John 6:1-14

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 6:1-14

1. We have a lesson about Christ’s almighty power.
2. We have a lesson about the office or role of ministers.
3. We have a lesson about the sufficiency of the gospel for the wants of all humanity.

"Reason and sense may say that some poor sinner is too hardened or too old to be converted. Faith will reply, “Our Master can create as well as renew. With a Saviour who by His Spirit can create a new heart, nothing is impossible.”

"[A minister's] whole business is to be a faithful distributor of the food which their divine Master has provided and that done, their role is discharged."

"Let us never doubt for a moment that the preaching of Christ crucified—the old story of His blood, and righteousness, and substitution—is enough for all the spiritual necessities of all humanity. It is not worn out. It is not obsolete. It has not lost its power."

Questions:

1. Ryle points out the power of Christ as he creates food out of nothing. In reply, can we despair of the salvation of anyone if He, our great God, can create new hearts?
2. Ryle highlights a key role of every pastor, namely to humble receive the food which Jesus provides, and to distribute it to those under your care. If you are a pastor, can you say this is your main business? For those not pastoring, is it obvious that this is your pastor's main labor or is it in something else?
3. We see in this distribution of 5 loaves and 2 fish the all sufficiency of the gospel - the old story of His blood, and righteousness and substitution. Do we believe this message, which is foolishness to the world, is the power of God for salvation, and is sufficient for all who hear? How are we distributing this bread to those around us?