Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 7, 2018

“In Step with the Spirit”   Galatians 5:13-26   Bible Study   10/07/18

This morning we will focus on the second of two key teaching units in Galatians 5. In 5:1-12, Paul urges his readers to stand firm in the freedom that comes only through faith in Jesus. In 5:13-26, he continues the freedom theme with an emphasis on staying “in step” with the Holy Spirit. When believers live in constant dependence on the Holy Spirit, they experience true freedom.

I. Context/Review of 5:1-12

• instruction: stand firm and avoid entanglement (1)
• admonition: heed the warning regarding circumcision (2-6)
• assessment: consider the apostolic perspective (7-12)

II. Serve one another through love (13-14)

• reminder of call to freedom
• proper stewardship of freedom
• keep on serving (Lev. 19:18)

III. Watch out for the consequence of destructive behavior (15)

• if you keep on biting and devouring…
• “cannibalizing” Christians

IV. Walk in the Spirit continually (16-25)

• command followed by a promise
• flesh/Spirit opposition
• Spirit/law contrast
• works of the flesh: sexual/religious/social realms (19-21a)
• practitioners have no inheritance… (21b)
• the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit (22-23)
• assertion: society needs no protection from the fruit of the Spirit
• crucified flesh/in step with the Spirit

V. Avoid conceit (26)

• boastful arrogance or dependent humility?

VI. So What?

• When believers live in constant dependence on the Holy Spirit, they experience true freedom.
• “No man walking in the Spirit ever ‘bites the dust.’” (J. MacGorman)
• “Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me. Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me.” (Daniel Iverson, 1926)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 30, 2018

“The Cross and Your Crisis”   Galatians 4:12-20   Bible Study   09/30/18

This morning we will turn our attention to the passage which comprises the very “heart” of Paul’s crisis letter to the churches of Galatia. Here, in full crisis mode and with profound pastoral concern, he addresses the ongoing distortion of truth by false teachers and its disruptive impact upon his readers. After appealing for a restoration of fellowship with them, Paul proceeds to expose the motivation of the false teachers and to articulate his own apostolic motivation. Through his appeal and actions, he models a timeless principle: Manage the crisis in your life by clinging to the message of the cross.

I. Live in the power of grace rather than the prison of legalism. (12a)

• confirmation of the status of readers: “brothers”
• command rooted in a response to the gospel
• legalism: the “smog” that pollutes the air of grace

II. Delight in the fact of the gospel rather than the falsehood of feel-good. (12b-16)

• appeal for restoration of fellowship
• formerly: did me no wrong, received me…
• presently: What happened?
• Tend the garden of your thoughts with the tool of biblical truth.

III. Pursue the formation of Christ rather than the favor of man. (17-20)

• indictment of false teachers
• no good purpose
• being made much of
• Paul’s intense concern
• Paul’s motivation: Christ “formed” in the Galatians

IV. So What?

• Manage the crisis in your life by clinging to the message of the cross.
• “Lee, keep the seminary lashed to the cross.” (B.H. Carroll to L.R. Scarborough, 1914)
• Schedule your life around the reality of the cross. “Jesus, keep me near the cross…”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 23, 2018

“No Turning Back”   Galatians 3:26-4:11   Bible Study   09/23/18

This morning we will focus on the rich content of Galatians 3:26-4:11. After affirming the foundational fact that believers are all “one in Christ Jesus,” Paul proceeds to remind his readers of the accomplishment of Christ at the cross which secures their sonship and the activity of the Spirit who is sent by God into their hearts to assure it. With such status and riches at their disposal, readers then and now must understand that there can be “no turning back.” Because your identification with Jesus makes you a son, rest in His sufficiency and press on by faith.

I. Summary of 3:15-25

• confirmation of the priority of promise over law (15-18)
• clarification of the role of law (19-25)

II. The application of the gospel supplies equality of sonship (26-29)

• no longer under a “guardian”
• note the pronoun shift from verse 25 to verse 26
• sons of God through faith
• language of baptism
• one in Christ: ethnic/social/sexual
• Abraham’s offspring

III. The accomplishment of Jesus secures our sonship (1-5)

• administration of the law
• Christ sent in the “fullness” of time
• …to redeem…that we might receive adoption…

IV. The activity of the Spirit assures our sonship (6-11)

• Abba! Father! : intimacy
• note the Trinitarian “symmetry”
• sons and heirs
• formerly…now…how? (note Gal. 5:10)

V. So What?

• Because your identification with Jesus makes you a son, rest in His sufficiency and press on in faith.
• Remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
• “No turning back” is an appropriate admonition for every stage of Christian experience.
• Relish your status as a son and heir.
• “I once was an outcast stranger on earth, a sinner by choice, an alien by birth, but I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down, an heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown. I’m a child of the King, a child of the King: with Jesus my Savior, I’m a child of the King.” (H. Buell, 1877)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 16, 2018

“Connecting the Dots”   Galatians 3:1-14   Bible Study   09/16/18

As we continue our study of Paul’s Galatian letter this morning, our focus will be on 3:1-14. Here, we discover that Paul moves from his confrontation of Peter to the interrogation of the Galatian believers. Alarmed by the influence of false teachers among them, Paul proceeds to “connect the dots” and show them that a right relationship with God is a matter of faith-line and not blood-line.

