Page 26 - October 2026 - Truth & Tidings

IV. John: The Discerning Man – Sensitive Pastor – The Tender Man
A. Awareness of the crisis of a young brother standing alone – Care Displayed
B. Appreciation for another brother’s character. He commends Demetrius to Gaius
– Character Appreciated
C. Addresses assembly problem with wise counsel – Conflict Recognized

Relevancy
1. Whatever your circumstances, you can know spiritual prosperity. We can never
blame our fruitlessness on others. Sovereignty controls circumstances, but …
2. Faith controls conduct. Wherever you are, be all you can be for God. Gaius was
not to rebel, retreat or remove himself. Be there and do all you can. Gaius was not to
withdraw but to grow; was not to surrender but to display Christ in a dark situation.
3. Whomever you help, do everything worthy of God.
4. Whenever you help, you further truth.
5. However dark the day, you are not alone. Avoid an Elijah mentality. God had a
Demetrius for Gaius – an example to follow.
6. If ever you lead, be a leader and not a boss. Difference between a shepherd and a
boss; a leader and a bully.
7. Live and serve in light of a coming day. All you pour into God’s assembly will one
day be shown to have been valued by God.

John M. Riddle, 1 Samuel (Kilmarnock, Scotland: John Ritchie Ltd., 2012), 308 pp.
Reviewed by Peter Higgins
For over three decades John Riddle led a Friday evening
Bible Class in Cheshunt, England. Those who attended were
blessed by his intelligent, structured, and spiritual exposition
of Scripture. Should time and distance have kept you from
attending those valuable sessions, there is no need for FOMO
(fear of missing out). Ritchie Publishing has wisely printed the
collected and edited notes of those studies of 1 Samuel. Similar
books such as Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 2 Samuel, Proverbs, Ezekiel,
the Minor Prophets, Matthew, Luke, Acts, Paul’s Epistles, and
Revelation are readily available. There are a multitude of com-
mentaries available, both digitally and in print, to help direct
in your study of the Word of God, but the contributions of Mr.
Riddle would be well worth your time and attention.
His books are available for purchase at ritchiechristianmedia.
co.uk and gospelfolio.com.

314 TRUTH kTidings October 2026