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 4:31-42

We have an instructive pattern of zeal for the good of others.
We have strong encouragement held out to those who labour to do good to souls.
We have teaching on the variety of ways by which men and women are led to believe Christ.

"Do we try, however feebly, to set forward His cause on earth, to check that which is evil, to promote that which is good? If we do, let us never be ashamed of doing it with all our heart, soul, mind and strength."

"The true antidote against despondency in God’s work is an abiding recollection of such promises as that before us. There are wages laid up for faithful reapers. They will receive a reward on the last day far exceeding anything they have done for Christ, a reward proportioned not to their success but to the quantity of their work."

"The way in which the Spirit leads all God’s people is always one and the same, but the paths by which they are variously brought into that way are often widely different. There are some in whom the work of conversion is sudden and instantaneous. There are others in whom it goes on slowly, quietly and by imperceptible degrees."

Questions:

1. Ryle asks us if we do any work for the Lord? If so, what is it? Are we ridiculed for that work? If so, does it not encourage you that, while the world mocks, Christ is delighted? May we ever seek to please Him, and not man!

2. What do we look to when we are weary of the work and do not see the fruit or results we would like? Ryle encourages us that those who sow will reap a reward far exceeding anything they have done for Christ. Will we not set this precious truth before us?

3. Ryle points out that some are converted through the woman’s testimony, and then, after a few days, others are converted through Christ’s testimony. He draws out that some are saved suddenly, and other slowly, quietly, and imperceptibly, yet all are brought to repentance and faith and holiness. Do we tend to look for ‘sudden’ conversions as true conversions, or the fruit of conversion? What was our experience in coming to Christ?