Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 16, 2015

“Redeeming Judgment” Revelation 9:1-12 Bible Study 08/16/15

This morning we will examine the content of the fifth trumpet judgment recorded in our text. Prominent in this judgment is the presence of locust swarms. Locust references may be found elsewhere in Scripture (Exodus, Joel) and are frequently associated with the wrath of God. Our text serves as a significant corrective to a number of sub-biblical concepts regarding God’s character and activity. It affirms that He is always in control, that he will have the “final” word, that His judgment is sure and that His mercy is great. Because of the testimony of Scripture, know that God’s judgment of sin and rescue of His people are certain.

I. The Lord unleashes judgment (1-3)

-context: 7 seals/ 7 trumpets
-interpretive perspectives
-trumpets 1-4/ 8:6-13
-star fallen…given the key…bottomless pit
-locusts given power like scorpions

II. The Lord preserves His people (4-6)

-restrictions
-target: people without the “seal”
-identity of the sealed
-intense torment with limitations

III. The Lord includes a terrifying description (7-12)

-the locusts are like…
-power to hurt
-Abaddon/Apollyon: “Destruction and Destroyer”
-no relief in sight

IV. For Further Reflection

-God’s wrath: His settled hostility toward sin, His refusal to compromise with it and His resolve to condemn it. –J. Piper
-Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee… -A. Toplady
-God will not suffer Himself to be scorned indefinitely.
-There are at least 600 warnings about hell in Scripture… L. R. Scarborough
-It is not this world we need to know better. It is the other world. P. Ainsworth
-…Redeeming love has been my theme and shall be till I die. W. Cowper

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 9, 2015

“The Worthy Lamb” Revelation 5:1-14 Bible Study 08/09/15

From Revelation 4 to Revelation 5, readers may observe a shift in focus from creation to redemption. The God of creation is also the God of redemption and He fulfills His purposes through the person and work of Jesus Christ- the Lamb of God. From this morning’s text we learn that being heavenly-minded, in the best sense, means viewing all of life through the lens of the lordship of Jesus Christ. We also learn that true worship reflects on the cross with wonder and rejoices in the Savior’s worth.

I. Behold the uniquely qualified Lamb (1-5)

-scroll
-spokesman
-search
-sorrow
-solution

II. Behold the unquestionably identified Lamb (6)

-slain
-standing
-sovereign
-searching

III. Behold the divinely authorized Lamb (7)

-appropriation
-authorization

IV. Worship with a profound sense of submission (8)

-participants
-posture
-praise
-prayer
-perspective

V. Worship with a particular attention to the cross (9-10)

-song
-subject
-sensitivity

VI. Worship with a passionate recitation of character (11-12)

-enlargement
-expression

VII. Worship with a universal level of participation (13-14)

-exponential
-affirmation
-evidence
-approval

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 26, 2015

“Faith under Fire” Revelation 2:8-15 Bible Study 07/26/15

The call to suffer for Christ is a neglected topic. However, it remains timeless in application. In the New Testament, suffering is an indispensable mark of every true believer and church and the certainty of the world’s persecution is stressed repeatedly. Like the church at Smyrna, the Lord calls us to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. When you rely on the Lord’s provision, you can live with fearless faithfulness when your faith comes under fire.

I. The Lord’s presence encourages us

-form of the letter
-background on Smyrna
-Lord over extremes and everything in between
-suffering church: uncompromising church

II. The Lord’s perspective enlightens us

-pressure of persecution
-poverty of possessions
-poison of slander
-prospect of prison/death
-stripping away the superficial
-enlarging our capacity for enjoyment

III. The Lord’s promises assure us

-don’t fear…do be faithful
-a crown to receive
-a condemnation to escape

IV. The Lord’s pronouncement orders us
-listen up!
-order your life in light of the message

V. So what?

-“Over twenty centuries of Christian faith, some 70 million Christians were murdered for that faith and are thus called ‘martyrs.’” – David Barrett/Todd Johnson
-“Fourscore and six years I have been serving Him, and He hath done me no wrong; How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” -Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna
-“Thy saints in all this glorious war Shall conquer though they die; They see the triumph from afar, By faith’s discerning eye.” -Isaac Watts, 1721
-Acknowledge the inevitability of suffering.
-Prize the Lord’s presence and promises.
-Assess your measure of wealth.
-Cultivate an eternal perspective
-Pray for the persecuted church.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 19, 2015

Guest speaker: Greg Nelson
Master of Div. student at SWBTS

“An Invitation to Urgency?” Revelation 1:1-8 Bible Study 07/19/15

John the beloved disciple of Jesus, exiled on the Island of Patmos just off the coast of what is modern day Turkey, receives the Revelation of Jesus Christ and gives us several exhortations from our text today. He assures us that those who read the words penned in The Revelation will be blessed! He assures us that Jesus is the ALMIGHTY. He assures us that Jesus is returning! Finally, he clearly tells us that every tribe will make up the kingdom which Jesus has called us to.

