short of their profession--sadly as they had yielded to the fear of man, they are still His "brothers." Glorious as He was in Himself--a conqueror over death, and hell, and the grave, the Son of God is still "meek and lowly of heart." He calls His disciples "brothers."

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Matthew 27:57-66

Let us learn that our Lord Jesus Christ has friends of whom little is known.
Let us learn that God can make the devices of wicked men work to His own glory.

"All these, and many more objections, would doubtless have been raised, if opportunity had been given. But He who knows the end from the beginning, prevented the possibility of such objections being made. By His over-ruling providence, He ordered things so that the death and burial of Jesus were placed beyond a doubt. Pilate gives consent to His burial. A loving disciple wraps the body in linen, and lays it in a new tomb hewn out of a rock, “in which no one had yet been laid.” The chief priests themselves set a guard over the place where His body was deposited. Jews and Gentiles, friends and enemies, all alike testify to the great fact, that Christ did really and actually die, and was laid in a grave. It is a fact that can never be questioned. He was really "bruised." He really "suffered." He really "died." He was really "buried." Let us mark this well."

"Their seal, their guard, their precautions, were all to become witnesses, in a few hours, that Christ had risen. They might as well have tried to stop the tides of the sea, or to prevent the sun rising, as to prevent Jesus coming forth from the tomb. They were taken in their own craftiness. (1 Cor. 3:19.) Their own devices became instruments to show forth God's glory."

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Matthew 27:45-56

Let us observe the remarkable words which Jesus uttered shortly before His death, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
Let us observe how much is contained in the words which describe our Lord's end. We are simply told, "He yielded up His spirit."
Let us observe what a remarkable miracle occurred at the hour of our Lord's death, in the very midst of the Jewish temple. We are told that "the veil of the temple was rent in two."

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" is a cry that should stir us up to hate sin, and encourage us to trust in Christ."

"That death discharged in full the mighty debt which sinners owe to God, and threw open the door of life to every believer. That death satisfied the righteous claims of God's holy law, and enabled God to be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. That death was no mere example of self-sacrifice, but a complete atonement and propitiation for man's sin, affecting the condition and prospects of all mankind. That death solved the hard problem, how God could be perfectly holy, and yet perfectly merciful. It opened to the world a fountain for all sin and uncleanness. It was a complete victory over Satan, and spoiled him openly. It finished the transgression, made reconciliation for iniquity, and brought in everlasting righteousness. It proved the sinfulness of sin, when it needed such a sacrifice to atone for it. It proved the love of God to sinners, when He sent His own Son to make the atonement. Never, in fact, was there, or could there be again, such a death. No wonder that the earth quaked, when Jesus died, in our stead, on the accursed tree. The solid frame of the world might well tremble and be amazed, when the soul of Christ was made an offering for sin. (Isaiah 53:10.)"

"The figures and shadows were no longer needed. May we all remember this! To set up an altar, and a sacrifice, and a priesthood now, is to light a candle at noon-day."

"Jesus is just the Savior that an infirm body, with a weak heart, in an evil world, requires."

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Matthew 27:27-44

Let us observe the extent and reality of our Lord's sufferings.
Let us observe that all our Lord Jesus Christ's sufferings were vicarious.

"Let us leave the story of our Lord's passion with feelings of deep thankfulness. Our sins are many and great. But a great atonement has been made for them. There was an infinite merit in all Christ's sufferings. They were the sufferings of One who was God as well as man. Surely it is fit, right, and our bounden duty, to praise God daily because Christ has died.

Last, but not least, let us ever learn from the story of the passion, to hate sin with a great hatred. Sin was the cause of all our Savior's suffering. Our sins platted the crown of thorns. Our sins drove the nails into His hands and feet. On account of our sins His blood was shed. Surely the thought of Christ crucified should make us loathe all sin. Well says the Homily of the Passion, "Let this image of Christ crucified be always printed in our hearts. Let it stir us up to the hatred of sin, and provoke our minds to the earnest love of Almighty God."

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Matthew 27:11-26

Let us learn from the conduct of Pilate, how pitiful is the condition of an unprincipled great man.
Let us learn from the conduct of the Jews described in these verses, the desperate wickedness of human nature.

"To those silent sufferings believers owe all their peace and hope. Through them they will have boldness in the day of judgment, who in themselves would have nothing to say."

"Whatever our position in life may be, let us seek to be guided by principle, and not by expediency. The praise of man is a poor, feeble, uncertain thing. It is here today, and gone tomorrow. Let us strive to please God, and then we may care little who else is pleased. Let us fear God, and then there is none else of whom we need be afraid."

"There are few things so little believed and realized as the corruption of human nature. Men imagine that if they saw a perfect person, they would love and admire him...They forget that when a really perfect man was on earth, in the person of the Son of God, He was hated and put to death."

