Courting public notice

In these times of instant news and events being spread across the world like wildfire through social media such as “X” and Facebook, it might be hard to remember that in the time of Jesus, no one was tweeting or posting their Facebook status. J.C. Ryle comments: Let us mark, for another thing, in this … More Courting public notice

Mercy by the wayside

J.C. Ryle comments on the blind beggar in 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 of the Father. (John 5:36.) But this is not all. It contains also some lively patterns of spiritual things which deserve attentive … More Mercy by the wayside

Ryle: Grace, and not place, is the hinge on which our salvation turns.

Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!  For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”  Those who heard it said, “Then … More Ryle: Grace, and not place, is the hinge on which our salvation turns.

Piper: Everything hangs on God being different from this judge

John Piper asks: A widow comes to an unjust judge and pleads for help. She is being oppressed unjustly and wants him to use his authority to seek her relief. That’s us, the widow. Weak, poor, and no husband to speak up for us. Her only source of help, the judge. Our only source: God. … More Piper: Everything hangs on God being different from this judge

Now and Later

Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” John Piper, in the … More Now and Later

J. C. Ryle: Faith is a grace which admits of degrees.

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” —Luke 17:5 J.C. Ryle comments: Faith is a grace which admits of degrees. It does not come to full strength and perfection as soon as it is planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit. There is “little” faith and “great” faith. There is “weak” faith … More J. C. Ryle: Faith is a grace which admits of degrees.

Delighting more in luxuries for himself than in love for Lazarus?

John Piper, in a sermon, “Preparing to Receive Christ: Hearing Moses and the Prophets”, comments on the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16: So the rich man in the parable is one of those who presumed to say, “I am secure as a child of Abraham.” But he bore no fruit that befits repentance, … More Delighting more in luxuries for himself than in love for Lazarus?