Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 3, 2020

When Paul Sang the Doxology

Romans 11:33-36

1. Contextual Considerations

• Chapters 1-11 as doctrine and Chapters 12-16 as duty
• “hinge” passage connecting 1:11-32 to 12:1-16:27
• not minimizing the content/flow/theology of 9-11
• aim to maximize the grand objective: doxology
• In light of God’s unfathomable depth and incomparable character, determine to live a God-centered life for His glory.

2. Delight in the depth of God (33)

• a declaration
• riches of wisdom and knowledge
• unsearchable judgments and untraceable ways

3. Discern the character of God (34-35)

• an interrogation
• who has known…who has been…who has given? (Isa. 40:13, 1Chron. 29:14, Job 41:11)

4. Direct the glory to God (36)

• a magnification
• source, agency and purpose

5. So what?

• A biblical view of grace promotes humility and extinguishes arrogance.
• “Grace is the pleasure of God to magnify the worth of God by giving sinners the right and power to delight in God without obscuring the glory of God.” (Piper)
• “…Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.” (Wesley)
• “Let us love and sing and wonder, let us praise the Savior’s name! He has hushed the law’s loud thunder, He has quenched Mt. Sinai’s flame. He has washed us with His blood, He has brought us nigh to God.” (Newton)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 26, 2020

Making the Impossible Possible

Romans 10:1-13

Sense the lostness of all sinners (1-4)

-problem: Jewish rejection and Gentile acceptance (Romans 9-11)
-misunderstanding and misuse of the law (9:32)
-historical microcosm
-Paul’s desire, description and declaration

1. See the simplicity of the message (5-10)

• comparison: the faith-basis of righteousness (5-6a, Lev. 18:5)
• confirmation

♦ prohibition (6b-7, Deut. 30:11-14)
♦ proclamation (8)

• appropriation: heart and mouth (9-10)
• qualification

2. Celebrate the remedy of salvation (11-13)

• no shame (Isa. 28:16)
• no distinction (Joel 2:32)
• call, all, enthrall…

3. So what?

• Because God makes the impossible possible through Christ, rely on Him and relay His message.
• Remember “…the Bible tells me so.”
• Resist the lure of becoming a “closet” inclusivist.
• Taste the sweet medicine of the gospel daily.
• “The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer. Oh! Hear the voice of Jesus…” (W. Hunter)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 19, 2020

What Then…?

Romans 8:31-39

1. Catch the connecting question (31a)

• the indicative: who you are 8:1-11
• the imperative: how you should live 8:12-17
• the perspective: consolation, comfort and confirmation 8:18-30
• a critical qualification 8:28
• main idea: Because nothing can sever you from God’s all-conquering love in Christ, claim Him as your security and satisfaction in every circumstance.

2. Consider the catalog of questions and answers (31b-36)

• answering the opposition question with a question: an unspared Son 31b-32
• the accusation question: the God who justifies 33
• the condemnation question: the God who raises and the Christ who intercedes at His right hand 34
• “Nothing serves to verify the intimacy and constancy of the Redeemer’s preoccupation with the security of His people, nothing assures us of His unchanging love more than the tenderness which His heavenly priesthood bespeaks and particularly as it comes to expression in intercession for us.” (Murray)
• the separation question: earthly challenges and Psa. 44:22 35-36

3. Claim the settled conviction (37-39)

• a final answer: hyper-conquerors in these things
• inclusive of the entire realm of existence

4. So what?

• goal of this text: “…to make you unshakeably secure for the sake of suffering in the Christ-exalting path of obedience.” It is “a God-wrought, blood-bought security.” (Piper)
• “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay…” (Mote)
• “Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast; Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast. He’ll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last; Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.” (A. Habershon)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 12, 2020

Easter Message

Hope for the Slow of Heart

Luke 24:13-35

1. A Particular Context (13-16)

• resurrection details only in Luke
• that very day… (24:1)
• discussion on the road to Emmaus
• Jesus Himself drew near
• their eyes were “held”

2. A Personal Conversation (17-27)

• question of Jesus
• disconsolate disciples
• limited perception
• an early report
• a trip to the Book!

3. A Powerful Confirmation (28-35)

• polite continuation
• urgent invitation
• the guest becomes the host
• distribution, discovery and disappearance
• a case of holy heartburn

4. So What?

• When circumstances lead you to think there is no hope, rest in the reality of the resurrection.
• Let Holy Scripture, not human sentiment, be your source for navigating life.
• “Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish; Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel; Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Go ask the infidel what boon he brings us, what charm for aching hearts he can reveal? Sweet as that heavenly promise hope sings us, earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” (T. Moore)
• Trust God with the ending! (Rev. 19:6-9)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 5, 2020

Dead and Alive

Romans 6:1-14

-connection to 5:12-21: doctrine of imputation
-shift from justification to sanctification
-main idea: In light of Christ’s death and resurrection for you, reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Him.

1. Recognize the implication of being dead to sin (1-10)

• objection, answer, reason and elaboration
• baptized into Christ: buried and raised (1-4)
• united with Christ: old self crucified, no longer enslaved, set free, once for all (5-10)

2. Reckon yourself dead…and alive (11-14)

• 4 key commands
• a sermon in tenses: “present” (13)
• not perfectionism
• freedom under grace

3. So what?

• “Run, John, run, the law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands. Far better news the gospel brings: it bids us fly and gives us wings.” (Bunyan)
• Magnify the matter of your union with Christ and stay in the battle.
• “For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ!” (M’Cheyne)
• “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise…” (Havergal)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 29, 2020

Audio is from Zoom meeting:

Much More!