I. Evaluation of the situation (1)

• unthinking Galatians
• bewitched: cast a spell
• Christ has been “bill-boarded”
• corrupting influence of Judaizers
• crucified: completed work

II. Interrogation of the Galatians (2-5)

• argument from their own experience
• note the rhetorical questions
• reception, progression and provision
• return to the law: regression

III. Demonstration from the Old Testament (6-9)

• Genesis 12: call of God
• Genesis 15: Abraham justified
• Paul stresses Genesis 12/15
• Judaizers stress Genesis 17: circumcision

IV. Application by way of contrast (10-14)

• issue: How is one “right” with God?
• justification and condemnation
• OT references: Deut. 27:26 (10), Hab. 2:4 (11), Lev. 18:5 (12), Deut. 21:23 (13)
• focus on Christ: what He did, how He did it and why He did it

V. So What?

• “Faith is the currency that spends in God’s economy.” (Spurgeon)
• Reject any belief system that minimizes the mighty transaction of the cross.
• “In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.” (George Bennard)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 9, 2018

“Nip It in the Bud!”   Galatians 2:11-21   Bible Study   09/09/18

This morning we will continue our study of Galatians with an examination of Paul’s public confrontation of Peter and the theological reflection following it. This text is particularly powerful and significant because it includes both a practical application of the gospel of grace and the theological foundation which undergirds it.

I. Background/Context

• Paul’s “testimony” 1:1-17
• First Jerusalem visit 1:18-24
• Second Jerusalem visit 2:1-10
• Antioch: center of Gentile mission
• Precedes Jerusalem Council of Acts 15

II. Condemnation of behavior inconsistent with the gospel (11-14)

• Peter’s “separation”
• Paul’s public confrontation
• the “wideness” of God’s mercy

III. Affirmation of the doctrine of justification by faith (15-16)

• shift to the third person (we)
• repetition of “justified”
• the “law” and “grace” connection

IV. Identification with the Crucified Christ (17-21)

• a question expecting a negative answer
• responding to the Judaizer’s distortion of the law
• crucified with Christ
• cross of Christ: not gratuitous

V. So What?

• Passion for God and His gospel should lead you to confront the tendency of yielding to the pressure of the approval of others.
• Do not silently assent to the scandalizing of the body.
• When you begin to grasp the wonder God’s way of saving sinners, you want to live a life of complete surrender and conscious celebration.
• “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.” (J. Bunyan)
• “For the love of God is broader than the measures of the mind. And the heart of the Eternal is most wonderfully kind.” (F. Faber)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 2, 2018

“Galatians and the Gospel of Freedom”   Galatians 1:1-10   Bible Study   09/02/18

This morning we will begin our survey of Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia. Its 6 chapters and 149 verses represent a rousing explanation and defense of the gospel in response to the purveyors of half-truths and heresies in every generation. After addressing Paul’s introduction to the letter (1:1-5), we will proceed to observe Paul’s bold and uncompromising assertion regarding the absolute uniqueness of the gospel.

I. Introduction: A Letter for Recovering Pharisees (1:1-5)

1. Understand what’s at stake 1

• not just Paul’s apostleship but the authenticity of the gospel
• source and agency: not human

2. Identify the recipients 2

• churches of Galatia-Roman province
• first missionary journey
• 48-49

3. Grasp the important greeting 3-5

• grace and peace
• enemies of grace: Judaizers

II. Don’t Fall for It! (1:6-10)

1. Assess your loyalty 6-7a

• danger of drifting
• different is not good!

2. Affirm your confidence 7b-9

• Judaizers: disturb and distort
• absolute and unchanging truth
• the message over the messenger
• no message means no mission

3. Align your ambition 10

• the man-pleaser accusation
• the issue of approval
• truth is to be declared and not negotiated
• Jesus didn’t pay it “some.”

III. So What?

• Because your natural tendency is to depend on yourself, actively embrace the medicine of grace.
• Because the gospel is God’s gospel, cling to it tenaciously.
• “Grace is opposed to earning, not effort.” (D. Willard)
• “Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says, ‘necessary, but not enough.’” (MacGorman)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 26, 2018

Guest Speaker: Dr. Gary Timmons

“Salvation through Costly Sacrifice”   2 Samuel 24:1-25   Bible Study 08/26/18

I. Introduction

II. King David’s Nonsensical Census, vv. 1-9

• Yahweh’s anger (again) against Israel, v. 1a
• The agent and means of that anger, vv.1b-2
• Census-taking not always sinful, cf. Num. 1:2; 26:2
• Clues to David’s wrongful census, vv. 3; cf. 1 Chron. 21:6; Exod. 30:11-16

III. King David’s Repentance and Yahweh’s Discipline, vv. 10-17

• David’s smitten conscience and confession of sin, v.10 (cf. 1 Samuel 24:5)
• David’s choice of Yahweh’s sovereign mercy, vv. 11-14

IV. Yahweh’s judgment of David and Israel, vv. 15-17

• Comprehensive pestilence (Dan-Beersheba) up to Jerusalem, v. 16
• King David’s confession and substitutionary plea for the sheep, v.17

V. Salvation through Costly Sacrifice, vv. 18-25

• Costly sacrifice purchased, atoning sacrifice offered with divine approval, and judgment averted.

