Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 9, 2018
“Stairway to Heaven” Genesis 28:10-22 Bible Study 12/09/18
This morning we will turn our attention to Jacob, the fugitive, and his life-altering encounter with the God of mercy and grace. Through His provision and presence, the LORD continues to transform lives today.
1. Providential Positioning (10-11)
• from Beersheba to Haran
• consideration of contrasts
• the LORD’S orientation program
2. Personal Blessing (12-15)
• revelation through a dream
• stairway: flight of steps
• angels ascending and descending
• the LORD Himself
• promises, protection and presence
3. Prescriptive Response (16-22)
• expression of reverence
• activation of remembrance
• resolve to honor
• reality to embrace (Psa. 46:7)
4. So What?
• The clear revelation of God’s gracious dealings can transform a worldly wanderer into a wondering worshiper.
• connection to Christ (John 1:45-51)
• Let us delight to declare our dependence upon Him.
• “I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long: I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.” (F. Crosby)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 2, 2018
“You Should Tremble” Genesis 27:1-46 Bible Study 12/02/18
The story of the stolen blessing in Genesis 27 reveals the harsh reality of a dysfunctional ancient family. This serves to remind us of our own failures and frailties. The good news is that God achieves His purposes in spite of dysfunctional people and families. His blessing comes to undeserving and unlikely people in unusual ways. Such grace should leave us trembling.
1. Isaac’s Defiance (1-4)
• his condition
• his request
• his intention to bless Esau
• bless: extension of covenant relationship
• defiance of a previous directive (25:23)
2. Rebekah’s Disregard (5-17)
• her listening
• her understanding of the LORD’S promise
• her scheming
• her vowing
3. Jacob’s Deception (18-29)
• claims to be Esau
• lies about food
• receives blessing
• true to his name
4. Esau’s Despair (30-46)
• dialogue with a trembling father (Isa. 66:2)
• conspiracy unraveled (Heb. 11:20)
• his grief
• his murderous intent
• his mother’s intervention
5. So what?
• Because the LORD blesses undeserving and unlikely people in unusual ways, live in awe of His mercy and grace.
• Setting aside God’s will for your will only leads to turmoil.
• Trust God to work in His own time and in His own way.
• Manipulative measures achieve only apparent and temporary success.
• Praise the LORD for Immanuel! (Matt. 1:22-23; Rom. 5:8)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 25, 2018
“Blessed Perseverance” James 5:7-11 Bible Study 11/25/18
-When you persevere because you know God is in control, you understand His purposes better and deepen your dependence upon Him.
I. Heed the commands. (7-8)
• the repeated command: Be patient.
• the waiting farmer
• avoidance of grumbling
II. Follow the example. (9-11a)
• Evaluate affliction biblically
• The Lord honors endurance
II. Gain Greater Insight (11b)
• example of Job
• “Afflictions ought ever to be estimated by their end.” (Calvin)
IV. Focus on God’s Character (11c)
• Does God really care?
• Celebrate the Father’s largeness of heart.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 18, 2018
Thanksgiving Message
“A Psalm for Thanksgiving 2018” Psalm 145:1-21 Bible Study 11/18/18
I. Introduction
• psalm of David
• acrostic: successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
• a praise pile-up
• who God is and what God does
II. Intention to Praise 1-7
• activity
• intimacy
• frequency
• continuity
• intensity
III. Ascriptions of Praise 8-20
• gracious and merciful
• good to all
• faithful and kind
• upholds and raises up
• righteous
• near
• preserves
IV. Extent of Praise 21
• all
• forever
• Rev. 5:11-14
V. So What?
• “Through all eternity to Thee, a joyful song I’ll raise; but oh, eternity is too short to utter all Thy praise!” (Adam Clarke)
• This Thanksgiving: Because of His unsearchable and unspeakable greatness, seize the privilege of praising God for who He is and what He does.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 11, 2018
“Taking Your Tongue Seriously” James 3:1-12 Bible Study 11/11/18
The movable muscular structure attached to the floor of our mouths is a mighty little member of our bodies. God’s Word calls us to take seriously the stewardship of our speech. In light of the dramatic power and potential of the tongue, steward your speech to the glory of God.
