Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 3, 2023

The Image and the Incarnation

Genesis 1:26-31; John 1:14

Grasping the truth that humans are made in the image of God enables you to gain a biblical understanding of human nature and to marvel at the miracle of the incarnation.

1. Reflect the Person of God

• image/likeness emphasis
• “let us make…”
• the issue of image
• personality, morality, spirituality

2. Understand Your Assignment

• fill
• receive
• rule

3. Reject Sub-Biblical Standards

• devaluation of image
• deification of image
• disregard of image

4. Recognize the Connection between Image and Incarnation

• important distinction: “in His image” and “He is the image…” (Col. 1:15, Heb. 1:3, Rom. 8:29)
• two key applications: dignity and destiny
• “Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of the incarnation.” (Packer)
• “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)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 19, 2023

Thanksgiving Message

A Psalm for Thanksgiving 2023

Psalms 115:1-18

1. Introduction

• context of burden/difficulty and the “summary statement” of verse 1
• Because the LORD alone is your protector and provider, praise Him now and forever.

2. The Substance of the Taunt of the Nations 2

• based on perceived abandonment and absence

3. The Scorching Deconstruction of Idolatry 3-8

• where our God is and what He does
• contrasted with idols and the principle: becoming what we worship

4. The Summons to Trust the LORD for Protection 9-11

• He is their help and shield in antiphonal praise

5. The Summons to Trust the LORD for Provision 12-15

• reflection on the LORD’S memory
• repetition and recognition of blessing

6. The Summons to Praise the LORD Perpetually 16-18

• do it now while you’re alive and anticipate doing it forever

7. So What?

• Make the connection to Christ: recalling a greater victory.
• Mind the mindfulness of the LORD.
• LORD, put this psalm on my lips and in my life this week.
• “Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared, unworthy though I be, for me a blood-bought free reward, a golden harp for me. ‘Tis strung and tuned for endless years and formed by power divine, to sound in God the Father’s ears no other name but Thine.”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 17, 2023

Kingdom Acoustics

Mark 4:1-20

1. Setting

• preceding: mobbed by crowds, maligned by religious leaders, misunderstood by family
• a floating pulpit and a parable sermon (4:1-2)

2. Jesus Tells a Story 3-9

• opening command
• a parable about a sower, seeds and soils
• seed along the path: eaten by birds
• seed on rocky ground: initial success and subsequent failure
• seed among thorns: choked and fruitless
• seeds into good soil: dynamic growth
• repetition of opening command

3. Jesus Addresses the Purpose of Parables 10-13

• responding to the question of the disciples
• citation of Isa. 6:9-10
• the word: helps or hardens
• a sovereign “filtration system”

4. Jesus Explains the Story 14-20

• seed: word
• path: never started, rocky: started but never finished, thorns: survived but never bore fruit
• good soil: perseverance and productivity

5. So What?

• Knowing that lasting transformation is the product of God’s word taking root in you, prize it and persevere in it.
• Pray for an insatiable appetite for God’s word.
• Ponder and apply the principle of perseverance.
• “Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever…” (P. Bliss, “Wonderful Words of Life”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 10, 2023

But That You May Know

Mark 2:1-12

1. Setting

• the first of five “conflict” narratives in 2:1-3:6
• preceded by the cleansing of a leper (1:40-45)

2. Jesus Comes Home to a Full House 1-2

• upon His return to Capernaum
• preaching the word

3. Four Men with a Friend Drop In 3-5

• restricted access and roof removal
• Jesus sees and says

4. The Snarl of Some Sitting Scribes 6-9

• their unspoken accusation (Lev. 24:16)
• divine discernment and insightful interrogation

5. Jesus Demonstrates His Authority 10-12

• that you may know…
• rise…and he rose…
• an immediate cure and the impact of unprecedented authority

6. So What?

• If Jesus says you’re forgiven, you are.
• putting a finger on the pulse of the real problem
• “The degree to which you see your own need for forgiveness is the measure of how clearly you understand the gospel.” (S. Ferguson)
• “My sin, o the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul.” (H. Spafford, “It Is Well with My Soul”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 3, 2023

Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

Mark 1:1-13

1. Background

• “action” gospel, most compact, “moving picture” gospel
• answering the question: Who is Jesus?

2. Preparation 1-8

• gospel: good news about a person
• pivotal role of John the Baptist (Mal. 3:1, Isa. 40:3, 2 Kings 1:8)
• preaching repentance and pointing to Jesus

3. Verification 9-11

• inauguration of public ministry
• visual and verbal validation

4. Indication 12-13

• driven into the wilderness
• onslaught of temptation
• reversing the curse

5. So What?

• In light of Scripture’s clear indication of Jesus’ identity, rely on His provision and recognize your place.
• “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard…Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, dying in anguish and pain; tell of the grave where they laid Him; tell how He liveth again.” (F. Crosby, “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”)
• “I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song, ‘twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.” (Hankey/Fischer “I Love to Tell the Story”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 27, 2023

A Case for Bible Saturation

Psalms 119:1-8

1. Background

• longest Psalm (176 verses), acrostic, 22 stanzas of 8 verses
• “alphabet of reflection” with 8 repeated synonyms

2. Description Emphasized 1-3

• repeated concept of blessedness (Psa. 1)
• walk in the law…keep His testimonies
• impact of ongoing pursuit and complete preoccupation

3. Determination Indicated 4-6

• Your precepts kept diligently
• steadfast keeping of Your statutes
• impact of fixation on Your commandments

4. Dependence Expressed 7-8

• anticipation of praise that results from learning Your rules
• anticipation of divine intervention

5. So What?

• Because Love for God is refreshed by revelation, soak up every syllable of Scripture.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3), Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25
• “’One boat goes east, one boat goes west, by the self-same winds that blow. And it’s the set of the sails, and not the gales, that determines which way they go.’ And the Word of God sets our sails.” (A. Begg quoting Ella W. Wilcox, “Tis the Set of the Sail”)
• “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” (J. Rippon, “How Firm a Foundation”)

Short Sentence Prayers on Psalm 119:1-8
1. Lord, the Word is Your Word. Thank you for giving us Your Word.
2. Lord, teach us that the way of happiness is the way of obedience, and make obedience sweet to us.
3. Lord, grant that our religion would not be empty talk but Gospel life, that our love for you will show not only in our lips but in our lives, that we would practice what we preach.
4. Lord, by Your Holy Spirit, give us a right aspiration for holiness, a grace-wrought desire for godliness.
5. Lord, give us a love for Your whole Word and all Your commands, even in our blind spots.
6. Lord, grant that our lives would be built on the basis of Your Word.
7. Lord, give us Gospel resolve and grace dependence in our lives. (L. Duncan, LigonDuncan.com)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 20, 2023

When the Lord Is Your Portion

Lamentations 3:21-24

1. Background

• after the destruction/desolation of Jerusalem (25:8-11)
• from a context of darkness

2. Unexpected Shift 21

• a mind-altering reality
• the essence of hope

3. Unfailing Compassion Rooted in Unchanging Character 22-23

• not consumed (Psa. 103:10-14)…
• because of steadfast love
• because of the duration and depth of mercies
• because of the daily distribution of mercies

4. Expression of Satisfaction 24

• understanding the concept of “portion” (Num. 18:20, Psa. 73:25-26)
• a sure foundation for the soul’s hope

5. So What?

• When the LORD is your portion, you can have a hope that transcends your darkest moments.
• connection to Christ: Lam. 1:12, Rom. 15:13, 1 Pet. 1:3-9
• “…Morning by morning new mercies I see…Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth…” (T. Chisholm, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”)
• “Broken cisterns, broken cisterns all around; but the fountain remains full.” (A. Bonar)
• Meditate this week on the magnitude of the mercies you’ve received.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 13, 2023

So, You Want to Go Back to Egypt?

Jeremiah 42:1-43:7

1. Background

• events after the fall of Jerusalem (Jer. 40-45)
• Jeremiah imprisoned and then released (40:1-6)

2. A Request from the People 1-6

• people in Jerusalem after the exile
• their plan to “escape” to Egypt
• Jeremiah’s agreement to pray
• pious display of sincerity

3. Jeremiah’s Response to the People 7-22

• waiting to discern the LORD’S message
• if they stay in the land…compassion
• if they go to Egypt…catastrophe
• exposure of a fatal flaw

4. Rejection of Jeremiah’s Message 1-7

• arrogant accusation against a true prophet
• a disobedient entrance into Egypt

5. So What?

• In light of His promised presence and clear communication, obey the Lord eagerly.
• connection to Christ: John 14:6, 15; Col. 3:15-17
• “Those who reject what they know to be the will of God always invite disaster.” (Huey)
• “They regarded God as a power to enlist, not a Lord to obey.” (Kidner)
• “Here I raise my ebenezer…” (Robinson, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”)
• “May the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom to capture your hearts for Christ, to comfort your hearts in Christ and to humble your hearts before Christ. Amen.” (Davis)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 30, 2023

A Lesson to Learn

Jeremiah 35:1-19

1. Background

• events/messages from the siege to the fall of Jerusalem
• object lesson of the Rechabites: “symbolic action”

2. Assessment of Loyalty 1-5

• instructions concerning the Rechabites (2 Kings 10:15-27)
• intensity of the assessment

3. Explanation of Refusal 6-11

• commandment of Jonadab
• careful obedience to a long-dead ancestor

4. Application for Judah 12-17

• instructions concerning Judah and Jerusalem
• argument from lesser to greater
• painfully apparent contrast

5. Commendation of Rechabites 18-19

• obedience acknowledged
• blessing pronounced (Neh. 3:14)
• searing rebuke

6. So What?

• Because He is the living God and means what He says, obey the LORD’S commands.
• connections to Christ: Phil. 2:8, John 14:15, 1 John 5:3
• “Sometimes secular loyalties to some cause or person put to shame the loyalty of God’s people to Him and His commands.” (Huey)
• The depth of your declaration of dependence is displayed through your obedience.
• “Jesus, too late I Thee have sought; how can I love Thee as I ought? And how extol Thy matchless fame, the glorious beauty of Thy name? Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore; O make me love Thee more and more.” (Collins, “Jesus, My Lord, My Life, My All”)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 23, 2023

When the Lord Does a New Thing

Jeremiah 31:23-34

1. Background

• the people “get it” (31:15-22)
• a more explicit commentary on 29:11

2. Description of Future Blessing 23-30

• reassurance of restoration
• revelation through a dream
• repudiation of a well-known saying

3. Declaration of a New Covenant 31-32

• noteworthy repetition
• not like the previous covenant
• notice the LORD’S initiative

4. Distinctives of the New Covenant 33-34

• internalized word (Matt. 5-7)
• personal God
• personal instruction
• permanent forgiveness

5. So What?

• Because the LORD can restore fully what was devastated completely, trust Him to do a new thing in your life.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 8:6-12; 1 Pet. 2:9-10
• “But the faith, needed by Israel to believe in what would come, is the faith I need to believe in what has already come.” (S. Smith)
• “God of the covenant, Lord God Almighty, marvels of mercy adoring we see: calling from sin and from darkness a people bonded to Christ by a timeless decree.” (J. Webb, “God of the Covenant, Lord God Almighty”)