This is an part of a JC Ryle sermon. Read it carefully, then respond to the three questions at the end.


RYLE says:
I think there can be no question that there is an immense difference among those who profess and call themselves Christians. Beyond all dispute, there are always two classes in the outward Church—the class of those who are Christians in name and form only, and the class of those who are Christians in deed and in truth. All were not Israel who were called Israel, and all are not Christians who are called Christians.

Now what is the explanation of the difference? I answer unhesitatingly— Regeneration, or being born again. I answer, that true Christians are what they are, because they are Regenerate; and formal Christians are what they are, because they are not Regenerate. The heart of the true Christian has been changed. The heart of the Christian in name only, has not been changed. The change of heart makes the whole difference.

This change of heart is spoken of continually in the Bible, under various emblems and figures—

Ezekiel calls it, "a taking away the stony heart, and giving an heart of flesh;"—"a giving a new heart, and putting within us a new spirit." (Ezek. 11:19; 36:26.)

The apostle John sometimes calls it, being "born of God," sometimes, being "born again," sometimes, being "born of the Spirit." (John 1:13; 3:3-6.)

The apostle Peter, in the Acts, calls it "repenting and being converted." (Acts3:19.)

The Epistle to the Romans speaks of it as a "being alive from the dead." (Rom. 6:13.)

The second Epistle to the Corinthians calls it "being a new creature—old things have passed away, and all things become new." (2 Cor. 5:17.)

The Epistle to the Ephesians speaks of it as a resurrection together with Christ—"You has He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephes. 2:1); as "a putting off the old man, which is corrupt—being renewed in the spirit of our minds—and putting on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephes. 4:22, 24.)

The Epistle to the Colossians calls it a "putting off the old man with his deeds, and putting on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him." (Coloss. 3:9, 10.)

The Epistle to Titus calls it, "the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5.)

The first Epistle of Peter speaks of it as "a being called out of darkness into God's marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9.) And the second Epistle as "being made partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4.)
The first Epistle of John calls it a "passing from death to life." (1 John 3:14.)

This change of heart in a true Christian is so complete, that no word could be chosen more fitting to express it than that word, "Regeneration," or "new birth." Doubtless it is no outward, bodily alteration—but undoubtedly it is an entire alteration of the inner man. It adds no new faculties to a man's mind—but it certainly gives an entirely new bent and bias to all his old ones. His will is so new, his tastes so new, his opinions so now, his views of sin, the world, the Bible, and Christ so new, that he is to all intents and purposes a new man. The change seems to bring a new being into existence. It may well be called being born again.

The preaching of the Word is the great means, which God has appointed for Regeneration—'faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.' (Rom. 10:17.) When God first created man, it is said that 'He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life,' but when God new creates man, He breathes into his ears. This is the Word that raises the dead, calling them out of the grave—this is that Word that opens the eyes of the blind that turns the heart of the disobedient and rebellious. And though wicked and profane men scoff at preaching, and count all ministers' words, and God's words too—but so much wind, yet they are such wind, believe it, as is able to tear rocks and rend mountains; such winds, as if ever they are saved, must shake and overturn the foundations of all their carnal confidence and presumption. Be exhorted, therefore, more to prize and more to frequent the preaching of the Word.

This change is one which no man can give to himself, nor yet to another. It would be as reasonable to expect the dead to raise themselves. The sons of God are "born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man—but of God." (John 1:13.) Sometimes the change is ascribed to God the Father—"The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has begotten us again unto a living hope." (1 Peter 1:3.) Sometimes it is ascribed to God the Son—"The Son quickens whom He will." (John 3:21.) "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone that does righteousness is born of Him." (1 John 2:29.) Sometimes it is ascribed to the Spirit—and He, in fact, is the great agent by whom it is always effected—"That which is born of the Spirit is Spirit." (John 3:6.) But man has no power to work the change. It is something far, far beyond his reach.


1. According to Ryle, how would this understanding of man’s nature effect evangelism?

2. According to Ryle, how important is Biblical preaching?

2. According to Ryle, what should FBC main objective be in 2008?

Did God give us a sufficient guide on how we should conduct His church? Or did He leave us to our own intellect and creativity to govern His church? Why would we revert to worldly, business-minded strategies to “grow” His church? Look at what Paul said,

Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”

Colossians 2:19 …lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, …that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

As is blatantly obvious, God causes growth. Recently, I read a quote from Mark Dever. He said, “A bunch of people gather in a room. Someone stands up, opens his Bible, and says, “This is what God says.” He explains it. The people sing, pray, share the Lord’s Supper, then go home. Not to market savvy, huh?"

Honestly, could Biblical church be that simple? Is that what the Bible calls church? If so, the “Contemporary” church is no church at all.

Please make comments on the quote from Dever.

I hope that you have taken the opportunity to read 1 Cor 1:10-3:4. I pray that it has been illuminating for you. It has been two weeks since the passage was presented. Do you see any implications for FBC? Here a few of my insights:

1) Worldiness breeds confusion. It clouds the focus of a church, hinders her ministry and is rooted in pride.
What is worldiness though?
Worldliness is rejecting the Bible as your reference point for thinking.
Did you get that?
Worldliness is rejecting the Bible as your reference point for thinking.
That is to say, your reference point is something other than the Word of God. Proud people love only what they can understand and if they cannot understand it, then it must be incorrect. So, in essense, proud people's thinking becomes "the" standard for the church, not the Bible. This then breeds confusion, because opinions are like armpits- everyone has them.

2) God's wisdom for the church is the antithesis of the world's "entertaining" wisdom. God's way and wisdom appears weak to the world. The church "is" God's wisdom and supposed to appear weak to the world, so that he gets the glory.

3) Slow, steady, expository preaching of the word is the essential ingredient for the HEALTH of a church. The life, vibrancy, and health of the church has one source- the Word of God. Do you honestly think that God would leave us alone to determine how His church, the one for whom His son died, should be ran or operated? No. He has given inspired, infallible, and holy guidelines for His church. We reject them at our own risk.


I recently read a quote. Here it is- "A bunch of people gather together. One of them stands up, opens his Bible, and says, "This is what God says." Then he explains it. The people sing, pray, give, take the Lord's supper, and go home." Is that really what the Bible calls church? Why do we add a bunch of activites and call it "church?" By the way, if you have not read 1 Cor 1:10-3:4, do not respond to the activites question.

In Hope,
Bro K

Comments have now been enabled. If you have comments on the first entry, you can make them here.

Hello all,

This is a test!!! We shall see if this is a good idea. Lately, as you know, I have been drawn to this question: HOW DOES THE N.T. DEFINE A CHURCH?

Fundamentally, we must start with the question, "What does God want in His church?" Then, we can proceed in obedience.

The passage before us, 1 Corinthians 1:10-3:4, is the foundational philosophy with which we must begin. Once we see and agree with this passage, and its bearing on our church, then we can begin our NT church study.

Check out 1 Cor 1:10 - 3:4 and meditate on it. Paul, here, is addressing worldliness in the church that caused division (1:10-17), then he contrasts worldly wisdom to God's wisdom (1:18-2:16), and finally, he addresses divisions again (3:1-4).

I wonder if the worldliness that crept into the Corinthian church (Greek, sophisticated culture) was responsible for the divisions? Are there any areas of worldliness in FBC that are easily discernible? If so, what are they?

If you chose to reply, and I hope you do, please send to everyone else. Lets begin the dialog.

KJ