Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 2, 2020

Preaching the Gospel to Yourself

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

-prior to our text: restatement of the 10 Commandments (5:1-21) and summary of Law giving (5:22-33)

1. The purpose of the instruction (1-3)

• that you may do
• that you may fear…by keeping…
• hear and do

2. The passion expressed in the shema (4-5)

• context of polytheism
• foundational fidelity to the only One you should worship (4:35, 39)
• heart, soul and might: totality of being

3. The proclamation of the passion (6-9)

• on your heart
• diligent teaching
• wherever you are and whatever you are doing
• constant reminders

4. The principle of exclusive worship (10-19)

• remembering the LORD’S provision
• lest you forget…
• a jealous God
• avoidance of disloyalty

5. The power of reviewing the past (20-25)

• brought us out…that He might bring us in…
• for our good always
• connection to Christ (Matt. 22:34-40)

6. So What?

• Because you transmit what you treasure, make sure the LORD is your greatest treasure.
• “May the living God, who is the portion and rest of the saints, make these our carnal minds so spiritual, and our earthly hearts so heavenly, that loving Him and delighting in Him may be the work of our lives.” (R. Baxter)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 26, 2020

A God so Near

Deuteronomy 4:1-40

Our text this morning highlights the significance of consistent obedience in light of the incomparable character of God.

1. Moses speaks to Israel (1-8)

• listen and do…
• judgment on idolatry
• a God so near…

2. Moses appeals for vigilance (9-14)

• keep your soul
• lest you forget…
• generational rehearsal of history

3. Moses warns about idolatry (15-24)

• watch yourself
• lest you act corruptly…
• lest you raise your eyes to heaven…
• lest you forget the covenant
• the jealousy of God

4. Moses looks into the future (25-31)

• if you act corruptly…
• but from there…
• the mercy of God

5. Moses highlights God’s greatness (32-40)

• two questions
• purpose: that you might know…
• call to obedience

6. So what?

• Because the LORD alone is God and comes near with holy jealousy and abundant mercy, remember His character and obey His commands.
• connection to Christ (Matt. 1:23, John 1:14, 1 John 5:3)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 19, 2020

A Womb with a View

Psalms 139:13-18

What is a human life worth? Not much, apparently, if we consider the manner in which American culture treats its unborn and aged. Sadly, a mother’s womb has become a hazardous site in our country and the plight of the aged is riddled with accounts of neglect and abuse. More than twenty-five years ago, former Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, lamented this devaluation of human life when he said, “When I graduated from medical school the idea was, ‘How can I save this life?’, but for a great number of the medical students now it is, ‘Should I save this life?’”
The best resource to consult if we want to gain a true measure of the value of human life is its Author. The God of creation, who created us in His image, gives us several insights into His perspective in the pages of Scripture. One specific instance of this perspective is found in Psalm 139. Addressed to the Choirmaster, this psalm of David celebrates God’s intimate knowledge of us and His intricate fashioning of us as His unique handiwork. As the Author and Sustainer of human life, God values our existence. Because He values life, so should we.

I. With intimate intricacy He defines our individuality (13-14)

• inward parts, “kidneys”, depths of being
• a “from the womb” perspective
• the “Knitter” who weaves together
• He is awesomely wonderful! He made us!

II. With infinite insight He orchestrates our existence (15-16)

• hidden from humans but not from God
• embroidered with skill
• “…Your eyes saw my ‘embryo’”
• “…Your scroll recorded my days before days”

III. With absolute amazement ponder His providence (17-18)

• the value of His thoughts
• the vastness of His thoughts
• waking or sleeping…

IV. So what?

• Mourn the 60 million+ victims of abortion and pray for God’s mercy
• Relate to others, especially the pre-born and aged, as “precious in His sight”
• Live with a profound sensitivity to God’s presence and power

“Great God! from Thee there’s nought concealed, Thou seest my inward frame; To Thee I always stand revealed Exactly as I am!
Since I can hardly, therefore, bear What in myself I see; How vile and black must I appear, Most holy God to Thee!
But since my Saviour stands between, In garments dyed in blood, ‘Tis He, instead of me, is seen, When I approach to God.
Thus, though a sinner, I am safe; He pleads, before the throne, His life and death on my behalf, And calls my sin His own.
What wondrous love, what mysteries, In this appointment shine! My breaches of the law are His, And His obedience mine.” (John Newton)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 12, 2020

