• Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 24, 2019

    “As They Are Today”   Genesis 50:15-26   Bible Study   02/24/19

    “The hand of providence has been chopped off altogether and with the amputation we are left to grope alone in a hostile, or even worse, indifferent universe.” (R. C. Sproul)
    1. The Family Gathered to Egypt (47)
    2. Jacob Blesses Joseph’s Sons (48)
    3. Jacob Blesses His Sons (49)
    4. Joseph and His Brothers Bury Jacob in Canaan (50:1-14)
    5. Joseph’s Brothers Fear Retaliation (50:15)
    • fears/anxieties resurface
    • Jacob had lived for 17 years in Egypt (see 47:28)
    6. Joseph’s Brothers Relay a Message Attributed to Jacob (50:16-17)
    7. Joseph’s Gracious and Assuring Response (50:18-26)
    • sold, slandered and snubbed
    • deepened and not deadened by life’s extremities
    • clarity about his “place” and God’s “place”
    • compassion without minimizing sin: “…evil against me…”
    • compassion grounded in grace: “…but God meant it for good…”
    • expressing confidence in future “visitation” (connection to Christ)
    8. So What?
    • Embracing the principle of God’s providence enables you to extend His grace to others.
    • “As long as the cross stands in history, no one who knows its meaning will be able to pronounce a limitation on God’s providence.” (Boice)
    • If you believe God is in control…
    • “Every joy or trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully, all for us to do; They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.” (Havergal)

  • Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 17, 2019

    “Operation Reconciliation”   Genesis 44:14-45:15   Bible Study   02/17/19

    In Genesis 44-45 we may observe the resolution to the dramatic story regarding Joseph and his brothers which begins in Genesis 37. This powerful resolution serves to remind us that the will of God, not the will of man, is the controlling reality in the circumstances of our lives.
    1. Background/Context
    • the brothers go to Egypt (42): guilty consciences awakened
    • the brothers return to Egypt (43): the test of maturity
    • the brothers are tested again (44): the test of loyalty
    2. Guilt Acknowledged 44:14-17
    • the brothers fall to the ground (see also 42:6)
    • confession of guilt
    • Benjamin to be held as a slave
    3. Judah’s Appeal 44:18-34
    • recollection of previous meeting (18-23)
    • Jacob’s concern for Benjamin (24-29)
    • Jacob’s sorrow (30-32)
    • request to take Benjamin’s place (33-34)
    4. Emotional Revelation to the Brothers and Their Response 45:1-3
    • Joseph overcome by emotion
    • Brothers overcome by terror
    5. Joseph Addresses His Brothers 45:4-13
    • explanation of God’s purpose (“sent me” repetition) (4-8)
    • instructions for migration to Egypt (9-13)
    • note the use of “ruler” in verse 8 (see also 37:8)
    6. Emotional Reunion 45:14-15
    7. So What?
    • When you know God is in control, you can extend forgiveness and experience reconciliation.
    • “To see God in all things, both good and evil, enables us to forgive easily those who injure us.” (Barnhouse)
    • Apply the elements of true repentance: admission/contrition/exhibition.
    • “When you hold a grudge, you doubt the Judge.” (Piper)
    • the Joseph-Jesus connection.
    • Get the strings of your heart tuned to the cross.

  • Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 10, 2019

    “Who’s in Charge Here?”   Genesis 41:1-57   Bible Study   02/10/19

    As we focus this morning on Genesis 41, we find ourselves at a crucial turning-point or transition in the Joseph narrative. Following the dream of Genesis 37 and before its fulfillment in Genesis 45, we have a dream and its interpretation which result in Joseph’s elevation to power. There are three key characters in Genesis 41. First, there is the faithful servant, Joseph. Then, there is the potential antagonist, Pharaoh, who ends up quietly acquiescing to God’s sovereignty. The third, and most significant, character is the God Himself. This chapter shows clearly that He is completely in charge of the events that transpire. The good news for us is that He remains in complete control today.
    1. Pharaoh Dreams 1-8
    • after 2 years
    • cows and grain
    • troubled spirit and inability to interpret
    2. Cupbearer Remembers 9-13
    • imprisonment and dreams
    • identification of Joseph
    • accurate interpretation recalled
    3. Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream 14-36
    • Joseph is summoned
    • Joseph acknowledges his God
    • Pharaoh relates his dream
    • 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine
    • fixed by God
    • Joseph’s wise counsel
    4. Pharaoh Promotes Joseph 37-57
    • recognition of Joseph’s giftedness
    • endowed with authority: “God speaks and lives”
    • administrates grain storage at age 30
    • births of Manasseh and Ephraim
    • all the earth comes to Egypt and Joseph
    5. So What?
    • Because God sovereignly controls the destinies of nations in order to protect and provide for His own people, declare His power and submit to His plan.
    • “He who is aware of God is humble and fearless at the same time. Even a king is nothing compared to God” (A. Ross) (Prov. 21:1)
    • “Joseph acts out of confidence in the character of God.” (B. Waltke)
    • “Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy, and shall break in blessings on your head. Blind unbelief is sure to err, and scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, and He will make it plain.” (W. Cowper)
    • Since God is in His place, our place is on our faces-awed, amazed, staggered and surrendered!

  • Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 3, 2019

    “Joseph’s Prison Ministry”   Genesis 40:1-23   Bible Study   02/03/19

    As we focus on Genesis 40 this morning, we find Joseph in prison after having been falsely accused by Mrs. Potiphar. Rather than curling up in a fetal position and bemoaning his circumstances, Joseph perseveres in faith and provides a lasting model for all who find themselves in circumstances they never anticipated.
    1. The Cupbearer and Baker Imprisoned 1-4
    • positions of significant authority
    • confined with Joseph
    • Joseph appointed to attend them
    2. The Cupbearer and Baker Have Dreams 5-8
    • disturbing dreams
    • dejection
    • Joseph’s recognition and request
    3. Joseph Interprets the Cupbearer’s Dream 9-15
    • cup in Pharaoh’s hand
    • restoration within 3 days
    • Joseph’s request and declaration
    4. Joseph Interprets the Baker’s Dream 16-19
    • expectation of a positive interpretation
    • birds devour baked goods
    • execution within 3 days
    • telling it like God says it is
    5. Fulfillment and Forgetfulness 20-23
    • restoration of cupbearer
    • execution of baker
    • forgotten by man but remembered by God
    6. So What?
    • Knowing that the Lord wants to work in and through you, remain faithful in discouraging circumstances.
    • Determine to stand on the promises rather than the circumstances.
    • Rely on the revelation of God. Joseph had dreams. We have the Word.
    • What “prison ministry” do you need to cultivate?
    • Rest in the assurance that the Lord never forgets His own.
    • Look to the One whose sufferings exceeded those of Joseph.