Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 10, 2021

Gospel Enablement

Philippians 4:10-20

-previously: prerequisites for peace (2-7)
-bridge to this text: think and practice (8-9)

1. The Learned Commodity of Contentment (10-13)

• rejoicing in a “blossom” of concern
• a delicate appreciation
• the discipline of sufficiency in Christ
• a learned “secret”
• enablement for the assignment

2. The Promised Provision that Promotes Cooperation (14-20)

• exclusive partnership
• a grace-centered commendation
• a fragrant offering
• fullness according to wealth
• directed doxology

3. So What?

• When you rely on the enabling power of Christ, you can live with consistent contentment and confident generosity.
• You can do what the Lord assigns you to do because of the power that He keeps on pouring into you.
• “The power of Christ in Paul was not for the gratification of Paul’s whims but for the carrying out of Christ’s will.” (Robertson)
• “For Paul, contentment is not found in creating our own security but by abandoning our security to Christ.” (Ferguson)
• “Under the shadow of Your throne Your saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Your arm alone, and our defense is sure.” (Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 3, 2021

Gospel Protection

Philippians 4:4-7

-You can enjoy the protection of God’s supernatural peace when you meet its biblical prerequisites.

A Context of Confinement (1:13), Conviction (4:1) and Conflict (4:2-3)

1. Command #1: Rejoice Continually (4)

• inclusive command
• specific focus

2. Command #2: Relate Reasonably (5)

• from observation to imitation
• imminent and intimate incentives

3. Command #3: Request Comprehensively (6)

• clear prohibition
• balanced perspective
• panorama of prayer

4. A Result to Anticipate (7)

• with the result that…
• guaranteed coverage
• the peace of God going…the God of peace guarding

5. So What?

• Our capacity to rejoice in the Master is connected to our concentration on His worth.
• “Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above: Comfort it brings, and power and peace and joy and everlasting love. Jesus, mine all in all Thou art: My rest in toil, my ease in pain, the medicine of my broken heart. In war my peace, in loss my gain, my smile beneath the tyrant’s frown, in shame my glory and my crown.” (C. Wesley)
• “Watch over your child ____, O Lord, as his days increase; bless him and guide him, and keep him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he falls; and in his heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 26, 2021

Gospel Mindset

Philippians 2:5-11

-“Mind the gap…”
-Believers maximize unity as they cultivate the mindset of Christ Jesus exemplified in the cross.

1. Mind the Mind of Christ Jesus (5)

• connection to 1:27-2:4
• command, not a suggestion
• construction: the names a matter of precision

2. Mark the Ministry of Christ Jesus (6-8)

• considered…

♦ though existing in the form of God

• emptied…

♦ having taken the form of a slave
♦ having been made in the likeness of men

• humbled…

♦ having been found in human form
♦ having become obedient to the point of death
♦ even death on a cross

3. Mark the Magnification of Christ Jesus (9-11)

• its reason
• its nature and goal

4. So What?

• “Rescue me from the one who tells me of life and omits Christ, who is wise in the ways of the world and ignores the movement of the Spirit.” (Peterson)
• “The hands that order our circumstances are pierced with nails.” (Eims)
• “There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus-humility, happiness, and holiness. May God give them to you, Christian!” (Spurgeon)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 19, 2021

Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester

God’s Unexpected Ways

Acts 16:6-40

I. Unexpected Plans (Acts 16:6-15)

• v.6-8 God’s “no”
• v.9-10 God’s “go”
• v.11-15 God’s plan begins to unfold
• With one plan, God accomplishes much.

II. Unexpected Problems (Acts 16:16-25)

• v.16-18 Unexpected situation
• v.19-25 Unexpectedly life goes downhill
• Our perspective is either our prison or our passport.

III. Unexpected Provisions (Acts 16:26-40)

• v.26-28 Unexpectedly life goes uphill
• v.29-34 A life is changed
• v.35-40 Moving on
• God’s sovereign plans are never without purpose.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 12, 2021

Gospel Obsession

Philippians 1:12-26

-When advancing the gospel is your primary goal, you can view your circumstances as God-given opportunities to promote it.

1. Acknowledge Christ’s Providence in Your Past (12-14)

• apprehension about imprisonment
• advancement in the midst of adversity
• attracting attention to Christ

2. Advance Christ’s Cause in Your Present (15-18a)

• promoting the proclamation of Christ
• method, motive and message
• cause for rejoicing

3. Aim to Honor Christ in Your Future (18b-26)

• discernment: increased fruit or immediate gain
• desire: constrained or exchanged
• devotion: progress and praise

4. So What?

• “Live here in light of there under the conquering authority of the King.” (Stowell)
• “I cannot but run with all my might, for I am closer to the goal.” (Simeon)
• Resolve to magnify Christ in the midst of your current “restrictions.”
• A reminder from Samuel Rutherford
• “The men of grace have found glory begun below; Celestial fruits on earthly ground from faith and hope may grow…Then let our songs abound, and every tear be dry; We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground to fairer worlds on high.” (Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 5, 2021

Gospel Confidence

Philippians 1:1-11

-For God’s glory, let the biblical assurance of His capacity to finish what He starts shape the words you pray and the way you live.