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Matthew 27:1-10

We see in the end of Judas a plain proof of our Lord's innocence of every charge laid against Him.
We see, for another thing, in the end of Judas, that there is such a thing as repentance which is too late.
Let us see, for another thing, in the end of Judas, how little comfort ungodliness brings a man at the last.
Finally, let us see in the case of Judas, to what a miserable end a man may come, if he has great privileges, and does not use them rightly.

"Let us beware of trusting to a late repentance. "Now is the accepted time. Today is the day of salvation." ONE penitent thief was saved in the hour of death, that no man might despair, but ONLY ONE, that no man might presume."

"May we all strive to live up to our light. There is such a thing as sin against the Holy Spirit. Clear knowledge of truth in the head, combined with deliberate love of sin in the heart, go a long way towards it."

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Matthew 26:69-75

The first thing that demands our notice is the full nature of the sin of which Peter was guilty.
The second thing that demands our notice is the series of steps by which Peter was led to deny his Lord.
The last thing that demands our notice, is the sorrow which Peter's sin brought upon him.

"We see in Peter's tears, the close connection between unhappiness and departure from God. It is a merciful arrangement of God, that in one sense holiness shall always be its own reward. A heavy heart, and an uneasy conscience, a clouded hope, and an abundant crop of doubts, will always be the consequence of backsliding and inconsistency...Let it be a settled principle in our religion, that if we love inward peace, we must walk closely with God."

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Matthew 26:57-68

Let us observe that the chief priests were the principal agents in bringing about our Lord's death.
Let us observe how fully our Lord declared to the Jewish council His own Messiahship, and His future coming in glory.
Let us observe how much our Lord endured before the council, from false witness and mockery.

"The teaching and conduct of all ministers must be tried by the Word of God. They are to be followed so long as they follow the Bible, but no longer. The maxim laid down in Isaiah must be our guide "To the law and the testimony--if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

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Matthew 26:47-56

Let us notice what gracious condescension marked our Lord's communion with His disciples.
Let us notice how our Lord condemns those who think to use carnal weapons in defense of Him and His cause.
Let us notice how our Lord submitted to be made a prisoner of His own free will.
Let us notice how little Christians know the weakness of their own hearts, until they are tried.

"The willing sufferer will surely be a willing Savior. The almighty Son of God, who allowed men to bind Him and lead Him away captive, when He might have prevented them with a word, must surely be full of readiness to save the souls that flee to Him. Once more then let us learn to trust Him, and not be afraid."

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Matthew 26:36-46

Let us learn that prayer is the best practical remedy that we can use in time of trouble.
Let us learn that entire submission of will to the will of God should be one of our chief aims in this world.
Let us learn that there is great weakness, even in true disciples of Christ, and that they have need to watch and pray against it.

"It ought never to be forgotten, that warm feelings and joyful frames are not the truest evidences of grace. A mortified will is a far more valuable possession."

"If we desire to walk with God comfortably, and not fall, like David or Peter, let us never forget to watch and pray. Let us live like men on enemy's ground, and be always on our guard. We cannot walk too carefully. We cannot be too jealous over our souls. The world is very ensnaring. The devil is very busy. Let our Lord's words ring in our ears daily like a trumpet. Our spirits may sometimes be very willing. But our flesh is always very weak. Then let us always watch and always pray."

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Matthew 26:26-35

The first thing that demands our notice is the right meaning of our Lord's words, "this is my body, this is my blood."
The second thing which demands our notice is the purpose and object for which the Lord's Supper was appointed.
The last thing which deserves a brief notice in this passage, is the character of the first communicants [that is, partakers of the Lord’s Supper].

"The Lord's Supper is not a sacrifice. There is no oblation in it--no offering up of anything but our prayers, praises, and thanksgivings."

"A man may know but little, and be no better than a child in spiritual strength, but he is not on that account to be excluded from the Lord's table. Does he really feel his sins? Does he really love Christ? Does he really desire to serve Him? If this be so, we ought to encourage and receive him."

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Matthew 26:14-25

Let us learn that a man may enjoy great privileges, and make a great religious profession, and yet his heart all the time may not be right before God.
Let us learn that the love of money is one of the greatest snares to a man's soul.
Let us learn the hopeless condition of all who die unconverted.

"Like Lot's wife, Judas is intended to be a beacon to the whole church. Let us often think about him, and say, as we think, "Search me, O Lord, and try my heart, and see if there be any wicked way in me." Let us resolve, by God's grace, that we will never be content with anything short of sound, thorough, heart conversion."

"We live in a day when a morbid charity induces many to exaggerate God's mercy, at the expense of His justice, and when false teachers are daring to talk of a "love of God, lower even than hell." Let us resist such teaching with a holy jealousy, and abide by the doctrine of Holy Scripture. Let us not be ashamed to walk in the old paths, and to believe that there is an eternal God, an eternal heaven, and an eternal hell."

