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)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 15, 2020
Audio is not available.
But Now…
Romans 3:21-26
This morning we will examine what has been called the “most important paragraph” in the Bible.
Main Idea: Because of God’s rescuing intervention at the cross, guilty offenders can receive His reconciling forgiveness.
1. Acknowledge the intervention of God (21-22)
• something happened
• now: logical, chronological, eschatological
• righteousness of God: unswerving commitment
• manifested: death of Jesus Christ
• without distinction
2. Identify the human deficiency (23)
• all (without exception) sinned
• fall short: lacking, has mainly to do with God
• glory: supreme value, surpassing worth
3. Appreciate the rescuing activity of God (24)
• being justified: acted on, declared righteous
• gift: you can’t pay for it
• grace: you can’t work for it
• redemption: deliverance at a cost
4. Grasp the glorious resolution God accomplishes (25-26)
• set forth by God
• propitiation of wrath
• demonstration of righteousness
• not to meet with friends but to die for enemies
5. So what?
• Trust and treasure! “Were the whole realm…” (Watts)
• Remember that the door of salvation swings on the hinge of substitution.
• “O thou, my soul, forget no more the Friend who all thy sorrows bore. Let every idol be forgot; but, O my soul, forget Him not.” (K. Pal)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 8, 2020
Good News…Bad News
Romans 1:18-32
1. Overview
• good news: The gospel is the power of God to save.
• bad news: Every person is deserving of God’s wrath.
• main idea: Because humanity is without excuse, its only recourse is the remedy of the gospel.
2. God reveals His righteous wrath against all sin and sinners (18)
• settled hostility, refusal to compromise, resolve to condemn
• ongoing activity
• ungodliness and unrighteousness
• holding down the truth
3. God removes all excuses (19-20)
• those who’ve never heard?
• God has “manifested” that which can be known about Him
• perceived from the creation of the world (“natural revelation”) (“poem”)
• God doesn’t believe in atheists
• “without apology”
4. God exposes fundamental idolatry (21-23)
• having known…did not glorify or thank
• futile thinking and darkened hearts
• wise professors who exchanged Creator worship for creature worship
5. God reveals His wrath through the degradation of humanity (24-32)
• the short trip from idolatry to immorality
• disordered sexual relationships: homosexuality (contrast with Christ/Church)
• “God gave them up” (three uses)
• inclusive of thought and behavior
6. So what?
• “Don’t exchange your God for anything. Exchange everything for Him.” (Piper)
• “What you revere, you resemble, either for ruin or restoration.” (Beale)
• Cherish, rejoice and delight in the gospel!
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 1, 2020
The Gospel of God and His Son
Romans 1:16-17
I. Organization
• theological treatise
• credentials and focus (1-7)
• prayer and obligation (8-15)
• desperation and deliverance (1:18-3:31)
II. Declaration 16a
• unashamed of the gospel
• understanding of the gospel
III. Explanation 16b-17
• power of God for salvation
• for all believing
• Jew and non-Jew
• because it reveals God’s righteousness
♦ from faith to faith
♦ Hab. 2:4
• in view of the revelation of wrath (1:18)
• saved from what?
IV. So what?
• Because the gospel alone has the power to save, keep on believing and sharing it.
• God supplies the righteousness He demands in Christ alone.
• “The wisdom of God ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.” (Piper)
• “I love to tell the story…” (K. Hankey)
• Count on the gospel to get you safely home.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 23, 2020
Their Rock and Our Rock
Deuteronomy 31:30-32:47
In our text this morning, Moses is about to leave the people he has led for so long. Some of his parting words are expressed through speaking the words of a song. The song conveys the stark contrast between the security of dependence on God and the futility of devotion to any other focus of worship. It also communicates a timeless and solemn summons: Rely on the only Rock!
Background/Context
-reading of the law prescribed
-Joshua commissioned
Survey of Deuteronomy 31
-ascription and explanation (3-4)
-contrast between unfaithful people and the faithful God (5-18)
-The LORD’S corrective discipline (19-30)
-contrast between the Rock and the rockless (31-38)
-a sovereign declaration (39-43)
-a specific directive (44-47)
Observations about the Rock
-repetition: 8 times in Deut. 32
-firm foundation
-safe refuge
-inexhaustible refreshment
-untroubled rest
-connection to Christ: Matt. 7:24-27 and 1 Cor. 10:1-6
So what?
-Because the LORD alone is a rock, rely on Him exclusively.
-“If God is not our best good, we have no solid good.” (Maclaren)
-“Rock of Ages, cleft for me…” (Toplady)
-“On Christ the solid rock I stand…” (Mote)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 16, 2020
A Prophet like Moses
Deuteronomy 18:9-22
-Deuteronomy: “Second Law”
-preparation for life in a new land
1. Avoiding Abominable Practices (9-14)
• highlighting the source of blessing
• warning about experimentation
• assumptions about the occult
• catalog of detestable activities
• addressing an unbiblical sentiment
2. Listening to the LORD’S Prophet (15-22)
• distinct contrast
• prophetic succession
• appreciation of the LORD’S holiness
• prophetic authorization
• prophetic discernment
• prophetic fulfillment
3. So What?
• Because the Lord superintends the matter of how He reveals Himself, submit to His wisdom and exalt His Son.
• connection to Christ: Heb. 1:1-4, 3:1-6 and 1 John 5:3-5
• absolutely true…!
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 9, 2020
Guest Speaker: Dr. Christopher Osborne
Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Prayer
Pray According to God’s Will
1 John 5:13-15
No lesson outline available.