I. Introduction

– Remaining Urgent
– Set the context (John, Island of Patmos, Revelation)

II. The Assured Blessing (1-3)

-Blessing because of Jesus
-Blessing because of the prophecy
– Blessing with a condition (heed the prophecy)

III. The Assured Savior (4-8)

– The Eternal savior (vs. 4)
– The Faithful witness (vs. 5)
– The Firstborn of the dead (vs. 5)
– The Ruler of the Earth (vs. 5)
– The Reigning Savior/King (V.5-6)
– The Coming King (V. 7-8)

IV. So what?

– If John is correct, then we as Christians must:
o Read and Heed the words of The Revelation
• There is a guaranteed blessing!
• It is crucial for remaining Urgent in our witness!
o Remain Urgent until Jesus returns!
• Let Jesus find you witnessing
• Share the gospel often and with everyone

V. What if you had the cure to cancer? Would you share it? Who would you share it with? Just your friends? Or would you go to the hospital and share it with everyone who was dying? The same is true about our knowledge of salvation. We would have to hate someone not to share it with them!
o If you were lost, and in need of saving, and the church down the street evangelized like you do, what are the chances that you would come to know Christ as a result of their evangelism?

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 12, 2015

“What Does God Say?” 1 John 5:6-12 Bible Study 07/12/15

After addressing the victorious nature of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, John turns his attention to the reliability of the testimony concerning Him. Our text this morning has an intended two-fold effect. The first intention is to refute false teaching concerning the person and work of Jesus. The second intention is to reassure believers bombarded by false teachings that their faith in Jesus is well-grounded and has the Father’s divine stamp of approval. Jesus is the Son of God who provides eternal life to all who believe in Him. Because Jesus is who the Father says He is, rely on Him as your priceless treasure and sole source of life now and forever.

I. Introduction

-key term: witness/testimony
-key issue: person and work of Jesus

II. Grasp the character of the testimony (6-9)

-external: baptism and death
-internal: Holy Spirit

III. Recognize the consequences of response to the testimony (10)

-belief affirms
-unbelief assaults

IV. Confirm the content of the testimony (11-12)

-a granted gift, a present possession, a sole source
-to have the Son is to have life

V. So what?

-The “last” word on the Son proceeds from the Father who knows Him best.
-“Unbelief is not a misfortune to be pitied; it is a sin to be deplored.” -J. Stott
-“Do we long to see Jesus receive the honor due His name? Are we caught up into the gladness
that God has in the glory of the Son?” -J. Piper
-Unapologetically and lovingly declare the exclusivity of Jesus!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 5, 2015

“Amazing Love” 1 John 4:7-11 Bible Study 07/05/15

The term “amazing” regularly is overworked and overused in our culture. However, some matters remain truly amazing. We come to one of those matters in this morning’s text. God’s love for us is so amazing that it defies tangible linguistic expression. In 4:7-11, John returns for the third time in his letter to the subject of love. Here, he intensifies the discussion and elaborates on love’s source and supernatural accomplishment. God’s amazing love is the foundation and motivation for loving one another. Because God’s love is truly amazing, transmit it to others passionately.

I. Trace love to its source (7-8)

-definite origin
-distinctive attribute
-determining factor

II. Treasure love in its expression (9-10)

-preciousness
-purpose
-provision

III. Transmit love to others (11)

-magnitude
-moral obligation

IV. So what?

-Those greatly loved love greatly.
-“And Can It Be” -Charles Wesley
-“As the bridegroom to His chosen, as the King unto His realm, as the keeper to the castle, as the pilot to the helm, as the captain to his soldiers, as the shepherd to his lambs; as the fountain in the garden, as the candle in the dark, as the treasure in the coffer, as the manna in the ark, as the firelight in the winter, as the sunlight in the spring, so Lord, art Thou to me.” -John Tauler
-“The bottom line is always red for the believer.” Lloyd Ogilvie

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 28, 2015

Guest speaker: Daniel Weaver
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, PhD Student

“Test the Teaching!”