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Matthew 26:1-13

Let us observe how careful our Lord is to recall the attention of His disciples to His own death.
Let us observe what honor Christ loves to put on those who honor Him.
Last, but not least, we see in this incident a blessed foretaste of things that will yet take place in the day of judgment.

"We can never attach too much importance to the atoning death of Christ. It is the leading fact in the word of God, on which the eyes of our soul ought to be ever fixed. Without the shedding of his blood, there is no remission of sin. It is the cardinal truth on which the whole system of Christianity hinges. Without it the Gospel is an arch without a key-stone, a fair building without a foundation, a solar system without a sun."

"In that great day no honor done to Christ on earth shall be found to have been forgotten. The speeches of parliamentary orators, the exploits of warriors, the works of poets and painters, shall not be mentioned in that day. But the least work that the weakest Christian woman has done for Christ, or His members, shall be found written in a book of everlasting remembrance."

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Matthew 25:31-46

Let us mark who will be the JUDGE in the last day.
Let us mark who will be JUDGED in the last day.
Let us mark in what manner the JUDGMENT will be conducted in the last day.
Let us mark what will be the FINAL RESULTS of the judgment day.

"The last judgment will be a judgment that will bring joy to all true believers. They will hear those precious words, "Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom." They will be owned and confessed by their Master before His Father and the holy angels. They shall find that the wages He gives to His faithful servants are nothing less than "a kingdom." The least, and lowest, and poorest, of the family of God, shall have a crown of glory, and be a king."

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Matthew 25:14-30

We learn that all professing Christians have received something from God.
We learn that many make a bad use of the privileges and mercies they receive from God.
We learn that all professing Christians must one day have a reckoning with God.
We learn that true Christians will receive an abundant reward in the great day of reckoning.
We learn that all unfruitful members of Christ's Church will be condemned and cast away in the day of judgment.

"The best of Christians is a poor frail creature, and needs the blood of atonement every day that he lives. But the least and lowest of believers will find that he is counted among Christ's servants, and that his labor has not been in vain in the Lord. He will discover to his amazement, that his Master's eye saw more beauty in his efforts to please Him, than he ever saw himself."

"Let us leave this parable with a solemn determination, by God's grace, never to be content with a profession of Christianity without practice. Let us not only talk about religion, but act. Let us not only feel the importance of religion, but do something too. We are not told that the unprofitable servant was a murderer, or a thief, or even a waster of his Lord's money. But he did nothing--and this was his ruin. Let us beware of a do-nothing Christianity. Such Christianity does not come from the Spirit of God. "To do no harm," says Baxter, "is the praise of a stone, not of a man.""

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Matthew 25:1-13

We see for one thing, that the second coming of Christ will find His Church a mixed body, containing evil as well as good.
We see, for another thing, that Christ's second coming, whenever it may be, will take men by surprise.
We see, in the next place, that when the Lord comes again, many will find out the value of saving religion too late.
We see, lastly, in this parable, that when Christ returns, true Christians shall receive a rich reward for all they have suffered for their Master's sake.

"Let us leave this parable with a settled determination, never to be content with anything short of indwelling grace in our hearts. The lamp and the name of Christian the profession and the ordinances of Christianity, are all well in their way, but they are not the one thing needed. Let us never rest until we know that we have the oil of the Spirit in our hearts."

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Matthew 24:36-51

The first thing that demands our attention in these verses is the dreadful account that they give of the state of the world when the Lord Jesus comes again.
The second thing that demands our attention is the dreadful SEPARATION that will take place when the Lord Jesus comes again.
The last thing that demands our attention in these verses is the practical duty of watchfulness in the prospect of Christ's second coming.

"True Christians ought to live like GOOD SERVANTS, whose master is not at home. They should strive to be always ready for their master's return. They should never give way to the feeling, "my Lord is delaying his coming." They should seek to keep their hearts in such a frame, that whenever Christ appears, they may at once give Him a warm and loving reception."

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Matthew 24:29-35

These verses teach us that when the Lord Jesus returns to this world, He shall come with peculiar glory and majesty.
These verses teach us that when Christ returns to this world, He will first take care of His believing people.
These verses teach us that until Christ returns to this earth, the Jews will always remain a separate people.
These verses teach us, that our Lord's predictions will certainly be fulfilled.

"In the day of judgment true Christians shall be perfectly safe. Not a hair of their heads shall fall to the ground. Not one bone of Christ's mystical body shall be broken. There was an ark for Noah, in the day of the flood. There was a Zoar for Lot, when Sodom was destroyed. There shall be a hiding-place for all believers in Jesus, when the wrath of God at last bursts on this wicked world."

