Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 26, 2017
“Not a Chance: Pondering the Providence of God in Ruth 2” Ruth 2 Bible Study 02/26/17
I. Introduction
-the concept of “providence”
-pawns, puppets or participants?
-role of human agency
-context for Ruth 2: death of Elimilech, Mahlon and Chilion, Naomi left with Ruth and Orpah,
Naomi and Ruth arrive in Bethlehem at beginning of barley harvest (1:22)
II. Outline of Ruth 2
1. Insider Information (1-3)
-“split screen”
-Boaz identified: “gibbor hayil”
-Ruth’s initiative
-she “happened…”
2. Pre-Meeting Coordination (4-7)
-arrival of Boaz
-Boaz and foreman
-Boaz’s greeting
-inquiry about Ruth
3. Meeting (8-13)
-Boaz and Ruth
-permission, protection and provision: “hesed”
-reward and refuge
4. Eating (14-16)
-significance of meal
-unheard of favor
-long way from Moab
5. Report to Naomi (17-23)
-quantity of grain
-conversation with Naomi
-Boaz as “go’el”
-no resolution-yet!
III. Make the Application/So what?
-When you take refuge in the Lord, you can expect His providential care.
1. Rely on the Lord’s presence when His purposes remain hidden.
2. Remember that the Lord is never the victim of circumstances.
3. Deal with others as the Lord has dealt with you.
4. Praise the Lord for the way He writes His signature on the page of your life.
5. Make the connection to Christ: a greater “go’el” than Boaz!
IV. Quotes/Observations
-“Redundancy, at least in biblical narratives, is often repetition for the sake of emphasis. This is
certainly true of Ruth 2:1.” (S. Ferguson)
-Purpose of OT stories: “…to lure us into real-life dramas where we run smack into God’s
agenda and assessment of our lives.” (S. Mathewson)
-“Providence in its wisdom plays pranks with all our man-made rules.” (Sidney Berry)
-“The providence of God is like Hebrew words-it can be read only backwards.” (J. Flavel)
-“His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But
sweet will be the flower.” (W. Cowper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 19, 2017
Guest Speaker: Dr. Barry McCarty
Professor at SWBTS
“Introduction to Ruth” – Ruth 1
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 12, 2017
“Seeing Yourself in Samson” Judges 16:1-31 Bible Study 02/12/17
This morning we will turn our attention to Judges 16 and the compelling, yet tragic, story of Samson. One might question why Israel needed to hear this sordid story or why we need to hear it today. An appropriate answer would be that we are to view Samson as a mirror in which ancient Israel was to see itself and, by extension, in which we are to see ourselves. Samson’s story is a precautionary narrative: Those who attempt to please everyone, including themselves, more than God invite ultimate heartache and disaster to come calling. Put another way, those who fail to glory in the King’s majesty will only find themselves grinding in the equivalent of a Philistine mill!
I. The Beginning of the End (1-3)
-contrast between the former Samson (chapters 14-15) and the latter Samson (chapter 16)
-a seeking Samson sustained and a self-sufficient Samson abandoned
-significance of Judges 15:20
-Gaza: a female, a failed ambush and a fractured city
II. Playing Games with Delilah (4-14)
-bribery of the Philistines
-Delilah’s question
-Samson’s deception: fresh bowstrings, new ropes and fastened hair
III. Samson Cracks (15-21)
-intensified pressure from Delilah
-the razor’s edge
-Samson’s tragic ignorance
-grinding in prison at Gaza
IV. God’s Honor Vindicated (22-31)
-hint of hope
-Philistine dullness
-entertainment by Samson
-Samson’s request
-God’s answer
-true God vindicated/false god exposed
V. So What?
-Because the Lord is gracious and merciful, He continues to hear and answer His erring servants.
-Praise God for His faithfulness in the midst of your failure.
-Prize the presence of God above all things.
-Are you God-dependent or self-sufficient?
-If you ask, “Why Samson?” you must also ask, “Why me?”
