Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 3, 2022
Asa and the Fine Art of Finishing Well
1 Kings 15:9-24
1. Introduction
• shift in focus from Northern to Southern Kingdom
• coverage of three kings (14:21-15:24)
2. Asa’s Righteous Religious Reforms 9-15
• distinctive righteousness
• destructive righteousness: no pampered exemptions
3. Asa’s Problematic Political Practices 16-24
• Baasha’s economic blockade
• Asa’s arrangement with Ben-hadad
• textbook diplomacy and total success
• commentary from 2 Chron. 16:1-12
• making the connection to Christ
4. So What?
• In light of the LORD’S unchanging faithfulness and unceasing support, finish well by relying wholly on Him.
• Recognize the peril of pragmatism.
• Remember Rom. 15:4 and let Scripture interpret Scripture.
• “Ah! If our likeness to God does not show itself in trifles, what is there left for it to show itself in? For our lives are all made up of trifles. The great things come three or four of them in the seventy years; the little ones every time the clock ticks.” (Maclaren)
• In order to finish well, run well now!
• “To this I hold, my only hope is Jesus, all the glory evermore to Him. When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat: Yet not I, but through Christ in me!” (Robinson/Thompson/Farren)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 26, 2022
That He Might Fulfill His Word
1 Kings 12:1-24
1. An Appeal to the New King 1-5
• coronation at Shechem
• return of Jeroboam
• request and response
2. The King Consults with Advisors 6-11
• old men: conciliation
• narrator’s advance notification
• young men: intimidation
• perspective from a pronoun
3. The King’s Declaration and a Theological Explanation 12-15
• according to the counsel of the young men
• avoiding the tendency to moralize
• a “circumstance coming from Yahweh”
4. The Reality of a Tragic Tearing 16-20
• Rehoboam’s wrong steps
• repetition of the Davidic covenant concept (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
• rebels: rhetorical question and defiant advice
5. A Case of Remarkable Restraint 21-24
• Rehoboam readies for war
• halted by the word of God
• connection to Christ
6. So What?
• Knowing that the LORD is sovereign over every circumstance, count on Him to keep His promises.
• Reflect on the lengths to which the LORD will go to keep a promise.
• “Remember that the LORD is never a victim of circumstances.” (N. Parrish)
• “Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God.” (R. Carter)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 19, 2022
A King with a Heart Problem
1 Kings 11:1-43
1. Introduction
• high hopes of 1 Kings 1-10: wisdom, buildings, gold
• dull thud after glowing report
2. The Sin Solomon Commits 1-8
• nature of offense: intermarriage with pagans (Deut. 7:1-4, Ex. 34:11-16)
• subtlety: internal and gradual
• example, experience and educational fallacies
3. The Anger Yahweh Expresses 9-13
• flowing out of godly jealousy (Deut. 6:14-15)
• non-conformity to cultural expectations
4. The History Yahweh Controls 14-39
• raising up adversaries (14, 23, 26)
• distinct policy with consistent application
• a prophetic encounter: sudden, enacted and interpreted
5. The Hope Yahweh Sustains 11-13, 31-39
• promise not negated (2 Sam. 7:12-16)
• restrictions: not now and not all
6. So What?
• Because of the subtlety of sinful compromise and its consequences, cling to the LORD with all your heart.
• Beware of the “creeping pace of accumulated compromises.” (Davis)
• Focus on finishing well to the glory of God!
• “Speak to my heart, oh, speak to my heart, Speak to my heart, I pray; Yielded and still, seeking Thy will, oh, speak to my heart today,” (McKinney “Speak to My Heart”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 12, 2022
Not One Word!
1 Kings 8:54-66
1. Introduction
• placement of the ark: clarity and mystery (1-13)
• prayer of dedication: “center” of the sandwich and praying out of the Pentateuch (22-53)
• transition from kneeling to standing
2. Recognition of God’s Unfailing Word 56
• rest according to His promises
• not one word!
