J.C. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospel of Matthew 3:1-12

Ryle contends that few preachers ever produced such effects in their ministry as John the Baptist. He highlights the praise given to him by the Lord Jesus, the great Head of the Church, when He said - "among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist." In speaking about John, Ryle does so under the following heads:

1: John the Baptist spoke plainly about sin.
2: John the Baptist spoke plainly about 'our Lord Jesus Christ'.
3: John the Baptist spoke plainly about 'the Holy Ghost'.
4: John the Baptist spoke plainly about the awful danger of the impenitent and unbelieving.
5: John the Baptist spoke plainly about the safety of true believers.

"Let these things sink deeply into our hearts", said Ryle. He reminds us that we live in a day of much false teaching, but concluded by saying - "Happy would it have been for the Church of Christ, if all its ministers had been more like John the Baptist.