1 John 4:1-6

I. We must test all teaching claiming to be from God.

II. We must test according to their Confession of the True Christ.

III. We must test according to their Reception of the True Christ.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 21, 2015

“Treasuring the Truth” 1 John 2:18-27 Bible Study 06/21/15

Sincerity can be a commendable virtue, but something more than sincerity is required to make a thing true. There must be substance. For the believer, this ‘substance” is the objective standard of Holy Scripture. Faith in a lie inevitably leads to disaster. In contrast, faith grounded in truth is never misplaced. With this morning’s text, John directs us to the third mark or “test” of authentic faith. Previously, he has covered the moral/light test and the social/love test. This morning we continue on to consider the doctrinal/truth test. John is fond of striking contrasts such as light/darkness, love/hate and truth/error. Our culture may be blurring the distinction between truth and error but God’s Word draws a timeless line of distinction between the two. Doctrine often gets a “bad rap” both outside and inside of the church. We must avoid the false idea that doctrine/teaching is disconnected from “practical” living. When time is short and truth is attacked, believers must respond with a commitment that includes profession and practice.

I. God’s Word expresses a distinction between truth and error (18-21)

-environment: last hour, antichrist/antichrists
-exit: departure of false teachers from the fellowship
-evaluation: fellowship, anointing, discernment

II. God’s Word exposes defective doctrine (22-23)

-denial: with reference to Christ
-damage: dishonor and deprivation
-determination: basic doctrinal test

III. God’s Word encourages an active defense (24-27)

-principle: “abide”- 6 times
-protection: Word and Spirit

IV. So what?

-Understand the danger of deficient thinking about Jesus.
-Communicate the exclusivity of Jesus with compassion and without compromise.
-Denial of Jesus deprives one of the Father.
-The Spirit of God never contradicts the Word of God.
-Beware of membership without meaning.
-Abiding enables intimacy and expectation.
-Cling to Jesus!

-“I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.” (Katherine Hankey)

Here is the prayer adapted from John Piper that many have requested:

O Christ, take my son/daughter for your servant. Turn his/her heart to You. Obliterate rebellion from his/her heart. And may he/she grow to godly manhood/womanhood, full of love to You and to others. Let him/her not love the world nor give a hoot for things or praise. But may Your glory be his/her passion day and night until the Kingdom comes.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 14, 2015

“Meet Your Advocate” 1 John 2:1-2 Bible Study 06/14/15

This morning we will focus on two remarkably rich verses in 1 John. They are closely connected to and flow out of John’s emphases in 1 John 1:5-10. We are to have a biblical view of sin as well as a clear understanding of the appropriate biblical response to sin when it occurs in our lives. These two verses offer great comfort and assurance to the believer and invite him/her to prize the promise of the absolutely unique advocacy of Jesus Christ.

Introduction

-Sin is always bad news.
-Three responses: denial, dismissal and despair
-Biblical balance: warning and consolation
-When sin threatens to paralyze you, remember the provision of an Advocate for you.

I. Consider your Advocate’s unceasing action

-“…we have…”

-Advocate: counsel for the defense, to speak up/lift up the voice in behalf of…

II. Consider your Advocate’s premium location

-“…with the Father…”
-face-to-face

III. Consider your Advocate’s matchless qualification

-Jesus, Christ, righteous
-Every believer has an Advocate at all times in the best place who offers real help.
-the justification/sanctification connection

IV. Consider your Advocate’s prior substitution

-present advocacy based on prior activity
-propitiation: atoning sacrifice

V. So what?

-“The wisdom of God ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.” (J. Piper)
-When you take the cross seriously, you take sin seriously.
-“Savior, teach me day by day, Love’s sweet lesson to obey, Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving Him who first loved me.” (J. Leeson)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 7, 2015

Guest speaker: Adam Mallette
M.Div. student at Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary

WALKING IN THE LIGHT OF THE WORD

1 JOHN 1:1-10 (FOCAL TEXT: Verses 5-10)

TEXT: CONTEXT & STRUCTURE
JOHN’S WRITINGS
GNOSTICISM
VERSES 1-4: THE WORD OF LIFE

VV.3-4 = PURPOSE STATEMENT FOR 1 JOHN

VERSES 5-10: POSITIVE & NEGATIVE STRUCTURAL FLOW

MAIN IDEA: A CLEANSING CONFESSION & TRUTHFUL WALK ALLOW FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH THE GOD OF
LIGHT

I. WHO IS GOD? – Verse 5
II. OUR SIN & PRE-REQUISITES TO FELLOWSHIP – Verses 6-10

CONCLUSION