Expository Thoughts on Luke: Volume 1 (1858, 1986) by J.C. Ryle, Sort-of Review

 Expository Thoughts on Luke: Volume 1 (1858, 1986) by J.C. Ryle

Bishop Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels complete set is not like academic (yet informative), critical (yet serious), or comprehensive (yet concise) Bible commentaries. If I was to categorize it, I would put them under 'light devotional commentaries.' Initially, they were written especially for his local congregation to get acquainted with the gospel narratives and as a great stimulus to the reading of the Bible in general. Then about a century later after the first publication, they become very popular and read by many people around the world. Luke Volume 1 covers chapters 1 to 10. Each chapter is divided into short portions of Scripture which usually have three observations with practical insights for Christian living and believing.

I have read two volumes of Matthew and Mark. The obvious difference between this volume from the two is that there are extra explanatory notes in each portion of Scripture expounded. The last part of Ryle's preface for this volume written in August 1858 (that was 165 years ago!) is worth reminding: "I have a strong conviction that we want more reverent, a deep-searching study of the Scripture in the present day. Most Christians see nothing beyond the surface of the Bible when they read it. We want a more clear knowledge of Christ, as a living Person, a living Priest, a living Physician, a living Friend, a living Advocate at the right hand of God, and a living Savior soon about to come again. Most Christians know little of Christianity but only skeletons of doctrines... If I can do anything to make Christ and the Bible more honorable in these latter days, I shall be truly thankful and content."

Ryle observed the same problem and had the same concern and desire as I have today although my knowledge, capacity, influence, sacrifice, humility, faithfulness, and holiness are far behind his'. This is probably why I admire the men and women of God of the past. In their imperfection, they show great devotion to Christ. If you want to grow, you need to have role models that are better than you. Find one or two and study them and their writings or writings about them. For me, John C. Ryle is on the list.

Read my other book reviews by J.C. Ryle, CLICK HERE

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Reading Releases a Trapped Mind #LeadersAreReaders December 2022

There was a little girl who was dealt a bad hand in life. When she was one and a half years old, a childhood illness took away her sight and hearing. The poor girl was trapped inside her mind. She hadn't learned to speak, so she uttered gibberish and animal-like sounds. She always went into unprovoked fits of rage, smashing dishes and physically attacking anyone in the room with her. Many doctors diagnosed her as mentally ill. They recommended putting her into an asylum for the rest of her life. But, thankfully, her parents refused.

When she was 7, the family hired a young woman to tutor her. For weeks the tutor tried to communicate with her by spelling words into her hand. She could feel the tutor's fingers on her palm, but the symbols or gestures didn't have any meaning to her. She was still trapped... Then one day, she was holding a cup under a gusting water spout. The tutor kept spelling the word W-A-T-E-R into her hand. Suddenly, the little girl understood the letters represented an object! In that flash of recognition, the door to the world flew wide open for her. She ran around the room, grabbing objects at random, begging the tutor to spell the name into her palm. As a grown-up girl years later, she wrote, "Spark after spark of meaning flew from hand to hand." That day and beyond, she was free and no longer trapped inside her mind. She became a voracious learner!

The rest, as any good story has to end, is history. Her name is Helen Keller and her amazing tutor is Anne Sullivan (read Keller's The Story of My Life). Like Keller's breakthrough, reading can help us to break out from our mental prison. Reading - and writing too - has the power to transform us by connecting the dots of information, imagination, and possibilities. At times when we felt trapped inside our minds, unable to understand or express our thoughts and feelings, reading and writing are great ways to a breakthrough. Victor Hugo once said: "To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark" ✨

#ServeToLead #ReadersAreReaders #FreeYourMind #ThePowerOfReading #HelenKeller #AnneSullivan #Breakthrough #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Simplicity In Preaching: A Few Hints on a Great Subject (1882, 2022) by John C. Ryle, Summary-Review

Simplicity In Preaching: A Few Hints on a Great Subject (1882, 2022) by John C. Ryle

 