A Blow-Up on the Brink of Blessing

Numbers 32:1-42

Context/Background

-Numbers 29: public worship
-Numbers 30: vows/principles
-Numbers 31: judgment on Midian

1. A Selfish Request (1-5)

• a potential disaster
• Reuben, Gad and Manasseh
• land east of the Jordan
• sin of omission

2. A Furious Rebuke (6-15)

• But Moses…
• disregard of consequences
• disregard of history
• disregard of the LORD

3. A Repentant Response (16-42)

• they “got it”
• change of course: repentance
• proposal and agreement
• and do what you have promised

4. So What?

• Because the LORD is holy, avoid potential disaster by dealing ruthlessly with the sin of selfishness in your earthly pilgrimage.
• Beware of the subtle sin of omission.
• Recognize that the sin of doing nothing will catch up with you.
• Arm yourself with the LORD’S warnings and promises.
• Connection to Christ (Phil. 2:5-11)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 5, 2020

Endings Are for Beginnings

Numbers 27:12-23

-list of tribal family heads for selective service and land apportionment (Numbers 26)
-Moses: the mediator/leader who does not enter

1. The LORD Addresses Moses (12-14)

• story told four times
• sees land but will die
• rebellion against the word of the LORD (20:1-13)
• lessons of justice, sanctification and pastoral care (1 Cor. 10:1-5)

2. Moses Speaks to the LORD (15-17)

• no excuses
• appoint a shepherd
• foreshadowing of Christ (Matt. 9:35-38)

3. The LORD Responds to the Request of Moses (18-21)

• publicly commission Joshua
• invest Joshua with authority
• contrast between Moses and Joshua

4. Moses Obeys the LORD’S Command (22-23)

• as the LORD directed
• connection to Christ: Matt. 26:31-32, John 10:11 and Hebrews 13:20
• imperfect and perfect mediator (Heb. 3:1-6)

5. So What?

• Because the LORD is holy, follow His instructions and rely on His provision.
• Accentuate the LORD’S holiness in the eyes of His people!
• “Unbelief makes the past look brighter and the future look bleaker.” (B. Dempsey)
• Remember that without grace you are undone.
• “All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread, gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread, though my weary steps may falter and my soul athirst may be, gushing from the rock before me, lo, a spring of joy I see…” (Crosby)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 29, 2019

Year-End Lessons from a Talking Donkey

Numbers 22:22-35

1. Balak Summons Balaam (1-21)

• his dread of Israel
• his desire to curse
• God’s double-prohibition
• Balaam’s response
• a second summons

2. An Armed Angel and a Talking Donkey (22-41)

• God’s kindled anger
• the donkey’s perception
• dialogue with a donkey
• God’s opposition and Balaam’s response
• Balaam and Balak meet

3. Blessings from the Mouth of Balaam

• 23:1-12 and 23:13-30
• 24:1-14 and 24:15-25

4. Idolatry and Immorality in Israel

• 25:1-3
• Balaam’s death 31:8
• Balaam’s deception 31:16

5. Letting Scripture Interpret Scripture

• Deut. 23:4-5 and Josh. 24:9-10
• Jude 11, 1 Peter 2:15-16 and Rev. 2:14

6. So What?

• Knowing that your heart is diseased with self-deception, resolve to live in the protective realm of God’s revelation.
• Magnify the mercy of God 23:21
• “Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, They resound with God’s own heart, O let the ancient words impart…” (DeShazo)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 22, 2019

Christmas Series

The Ultimate Rescue Mission

Matthew 1:18-25

-The Genius of the Genealogy (1:1-17)

1. Mary’s Condition (18)

• found to be with child from the Holy Spirit
• when she had been betrothed to Joseph
• before they came together

2. Joseph’s Resolution (19)

• resolved to divorce her quietly
• being a just man
• and unwilling to put her to shame

3. The Angel’s Revelation (20-21)

• as he considered these things
• behold
• saying…

♦ son of David
♦ do not fear…
♦ she will bear a son
♦ call Him Jesus
♦ He will save…

