The Upper Room
In The Upper Room, J. C. Ryle presents a series of papers with truths for the times. Over 21 chapters and less than 400 pages, these sermons and lectures give fresh insight and encouragement into Christian living. While Jesus is not physically present in many of the texts, you can’t but mistake his spiritual presence and power amongst the disciples and in the life, mind, and heart of Ryle.
Relevant Applications
What I was most moved to see was how Ryle’s applications remain relevant today. While Ryle was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool, I am still challenged by his applications. Ryle takes the text and shows the big implications on Christian living and a Christian worldview. Being thankful for freedom of religion, the sanctity of life and showing dignity to the human body, and more. Ryle takes on a variety of topics such as new birth and faith, and he does so with wisdom and simplicity. He writes in a straightforward manner, fully grounded in Biblical texts and principles. His words are kind, warm, and pastoral.
Personal Encouragement
I was most interested to see Ryle speak of his own early days of preaching in Chapter 3: Simplicity in Preaching. He offers tips and gives insight into his methods. It was stirring for me as a man still new in my preaching career. I was also moved in Chapter 16, where Ryle describes the Duties of Parents. I was reminded to teach my children to love the Bible, and that obedience is a virtue for all of life. Towards the end of the book, Chapter 19 gave Ryle’s Thoughts for Young Men, and I couldn’t help but think that Ryle was personally reminding me and giving me a call to come out from the world. Like the disciples in the upper room, I was gripped with a sense of holy urgency to worship and share the gospel, fearing and trembling at the wonder and glory of of the resurrected Christ.
I received a media copy of The Upper Room and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.