Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 28, 2019
“But It Shall Not Be So Among You” Mark 10:32-45 Bible Study 04/28/19
This morning’s text is, in many ways, the key to understanding Mark’s gospel. As Jesus moves towards Jerusalem and the cross, He articulates clearly the nature of His mission and calls His disciples to follow Him in it.
1. Contextual Considerations
• little children in 10:13-16
• rich young man in 10:17-31
• rich young man in 10:17-31
2. A Repeated Prophecy (32-34)
• Judea by Jordan (10:1)
• first prophecy in 8:31-34 and reaction
• second prophecy of 9:31-32 and reaction
• moving towards Jerusalem and the intrepid leadership of Jesus
• “The Saviour, what a noble flame was kindled in His breast, when, hasting to Jerusalem, He marched before the rest!” (Cowper)
• third prophecy of 10:32-34 and reaction
• first prophecy in 8:31-34 and reaction
• second prophecy of 9:31-32 and reaction
• moving towards Jerusalem and the intrepid leadership of Jesus
• “The Saviour, what a noble flame was kindled in His breast, when, hasting to Jerusalem, He marched before the rest!” (Cowper)
• third prophecy of 10:32-34 and reaction
3. A Selfish Request (35-37)
• what James and John got right
• staking a claim for the place of honor (Matt. 19:28, 20:20)
• staking a claim for the place of honor (Matt. 19:28, 20:20)
4. The Cup and the Baptism of Jesus (38-40)
• taken to task by the Master
• drink cup: get one’s fill of suffering (Psa. 75:8, Mark 14:36, John 18:11)
• baptized with baptism: immersion in suffering (Psa. 42:7, Luke 12:50)
• adjudication and qualification (Matt. 20:23)
• drink cup: get one’s fill of suffering (Psa. 75:8, Mark 14:36, John 18:11)
• baptized with baptism: immersion in suffering (Psa. 42:7, Luke 12:50)
• adjudication and qualification (Matt. 20:23)
5. Reaction and Response (41-45)
• indignant disciples
• reference to Gentile “lording”
• different measurement of true greatness
• deacon and bondslave
• grounding principle: service and sacrifice of Jesus
• reference to Gentile “lording”
• different measurement of true greatness
• deacon and bondslave
• grounding principle: service and sacrifice of Jesus
6. So What?
• Only as you are served by Jesus can you serve others in His name.
• Move beyond the idea of inspiring example to enabling sacrifice.
• Let the direction of your life be determined by the destined glory of Jesus.
• Grasp the principle of gospel humility: “…not about feeding my ego but feeding the faith of others.” (Piper)
• Move beyond the idea of inspiring example to enabling sacrifice.
• Let the direction of your life be determined by the destined glory of Jesus.
• Grasp the principle of gospel humility: “…not about feeding my ego but feeding the faith of others.” (Piper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 21, 2019
Easter Message
“An Easter Benediction” Hebrews 13:20-21 Bible Study 04/21/19
This morning, as we celebrate the living hope of all who rely on Jesus, we will turn our attention to the glorious benediction at the close of the book of Hebrews.
1. Consider the Context
• big picture of Hebrews: Jesus is greater…
• 13:1-8: Jesus Christ the same…
• 13:9-16: the sacrifice of praise and bearing His reproach outside the camp
• 13:17: responding to human shepherds
• 13:18-19: author’s request for prayer
• 13:1-8: Jesus Christ the same…
• 13:9-16: the sacrifice of praise and bearing His reproach outside the camp
• 13:17: responding to human shepherds
• 13:18-19: author’s request for prayer
2. Bask in the Benediction (20-21)
• a “good word”
• structure: invocation, amplification and doxology
• …God of peace…
• brought again from the dead…the great shepherd of the sheep… (Isa. 63:11-14)
• by the blood of the eternal covenant (Jer. 31:33, Zech. 9:11, Heb. 13:12, 1 Pet. 1:19-20)
• …equip…working…pleasing…through Jesus Christ
• …glory forever. Amen.
• structure: invocation, amplification and doxology
• …God of peace…
• brought again from the dead…the great shepherd of the sheep… (Isa. 63:11-14)
• by the blood of the eternal covenant (Jer. 31:33, Zech. 9:11, Heb. 13:12, 1 Pet. 1:19-20)
• …equip…working…pleasing…through Jesus Christ
• …glory forever. Amen.
3. So What?
• The resurrection of the Great Shepherd from the dead is the hinge on which every hope of His sheep hangs.
• He who laid down His life for you will never let you down.
• two key Easter benefits: confidence and conformity
• “The sheep get the joy. The Shepherd gets the glory.” (Piper)
• “Morning breaks upon the tomb! Jesus dissipates its gloom! Day of triumph through the skies, see the glorious Saviour rise! Christians, dry your flowing tears; Chase those unbelieving fears; Look on his deserted grave; Doubt no more his power to save.” (W. Collyer)
• He who laid down His life for you will never let you down.
