Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 9, 2021

Like the Criminal on the Cross

Luke 23:32-43

1. Background for 39-43

• Luke’s Spirit-inspired and unique perspective (32-33)
• following the “first word” from the cross (34a) and before the record of Christ’s death/burial (44-56)

2. The Saving Inclination of Jesus

• caring about the heart of a condemned criminal
• atoning and going
• surrendering Himself to save sinners (34b-38) (Psa. 22:7-8)

3. The Repenting Representation of the Criminal 39-41

• rebuking the other criminal
• admitting his own guilt
• confessing Jesus as innocent King

4. The Assuring Declaration of Jesus 42-43

• criminal’s request
• a “mind-blowing” response
• implications of a single sentence

5. So What?

• Because of His capacity to save condemned criminals, magnify Christ’s saving grace and your certain future.
• If your ultimate confidence is in your accomplishments, you will abhor this text.
• Never impugn the outrageous nature of God’s grace.
• “The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; And there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away…” (Cowper)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 2, 2021

But Not so with You

Luke 22:24-30

1. Background

• in the context of the Lord’s Supper
• preceding the prediction of Peter’s denial

2. The Contention among the Disciples 24

• not the first time (Matt. 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45)
• a distracted dispute about greatness
• connection to John 13:1-5

3. Jesus Corrects the Disciples with a Command 25-27

• custom of the culture
• emphasizing a striking contrast
• specific command supported by example

4. Jesus Conveys Assurance and Authority to His Disciples 28-30

• gracious assessment
• staggering assignment
• heavenly joy and holy vocation

5. So What?

• Since greatness in God’s sight means humble service, take your cues from Jesus.
• Cultivate gospel humility. (Phil. 2:5-11)
• Remember that you’re not home yet.
• “Then I shall bow in humble adoration…” (Hine)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 25, 2021

Do This in Remembrance of Me

Luke 22:14-20

1. Context

• plot to kill Jesus (1-2) and betrayal by Judas (3-6, 21-22)
• Passover preparations (7-13) and biblical backdrop for 14-20

2. The Earnest Desire of Jesus 14-15

• to eat this Passover with you before I suffer
• redemption through substitution (Jn. 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7, 2 Cor. 5:21)

3. The Specific Declaration of Jesus 16-18

• not eat it until it is fulfilled…
• And He took a cup…
• foretaste of a greater gathering (Rev. 5:9-10, 19:6-9)

4. The Sovereign Design of Jesus 19-20

• institution of the Lord’s Supper
• bread: My body
• cup: My blood (Ex. 24:8)
• take and eat (Mt. 26:26-28)
• verbs of salvation

5. So What?

• Because the sacrifice of Jesus is the sacrifice to which all sacrifices point, receive and remember it.
• Bank your hope on the body and blood of Jesus.
• Magnify the ministry of the Lord’s Supper to your own soul.
• “He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calvary, And suffered and died alone…” (Gabriel)
• “Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power, Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more…” (Cowper)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 18, 2021

As One with Authority

Luke 20:1-19

1. Context

• entering, weeping and cleansing (19:28-48)
• public debate with religious leaders (20:1-21:4)

2. Jesus Addresses the Authority Issue 1-8

• a question from the religious leaders
• Jesus answers with a question
• caught on the horns of a dilemma

3. Jesus Illustrates with a Parable 9-15a

• landowner hires out vineyard (Isa. 5:1-7)
• messengers sent and treated shamefully (Acts 7:51-53)
• beloved son sent and killed (Heb. 13:12-13)

4. Jesus Offers a Timeless Application 15b-19

• Jesus poses a question and answers it
• response of the target audience
• Jesus points to a prophecy about Himself (Psa. 118:22, Isa. 8:14-15, Isa. 28:16)

5. So What?

• Because the Lord’s authority prevails, flee to Him for refuge.
• “There is no refuge from Him-only in Him.” (Kidner)
• Savor the Lord’s strange strategy that overcomes the world.
• Reject the sentimental syrup and the postmodern virtue of universal tolerance.
• “Mine, mine was the transgression…” (Bernard of Clairvaux)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 11, 2021

The Story of the Self-Invited Guest

Luke 19:1-10

1. Contextual Considerations

• exclusive to Luke and reflective of his focus
• passing through Jericho with 18:31-34 on His mind
• basic structure: verses 1-5 (found) and verses 6-10 (changed)

2. Meet Zacchaeus: chief tax collector, rich (1-2)

• The Crowd: could not see, small in stature (3)
• Response of Zacchaeus: ran ahead, climbed sycamore tree (4)

3. Action of Jesus (5-6)

• Zacchaeus, hurry and come down
• must stay: divine appointment
• joyful reception

4. The Crowd: grumbled, guest of a man who is a sinner (7)

• Response of Zacchaeus (8)

♦ half of my goods to the poor
♦ fourfold restoration (2 Sam. 12:6)

5. Action of Jesus (9-10)

• salvation to a son of Abraham (Gal. 3:7-9)
• to seek and save the lost

6. So What?

• Because of the mission of Jesus, meeting Him means never again being the same.
• “He will happily trample on the prejudices of others to rescue someone from sin.” (Maclaren)
• “O for the wonderful love He has promised, promised for you and for me! Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon, pardon for you and for me…” (Thompson)
• “Drown yourself in the immensity of God.” (Spurgeon/Begg)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 4, 2021

Easter Message

Of First Importance

1 Corinthians 15:1-11

-Because the content of the gospel is timelessly consequential, share in the triumph of its conquest.

