Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 5, 2017
“Holy Approach” Leviticus 1:1-17 Bible Study 11/05/17
This morning we turn from the study of Exodus to the study of the closely connected content of the book of Leviticus. 1:1-6:7 is essentially a manual for sacrifices with implications for all of Israel. The laws of the sacrifices lay the foundation for the New Testament teaching of the atoning work of Christ. They also provide the reader with insight into this weighty question: How does an impure, sinful, mortal creature find access into the presence of God?
I. Review/Context
-golden calf (Ex. 32) and the necessity of reconciliation
-tabernacle: the word revealed and worship through sacrifice
-the LORD called…saying
-Lev. 1: focus on burnt offerings
II. Entrance Allowed
-basis of acceptance of the worshiper
-no one prohibited from approaching
-requirement for sacrificial victim: blameless/without defect
III. Procedure Specified
-blood and body of a substitute
-identification of worshiper with the sacrificial victim
-sacrifice “surrendered” and wrath of God satisfied
-atoning sacrifice
IV. Acceptance Indicated
-sacrifice consumed by fire on altar
-smell/aroma of sacrifice: pleasing to the LORD
V. So What?
-Those who approach God on the basis of atoning sacrifice may experience acceptance with Him forever.
-Note the NT connections: Mt. 20:28; Rom. 3:25; Eph. 5:27: 1Pet. 1:19, 2:22
-“Sacrifice is at the heart of all true worship.” (Ross)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 29, 2017
“Enough Already!” Exodus 35:30-36:7 Bible Study 10/29/17
This morning we conclude our series of lessons from the book of Exodus. Our text concerns the construction of the tabernacle. The LORD gives specific and detailed instructions and the workers use their diverse talents in conforming to the divine specifications for the structure. Additionally, the people, so richly blessed by the Lord, respond with a display of overwhelming generosity. All of these factors lead to the fitting conclusion of Exodus in Exodus 40:34-38, where the glory of the LORD fills the tabernacle.
I. Assessing the Building
-a clear case of post-calf grace
-a dwelling designed by the LORD
-constructed to communicate
-attention to the LORD’S instruction
-“It is possible to believe that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God—yet neglect it and effectually repudiate it just because we think that it is not great enough for today’s tasks.” (Boice)
II. Embracing the Beauty
-Why not just throw a few boards together?
-empowered artistry: Bezalel and Oholiab
-objective standard of excellence
III. Experiencing the Blessing
-voluntary offering: an “art” form in itself
-Before you render, you receive. (35:1-3)
-time, talent and treasure (35:4-29)
-The people were restrained!
IV. Making the Application
-When you are instructed by God’s principles and inspired by His presence, you pursue lavish participation in His work.
-from the portable to the permanent (1 Pet. 2:5; Eph. 2:21; 1 Cor. 6:19)
-Breathtaking “Beauty” has visited us. (John 1:14)
-Your use of His resources should reflect the depth of His rescue.
-divine artistry to the glory of God!
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 22, 2017
“Don’t Have a Cow!” Exodus 32:1-6 Bible Study 10/22/17
Beginning with Exodus 24:12, we find Moses meeting with the LORD on the mountain in order to receive the tablets of stone which contained the law and the commandments. With Exodus 32, the scene shifts from the mountain to the encamped Israelites in the valley. This shift sets the stage for the account of Israel’s idolatrous rebellion in the making of and worship of a golden calf. In a real sense, the LORD’S covenant people, rather than trusting the LORD, proceeded to “have a cow.” Today, the hideous practice of idolatry remains a threat for God’s people. Our text today offers a solemn warning for us not to “crave” evil things (1 Cor. 10:6-7).
I. Beware of Disobeying the LORD’S Revealed Will
-violation of at least three commandments
-the major issue in Exodus: worship (24:3, 7)
-“God created man in His image and ever since, man has been trying to return the favor.” (Chesterton)
-“The mind is a perpetual idol factory” (Calvin)
II. Beware of Doubting the LORD’S Sufficiency
-impatience with the LORD’S timing
-disrespect for the LORD’S representative (Acts 7:39-40)
-a hostile “takeover”
III. Beware of Distorting the LORD’S Purpose
-the LORD’S reputation (9:16)
-a self-serving mentality
-a demonstration of depravity
-idolatry leading to immorality
-“What we revere, we resemble, either for our ruin or our restoration.” (Beale)
IV. Beware of Discounting the LORD’S Activity
-the misuse of the LORD’S gifts
-a case of spiritual amnesia (Psa. 106:19-22)
V. So What?
-Knowing that God abhors idolatry, repudiate it and replace it with holy intoxication.
