Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 2, 2022

New Year Message

A Word of Warning for a New Year

Ezekiel 28:11-26

1. Overview of Ezekiel

• word and hand of the LORD (1:1-3), “Son of Man”
• with Daniel in days of Babylonian exile
• themes of retribution and restoration
• background on Tyre and Sidon

2. Funeral Lament for a Proud King 11-23

• picture of exalted position corresponding to self-deification
• flagged for excessive self-celebration (Prov. 3:34)
• connection to the Fall/garden (Gen. 3)
• specific denunciation and certain doom
• prophetic perfect: as good as done
• accompanying prophecy against Sidon
• repetition of “…they will know that I am the LORD”

3. Forecast of Future Restoration 24-26

• another repetition of “…they will know that I am the LORD”
• security for the scattered and scorned
• manifestation of holiness
• NT/Christ connections: Luke 19:10, Heb. 13:20-21, James 4:6. 1 Pet. 5:5

4. So What?

• In light of the LORD’S power and provision, resolve to pursue a posture of biblical humility.
• “Every departure from God’s path is a pitting of one’s will, and a backing of one’s judgment, against His; but the contempt which it spells is too irrational to acknowledge.” (D. Kidner on Prov. 14:2)
• “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 26, 2021

Christmas Series

Worship with the Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-23

1. The Wise Men Arrive: Interrogation 1-2

• primary focus on Messiah and not the Magi or a madman
• not just the where, but the who

2. Herod’s Response: Consternation 3

• hostility of Herod and distress of Jerusalem

3. An Ancient Prophecy: Verification 4-8

• inquiry and the apparent indifference of religious leaders
• testimony and fulfillment of Micah 5:2 and a deceptive dispatch

4. A Case of Sovereign Grace: Orchestration 9

• leveraging creation to point the Magi to Messiah (Isa. 60:1-3)

5. A Model of Meaningful Worship: Prostration 10-12

• joy, humility, generosity, obedience
• gifts that focus and foreshadow and a warning in a dream

6. A Matter of Prophetic Fulfillment: Validation 13-23

• flight (13-15 , Hos. 11:1), children killed (16-18, Jer. 31:15), Nazareth (19-23)

7. So What?

• In light of God’s objective in and orchestration of the first Christmas, commit yourself to wondering worship.
• “The New Testament knows nothing of an incarnation that can be defined apart from its relationship to atonement.” (J. Denney)
• from “came and saw” to “go and tell” (Matt. 28:16-20)
• “O Worship the King…” (Grant)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 19, 2021

Christmas Series

A King for Christmas

Micah 5:1-5

1. Overview of Micah and His Prophecy

• Who is like Yahweh?
• a third “now”: from a period of distress to a proclamation of hope

2. The LORD Works amidst a Backdrop of Humiliation and Hopelessness 1

• prophetic address
• siege and summons

3. The LORD Offers a Hope-Filled Announcement 2

• divine address: but you…”house of bread” and “fruitful”
• “from Bethlehem…for Me”
• ruler over Israel: from David to a greater David (1 Sam. 16:1, Acts 2:25-36)
• back to Bethlehem and David’s “distant” days (2 Sam. 7:12-16)

4. The LORD Provides a Realistic Perspective for the Future 3

• affliction (verse 3) precedes enjoyment (verse 2)
• the mother and brothers of Messiah (Rom. 8:29, Heb. 2:11-14)

5. The LORD Describes the Reign of His King 4-5

• a standing Shepherd and His secured sheep and another “now” (Rev. 22:16)
• the LORD promotes His glory, keeps His promises, protects His people

6. So What?

• Because of the LORD’S promises and performance in Christ Jesus, worship the true King this Christmas.
• “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” (Wesley), “Once in Royal David’s City” (Alexander)
• “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (Wade)
• We need a King!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 12, 2021

Christmas Series

When the Lord Sings over You

Zephaniah 3:14-17

1. Background/Context

• prophecy during the reign of Josiah about 20 years before Jerusalem’s fall (1:1)
• from the reality of judgment to the reverberation of joy

2. The LORD’S People Rejoice in Him 14-16

• the humble and lowly rejoice and exult (2:3, 3:12)
• a triple invocation
• grounds for joy: judgments taken away, enemies cleared away, the LORD’S presence

3. The LORD Rejoices Over His People 17

• repetition of presence and a triple promise
• a Mighty Warrior who saves
• the glad God who rejoices
• He “will rest” or “be silent” in His love
• He will rejoice over them with loud singing
• elaboration of 3:18-20

4. Connections to the Christ of Christmas

• Mt. 21:4-9, Jn. 3:16, Lk. 15:11-32, Gal. 3:29, Eph. 2:8-10
• third Sunday of Advent: Joy in Immanuel (Mt. 1:22-23)
• “Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of incarnation.” (Packer)

5. So What?

• Because, having saved you, the LORD sings over you, rejoice in His presence and promises.
• The Warrior, whose righteous judgment scorches, offers mercy that saves and secures.
• Delight in the depth of God’s mercy.
• “If His mind is so set on you and His power so engaged for you…” (Simeon)
• “He comes to make his blessings known far as the curse is found…” (Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 5, 2021

Christmas Series

Christmas and the God of Hope

Romans 15:4-13

1. Introduction

• contextual connections: Romans 14 and 15:1-3
• Because Christ is the ultimate confirmation of God’s promises, you can have hope this Christmas-and forever!
• Why Christmas?