• previously spoken by Moses
3. Request for God’s Inclining Presence 57-58
• “…God be with us…”
• as with our fathers
• for the purpose of “bending” (Psa. 119:36-37)
4. Reliance on God’s Maintaining Providence 59-60
• a prayer “for the record”
• “do the judgment” of Solomon and Israel (Ex. 16:4)
• purpose: “…that all may know…”
5. Response of Complete and Hopeful Devotion 61-66
• complete conformity: “…walking…keeping…” (Heb. 4:11-13)
• sacrifice and feast
• “…glad of heart for all the goodness…”
6. So What?
• Because the LORD remains your true Deliverer, rely on and rejoice in the rest He extends through Christ.
• “We read the past most truly when we see in all its vicissitudes God’s unchanging faithfulness, and recognize that the foes and sorrows which often pressed sore upon us were no breach of His faithful promises, but either His loving chastisement for our faithlessness, or His loving discipline meant to perfect our characters.” (A. Maclaren)
• “His word shall not fail you He promised, believe Him and all will be well. Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell.” (H. Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for June 5, 2022
A Hearing Heart
1 Kings 3:1-28
1. Introduction
• 1-2 Kings: selective history covering 400 years with 50,000 words
• succession (1), security (2) and sufficiency (3)
2. Supplication for Wisdom 4-15
• preliminary connections (verses 1-3): marriage, sacrifice, house, love
• Yahweh’s appearance to Solomon in a dream
• Yahweh’s invitation to Solomon: “Ask…”
• Solomon’s request
• incentive of generosity
• foundation of faithfulness
• priority on the people of God
• principle of the Lord’s pleasure
3. Verification of Wisdom 16-28
• proof from a court case
• two prostitutes and two babies
• Solomon calls for a sword!
• identification of the real mother
• confirming testimony in Israel
4. Personification of Wisdom
• vocabulary of 1 Kings 3 and Isaiah 11:1-4
• how Solomon’s wisdom points beyond itself (1 Cor. 1:30, Col. 2:3)
5. So What?
• Because God is the source and standard of wisdom, ask for a hearing heart that enables growing conformity to Christ.
• Analyze your “asking.” What do you want most?
• Take James 1:5 seriously!
• “Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise; Thou mine inheritance now and always. Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, high King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.” (“Be Thou My Vision,” M. Byrne)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 29, 2022
Get Back to Work!
2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
1. Introduction
• progression of the letter: comfort (1), composure (2) and correction (3)
• addressing the idol of idleness
• For the glory of Christ and the testimony of His church, await His return through a lifestyle of active engagement.
2. Address the Problem 6-9
• authoritative command and significance of appeal to Christ
• withdrawal from the idle
• contradiction of truth received
• from instruction to example
3. Prescribe the Solution 10-12
• key principle: not willing to work…not eat
• report of some not busy…but being busybodies
• another appeal to Christ
• solution: work quietly and eat your own bread
4. Encourage Community Stewardship 13-18
• avoiding discouragement
• refusal to condone or enable
• aiming for restoration
• peace from the Lord of peace
5. So What?
• Determine to prioritize obedience to God’s word.
• “But Christ’s love and His apostles twelve he taught, and first he followed it himself.” (the country parson in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales)
• Recognize that the real problem is not one of specific timing but of sinful tendency.
• “We’ll Work till Jesus Comes” (E. Mills)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 22, 2022
Gospel-Driven Prayer
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
1. Introduction
• previously: comfort in suffering (1) and composure with reference to Christ’s return (2)
• chapter 3: focus on prayer before addressing an idle minority
• Because God is faithful to transform lives through His gospel, prioritize its advancement in your prayers.
