Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 13, 2024
Why We All Need Jesus
Hebrews 1:1-4
Series: Highlights in Hebrews
1. Background
• theme: Jesus is better…
• original audience: Jewish Christians in need of endurance
2. Scripture Presents Jesus as God’s Final Word 1-2a
• assertion that God has spoken
• a four-fold contrast: when, how, to whom and through whom
3. Scripture Discloses the Incomparable Credentials of Jesus 2b-4
• a catalog crammed into just over two verses:
• heir of all things
• agent of creation
• radiance of glory
• exact representation
• upholds by His word
• completed work of purification for sins
• sat down at God’s right hand
• superior to angels
4. So What?
• In light of Scripture’s testimony to His supremacy, recognize that Jesus is all you need now and forever.
• “He is not the kind of deity who keeps Himself to Himself.” (H. Jones)
• “All there is of salvation for us is to be found in Jesus.” (L. Duncan)
• “We’re all broken people. Don’t we all need Jesus? Every moment of our lives, 24, 365…” (D. Gokey)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 6, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Navigating Your Soul’s Dark Night
Psalms 77
1. Background
• psalm of Asaph: musician and friend of David
• movement from self-focus to God-preoccupation
2. Desperate Crying 1-3
• audible (Heb. 5:7)
• persistent (Gen. 37:35)
• perplexed
3. Desperate Confession 4-9
• sleepless nights and speechless days
• summoning the good old days
• searching questions (Psa. 17:7; 103:8)
4. Desperate Contemplation 10-15
• a turning point: remembering publicly and privately
• a focus on the facts of God’s dealings with His people (Ex. 15:11)
5. Desperate Confirmation 16-20
• reflection on events at the Red Sea and Sinai
• connection to Christ: perspective from the Aaronic Blessing (Num. 6:22-27)
6. So What?
• Because God always is holy and faithful, rehearse His consistent character in your soul’s dark night.
• “Oh, what peace we often forfeit…” (Scriven, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)
• “We will remember. We will remember. We will remember the works of your hands. We will stop and give you praise, for great is Thy faithfulness.” (Walker, “We Will Remember”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 29, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Psalms 67:1-7
1. Background
• a psalm with covenantal connections (Gen. 12:1-3)
• likely a psalm of harvest time
2. Petition for Favor with a Flow 1-3
• echo of the Aaronic Blessing (Num. 6:24-26)
• extension of life-giving knowledge (2 Tim. 3:14-17)
• a repeated refrain with a request
3. Celebration of Judgment and Providence 4-5
• the merging of strength and tenderness
• unimpeachable righteousness addressing universal imperfection
4. Anticipation of Spreading Blessing 6-7
• a missionary psalm
• material wealth for the sake of the world’s worship
• decisive fulfillment in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:13-14)
5. So What?
• Because God aims to be known and worshiped among the nations, deploy the resources He entrusts to you for His glory.
• What matters most is man’s need of God Himself.
• Mirror the psalmist’s zeal for the nations to rejoice in the knowledge of the true God. (Matt. 28:19-20)
“Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill this land with the Father’s glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze. Set our hearts on fire. Flow, river, flow. Flood the nations with grace and mercy. Send forth Your word, Lord, and let there be light.” (Kendrick, “Shine, Jesus, Shine”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 22, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Though the Mountains Be Moved
Psalms 46:1-11
1. He Cannot Crumble in Times of Chaos (1-3)
• well-proved and battle-tested
• abundantly available for help in tight places
• picture of stability
2. His Presence Conquers Confusion (4-7)
• not remote or inaccessible
• not defeated
• LORD of hosts
3. His Control Enables Confidence (8-11)
• two double commands: come, behold… and be still, and know…
• not deterred
• Hush!
• God of Jacob
• stronghold
4. So What?
• Because the LORD is your only refuge, rely on Him to see you through the storm.
• Remember the frailty of this life.
• Recognize the foolishness of theological subjectivity.
• Make the connection to Christ: Psalm 2:1-12; 110:1, Matt. 7:24-27, Heb. 12:1-3
• ”Though the mountains may fall and the hills turn to dust, yet the love of the Lord will stand as a shelter for all who will call on His name. Sing the praise and the glory of God.” (Schutte, “Though the Mountains May Fall”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 15, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Sustained by Steadfast Love
Psalms 36:1-12
1. Background
• psalm of David intended for public worship
• psalm of powerful contrasts: human wickedness and divine goodness
2. Revelation of the Wicked Man’s Outlook 1-4
• dedication to transgression and absence of the fear of God (Psa. 16:8)
• self-flattery that disregards sin
• deceptive speech and active engagement in evil (Rom. 1:18-32)
3. Meditation on the LORD’S Attributes 5-9
• insurmountable love and faithfulness
• unfathomable righteousness and judgments
• comprehensive refuge and abundance
4. Petition for Continuation of Benefits 10-12
• steadfast love and righteousness
• preservation from the wicked
• anticipation of the demise of the wicked
5. So What?
• Because of the LORD’S faithful love, live safely and securely in a world dominated by godlessness.
