Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 16, 2017
“Empty Tomb Observations” Matthew 28:1-15 Bible Study 04/16/17
On this Easter Sunday we turn our attention to Matthew’s gospel and his account of the very first Easter Sunday. Each of the gospel writers shares his unique perspective on the first Easter. However, all of their accounts address and confirm the reality of the empty tomb, the announcement of the resurrection to women and the meeting of disciples with the risen Lord.
I. Supernatural Intervention (1-4)
-after Sabbath and near dawn on Sunday
-Mary Magdalene and the other Mary
-angelic intervention
-stunned guards
-use of “behold” (6 times in Matthew 28)
II. Comforting Affirmation (5-6a)
-do not be afraid
-…Jesus who was crucified
-…not here…risen, as he said
III. Instructive Imperatives (6b-10)
-come
-see
-go
-tell
IV. Deceptive Intention (11-15)
-report
-bribe
-spreading story
-complete concoction
V. So what?
-Because the risen Christ is Lord of all, treasure Him and acknowledge His absolute, unlimited authority in your life.
-Failure to treasure Him is an act of treason against the God who raised Him from the dead.
-“The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin’s womb and an empty tomb.” (P. Larson)
-“The only resurrection that counts for anything is a resurrection of the body.” (J. Boice)
-“Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall. Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is Lord of all.” (M. Bridges)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 9, 2017
“Responding to the Greatest Invitation” Matthew 22:1-14 Bible Study 04/09/17
This morning we will examine the third of three parables which Jesus directed to the religious establishment of the day during the closing days of His earthly ministry. The timeless nature of the Wedding Feast account reminds us of the Lord’s gracious invitation and the eternal consequences of our response to it.
I. Background
-last week of earthly ministry/Passover week
-sons/tenants/feast: verdict/sentence/execution
II. The King Hosts a Wedding Feast (1-2)
-Kingdom of Heaven connection
-in honor of His Son
III. The King Calls the Invited (3-7)
-would not come
-reject, rough up, rub out
-the King responds with judgment
IV. The King Invites Other Guests (8-13)
-as many as you find
-bad and good
-filled with guests
-the man without a garment (2 Kings 10:22; Isa. 61:10; Rom. 3:19; Psa. 51:17)
-judgment and warning
-understanding “…many are called, but few are chosen.” (Simeon: the “wheels of your watch”)
V. So What?
-Because Kingdom entrance hinges on Jesus, heed the command now to honor Him and hurry to clothe yourself in His provision.
-Honoring God means honoring His Son and appropriating His provision for you.
-“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.” (E. Mote)
-“Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness my beauty are, my glorious dress; Midst flaming worlds in these arrayed, with joy shall I lift up my head.” (N. von Zinzendorf)
-“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.” (W. Thompson)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 2, 2017
“Tenants, Son and Stone” Matthew 21:33-46 Bible Study 04/02/17
This morning we will examine a pivotal parable from the lips of Jesus during the closing days of His earthly ministry. It offers both strong admonition and strong assurance for those who take it seriously.
I. Background/Context
-after triumphal entry
-last week of the earthly ministry of Jesus
II. The Master’s Activity (33)
-plants
-protects
-provides
III. The Abuse of Servants (34-36)
-beaten
-killed
-stoned
IV. The Abuse of the Son (37-39)
-out of the vineyard: Hebrews 13:12
-killed
V. Application (40-46)
-God’s intention to exalt His Son means swift judgment for those who reject Him and great security for those who receive Him.
-understanding of the hearers
-connection to Isaiah 5:1-7: Israel as vineyard
-connection to Psalm 118:22-23: used at Passover
-perception of religious leaders
-Cultivate holy fear. There is a heaven to be gained and a hell to be shunned.
-“Be Thou My Vision…” (Byrne)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 26, 2017
“I Am Your King!” Matthew 21:1-11 Bible Study 03/26/17
This morning we turn our attention to the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Far from being a spontaneous decision on his part, Jesus on this occasion intentionally signifies by His actions that He is the one true and lasting King.