1. The Gospel Demands Tenacious Trust 1-2

• reminder: gospel I gospelized
• reception and reliance
• no careless contemplation

2. The Gospel Transmits Timeless Truth 3-7

• delivered…received
• died, buried, RAISED, appeared…
• caravan of witnesses
• for our sins
• in accordance with the Scriptures

3. The Gospel Transforms Tainted Travelers 8-11

• life for a “wretched specimen”
• undeserved/unmerited favor of God
• opposed to earning and not to effort
• good news to celebrate

4. So What?

• “While passing through this world of sin…” (McKinney)
• “Either this man was, and is the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.” (Lewis)
• Remember that “the corner has been turned.”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 28, 2021

Hanging on His Words

Luke 19:28-48

1. Introduction

• preceding our text: Zacchaeus (19:1-10) and Ten Minas (19:11-27)
• moving toward Jerusalem and the cross: three symbolic acts that highlight the identity of Jesus

2. Jesus Enters Jerusalem (28-40)

• two disciples dispatched
• prophetic fulfillment (Zech. 9:9-10)
• disciples rejoice and praise (Psa. 118:26)
• objection from some Pharisees
• stones that cry out: inevitable praise

3. Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem (41-44)

• compassion/emotion of Jesus
• a peace hidden from their eyes (John 1:11)
• prediction of demise due to visitation insensitivity
• stones that fall down: inevitable destruction (Hab. 2:11)

4. Jesus Cleanses the Temple (45-48)

• denunciation of Temple practices (Mal. 3:1-4, Isa. 56:7, Jer. 7:11)
• daily routine in the Temple
• objective of the religious establishment
• people “hanging on His words”

5. So What?

• Because Jesus Christ has authority over all creation and alone can rescue it, hang on His words and join the chorus of His praise.
• “I hang upon the Savior, as actually perishing without His unbounded mercy and unintermitted care.” (Simeon)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 21, 2021

Beyond Religious Performance

Luke 18:9-14

Introduction

-What’s the real problem?
-Are we self-centered or God-centered?
-Recognition of contextual connections

1. Jesus targets the self-sufficient (9)

• misplaced trust
• mistreatment of others

2. Jesus teaches through vivid contrast (10-13)

• a religious performer: his attitude, actions and articulation
• a spiritual pauper: his attitude, actions and articulation

3. Jesus transmits a timeless truth (14)

• Only those who acknowledge the extremity of their need may enjoy the exaltation of intimacy with Jesus.
• A repeated NT theme: 1 Peter 5:5-7
• Recognize that self-justifiers remain unjustified.
• Understand the peril of religious performance.
• “Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me…” (Toplady)
• Serve Jesus with broken-hearted joy.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 14, 2021

The Son Who Stayed Home

Luke 15:11-32

1. Contextual Considerations

• identification of target audience in 15:1
• intensification in the three parables of Luke 15
• inclusion of 15:25-32

2. An Unusual Request 11-13

• man with two sons
• younger son requests inheritance
• division of property

3. A Journey into a Far Country 14-16

• squandered his property in reckless living
• severe famine and need
• feeding pigs

4. A Return Journey 17-20a

• when he came to himself
• contrasting his status with hired servants
• rehearsal of speech

5. A Compassionate Reception 20b-24

• the father’s actions: saw, felt, ran, embraced, kissed…
• the younger son’s confession
• robe, ring, shoes and festive celebration

6. An Angry Older Brother 25-32

• informed of his brother’s return
• an angry protest and an embellishment
• the father’s response

7. So What?

• Because of God’s heart for the lost, extend His compassion and join His celebration!
• “And so through all the length of days Thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever.” (Baker)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 7, 2021

Two Insensitive Jews and a Surprising Hero

Luke 10:25-37

1. A Neglected Setting (25-29)

• transparent motivation
• crucial question
• correct response
• diversionary tactic

2. A Familiar Story (30-35)

• avoidance: fear of contamination and complication
• engagement: distinguished by compassion
• expression: through care, courage and commitment

3. A Timeless Challenge (36-37)

• identifying a neighbor
• modeling of mercy
• called not to calculate but to care
• called not to sentimental feeling but to sacrificial action
• called not to achieve but to receive
• from the Good Samaritan to the Great Shepherd

4. So What?

• In light of the matchless mercy of Jesus, remember that loving your neighbor begins with the dimensions of your heart rather than the dimensions of your neighborhood.
• “If the truth were known…” (Miracle of Mercy by Stephen Curtis Chapman)
• “Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer; But this I know with all my heart-His wounds have paid my ransom.” (How Deep the Father’s Love for Us by Stuart Townend)