Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 24, 2020

Endurance, Encouragement and Glory

Romans 15:1-7

1. Setting the Stage for 15:1-7

• “one another” emphasis
• passing of judgment on one another: 14:1-12
• causing one another to stumble: 14:13-23
• main idea: Call attention to God’s greatness by treating others as God in Christ has treated you.

2. Please One Another Purposefully 15:1-4

• sensitive bearing up
• intentional building up
• Christ-centered model Psa. 69:9
• aim of biblical instruction
• objective of hope
• agency of endurance and encouragement

3. Receive One Another Reflectively 15:5-7

• expression of desire
• reflection on God’s character
• harmonization for the goal of glorification
• reflection on Christ’s reception

4. So What?

• Ask the Lord to stagger you with a biblical sense of His greatness.
• Fight the battle to cope with the biblical weapon of hope.
• “Jesus, I hang upon Thy word: I steadfastly believe Thou wilt return and claim me, Lord, and to Thyself receive.” (Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 17, 2020

Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Romans 13:11-14

-Because the way you love and what you wear flow out of it, make sure you know what time it is.

1. Recognize what time it is (11-12a)

• contextual connection: 13:1-7 and 13:8-10
• and this…: the matter of motivation
• time to wake up
• nearness of salvation
• current overlap
• a departing night and a dawning day

2. Respond in light of the time (12b-13)

• so then…
• three “shoulds”: cast off, put on, walk properly
• three “should nots”: substance abuse, sexual immorality, social strife

3. Obey the commands for the time (14)

• put on
• make no provision
• feasting, remembering, reflecting

4. So what?

• Root your present actions in the reality of what is to come.
• “It is later than it has ever been before, and the smartest thing any man can do is to set his watch by God’s clock.” (Havner)
• “O Christ, He is the fountain, the deep sweet well of love! The streams on earth I’ve tasted, more deep I’ll drink above: there to an ocean fullness His mercy doth expand, and glory, glory dwelleth in Emmanuel’s land.” (Cousins/Rutherford)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 10, 2020

Dying to Live

Romans 12:1-2

1. Seize the Principle of Presentation (1)

• context of urgent appeal (Rom. 1:1-11:32 and 11:33-36)
• characterization of appeal: on the basis of tender mercies
• content of appeal: to present bodies as a living sacrifice
• consideration of appeal: holy, well-pleasing, reasonable
• main idea: In light of God’s tender mercies, offer yourself as a living sacrifice to Him.

2. Stop the Progress of Conformity (2a)

• prohibition: continuation of an act in progress
• perspective: external expression patterned after this age
• problem: shifting on the circumstances

3. Seek the Process of Transformation (2b)

• obligation: continual metamorphosis
• orientation: ongoing renewal of the mind
• objective: discern the will of God on the basis of Scripture

4. So What?

• The key to a God-honoring life is not getting more but giving all.
• “I am an old man now and my mind is almost gone. But I can remember two things: I am a great sinner and Jesus is a great Savior.” (Newton)
• “Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song, the joy of my heart and the boast of my tongue; Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last, hath won my affections and bound my soul fast.” (Stocker)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 3, 2020

When Paul Sang the Doxology

Romans 11:33-36

1. Contextual Considerations

• Chapters 1-11 as doctrine and Chapters 12-16 as duty
• “hinge” passage connecting 1:11-32 to 12:1-16:27
• not minimizing the content/flow/theology of 9-11
• aim to maximize the grand objective: doxology
• In light of God’s unfathomable depth and incomparable character, determine to live a God-centered life for His glory.

2. Delight in the depth of God (33)

• a declaration
• riches of wisdom and knowledge
• unsearchable judgments and untraceable ways

3. Discern the character of God (34-35)

• an interrogation
• who has known…who has been…who has given? (Isa. 40:13, 1Chron. 29:14, Job 41:11)

4. Direct the glory to God (36)

• a magnification
• source, agency and purpose

5. So what?

• A biblical view of grace promotes humility and extinguishes arrogance.
• “Grace is the pleasure of God to magnify the worth of God by giving sinners the right and power to delight in God without obscuring the glory of God.” (Piper)
• “…Till we cast our crowns before Thee, lost in wonder, love and praise.” (Wesley)
• “Let us love and sing and wonder, let us praise the Savior’s name! He has hushed the law’s loud thunder, He has quenched Mt. Sinai’s flame. He has washed us with His blood, He has brought us nigh to God.” (Newton)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 26, 2020

Making the Impossible Possible

Romans 10:1-13

Sense the lostness of all sinners (1-4)

-problem: Jewish rejection and Gentile acceptance (Romans 9-11)
-misunderstanding and misuse of the law (9:32)
-historical microcosm
-Paul’s desire, description and declaration

1. See the simplicity of the message (5-10)

• comparison: the faith-basis of righteousness (5-6a, Lev. 18:5)
• confirmation

♦ prohibition (6b-7, Deut. 30:11-14)
♦ proclamation (8)

• appropriation: heart and mouth (9-10)
• qualification

2. Celebrate the remedy of salvation (11-13)

• no shame (Isa. 28:16)
• no distinction (Joel 2:32)
• call, all, enthrall…

3. So what?

• Because God makes the impossible possible through Christ, rely on Him and relay His message.
• Remember “…the Bible tells me so.”
• Resist the lure of becoming a “closet” inclusivist.
• Taste the sweet medicine of the gospel daily.
• “The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer. Oh! Hear the voice of Jesus…” (W. Hunter)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 19, 2020

What Then…?