-battling infidelity with intoxication (Eph. 5:18)
-“As A. W. Pink has written: ‘Man must have an object, and when he turns from the true God, he at once craves a false one.’ But this statement can also be reversed. The way to reduce our craving for false gods is for our minds and hearts to be intoxicated with the Spirit of the one true God.” (Ryken)
-Don’t have a cow! Rather, have the conquering King of the Ages who comes to you in the person of Jesus Christ.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 15, 2017
“The Lord’s Dress Code” Exodus 28:31-43 Bible Study 10/15/17
The greatest need of sinful humans is the perfect righteousness of Christ. Long ago, in his detailed description of the priestly wardrobe, the Lord pointed to this essential truth. Far from being an exercise in mere minutiae or a catalog of irrelevant information, the specific instructions regarding priestly garments remind us of the awesome responsibility and privilege of a relationship with the Lord. His wardrobe requirements are not optional but essential. It takes a holy priest to make a holy people.
I. Discern the Details
-the robe
*seamless
* bell and pomegranate
-the headgear
*turban
*diadem
*inscription
-the underclothes
*waist to thigh
*a striking contrast
-the High Priest adorned with holy majesty: magnificent clothes/magnificent ministry
II. Depend on the Right High Priest
-savoring the sense of the sacred
-“Power is God’s hand or arm, omniscience His eye, mercy His bowels, eternity His duration, but holiness is His beauty.” (Charnock)
-sobering yourself with the stress on the suitable
-refusing to minimize sin
-Zechariah’s vision in Zech. 3:1-5
-“I am convinced that the first step toward attaining a higher standard of holiness is to realize more fully the amazing sinfulness of sin.” (Ryle)
-relying on the accepted priest (Heb. 7:23-28; 12:14)
-reflect on John 19:23
III. So What?
-Because God is holy and you are not, your greatest need is to claim the “wardrobe” of holiness that only He can provide.
-“Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die; another’s life, another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” (Bonar)
-“When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found; dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.” (Mote)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 8, 2017
Guest Speaker: Dr. Barry McCarty
“The Ten Commandments” Exodus 20:1-17
Exodus 19:2-6
This is the core of God’s covenant with Israel.
The Ten Commandments are still the core of what morality is.
Jesus, instead of taking from them, actually added to them, raising the bar as it were.
Much of the immorality in America today is because our people don’t know the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 30:10
Three things that the ten Commandments provide:
1. a compass – it always points north.
It’s not a matter of letting everyone decide what is north to them.
2. a bridle – it retrains our evil desires.
We all need boundaries. The Marquis de Sade, for whom the practice of deriving pleasure from cruelty is named, was a philosopher who believed in extreme freedom, without restraint. 93% of Americans say that they decide what is right.
3. a thermometer – a thermometer to check our love of God.
Exodus 19:4-6 — God gave us the commandments because He loves us. We obey the commandments because we love Him. Loving God is not having a warm fuzzy feeling but loving God is keeping His commandments.
John 14:15 & 21
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 1, 2017
“Bread from Heaven” Exodus 16:1-36 Bible Study 10/01/17
After the Lord’s miraculous deliverance of His people (Exodus 14:1-15:21), the narrative of Exodus turns our attention to practical matters related to survival in the wilderness (Exodus 15:22-16:36). The people needed water and food. Despite their grumbling irreverence, the Lord graciously provided both. In every age, He shows Himself to be an all-sufficient provider for His people.
I. The Congregation’s Complaints Convey Its Condition
-from refreshment to reentry
-repeated refrain
-comprehensive involvement
-unrealistic perspective
-misplaced assault
II. The Lord’s Provision Conveys His Commitment
-promise of satisfaction
-prescription of dependence
-proclamation of motivation
III. The Lord’s Provision Culminates in Christ
-purposes of sustenance and sanctification
-preaching Christ from Exodus (Deut. 8:3, Matt. 4:1-4, John 6:28-51)
-from the Exodus to the Cross
IV. So What?
-Knowing that the Lord’s provision is rooted in His steadfast love, view your trials as opportunities to grow in dependence on Him.
-“It takes a heavenly appetite to enjoy a heavenly diet.” (Swindoll)
-Determine to feast continually at the table of grace.
-“Come then, O holy Christ, feed us, we pray; touch with Your pierced hand each common day, making this earthly life full of Your grace, till, in the home of heaven, we find our place.” (Hoyt)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 24, 2017
“Divine Intervention” Exodus 14:13-31 Bible Study 09/24/17
Following the last of ten plagues upon Egypt, the book of Exodus records the departure of God’s people from bondage in Egypt. With the Egyptian army behind them and the Red Sea in front of them, the Lord protects His people and provides for their miraculous deliverance. Israel would discover what all people can discover: the advocacy of the Almighty is both incomparable and essential.
I. Review/Setting
-Passover: sign of God’s grace and foreshadowing of Christ
-judgment on Pharaoh/Egypt (12:29-30)
-departure from Egypt (12:31-32)
-pillar of cloud/fire (13:21-22)
-hardening Pharaoh’s heart (14:5-9)
-trapped by the sea (14:10-12)
II. Moses instructs the people courageously (13-14)
-fear not
-stand and see
-the Lord will fight for you
III. The Lord instructs Moses specifically (15-18)
-Forward!
