Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 6, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Navigating Your Soul’s Dark Night
Psalms 77
1. Background
• psalm of Asaph: musician and friend of David
• movement from self-focus to God-preoccupation
2. Desperate Crying 1-3
• audible (Heb. 5:7)
• persistent (Gen. 37:35)
• perplexed
3. Desperate Confession 4-9
• sleepless nights and speechless days
• summoning the good old days
• searching questions (Psa. 17:7; 103:8)
4. Desperate Contemplation 10-15
• a turning point: remembering publicly and privately
• a focus on the facts of God’s dealings with His people (Ex. 15:11)
5. Desperate Confirmation 16-20
• reflection on events at the Red Sea and Sinai
• connection to Christ: perspective from the Aaronic Blessing (Num. 6:22-27)
6. So What?
• Because God always is holy and faithful, rehearse His consistent character in your soul’s dark night.
• “Oh, what peace we often forfeit…” (Scriven, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)
• “We will remember. We will remember. We will remember the works of your hands. We will stop and give you praise, for great is Thy faithfulness.” (Walker, “We Will Remember”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 29, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Psalms 67:1-7
1. Background
• a psalm with covenantal connections (Gen. 12:1-3)
• likely a psalm of harvest time
2. Petition for Favor with a Flow 1-3
• echo of the Aaronic Blessing (Num. 6:24-26)
• extension of life-giving knowledge (2 Tim. 3:14-17)
• a repeated refrain with a request
3. Celebration of Judgment and Providence 4-5
• the merging of strength and tenderness
• unimpeachable righteousness addressing universal imperfection
4. Anticipation of Spreading Blessing 6-7
• a missionary psalm
• material wealth for the sake of the world’s worship
• decisive fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:13-14)
5. So What?
• Because God aims to be known and worshiped among the nations, deploy the resources He entrusts to you for His glory.
• What matters most is man’s need of God Himself.
• Mirror the psalmist’s zeal for the nations to rejoice in the knowledge of the true God. (Matt. 28:19-20)
“Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze. Set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow. Flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light.” (Kendrick, “Shine, Jesus, Shine”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 22, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Though the Mountains Be Moved
Psalms 46:1-11
1. He Cannot Crumble in Times of Chaos (1-3)
• well-proved and battle-tested
• abundantly available for help in tight places
• picture of stability
2. His Presence Conquers Confusion (4-7)
• not remote or inaccessible
• not defeated
• LORD of hosts
3. His Control Enables Confidence (8-11)
• two double commands: come, behold… and be still, and know…
• not deterred
• Hush!
• God of Jacob
• stronghold
4. So What?
• Because the LORD is your only refuge, rely on Him to see you through the storm.
• Remember the frailty of this life.
• Recognize the foolishness of theological subjectivity.
• Make the connection to Christ: Psalm 2:1-12; 110:1, Matt. 7:24-27, Heb. 12:1-3
• ”Though the mountains may fall and the hills turn to dust, yet the love of the Lord will stand as a shelter for all who will call on His name. Sing the praise and the glory of God.” (Schutte, “Though the Mountains May Fall”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 15, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Sustained by Steadfast Love
Psalms 36:1-12
1. Background
• psalm of David intended for public worship
• psalm of powerful contrasts: human wickedness and divine goodness
2. Revelation of the Wicked Man’s Outlook 1-4
• dedication to transgression and absence of the fear of God (Psa. 16:8)
• self-flattery that disregards sin
• deceptive speech and active engagement in evil (Rom. 1:18-32)
3. Meditation on the LORD’S Attributes 5-9
• insurmountable love and faithfulness
• unfathomable righteousness and judgments
• comprehensive refuge and abundance
4. Petition for Continuation of Benefits 10-12
• steadfast love and righteousness
• preservation from the wicked
• anticipation of the demise of the wicked
5. So What?
• Because of the LORD’S faithful love, live safely and securely in a world dominated by godlessness.
• Remember that the LORD’S steadfast love “is too great to grasp and too good to let slip.” (D. Kidner)
• connection to Christ: Rom. 5:8; Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 4:16
• “I love you, Lord. Your mercy never fails me. All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands. From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God.” (Johnson, “Goodness of God”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 25, 2024
Grace in a Tight Place
Psalms 4:1-8
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Background
• evening psalm that focuses on peace in a distracting situation
• connection to Psalm 3 and use in public worship
2. Enriched Prayer 1
• steadying appeal to the LORD’S character in a time of distress
• urgent confidence and relief through making space
3. Focused Application 2-6
• for the slanderer (2-3)
• for the impulsive (4-5)
• for the despairing (6)
4. Fruitful Reality 7-8
• massive joy
• deep peace
5. So What?
• Because the LORD is the source of security and peace, cultivate a constant awareness of His personal and protective grace.
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Gal. 5:22)
• Yield to the text and remember how the LORD regards you. (Rom. 8:1, 31-38)
• “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near…” (Hoffman)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 18, 2024
Crisis Management: A Biblical Response
Psalms 3:1-8
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Confidence in the LORD’S Character when the Crisis Arises (1-3)
• circumstances: King David faces disloyalty and discouragement when Absalom rebels
• increasing opposition
• immediate cry
• insightful expressions: shield, glory, lifter of my head
2. Rehearsal of the LORD’S Care during the Crisis (4-6)
• perspective shift: from speaking directly to the LORD to speaking about the LORD
• protective care that sustains
• protective care that inspires
3. Appeal to the LORD as the Cause of Deliverance from the Crisis (7-8)
• requests: arise and deliver
• anticipation of complete deliverance
• recognition of the sole source of deliverance
4. So What?
• Because of the LORD’S character and care, determine to serve Him confidently when crisis comes.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 26:30; 2 Sam. 15:30, Rom. 8:31
• “Get theological.” (Begg)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 14, 2024
Drop-Dead Serious
Acts 4:32-5:1-11
1. Context 32-37
• thriving in the midst of external opposition
• essence of the church: harmony, boldness, favor and sacrificial generosity
• example of Barnabas
• shift from external to internal opposition
2. Crisis Inside the Church (1-11)
• contrast indicated between Barnabas (son of encouragement) and Ananias/Sapphira
• complete hypocrisy: sold property…kept back…
• confronted by Peter: …lie…contrived…lied
• consequences repeated: sudden death and great fear
3. So What?
• Because Scripture records God’s holy fervor for the holiness of His people, serve Him with reverential fear.
• There is too little “trembling” today. (Phil. 2:12). Contempt for the severity of judgment often reveals a sub-biblical view of sin.
• “Every sin strikes at the honor of God, the being of God, the glory of God, the heart of Christ, the joy of the Spirit and the peace of a man’s conscience.” (Thomas Boston)
• “The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the Church. His truth is too distant, His grace is too ordinary, His judgment is too benign, His gospel is too easy and His Christ is too common.” (David Wells)
• “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…” (John Newton)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 7, 2024
No Other Name
Acts 4:1-31
1. Previously
• miraculous healing (3:1-10) and call for repentance (3:11-26)
2. Annoying Proclamation 4:1-12
• content of message leading to arrest
• expansion followed by interrogation
• explanation: derivation and description (Psa. 118:22)
• declaration of exclusivity
3. Astonishing Boldness 4:13-22
• perception of religious leaders and their confounded conference
• stern warning and a bold response
• reluctant release
4. Anointed Prayer Meeting 4:23-31
• acknowledgement of sovereignty and analysis from Scripture (Psa. 2:1-2)
• awareness of meticulous providence
• appeal for enablement
• answer to prayers: shaken, filled, boldness
5. So What?
• Because Jesus alone saves, serve Him with a holy boldness.
• Keys to boldness: delight in God’s sovereignty and dependence on His Spirit.
• “God loves His truth. And He means to use it to humble people, exalt His Son, and turn wimps into bold, humble, broken-hearted people.” (Piper)
• “In Christ Alone” (Townend/Getty)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 30, 2024
Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
Hope in Trouble
Exodus 17:1-7
Background
I. Scene 1 Complication despite obedience (17:1)
• Israelites obediently followed God’s commands.
• Rephidim means place of rest.
• God led His people to a campsite where there was no water to drink.
II. Scene 2 Complaint about God’s ways (17:2-3)
• People quarreled with Moses.
∗ took issue with Moses and his leadership
• Israelites put the Lord to the test.
∗ did not trust His ways were good
III. Scene 3 Confirmation of God’s goodness (17:4-7)
• Moses was uncertain and afraid.
• God answered Moses.
∗ my actions will be public and can be documented
∗ my actions will prove my presence
∗ my actions will prove my power
• Moses’ actions previewed a divine drama.
• Moses memorialized Israel’s failure to trust God.
IV. So what?
• Because God is our good sovereign, we can trust Him in every situation.
• “In every circumstance and situation where faith is tested, the Lord Himself has taken us there.” (A. W. Pink)
• O safe to the Rock that is higher than I, my soul in its conflicts and sorrows would fly. So sinful, so weary, Thine, Thine, would I be. Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee. Hiding in Thee, hiding in Thee, Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee. (William O. Cushing)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 23, 2024
A Prophet like Moses
Acts 3:11-26
1. Previously
• outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost and first recorded miracle in Acts
2. An Explanation of a Cripple’s Healing 11-16
• not human power or piety
• God’s glorification of Jesus
• their delivering over and denial of Jesus
• by faith in His name (Isa. 35:6)
3. An Appeal for Jews to Believe 17-20
• attribution of ignorance and proclamation of divine generosity
• prophecy of suffering fulfilled (Isa. 52:13-53:12)
• repentance and its results: removal, refreshment and restoration
4. An Emphasis on the Fulfillment of Promises 21-26
• ascended until restoration
• a prophet like Moses (Deut. 18:15-19)
• testimony of Samuel and the prophets
• to the Jew first (Rom. 1:16)
5. So What?
• Because God knows what He is doing when you don’t know what you are doing, treasure and trust Jesus.
• applications connected to the prophetic ministry of Jesus: our ignorance, edification and evangelism
• “While His death my sin displays in all its blackest hue, such is the mystery of His grace; it seals my pardon too.” (Newton, “In Evil Long I Took Delight”)
