Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 19, 2025
Series on God Sustains His People
The Lord’s Dress Code
Exodus 28:31-43
1. Discerning the Details of Priestly Dress
• the robe
• the headgear
• the underclothes
• magnificent clothing for magnificent ministry
2. Depending on the Designated High Priest
• savoring the sacred
• sobering yourself with stress on the suitable
• refusing to minimize sin
• Zechariah’s vision (3:1-5)
• relying on the accepted priest (Heb. 7:23-28, 12:14; John 19:23)
3. So What?
• Because the LORD is holy and you are not, claim the wardrobe of holiness that He alone provides.
• “Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die; another’s life, another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” (Bonar)
• “…dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne…” (Mote, “The Solid Rock”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 5, 2025
Series on God Sustains His People
Daily Bread from Heaven
Exodus 16:1-36
1. Background
• from miraculous deliverance (14:1-15:21) to sustenance in the wilderness (15:22-16:36)
2. The People Complain
• repeated refrain
• unrealistic perspective
• misplaced assault
3. The LORD Provides
• promise of satisfaction
• prescription of dependence
• proclamation of motivation
4. Culmination in Christ
• objectives of sustenance and sanctification (Dt. 8:3, Matt. 4:1-4, Jn. 6:28-51)
• from the Exodus to the Cross
5. So What?
• Knowing that His provision flows from His steadfast love, view trials as opportunities to grow in dependence on the LORD.
• “It takes a heavenly appetite to enjoy a heavenly diet.” (Swindoll)
• Determine to feast continually at the table of grace.
• “Come then, O holy Christ, feed us, we pray; touch with Your pierced hand each common day, making this earthly life full of Your grace, till, in the home of heaven, we find our place.” (Hoyt)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 29, 2024
Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
God at Work
Acts 12:1-23
I. Persecution and Prison (Acts 12:1-4)
• Herod harasses the church.
• James, the brother of John, is executed.
• Peter is arrested and imprisoned under heavy guard.
• God orchestrates finite details to accomplish His purposes.
II. Prayer and Providence (Acts 12:5-17)
• Peter is sleeping and an angel rescues Peter from prison.
• Peter arrives at the house where the church is praying.
• Peter recounts his miraculous deliverance.
• God is worthy of our trust.
III. Pride and Punishment (Acts 12:18-23)
• The guards are executed for Peter’s escape.
• Herod revels in praise and dies.
• No matter the circumstances, God is always in control.
IV. So what?
Because God is our all-powerful and all-wise Sovereign, we can trust Him in every situation.
“Let’s keep our chins up and our knees down – we’re on the victory side!”
(Alan Redpath)
“Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.”
(Martin, “God Will Take Care of You”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 22, 2024
Christmas Series
Exceeds Expectations
Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 5:9-14
1. Previously
• Abraham: descendants, Moses: redemption, David: kingdom
2. Daniel’s Vision (Dan. 7:9-14)
• the nature of apocalyptic literature
• the sovereign tranquility of the Ancient of Days
• the throne of God and one like a son of man
• coronation of the king (Psa. 2:6-7)
3. John’s Verification (Rev. 5:9-14)
• many ethnicities and one king
• praising God as priests
• unifying factor: supremacy of their one king
• slain…every creature…throne
• glorious, universal and everlasting
4. So What?
• Because Christmas reminds you that God is in charge, proceed accordingly.
• Count on the King to reign and commit yourself to rely on Him (Col. 3:1-4)
• “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.” (Watts)
• “All is well. All is well. Lift up your voice and sing. Born is now Emmanuel. Born is now our Lord and Savior. Sing Alleluia. Sing Alleluia. All is well” (Smith)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 13, 2024
Why We All Need Jesus
Hebrews 1:1-4
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Background
• theme: Jesus is better…
• original audience: Jewish Christians in need of endurance
2. Scripture Presents Jesus as God’s Final Word 1-2a
• assertion that God has spoken
• a four-fold contrast: when, how, to whom and through whom
3. Scripture Discloses the Incomparable Credentials of Jesus 2b-4
• a catalog crammed into just over two verses:
• heir of all things
• agent of creation
• radiance of glory
• exact representation
• upholds by His word
• completed work of purification for sins
• sat down at God’s right hand
• superior to angels
4. So What?
• In light of Scripture’s testimony to His supremacy, recognize that Jesus is all you need now and forever.
• “He is not the kind of deity who keeps Himself to Himself.” (H. Jones)
• “All there is of salvation for us is to be found in Jesus.” (L. Duncan)
• “We’re all broken people. Don’t we all need Jesus? Every moment of our lives, 24, 365…” (D. Gokey)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 8, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Comprehensive Care
Psalms 23:1-6
This beloved Psalm has comforted countless pilgrims in this life. Since the LORD, who lacks nothing, cares for those who lack everything, satisfy yourself in Him as the Shepherd of your soul.
1. Comprehensive Care Means No Lack 1-3
• first five words: intimacy and exclusivity
• sufficiency, refreshment and renewal: for the sake of His name
2. Comprehensive Care Means No Fear 4
• protective tools
• scouting the landscape of your life
3. Comprehensive Care Means No End 5-6
• overflowing certainty
• pursuing His sheep with goodness and mercy
4. Comprehensive Care Means No Other
• connection to Christ: the supreme Shepherd (John 10) and sacrificial Lamb
• the rest of the story: Psalm 22:27; Rev. 7
5. So What?
• the only hope for wayward sheep: a watchful and sacrificing Shepherd
• “The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness fails me never. I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever…Perverse and foolish I have strayed, but in His love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me.” (Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 1, 2024
Never Abandoned
Psalms 16:1-11
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Appeal for Sovereign Protection 1-4
• request
• recognition
2. Assessment of Supreme Value 5-6
• portion/inheritance (Num. 18:20)
• cup
3. Assurance of Sustaining Power 7-11
• instruction
• contemplation
• confidence
• connection to Christ: (Acts 2:25-36, 13:35-37, 1 Cor. 15:20)
• unutterable bliss
4. So What?
• Because the LORD’s love and care for you lasts forever, face your future with full assurance.
• “God is not one to give up His friends.” (Kidner) (See Phil. 1:6)
• Build assurance through absorbing God’s Word.
• “When God is mine and I am His, of paradise possessed, I taste unutterable bliss and everlasting rest.” (“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” C. Wesley)
FBC Historic Sanctuary
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 2, 2024
Taken up from You into Heaven
Acts 1:1-11
1. Background 1-5
• authorship and recipients of Acts
• doctrine of the Ascension
• promise of the Holy Spirit
2. A Question about Restoration 6-7
• kingdom to Israel
• fixed by the Father
3. A Focus on Reception 8
• empowerment
• extension
4. A Fulfillment of Revelation 9-11
• lifted up (Psa. 2:7-9, 68:18, 110:1-4; Heb. 9:24, 1 John 2:1-2)
• cloud
• angelic confirmation
5. So What?
• Because Christ’s Ascension confirms His claims, acknowledge its encouragements and apply its truths.
• “The dust of the earth sits on the throne of heaven.” (J. Duncan)
• “You have raised our human nature on the clouds to God’s right hand; there we’ll sit in heavenly places, there with You in glory stand. Jesus reigns, adored by angels, man with God is on the throne; mighty Lord, in Your ascension, we by faith behold our own.” (“See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph!” by Christopher Wordsworth)
