John 6:28-34

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 6:28-34

1. We should observe the spiritual ignorance and unbelief of the unconverted.
2. We should observe the high honor Christ puts on faith in Himself.
3. We shall observe the far greater privileges of Christ’s hearers than of those who lived in the times of Moses.

"If even He, so perfect and so plain a Teacher, was not believed, what right have we to wonder if people do not believe us? Happy are the ministers, missionaries and teachers who keep these things in mind! It will save them much bitter disappointment."

"When the Father sees a sinner casting aside their own righteousness and simply trusting in His dear Son, He is well pleased."

Questions:

1. Ryle exhorts us of the hardness of unbelief, and that we should not be surprised if our work of sharing the Word of God is met with similar hardness. Do we think it a strange thing when the gospel is met with unbelief? Does it produce in us bitter disappointment?
2. Ryle points out that the two things in the Bible that are strongly contrasted with one another - namely works and faith - are here placed together: to believe is the work of God. We tend to believe that faith is too easy, but actually, we are here exhorted that it is the most difficult because it requires casting aside our own righteousness and trusting in Jesus alone. With that said, have we put, and do we continually put, our faith in Jesus Christ alone and count all else as loss for the sake of knowing Christ Jesus? Can we say, 'Christ is mine. I have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I know and feel that I am His?"