John 10:19-30

Until John, we have been using older manuscripts of Ryle's Expository Thoughts. Just recently, though, EP Publishing has put out a lightly updated version of Ryle's work, which I am now working from. If you are interested in a physical copy of the Expository Thoughts, you can find it HERE.

John 10:19-30

1. We should notice what strifes and controversies our Lord occasioned when He was on earth.
2. We should notice the name which Christ gives to true Christians.
3. We should notice the vast privileges which the Lord Jesus Christ bestows on true Christians.

"We must not allow ourselves to think the worse of Christian faith because of the strifes and dissensions to which it gives rise. Whatever people may please to say, it is human nature and not Christianity which is to blame. We do not blame the glorious sun because its warmth brings a smell from something foul."

"It would be easy to show that weakness, helplessness, harmlessness, usefulness, are all points of resemblance between the sheep and the believer. But the leading idea in our Lord’s mind was the entire dependence of the sheep upon its Shepherd."

"Whatever people may please to say against [the doctrine of perseverance], it is one which God’s children ought to hold fast and defend with all their might."

Questions:

1. We learn that Christianity brings strife, and that the problem is not with Christianity, but with human nature. Just like we don't blame the sun for being warm for bringing forth the smell from a rotting corpse, so the gospel is not to blame for contention and hatred from which human nature often responds to it. Are we surprised when we are persecuted for righteousness sake?
2. Jesus calls his followers sheep, which, Ryle points out gives rise to many connections, namely that sheep are weak, helpless, harmless and useful. Yet the main idea is that of dependence upon the Shepherd. Amazingly, the other thing we need to see is that we are called His sheep, and those who have found a special interest in the Shepherd. What do these rich truths do to our hearts?
3. Christ says that he knows His sheep, He gives them eternal life, and that they shall never perish. Jesus will never lose any of His sheep, and that they will persevere in this life by God's grace. Do these truths give you strength and encouragement to press on? How will you worship the Lord with things on your mind?