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 7:14-24

1. We learn that honest obedience to God’s will is one way to obtain clear spiritual knowledge.
2. We learn that a self-exalting spirit in ministers is entirely opposed to the mind of Christ.
3. We learn the danger of forming a hasty judgment.

"Instead of saying, as some do, “I must first know everything clearly and then I will act,” we should say, “I will diligently use such knowledge as I possess and believe that in the using fresh knowledge will be given to me.” How many mysteries this simple plan would solve!"

"Not the one who is ever crying, “Behold the church! Behold the sacraments! Behold the ministry!” but the one who says, “Behold the Lamb!” is the pastor after God’s own heart."

"We forget that all is not good that appears good, even as all is not gold that glitters, and that daily practice, choice, tastes, habits, conduct and private character are the true evidence of what a person is. In a word, we forget our Lord’s saying, “Do not judge according to appearance.”

Questions:

1. We stumble upon a helpful principle in this passage. It is true that we cannot practice what we do not know, and yet, here Jesus tells us that we need to practice in order to know and grow. Are we seeking to live according to the light we have from God's Word, or do we think we have to know something in full before we practice it?
2. We learn here the danger of a self-exalting spirit, and particularly as it pertains to pastors. Apply this test to your pastor: does he exalt Christ or other parts of the ministry? Pastors, let us apply this test to ourselves: are we quick to talk about the things we do, or about the God we love?
3. We see how people make a hasty judgment on Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Ryle warns us that we must beware of making judgments by appearance and applies it both ways. On the one hand, we can see signs of godliness and assume this person is godly, when in truth, they are not. On the other hand, we can see an evil in someone and immediately assume they are evil, when in fact, they are men at best. Are we quick to make such judgments? How about ourselves? Do we judge ourselves as good because all looks good on the outside or are we honest about what is within that nobody sees?