2. Pray Gospel-Driven Prayers 1-2
• that the gospel would run and be honored (Psa. 147:15)
• that deliverance would be provided from those who oppose the gospel (Acts 18:5-17)
• noteworthy absence and noteworthy emphasis
3. Observe the Perspective That Shapes Gospel-Driven Prayers 3-4
• confidence in the character of God: faithful…establish…guard (Psa. 9:10)
• confidence in the capacity of God to conform believers to Christ’s likeness
4. Consider a Specific Gospel-Driven Prayer Wish 5
• directed hearts
• love of God
• steadfastness of Christ
5. So What?
• Remember that “prayer is the power that wields the weapon of the word.” (Piper on Eph. 6:17-18)
• “Intercession is the hardest work in the world-the giving of one’s self, time, strength, energy, and attention to the needs of others in a way that no one but God sees, no one but God will do anything about, and no one but God will ever reward your for.” (E. Elliot in On Asking God Why, p. 130)
• Lord, cause your word to run and be glorified in the Sonburst Class and in all the ministries of FBC Dallas.
• “Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.” (“Brethren, We Have Met to Worship,” G. Askins)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 15, 2022
Loving the Truth
2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
1. Introduction
• previously: ammunition for endurance in 1:1-12
• worthy theology and worshipful doxology
• In a climate of error and instability, believers maintain composure through accurate grasp of truth and profound delight in it.
2. Observe the Objective 1-2a
• to solve a practical, emotional problem
• not shaken or disturbed (Mark 13:7)
• calm and clear
3. Consider the Methodology 2b-3
• truth tailored to the danger of deceit
• tending the garden of your emotions with the tools of biblical truth
• identification of error and decisive warning
• two arguments: apostasy and appearing
4. Process the Information 4-8
• rebellious person whose destiny is destruction
• the enemy of God presently restrained
• destroyed with one “puff”
5. Make the Application 9-12
• Avoid apostasy. (Matt. 24:10-14)
• Love the truth.
• Rest in God’s faithfulness.
• “Though troubles assail, and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite; Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The Scripture assures us, The Lord will provide.” (“The Lord Will Provide,” Newton)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 8, 2022
Ammunition for Endurance
2 Thessalonians 1:5-12
1. Introduction
• a second letter and three key issues
• issue of ongoing/intensified persecution and the struggle with suffering
• Because God’s promises are true and His judgments are right, persevere in all circumstances until His Son returns.
2. Consider Adversity through the Lens of God’s Sovereignty 5-10
• addressing “this” in verse 5
• suffering in the context of God’s dominion (5b)
• repayment for oppressors and relief for the oppressed (6-7a) (Isa. 66:5-6)
• connection to Christ’s return (7b-8a)
• judgment on those who do not know God and do not obey… (8b-9) (Isa. 66: 15-16)
• contrast: Christ glorified in and marveled at by His saints (10)
• dramatic reversal
3. Cooperate with God’s Qualifying and Completing Sustenance 11-12
• intercessory prayer (11a)
• considered worthy: perseverance and purity (11b)
• completed in every resolve (11c)
• goal: reciprocal glorification rooted in grace (12)
• summary of contrast
4. So What?
• Actively acknowledge God’s activity.
• “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark.” (Spurgeon)
• Anticipate the great “reversal.”
• “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face…” (W. Cowper)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 1, 2022
Not Left to Ourselves
1 Thessalonians 5:23-28
1. Introduction
• 1 Thessalonians: powerful truths to digest
• 5:23-28: purposeful farewell to dissect
• Because the God of peace secures both your present progress and future preservation, fight the fight of faith with confidence.
2. Emphasize the Source 23a
• now Himself…
• the God of peace
3. Understand the Substance 23b
• present progress in holiness: sanctify entirely
• future preservation in holiness: complete…blameless…at His coming
4. Exult in the Security 24
• He doesn’t withdraw the call!
• He will do it!
5. Four Parting Points 25-28
• reciprocity in prayer
• intimacy of fellowship
• intensity toward the word
• exclusivity of grace
6. So What?
• Cultivate the “habit” of holiness.
• “If this be the provision of the way, what is that of the country?” (J. Janeway)
• “All the Way My Savior Leads Me” (F. Crosby)
