Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 27, 2022

For Now We Live

1 Thessalonians 3:6-10

1. Introduction

• Paul’s reflection on Timothy’s positive report
• Knowing the life-giving nature of the gospel, resolve to pour your life into others for the glory of God.

2. Discern the Nature of the Good News 6

• continuing endurance: confidence and conduct
• continuing affection: receptivity and reciprocity

3. Delight in the Development of Others 7-8

• in the midst of costly investment
• the instrument of their faith
• encouragement and enablement from their endurance
• in the Lord

4. Direct Prayer and Thanksgiving to the Source of Life 9-10

• overwhelmed with gratitude
• praying with constancy and intensity
• reunion and reinforcement

5. So What?

• “Remember always the presence of God. Rejoice always in the will of God. Direct all to the glory of God.” (H. Scougal)
• Recognize that a culture of religious spectators and consumers contradicts the biblical concept of Christian life in the context of the church.
• “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee…” (F. Havergal)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 20, 2022

Guest Speaker: Dr. Jim Sibley

Mordecai’s Cross and the Message of Purim

Esther

1. Introduction

2. The Story of Esther

3. Purim

4. Divine Reversals

• The Structure of Esther
• The Ring of Haman
• The Cross of Mordecai

If we could see beyond today as God can see,
If all the clouds should roll away,
The shadows flee;
O’er present griefs we would not fret,
Each sorrow we would soon forget,
For many joys are waiting yet
For you and me.

If we could see, if we could know, we often say,
But God in love a veil doth throw
Across our way;
We cannot see what lies before,
And so we cling to Him the more,
He leads us till this life is o’er;
Trust and obey.

A. W. Pink, “God is working out His eternal purpose, not only in spite of human and satanic opposition, but by means of them.”

David Livingstone, “I am immortal until the will of God for me is accomplished.”

Daniel Webster, “Faith puts God between us and our circumstances.”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 13, 2022

Positive Reinforcement

1 Thessalonians 2:7-12

1. Introduction

• overcoming the distance between writer and recipients
• Paul’s coming, appeal and motivation (2:1-6)

2. Convey Loving Care 7-8

• looking back to verse 6
• no loss of heart
• like a nursing mother

3. Contribute Constant Labor 9

• for further proof…
• not chargeable to you
• proclamation at personal cost

4. Communicate through Consistent Behavior 10-12

• devout, upright and blameless
• like a father exhorting, encouraging and imploring
• intimacy and instruction
• conformity to God’s character and communication

5. So What?

• In light of God’s provision of His gospel, invest in the spiritual progress of others for His glory.
• “Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.” (Ryle)
• “There are but two lessons for Christians to learn. The one is, to enjoy God in everything; the other is, to enjoy everything in God.” (Simeon)
• “Jesus, Lord, we look to Thee, let us in Thy name agree: show Thyself the Prince of peace; bid all strife forever cease. Let us for each other care, each the other’s burden bear; to Thy church the pattern give, show how true believers live.” (Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 6, 2022

A Faith That Travels

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

1. Background and Greeting 1

• Paul, Silas and Timothy: second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9)
• themes: thanksgiving, conversion, sanctification, expectation
• grace and peace

2. The Reception of the Gospel Calls for Thanksgiving 2-4

• mentioning in prayer
• remembering their faith, hope and love
• knowing their election by God (Dt. 7:6-11, Rom. 9:11, 11:5)

3. The Reality of Gospel Progression Calls for Thanksgiving 5-8

• gospel communication and conformity
• imitation, inspiration and impact

4. The Report of Gospel Transformation Calls for Thanksgiving 9-10

• turned to God from idols
• to serve…and to wait…
• Jesus, the One who delivering from the wrath coming

5. So What?

• Because of the surpassing worth of the gospel, treasure the testimony of life transformation.
• For the beleaguered believer: the salvation and vindication of Christ!
• “This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: Let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad.” (Babcock)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 27, 2022

Gospel Preservation

Daniel 6:1-28

1. Competence of God’s Man 1-3

• one of three high officials and the new king’s plan (5:29)

2. Conspiracy against God’s Man 4-9

• sought ground for complaint (Psalm 2:1-3)
• the law of his God
• proposal and lion’s den punishment

3. Consistency of God’s Man 10-15

• as he had done previously (1 Kings 8:46-53)
• discovered by accusers
• report to the king and the king’s response

4. Crisis in the Lion’s Den 16-18

• cast into the den
• king’s declaration
• stone, seal and no sleep

5. Conquest over the Lion’s Den 19-24

• king’s anguished tone
• angel, shut mouths, unharmed
• taken out of the den
• punishment of accusers

6. Confession of God’s Greatness 25-28

• decree to tremble and fear
• note the verbs
• prosperity of Daniel

7. So What?

• Recognizing your current exile status, order your life according to God’s greatness.
• connection to Christ: the lion’s den and the way of the cross (Heb. 13:13-14)
• discipleship: “a long obedience in the same direction” (Peterson)
• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” (Williams)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 20, 2022

Handwriting on the Walls of Today

Daniel 5:1-31

1. Overview

• 30 year gap between Daniel 4 and 5
• Nebuchadnezzar is dead and the new king is Belshazzar (“Bel, protect the king!”)

