Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 6, 2022

Homecoming

Hosea 14:1-9

1. Prospect of Return 1-3

• Israel: turning the wrong way habitually
• request for forgiveness (6:6; Psa. 51:15-17)
• renunciation of false security
• recognition of the Lord’s faithfulness

2. Possibility of Restoration 4-8

• reminder of incurable waywardness
• portraits of reconciliation: freshness, stability and vigor
• appeal based on the Lord’s incomparable character
• constancy and fruitfulness (Gen. 41:52)

3. Principle of Continuation 9

• contrast between the upright and transgressors
• application for every reader
• connection to Christ: Luke 15, 1 John 1:9, 2:1-2

4. So What?

• Because the Lord is constant and compassionate, sinners like us can come home again.
• “…I need to repent of my repentance…” (Valley of Vision)
• Learn to “say farewell to futile hopes and false beliefs.” (D. Kidner)
• Hymns with a “Hosea” theme: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Chisholm) and “Softly and Tenderly” (Thompson)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 30, 2022

The Time Is Now

Hosea 10:1-15

1. Introduction

• case study of prosperity’s potential for catastrophe
• irony: abundant crops and total collapse

2. Fruitful but Fruitless Nation 1-2

• vine imagery (John 15:1-11)
• increased fruit/increased altars and improved country/improved pillars
• corrupt hearts and a determination to dismantle

3. Arrogant and Apathetic Disenchantment 3-6

• pictured in the political and religious systems of Israel
• shrugging off a prior demand
• reaping a culture of mistrust and betrayal
• trembling for a calf (1 Kings 13:26-33)
• the shaming of Israel’s glory

4. Definite and Devastating Reckoning 7-10

• dissolution, destruction and desolation
• talking to mountains and hills (Lk. 23:30, Rev. 6:15-17)
• application of the Gibeah episode (Judges 19-20)
• certainty of specific discipline

5. Changed Scenery and Contrasting Harvests 11-15

• from submissive servant to yoked slave
• gracious invitation and glimmer of hope
• affirmation of the law of the harvest (Gal. 6:7-9)
• connection to Christ: Matt. 11:28-30, 2 Cor. 5:21

6. So What?

• Because the Lord’s judgments are sure, now is the time to tremble before Him and trust His righteousness.
• “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” (E. Hewitt)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 23, 2022

Let Us Press on to Know the Lord

Hosea 5:15-7:2

1. Desired Reunion 5:15-6:6

• a purposeful withdrawal (5:6)
• a model response
• a current assessment
• repetition of “return”
• the need for a “radical” cure (Ezek. 37:1-4, Eph. 2:1)

2. Devastating Rejection 6:7-7:2

• contrast: a broken marriage and a tenacious love
• a guidebook of the “geography of sin”
• treating the Lord as if He were irrelevant
• hope for a brighter day (Hos. 14)
• connection to the NT and to Christ: 1 Cor. 15:4, John 17:3, Phil. 3:10-16

3. So What?

• Because He is completely and continually loyal to you, cultivate a lifestyle of loyalty to the Lord.
• Recognize that the Lord’s power is the only remedy for man’s plight.
• Reflect on the intersection between your perseverance and the Lord’s provision.
• “Draw me nearer, nearer…” (“I Am Thine, O Lord,” F. Crosby)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 16, 2022

Even As the Lord Loves

Hosea 1:1-9;3:1-5

1. Background for Hosea

• 8th century: contemporary with Jonah, Amos, Micah and Isaiah
• external prosperity, internal decay, impending judgment
• Hosea: “salvation”

2. Gut-Wrenching Beginning 1:2-9

• shocking order and obedience
• three children: Jezreel, No Mercy and Not My People
• Gomer leaves for other lovers

3. Gomer Bought Back 3:1-5

• The LORD initiates
• costly love
• not for sharing
• a way back home
• connection to Christ: 1:10-2:1, 2:23, Rom. 5:8, 11:33-36, 1 John 5:21

4. So What?

• Knowing that He loves the loveless, tremble your way to the LORD and His goodness.
• Agree with the LORD’S assessment of your wandering nature (R. Robinson, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”).
• Marvel at the LORD’S restorative initiative.
• “If Hosea’s story can’t be real (because God could not ask a man to marry an unfaithful woman), then neither is the story of salvation real-because that is precisely what Christ has done for us.” (J. Boice)
• a word from Miss Ora (“Hast Thou Not Heard Him, Seen Him, Known Him?”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 9, 2022

A Case of Forgotten Grace

Jonah 3:10-4:4

Jonah’s restoration was still not complete. Rather than rejoicing in the repentance of Nineveh and the LORD’S sparing of the city, he expresses resentment and becomes the “pouting prophet.” He still had much to learn about grace: the unmerited and unearned favor of God. How are you responding to it?