-“…the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own…” (G. Duffield)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 5, 2017
“Meeting God in the Text” Judges 6 Bible Study 02/05/17
This morning we will cover Judges 6 in its entirety. It is a highly significant chapter in Judges because it reveals how gracious the Lord is in preparing His people for deliverance. While 1:1-3:6 highlights the failure of a second generation to obey the Lord, 3:7-16:31 places the spotlight on the long-suffering of the Lord in extending salvation to an undeserving people. Additionally, although Judges 6 records the call of Gideon, He is not the main character. Rather, the main character is the long-suffering, promise-keeping Lord. Let’s meet Him in the text!
I. The cycle continues (1-6)
-rebellion of Israel
-oppression by Midian
-cry for help
II. A prophet’s explanation (7-10)
-rehearsal of grace
-repetition of demand
-interpretation of circumstances
III. The promise of the Lord’s presence (11-24)
-unexpected omission
-Gideon: “hacker”
-addressed by an angel
-Gideon’s protest
-the promise repeated
-a request answered by fire
-Gideon’s awe and the Lord’s peace
IV. A demand for idol-removal (25-32)
-“back yard” Baal
-compliance in the night
-perverted indignation
-Joash’s defense and challenge
V. A case of condescending assurance (33-40)
-clothing of Gideon
-assembling for conflict
-Gideon and the fleece
-looking ahead: Midian defeated (Judges 7)
VI. So what?
-In light of the Lord’s long-suffering toward you, obey His voice and rely on His adequacy.
-Stand in awe of the strange strategy of the Lord. He doesn’t act on the basis of our focus groups or expectations.
-What Baals need banishment from your back yard?
-Cease blaming the Lord for the self-inflicted consequences of disobedience.
-“Forfeited mercies are followed by more mercies. Whatever foolishness of the past we blush at, yet we are encouraged that God’s kindness continues, for His mercies are new every morning.” (S. Charnock)
-Treasure the greatness of grace and the privilege of intimacy with the Infinite!
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 29, 2017
Guest Speaker: Daniel Weaver
“The consequences of unfaithfulness to a faithful God” Judges 2:1-5 Bible Study 01/29/17
Judges 2 records an assembly called by God to address Israel’s disobedience. They had been commanded by the Lord to drive out the wicked peoples of the land and to destroy the pagan worship sites and idols. Part of God’s covenant was to give them this land where they would worship Him alone, and they would be His people. This ancient story has significant implications for believers today. God’s past and present faithfulness provides powerful fuel for an obedient future. However, His faithfulness does not mean believers are immune to dreadful consequences for disobedience.
I. The Setting (1)
-Bochim
-Means “Weepers”
-Significance of the angel of the Lord coming from Gilgal
II. The History Review (Ch 1:1-36)
-The book of Judges is a sad book that serves as both a warning and reminder to God’s people
-God gave them this land to serve only Him
-they were to clear out the land of all wicked, idol-worshiping practices
-they did not fully clear them out and they made covenants with the peoples
III. God’s restatement of His actions and faithfulness (1-2)
-I brought you up …
-I will NEVER break my covenant with you
IV. God’s restatement of their actions and unfaithfulness (2)
-you shall make no covenant … you shall break down their altars …
-you have not obeyed My voice. What is this you have done?
V. The Results (3-5)
-they shall become thorns in your sides
-their gods shall be a snare to you
VI. So What?
-Although God remains faithful to His people, disobedience by God’s people will still bring dreadful consequences
-remember God’s faithfulness toward you (Christ’s blood, His intercession, His sealing of you by the Holy Spirit, His empathy toward your weakness)
-remember the consequences of disobedience (many instances in Scripture, including the NT; you may have examples in your life of shameful results of your sin)
-1 John 2:1 “I am writing to you so that you may not sin … if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father”
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 22, 2017
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jim Sibley
“The Regathering of Israel” – Ezekiel 37
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 15, 2017
“Blind Man’s Cry” Mark 10:46-52 Bible Study 01/15/17
This morning we turn our attention to the final healing miracle recorded in Mark’s gospel. It is also the only healing miracle in Mark which includes the proper name of the one healed. As Jesus makes his way to Jerusalem and His divinely-appointed cross, we see His care for the individual and, specifically, the marginalized individual.
