III. Well, now I have all but done, but give your solemn, very solemn attention, while I come to my last head:—IF IT IS NOT SO, WHAT THEN? Dear hearer, I cannot tell where thou art—but wherever thou mayst be in this hall, the eyes of my heart are looking for thee, that when they have seen thee, they may weep over thee. Ah! miserable wretch, without a hope, without Christ, without God. Unto thee there is no Christmas mirth,…
II. This brings me to my second head, upon which I shall be brief. Is it so? IF IT IS SO, WHAT THEN? If it is so, why am I doubtful today? Why is my spirit questioning? Why do I not realize the fact? My hearer, if the Son is given to thee, how is it that thou art this day asking whether thou art Christ’s, or not? Why dost thou not labor to make thy calling and election sure?…
I. In the first place, IS IT SO? Is it true that unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given? It is a fact that a child is born. Upon that I use no argument. We receive it as a fact, more fully established than any other fact in history, that the Son of God became man, was born at Bethlehem, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid in a manger. It is a fact, too, that…
A Sermon entitled: “A Christmas Question” Delivered on Sabbath Morning, December 25th, 1859, by C. H. Spurgeon “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” — Isaiah 9:6. UPON OTHER OCCASIONS I have explained the main part of this verse—”the government shall be upon his shoulders, his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God.” If God shall spare me, on some future occasion I hope to take the other titles, “The Everlasting Father,…
You are most welcomed to join us on the 25th of December 2016 for our Christmas service in Subang Jaya Reformed Baptist Church. If you have any queries or need for transportation, please DO NOT HESITATE to call us at 016-3222462. Our service will begin at 10 a.m. instead of our usual 9 a.m., and lunch will be fully provided. Do bring along your friends. Would you please inform us if you are coming, so that we can make…
He Faced Controversy in Standing for the Truth Ryle disturbed the hornet’s nest of lukewarm Christianity with his preaching and stand. Complaints were brought against him very early in his ministry when he spoke against late-night cricket matches on Saturdays. And when the young Ryle refused to join in cards, dances or parties, he was ridiculed as being ‘an enthusiastic, fanatical mad dog’. When Ryle was in Winchester, the third son of the evangelical politician William Wilberforce, Samuel Wilberforce tried…
He Knew Grief and Disappointments in the Ministry On the 29th of October 1845, Ryle married Matilda Charlotte Louisa in Helmingham Church. At 29 years old, he was considered late in marriage. This was deliberate as he would only consider marriage when he had sufficient financial resources. Everything was blissful for the couple until they had the first child in March 1847. Matilda became extremely ill and developed severe post-natal depression. Her physical condition worsened over time; before long she…
He Understood What Labouring for the Lord Means God providentially led Ryle to these circumstances and spiritual condition for a purpose. Being the eldest son in the family, he took upon himself the responsibility of providing for the family in this trying situation. His parents could not help him nor offer him any suggestions because of their devastated condition. Going into law would not bring them any immediate comfort as it would take at least four years before he could…
He was Taught the Cost of Being Christ’s Disciple The Lord Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14:27 – whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Those who walk with Christ will have their faith tested by trials and sufferings. His faith was going to be tried in such a way that (according to him) if he had not been a Christian, he would have committed suicide. What happened? After his time and…
He Experienced God’s Grace in His Conversion Having a father who lived ‘almost like the king of Macclesfield’ gave young J.C. Ryle advantages over other children like entering a private school and staying independent of his family at the 8 years old. In this school, he was “sturdy, very independent and combative… [and] had very strong opinion[s]…, and never cared… for being in a minority, and was ready to fight anybody however big if necessary. [He] left [the school]……