Romans 5:6-11

1. Connecting this passage to 5:1-5 and, particularly, to 5:5

• the crucial role of the Holy Spirit: things made plain by preaching, made precious by the Spirit
• main idea: Because God reconciles His weak, sinful enemies to Himself through Christ, rejoice in His extravagant love.

2. Recognize the historical/theological context (6)

• our status
• God’s “season”
• historical fact:
• theological meaning:

3. Observe the comparison to human love (7)

• the just/upright person
• the kind/generous person

4. Discern the distinct contrast of God’s love (8-10)

• God’s decisive demonstration
• note the passive verbs: acted on
• the “much more” argument

5. Acknowledge the culmination of the gospel’s purpose (11)

• increased certainty
• centered in Christ
• means of reconciliation
• rejoicing/boasting in God

6. So What?

• Exult in the great exchange!
• “As revealed with final authority in Scripture alone, the gospel is the good news that by faith alone, through grace alone, on the basis of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, sinners have full and final joy in God alone.” (Piper)
• “I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart-His wounds have paid my ransom.” (Townend)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 22, 2020

Hope for the Helpless

Romans 5:1-5

1. Introduction

• repetition of “therefore”
• previously: all guilty, no salvation by works, God’s way by grace through faith, example of Abraham
• connection to the last two words of 4:25
• Because of God’s provision in Christ, we can apply the certainties of salvation to the circumstances of our lives.

2. Affirmation: Trusting God to Save Us (1-2)

• defining “justification”
• summary of results:

♦ immediately, we have peace
♦ continually, we stand in grace
♦ ultimately, we hope for glory

3. Application: Trusting God to Sustain Us (3-5)

• “not only…”
• defining “tribulations”
• beneficial results:

♦ productive pressure
♦ ripened character
♦ assurance through the Holy Spirit

4. So What?

• Anchor your joy to your secure standing with God.
• The God who goes before us in salvation will go before us in our circumstances.
• “Be Thou my shield and hiding place, that sheltered near Thy side, I may my fierce accuser face, and tell him Thou hast died.” (John Newton)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 15, 2020

Audio is not available.

But Now…

Romans 3:21-26

This morning we will examine what has been called the “most important paragraph” in the Bible.

Main Idea: Because of God’s rescuing intervention at the cross, guilty offenders can receive His reconciling forgiveness.

1. Acknowledge the intervention of God (21-22)

• something happened
• now: logical, chronological, eschatological
• righteousness of God: unswerving commitment
• manifested: death of Jesus Christ
• without distinction

2. Identify the human deficiency (23)

• all (without exception) sinned
• fall short: lacking, has mainly to do with God
• glory: supreme value, surpassing worth

3. Appreciate the rescuing activity of God (24)

• being justified: acted on, declared righteous
• gift: you can’t pay for it
• grace: you can’t work for it
• redemption: deliverance at a cost

4. Grasp the glorious resolution God accomplishes (25-26)

• set forth by God
• propitiation of wrath
• demonstration of righteousness
• not to meet with friends but to die for enemies

5. So what?

• Trust and treasure! “Were the whole realm…” (Watts)
• Remember that the door of salvation swings on the hinge of substitution.
• “O thou, my soul, forget no more the Friend who all thy sorrows bore. Let every idol be forgot; but, O my soul, forget Him not.” (K. Pal)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 8, 2020

Good News…Bad News

Romans 1:18-32

1. Overview

• good news: The gospel is the power of God to save.
• bad news: Every person is deserving of God’s wrath.
• main idea: Because humanity is without excuse, its only recourse is the remedy of the gospel.

2. God reveals His righteous wrath against all sin and sinners (18)

• settled hostility, refusal to compromise, resolve to condemn
• ongoing activity
• ungodliness and unrighteousness
• holding down the truth

3. God removes all excuses (19-20)

• those who’ve never heard?
• God has “manifested” that which can be known about Him
• perceived from the creation of the world (“natural revelation”) (“poem”)
• God doesn’t believe in atheists
• “without apology”

4. God exposes fundamental idolatry (21-23)

• having known…did not glorify or thank
• futile thinking and darkened hearts
• wise professors who exchanged Creator worship for creature worship

5. God reveals His wrath through the degradation of humanity (24-32)

• the short trip from idolatry to immorality
• disordered sexual relationships: homosexuality (contrast with Christ/Church)
• “God gave them up” (three uses)
• inclusive of thought and behavior

6. So what?

• “Don’t exchange your God for anything. Exchange everything for Him.” (Piper)
• “What you revere, you resemble, either for ruin or restoration.” (Beale)
• Cherish, rejoice and delight in the gospel!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 16, 2020

A Prophet like Moses

Deuteronomy 18:9-22

-Deuteronomy: “Second Law”
-preparation for life in a new land

1. Avoiding Abominable Practices (9-14)

• highlighting the source of blessing
• warning about experimentation
• assumptions about the occult
• catalog of detestable activities
• addressing an unbiblical sentiment

2. Listening to the LORD’S Prophet (15-22)

• distinct contrast
• prophetic succession
• appreciation of the LORD’S holiness
• prophetic authorization
• prophetic discernment
• prophetic fulfillment

3. So What?

• Because the Lord superintends the matter of how He reveals Himself, submit to His wisdom and exalt His Son.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 1:1-4, 3:1-6 and 1 John 5:3-5
• absolutely true…!