Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 28, 2023

Operation Restoration

John 21:15-25

1. Background

• after Jesus appears to disciples and John’s statement of purpose (20:19-31)
• Peter goes fishing (21:3), Jesus appears at the Sea of Galilee and hosts a breakfast (21:4-14)

2. Jesus Interviews Peter 15-17

• from “Rocky” to “Shaky”
• structure: triple questioning, triple affirmation, triple commission (Matt. 26:33)
• appeal to the omniscience of Jesus
• obedience as the fruit of loving Jesus

3. A Future Prospect and Present Command for Peter 18-19

• uninhibited movement to inhibited movement: martyrdom/cross
• follow Me through service, suffering and death

4. Perspective Regarding the Role of John 20-23

• too much concern for God’s secret counsel and too little concern for conformity to His revealed will
• banishing a rumor and the significance of precision with words

5. A Fitting Conclusion 24-25

• stress on truth and selective history

6. So What?

• Because He is the God of all grace who knows your every weakness, you can be restored to fellowship with Him.
• Subordinate your curiosity about the future of others to an obedience to the command, “Follow Me!”
• “Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made…” (Lehman, “The Love of God”)
• “Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be…” (Thrupp, “Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 21, 2023

Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester

Living by Faith

Psalms 71

Context

Prayer of Concern (v.1-13)

• God his refuge
• Cries for help
• Preaches to himself
• Emotions in a nosedive

Living by faith means trusting God with everything we cannot understand or control.

Prayer of Commitment (v.14-24)

• Vertical commitment
• Horizontal commitment
• Trust God
• Praise God

Living by faith means trusting our future to the One who controls every tomorrow.
Lamentations 3:22-25

So what?

Because God is faithful, we can trust Him through every season of life.

“As we grow old, let’s not talk about our aches and pains, let’s rejoice in the Lord and sing His praises.” J. Vernon McGee

When life is in a nosedive, remind yourself you’re simply diving into the bottomless ocean of God’s faithfulness.

“Morning by morning, I wake up to find,
The power and comfort of God’s hand in mine.
Season by season I watch Him, amazed,
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways.
All I have need of His hand will provide.
He’s always been faithful to me.”
(“He’s Always Been Faithful” by Sara Groves)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 14, 2023

It Is Finished!

John 19:17-30

1. Background

• following Pilate’s interrogation and pronouncement of innocence
• Jesus: delivered over to the will of those who sought His death

2. Crucifixion of Jesus 17-22

• bearing His own cross to Golgotha and being crucified between two others (Isa. 53:12)
• Pilate’s prophetic inscription and the objection of the chief priests

3. Division of the Clothing of Jesus 23-24

• soldiers divide His garments
• casting lots for the tunic and fulfillment of Scripture (Psa. 22:18)

4. Provision of Jesus for His Mother 25-27

• contrast: four soldiers and four women
• the disciple whom Jesus loved
• entrusted to John

5. Completion of His Mission 28-30

• sovereign awareness of Jesus and significance of His statement of thirst (Psa. 69:21)
• sponge of wine on a hyssop branch (Ex. 12:22, Psa. 51:7)
• mission accomplished and emphasis on the voluntary nature of His death

6. So What?

• Because of His completed work at the cross, rely on Jesus as the completely sufficient One.
• three words for reflection: Sacrifice, Substitute, Savior (Begg)
• “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling; naked come to Thee for dress; helpless, look to Thee for grace; foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Savior, or I die.” (Toplady, “Rock of Ages”)
• “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…” (Hall, “Jesus Paid It All”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 7, 2023

I Find No Guilt in Him

John 18:28-40

1. Background

• after facing Annas and Caiaphas
• part of the Roman trial narrative (18:28-19:16): intention to emphasize the innocence of Jesus

2. Public Hearing 28-32

• to Pilate’s headquarters early in the morning and the irony of concern about defilement
• Pilate’s outside inquiry and the response of the enemies of Jesus
• Pilate’s emphatic referral and the fulfillment of crucifixion prophecy (12:32-33, Deut. 21:22-23)

