Beware of hypocrisy

In our reading plan, we come to Luke 12 today. In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. (Luke 12:1 ESV) In the previous chapter (Luke … More Beware of hypocrisy

Ryle: The excessive importance attached to trifles

J. C. Ryle comments on Luke 6:1-6, part of our read-through-the-Bible passage today: We should notice, in this passage, what excessive importance hypocrites attach to trifles. We are told that, “One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of wheat, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and … More Ryle: The excessive importance attached to trifles

J.C. Ryle: The mistakes of the Pharisee about the Sabbath were in one direction. The mistakes of the Christian are in another.

J.C. Ryle with a warning about going overboard in two opposite directions in regard to observing the 4th commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.” He refers to Jesus’ interactions with the Pharisees in Matthew 12, our reading for today. The mistakes of the Pharisee about the Sabbath were in one direction. The … More J.C. Ryle: The mistakes of the Pharisee about the Sabbath were in one direction. The mistakes of the Christian are in another.

Are you a stretcher-carrier or a sermon critic?

Bob Deffinbaugh  comments, There are numerous lessons to be learned from our text. I will underscore just a few. First, our text serves to contrast the faith of the stretcher-carriers with the unbelief of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. The stretcher-carriers believed in Jesus, the Pharisees and teachers were skeptical. The stretcher-carriers were … More Are you a stretcher-carrier or a sermon critic?

Woes to the Wolves

At the Desiring God 2008 National Conference, Mark Driscoll spoke on “How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words”.  Here are some of his comments.  (These are notes taken during the session, not a manuscript.) Shoot the wolves. These are false teachers. Martin Luther says, “With the wolves you cannot be too severe. With the … More Woes to the Wolves

The Most Loving Heart Uses the Language of Stern Reproof

J.C.Ryle says this about Matthew 23:1-12- We are now beginning a chapter which in one respect is the most remarkable in the four Gospels. It contains the last words which the Lord Jesus ever spoke within the walls of the temple. Those last words consist of a withering exposure of the Scribes and Pharisees, and … More The Most Loving Heart Uses the Language of Stern Reproof