4. Prophetic Confirmation (22-23)

• Isaiah 7:14: virgin birth
• Immanuel: God with us

5. Joseph’s Submission (24-25)

• took his wife
• knew her not…
• called His name Jesus

6. So What?

• Because Scripture verifies the birth of Jesus Christ as a rescue mission, feast on the truth of Immanuel.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 15, 2019

Christmas Series

From Gloom to Glory

Isaiah 9:1-7

Connection of This Text to Christmas

-Advent, leading up to Christmas, the birth of Christ
-For unto us a child is born… (Isa. 9:6, Luke 2:10-11)
-700 years before events fulfilled

1. Consideration of the Original Context (1-2)

• 8:22 and 9:1: hope after judgment
• former time: gloom (2 Kings 15:29)
• latter time: glory (Matt. 2:22-23)
• darkness/light contrast
• fulfillment in Christ (Matt. 4:12-17)

2. Consideration of the Overwhelming Conquest (3-5)

• multiplied the nation (Gen. 17:5, John 10:16)
• increased its joy: plenty and victory
• grounds for joy: liberation and appropriation (Judges 7:12, 20-23 and Rom. 8:35-37)

3. Consideration of Christ’s Everlasting Agency (6-7)

• child born and son given
• administrative authority
• incomparable description
• supported by sovereign zeal (Isa. 40:5)

4. So What?

• Because of God’s gift of His Son, celebrate the removal of anguishing gloom and the arrival of inextinguishable light this Christmas.
• Ponder Isaiah’s astonishing insight. (Isa. 53)
• securing peace through the blood of the cross (Col. 1:20)
• “No Christmas story will ever surpass the original.” (Bob Kauflin)
• “Tears are falling, hearts are breaking, How we need to hear from God, You’ve been promised, We’ve been waiting, Welcome Holy Child. Bring your peace into our violence, Bid our hungry souls be filled, Word now breaking heaven’s silence, Welcome to our world.” (Chris Rice)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 8, 2019

Rebellion or Reliance?

Numbers 14:5-19

Overview

-rebellion at Kadesh (13:25-14:4)
-a whole lot of grumbling going on…
-rejection of the word, goodness, power/glory of the LORD

1. The Leaders Respond (5-9)

• fell on their faces
• tore their clothes
• expressed utter confidence in the LORD
• two appeals: don’t rebel and don’t fear

2. The Congregation Responds (10)

• stone them with stones
• progression: murmur, mutiny, murder

3. The LORD Intervenes (11-12)

• glory of the LORD
• two piercing questions
• intent to destroy, disown and start over

4. Moses Intercedes (13-19)

• appeal based on the word, goodness, power/glory of the LORD
• an alien, God-centered perspective
• plea for pardon (Ex. 34:6-7)
• breaking the cycle of rebellion

5. So What?

• Knowing that rebellion against the LORD invites ruin, pray for a tender heart that trusts Him and values His glory.
• connection to Christ: Hebrews 3:1-6, 7:25 and 1 John 2:1-2
• “Other refuge have I none, Hangs my helpless soul on Thee; Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, Still support and comfort me. All my trust on Thee is stayed, All my help from Thee I bring; Cover my defenseless head, With the shadow of Thy wing.” (Jesus, Lover of My Soul- C. Wesley)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 1, 2019

From Here to Dependence

Numbers 9:15-23

Background/Overview of Numbers 1-8

* conclusion of one-year encampment at Sinai
*about to embark on journey through wilderness to promised land
*first and second Passover observances (Ex. 12 and Numbers 9:1)
*new beginnings: Law, priesthood/sacrificial system, tabernacle

1. Foundational Presence of God

• tabernacle: God’s presence with and among His people-constantly
• pillar of cloud by day
• pillar of fire by night

2. Functional Procedure of God’s People

• cloud moves/people move
• cloud stops/people camp

3. Fundamental Principle Communicated

• constant uncertainty of departure, duration and immediate destination
• the principle of dependence
• keeping the charge: adherence to divine command

4. So What?

• Because the Lord demonstrates the historical pattern of going before His people, depend on Him to go before you.
• how this text both encourages and exposes
• “Israel in the wilderness had nothing which we do not possess.” (Maclaren)
• “There is no time lost, while we are waiting on God’s time.” (Henry)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 11:39-40 and John 1:14
• “…by waters still, o’er troubled sea, still ‘tis His hand that leadeth me…” (Bradbury)