Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 20:1-8 “Let us notice, lastly, in this passage — the falsehood of which our Lord’s enemies were guilty. In reply to our Lord’s question whether John’s baptism was from Heaven or from men — they answered that ‘they did not know where it was from.’ This was a downright lie! They did know, but they would not admit it. They knew that if they said what they really believed — then they would condemn themselves. If they confessed that John was a prophet sent from God — then they would…
Sunday Morning Calls to Worship
Call To Worship October 28 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 19:41-48 “We learn, firstly, from these verses — how great is the tenderness and compassion of Christ towards sinners. We are told that when He came near Jerusalem for the last time, ‘He beheld the city, and wept over it.’ He well knew the character of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Their cruelty, their self-righteousness, their stubbornness, their obstinate prejudice against the truth, their pride of heart — were not hidden from Him. He well knew what they were going to do to Him within a very few days — His…
Call To Worship October 21 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 19:28-40 “Let us mark, for one thing, in these verses — the perfect knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We see Him sending two of His disciples to the entrance of a village, and telling them that they would find ‘a colt tied, which no one has ever ridden.’ We see Him describing what they would see and hear, with as much confidence as if the whole transaction had been previously arranged. In short, He speaks like one to whom nothing in all creation is hidden from His sight —…
Call to Worship October 14 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 19:11-27 “The occasion of our Lord speaking the parable before us, is clear and plain. It was intended to correct the false expectations of the disciples on the subject of Christ’s kingdom. It was a prophetic sketch of things present and things to come — which ought to raise solemn thoughts in the minds of all professing Christians. We see, for one thing, in this parable — the present position of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is compared to ‘a certain nobleman, who went into a far country, to receive…
Call to Worship October 7 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 19:1-10 “These verses describe the conversion of a soul. Like the stories of Nicodemus, and the Samaritan woman — the story of Zacchaeus should be frequently studied by Christians. The Lord Jesus never changes. What He did for the man before us — He is able and willing to do for any one of ourselves. We learn, firstly, from these verses — that no one is too bad to be saved, or beyond the power of Christ’s grace. We are told of a wealthy tax-collector becoming a disciple of Christ….
Call to Worship September 30 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 18:35-43 “The miracle described in these verses is rich in instruction. It was one of the great works which witnessed that Christ was sent by the Father. (John 5:36.) But this is not all. It contains also some lively patterns of spiritual things which deserve attentive study. We see, for one thing, in this passage — the importance of diligence in the use of means. We are told of ‘a certain blind man who sat by the wayside begging.’ He sought the place where his pitiful condition was most likely…
Call To Worship September 23 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle – Luke 18:18-27 “We learn, secondly, from these verses — what harm one master-sin may do to a soul. The desires which the rich ruler expressed were right and good. He wanted ‘eternal life.’ There seemed at first sight no reason why he should not be taught the way of God, and become a disciple. But there was one thing, unhappily, which he loved better than ‘eternal life.’ That thing was his money. When invited by Christ, to give up all that he had on earth, and seek treasure in Heaven…
Call to Worship September 16 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 18:9-17 “Let us notice, firstly — the sin against which our Lord Jesus Christ warns us in these verses. There is no difficulty in finding this out. Luke tells us expressly, that ‘He spoke this parable to some who were confident of their own righteousness, and looked down on everybody else.’ The sin which our Lord denounces, is ‘self-righteousness.’ We are all naturally self-righteous. It is the family-disease of all the children of Adam. From the highest to the lowest — we think more highly of ourselves than we ought…
Call To Worship September 9 2018
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 of the second coming, with which the preceding chapter concludes. It is perseverance in prayer, during the long weary intervals between the first and second comings, which Jesus is urging His disciples to…
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 of the state of the professing Church at His second coming. We are told that as it was in the days of Noah, and in the days of Lot — so shall it…