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Matthew 24:15-28

We see that flight from danger may sometimes be the positive duty of a Christian.
We see that in delivering this prophecy, our Lord makes special mention of the Sabbath.
We see that God's elect are always special objects of God's care.
We see that whenever the second advent of Christ takes place, it will be a very SUDDEN event.

"Our plain duty then is to live always prepared for His return. Let us walk by faith, and not by sight. Let us believe in Christ, serve Christ, follow Christ, and love Christ. So living, whenever Christ may return, we shall be ready to meet Him."

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Matthew 24:1-14

The first general lesson before us is a warning against deception.
The second grand lesson before us is a warning against over-optimistic and extravagant expectations as to things which are to happen before the end comes.

"Let us frankly allow that there are many things we do not understand, but still hold our ground tenaciously, believe much--wait long, and not doubt that all will one day be made clear. Above all, let us remember that the first coming of Messiah to suffer, was the most improbable event that could have been conceived, and let us not doubt that as He literally came in person to suffer, so He will literally come again in person to reign."

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Matthew 23:34-39

We learn that God often takes great pains with ungodly men.
We learn that God takes notice of the treatment which His messengers and ministers receive, and will one day reckon for it.
We learn that those who are lost forever, are lost through their own fault.

"Let it be a settled principle in our religion, that men's salvation, if saved, is wholly of God; and that man's ruin, if lost, is wholly of himself. The evil that is in us is all our own. The good, if we have any, is all of God."

This episode made reference to the Vallenses and the Massacre of Bartholomew.

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Matthew 23:13-33

The 7 'Woes'
Let us learn from the whole passage how abominable is hypocrisy in the sight of God.
Let us learn from the whole passage how awfully dangerous is the position of an unfaithful minister
Finally, let us beware of supposing from this passage, that the safest course in religion is to make no profession at all.

"Let not hypocrisy prevent our confessing Christ, or move us from our steadfastness, if we have confessed Him. Let us press on, looking unto Jesus, and resting on Him, praying daily to be kept from error, and saying with David, "let my heart be blameless toward your decrees." (Psalm 119:80.)"

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Matthew 23:1-12

We see the duty of distinguishing between the office of a false teacher and his example.
We see that inconsistency, ostentation, and love of pre-eminence, among professors of religion, are specially displeasing to Christ.
We see that Christians must never give to any man the titles and honors which are due to God alone and to His Christ.
We see that there is no grace which should distinguish the Christian so much as humility.

"Human nature would always rather lean on a visible minister, than an invisible Christ."

"He that would be great in the eyes of Christ, must aim at a totally different mark from that of the Pharisees. His aim must be, not so much to rule, as to serve the Church...The desire of the Pharisee was to receive honor, and to be called "master." The desire of the Christian must be to do good, and to give himself, and all that he has to the service of others. Truly this is a high standard, but a lower one must never content us."

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Matthew 22:34-46

Let us mark what an admirable summary these verses contain of our duty towards God and our neighbor.
The concluding portion of the passage contains a question put to the Pharisees by our Lord.

"Let these things sink down into our hearts. There is much vague talk in these latter days about love and charity. Men profess to admire them and desire to see them increased, and yet hate the principles which alone can produce them. Let us stand fast in the old paths. We cannot have fruits and flowers without roots. We cannot have love to God and man without faith in Christ, and without regeneration. The way to spread true love in the world, is to teach the atonement of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit."

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Matthew 22:23-33

Let us observe that absurd skeptical objections to Bible truths are ancient things.
Let us observe what a remarkable text our Lord brings forward, in proof of the reality of a life to come.
Let us observe the account which our Lord gives of the state of men and women after the resurrection.

"Let us settle it in our minds, that the dead are in one sense still alive. From our eyes they have passed away, and their place knows them no more. But in the eyes of God they live, and will one day come forth from their graves to receive an everlasting sentence...Happy is he who can say from his heart the words of the Nicene Creed, "I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come."

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Matthew 22:15-22

The first thing which demands our attention in these verses is the flattering language with which our Lord was accosted by His enemies.
The second thing that demands our attention in these verses is the marvelous wisdom of the reply which our Lord made to His enemies.

"Peace often ruins nations more than war. Sweet things occasion far more sicknesses than bitter. The sun makes the traveler cast off his protective garments far sooner than the north wind. Let us beware of the flatterer. Satan is never so dangerous as when he appears as an angel of light. The world is never so dangerous to the Christian as when it smiles."

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Matthew 22:1-14

Let us observe that the salvation of the Gospel is compared to a marriage feast.
Let us observe that the invitations of the Gospel are wide, full, broad, and unlimited.
Let us observe that the salvation of the Gospel is rejected by many to whom it is offered.
Let us observe that all false professors of religion will be detected, exposed, and eternally condemned at the last day.

"The Gospel, in short, is an offer of food to the hungry--joy to the mourner--a home to the outcast--a loving friend to the lost. It is glad tidings. God offers, through His dear Son, to be at peace with sinful man."