3. Private Conversation 33-38a

• this man a king?
• Pilate on the witness stand
• Pilate’s two questions
• Jesus articulates the nature of His kingdom
• truth and pre-postmodernism

4. Proclamation of Innocence 38b-40

• nothing at all amiss (19:4, 6)
• proposal to release
• preference for Barabbas

5. So What?

• Because abandonment of the “true truth” of the innocent Jesus invites disaster, determine to live in the light of God’s evidence.
• Reject relativism and embrace “true truth.” (Schaeffer)
• “Christianity can be expressed in the three phrases: I deserved hell; Jesus took my hell; there is nothing left for me but His heaven.” (Barnhouse)
• “He was lifted up to die; ‘It is finished’ was His cry; now in heaven exalted high: Hallelujah, what a Savior!” (P. Bliss, “Man of Sorrows, What a Name”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 30, 2023

Shall I Not Drink the Cup?

John 18:1-12

1. Background 1-3

• after High Priestly Prayer of John 17
• to the Garden of Gethsemane
• arrival of Judas with military and religious leaders

2. Confrontation with Majesty 4-7

• foreknowledge and initiative of Jesus
• humble humanity and exalted divinity
• significance of the recoil of captors

3. Depiction of Mission 8-9

• the command of Jesus
• the fulfillment of Scripture (17:12)
• functioning as the Good Shepherd

4. Determination to Drink 10-12

• futility and intervention
• confidence in the Father’s perfect control
• cup: metaphor for death (Psa. 75:8, Isa. 51:17, Isa. 53:10-12)

5. So What?

• Because Jesus drank the cup for you, rest assured.
• “It was not their power but His own pity which drew Him to the judgment hall and the cross.” (Maclaren)
• “If this is the effect Jesus has on His enemies when He came to submit to judgment, what effect will He have on His enemies when He comes to execute judgment?” (Augustine)
• “O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame a second Adam to the fight and to the rescue came.” (Newman, “Praise to the Holiest in the Height”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 23, 2023

For Those Who Will Believe

John 17:20-26

1. Background

• High Priestly Prayer in the shadow of the cross
• glorification (1-5), sanctification (6-19), unification (20-26)

2. Jesus Prays for an Earthly Unity 20-23

• focus of intercession that flows out of a stated conviction (16:33)
• petition: “that they may all be one”
• pattern: reflective of Father and Son
• purpose: message and maturation

3. Jesus Prays for a Heavenly Reunion 24

• petition “that they may be where I am”
• purpose: to see My glory (1 John 3:1-3)

4. Jesus Confirms His Ongoing Activity 25-26

• contrast: ignorance and complete knowledge
• ongoing activity: power of the cross and promise of the Holy Spirit

5. So What?

• Knowing that Jesus prayed for you, prize the principle of unity and the prospect of reunion with Him.
• “From God’s point of view, truth is not only more important than unity but it is in fact the basis for unity.” (Stowell)
• “Divisions in the church breed atheism in the world.” (Manton)
• “If we could see one another right now filled with the glory that we will one day have when we are in heaven, we would be sorely tempted to fall down on our knees and worship one another.” (Lewis)
• “Savior, if of Zion’s city, I through grace a member am, Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name.” (Newton)
• “When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see, ‘Twill be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me.” (Gabriel)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 16, 2023

Better for You

John 16:5-15

1. Background

• warning of persecution: keep from being “scandalized”
• putting on the “spectacles of Scripture”

2. An Imminent Going and Coming 5-7

• selfishness and sorrow of disciples
• assertion: it is expedient (John 11:50)
• explanation: “The coming for which Christ’s going was needful makes that going a gain.” (Maclaren)
• a lesson in contrasts: Mark 14:50 and Acts 4:31; 5:41

3. The Spirit’s Work in the World 8-11

• His role as Prosecutor bringing about conviction (Acts 2:37)
• concerning sin…unbelief
• concerning righteousness…demonstrated by Christ’s death, resurrection and exaltation (Phil. 3:9)
• concerning judgment…overthrow of Satan