I. Background/Context
-beginning of Passover week
-Matthew’s focus on the last 8 days
-Matthew’s theme: Jesus as King
II. Arrangement of Jesus (1-7)
-near Jerusalem: Bethphage and Mount of Olives
-disciples dispatched for donkey retrieval
-declaration of kingship: riding on a donkey
-significance of Zechariah 9:9
-riding on a cloaked colt
III. Action of the Crowd (8-9)
-spread cloaks and branches
-shouted Scripture: Psalm 118:25-26
-crowd composition and expectations
IV. Agitation in the City (10-11)
-Who is this?
-Jesus the prophet…is the messianic Son of David-the King of Israel
V. So What?
-Because Jesus is who Scripture says He is, worship Him now as Savior, Treasure and King.
-Grasp the contrast between His first coming and His second coming (Matt. 21/Rev. 19).
-There is still time to switch sides!
-“You must make your choice. 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 for a demon; or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” (Lewis)
-Sing and reflect on “Lead on, O King Eternal” and “Rejoice, the Lord is King” this week!
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 19, 2017
“A Case of Kingdom Economics” Matthew 19:16-30 Bible Study 03/19/17
This morning we will turn our attention to the dialogue between Jesus and a rich young ruler. This dialogue and the subsequent discussion of Jesus with His disciples show us the stunning contrast between the world’s economy and the Kingdom’s economy.
I. Background/Context
-Judea beyond the Jordan (19:1)
-moving closer to Jerusalem and the cross
-tested by Pharisees (19:3-9)
-children brought to Him (19:13-15)
II. Dialogue with a Rich Young Ruler (16-22)
-rich, young, ruler (Luke 18:18)
-question about salvation: eternal life
-corrective question of Jesus: focus on divine goodness
-clarifying answer of Jesus: keep commandments
-question about “lack”
-challenging answer of Jesus: wholeness-sell, give, follow
-a “grieving” departure
III. Directive to the Disciples (23-30)
-difficulty for the rich
-impossibility illustrated: getting a camel through a needle’s eye
-astonishment of disciples
-a gaze and a “truth bomb”
-Peter pipes up
-promise of uncountable blessings
-19:30 and 20:16: surprise, surprise, surprise!
IV. So what?
-Since the Lord initiates and empowers Kingdom entrance, commit to His gospel exclusively and communicate it expectantly.
-Make sure your concept of “good” is God-informed.
-Our ultimate problem is not a money problem but a heart problem.
-Grasp the contrast between the world’s perspective and God’s perspective.
-Pray for an “impossible” person this week.
-Remember that the Lord rewards faithfulness with uncountable blessings.
-“I’d Rather Have Jesus…” (Rhea Miller, 1922)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 12, 2017
“Look and Listen!” Matthew 17:1-13 Bible Study 03/12/17
Our text this morning focuses on the transfiguration event in the earthly ministry of Jesus. Prior to the events recorded in Matthew 17, Jesus has heard Peter’s confession and has confirmed his impending death. Now, accompanied by Peter, James and John, Jesus goes up to a high mountain to pray. While on the mountain, Jesus is transfigured. This is the only occasion in His earthly ministry when there is a recorded revelation of the glory of His person. This “glimpse of glory” has powerful implications for modern disciples.
I. Background/context (1)
-six days after confession of 16:13-20
-Peter, James and John
-centrality of prayer (Luke 9:28-29)
II. Transformation (2)
-metamorphosed 2 Cor. 3:18; Rom. 12:2; Ex. 34:29-30
-glimpse of glory
III. Affirmation (3)
-Moses: Law
-Elijah: Prophets
-Matthew 5: 17
-conversation: departure/exodus (Luke 9:31)
IV. Verification (4-8)
-Peter’s attempt
-cloud: presence/glory
-voice: Psa. 2:7; Isa. 42:1; Deut. 18:15
-Jesus only
V. Clarification (9-13)
-command of Jesus
-question of the disciples
-role of Elijah
-certainty of suffering
VI. So What?
-Because the Father validates Jesus as His unique Son and our unique Savior, look to Him alone for salvation and sustenance.
-“It is better to hear the Son of God than to see saints or to build tabernacles.” (Spurgeon)
-Affirm, appreciate and celebrate the unrivaled credentials of Jesus!
-Acknowledge the biblical order: the cross before the crown.
-Make the connection: 2 Peter 1:16-21
-The duty and delight of biblical digestion: Psalm 119:9-16
-Look and listen! 2 Cor. 3:18