1. Savor the Salutation (1-2)

• from servants to saints
• grace and peace

2. See the Settled Conviction that Shapes Biblical Praying (3-7)

• expressed through prayer with joy
• gratitude for gospel partnership
• grounded in the reality of verse 6: the “pivot” verse
• a fitting feeling

3. Seize the Privilege of Praying for Spiritual Growth (8-11)

• pray for supernatural love: empowered, abounding, informed, discriminating
• pray for supernatural conduct: pure, perceptive, produced, purposeful

4. So What?

• Prioritize participation with others in the promotion of the gospel.
• “Let the glory of the all glorious God be everything to you.” (Murray)
• “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to His feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore His praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia! Praise the everlasting King!” (Henry Lyte, 1834)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 29, 2021

The End of the Matter

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14

Review/Overview

-last section: 8:16-12:14
-8:16-9:9: Remaining incongruities shouldn’t diminish joy.
-9:10-11:6: Work hard and understand you don’t know everything.
-11:7-12:2: Dependence and delight are the keys to satisfaction.

1. Perspective from Solomon’s Proverbial Statements. 11:1-6

• Life is uncertain. Be generous anyway. (1-2)
• Take life as it comes. (3)
• When it comes to work, just do it! (4)
• Remember your limitations. (5-6)

2. Preparation for the Future Should Begin in the Present. 11:7-12:12

• Relish life while you can. (7-8)
• Rejoice in your youth and remember the judgment of God. (9)
• Remove vexation and evil. (10)
• Remember your Creator. (1-2)
• Observe the house/body analogy. (3-7)
• Grasp the implications for applying the message of Ecclesiastes. (8-12)

3. Consider the End of the Matter. 12:13-14

• Fear God and do what He says.
• Make the NT connection. (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
• Real satisfaction comes only to those who depend on God’s guidance and delight in His governance.
• “This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let earth be glad!” (Babcock)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 22, 2021

The Righteousness of Another

Ecclesiastes 7:16-29

Review

-Satisfaction doesn’t come from within man. (1:1-2:26)
-God is sovereign. Objections are refuted. (3:1-5:20)
-Only God gives satisfaction/enjoyment in the midst of vanity. (6:1-8:15)
– Properly perceive external circumstances (6:1-7:15) and properly perceive humanity (7:16-29)

1. Apply the antidote of the fear of God. (16-22)

• our tendency to superficially assess circumstances and people
• the overly righteous/wise
• the overly wicked/foolish
• the survival of the “fearing”
• the strength of wisdom
• “…The God-given ability to see life objectively and to handle life with stability.” (Swindoll)
• the truth about all people
• cutting fellow-sinners some slack

2. Understand that the problem isn’t with God but with us. (23-29)

• acknowledgment of human inability
• under the sun discernment of danger (Proverbs 23:27-28)
• the scarcity of integrity
• the ongoing defiance of humanity
• the only remedy: the righteousness of Another (1 Corinthians 1:30-31)

3. So What?

• Knowing that all situations and all humans are not as they may appear, avoid surface evaluations and rely on the righteousness of Christ.
• “…This is all my righteousness: nothing but the blood of Jesus…” (Lowry)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 15, 2021

The Sacrifice of Fools

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

I. Review

• God places everything in its place according to His perfect perspective. 3:1-15
• Answering theoretical objections to sovereignty 3:16-4:16
• Focus: practical obstacles that hinder the understanding of sovereignty
• Two key considerations: how you think about God and how you live before God

II. Vertical Insights (1-7)

• fools at worship 1-3
• fools and thoughtless vows 4-7
• applications

♦ Draw near and listen well.
♦ Be quiet and stay calm.
♦ Make a commitment and keep it

III. Horizontal Obstacles (8-17)

• being naive 8-9
• being greedy 10-11
• being anxious 12-17

IV. Gifts to Claim (18-20)

• two key phrases
• capacity to enjoy 18
• fulfillment of work 19
• contentment of heart 20

V. So What?

• Because God gives the power for enjoyment, you can thrive under the sun!
• connection to Christ: 2 Cor. 1:20
• “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever…The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.” (Westminster Shorter Catechism, 1647)
• “…And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, ‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.” (Hankey)