• two key Easter benefits: confidence and conformity
• “The sheep get the joy. The Shepherd gets the glory.” (Piper)
• “Morning breaks upon the tomb! Jesus dissipates its gloom! Day of triumph through the skies, see the glorious Saviour rise! Christians, dry your flowing tears; Chase those unbelieving fears; Look on his deserted grave; Doubt no more his power to save.” (W. Collyer)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 14, 2019
“A Glimpse of Glory” Mark 9:1-13 Bible Study 04/14/19
This morning we will focus on the event known as the transfiguration of Jesus. Also recorded in Luke 9:28-36 and Matthew 17:1-13, this event, as recorded by Mark, comes on the heels of Jesus having foretold His impending death and resurrection. Mark 8:31-38 indicates that the life of a disciple inevitably calls for sacrifice and suffering. What follows in our passage is the reminder regarding another side of discipleship. With an almost tantalizing brevity, Mark’s account indicates that the life of a disciple looks forward to seeing and sharing in the glory of Jesus.
1. Considering the Context (1-2)
• reference of verse 1 and connection to 8:31-38
• after 6 days, Peter/James/John, mountain, transfiguration
• seeing the power and glory of the Kingdom in an altogether new way
• “…foretaste of glory divine.”
• after 6 days, Peter/James/John, mountain, transfiguration
• seeing the power and glory of the Kingdom in an altogether new way
• “…foretaste of glory divine.”
2. Observations about the Transfiguration (3-8)
• transfigured-“metamorphosed”
• exceeding “whiteness” of the clothing of Jesus
• appearance and conversation with Moses and Elijah-“exodus” (Luke 9:31)
• Peter’s desire to make “three tents” and its implications
• overshadowing cloud and the voice out of it
• timeless verification and command
• Jesus only
• exceeding “whiteness” of the clothing of Jesus
• appearance and conversation with Moses and Elijah-“exodus” (Luke 9:31)
• Peter’s desire to make “three tents” and its implications
• overshadowing cloud and the voice out of it
• timeless verification and command
• Jesus only
3. Understanding the Transfiguration (9-13)
• descending, He instructed…
• question about Elijah
• slow to understand
• response to Elijah a foreshadowing of the response to Jesus-rejection
• Peter’s later perspective (2 Peter 1:17-19)
• question about Elijah
• slow to understand
• response to Elijah a foreshadowing of the response to Jesus-rejection
• Peter’s later perspective (2 Peter 1:17-19)
4. So What?
• You grasp something of the glory of Jesus now only as you listen to the Father’s testimony concerning Him.
• “A Christ without a cross is a king without a throne. If our ministry is to have power, it must all center in the death for the world’s sins.” (Maclaren)
• “I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.” (E. Clephane)
• “A Christ without a cross is a king without a throne. If our ministry is to have power, it must all center in the death for the world’s sins.” (Maclaren)
• “I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place; I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face; Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.” (E. Clephane)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 7, 2019
“Crumbs for Canines” Mark 7:24-30 Bible Study 04/07/19
This morning we will focus on a perplexing encounter that Jesus had with a pagan woman. It teaches us much about the person and work of Jesus.
1. Contextual Considerations
• truth and tradition in 7:1-13
• external and internal in 7:14-23
• external and internal in 7:14-23
2. Intentional Mission to Gentiles (24)
• from Galilee to the region of Tyre/Sidon
• deliberate ministry to Gentiles (Gerasene Mark 5, food clean Mark 7, Decapolis Mark 7)
• bracketed between feeding of 5000 (Mark 6) and 4000 (Mark 8)
• Elijah in Zarephath (I Kings 17)
• deliberate ministry to Gentiles (Gerasene Mark 5, food clean Mark 7, Decapolis Mark 7)
• bracketed between feeding of 5000 (Mark 6) and 4000 (Mark 8)
• Elijah in Zarephath (I Kings 17)
3. Analysis of the Encounter (25-30)
• Matthew 15:21-28
• identity of woman
• appeal of woman
• response of Jesus
• insightful persistence of the woman
• commendation and healing from a distance
• fulfillment of Psalm 87:4
• identity of woman
• appeal of woman
• response of Jesus
• insightful persistence of the woman
• commendation and healing from a distance
• fulfillment of Psalm 87:4
4. So What?
• Because Jesus is the gracious, merciful and only Savior of the whole world, trust Him to deliver you.
• “Missions is not an OT or NT thing. It’s a Bible thing.” (L. Duncan)
• Praise God for His massive ability to meet miserable need.
• “Missions is not an OT or NT thing. It’s a Bible thing.” (L. Duncan)
• Praise God for His massive ability to meet miserable need.
