Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle Luke 12:49-59 “We learn, for another thing, from these verses — how useless it is to expect universal peace and harmony from the preaching of the Gospel. The disciples, like most Jews of their day, were probably expecting the Messiah’s kingdom immediately to appear. They thought the time was at hand when the wolf would lie down with…
Call to Worship May 6 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle – Luke 12:32-48 “We learn, secondly, from these verses — the dreadful danger of those who neglect the duties of their calling. Of such our Lord declares, that they shall be “cut in pieces, and their portion appointed with the unbelievers.” These words no doubt apply especially to the ministers and teachers of the Gospel. Yet we must…
Call to Worship May 6 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 12:13-34 “Let us mark, lastly, in these verses — how important it is to be rich towards God. This is true wisdom. This is true providing for time to come. This is genuine prudence. The wise man is he who does not think only of fleeting earthly treasure — but of eternal treasure in Heaven. When can…
Call To Worship April 15 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 11:37-54 “Let us notice, secondly, in this passage — the foolishness which accompanies hypocrisy in religion. We are told that the Pharisee with whom our Lord dined, marveled that our Lord “had not first washed before dinner.” He thought, like most of his order — that there was something unholy in not doing it, and that the…
Call to Worship April 8 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 11:14-20 “Let us notice, secondly, in these verses — the amazing power of prejudice over the hearts of unconverted men. We read, that when our Lord cast out the mute spirit, there were some who said, “He casts out devils through Beelzebub, the chief of the devils!” They could not deny the miracle. They then refused to…
Call to Worship April 1, 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Mark 15:39-47 “Let us notice, lastly in this passage, what honor our Lord Jesus Christ has placed on the grave, by allowing Himself to be laid in it. We read that he was “laid in a sepulcher hewn out of a rock,” and a “stone rolled unto the door.” This is a fact that in a dying world…
Call To Worship March 25 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 11:5-13 “In these verses, our Lord Jesus Christ instructs us about prayer. The subject is one which can never be too strongly pressed on our attention. Prayer lies at the very root of our practical Christianity. It is part of the daily business of our Christian life. We have reason to thank God, that upon no point…
Call to Worship March 18 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 11:1-4 “The third division of the Lord’s Prayer, respects our daily DANGERS. We are taught to make mention of two things which we ought to fear every day, and which we must expect to meet with as long as we are in this world. One of these things is “temptation.” The other is “evil.” We are taught…
Call to Worship March 11 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 10:38-42 “Let us observe, for one thing — how different the characters and personalities of true Christians may be. The two sisters of whom we read in this passage were faithful disciples. Both had believed. Both had been converted. Both had honored Christ when few gave Him honor. Both loved Jesus — and Jesus loved both of…
Call To Worship March 3 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 10:21-24 “We are taught, secondly, in this parable — who they are to whom we should show kindness, and whom we are to love as neighbors. We are told that the only person who helped the wounded traveler, of whom we are reading, was a certain Samaritan. This man was one of a nation who had “no…