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 them. Yet they were evidently women of very different turn of mind. Martha was active, stirring, and impulsive, feeling strongly — and speaking out all she felt. Mary was quiet, still, and contemplative,…
Sunday Morning Calls to Worship
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 dealings” with the Jews. (John 4:9.) He might have excused himself by saying that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was through the Jewish territory — and that cases of distress ought to…
Call To Worship February 18 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 9:46-50 In the second place, our Lord Jesus Christ gives us a warning against a bigoted and illiberal spirit. As in the preceding verses, so here, the occasion of the warning is supplied by the conduct of His own disciples. We read that John said to Him, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name — and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” Who this man was, and why he did not associate with the disciples — we do not know. But we do…
Call to Worship February 11 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 9:37-45 “We have, lastly, in these verses — an example of the spiritual ignorance which may be found even in the hearts of good men. We are told that our Lord said to His disciples, “The Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” They had heard the same thing from His lips, little more than a week before. But now, as then, the words seemed lost upon them. They heard — as though they heard not. They could not realize the fact that their Master was…
Call To Worship January 28 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, J.C. Ryle – Luke 9:12-27 “We see, for another thing, in these verses — a striking emblem of Christ’s ability to supply the spiritual needs of mankind. The whole miracle is a picture. We see in it, as in a mirror — some of the most important truths of Christianity. It is, in fact — a great acted parable of the glorious Gospel. What is that multitude which surrounded our Lord in the wilderness — poor and helpless, and destitute of food? It is a picture of mankind. We are a company of…
Call To Worship January 21 2018
Let us mark, in this passage — the power of a bad conscience. We are told that “when Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by our Lord — he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead.” He said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” As great and powerful as Herod was — the tidings of our Lord’s ministry called his sins to remembrance, and disturbed him even in his royal palace. Surrounded as he was by everything which is considered to make life enjoyable…
Call To Worship January 14 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 8:40-56 Let us notice, secondly, in the verses before us — that faith in Christ’s love and power, is the best remedy in time of trouble. We are told that when Jesus heard the news that the ruler’s daughter was dead, He said to him, “Do not be afraid; only believe — and she will be healed.” These words, no doubt, were spoken with immediate reference to the miracle our Lord was going to perform. But we need not doubt that they were also meant for the perpetual benefit of…
Call To Worship January 7 2018
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 8:26-39 Let us mark, finally — the wonderful change which Christ can work in Satan’s slaves. We are told that the Gadarenes “found the man the demons had departed from — sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind.” That sight must indeed have been strange and astonishing! The man’s past history and condition, no doubt, were well known. He had probably been a nuisance and a terror to all the neighborhood. Yet here, in one moment — a complete change had come over him. Old things had…
Call To Worship December 31 2017
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 8:22-25 “We see, thirdly, in these verses — how great is the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. We read that when His disciples awoke Him in the storm, “He arose, and rebuked the wind, and the raging of the waters — and they ceased, and there was a calm.” This was, no doubt, a mighty miracle. It needed the power of Him who brought the flood on the earth in the days of Noah, and in due season took it away — who divided the Red Sea and the…
Call to Worship December 24 2017
Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke J.C. Ryle Luke 2:1-7 “Let us notice, secondly — the PLACE where Christ was born. It was not at Nazareth of Galilee, where His mother Mary lived. The prophet Micah had foretold that the event was to take place at Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2.) And so it came to pass. At Bethlehem, Christ was born. The overruling providence of God appears in this simple fact. He orders all things in Heaven and earth. He turns the hearts of kings wherever He will. He overruled the time when Augustus decreed the taxing. He directed the…