VI. So What?

• At the place where Abraham once held the knife over his son (Gen 22:1-19), David sees the angel of the Lord with sword ready to plunge into Jerusalem. In both cases, death is averted by sacrifice. Dillard, “David’s Census,” (1985, 107).
• Michael Wilcock adds: “The threshing-floor of Araunah becomes the place of divine wrath and divine mercy—foreshadowing the cross of Christ….” The Message of Chronicles, pp. 95-96. Cf. 1 Chron. 21:28-22:1; 2 Chron. 3:1; Gen. 22:2; Romans 8:32.
• “…Samuel ends with a picture of a future King whose sacrifice for sin saves the kingdom.” B. K. Waltke, An OT Theology, p. 678.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 19, 2018

“A Safe Kingdom and A Sad King”   2 Samuel 18:1-19:8   Bible Study   08/19/18

This morning we will return to our studies in 2 Samuel with a focus on Absalom’s downfall, his father David’s devastation and the Lord’s determination to preserve His king and kingdom. As we have done with previous passages, we again will note how the narration of the “David” story points ahead and forward to the story and ultimate triumph of David’s king.

I. Overview

• the narrator’s focus: downfall of Absalom and devastation of David
• the character presentation: Absalom is central, Joab is dominant, David is passive
• the ironic twists: things happen that should not happen

II. Directions from David (1-5)

• after events of 17:24-29
• deal gently…

III. Downfall of Absalom (6-18)

• brief battle synopsis
• detailed description of Absalom’s downfall
• the tree and the pit
• sobering reminder

IV. Drama of Two Messengers (19-32)

• Ahimaaz “stories”
• Cushite tells the complete “story”

V. Dropping the Truth-Bomb on David (19:33-19:8)

• impact of David’s grief
• reality-therapy for David
• grasping the depth of David’s grief (12:10)
• paradox: safe kingdom and sad king
• sovereignty over sentimentality

VI. So What?

• Because the preservation of God’s kingdom involves the perishing of its enemies, declare your loyalty now to His King and depend on Him to preserve you.
• connection to Christ: anointed and suffering King with a key distinction (Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4)
• “For me it was in the garden he prayed, ‘Not my will, but Thine,’ He shed no tears for His own griefs, but sweat-drops of blood for mine. How marvelous! How wonderful! and my song shall ever be; How marvelous! How wonderful! is my Savior’s love to me!” (C. Gabriel)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 12, 2018

Guest Speaker: Dr. David Norman

Chosen
1 Peter 1:1–2

This morning’s lesson breaks down the first two verses of 1 Peter. Written to believers sojourning in a foreign land, this passage reminds us that this world is not our home.

I. We are chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”

• Gr. prognosis = lit. “to know before”
• Our salvation begins with God, not with ourselves
• If you are in Christ, there was never a time when you weren’t the object of God’s affection.

II. We are chosen “through the sanctifying work of the Spirit”

• Led by the Spirit
• Moved by the Spirit

III. We are chosen “to be obedient and to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ”

• The purpose of our salvation
• No one brings a list of conditions to the altar
• A covenant established

Peter’s letter offered words of encouragement to a scattered and suffering church. Their encouragement was not because of anything in themselves, but rather because of what God has done. May his words comfort us as we keep our eyes on Jesus in the midst of the storms.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 5, 2018

“The Kingdom: Under Divine Protection”   2 Samuel 17:1-29   Bible Study   08/05/18

This morning we will focus on a chapter which records an account of God’s kingdom under attack. In the midst of rebellion and intrigue, the kingdom appears “iffy” and vulnerable, given the brazen machinations of Absalom and Ahithopel. However, 2 Samuel 17 indicates that God’s people can have strong confidence and sweet consolation even in days when the kingdom is threatened. No one and nothing can overthrow or terminate God’s kingdom plan. This assurance has sustained saints of every generation.

I. The Mysterious Sovereignty of God (1-14)

• advice of Ahithopel (1-4)

♦ four-step plan
♦ connect to 16:23

• advice of Hushai (5-14)

♦ not his time
♦ appeals to logic, caution, vanity and vengeance

• Absalom’s response
• a discreet aside

II. The Protective Providence of God (15-29)

• getting the message to David (15-16)
• messengers seen and hidden (17-20)
• news reaches David (21-22)
• Yahweh at work for David
• demise of Ahithopel (23)
• arrival and support of loyal subjects (24-29)

III. So What?

• Because God keeps His promises and protects His people, make sure your ultimate security rests in Him and His kingdom “that cannot be shaken.”
• Worship with reverence and awe (Heb. 12:28-29).
• Ponder the providence of God in your life that reveals His sovereignty.
• “God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines of never failing skill He treasures up His bright designs and works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.” (Cowper)
• Affirm and regularly confess your subjection to the King and His kingdom.