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VIII

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). John 1:40-41 (ESV)

Who can tell what might have happened if Andrew had been of a silent, reserved, and uncommunicative spirit, like many a Christian in the present day? Who can tell but his brother might have lived and died a fisherman on the Galilean lake? But happily for Simon, Andrew was not a man of this sort. He was one whose heart was so full that he must speak… All who have received mercy ought to find a tongue, and to declare what God has done for their soul.

Ryle, J. (1857) Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Monergism Books, pg. 1297-98

VII

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

The gospel rightly leads us into a personal relationship with Jesus, for his glory, our salvation, and the good of others. If our Christianity is not deeply personal, then it is nominal, which is unreal and no good to anyone.

Ortlund, R. (2022) Who Helps You Enjoy God? Christian Hedonists in Honest Community, Desiring God, Retrieved from https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/who-helps-you-enjoy-god

V

And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42-43 (ESV)

How is it that under precisely the same circumstances one (criminal) is converted and (the other) remains dead in sins… the (same way) same sermon is heard by one (church-goer) with complete indifference… (yet) sends another (church-goer) home to pray and seek Christ.

Ryle, J. (1857) Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Monergism Books, pg. 1079-80