Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 6, 2021
Trust God Fully
Job 1:1-22
1. Introduction
• structure: prologue/introduction to Job (1:1-2:10)
• description of Job (1:1-5) and dialogue with Satan (1:6-2:10)
• not to perplex or provoke, but to proclaim the incomprehensible God
• the response of the “righteous” to inexplicable suffering
2. Permission Granted 1:8-12
• commended
• questioned
• conditioned
• Job’s lack of awareness
3. Plan Executed 1:13-19
• Sabeans swoop
• fire from heaven
• Chaldeans conquer
• desert wind
• repetition of “still speaking”
4. Confidence Sustained 1:20-22
• resolve to worship
• acknowledgement of sovereignty
• connection to Christ (1 Peter 3:18)
5. So What?
• Knowing God is in control, worship Him when your world shatters.
• Love God more than self or stuff.
• Reflect on the temporary nature of suffering.
• Learn to live with mystery.
• “Every joy of trial falleth from above, traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love; We may trust Him fully, all for us to do; They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.” (Havergal)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 30, 2021
In a Category by Himself
Colossians 1:15-20
1. Introduction
• an ancient heresy with a modern ring
• not supplemental but supreme
• Because true greatness should never go unrecognized, bank all your hope on Jesus and pursue Him passionately.
• concentrated catalog
2. Recognize the greatness of His non-origination
• before all things
• firstborn of all creation (Psa. 89:27)
• before Abraham was… (John 8:58)
3. Recognize the greatness of His exact representation
• image
• head of the body
• fullness
4. Recognize the greatness of His purposeful creation
• agent
• source
• sustainer
5. Recognize the greatness of His amazing reconciliation
• firstborn from the dead
• reconcile…making peace through the blood of the cross
• that in everything He might be preeminent
6. So What?
• Of whom else…?
• “Christ the Son is the stream that brings salvation to every man’s lips. All wants are supplied there. Take it as a piece of the simplest prose, with no rhetorical exaggeration about it, that Christ is everything.” (Maclaren)
• “It’s beautiful when the worth of Jesus and the love of His followers match…when the value of His perfections and the intensity of our affections correspond.” (Piper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 23, 2021
Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
Choices Make the Man
Judges 14-16
I. Samson’s willfulness (Judges 14:1-4)
A) Deficient in self-control
B) Disrespected authority
C) Disregarded wise counsel
God uses even our willful choices to accomplish His plans.
II. Samson’s waywardness (Judges 14:5 – 15:20)
A) Dismissed spiritual lessons
B) Disobeyed God
C) Distanced his friends
D) Downplayed his sin
E) Devoted to revenge
God gives undeserved grace to His wayward people.
III. Samson’s wake-up (Judges 16)
God will always achieve His plans.
“You can’t go back and change the beginning,
but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
– C.S. Lewis
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 16, 2021
Taken up to Heaven
Luke 24:50-53
1. Introduction
• doctrine of the ascension of Jesus
• ascension day: 40 days after resurrection
• biblical progression/fulfillment (2 Kings 2:11, Psa. 68:18, Psa. 110:1-4)
2. Insights from Luke’s Ascension Accounts
Luke 24:50-53
• preceded by appearing and opening (24:36-49)
• blessed (Num. 6:24-26)
• parted
• carried
• worship of joyful disciples
3. Acts 1:9-11
• preceded by a preface, clarification and promise (1:1, 6-8)
• lifted up
• cloud escort
• angelic question
• angelic confirmation
4. Applying the Ascension: Vindication, Confirmation, Initiation, Mobilization
5. So What?
• Because of the reality of the ascension of Jesus, experience His constant comfort and anticipate His ultimate exaltation.
• “The dust of the earth is on the throne of the Majesty on High.” (Duncan)
• “…He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found…” (Watts)
• “And our eyes at last shall see Him, through His own redeeming love, for that Child so dear and gentle is our Lord in heaven above, and He leads His children on to the place where He is gone…” (Alexander)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 9, 2021
Like the Criminal on the Cross
Luke 23:32-43
1. Background for 39-43
• Luke’s Spirit-inspired and unique perspective (32-33)
• following the “first word” from the cross (34a) and before the record of Christ’s death/burial (44-56)
2. The Saving Inclination of Jesus
• caring about the heart of a condemned criminal
• atoning and going
• surrendering Himself to save sinners (34b-38) (Psa. 22:7-8)
3. The Repenting Representation of the Criminal 39-41
• rebuking the other criminal
• admitting his own guilt
• confessing Jesus as innocent King
4. The Assuring Declaration of Jesus 42-43
• criminal’s request
• a “mind-blowing” response
• implications of a single sentence
5. So What?
• Because of His capacity to save condemned criminals, magnify Christ’s saving grace and your certain future.
• If your ultimate confidence is in your accomplishments, you will abhor this text.
• Never impugn the outrageous nature of God’s grace.