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Matthew 21:33-46

We see what distinguishing privileges God is pleased to bestow on some nations.
We see what a bad use nations sometimes make of their privileges.
We see what a dreadful reckoning God sometimes has with nations and churches, which make a bad use of their privileges.
We see the power of conscience even in wicked men.

"Nothing offends God so much as neglect of privileges. Much has been given to us, and much will be required."

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Matthew 21:23-32

Let us observe how ready the enemies of truth are to question the authority of all who do more good than themselves.
Let us observe the consummate wisdom with which our Lord replied to the question put to Him.
et us observe what immense encouragement our Lord holds out to those who repent.

"It matters nothing how high and self-confident a man's profession of religion may be. Does he really give up his sins? If not, his profession is abominable in God's sight, and he himself is still under the curse. Let us take courage ourselves, if we have been great sinners in the past. Only let us repent and believe in Christ, and there is hope."

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Matthew 21:12-22

The first event that demands our attention, is our Lord's visit to the temple.
The second event that demands our attention in these verses, is our Lord's curse upon the fruitless fig-tree.
Finally, is not every fruitless professor of Christianity in dreadful danger of becoming a withered fig-tree?

"Fruit, fruit--the fruit of the Spirit, is the only sure proof that we are savingly united to Christ, and in the way to heaven. May this sink down into our hearts, and never be forgotten!"

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Matthew 21:1-11

Let us notice in these verses an example of our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge.
Let us notice in these verses an example of the manner in which prophecies concerning our Lord's first coming were fulfilled.
Let us notice in these verses a striking example of the worthlessness of man's favor.

"The sense of our Lord Jesus Christ's perfect knowledge of all our ways, ought to have the same effect upon our hearts. Let us do nothing we would not like Christ to see, and say nothing we would not like Christ to hear. Let us seek to live and move and have our being under a continual recollection of Christ's presence. Let us behave as we would have done had we walked beside Him, in the company of James and John, by the sea of Galilee. This is the way to be trained for heaven. In heaven, "we shall ever be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:17.)"

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Matthew 20:29-34

Let us mark what strong faith may sometimes be found, where it might least have been expected.
Let us mark what wisdom there is in using every opportunity for getting good for our souls.
Let us mark the value of pains and perseverance in seeking Christ.
Let us mark how gracious the Lord Jesus is to those who seek Him.

"It is those who "sit by the wayside" who are likely to be healed. Do we know the diseases of our souls? Do we feel any desire to see the great Physician? If we do we must not wait in idleness, saying, "If I am to be saved, I shall be saved." We must arise and go to the road where Jesus walks. Who can tell but He will soon pass by for the last time? Let us sit daily by the way-side."

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Matthew 20:24-28

We learn that there may be pride, jealousy, and love of preeminence even among true disciples of Christ.
We learn that a life of self-denying kindness to others is the true secret of greatness in the kingdom of Christ.
We learn that the Lord Jesus Christ is intended to be the example of all true Christians.
We learn from these verses that Christ's death was an atonement for sin.

"Happy is that man who is truly humble, strives to do good in his day, walks in the steps of Jesus, and rests all his hopes on the ransom paid for him by Christ's blood. Such a man is a true Christian!"

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Matthew 20:17-23

We should notice in these verses the clear announcement which the Lord Jesus Christ makes of His own approaching death.
We should notice in these verses the mixture of ignorance and faith that may be found, even in true-hearted Christians.
We should notice in these verses the solemn reproof which our Lord gives to the ignorant request of the mother of Zebedee's children and her two sons.

"Jesus was well aware that all hinged on His own death, and that, without that death, His miracles and preaching would have done comparatively nothing for the world. No wonder that He thrice pressed on the attention of His disciples that He "must" die. Blessed and happy are they who know the real meaning and importance of the sufferings of Christ!"

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Matthew 20:1-16

We learn that in the calling of NATIONS to the professed knowledge of Himself, God exercises, free, sovereign, and unconditional grace.
We learn that in the saving of INDIVIDUALS, as well as in the calling of nations, God acts as a sovereign, and gives no account of His matters.

A few cautions to draw from this parable:

Let us beware of supposing that salvation is in the slightest degree to be obtained by works.
Let us beware of supposing that the distinction between Jews and Gentiles is entirely done away by the Gospel.
Let us beware of supposing that all saved souls will have the same degree of glory.
Let us beware of supposing that it is safe for anyone to put off repentance until the end of his days.

"We only know that God loves to hide pride from churches, and to take away all occasion of boasting. He will never allow the older branches of His church to look contemptuously on the younger."

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Matthew 19:23-30

We learn in these verses of the immense danger which riches bring on the souls of those that possess them.
We learn in this passage of the almighty power of God's grace in the soul.
We learn in these verses of the immense encouragement the Gospel offers to those who give up everything for Christ's sake.

