Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 12, 2025
Series on God Sustains His People
Grace-Based Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
1. Confirm the Context of Grace 1-2
• gracious address
• gracious activity
• torah: instruction
2. Consider the Foundational Command 3
• first commandment
• “before My face”
• creation and covenantal claims
• sets the stage for the vertical/horizontal
3. Make the Connection to Christ
• SOM (Matt. 5:17-20)
• RYR (Matt. 19:17)
4. So What?
• Because the LORD communicates His commands in a context of redeeming grace, obey them enthusiastically!
• Dismiss the notion that idolatry is only an ancient issue.
• Reflect on John 14:15 and 1 John 5:3.
• “Trust and Obey” (John Sammis)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 15, 2024
Christmas Series
Forever Is a Mighty Long Time!
2 Samuel 7:12-17
1. Forecast 2 Sam. 7:12-17
• David wants to build a house
• David is going to die
• the element of an extended telescope
• promise of a king and a kingdom that last forever (Isa. 9:6-7)
2. Fulfillment Luke 1:31-33
• an angelic announcement to Mary
• clued in to the identity of Jesus
• God Himself comes as King (Acts 2:29-35, John 1:1,14)
• and He shall reign forever and ever (Rev. 11:15; 22:16)
3. So What?
• Because God keeps His promises forever, entrust your destiny to His designated King.
• “The King of Kings salvation brings; let loving hearts enthrone Him.” ( Dix, “What Child Is This?”)
• “Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.” (Watts, “Joy to the World”)
• “Man’s Maker was made man, that He, Ruler of the stars, might nurse at His mother’s breast; that the Bread might hunger, the Fountain thirst, the Light sleep, the Way be tired on its journey; that the Truth might be accused of false witness, the Teacher be beaten with whips, the Foundation be suspended on wood; that Strength might grow weak; that the Healer might be wounded; that Life might die.” (Augustine, 354-430).
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 8, 2024
Christmas Series
A Greater Deliverance
Exodus 12:11-13
1. The Experience of Moses (Ex. 12:11-13)
• cries of bondage
• call of a deliverer
• climactic plague
• application of blood
2. The Exposition of Peter (1 Pet. 1:17-21)
• immeasurable valuation
• eternal origination
• divine certification
• timeless indication
3. So What?
• Because of the Lord’s merciful and ultimate deliverance through Jesus, rely and rejoice this Christmas.
• “Creator of the stars of night, your people’s everlasting light, Jesu, Redeemer, save us all, and hear your servants when they call.” (Neale, “Creator of the Stars at Night”)
• “Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king. Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring.” (Wesley, “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 1, 2024
Christmas Series
The Gospel Preached Beforehand
Genesis 17:3-8
1. Indication Gen. 17:3-8
• name change: “exalted father” to “father of a multitude”
• from looking back to looking forward
• verification that seems to lag grievously
2. Inclusion Rom. 4:8-25
• Abraham’s justification (Gen. 15:6; 17:23-27)
• sheer grace for both Jew and Gentile
• fully persuaded
3. Anticipation Gal. 3:8
• the old, old story (Gen. 12:1-3; 15:5)
• the good news of forgiveness and eternal life (Gen. 22:8, 5)
• “…so let’s all praise the Lord!” (L. Loeb)
4. So What?
• Because the symphony of Scripture reaches its ultimate crescendo in Christ, worship His majesty and magnificence this Christmas.
• Treasure the accuracy of God’s revelation regarding the advent of atoning and resurrecting power through the person and work of Jesus (Gal. 4:4).
• “O tell me the story that never grows old, the story of One whom the prophets foretold; The horn of salvation, the Sceptre and Star, the Light in the darkness they saw from afar. It never grows old, it never grows old. The story of Jesus will never grow old!” (J. Gray)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 24, 2024
Thanksgiving Message
A Psalm for Thanksgiving 2024
Psalms 100:1-5
1. Background
• summit/climactic psalm of a series focused on worship (Psalms 95-100)
• the principle of engaged and informed worship
2. Prescription 1-2
• as wide as the world
• joyfully, gladly, willingly (Rom. 12:1)
3. Perspective 3
• prerequisite for praise
• knowing who God is, who we are, what status we enjoy (1 Cor. 6:19-20)
4. Prescription 4
• backdrop of Exodus 25-31
• entering, thanking, blessing (Heb. 10:19-25, Rev. 21:27)
5. Perspective 5
• pairing of goodness and mercy (Psa. 23:6)
• faithfulness without an expiration date
6. So What?
• Because of what you know about God, feel and express thanks to Him.
• On Thursday, celebrate God’s initiative, activity and invitation.
• Cultivate a preoccupation with God’s preferences.
• “For why? The Lord our God is good, His mercy is forever sure; His truth at all times firmly stood, and shall from age to age endure.” (W. Kethe)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 17, 2024
We Have an Altar
Hebrews 13:9-16
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Context
• the unchanging character of Jesus and Christian living (13:1-8)
• The revolutionary sacrifice of Jesus for you demands a radical surrender from you.