For the past two years, I've been listening to and reading lots of material from John Charles Ryle (1816 to 1900). Currently, I'm reading his well-known volume Expository Thoughts on the Gospels on Luke part one. His books are very easy to digest and understand just like what this title hinted at. But it's not just simple, it's also profound and Biblical. There is no use in being simple if the essence is shallow and worldly. TikTok's 'Christian' video is simple but almost always has no depth. The aim, in the case of this subject, is simplicity in preaching Jesus Christ. So, it's true that the statement "Change your mind, change your life" is simple but there are no Biblical truths in that like the statement, "Having Christ in your life will change how you live." This is what I get from J.C. Ryle's book.

If you're thinking of reading this short book, the four (4) introductory remarks are good reminders of what he meant and don't about the subject. Read it! And here are five (5) brief hints as to what seems to be the best method of attaining simplicity in preaching according to J.C. Ryle:

1. Understand your subject.
2. Use simple words.
3. Aim for a simple style of composition.
4. Use a direct voice.
5. Use anecdotes and illustrations.

There are lots of juicy quotes that are worth remembering. Here are some as closing for this summary review: "Take care that you have a comprehensive knowledge of the subject upon which you are going to preach"; "It is appropriate to use fine words... before classical groups and in preaching before educated audiences. But you may be sure that when you preach to ordinary congregations, the sooner you... use plain, common words, the better"; "All the simplicity in the world can do no good unless you preach the simple gospel of Jesus Christ so fully and clearly that everybody can understand it. If Christ crucified does not have His rightful place in your sermons, and sin is not exposed as it should be, and your people are not plainly told what they need to believe and be and do, your preaching is of no use!" ⚡

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #SimplicityInPreaching #PreachTheWord #PreachChrist #JCRyle #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Transformed By The Written Words #1Book1Week June 2021

Have you ever read a sentence or paragraph that contains such a profound nugget of truth that it jumps off the page and hits you right between the mind's eyes? Bam?!! Sometimes you say to yourself, "That's exactly what I've been thinking but could never put into words!" And sometimes you're just amazed, "I never thought of it that way before. That's so true! That's it!"

Every reader has experienced special moments like these when we're instantly transformed by the written words a.k.a. books. Those moments of insight wake us from our slumber of self-contentment or shake our self-absorption - and push us to grow. Slowly we move out from darkness to light; from stuckness to solutions; from despair to hope. Author of Wake Up And Live!, Dorothea Brande describes the experience this way:

"I found the idea which set me free. I was not consciously looking for it. I was engaged in a piece of research in a different field. But I came across a sentence in a book I was reading which was so illuminating that I put the book aside to consider all of the ideas suggested by that [one sentence]. When I picked the book up again, I was a different person."

"I was a different person." Wow, this line is VERY relatable! I know exactly what Dorothea means because that's what happened to me. When I finished reading James White's The Forgotten Trinity, for example, my knowledge, confidence, and love for the triune God of the Bible grow. When I considered the importance of sleep outlines in Matthew Walker's Why We Sleep, I was more aware of my sleeping habits. When I listened to J.C. Ryle's Repentance, I was reminded to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ together with the call to repentance. That is one of the hidden powers of reading. It can transform us and make us different - and better, gradually - than we were one month or year earlier. Will you emerge from the pandemic stronger, better, and more knowledgeable? Or, weaker, worsen, and remain the same? READ BOOKS ���������

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Repentance: What It Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So by J.C. Ryle, Audiobook Review

 Repentance: What It Means to Repent and Why We Must Do So 

(First Edition, 1878; Updated Edition, 2021) by John Charles Ryle

In the past, although I always said that Charles H. Spurgeon’s books influence my Christian believes (besides the Bible) the most but in terms of number, I read J.C. Ryle’s books the most. Ryle (1816-1900) was the Bishop of Liverpool, England, and had gained a reputation for straightforward preaching, passionate evangelism, and Gospel-centered writings. His books, in my opinion, are easy to understand and very rich in theology and practical applications. I take C.S. Lewis's advice on the reading of old books like this one: “If [one] must read only the new or only the old, I would advise him to read the old.” Lewis recommended reading one old book for every contemporary book or two. I do read old books especially Christian classics from time to time because I know the value and importance of it (but I don’t come close to his recommended ratio). If you haven’t read one old book yet or if it’s been a while, I recommend you to read this book ���

