Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 5, 2021

Christmas Series

Christmas and the God of Hope

Romans 15:4-13

1. Introduction

• contextual connections: Romans 14 and 15:1-3
• Because Christ is the ultimate confirmation of God’s promises, you can have hope this Christmas-and forever!
• Why Christmas?

2. Receive One Another on the Basis of Common Hope 4-7

• because the Scriptures instruct us
• so that we might have hope
• through endurance and encouragement
• so that we may glorify God

3. Recognize the Praise that Flows from the Confirmation of This Common Hope 8-15

• Christ serves on behalf of the truth of God
• Christ confirms the promises of God
• Gentiles are commanded to praise: 2 Sam. 22:50, Psa. 18:49, Deut. 32:43, Psa. 117:1
• a hope-laced prophecy: Isa. 11:10
• a prayer request: from hope to hope

4. So What?

• Bank on the basis of hope.
• Fuel your hope by feasting on the Word.
• Remember that Christmas is about hope-filled mercy.
• “…a thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees…” (J. S. Dwight)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 28, 2021

The Refreshment That Pauses

Philemon 4-7

-Paul “pauses” to reflect on Philemon’s refreshment with a particular purpose in mind: reconciliation between Philemon and his runaway slave, Onesimus.
-Because the Gospel transforms your relationship with God, you can pursue transformed relationships with others.

1. Offer Grateful Affirmation 4-5

• contextually: between introduction and appeal, sets trajectory for the rest of the letter
• the “when” and the “why” of Paul’s thankfulness

2. Engage in Thoughtful Intercession 6

• getting the facts of “fellowship” straight
• “All are bound together in a mutual bond that makes our much-prized individualism look shallow and petty.” (N. T. Wright)
• “When we act in accord with the blessings we have in Christ, we grow closer to Christ.” (R. Melick)

3. Express Specific Appreciation 7

• because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
• relief, rest and refreshment

4. So What?

• Because the Gospel transforms your relationship with God, you can pursue transformed relationships with others.
• “The Gospel is the change that changes everything.” (B. McCarty)
• Who is resting today under the shelter of your encouragement?
• Are you presently interceding for any “runaways” in your sphere of relationships?
• “The arrow shot travels far beyond the archer’s eye.” (A. Maclaren)
• “Blest Be the Tie That Binds” (J. Fawcett)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 21, 2021

Thanksgiving Message

A Psalm for Thanksgiving: Wise Men Still Praise Him

Psalms 111

Background Information

-acrostic psalm: thematic over structural
-written with a view to remembrance: who the LORD is and what He does

1. Praise (1)

• declaration of intent: passionate and public

2. Projection (2-3)

• magnification of His creating and sustaining work
• reflection of enduring righteousness
• application: delight leads to study

3. Provision (4-6)

• written in a book!
• echo of the exodus (Ex. 34:6)
• mindful provision of food and possession

4. Precepts (7-8)

• consistency between His works and His word
• no “fickle despot”

5. Purchase (9)

• purchase for the purpose of liberation
• commanded covenant proceeding from incomparable character

6. Principle (10)

• motto of the wisdom writers
• reverence and recognition: the pondering and praising of the wise

7. Perpetuity (10)

• magnifying His transcendence and immanence (Rev. 4:8)
• connection to Christ

8. So What?

• Because the LORD is the source and summit of every good thing, praise Him now and forever.
• Recognize…Repent…Resolve… Then, “ponder anew…”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 14, 2021

Under New Ownership

Colossians 3:15-17

1. Contextual Connections for 3:15-17

• seek, set and put to death (3:1-5)
• put off/put on (3:6-14)
• In light of Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency, cultivate a growing awareness of His ownership of you.

2. Let the Peace of Christ Rule… (15)

• act as umpire
• corporate emphasis
• link between peace and gratitude

3. Let the Word of Christ Reside… (16)

• teaching/admonishing with wisdom
• singing with thankfulness

4. Let the Name of Christ Regulate… (17)

• whatever you do in word and deed
• giving thanks to God the Father through Him

5. So What?

• Watch out for the tyranny of the temporary. “Value the weight of eternal things more than the shiny bait of expiring things.” (Reinke)
• A word from A. W. Tozer:
• “Turn your eyes to the hillside where justice and mercy embraced. There the Son of God gave His life for us and our measureless debt was erased.”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 7, 2021

The Threat of Subtraction by Addition

Colossians 2:16-23

-therefore: connecting 2:16-23 to its context
-Since Christ’s accomplishment on the cross is sufficient, enjoy your freedom and reject legalism.

1. First Command: Let no one judge you… (16-17)

• with reference to food, drink, festival, Sabbath
• in light of the shadow/substance contrast

2. Second Command: Let no one disqualify you… (18-19)

• the one delighting in asceticism and angel worship
• the one detailing what he has “seen”
• the one dilating himself based on his flesh
• the one diminishing the nourishment of the Head

3. One Pressing Question: Why do you submit…? (20-23)

• negative prohibitions connected to perishing things
• promotion of man-made religion which feeds pride
• OT commentary: Isa. 29:13

4. So What?

• “Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says ‘necessary but not enough.’” (MacGorman)
• Grace: God achieves and man receives, Legalism: man achieves and God receives
• Bondage to sin is broken by a more compelling joy, or “the expulsive power of a new affection.” (Chalmers)
• EE/CWT question: If you were to stand before the Lord and He were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” what would you say?
• “Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree. In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory. See the price of our redemption, see the Father’s plan unfold-bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold.” (Boswell/Papa/Bleeker)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 31, 2021

Keep Walking!