2. Do Not Go on Being Carried Away (9)
• bridge back to 13:8
• a focus on the favor of God rather than the food of man
3. Let Us Keep on Going to Him (10-14)
• feasting at a better altar
• outside the camp
4. Let Us Offer a Sacrifice of Praise (15)
• fruit of our lips
5. Do Not Be Forgetful (16)
• sacrifices of “the good” and of “sharing”
6. So What?
• Distinguish fleeting trivialities from eternal realities (Maclaren).
• Recognize the distinct connection between creed and deed.
• “Believing, we rejoice to see the curse remove; We bless the Lamb with cheerful voice, and sing His bleeding love.” (Watts)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 10, 2024
All Because of Jesus
Hebrews 12:18-29
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Context
• connection to the warning of 12:14-17
• no turning back: a contrast between two mountains
2. Reflect on the Terror of Sinai 18-21
• material indicators of God’s holy presence (Ex. 19:12-13)
• terrified response of the people and Moses
3. Recognize the Joy of Zion 22-24
• Zion: from booming threat to blessed assurance
• summary of its superiority: celebration, registration, authorization, completion, mediation, revelation (Num. 3:40-43)
4. Put the Truth to Work 25-29
• See to it: a warning based on a lesser/greater perspective (Hag. 2:6)
• Let us be grateful
• Let us offer worship (Rom. 12:1, Deut. 4:24)
• Since you are receiving a kingdom that can’t be shaken, express gratitude and offer worship to God.
• Encouragement from the saints (Heb. 11): “Give us the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above, how great their joys, how bright their glories be. We ask them whence their victory came: they, with united breath, ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, their triumph to his death. They marked the footsteps that he trod, his zeal inspired their breast, and, following their incarnate God, possess the promised rest.” (Watts, “Give Us the Wings of Faith”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 3, 2024
How Should We Then Live?
Hebrews 10:19-25
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Background
• connection with and continuation of 4:4-16
• applying the reality of Christ’s priesthood to daily life
• Because of the reality of Christ’s priesthood, live in a way that reflects its privileges.
2. Two Distinct Privileges (19-21)
• the contrast of confident access
• the contrast of an infinitely qualified priest
3. Three Practical Applications (22-25)
• draw near: a life of faith-based worship-truth, assurance, freedom and renewal
• hold fast: a life of truth-based hope-unswerving confession grounded in God’s character
• consider how: a life of love-based community-stirring, not neglecting, encouraging
4. So What?
• “The Christian is a man…who lives with his heavenly destiny ever in full view. His outlook is not bounded by the present life and the present world. He sees that which is and that which is to come in their true proportions and in their proper perspective. The centre of gravity of his consciousness lies not in the present but in the future. Hope, not possession, is that which gives tone and colour to his life. His is the frame of mind of the heir who knows himself entitled to large treasures upon which he will enter at a definite point of time.” (G. Vos)
• “Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea, a great High Priest whose name is love, who ever lives and pleads for me…” (C. Smith, “Before the Throne of God Above”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 27, 2024
Cause for Confidence
Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Introduction
• context of this passage: 3:1, 4:11-13
• two key concepts: perseverance and prayer
• Since Jesus is your great and sympathetic High Priest, persevere and pray.
2. Command 1: Hold Fast (Persevere) 14
• clarifying the concept of “confession”
• Jesus: alive, with God, Son of God
• transcendence and immanence
3. Command 2: Draw Near (Pray) 15-16
• sympathizing yet sinless
• how we draw near
• what we may expect: reception of mercy and gracious help
• not scolded for being needy
4. Comparison and Contrast 1-10
• humanity of Aaron (1-4)
• humanity of Jesus (5-10)
5. So What?
• Affirm the vital connection between perseverance and prayer.
• “Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same; and He must win the battle…” ( Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”)
• “Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin; let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within. Thou of life the fountain art; freely let me take of Thee; spring Thou up within my heart, rise to all eternity.” (Wesley, “Jesus Lover of My Soul”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 20, 2024
Obedience in the Wilderness
Hebrews 3:7-4:13
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Background
• connection to 3:1-6
• sermon based on Psalm 95 which probes the principle of perseverance
• Because your response to God’s revelation has eternal consequences, persevere in faith and obedience.
2. Warning from the Past: The Wilderness History of Israel 3:7-19
• checkered history of God’s people
• invitation and warning in Psalm 95
• take care and exhort one another
• consequence of failure to hold original confidence
3. Encouragement for the Present: The Promise of Entering His Rest 4:1-13
• God’s rest at creation
• rest in the Promised Land in Joshua’s day
• a remaining rest: strive to enter it (Matt. 11:28-30)
• the diagnostic capacity of the word of God
4. So What?
• Pray for heightened sensitivity to the voice of God.
• Identify and exterminate relics of rebellion in your life.
• Trust, don’t trifle with, the promises of God.
• Determine to finish well. “Stick” the landing to the glory of God!
• “Through many dangers, toils and snares…” (J. Newton)