1. Overview

• preceded by 3:1-9: Jonah preaches in Nineveh and the people repent
• followed by 4:5-11: ordained plant, worm, wind; pity on the city; lack of resolution

2. Jonah’s displeasure with the demonstration of grace

• He should have been thrilled!
• Like Cain, Jonah burned with anger.
• Why? Because the Lord showed grace to Nineveh

3. Jonah’s disgust with the distribution of grace

• “Was this not my word…?”
• an attempt at self-justification
• a self-appointed theological advisor
• summary of attributes: gracious, compassionate, merciful

4. Jonah’s denial of the extension of grace

• an incomplete echo (I Kings 19:4)
• desire for divine euthanasia: Jonah would rather expire than extend
• The LORD: still gracious to Jonah

5. So What?

• Because every blessing you taste flows from grace, determine to treasure it in every circumstance.
• “And Jonah stalked to his shaded seat and waited for God to come around to his way of thinking. And God is still waiting for a host of Jonahs in their comfortable houses to come around to His way of loving.” (T. Carlisle)
• “May the grace of God be precious to you, the basis for your praise of God, not your protest, as it was with Jonah.” (B. Deffinbaugh)
• delight, praise and participate!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 2, 2022

A Severe Mercy

Jonah 1:17-2:10

This morning we begin a two-week study of Jonah, the prodigal prophet of the Old Testament. In his experience of being swallowed by a great fish, he becomes a stellar example of the Lord’s merciful dealings with His children. Also, we will observe that prayer takes on a new level of intensity when it is offered from inside the belly of a fish!

1. Observe (again) the arresting providence of the LORD

• an appointed fish
• vehicle for deliverance
• sign of supremacy

2. Discern the deeper work

• not the belly of a fish but the heart of a prophet
• departure from God’s presence and word
• summary: “I called…You heard…”

3. Trace the path from rebellion to restoration

• flee to God’s presence
• pray God’s word: Jonah uses the Psalms.
• praise God’s character: Jonah does it from the gut of a fish.
• connection to Christ

4. So what?

• The Lord demonstrates His mercy to His servants so that they may magnify it personally and extend it indiscriminately.
• The One who extends mercy is the One to whom salvation belongs!
• “Thy mercy, in Jesus, exempts me from hell; Its glories I’ll sing, and its wonders I’ll tell; ‘Twas Jesus, my Friend, when He hung on the tree, who opened the channel of mercy for me.” (J. Stocker)
• Go “under the Mercy”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 25, 2022

In That Day

Amos 9:11-15

1. Extension 11-12

• promise concerning the throne of Israel (2 Sam. 7:12-13)
• booth of David (Mark 9:27)
• promise concerning the purpose of Israel (Ex. 19:4-6, 1 Pet. 2:5)
• the redeemed reflecting their Redeemer
• Edom: from opposition to incorporation
• called by my name (Deut. 28:9-10, Acts 15:16-18, Eph. 3:6)

2. Abundance 13-14

• promise concerning the blessing of Israel
• prophecies of Moses and Amos (Deut. 29-30)
• fertility and satisfaction (contrast with 5:11)

3. Endurance 15

• promise concerning the inheritance of Israel (Gen. 17:8)
• planted in the land of promise
• land: place of life with a specific lifestyle
• my people…your God
• connection to Christ: (Amos 5:11, Psa. 2, Psa. 110:1, Rev. 5:9-10. Rev. 11:15, Rev. 21:1-3, Eph. 2:14)

4. So What?

• Because the LORD keeps promises of both judgment and blessing, anticipate the comprehensive restoration of His people.
• “God would punish the sins of His people in such a way as to remember still His own promises.” (Calvin)
• “He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.” (“Joy to the World,” Watts)
• For all the promises of God find their yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory. (2 Cor. 1:20)
• “Princes and paupers, Sons and daughters, Kneel at the throne of grace. Losers and winners, Saints and sinners, One day will see His face. And we all bow down, Kings will surrender their crowns and worship Jesus…” (“We All Bow Down,” L. Leblanc)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 18, 2022

Seek the Lord and Live!

Amos 5:1-17

1. Introduction

• distinct poetic structure
• principle: fear of the LORD (Psa. 111:10, Prov. 1:7)

2. Amos Reads Israel’s Obituary 1-3

• repetition: Hear this word…
• current trajectory: headed toward a funeral!
• statistics of defeat

3. Amos Reveals the LORD’S Rationale 4-17

• substitution of religious activity for authentic devotion
• substitution of rhetoric for reality (Matt. 7:21-23)
• seeking profit through ongoing injustice
• stunning supremacy of the LORD’S character
• certainty of judgment and summons to repent: passing through and not passing over (Ex. 12:12-13)
• connection to Christ (John 3:16, 1 John 2:1-2)

4. So What?

• Because your sins merit the judgment of God, trust Him alone for deliverance.
• Remember that “the world is not dying to hear the message of the gospel; it is dying in its sins.” (G. Keddie)
• Beware of embracing assurances without obeying instructions.
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, oh, leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.” (“Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” Charles Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 11, 2022

Hear This Word!

Amos 4:1-13

1. Background

• significant repetitions: hear this word…, declares the LORD…, did not return to me…

2. Social Insensitivity 1-3

• cows of Bashan comparison (Ezek. 39:18)
• chewing the cud of self-indulgence at the expense of others
• God’s response: His oath (Heb. 6:13), fish hooks and a garbage heap (Isa. 25:10)

3. Superficial Worship 4-5

• mocking assessment of their worship (1 Kings 12:26-33)
• substituting religious activity for radical obedience (Lev. 1-5)

4. Stubborn Refusal 6-11

• pathetic self-delusion
• the LORD’S redemptive responses (Deut. 27-28): deprivation, infliction, opposition, destruction
• absence of the awareness of accountability

5. Solemn Reality 12-13

• no more warning or opportunity
• sitting down to a banquet of consequences and a reminder of God’s character
• connection to Christ (Luke 13:1-9, 18:13)

6. So What?

• In light of your ultimate accountability to God, immediately seize the grace of His invitation.
• With great privilege comes great responsibility.
• Purge yourself of procrastination and keep yourself impressed with God
• “Let not conscience make you linger, nor of fitness fondly dream; all the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him.” (J. Hart, “Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy”)