Luke 10:21-24

Luke 10:21-24We should observe the one instance on record of our Lord Jesus Christ rejoicing. We should observe the sovereignty of God in saving sinners. We should observe the character of those from whom truth is hidden, and of those to whom truth is revealed.We should observe the majesty and dignity of our Lord Jesus Christ.Let us observe the peculiar privileges of those who hear the Gospel of Christ. "Three times we are told in the Gospels that our Lord Jesus Christ wept. Once only we are told that He rejoiced. And what was the cause of our Lord's joy? It was the conversion of souls.""Why England is a Christian country and China buried in idolatry, is a problem we cannot solve. We only know that it is so. We can only acknowledge that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ supply the only answer that mortal man ought to give--"Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight.""To see that we are bad, is the first step towards being really good. To feel that we are ignorant is the first beginning of all saving knowledge.""Many and weighty as our sins are, Christ can bear them all. Difficult as is the work of our salvation, Christ is able to accomplish it. If Christ was not God as well as man we might indeed despair. But with such a Savior as this we may begin boldly, and press on hopefully, and await death and judgment without fear.""Let us leave the passage with a deep sense of our own debt to God and of our great responsibility for the full light of the Gospel. Let us see that we make a good use of our many privileges."Questions:1. Ryle points out that this is the only time in Scripture in which Jesus is said to rejoice, and it centers around conversion. Do we rejoice like Jesus when the Lord brings sinners to himself? 2. What effect does the Sovereignty of God in salvation do to our hearts? Does it increase our thankfulness or does it produce anger?3. Self-righteousness is the natural default of our sinful hearts. Have we come to say with Paul that we count all things as loss for the sake of Christ and put no confidence in the flesh?4. Ryle says, “Many and weighty as our sins are, Christ can bear them all. Difficult as is the work of our salvation, Christ is able to accomplish it.” No wonder we are to despair of our self-righteousness! Does this not give us confidence before our great God in heaven?5. Does it shock you that you have more light of the gospel than David and Isaiah? How are we using what we know to bless and encourage others?