The book opens and closes with this verse: “Except you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:5). For sure this is a warning verse. It might sound harsh and forceful or “stern and severe” but as J.C. Ryle explains: “From whose lips did these words come, though? They came from the lips of One who loves us with a love that passes knowledge. They came from Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They were spoken by One who loved us so much that He left heaven for our sake. He came down to earth for our sake. He lived a poor, humble life on earth for thirty-three years for our sake. He went to the cross for us, went to the grave for us, and died for our sins. The words that come from lips like these must surely be words of love.” Indeed, this verse is ultimately a plea from One who loves us so much and desires to deliver us from the fire of hell (“perish”). So important is repentance that when Lord Jesus began His early ministry, He preached, “Repent, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Peter’s sermon at Pentecost began with, “Repent, and be baptized…” and ended with, “Repent you, and be converted” (Acts 2:38; 3:19). When Paul defended himself, he told his audiences that he had taught all people that they should “repent, and do works fit for repentance” (Acts 26:20). "Repent!" is the call to all of us.

J.C. Ryle knows how urgent this call is. As a preacher-teacher, he wants to makes the call clear and unadulterated. So, he skillfully outlines this book into three (3) sections:

1)The Nature of Repentance: What Is It?
2)The Necessity of Repentance: Why Is Repentance Needful?
3)The Encouragements to Repentance: What Is There to Lead People to Repent?

These three sections and the conclusion are packed with biblical truths. The five marks of repentance that J.C. Ryle highlights are very crucial for us to differentiate between true or false repentance, namely: “True repentance begins with 1)KNOWLEDGE of sin. It goes on to work 2) SORROW for sin. It leads to 3) CONFESSION of sin before God. It shows itself before a person by a thorough 4) BREAKING OFF from sin. It results in producing a 5) DEEP HATRED for all sin.” If you have experienced all the marks, then, as Ryle would say, you are a truly repentant person! ��� #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #GrowingLeaders #SpiritualLeaders #LeadersAreReaders #BiblicalRepentance #BishopJCRyle #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

To read PDF ebook Repentance by J.C. Ryle, CLICK HERE ��� https://anekopress.com/product/repentance-ebook/ 

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Be Street Smart AND Book Smart #1Book1Week March 2021

 

"I want to do what you do," said a well-meaning student to me. So, I asked, "What is your growth plan?" In less than 5 seconds he replied, "What is a growth plan?" Well, some people are gifted with intelligent minds; some with rich parents; some with astoundingly high levels of ignorance (pitiful but bless their hearts!); and some - me or you, if you too - are average people but have the determination to grow in whatever talents or skills or gifts and mind that God given to them. I use to say: "If you're not beautiful or handsome or good-looking, which is an advantage in an image-driven world today, at least, be smart."

People nowadays want us to choose between Book Smart vs. Street Smart. They said, "Street smart is better than book smart." Or in the religious circle, "Experiential Christianity is superior to intellectual Christianity." To me, it sounds pious but I think it's an anti-intellectual facade. Why not strive to be both Book Smart AND Street Smart? The Webster's Unabridged Dictionary defines wisdom as “knowledge, and the capacity to make due use of it.” How to gains "knowledge"? Study, and - my purpose of this post - read books! That's Book Smart. How to "make due use of it"? Well, by practicing and applying (based on your contexts) what you have learned or/and read! That's Street Smart. If you combine both, by Webster's definitions, that's wisdom.

Let us come back to a personal growth plan. Do you have it? If not, don't be discouraged. Start smart, start today  To my young friend, you cannot do what I do today not because you cannot do it but because you have to do it from the start. There is no shortcut to growth. In your plan, don't forget to include these four areas: 1) Intellectual, 2) Physical, 3) Spiritual, and 4) Financial. Try it for a year and be practical. As for intellectual growth, you know what I would say, right? One of them is to READ BOOKS! Be Book Smart!  

