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 1:6-13

1. We see the true nature of a Christian minister's office or role.
2. We see one principal position which our Lord Jesus Christ occupies towards humanity.
3. We see the desperate wickedness of the human heart.
4. We see the vast privileges of all who receive Christ and believe in Him.

"Unless a Christian minister bears a full testimony to Christ they are not faithful to their office."

"Christ is to the souls of men and women what the sun is to the world. He is the center and source of all spiritual light, warmth, life, health, growth, beauty, and fertility."

"They worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator. Well may the natural heart be called wicked!"

"Good masters care for their servants and Christ cares for His."

Questions:

1. We in John the Baptist, that a true ministers call is to faithfully testify to the truth. If you are a minister of the gospel, can this be said you? If not, can you without a doubt declare that this can be said of your minister?
2. Do we look to and trust Jesus as our only light, and the only light that we can hold out for sinners around us?
3. Jesus, who gave life, and breath, and everything before coming to His people, was despised then, and even afterwards. How we would want to say that we would never do that, and yet we would, apart from His grace. Does this truth not humble us?
4. It is fitting to close with Ryle's question: "are we ourselves sons of God? Have we been born again? Have we the marks which always accompany the new birth: a sense of sin, faith in Jesus, love of others, righteous living, and separation from the world? May it be so, for our joy and His glory!