Romans 8:31-39

1. Catch the connecting question (31a)

• the indicative: who you are 8:1-11
• the imperative: how you should live 8:12-17
• the perspective: consolation, comfort and confirmation 8:18-30
• a critical qualification 8:28
• main idea: Because nothing can sever you from God’s all-conquering love in Christ, claim Him as your security and satisfaction in every circumstance.

2. Consider the catalog of questions and answers (31b-36)

• answering the opposition question with a question: an unspared Son 31b-32
• the accusation question: the God who justifies 33
• the condemnation question: the God who raises and the Christ who intercedes at His right hand 34
• “Nothing serves to verify the intimacy and constancy of the Redeemer’s preoccupation with the security of His people, nothing assures us of His unchanging love more than the tenderness which His heavenly priesthood bespeaks and particularly as it comes to expression in intercession for us.” (Murray)
• the separation question: earthly challenges and Psa. 44:22 35-36

3. Claim the settled conviction (37-39)

• a final answer: hyper-conquerors in these things
• inclusive of the entire realm of existence

4. So what?

• goal of this text: “…to make you unshakeably secure for the sake of suffering in the Christ-exalting path of obedience.” It is “a God-wrought, blood-bought security.” (Piper)
• “When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay…” (Mote)
• “Those He saves are His delight, Christ will hold me fast; Precious in His holy sight, He will hold me fast. He’ll not let my soul be lost; His promises shall last; Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast.” (A. Habershon)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 12, 2020

Easter Message

Hope for the Slow of Heart

Luke 24:13-35

1. A Particular Context (13-16)

• resurrection details only in Luke
• that very day… (24:1)
• discussion on the road to Emmaus
• Jesus Himself drew near
• their eyes were “held”

2. A Personal Conversation (17-27)

• question of Jesus
• disconsolate disciples
• limited perception
• an early report
• a trip to the Book!

3. A Powerful Confirmation (28-35)

• polite continuation
• urgent invitation
• the guest becomes the host
• distribution, discovery and disappearance
• a case of holy heartburn

4. So What?

• When circumstances lead you to think there is no hope, rest in the reality of the resurrection.
• Let Holy Scripture, not human sentiment, be your source for navigating life.
• “Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish; Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel; Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. Go ask the infidel what boon he brings us, what charm for aching hearts he can reveal? Sweet as that heavenly promise hope sings us, earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.” (T. Moore)
• Trust God with the ending! (Rev. 19:6-9)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 5, 2020

Dead and Alive

Romans 6:1-14

-connection to 5:12-21: doctrine of imputation
-shift from justification to sanctification
-main idea: In light of Christ’s death and resurrection for you, reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Him.

1. Recognize the implication of being dead to sin (1-10)

• objection, answer, reason and elaboration
• baptized into Christ: buried and raised (1-4)
• united with Christ: old self crucified, no longer enslaved, set free, once for all (5-10)

2. Reckon yourself dead…and alive (11-14)

• 4 key commands
• a sermon in tenses: “present” (13)
• not perfectionism
• freedom under grace

3. So what?

• “Run, John, run, the law commands, but gives us neither feet nor hands. Far better news the gospel brings: it bids us fly and gives us wings.” (Bunyan)
• Magnify the matter of your union with Christ and stay in the battle.
• “For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ!” (M’Cheyne)
• “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise…” (Havergal)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 29, 2020

Audio is from Zoom meeting:

Much More!

Romans 5:6-11

1. Connecting this passage to 5:1-5 and, particularly, to 5:5

• the crucial role of the Holy Spirit: things made plain by preaching, made precious by the Spirit
• main idea: Because God reconciles His weak, sinful enemies to Himself through Christ, rejoice in His extravagant love.

2. Recognize the historical/theological context (6)

• our status
• God’s “season”
• historical fact:
• theological meaning:

3. Observe the comparison to human love (7)

• the just/upright person
• the kind/generous person

4. Discern the distinct contrast of God’s love (8-10)

• God’s decisive demonstration
• note the passive verbs: acted on
• the “much more” argument

5. Acknowledge the culmination of the gospel’s purpose (11)

• increased certainty
• centered in Christ
• means of reconciliation
• rejoicing/boasting in God

6. So What?

• Exult in the great exchange!
• “As revealed with final authority in Scripture alone, the gospel is the good news that by faith alone, through grace alone, on the basis of Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, sinners have full and final joy in God alone.” (Piper)
• “I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom; But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. 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.” (Townend)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 22, 2020

Hope for the Helpless

Romans 5:1-5

1. Introduction

• repetition of “therefore”
• previously: all guilty, no salvation by works, God’s way by grace through faith, example of Abraham
• connection to the last two words of 4:25
• Because of God’s provision in Christ, we can apply the certainties of salvation to the circumstances of our lives.

2. Affirmation: Trusting God to Save Us (1-2)

• defining “justification”
• summary of results:

♦ immediately, we have peace
♦ continually, we stand in grace
♦ ultimately, we hope for glory

3. Application: Trusting God to Sustain Us (3-5)

• “not only…”
• defining “tribulations”
• beneficial results:

♦ productive pressure
♦ ripened character
♦ assurance through the Holy Spirit

4. So What?

• Anchor your joy to your secure standing with God.
• The God who goes before us in salvation will go before us in our circumstances.
• “Be Thou my shield and hiding place, that sheltered near Thy side, I may my fierce accuser face, and tell him Thou hast died.” (John Newton)