"But let the Christian, who professes to have "treasure in heaven," set his face like a flint against the spirit of the world in this matter. Let him not worship gold. He is not the best man in God's eyes who has most money, but he who has most grace."

"Above all, Christ can give us peace of conscience, inward joy, bright hopes, and happy feelings, which shall far outweigh every pleasant earthly thing that we have cast away for His sake. He has pledged His royal word that it shall be so. None ever found that word fail. Let us trust it, and not be afraid."

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Matthew 19:16-22

We see from the case of this young man, that a person may have desires for salvation, and yet not be saved.
We see from this young man's case, that an unconverted person is often profoundly ignorant on spiritual subjects.
We see from this young man's case, that one idol cherished in the heart may ruin a soul forever.

"Not only are good feelings alone not grace, but they are even decidedly dangerous, if we content ourselves with them, and do not act as well as feel."

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Matthew 19:1-15

With respect to marriage, our Lord teaches, that the union of husband and wife ought never to be broken off, except for the greatest of all causes, namely, actual unfaithfulness.
With respect to little children, we find our Lord instructing us in these verses, both by word and deed, both by precept and example.
Finally, let us draw from these verses encouragement to attempt great things in the religious instruction of children.

"It is difficult to overrate the importance of these two subjects. The well-being of nations, and the happiness of society, are closely connected with right views upon them. Nations are nothing but a collection of families. The good order of families depends entirely on keeping up the highest standard of respect for the marriage tie, and on the right training of children."

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Matthew 18:21-35

The Lord Jesus lays it down as a general rule, that we ought to forgive others to the uttermost.
Our Lord supplies us with two powerful motives for exercising a forgiving spirit.
It is clear from this parable that one motive for forgiving others, ought to be the recollection that we all need forgiveness at God's hands ourselves.
Another motive for forgiving others, ought to be the recollection of the day of judgment, and the standard by which we shall all be tried in that day.

"Would we do good to the world? Would we have any influence on others, and make them see the beauty of true religion? Let us remember this passage. Men who care not for doctrines, can understand a forgiving temper."

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Matthew 18:15-20

Let us notice how admirable are the rules laid down by our Lord, for the healing of differences among brethren.
Let us observe what a clear argument we have in these verses for the exercise of DISCIPLINE in a Christian congregation.
Let us observe what gracious encouragement Christ holds out to those who meet together in His name.

"A perfect communion can never be attained in this world, but purity should be the mark at which we aim. An increasingly high standard of qualification for full church-membership, will always be found one of the best evidences of a prosperous church."

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Matthew 18:1-14

We are taught in these verses of the necessity of conversion, and of conversion manifested by childlike humility.
We are taught in these verses of the great sin of putting stumbling blocks in the way of believers.
We are taught in these verses of the reality of future punishment after death.
We are taught in these verses of the value that God sets on the least and lowest of believers.

"Heaven would be no heaven to us if we were not converted."

"The surest mark of true conversion is humility. If we have really received the Holy Spirit, we shall show it by a meek and childlike spirit."

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Matthew 17:22-27

Let it be our daily aim to say or do anything that would displease our Lord.
Let us observe our Lord's almighty power over all creation.
Let us observe our Lord's willingness to make concessions, rather than to give offense.

"Let us measure every difficult question as to right and wrong by one simple test, "How would I behave, if Jesus was standing by my side?" Such a standard is not extravagant and absurd. It is a standard that interferes with no duty or relation of life. It interferes with nothing but sin. Happy is he that tries to realize his Lord's presence, and to do all and say all as unto Christ."

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Matthew 17:14-21

We see in these verses is a lively emblem of the dreadful influence sometimes exercised by Satan over the young.
We see in these verses a striking example of the weakening effect of unbelief.
We see in these verses that Satan's kingdom is not to be pulled down without diligence and pains.

"Faith is the key to success in the Christian warfare. Unbelief is the sure road to defeat. Once let our faith languish and decay, and all our graces will languish with it. Courage, patience, long-suffering, and hope, will soon wither and dwindle away. Faith is the root on which they all depend."

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Matthew 17:1-13

We have in these verses a striking pattern of the glory in which Christ and His people will appear when He comes the second time.
We have in these verses, an unanswerable proof of the resurrection of the body, and the life after death.
We have in these verses a remarkable testimony to Christ's infinite superiority over all mankind.

"The best of men are only men at their very best."

"The sum and substance of saving religion is to "listen to Christ."

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Matthew 16:24-28

Let us learn from these verses that men must make up their minds to trouble and self-denial, if they follow Christ.
Let us learn from these verses that there is nothing so precious as a man's soul.
Let us learn that the second coming of Christ is the time when His people shall receive their rewards.

