Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 18:1-8 “The object of the parable before us, is explained by Christ Himself. To use the words of an old divine, ‘The key hangs at the door.’ ‘Jesus told His disciples a parable, to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’ These words, be it remembered, are closely connected with the solemn doctrine…
Call To Worship September 2 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 17:22-37 “The subject of these verses is one of particular solemnity. It is the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That great event, and the things immediately connected with it — are here described by our Lord’s own lips. We should observe, for one thing, in these verses — what a fearful picture our Lord gives…
Call to Worship August 26 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 17:11-21 “Let us mark, firstly, in this passage — how earnestly men can cry for help, when they feel their need of it. We read that as our Lord entered into a certain village — ten men who were lepers met Him. It is difficult to conceive any condition more thoroughly miserable, than that of men afflicted…
Call to Worship August 19 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle – Luke 17:5-10 “Let us notice, in these verses — the important request which the apostles made. They said unto the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ We do not know the secret feelings from which this request sprang. Perhaps the hearts of the apostles failed within them, as they heard one weighty lesson after another fall from our Lord’s…
Call to Worship August 12 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 16:19-31 “We learn, firstly, from this parable — that a man’s worldly condition is no test of his state in the sight of God. The Lord Jesus describes to us two men — of whom one was very rich, and the other very poor. The one ‘fared sumptuously every day.’ The other was a mere ‘beggar,’ who…
Call to Worship August 5 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 16:1-18 “Let us beware, in the first place — that we do not draw lessons from these verses which they were never meant to teach. The steward whom our Lord describes, is not set before us as a pattern of morality. He is distinctly called the ‘unjust steward.’ The Lord Jesus never meant to sanction dishonesty, and…
Call To Worship July 29 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 15:11-24 “We see, firstly, in this parable — a man following the natural bent of his own heart. Our Lord shows us a ‘younger son’ making haste to go far away from a kind father’s house, and ‘wasting his substance in riotous living.’ We have in these words, a faithful portrait of the mind with which we…
Call to Worship July 22 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle – Luke 15:1-10 “We should first observe in these verses — the striking testimony which was borne to our Lord by His enemies. We read that when ‘all the publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him, the Scribes and Pharisees murmured, saying: This man receives sinners, and eats with them!’ These words were evidently spoken with surprise…
Call to Worship July 15 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 14:25-35 “We learn, firstly, from this passage — that true Christians must be ready, if need be, to give up everything for Christ’s sake. This is a lesson which is taught in very remarkable language. Our Lord says, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers…
Call to Worship July 8 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 14:7-24 “Let us first learn from these verses — the value of humility. This is a lesson which our Lord teaches in two ways. Firstly, He advises those who are bidden to a wedding to ‘sit down in the lowest place. ‘ Secondly, He backs up His advice by declaring a great principle, which frequently fell from…