• “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away…” (Cowper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 2, 2021
But Not so with You
Luke 22:24-30
1. Background
• in the context of the Lord’s Supper
• preceding the prediction of Peter’s denial
2. The Contention among the Disciples 24
• not the first time (Matt. 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45)
• a distracted dispute about greatness
• connection to John 13:1-5
3. Jesus Corrects the Disciples with a Command 25-27
• custom of the culture
• emphasizing a striking contrast
• specific command supported by example
4. Jesus Conveys Assurance and Authority to His Disciples 28-30
• gracious assessment
• staggering assignment
• heavenly joy and holy vocation
5. So What?
• Since greatness in God’s sight means humble service, take your cues from Jesus.
• Cultivate gospel humility. (Phil. 2:5-11)
• Remember that you’re not home yet.
• “Then I shall bow in humble adoration…” (Hine)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 25, 2021
Do This in Remembrance of Me
Luke 22:14-20
1. Context
• plot to kill Jesus (1-2) and betrayal by Judas (3-6, 21-22)
• Passover preparations (7-13) and biblical backdrop for 14-20
2. The Earnest Desire of Jesus 14-15
• to eat this Passover with you before I suffer
• redemption through substitution (Jn. 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 5:21)
3. The Specific Declaration of Jesus 16-18
• not eat it until it is fulfilled…
• And He took a cup…
• foretaste of a greater gathering (Rev. 5:9-10, 19:6-9)
4. The Sovereign Design of Jesus 19-20
• institution of the Lord’s Supper
• bread: My body
• cup: My blood (Ex. 24:8)
• take and eat (Mt. 26:26-28)
• verbs of salvation
5. So What?
• Because the sacrifice of Jesus is the sacrifice to which all sacrifices point, receive and remember it.
• Bank your hope on the body and blood of Jesus.
• Magnify the ministry of the Lord’s Supper to your own soul.
• “He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calvary, And suffered and died alone…” (Gabriel)
• “Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more…” (Cowper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 18, 2021
As One with Authority
Luke 20:1-19
1. Context
• entering, weeping and cleansing (19:28-48)
• public debate with religious leaders (20:1-21:4)
2. Jesus Addresses the Authority Issue 1-8
• a question from the religious leaders
• Jesus answers with a question
• caught on the horns of a dilemma
3. Jesus Illustrates with a Parable 9-15a
• landowner hires out vineyard (Isa. 5:1-7)
• messengers sent and treated shamefully (Acts 7:51-53)
• beloved son sent and killed (Heb. 13:12-13)
4. Jesus Offers a Timeless Application 15b-19
• Jesus poses a question and answers it
• response of the target audience
• Jesus points to a prophecy about Himself (Psa. 118:22, Isa. 8:14-15, Isa. 28:16)
5. So What?
• Because the Lord’s authority prevails, flee to Him for refuge.
• “There is no refuge from Him-only in Him.” (Kidner)
• Savor the Lord’s strange strategy that overcomes the world.
• Reject the sentimental syrup and the postmodern virtue of universal tolerance.
• “Mine, mine was the transgression…” (Bernard of Clairvaux)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 11, 2021
The Story of the Self-Invited Guest
Luke 19:1-10
1. Contextual Considerations
• exclusive to Luke and reflective of his focus
• passing through Jericho with 18:31-34 on His mind
• basic structure: verses 1-5 (found) and verses 6-10 (changed)
2. Meet Zacchaeus: chief tax collector, rich (1-2)
• The Crowd: could not see, small in stature (3)
• Response of Zacchaeus: ran ahead, climbed sycamore tree (4)
3. Action of Jesus (5-6)
• Zacchaeus, hurry and come down
• must stay: divine appointment
• joyful reception
4. The Crowd: grumbled, guest of a man who is a sinner (7)
• Response of Zacchaeus (8)
♦ half of my goods to the poor
♦ fourfold restoration (2 Sam. 12:6)
5. Action of Jesus (9-10)
• salvation to a son of Abraham (Gal. 3:7-9)
• to seek and save the lost
6. So What?
• Because of the mission of Jesus, meeting Him means never again being the same.
• “He will happily trample on the prejudices of others to rescue someone from sin.” (Maclaren)
• “O for the wonderful love He has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me…” (Thompson)
• “Drown yourself in the immensity of God.” (Spurgeon/Begg)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 4, 2021
Easter Message
Of First Importance
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
-Because the content of the gospel is timelessly consequential, share in the triumph of its conquest.
1. The Gospel Demands Tenacious Trust 1-2
• reminder: gospel I gospelized
• reception and reliance
• no careless contemplation
2. The Gospel Transmits Timeless Truth 3-7
• delivered…received
• died, buried, RAISED, appeared…
• caravan of witnesses
• for our sins
• in accordance with the Scriptures
3. The Gospel Transforms Tainted Travelers 8-11
• life for a “wretched specimen”
• undeserved/unmerited favor of God
• opposed to earning and not to effort
• good news to celebrate
4. So What?
• “While passing through this world of sin…” (McKinney)
• “Either this man was, and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.” (Lewis)
• Remember that “the corner has been turned.”