2. Receive One Another on the Basis of Common Hope 4-7

• because the Scriptures instruct us
• so that we might have hope
• through endurance and encouragement
• so that we may glorify God

3. Recognize the Praise that Flows from the Confirmation of This Common Hope 8-15

• Christ serves on behalf of the truth of God
• Christ confirms the promises of God
• Gentiles are commanded to praise: 2 Sam. 22:50, Psa. 18:49, Deut. 32:43, Psa. 117:1
• a hope-laced prophecy: Isa. 11:10
• a prayer request: from hope to hope

4. So What?

• Bank on the basis of hope.
• Fuel your hope by feasting on the Word.
• Remember that Christmas is about hope-filled mercy.
• “…a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees…” (J. S. Dwight)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 28, 2021

The Refreshment That Pauses

Philemon 4-7

-Paul “pauses” to reflect on Philemon’s refreshment with a particular purpose in mind: reconciliation between Philemon and his runaway slave, Onesimus.
-Because the Gospel transforms your relationship with God, you can pursue transformed relationships with others.

1. Offer Grateful Affirmation 4-5

• contextually: between introduction and appeal, sets trajectory for the rest of the letter
• the “when” and the “why” of Paul’s thankfulness

2. Engage in Thoughtful Intercession 6

• getting the facts of “fellowship” straight
• “All are bound together in a mutual bond that makes our much-prized individualism look shallow and petty.” (N. T. Wright)
• “When we act in accord with the blessings we have in Christ, we grow closer to Christ.” (R. Melick)

3. Express Specific Appreciation 7

• because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
• relief, rest and refreshment

4. So What?

• Because the Gospel transforms your relationship with God, you can pursue transformed relationships with others.
• “The Gospel is the change that changes everything.” (B. McCarty)
• Who is resting today under the shelter of your encouragement?
• Are you presently interceding for any “runaways” in your sphere of relationships?
• “The arrow shot travels far beyond the archer’s eye.” (A. Maclaren)
• “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (J. Fawcett)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 21, 2021

Thanksgiving Message

A Psalm for Thanksgiving: Wise Men Still Praise Him

Psalms 111

Background Information

-acrostic psalm: thematic over structural
-written with a view to remembrance: who the LORD is and what He does

1. Praise (1)

• declaration of intent: passionate and public

2. Projection (2-3)

• magnification of His creating and sustaining work
• reflection of enduring righteousness
• application: delight leads to study

3. Provision (4-6)

• written in a book!
• echo of the exodus (Ex. 34:6)
• mindful provision of food and possession

4. Precepts (7-8)

• consistency between His works and His word
• no “fickle despot”

5. Purchase (9)

• purchase for the purpose of liberation
• commanded covenant proceeding from incomparable character

6. Principle (10)

• motto of the wisdom writers
• reverence and recognition: the pondering and praising of the wise

7. Perpetuity (10)

• magnifying His transcendence and immanence (Rev. 4:8)
• connection to Christ

8. So What?

• Because the LORD is the source and summit of every good thing, praise Him now and forever.
• Recognize…Repent…Resolve… Then, “ponder anew…”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 14, 2021

Under New Ownership

Colossians 3:15-17

1. Contextual Connections for 3:15-17

• seek, set and put to death (3:1-5)
• put off/put on (3:6-14)
• In light of Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency, cultivate a growing awareness of His ownership of you.

2. Let the Peace of Christ Rule… (15)

• act as umpire
• corporate emphasis
• link between peace and gratitude

3. Let the Word of Christ Reside… (16)

• teaching/admonishing with wisdom
• singing with thankfulness

4. Let the Name of Christ Regulate… (17)

• whatever you do in word and deed
• giving thanks to God the Father through Him

5. So What?

• Watch out for the tyranny of the temporary. “Value the weight of eternal things more than the shiny bait of expiring things.” (Reinke)
• A word from A. W. Tozer:
• “Turn your eyes to the hillside where justice and mercy embraced. There the Son of God gave His life for us and our measureless debt was erased.”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 7, 2021

The Threat of Subtraction by Addition

Colossians 2:16-23

-therefore: connecting 2:16-23 to its context
-Since Christ’s accomplishment on the cross is sufficient, enjoy your freedom and reject legalism.

1. First Command: Let no one judge you… (16-17)

• with reference to food, drink, festival, Sabbath
• in light of the shadow/substance contrast

2. Second Command: Let no one disqualify you… (18-19)

• the one delighting in asceticism and angel worship
• the one detailing what he has “seen”
• the one dilating himself based on his flesh
• the one diminishing the nourishment of the Head

3. One Pressing Question: Why do you submit…? (20-23)

• negative prohibitions connected to perishing things
• promotion of man-made religion which feeds pride
• OT commentary: Isa. 29:13

4. So What?

• “Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says ‘necessary but not enough.’” (MacGorman)
• Grace: God achieves and man receives, Legalism: man achieves and God receives
• Bondage to sin is broken by a more compelling joy, or “the expulsive power of a new affection.” (Chalmers)
• EE/CWT question: If you were to stand before the Lord and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would you say?
• “Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree. In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory. See the price of our redemption, see the Father’s plan unfold-bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold.” (Boswell/Papa/Bleeker)