Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 20, 2019

“From the Pit to the Palace”   Genesis 37   Bible Study   01/20/19

The last fourteen chapters of Genesis focus on the life of Jacob’s son, Joseph. The Lord’s sovereign supervision of his life was not without its share of intrigue and unexpected twists and turns. However, through it all, we see a man who is a model for believers in both his low and high moments.

1. The Lord’s selection of Joseph (37:1-11)

• a continuing theme: the blessing of the Lord
• Joseph’s report to his father
• Joseph’s robe from his father
• Joseph’s revelation from God

2. The Lord’s subjection of Joseph (37:12-35)

• favored son and hated brother
• dispatched by his father
• conspired against by his brothers
• Reuben’s intervention
• thrown into a pit
• sold into slavery
• the deception of his brothers and his father’s grief

3. The Lord’s protection of Joseph (37:36)

• preserved from death
• sold in Egypt to Potiphar
• imprisoned but later promoted (39:20-21 and 41:44)
• NT commentary: Acts 7:9-16
• connection to Christ

4. So What?

• Because the Lord is sovereign and merciful, you can trust him from the pit to the palace.
• Let the Lord’s promises guide you through the danger of adversity and detour of prosperity.
• Remember that the Lord is never a victim of circumstances.
• “The Lord hath promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.” (J. Newton, 1779)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 13, 2019

“The Best Is Yet to Be”   Genesis 35: 1-29   Bible Study   01/13/18

Spiritually speaking, Jacob’s later years were the best years of his life. Whatever your age, you can count on the Lord to keep His promises and to use your experiences to make you a living testament of His grace. Genesis 35 records details related to the last part of Jacob’s life. Previously, Jacob wrestles with God (32:24-32), meets Esau (33:1-7), settles in Shechem (33:18-20) and deals with the defilement of Dinah and its sordid aftermath.

1. Remembering God’s Blessings (1-8)

• back to Bethel (28:10-22)
• act of purification
• acknowledgement of presence
• example of provision

2. Reflecting on God’s Promises (9-15)

• repetition with additions
• enabled by the Almighty
• feasting on the facts

3. Relying on God’s Providence (16-29)

• Benjamin’s birth and Rachel’s death
• name change noted
• reality-check with Reuben
• death of Isaac
• connection to Christ

4. So What?

• Because God is faithful, the believer’s best really is yet to be.
• “Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made…” (Browning)
• Cultivate a preoccupation with God’s goodness. Count your blessings!
• Lose your luggage.
• Let all things (people and places) take a “back seat” to God.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 6, 2019

“Winning through Weakness”   Genesis 32: 24-32   Bible Study   01/06/19

In his wrestling encounter with the LORD, Jacob experiences what G. Campbell Morgan calls “the crippling that crowns.” This dramatic narrative text teaches us that the key to true strength is the recognition of our own weakness.

1. Jacob’s Solitude (24a)

• free of Laban
• headed for a showdown with Esau (32:1-12)
• family and fortune sent before him (32:13-23)
• left alone at night

2. Jacob’s Struggle (24b)

• wrestling match until daybreak
• insight from Hosea 12:2-5

3. Jacob’s Submission (25-32)

• condescending yet conquering authority
• the “severe mercy” of a dislocated hip
• from wrestling to clinging
• confession and transformation: What’s in a name?
• Peniel: the “face of God”
• walking with a limp

4. So what?

• Because of God’s grace, “strong” losers like us may be transformed into “weak” winners.
• God uses isolation to strip us of self-sufficiency.
• God uses confrontation to show us our desperate dilemma.
• God uses dislocation to shape us into “weak” winners.
• “Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free; Force me to render up my sword, and I shall conqueror be. I sink in life’s alarms when by myself I stand; Imprison me within Thine arms, and strong shall be my hand.” (G. Matheson, 1890)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 30, 2018

“A Different Set of Rules”   Genesis 30:25-43   Bible Study   12/30/18

In his lengthy labor relationship with Laban, Jacob’s unusual negotiations reveal his growing awareness of the faithfulness of God. He truly is the God who goes before His people. Such an awareness enables Jacob to operate by a new and different set of rules. The story of Jacob’s wages has much to say to us as we stand on the precipice of a new year.

1. Jacob’s Progress (25-30a)

• 14 years of labor completed
• desire to go home
• Laban’s paganism
• credit to the blessing of the LORD

2. Jacob’s Practice (30b; 31:36-42)

• the discipline of hard work
• no excuses
• track record of diligence

3. God’s Provision (31-43; 31:1-13)

• an unusual arrangement
• divine instruction
• proper attribution of prosperity
• from the gifts to the Giver

4. So What?

• Let the providence and provision of God lead you to cherish the preciousness of His presence above all else.
• “Praise God from whom all blessings flow…” (Thomas Ken, 1709).

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 23, 2018

Christmas Message

“Doing the Humanly Impossible”   Luke 1:34-38   Bible Study   12/23/18

In anticipation of Christmas, we turn our attention this morning to Luke’s account of some key details leading up to the birth of Jesus. Luke is the only gospel writer who records the foretelling of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. By focusing our attention on both the similarities and differences between these events, Luke teaches us important truths about the power of God, the preeminence of Jesus and our response to the One who does the humanly impossible.