-lift and stretch
-harden…get glory
IV. The Lord protects His people strategically (19-20)
-relocation
-separation
V. The Lord intervenes supernaturally (21-22)
-divided water
-dry ground
VI. The Lord triumphs decisively (23-29)
-chaos and clogged wheels
-shaken into the sea
VII. Authorial Summary (30-31)
-God saved
-Israel saw
-people feared and believed
VIII. So What?
-Because God is inclined to deliver his people and is able to do so entirely at His discretion, revere Him and rely on Him.
-Reflect regularly on the Lord’s deliverance. (15:1-21)
-Recognize a greater deliverance. (Col. 1:9-14)
-“By waters still , o’er troubled sea, still ‘tis His hand that leadeth me.” (J. Gilmore)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 17, 2017
“The Lord’s Passover” Exodus 12:1-13 Bible Study 09/17/17
At the time of the final plague upon Egypt, the Lord established an observance which was to be a token of blessing and remembrance for His people. Passover highlights His absolute holiness and magnificent mercy.
I. Review
-call of Moses in Exodus 3-4
-nine plagues in Exodus 7-10
-one more plague in Exodus 11:1
-not leaving Egypt empty-handed
II. The Lord’s Passover Signals a Calendar Shift (1-2)
-dictated by worship
-device to remind
III. The Lord’s Passover Specifies a Careful Selection (3-6a)
-taken on the tenth day
-unblemished lamb (1 Peter 1:19)
-kept until the fourteenth day
IV. The Lord’s Passover Supplies a Consecrated Sacrifice (6b-10)
-execution of the lamb
-application of the blood
-implications from the meal
V. The Lord’s Passover Secures a Comprehensive Shelter (11-13)
-partake in a departing posture
-protection and partition
-look to the Lamb!
VI. So What?
-Because the Lord is a merciful deliverer of His people, remember, relish and relay His transforming provision.
-Make the connection to Christ. (John 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7, Rev. 5:11-14)
-“He alone is worthy, to worship and adore, the Lamb of God, victorious, my risen Lord. He purchased our redemption. Our righteousness is He. Exalt the name of Jesus. He is worthy.” (A. Slaughter)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 10, 2017
Guest Speaker: Dr. Steven James
Assistant Vice President of Academic Administration & Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology at Scarborough College, Fort Worth.
A member of the Son Burst Class.
“God Confronts Pharaoh” Exodus 7:1–13 09/10/2017
Last week we began to study the book of Exodus by looking at Exodus 3:1–6. After Moses had been in Midian for around 40 years, he came to Mount Horeb and the Lord appeared to him. On an otherwise ordinary day in Moses’ life, God uses the visual and audible in appearing to Moses in a burning bush. We see the holiness of God and the right response to His perfect holiness—preparation and awareness that God is separate and distinct from mortal men. Because God was present, the ground which formerly was ordinary became “holy ground” and “set apart” for God’s purposes. We also saw in the giving of His divine name (3:14–15) that God is both transcendent (holy other and timeless) and imminent (personal and present in space and time). All of this should motivate us to awe and worship of our great God.
I. The Reason for the Confrontation
• God’s Covenant with Abraham
• The Groaning of God’s People
• God’s Decisive Plan
II. The Confrontation before the Confrontation
• Moses’ Role in God’s Plan
• Moses’ Reluctance and God’s Grace
• Israel and Moses’ Unbelief and God’s Response
III. The Weapons of the Confrontation
• Divine Presence
• Divine Signs
IV. The Result of the Confrontation
• Pharaoh’s Hard-Heartedness
• The Lord’s Outstretched Hand Over Egypt (First 9 Plagues)
• The Lord’s Protection of His People
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 3, 2017
“Holy Etiquette” Exodus 3:1-6 Bible Study 09/03/17
This morning we will begin our study of the book of Exodus. Exodus 1:8 signals a significant transition in the status of the Hebrew people in Egypt. Peace and tranquility would end and persecution and turmoil would begin. In the midst of their harsh circumstances, the people cried out to God for relief. God heard those cries and raised up Moses to be his human instrument of deliverance. Our text this morning records the encounter Moses had with God after having spent almost 40 years on the backside of the desert. This encounter specifically points us to the holy character of God and the importance of “holy etiquette.”
I. God’s Gracious Initiative
-people then and now: sinners and not seekers
-meeting His people on His terms
-using the visual, the audible and the ordinary
II. God’s Timeless Existence
-supreme and specific
-YHWH-Yahweh-Jehovah-LORD (3:14-15)
-present in space and time
-the original and ultimate promise-keeper
III. God’s Absolute Holiness
-call and response
-symbolic significance of being barefoot in the desert
-holy engagement
-response of profound humility
IV. So What?
-Because God reveals Himself as infinitely holy, respond to Him with worshipful anticipation and awe.
-“Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.” (E. B. Browning)
-“At its core, ‘holy’ is almost an adjective corresponding to the noun “God.” (Carson)
-from a burning bush to a bloody cross…
