Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 5, 2014

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Cross-Driven Living” Philippians 3:17-4:1 Bible Study 01/05/14

With 3:17, Paul, for the second time within a few verses, calls us to follow his example. In 3:15 we are called to share his determination to “press on” with a growing delight in Jesus, an exclusive reliance upon Him for salvation and a passion to be like Him. In 3:17 the call is for us to esteem the truth as Paul does. The “truth” in this case centers on the cross and coming again of Jesus. Such truth must direct the course of our lives in the “here and now.” In light of your heavenly citizenship and its transforming reality, stand firm in your commitment to the cross of Christ.

I. Two Exhortations (17)
-imitate the person

-focus on the pattern

II. An Important Explanation (18-19)
-enemies of the cross

-end…destruction

-god…belly

-glory…shame

-mindset…earthly

III. A Contrasting Reality (20-21)
-heavenly citizenship

-returning Savior

-transformed body

-subjecting power

IV. A Final Exhortation (1)
-therefore…

-stand firm

V. So What?
-“A God without wrath brought man without sin into a kingdom without judgment
through the ministration of a Christ without a cross.” (H. Richard Niebuhr describing
the message of the liberal social gospel)

-“I have often prayed that daily, and to the end, I may live as a tent pitched between
the cross and the grave of our Lord…the empty cross and the empty grave.”
(Handley Moule)

-“The winds of hell have blown, The world its hate hath shown, Yet it is not o’erthrown.
Hallelujah for the Cross! It shall never suffer loss. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God
of Jacob is our refuge.” (Spurgeon)

-“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.” (Fanny Crosby)

-Be a cross-clinger!