2. Belshazzar Throws a Party 1-4

• lavish feast
• narrator’s intent
• a profane case of idolatry (Rom. 1:18-21)

3. A Hand Suddenly Appears 5-12

• revelation that interrupts the revelry and Belshazzar’s response
• incompetent wise men
• counsel from the queen mother

4. Daniel Is Brought to the King 13-24

• insecurity exposed
• absence of deferential politeness
• a bit of context and a charge from Daniel

5. Interpretation of the Dream 25-31

• mene…tekel…peres
• the promised reward received
• Belshazzar’s demise “that very night…”

6. So What?

• Because its outcome is both certain and devastating, flee the dishonor of idolatry and focus on delight in God.
• Connection to Christ: The only feast for which there is a future is the one where Christ is host. (Matt. 22:11-13, Rev. 19:6-10)
• “What we revere we resemble either for our ruin or restoration.” (G. Beale)
• Remain awed by God’s majesty and mercy. (“Depth of Mercy” by C. Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 13, 2022

Guest Speaker: Sean Beach

Associate Minister of Education at First Baptist

Evangelism

Evangelism Training

John 3:16

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 6, 2022

Who’s in Charge Here?

Daniel 4:1-36

1. Intention 1-3

• design of the story: 17/25/32 (1Pet. 5:5)
• a royal flashback
• testimony of God’s work: a dramatic transformation

2. Dysfunction 4-9

• alarming dreams
• magnificent incompetence
• enter Daniel

3. Revelation 10-18

• massive tree
• chopped down with stump remaining
• beast’s mind and stated purpose (Rom. 1:21-25)

4. Interpretation 19-27

• dismay and compassion of Daniel
• the tree: Nebuchadnezzar
• purpose of judgment and application: avoid/embrace

5. Humiliation 28-33

• misinterpretation of mercy
• message from heaven
• immediate fulfillment

6. Restoration 34-36

• from pride to praise
• repetition and recognition
• the humble exalted
• implications for Israel (Isa. 6:13) and connection to Christ (Phil. 2: 5-11, 1 Pet. 2:24)

7. So What?

• Because God is absolutely in charge, constantly confess your utter dependence on Him.
• “bigness,” gospel humility, and the unlikely convert (“Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken” by H. Lyte)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 30, 2022

This God!

Daniel 3:8-30

1. Orientation for the Fiery Furnace Account 1-7

• preceded by Nebuchadnezzar’s dream/interpretation in Daniel 2
• image raised (1), worship commanded (4) and consequence of non-compliance (6) (Jer. 29:22)

2. Accusation against the Three Men 8-12

• malicious Chaldean charge
• repetition of command and consequence and report of non-compliance

3. Interrogation by Nebuchadnezzar 13-15

• furious rage and summons: verification sought and opportunity for compliance given
• assumption of deity inability

4. Verification of Non-Compliance 16-18

• when words are unnecessary (Ex. 20:4-5)
• condition and capacity…but if not… (Isa. 43:2, Matt. 26:39)

5. Persecution in a Fiery Furnace 19-23

• fury and face-change: heat turned up and men thrown in the furnace
• death of Nebuchadnezzar’s mighty men

6. Preservation through the Trial 24-27

• astonishment at a fourth unbound man: walking…and not hurt
• out of the fire with no singe, stain or smell

7. Exaltation of the God Who Delivers 28-30

• blessing the God who delivers
• decree issued and the men promoted

8. So What?

• connection to Christ: Matt. 16:25, Col. 1:13-14, Heb. 2:14-15, 1 Pet. 4:12
• Because God is able to deliver His people in every circumstance, obey Him despite the consequences.
• “Fidelity to God before fraternity with men…” (Spurgeon)
• “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply…” (Keene)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 23, 2022

Captured but Not Carried Away

Daniel 1:1-21

1. Orientation to Daniel 1-7

• context of judgment/exile (1-3): Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord “gave” (Lev. 26, Isa. 39)
• deportation of “unblemished” youths (4): relocation
• rationing, re-educating and renaming (5-7)
• focus on Daniel yet greater focus on the God of Daniel
• parallels with the present (Heb. 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:11)

2. Resolution of Daniel 8-16

• resolve to avoid defilement of prescribed diet and its motivation (8)
• chief’s rejection of request (9-10): note “God gave…favor”
• steward’s acceptance of proposal (11-14)
• supernatural result (15-16)

3. Elevation of Daniel 17-21

• endowment with exceptional skills (17): note “God gave…”
• graduation elevation (18-20)
• preservation of a dependent life (21)
• connection to Christ: Luke 4:4, Phil. 2:5-11, 3:20

4. So What?

• While in “captivity,” nothing is more important than knowing the God in control of your past, present and future.
• “God suffers no man to be a loser by faithfulness, and more than makes up all that is surrendered for His sake.” (Maclaren)
• Treasure the truth of an unchanging, unlimited God. (Knowing God, J. I. Packer)
• “You are almighty, You are great and majestic, You are strong, invincible, And there’s no one like You…” (“Eres Todopoderoso,” D. Montero)