J.C. Ryle.
-(1816 – 1900)
-Pastor and Bishop
-Anglican
J. C. Ryle (John Charles Ryle) had a robust and impactful career as a prolific writer, vigorous preacher, faithful pastor, and husband of three wives who died. He attended Eton College and the University of Oxford. In 1837, he was converted by Ephesians 2:8: For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. He became the first Anglican Bishop of Liverpool at age 64 and Bishop of the Reformed Evangelical Protestant Church in England. He was known for his expository preaching and warnings about false teachers and doctrine to the church. Martyn Lloyd-Jones summarized Ryle’s preaching and writing: "…Ryle’s method and style are obvious. He is pre-eminently and always scriptural and expository. He never starts with a theory into which he tries to fit various scriptures. He always starts with the Word and expounds it. It is exposition at its very best and highest. It is always clear and logical and invariably leads to a clear enunciation of doctrine. It is strong and virile and entirely free from the sentimentality often described as 'devotional.'’ He loved the great classical Puritan writers of the seventeenth century. It would be accurate to say that his books are a distillation of true Puritan theology presented in a highly readable and modern form.
J.C. Ryle Biography, The Man, The Minister and The Missionary by David Holloway (webpage)—In his day, he was famous, outstanding, and beloved as a champion and exponent of the evangelical and Reformed faith. For some reason or other, however, his name and works are not familiar to modern evangelicals.
The Lord’s Garden - A Sermon by J.C. Ryle (webpage) - Jesus calls His people a garden because they are different from the men of the world. He calls His people a garden because they are sweet and beautiful to His mind. Reader, are you in the Lord's garden—or are you in the wilderness of this world?
Christian Zeal - A sermon by pastor J. C. Ryle (webpage) - "It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good." Galatians 4:18
The J.C. Ryle Archives (website) - Today, more than a hundred years after his passing, Ryle’s works stand at the crossroads between the historic faith and modern evangelicalism. Like signposts, they direct us to the ‘old paths.’ And, like signposts, they are meant to be read.”
J.C. Ryle Sermon Index (website) - Read freely text sermons and articles by the speaker J.C. Ryle in text and pdf format.
8 Symptoms of False Doctrine by J.C. Ryle (article) - Many things combine to make the present inroad of false doctrine peculiarly dangerous. All these things are peculiar symptoms of our times. I defy any observing person to deny them.
Practical Religion by J. C. Ryle (free ebook) - Practical Religion is clear, concise, and penetrating. It contains a series of papers about practical religion and treats the daily duties, dangers, experiences, and privileges of all who profess and call themselves true Christians. By practical religion, Ryle does not mean a religion of works but one in which those who are saved can put their faith into practice.
A Call to Prayer by J.C. Ryle (free ebook) - Bold, encouraging, and affectionate, A Call to Prayer is, just as the title says, an earnest invitation for all children of God to come before Him in prayer. Please read it, be enlightened, and have hope: you have access to the Maker of heaven and earth who can do all things.
Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots by J.C. Ryle (free ebook) - As relevant today as it was 130 years ago, his biblically based masterpiece focuses on the daily details and difficulties of holy living and encourages believers to strive after sanctification, not passively wait for it.
“The saddest road to hell is the one that runs under the pulpit, past the Bible, and through the middle of warnings and invitations.”
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Of course, the first objective of a minister should be to preach the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus. However, the next thing he should aim for is for his sermon to be understood, and it will not be understood by most of his congregation if it is not simple.
In this episode of 5 Minutes in Church History, Dr. Stephen Nichols examines the Bible verse God used to convert J.C. Ryle.
In the sermon “Unbelief—A Marvel,” Ryle discusses how incredible it is that people do not believe in their maker. He discusses common reasons that hold people back and what the people of God can do to challenge that problem.
Respected Bible teacher and vicar of the 19th century Church of England warns the Church in a collection of 8 sermons. These words are gems of wisdom from a wise pastor, which will edify and equip you for discernment.
Warning #1: The True Church
Warning #2: Not Corrupting the Word
Warning #3: Give Yourself Wholly to Them
Warning #4: Pharisees and Sadducees
Warning #5: All Kinds of Strange Teachings
Warning #6: The Fallibility of Ministers
Warning #7: Apostolic Fears
Warning #8: Idolatry
Though dead, Bishop J.C. Ryle's increasing conviction that martyrs could still speak to the church led him to pen these pungent biographies of Five English Reformers. Along with analyzing the reasons for their martyrdom, he points out the salient characteristics of their Christian lives. Such men are still examples, warnings, and challenges to Christians today. Readers will rise from the company of their life stories, praying for a similar faith in Christ's power.
“The twenty papers in this volume are a humble contribution to a cause which is exciting and of much interest in the present day—I mean the cause of scriptural holiness. It is a cause that everyone who loves Christ and desires to advance His kingdom in the world should endeavor to help forward. Everyone can do something, and I wish to add my mite.”—from the Introduction“
J. C. Ryle is an evangelical champion . . . one of the bravest and best of men.” —Charles Spurgeon.
“Ryle, like his great masters, has no easy way to holiness to offer us and no ‘patent’ method by which it can be attained, but he invariably produces that ‘hunger and thirst after righteousness’ which is the only indispensable condition to being ‘filled.’ ” —D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
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