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 1:43-51

1. Let us observe how various are the paths by which souls are led into the narrow way of life.
2. Let us observe how much of Christ there is in the Old Testament Scriptures.
3. Let us observe the good advice which Philip gave to Nathanael.
4. Let us observe the high character which Jesus gives of Nathanael.

"All true Christians are led by one Spirit, washed in one blood, serve one Lord, lean on one Saviour, believe one truth and walk by one general rule. But all are not converted in one and the same manner. All do not pass through the same experience. In conversion, the Holy Spirit acts as a sovereign. He calls everyone individually as He wills."

"Do we find it hard to see Christ in the Old Testament, because we do not see His name? Let us be sure that the fault is all our own. It is our spiritual vision which is to blame and not the book...Let us pray for a more humble, childlike and teachable spirit and let us take up Moses and the prophets again. Christ is there, though our eyes may not yet have seen Him."

"If Philip had reproved Nathanael’s unbelief he might have driven him back for many a day and given offence. If he had reasoned with him he might have failed to convince him, or might have confirmed him in his doubts. But by inviting him to prove the matter for himself he showed his entire confidence in the truth of his own assertion and his willingness to have it tested and proved."

"An honest unprejudiced mind, a child-like willingness to follow the truth wherever the truth may lead us, a simple heart desire to be guided, taught and led by the Spirit, a thorough determination to use every spark of light which we have, are a possession of priceless value."

Questions:

1. Ryle points out that it is not the experience but the fruit that will show true conversion or not. The danger, he warns, is that we can judge others by comparing their experiences to our own. Have we ever done this? Does this exhortation set us free to look for the necessary fruit instead?

2. Ryle exhorts us that Jesus is clearly revealed in the OT, though not if we are looking for His name. The problem is not with the book, but with us. Does this surprise us at all? Do we struggle with the OT and how to find Christ? If so, would we not pray for a more humble, childlike and teachable spirit?

3. Our verses reveal the wisdom of how Philip dealt with Nathaniel: not with reproof or reasoning, but an invitation to come and see for himself. How do we seek to reach others with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

4. Ryle notes that Nathaniel was a true Jew and true child of Abraham; a man of faith. He had an honest unprejudiced mind, a child-like willingness to follow the truth, a simple heart desire to be guided by the Spirit, and a thorough determination to use every spark of life he possessed. Could these descriptions be made of us?