Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 28, 2023

Operation Restoration

John 21:15-25

1. Background

• after Jesus appears to disciples and John’s statement of purpose (20:19-31)
• Peter goes fishing (21:3), Jesus appears at the Sea of Galilee and hosts a breakfast (21:4-14)

2. Jesus Interviews Peter 15-17

• from “Rocky” to “Shaky”
• structure: triple questioning, triple affirmation, triple commission (Matt. 26:33)
• appeal to the omniscience of Jesus
• obedience as the fruit of loving Jesus

3. A Future Prospect and Present Command for Peter 18-19

• uninhibited movement to inhibited movement: martyrdom/cross
• follow Me through service, suffering and death

4. Perspective Regarding the Role of John 20-23

• too much concern for God’s secret counsel and too little concern for conformity to His revealed will
• banishing a rumor and the significance of precision with words

5. A Fitting Conclusion 24-25

• stress on truth and selective history

6. So What?

• Because He is the God of all grace who knows your every weakness, you can be restored to fellowship with Him.
• Subordinate your curiosity about the future of others to an obedience to the command, “Follow Me!”
• “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made…” (Lehman, “The Love of God”)
• “Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be…” (Thrupp, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 21, 2023

Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester

Living by Faith

Psalms 71

Context

Prayer of Concern (v.1-13)

• God his refuge
• Cries for help
• Preaches to himself
• Emotions in a nosedive

Living by faith means trusting God with everything we cannot understand or control.

Prayer of Commitment (v.14-24)

• Vertical commitment
• Horizontal commitment
• Trust God
• Praise God

Living by faith means trusting our future to the One who controls every tomorrow.
Lamentations 3:22-25

So what?

Because God is faithful, we can trust Him through every season of life.

“As we grow old, let’s not talk about our aches and pains, let’s rejoice in the Lord and sing His praises.” J. Vernon McGee

When life is in a nosedive, remind yourself you’re simply diving into the bottomless ocean of God’s faithfulness.

“Morning by morning, I wake up to find,
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed,
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He’s always been faithful to me.”
(“He’s Always Been Faithful” by Sara Groves)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 14, 2023

It Is Finished!

John 19:17-30

1. Background

• following Pilate’s interrogation and pronouncement of innocence
• Jesus: delivered over to the will of those who sought His death

2. Crucifixion of Jesus 17-22

• bearing His own cross to Golgotha and being crucified between two others (Isa. 53:12)
• Pilate’s prophetic inscription and the objection of the chief priests

3. Division of the Clothing of Jesus 23-24

• soldiers divide His garments
• casting lots for the tunic and fulfillment of Scripture (Psa. 22:18)

4. Provision of Jesus for His Mother 25-27

• contrast: four soldiers and four women
• the disciple whom Jesus loved
• entrusted to John

5. Completion of His Mission 28-30

• sovereign awareness of Jesus and significance of His statement of thirst (Psa. 69:21)
• sponge of wine on a hyssop branch (Ex. 12:22, Psa. 51:7)
• mission accomplished and emphasis on the voluntary nature of His death

6. So What?

• Because of His completed work at the cross, rely on Jesus as the completely sufficient One.
• three words for reflection: Sacrifice, Substitute, Savior (Begg)
• “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.” (Toplady, “Rock of Ages”)
• “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…” (Hall, “Jesus Paid It All”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 7, 2023

I Find No Guilt in Him

John 18:28-40

1. Background

• after facing Annas and Caiaphas
• part of the Roman trial narrative (18:28-19:16): intention to emphasize the innocence of Jesus

2. Public Hearing 28-32

• to Pilate’s headquarters early in the morning and the irony of concern about defilement
• Pilate’s outside inquiry and the response of the enemies of Jesus
• Pilate’s emphatic referral and the fulfillment of crucifixion prophecy (12:32-33, Deut. 21:22-23)

3. Private Conversation 33-38a

• this man a king?
• Pilate on the witness stand
• Pilate’s two questions
• Jesus articulates the nature of His kingdom
• truth and pre-postmodernism

4. Proclamation of Innocence 38b-40

• nothing at all amiss (19:4, 6)
• proposal to release
• preference for Barabbas

5. So What?

• Because abandonment of the “true truth” of the innocent Jesus invites disaster, determine to live in the light of God’s evidence.
• Reject relativism and embrace “true truth.” (Schaeffer)
• “Christianity can be expressed in the three phrases: I deserved hell; Jesus took my hell; there is nothing left for me but His heaven.” (Barnhouse)
• “He was lifted up to die; ‘It is finished’ was His cry; now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah, what a Savior!” (P. Bliss, “Man of Sorrows, What a Name”)