I. Introduction (1-2)
1. The tongue telegraphs the condition of the heart.
2. Don’t “swell the ranks” of teachers as they will incur a stricter judgment.
3. An absolute prohibition from Ephesians 4:29
II. The tongue exercises a disproportionate influence (3-5)
1. A horse’s bit
2. A ship’s rudder
3. A fire’s spark
4. A small object can dictate a destination.
III. The tongue possesses a devastating potential (6-8)
1. Cosmic evil
2. Comprehensive corruption
3. Connection to hell
4. Uncontrolled poison
IV. The tongue reveals a disturbing inconsistency (9-12)
1. We bless and we curse.
2. The tongue may delight or destroy.
3. Aim for consistency.
4. Satan does his biggest business with those who have no business.
V. Beauty care for the tongue
1. Admit to verbal arson.
2. Ask for heavenly insight.
3. Insight from Psalm 141:3
4. Experience the Lord’s healing
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 4, 2018
“A Faith That Works” James 2:14-26 Bible Study 11/04/18
I. Introduction
1. Theme of this passage:
2. Why is this passage so crucial?
3. Is there really conflict between the teaching of James and Paul?
II. Profession (14-17)
1. The principle of verse 14:
2. What type of “faith” is addressed here?
3. What truth is communicated in the illustration of verses 15-17?
III. Expression (18-19)
1. How does James employ the “shock” factor in these verses?
2. What two key elements are included in verse 19?
3. The awareness of demons:
IV. Possession (20-26)
1. What kind of faith is detailed in these verses?
2. The nature of saving faith:
V. So What?
1. Because saving faith produces works, avoid the deceptive mentality of mere profession.
2. Grasp the “root and fruit” principle.
3. “A religion that does not transform will not transport.” (Jack MacGorman)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 28, 2018
“The Word and You” James 1:19-27 Bible Study 10/28/18
Introduction
-connection to verse 18 and “…word of truth…”
-remember Eutychus in Acts 20
-Because God’s Word is the source and standard for Christian living, receive it attentively and respond to it obediently.
I. Receive the Word (19-21)
• a “triple duty” in verse 19
• a needed reminder in verse 20
• key command in verse 21: “Having…receive…”
• two descriptive terms in verse 21: “meekness” and “implanted”
II. Respond to the Word (22-27)
• hearing must be followed by obedience
• the “mirror” of the Word
• the “wrong” way in verses 23-24
• the “right” way in verse 25
• avoiding self-deception
• three important words: control, care and cleanliness
• insights from Psalm 119:9, 11, 36-37, 103
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 21, 2018
Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
“Sincere Christianity”
Romans 12:9-21
I. Sincere Christians are:
1) Considerate (v.10)
2) Committed (v.11)
3) Consistent (v.12)
4) Charitable (v.13)
5) Courteous (v.14)
6) Compassionate (v.15)
7) Compatible (v.16)
8) Conscientious (v.17)
9) Capitulatory (v.18)
10) Calm (v.19)
11) Caring (v.20)
12) Controlled (v.21)
Sincere Christianity is the language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 14, 2018
Guest Speaker: Dr. David Norman
Justified by Faith; Now What?
Galatians 6:1–10
This morning’s lesson looks at the sixth chapter of Galatians. Following Paul’s plea that the believers in Galatia return to the gospel of Jesus Christ and to cease their reliance on their own works for salvation, but instead rest in faith in Christ—following his teaching in chapter five where he discusses what it looks like to walk in the Spirit—Paul’s verbs shift from indicatives to imperatives. Now that he has covered the truth of the gospel, he wants to leave them with the manner in which they are to live in response to the gospel. And as he does, he turns to the manner in which they act among the believers.
I. Care for your brothers and sisters in Christ (v. 1–5)
• Who does Paul mean by “You who are spiritual?”
• Carry one another’s burdens
• Each person will have to carry his own load
II. Invest in your pastors and teachers (v. 6–8)
• The unwarranted paragraph division
• You give to what you value
• Michelin-rated chef or McDonalds?
• 1 Corinthians 9:14
• Hebrews 13:17
• Pastor appreciation month
III. Persevere in Prioritizing the Local Church (vv. 9–10)
• Relationally
• Weekly
• Prayerfully
• Financially
• Sacrificially
God has opened the way for you to be justified—by faith in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified, dead, and buried and was resurrected on the third day. And we who have believed on him have been given his Spirit, who teaches us to walk in a new way of life and who cultivates in us love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. And that same Spirit calls us to care for one another—binding up the broken-hearted, investing in the good of our pastors and teachers, and prioritizing the local assembly of believers; and all this with expectation that, at the proper time, our efforts and striving will not be in vain, but we will reap a harvest of blessings as the result.