"The bitter must come before the sweet, the cross before the crown."

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Matthew 16:21-23

We learn from these verses that there may be much spiritual ignorance even in a true disciple of Christ.
Let us learn from these verses that there is no doctrine of Scripture so deeply important as the doctrine of Christ's atoning death.

"The error that drew from so loving a Savior such a stern rebuke to such a true disciple, must have been a mighty error indeed...Error on many other points is only a skin disease. Error about Christ's death is a disease at the heart."

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Matthew 16:13-20

A brief look at the controverted words:

What, then are we to understand, when we read that remarkable saying of our Lord's, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church?"
But what are we to understand, when we read the promise which our Lord makes to Peter, "I will give to you the keys of the kingdom of heaven?"
Finally, what are we to understand, when we read the words, "Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven?"

3 points for our own souls:

Let us admire the noble confession which the apostle Peter makes in this passage.
Let us take care that we understand what our Lord means when He speaks of His Church.
Let us mark the glorious promises which our Lord makes to His Church.

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Matthew 16:1-12

The first point in this passage which deserves special notice, is the repetition which our Lord makes of words used by Him on a former occasion.
The second point which deserves special notice in these verses is, the solemn warning which our Lord takes occasion to give to His disciples.
Finally, let us make a personal use of this caution, by keeping up a holy jealousy over our own souls.

"Let our principle be "the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," nothing added to it, and nothing taken away."

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Matthew 15:29-39

Let us remark, how much more pain people take about the relief of their bodily diseases, than about their souls.
Let us remark the marvelous ease and power with which our Lord healed all who were brought to Him.
Let us remark the abundant compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Christ's mercy is a deep well, of which no one ever found the bottom."

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Matthew 15:21-28

We see that true faith may sometimes be found, where it might have been least expected.
We see that affliction sometimes proves a blessing to a person's soul.
We see that Christ's people are often less gracious and compassionate than Christ Himself.
We see what encouragement there is to persevere in prayer, both for ourselves and others.

"Above all, let us tell men continually that they must not judge of Christ by Christians. Let us assure them that there is far more in that gracious Master, than there is in the best of His servants."

"Let us be sure that no time is so well-spent in every day, as that which we spend upon our knees."

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Matthew 15:10-20

1.Respecting FALSE DOCTRINE, our Lord declares, that it is a duty to oppose it, that its final destruction is sure, and that its teachers ought to be forsaken.

Do we not see here the duty of boldness in resisting false teaching?
Do we not see again the duty of forsaking false teachers, if they will not give up their delusions?
Do we not see, in the last place, the duty of patience, when we see false teaching abound?

2.Respecting the HEART OF MAN, our Lord declares in these verses, that it is the true source of all sin and defilement.

Let it be a settled resolution with us, that in all our religion the state of our hearts shall be the main thing.
Let it be a settled resolution with us to "keep our hearts with all diligence," all the days of our lives. (Prov. 4:23.)

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Matthew 15:1-9

We learn, for one thing, that hypocrites generally attach great importance to mere outward things in religion.
We learn, for another thing, from these verses, the great danger of attempting to add anything to the word of God.
We learn, in the last place, from these verses, that the religious worship which God desires, is the worship of the heart.

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Matthew 14:22-36

We learn, in the first place, from this miracle, what absolute dominion our Savior has over all created things.
We learn, in the second place, from this miracle, what power Jesus can bestow on those who believe on Him.
Let us learn, in the third place, from this miracle, how much trouble disciples bring on themselves by unbelief.
Let us learn, in the last place, from this miracle, how merciful our Lord Jesus Christ is to weak believers.

Favorite Quote: "May we only remember, that while we do not despise little faith, we must not sit down content with it. Our prayer must ever be, "Lord, increase our faith."

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Matthew 14:13-21

In the first place, this miracle is an unanswerable proof of our Lord's divine POWER.
In the second place, this miracle is a striking example of our Lord's COMPASSION toward men.
In the last place, this miracle is a lively emblem of the sufficiency of the Gospel to meet the soul-needs of all mankind.

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Matthew 14:1-12

Let us learn, in the first place, from these verses, the great power of conscience.
Let us learn, in the second place, that God's children must not look for their reward in this world.

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Matthew 13:51-58

The first thing which we ought to notice in these verses, is the striking question with which our Lord winds up the seven wonderful parables of this chapter. He said, "Have you understood all these things?"
The second thing, which we ought to notice in these verses, is the strange treatment which our Lord received in His own country.
The last thing which we ought to notice in these verses is the ruinous nature of unbelief.

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Matthew 13:44-50

These two parables are meant to teach us, that men really convinced of the importance of salvation, will give up everything to win Christ, and eternal life.
Behold in this single picture, the conduct of a true Christian explained!
Behold in these two parables the real clue to the conduct of many unconverted people!
The parable of the NET let down into the sea, has some points in common with that of the wheat and the tares. It is intended to instruct us on a most important subject, the true nature of the visible Church of Christ.