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain #BeBookSmartAndStreetSmart #PersonalGrowthPlan

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The Duties of Parents (2010, first published 1888) by J. C. Ryle, Book Review

 The Duties of Parents (2010, first published 1888) by J. C. Ryle

My parents are good but not saints; as far as I can remember, they never taught me about Christ and the Word directly but I remember they (especially mom) taught me to pray before a meal and went to bed; I believe they want the best for me but in our culture, best mean mediocrity. I don't blame them, they just follow the examples from their own parents, grandparents, and so on. I never regret having them as my parents (although, I once imagined that I'm the prince of the King of England!) but I decide, by God's grace, to make a difference for my future children. You should too. Change must start with us. Bishop J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), of which his seven volumes of Expository Thoughts on the Gospels I owned, open this short book with the famous verse from Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go - and when he is old, he will not depart from it." If the crisis of ungodliness among young people during Ryle's time was alarming as he mentions in the book, then, surely today has become worse. In my observation, the responsibility to "train up a child" that is supposed to begin at home has ended up mostly left to the school, the church (if any), and even social media. This is not supposed to be so for Proverb 22:6 assumes that it is the responsibility of the parents or the close guardian(s) of "a child" to give godly instructions and to train him or her to walk with God. Ryle explains: "The plain truth is, the Lord's commandment in our text is not regarded - and therefore the Lord's promise in our text is not fulfilled." Don't make excuses, just obey the Word of God and you will be blessed. Here are Ryle's seventeen (17) insights of biblical responsibility of child-rearing that he outlines in this book:

1. If you train your children rightly, train them in the way they should go, and not in the way they would
2. Train Up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience
3. Train your children with an abiding persuasion on your mind that much depends upon you
4. Train with this thought continually before your eyes – that the soul of your child is the first thing to be considered
5. Train your child to a knowledge of the Bible
6. Train them to a habit of prayer
7. Train them to habits of diligence, and regularity about public means of grace
8. Train them to a habit of faith
9. Train them to a habit of obedience
10. Train them to a habit of always speaking the truth
11. Train them to a habit of always redeeming the time
12. Train them with a constant fear of overindulgence
13. Train them remembering continually how God trains His children
14. Train them remembering continually the influence of your own example
15. Train them remembering continually the power of sin
16. Train them remembering continually the promises of Scripture
17. Train them, lastly, with continual prayer for a blessing on all you do

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#1Book1Week June 2020

This year I have the surge and desire to reread Christian books :) And what great books they are! Here are my #1Book1Week book lists for June 2020 (to see Jan-May listings, go to https://instagram.com/legasi.tv/):

1) The Cross: Crucified with Christ and Christ Alive In Me (this version, 2019) by J. C. Ryle. Ryle, an English Anglican Bishop, is a wise man of old. I love his expository thoughts on the Gospels. This book used by God to save me from the burden of my sins. So timely and richly Word-centred. "As the sun gazed upon makes everything else look dark and dim," writes Ryle, "so does the cross darken the false splendor of this world." True!

2) Jesus, A Visual History: The Dramatic Story of the Messiah in the Holy Land (2014) by Donald L. Blake Sr. Very scholarly and yet fun to read - a combination (seem rare nowadays) that excites me to explore the topic. This book reminded me of another similar book with colorful pictures, graphics, historical titbits, and Scripture explanations by Stephen Miller's The Jesus of the Bible. I recommend both!

3) The Coming Chinese Church: How Rising Faith In China Is Spilling Over Its Boundaries (2013) by Paul Golf. In the past, the West send missionaries who were willing to sacrifice themselves (even die) to preach the Gospel to the Chinese people. The minorities that become Christians were being persecuted, and just like in the Book of Acts, they strive and prosper during hardship. As they grew in numbers, God moved their hearts to bless other nations, too, by sending missionaries to preach the Gospel back to the West and the rest of the world. They do this to honor their spiritual heritage and driven by the vision that God has called them to, namely, Back to Jerusalem.