I. Look at the Setting
-final healing miracle recorded in Mark
-more than one blind man in this story (review Mark 8-10)
-from Jericho to Jerusalem (Mark 10:45)
II. Observe the Blind Beggar
-Bartimaeus: “Son of Honor”
-sitting by the roadside
-heard that it was Jesus
III. Hear the Blind Beggar’s Cry and the Crowd’s Response
-Son of David
-mercy
-the crowd’s rebuke
-the cry continues
IV. Notice that Jesus Stops and Speaks
-call him
-throwing off his cloak
-the question and response
-your faith has saved you
-immediately…recovered…followed him on the way
V. So What?
-The blind see when they come to Jesus and cry for mercy.
-In what ways do I presently promote or hinder gospel advancement?
-“Jesus will never be a reality to you until He becomes a necessity for you.” (A. Begg)
-“…Mercy there was great, and grace was free; Pardon there was multiplied to me….” (D. Towner)
-“Pass me not, O Gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry; While on others Thou art calling, Do not pass me by.” (F. Crosby)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 8, 2017
“A Shake-Up at Shechem” Joshua 24:1-28 Bible Study 01/08/17
Joshua 24 records the third and final assembly of God’s people in Joshua 22-24. This assembly occurred at Shechem, the place where God made the promise of a land to Abraham some 600 years earlier (Gen. 12:6-7). Joshua used this meaningful location as the backdrop for a covenant renewal of God’s people, who now possessed the land promised to their “father” Abraham. This ancient story has significant implications for believers today. God’s past and present faithfulness provides powerful fuel for an obedient future.
I. The Setting (1)
-Shechem
-repetition of “summoned”
-“…before God
II. The History Review (2-13)
-review of covenant history with emphasis on God’s activity (“I” 18 times)
-amazing grace: they “served other gods”
-unhurried pace: “made his offspring many”
-power, protection and provision
III. The Call for Commitment (14-24)
-logical: “Now therefore…” (Rom. 12:1-2)
-exclusive: “serve” (18 times in Josh. 24)
-Yahweh or two sets of pagan gods
-cautious: “You are not able…”
IV. The Covenant Renewed (25-28)
-implied sacrifice: covenant=”to cut”
-written record
-a stone witness
V. So What?
-Because the Lord relates to you graciously and faithfully, serve Him gladly and exclusively.
-“Here I raise my Ebenezer, Hither by Thy help I come…Let Thy goodness, Like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee…” (R. Robinson)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 1, 2017
“High Fidelity” Joshua 22:1-8 Bible Study 01/01/17
On this first Sunday of a new year, we turn our attention to the closing portion of the book of Joshua. Here, we see reminders of the Lord’s faithfulness to His people as well as a challenge for His people to respond in faithful obedience to Him.
I. Overview of Joshua
-entering the land (1-4)
-taking the land (5-12)
-possessing the land (13-21)
-retaining the land (22-24)
II. An emphatic reminder of the Lord’s fidelity (21:43-45)
III. An emphatic call for the faithfulness of the Lord’s people (22:1-8)
-focus of chapters 22-24: “summoned”
-context for 22:1-8: 1:12-18
-commendation for obedience (22:1-4)
-exhortation for ongoing fidelity (22:5-6)
-instruction regarding generosity (22:6-8)
IV. So what?
-Because the Lord’s faithfulness to His own is unwavering, respond to Him with complete submission.
-Regularly rehearse the faithfulness of the Lord with yourself and with others.
-“God must be chiefly eyed in our praises, yet instruments must not be altogether overlooked.” (M. Henry)
-Ponder your passion for faithfulness to the Lord.
-“A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify, A never-dying soul to save, And fit it for the sky. To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill: Oh, may it all my powers engage, To do my Master’s will. (C. Wesley)