4. The Spirit’s Work in Believers 12-15

• limited perception of disciples
• guidance in the whole sphere of truth
• what is needed as it is needed
• Christ-centered: from accomplishment to application

5. So What?

• Because the Holy Spirit applies the accomplishment of Christ in your life, depend on Him and delight in His work.
• “He is nearer to us when He leaves us, and works with us and in us more mightily from the throne than He did upon the earth.” (Maclaren)
• “We praise Thee, O God for Thy Spirit of Light, Who hath shown us our Savior and scattered our night. Hallelujah! Thine the glory. Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Thine the Glory. Revive us again.” (Mackay)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 9, 2023

Whom Are You Seeking?

John 20:1-18

1. A Report from Mary 1-2

• early on Sunday morning
• her assumption and its indication

2. A Race between Peter and John 3-10

• John outruns Peter
• their empty tomb observations: linen cloths/face cloth
• resurrection inevitability: must rise (Acts 17:30-31)
• bodily and not just spiritually (Rom. 6:9, John 20:26)

3. A Revelation to Mary 11-18

• wailing at the tomb
• dialogue with angels
• encounter with Jesus
• announcement about Jesus

4. So What?

• Because Scripture certifies the resurrection, rejoice in the reality of resurrection life now and forever.
• “The incarnation means He became like us. The resurrection means we will become like Him.” (DeWitt) (Phil. 3:21, 1 Cor. 15:23)
• “You are not suffering from anything that a good resurrection can’t fix.” (Carson)
• “Jesus, I hang upon Thy word; I steadfastly believe Thou wilt return and claim me, Lord, and to Thyself receive. When God is mine and I am His, of paradise possessed, I taste unutterable bliss and everlasting rest.” (“I Know that My Redeemer Lives” by Charles Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 2, 2023

I Am the True Vine

John 15:1-6

1. Background

• impending departure of Jesus
• preparation for things to come (John 14:25-31)

2. Jesus Presents a Picture of Himself and of His Father 1

• Jesus: true vine (Psa. 80:8-16, Isa. 5:1-7)
• Father: vinedresser, activity of cultivation

3. Jesus Describes His Father’s Activity as Vinedresser 2

• fruit-bearing/productivity principle
• fruitless branches cut off
• fruitful branches cleansed
• distinction between profession and possession

4. Jesus Declares the Current Status of His Disciples 3

• already you are clean
• connection to the word Jesus had spoken to them
• never cut off

5. Jesus Issues a Command and Applies It 4-5

• abide in Me
• necessary prerequisite for fruitfulness
• apart from Me not one thing

6. Jesus Concludes with a Sobering Warning 6

• tragedy of the absence of a vital connection
• immediacy and certainty

7. So What?

• Because fruit-bearing glorifies the Father, stay in a steady state of reliance on Jesus, the True Vine.
• Connect fruitfulness to the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)
• “For maximum fruitfulness extreme pruning is essential.” (Morris)
• Aim relentlessly to remain constantly in Jesus.
• “If I Come to Jesus” (Crosby)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 26, 2023

Blessed Reassurance

John 14:1-7

1. Commands for a Troubled Heart 1

• context: continuation from John 13
• stop being troubled in heart
• keep on trusting the Father and the Son

2. Confirmation of Future Permanence 2-4

• my Father’s house: reference to heaven
• many dwelling places: plenty of room and permanent address
• not the slightest doubt: go to prepare…come again…
• in the presence of Jesus
• assertion regarding the knowledge of the disciples

3. Conversation with Thomas 5-7

• question from a perplexed heart
• a massive triple- expression: the way, the truth, the life…
• Jesus as Revealer and Redeemer
• explicit and exclusive statement
• from a lesser to a greater knowledge

4. So What?

• Because Jesus alone can bring you to God and prepare a place in heaven for you, trust Him in the midst of your trouble.
• Relish the utter reliability of Jesus. He gets all of His sheep safely home.
• “Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.” (C. S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain)
• “But we never can prove the delights of His love, until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows, and the joy He bestows, are for them who will trust and obey.” (J. Sammis, “Trust and Obey”)