Have you ever considered the assurance of your salvation? If you were to pass away tonight, do you have complete certainty that you would go to heaven? It's a thought-provoking question worth contemplating. “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into … Continue reading Are you certain of your own salvation?
JC Ryle
Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks
"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory." What are we to understand by the bruised reed and smoldering wick in Matthew 12:20? This language is no doubt figurative. What is it that these two expressions mean? The simplest explanation seems to … Continue reading Bruised Reeds and Smoldering Wicks
The Wedding Feast of the King
This coming Sunday our sermon will focus on "The Wedding Feast of the King" from Matthew 22:1-14. (Click the highlighted text to read the Scripture passage.) Here is a comment on the above passage from J.C. Ryle to prepare your heart to hear God's Word: "A certain man made a great banquet, and invited many." This is the … Continue reading The Wedding Feast of the King
The Powerful Benefits of Communion
What benefits should you expect to receive when you celebrate the Lord's Supper? 1 . Right reception of the Lord’s Supper has a “humbling” effect on the soul. The bread and wine serve as emblems of Christ’s body and blood and remind us of how sinful sin must be! 2 . Right reception of the … Continue reading The Powerful Benefits of Communion
The Promise of His Presence – What difference should it make in our lives?
I was reading in my devotional time yesterday morning the last chapter of the Gospel of Matthew along with commentary from J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospels and came across these gems I felt compelled to share with you. "Finally, let us observe in these verses, the gracious promise with which Jesus closes His … Continue reading The Promise of His Presence – What difference should it make in our lives?
What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
That death discharged in full the mighty debt which sinners owe to God and threw open the door of life to every believer. That death satisfied the righteous claims of God's holy law, and enabled God to be just, and yet the justifier of the ungodly. That death was no mere example of self-sacrifice, but … Continue reading What the death of Christ accomplished – J.C. Ryle
When You Come Together
The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 teaches us what not to do and what to do "when we come together" (1 Corinthians 11:18,20). We are not to sow the seeds of division in the body of Christ. We are to celebrate regularly Communion... the Lord's Supper... the Eucharist in our local assembly of believers. … Continue reading When You Come Together
For Preachers and Their Listeners
In Mark 1:38, Jesus states succinctly the reason why He came from the Father: "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so I may preach there also; that is why I came.” J.C. Ryle comments in the late 1800s on this verse from Mark's Gospel: Let us never be moved by those who cry … Continue reading For Preachers and Their Listeners
J.C. Ryle on Christ in the Psalms
A Greater than David is here! We have probably little idea how much deep truth is contained in the book of Psalms. No part of the Bible perhaps is better known in the letter, and none so little understood in the spirit. We err greatly if we suppose that it is nothing but a record … Continue reading J.C. Ryle on Christ in the Psalms
The Essence of Discipleship
John 12:26 - Whoever serves me must follow me... J.C. Ryle offers a challenging word especially to us all: "As the soldier follows his general, as the servant follows his master, as the scholar follows his teacher; as the sheep follows its shepherd, just so ought the professing Christian to follow Christ. Faith and obedience … Continue reading The Essence of Discipleship
2Cherish2Commend 