• Remember that the LORD’S steadfast love “is too great to grasp and too good to let slip.” (D. Kidner)
• connection to Christ: Rom. 5:8; Col. 1:13-14; Heb. 4:16
• “I love you, Lord. Your mercy never fails me. All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands. From the moment that I wake up until I lay my head, I will sing of the goodness of God.” (Johnson, “Goodness of God”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 8, 2024
Series on Psalms For Sonburst
Comprehensive Care
Psalms 23:1-6
This beloved Psalm has comforted countless pilgrims in this life. Since the LORD, who lacks nothing, cares for those who lack everything, satisfy yourself in Him as the Shepherd of your soul.
1. Comprehensive Care Means No Lack 1-3
• first five words: intimacy and exclusivity
• sufficiency, refreshment and renewal: for the sake of His name
2. Comprehensive Care Means No Fear 4
• protective tools
• scouting the landscape of your life
3. Comprehensive Care Means No End 5-6
• overflowing certainty
• pursuing His sheep with goodness and mercy
4. Comprehensive Care Means No Other
• connection to Christ: the supreme Shepherd (John 10) and sacrificial Lamb
• the rest of the story: Psalm 22:27; Rev. 7
5. So What?
• the only hope for wayward sheep: a watchful and sacrificing Shepherd
• “The King of Love my Shepherd is, whose goodness fails me never. I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever…Perverse and foolish I have strayed, but in His love He sought me, and on His shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me.” (Baker, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 1, 2024
Never Abandoned
Psalms 16:1-11
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Appeal for Sovereign Protection 1-4
• request
• recognition
2. Assessment of Supreme Value 5-6
• portion/inheritance (Num. 18:20)
• cup
3. Assurance of Sustaining Power 7-11
• instruction
• contemplation
• confidence
• connection to Christ: (Acts 2:25-36, 13:35-37, 1 Cor. 15:20)
• unutterable bliss
4. So What?
• Because the LORD’s love and care for you lasts forever, face your future with full assurance.
• “God is not one to give up His friends.” (Kidner) (See Phil. 1:6)
• Build assurance through absorbing God’s Word.
• “When God is mine and I am His, of paradise possessed, I taste unutterable bliss and everlasting rest.” (“I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” C. Wesley)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 25, 2024
Grace in a Tight Place
Psalms 4:1-8
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Background
• evening psalm that focuses on peace in a distracting situation
• connection to Psalm 3 and use in public worship
2. Enriched Prayer 1
• steadying appeal to the LORD’S character in a time of distress
• urgent confidence and relief through making space
3. Focused Application 2-6
• for the slanderer (2-3)
• for the impulsive (4-5)
• for the despairing (6)
4. Fruitful Reality 7-8
• massive joy
• deep peace
5. So What?
• Because the LORD is the source of security and peace, cultivate a constant awareness of His personal and protective grace.
• “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Gal. 5:22)
• Yield to the text and remember how the LORD regards you. (Rom. 8:1, 31-38)
• “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, leaning on the everlasting arms? I have blessed peace with my Lord so near…” (Hoffman)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 18, 2024
Crisis Management: A Biblical Response
Psalms 3:1-8
Series: Psalms For Sonburst
1. Confidence in the LORD’S Character when the Crisis Arises (1-3)
• circumstances: King David faces disloyalty and discouragement when Absalom rebels
• increasing opposition
• immediate cry
• insightful expressions: shield, glory, lifter of my head
2. Rehearsal of the LORD’S Care during the Crisis (4-6)
• perspective shift: from speaking directly to the LORD to speaking about the LORD
• protective care that sustains
• protective care that inspires
3. Appeal to the LORD as the Cause of Deliverance from the Crisis (7-8)
• requests: arise and deliver
• anticipation of complete deliverance
• recognition of the sole source of deliverance
4. So What?
• Because of the LORD’S character and care, determine to serve Him confidently when crisis comes.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 26:30; 2 Sam. 15:30, Rom. 8:31
• “Get theological.” (Begg)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 14, 2024
Drop-Dead Serious
Acts 4:32-5:1-11
1. Context 32-37
• thriving in the midst of external opposition
• essence of the church: harmony, boldness, favor and sacrificial generosity
• example of Barnabas
• shift from external to internal opposition
2. Crisis Inside the Church (1-11)
• contrast indicated between Barnabas (son of encouragement) and Ananias/Sapphira
• complete hypocrisy: sold property…kept back…
• confronted by Peter: …lie…contrived…lied
• consequences repeated: sudden death and great fear
3. So What?
• Because Scripture records God’s holy fervor for the holiness of His people, serve Him with reverential fear.
• There is too little “trembling” today. (Phil. 2:12). Contempt for the severity of judgment often reveals a sub-biblical view of sin.
• “Every sin strikes at the honor of God, the being of God, the glory of God, the heart of Christ, the joy of the Spirit and the peace of a man’s conscience.” (Thomas Boston)
• “The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the Church. His truth is too distant, His grace is too ordinary, His judgment is too benign, His gospel is too easy and His Christ is too common.” (David Wells)
• “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear…” (John Newton)
