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

Consider two sponges

The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. (KJV) The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways. (ESV) C. H. Spurgeon, in a sermon, “How … More Consider two sponges

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: Faith in Christ Jesus most fully explained as faith in his word.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV John Piper, in a sermon from 2 Timothy 4, “I Have Kept the Faith” The faith that Paul has kept is not faith in himself, or in any mere man. It is faith in Christ … More Piper: Faith in Christ Jesus most fully explained as faith in his word.

The importance of guarding the mouth

From the ESV Study Bible: Prov. 13:1–6 Headed by the call to be a wise son (10:1), these proverbs also utilize a play on words (cf. 10:6–32) relating to both speech (hears/listen, 13:1; mouth, vv. 2–3; lips, v. 3; falsehood,v. 5) and eating/desire (eats, v. 2; desire, v. 2; craves and richly supplied, v. 4) in order to assure those who seek to guard their mouth (v. 3) through righteousness … More The importance of guarding the mouth

Confession: personal, public, practical and particular

Nehemiah 10:28 speaks of “the rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand.” Pastor P. G. Matthew, of Grace Valley Community Church, … More Confession: personal, public, practical and particular