Colossians 2:6-15

– therefore: connecting 2:6-15 with its context
– In light of Christ’s accomplishment on the cross, remain faithful and resist falsehood.

1. Commit to Continuance (6-7)

• walk: conduct, lifestyle, consistent with the gospel
• rooted, built up, established, abounding

2. Proceed with Caution (8)

• danger of incarceration through speculation and deception
• the standard: according to Christ

3. Grounds for Continuation and Caution (9-15)

• hymn-like quality (4 “in Him” and 4 “striking” participles)
• filled in His fullness (9-10)
• circumcision (11), burial/resurrection (12), death/new life (13), expunged record (14), disarming/triumph (15)

4. So What?

• “My sin, oh 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, oh my soul…” (Spafford)
• “And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, ‘Jesus died my soul to save’ my lips shall still repeat…” (Hall)
• “There we leave you in that blessed dependency, to hang upon Him that hangs on the cross.” (Donne)
• Cling to Christ!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 24, 2021

Avoiding a Ride on Heresy Highway

Colossians 1:24-2:5

– Connections to 1:15-20 and 1:21-23

1. Paul’s stewardship: Prize maturity (24-29)

• rejoicing in sufferings
• filling up what is lacking…
• making the word known
• Christ the hope of glory
• Paul’s “faithful dependence” and “furious drive”

2. Paul’s concern: Promote stability (1-5)

• new hearts and common hope
• encouraged through unity
• enriched with understanding
• established against error
• purpose and commendation

3. So What?

• Living in absolute submission to Jesus Christ safeguards believers from spiritual seduction.
• At the heart of every cult is a defective doctrine of Jesus Christ.
• “Admonition is love’s authentic expression in time of danger.” (MacGorman)
• Prosperity of soul is the best prosperity. (3 John 2-4)
• “Weak is the effort of my heart, and cold my warmest thought; But when I see Thee as You art, I’ll praise Thee as I ought.” (Newton)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 17, 2021

Gospel Supremacy

Colossians 1:1-14

* Background/Context: author, occasion, Colossian “heresy” and theme

1. Don’t hit “delete!” (1-2)

• identification of recipients
• extension of grace and peace

2. Attention! God at Work! (3-8)

• You grow spiritually when you appreciate God’s actions for you and affirm His message to you.

A. Appreciate God’s role as the author of new life. (3-5a)

• gratitude for activity and new existence
• upward, outward and forward

B. Affirm God’s message as the ultimate solution. (5b-6)

• centered in Christ
• word of truth
• undeserved but desperately needed
• productive

C. Assess your present status. (7-8)

• example of Epaphras
• note the progression

3. Praying for Others (9-14)

• Since nothing matters more than God’s honor, pray that the lives of His people may honor Him.

A. Understand the perspective of prayer. (9a)

• unbroken communion
• unceasing support

B. Affirm the priority in prayer. (9b)

• to know God
• ignorance is not bliss

C. Emphasize the pleasure of God in prayer. (10-12)

• life that pleases God
• what it looks like: exhibiting fruit, applying knowledge, appropriating strength, giving thanks

D. Praise the God who qualifies, delivers and transfers. (13-14)

• redemption
• forgiveness

4. So What?

• Cultivate a text-driven perspective.
• Pray in response to and anticipation of God’s word. (Before You Open Your Bible by Matt Smethurst)
• “The pipe of love is often dry because the pipe of prayer is not deep enough.” (John Piper)
• “Sweet hour of prayer…” (William Walford, 1845)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 10, 2021

Gospel Enablement

Philippians 4:10-20

-previously: prerequisites for peace (2-7)
-bridge to this text: think and practice (8-9)

1. The Learned Commodity of Contentment (10-13)

• rejoicing in a “blossom” of concern
• a delicate appreciation
• the discipline of sufficiency in Christ
• a learned “secret”
• enablement for the assignment

2. The Promised Provision that Promotes Cooperation (14-20)

• exclusive partnership
• a grace-centered commendation
• a fragrant offering
• fullness according to wealth
• directed doxology

3. So What?

• When you rely on the enabling power of Christ, you can live with consistent contentment and confident generosity.
• You can do what the Lord assigns you to do because of the power that He keeps on pouring into you.
• “The power of Christ in Paul was not for the gratification of Paul’s whims but for the carrying out of Christ’s will.” (Robertson)
• “For Paul, contentment is not found in creating our own security but by abandoning our security to Christ.” (Ferguson)
• “Under the shadow of Your throne Your saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Your arm alone, and our defense is sure.” (Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 3, 2021

Gospel Protection

Philippians 4:4-7

-You can enjoy the protection of God’s supernatural peace when you meet its biblical prerequisites.

A Context of Confinement (1:13), Conviction (4:1) and Conflict (4:2-3)

1. Command #1: Rejoice Continually (4)

• inclusive command
• specific focus

2. Command #2: Relate Reasonably (5)

• from observation to imitation
• imminent and intimate incentives

3. Command #3: Request Comprehensively (6)

• clear prohibition
• balanced perspective
• panorama of prayer

4. A Result to Anticipate (7)

• with the result that…
• guaranteed coverage
• the peace of God going…the God of peace guarding

5. So What?

• Our capacity to rejoice in the Master is connected to our concentration on His worth.
• “Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above: Comfort it brings, and power and peace and joy and everlasting love. Jesus, mine all in all Thou art: My rest in toil, my ease in pain, the medicine of my broken heart. In war my peace, in loss my gain, my smile beneath the tyrant’s frown, in shame my glory and my crown.” (C. Wesley)
• “Watch over your child ____, O Lord, as his days increase; bless him and guide him, and keep him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he falls; and in his heart may your peace which passes understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer)