Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 19, 2025
Series on God Sustains His People
The Lord’s Dress Code
Exodus 28:31-43
1. Discerning the Details of Priestly Dress
• the robe
• the headgear
• the underclothes
• magnificent clothing for magnificent ministry
2. Depending on the Designated High Priest
• savoring the sacred
• sobering yourself with stress on the suitable
• refusing to minimize sin
• Zechariah’s vision (3:1-5)
• relying on the accepted priest (Heb. 7:23-28, 12:14; John 19:23)
3. So What?
• Because the LORD is holy and you are not, claim the wardrobe of holiness that He alone provides.
• “Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die; another’s life, another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.” (Bonar)
• “…dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne…” (Mote, “The Solid Rock”)
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 January 5, 2025
Series on God Sustains His People
Daily Bread from Heaven
Exodus 16:1-36
1. Background
• from miraculous deliverance (14:1-15:21) to sustenance in the wilderness (15:22-16:36)
2. The People Complain
• repeated refrain
• unrealistic perspective
• misplaced assault
3. The LORD Provides
• promise of satisfaction
• prescription of dependence
• proclamation of motivation
4. Culmination in Christ
• objectives of sustenance and sanctification (Dt. 8:3, Matt. 4:1-4, Jn. 6:28-51)
• from the Exodus to the Cross
5. So What?
• Knowing that His provision flows from His steadfast love, view trials as opportunities to grow in dependence on the LORD.
• “It takes a heavenly appetite to enjoy a heavenly diet.” (Swindoll)
• Determine to feast continually at the table of grace.
• “Come then, O holy Christ, feed us, we pray; touch with Your pierced hand each common day, making this earthly life full of Your grace, till, in the home of heaven, we find our place.” (Hoyt)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 29, 2024
Guest Speaker: Sherry Forester
God at Work
Acts 12:1-23
I. Persecution and Prison (Acts 12:1-4)
• Herod harasses the church.
• James, the brother of John, is executed.
• Peter is arrested and imprisoned under heavy guard.
• God orchestrates finite details to accomplish His purposes.
II. Prayer and Providence (Acts 12:5-17)
• Peter is sleeping and an angel rescues Peter from prison.
• Peter arrives at the house where the church is praying.
• Peter recounts his miraculous deliverance.
• God is worthy of our trust.
III. Pride and Punishment (Acts 12:18-23)
• The guards are executed for Peter’s escape.
• Herod revels in praise and dies.
• No matter the circumstances, God is always in control.
IV. So what?
Because God is our all-powerful and all-wise Sovereign, we can trust Him in every situation.
“Let’s keep our chins up and our knees down – we’re on the victory side!”
(Alan Redpath)
“Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you.
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you.”
(Martin, “God Will Take Care of You”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 22, 2024
Christmas Series
Exceeds Expectations
Daniel 7:9-14; Revelation 5:9-14
1. Previously
• Abraham: descendants, Moses: redemption, David: kingdom
2. Daniel’s Vision (Dan. 7:9-14)
• the nature of apocalyptic literature
• the sovereign tranquility of the Ancient of Days
• the throne of God and one like a son of man
• coronation of the king (Psa. 2:6-7)
3. John’s Verification (Rev. 5:9-14)
• many ethnicities and one king
• praising God as priests
• unifying factor: supremacy of their one king
• slain…every creature…throne
• glorious, universal and everlasting
4. So What?
• Because Christmas reminds you that God is in charge, proceed accordingly.
• Count on the King to reign and commit yourself to rely on Him (Col. 3:1-4)
• “Jesus shall reign where’er the sun doth his successive journeys run; His kingdom stretch from shore to shore, Till moons shall wax and wane no more.” (Watts)
• “All is well. All is well. Lift up your voice and sing. Born is now Emmanuel. Born is now our Lord and Savior. Sing Alleluia. Sing Alleluia. All is well” (Smith)
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)