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Matthew 13:24-43

(The consideration of the parables of the mustard seed and the leaves is purposefully deferred until a future part of the exposition)

In the first place, this parable teaches us, that good and evil will always be found together in the professing Church, until the end of the world.
In the second place the parable teaches us, that there is to be a day of separation between the godly and ungodly members of the visible Church, at the end of the world.

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Matthew 13:1-23

Let us learn, in the first place, from this parable, that the work of the preacher resembles that of the sower. The preacher must (1) Sow good seed, (2) be diligent, and (3) cannot give life.
In the next place, let us learn from this passage, that there are various ways of hearing the word of God without benefit.
In the last place, let us learn from this parable, that there is only one evidence of hearing the word rightly.

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Matthew 12:38-50

The first practical lesson which demands our attention in these verses, is the amazing power of unbelief.
The second practical lesson which meets us in these verses is the immense danger of a partial and imperfect religious reformation. This is followed by 3 subpoints of this being a picture of the history of (1) the Jewish church and nation, (2) the whole body of Christian churches, and (3) of many individual's soul.
The last practical lesson which meets us in these verses is the tender affection with which the Lord Jesus regards His true disciples.

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Matthew 12:22-37

Let us gather from these passages, in the first place, that there is nothing too blasphemous for hardened and prejudiced men to say against Christ.
In the second place, let us gather out of these verses the impossibility of neutrality in religion.
In the third place, let us gather from these verses the exceeding sinfulness of sins against knowledge.
In the last place, let us gather from these verses the immense importance of carefulness about our daily words.

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Matthew 12:14-21

The first thing which demands our notice in this passage, isthe desperate wickedness of the human heart, which it exemplifies.
The second thing which demands our notice in this passage, is the encouraging description of our Lord Jesus Christ's character, which Matthew draws from the prophet Isaiah.

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Matthew 12:1-13

Let us, in the first place, settle it in our minds as an established principle, that our Lord Jesus Christ does not do away with the observance of a weekly Sabbath day.
Let us, in the second place, settle it in our minds, that our Lord Jesus Christ allows all works of real necessity and mercy to be done on the Sabbath day.

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Matthew 11:25-30

Let us learn, in the first place, the excellence of a childlike and teachable frame of mind.
Let us learn, in the second place, from these verses, the greatness and majesty of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us learn, in the last place, from this passage, the breadth and fullness of the invitations of Christ's Gospel. A number of marks:
Mark who they are that Jesus invites.
Mark what a gracious offer Jesus makes.
Mark what a simple request Jesus makes to the laboring and heavy-laden ones.
Mark what an encouraging account Jesus gives of Himself.
Mark, lastly, the encouraging account that Jesus gives of His service.

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Matthew 11:16-24

These verses show the unreasonableness of many unconverted men in the things of religion.
These verses show us the exceeding wickedness of willful impenitence.

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Matthew 11:1-15

The first thing that demands our attention in this passage, is the message which John the Baptist sends to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The second thing that demands our notice in this passage, is the high testimony which our Lord bears to the character of John the Baptist.

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Matthew 10:34-42

He bids us remember that His Gospel will not cause peace and agreement wherever it comes.
Our Lord tells us that true Christians must make up their minds to trouble in this world.
Our Lord cheers us by saying that the least service done to those who work in His cause is observed and rewarded of God.

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Matthew 10:24-33

Those who try to do good to souls must not expect to fare better than their great Master.
Those who try to do good must look forward with patience to the day of judgment.
Those who try to do good must fear God more than man.
Those who try to do good must keep before their minds the providential care of God over them.
Those who try to do good should continually remember the day when they will meet their Lord to receive their final portion.

Matthew 10:16-23

Matthew 10:1-15

Matthew 9:27-38

Matthew 9:14-26

Matthew 9:1-13

Matthew 8:28-34

Matthew 8:16-27

Matthew 8:1-15

Matthew 7:21-29

Matthew 7:12-20

Matthew 7:1-11

Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:16-24

Matthew 6:9-15

Matthew 6:1-8

Matthew 5:38-48

Matthew 5:21-37

Matthew 5:13-20

Matthew 5:1-12

Matthew 4:12-25

Matthew 4:1-11

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:1-12

Matthew 2:13-23

Matthew 2:1-12

Matthew 1:18-25

Matthew 1:1-17

Episode 1 will drop on Monday, January 2nd and all following episodes will drop Monday to Friday.

There are two ways I see this being used.

As an in-depth Bible reading plan. If this is your desire, you can find a PDF reading schedule HERE.
As a supplementary encouragement you can listen to while on the go.

Old Treasures Made New: Recent Episodes

Shaun