4) The Disease of the Health & Wealth Gospels (2006) by Gordon D. Fee. These so-called 'Gospels' or 'Christian' teachings are prevalent and damaging in the Church today. I appreciate this book because of its fair treatment of these controversial themes, and it is based on solid exegesis of the Scripture. Mr. Fee is known for his co-author book, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth... and true to its title, it is worth reading it.

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Simple Book Review: "Expository Thoughts on Mark" (first published 1857) by J. C. Ryle

Expository Thoughts on Mark (first published 1857) 

by J. C. Ryle

If you love to study Christian history, like to read classic books (like I do), and treasure old wisdoms, then you got to at least know who is J. C. Ryle. Bishop Ryle reasoned and observed the great need of his own parish to read and understand the Scripture, thus, he prepared Expository Thoughts on the Gospels [first of this series is Matthew, then Mark, and two volumes each for Luke and John] for them and then because of its undiminished popularity and usefulness, the books have encircled the world for more than a century. 

“If the best way to understand the Christian Faith is to read the Gospels,” the back cover explained, “then the next books in order of importance have to be those which aid in the understanding of those Gospels.” I couldn’t agree more! I love to read commentaries on the Bible – the Gospels especially – and I wish that every Christian ministers and workers devour good commentaries to aid them in Bible Studies, preaching and teaching. Oh, may we pray for the spirit of Ezra who “had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach [God’s] statues and rules in Israel”! (Ezra 7:10). Then revival will come to Malaysian churches!

Let me come back to Ryle. This ‘plain and pointed’ words are a great stimulus to the reading of the Bible itself. But why called it ‘Expository Thoughts’ and not ‘Commentaries’? Ryle reminds us on the preface, “The readers must not expect to find in these ‘Expository Thoughts,’ a learned, critical commentary on the Gospels… [it is] a continuous series of short practical expositions.” And he prayed that “my chief desire, if I know anything of my heart, in this and all my writings, is to lead my readers to Christ and faith in Him, to repentance and holiness, to the Bible and prayer.” As I begun reading this book, I said… amen :)

[P.s: This book was meant to be a devotional book, to lead us to the Book, and to be read aloud. So far, I didn’t see any Christian bookstores sell this book, so, if you would like to read it, I suggest that you go to the local church library or visit seminary schools]

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J.C. Ryle on Eight Symptoms of False Teaching

Over 100 years ago, Bishop J.C. Ryle shared a similar list that focused on symptoms of false teaching that still has tremendous relevance for the church today.

Here are the 8 symptoms of false teaching:

1.     There is an undeniable zeal in some teachers of error–their “earnestness” makes many people think they must be right.

2.     There is a great appearance of learning and theological knowledge–many think that such clever and intellectual men must surely be safe to listen to.

3.     There is a general tendency to completely free and independent thinking today–many like to prove their independence of judgment by believing the newest ideas, which are nothing but novelties.

4.     There is a wide-spread desire to appear kind, loving, and open-minded–many seem half-ashamed to say that anybody can be wrong or is a false teacher.

5.     There is always a portion of half-truth taught by modern false teachers–they are always using scriptural words and phrases, but with unscriptural meaning.

6.     There is a public craving for a more sensational and entertaining worship–people are impatient with the more inward and invisible work of God within the hearts of men.

7.     There is a superficial readiness all around to believe anyone who talks cleverly, lovingly and earnestly, forgetting that Satan often masquerades himself as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

8.     There is a wide-spread ignorance among professing Christians–every heretic who speaks well is surely believed, and anyone who doubts him is called narrow-minded and unloving.

All these are especially symptoms of our times. I challenge any honest and observant person to deny them. These tend to make the assaults of false doctrine today especially dangerous and make it even more important to say loudly, “Do not be carried away with strange doctrine!”

Source: UnlockingTheBible.org

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