-summary of Luke 1:1-2:20
-an emerging pattern and an invitation to compare/contrast

1. The Power of God

• prediction of births (1:13 and 1:31)
• nature of births (1:7 and 1:35-36)

2. The Preeminence of Jesus

• words of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:11 and John 3:30)
• affirmation of Gabriel (1:32-33)

3. Our Response to the One who does the humanly impossible

• Zechariah: “I can’t be sure.” (1:18-20)
• Mary: “I don’t understand.” (1:34)
• explanation and declaration (1:35-38)

4. So What?

• Because God excels at doing the humanly impossible, trust His promises.
• “The Son of God became man to enable men to become the sons of God.” (Lewis)
• “…If Christian mission doesn’t flow from and toward the worship of the Incarnate One, we’re really just running around the hamster wheel…Whatever condescensions and sacrifices we embrace along the path of gospel advance, they simply will not hold a candle to the Light of the world and his divine stooping to take our humanity and endure the excruciating death on our behalf.” (David Mathis)
• Stand on the promises of God this Christmas!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 16, 2018

“A Case of Continuing Education”   Genesis 29:1-30   Bible Study   12/16/18

This morning we will focus on the first key event in Jacob’s life following his meeting with God at Bethel. What awaited Jacob in Haran involved not only years of hard labor and the acquisition of wives, but also an enrollment in the divine school of continuing education.

1. Providential Encounter (1-14)

• Jacob “lifted up his feet” (28:15)
• from Bethel to a well near Haran
• dialogue with shepherds
• Rachel is coming!
• a flock watered and a woman kissed
• a welcome from Laban
• a biblical parallel and a notable absence (24:11-33)

2. Providential Education (15-30)

• a question about wages
• Leah and Rachel
• seven years for Rachel
• behold, it was Leah!
• Jacob’s question and Laban’s response
• marriage to Rachel and seven more years
• mercy in the middle of the mess

3. So What?

• Because God orders the circumstances of His people so that He might purify them and promote their spiritual health, press on in His school of continuing education.
• The sovereignty of God is “the strong wood of the tree that keeps our lives from being blown over by the winds of adversity.” (Piper)
• Acknowledge the “law of the harvest.” (Galatians 6:7-9)
• The Lord’s discipline reveals our deficiency and directs us to His sufficiency.
• “Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace. Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.” (Cowper)
• “And I smiled to think God’s greatness flowed around our incompleteness, round our restlessness, His rest.” (Browning)
• connection to Christ (Luke 1:46-55)
• Three stages in a work of God: “Impossible, difficult, done.” (H. Taylor)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 9, 2018

“Stairway to Heaven”   Genesis 28:10-22   Bible Study   12/09/18  

This morning we will turn our attention to Jacob, the fugitive, and his life-altering encounter with the God of mercy and grace. Through His provision and presence, the LORD continues to transform lives today.

1. Providential Positioning (10-11)

• from Beersheba to Haran
• consideration of contrasts
• the LORD’S orientation program

2. Personal Blessing (12-15)

• revelation through a dream
• stairway: flight of steps
• angels ascending and descending
• the LORD Himself
• promises, protection and presence

3. Prescriptive Response (16-22)

• expression of reverence
• activation of remembrance
• resolve to honor
• reality to embrace (Psa. 46:7)

4. So What?

• The clear revelation of God’s gracious dealings can transform a worldly wanderer into a wondering worshiper.
• connection to Christ (John 1:45-51)
• Let us delight to declare our dependence upon Him.
• “I think of my blessed Redeemer, I think of Him all the day long: I sing, for I cannot be silent; His love is the theme of my song.” (F. Crosby)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 2, 2018

“You Should Tremble”   Genesis 27:1-46   Bible Study   12/02/18

The story of the stolen blessing in Genesis 27 reveals the harsh reality of a dysfunctional ancient family. This serves to remind us of our own failures and frailties. The good news is that God achieves His purposes in spite of dysfunctional people and families. His blessing comes to undeserving and unlikely people in unusual ways. Such grace should leave us trembling.

1. Isaac’s Defiance (1-4)

• his condition
• his request
• his intention to bless Esau
• bless: extension of covenant relationship
• defiance of a previous directive (25:23)

2. Rebekah’s Disregard (5-17)

• her listening
• her understanding of the LORD’S promise
• her scheming
• her vowing

3. Jacob’s Deception (18-29)

• claims to be Esau
• lies about food
• receives blessing
• true to his name

4. Esau’s Despair (30-46)

• dialogue with a trembling father (Isa. 66:2)
• conspiracy unraveled (Heb. 11:20)
• his grief
• his murderous intent
• his mother’s intervention

5. So what?

• Because the LORD blesses undeserving and unlikely people in unusual ways, live in awe of His mercy and grace.
• Setting aside God’s will for your will only leads to turmoil.
• Trust God to work in His own time and in His own way.
• Manipulative measures achieve only apparent and temporary success.
• Praise the LORD for Immanuel! (Matt. 1:22-23; Rom. 5:8)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 25, 2018

“Blessed Perseverance”   James 5:7-11   Bible Study   11/25/18

-When you persevere because you know God is in control, you understand His purposes better and deepen your dependence upon Him.

I. Heed the commands. (7-8)

• the repeated command: Be patient.
• the waiting farmer
• avoidance of grumbling

II. Follow the example. (9-11a)

• Evaluate affliction biblically
• The Lord honors endurance

II. Gain Greater Insight (11b)

• example of Job
• “Afflictions ought ever to be estimated by their end.” (Calvin)

IV. Focus on God’s Character (11c)

• Does God really care?
• Celebrate the Father’s largeness of heart.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 18, 2018

Thanksgiving Message

“A Psalm for Thanksgiving 2018”   Psalm 145:1-21   Bible Study   11/18/18

I. Introduction

• psalm of David
• acrostic: successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet
• a praise pile-up
• who God is and what God does

II. Intention to Praise 1-7

• activity
• intimacy
• frequency
• continuity
• intensity

III. Ascriptions of Praise 8-20

• gracious and merciful
• good to all
• faithful and kind
• upholds and raises up
• righteous
• near
• preserves

IV. Extent of Praise 21

• all
• forever
• Rev. 5:11-14

V. So What?

• “Through all eternity to Thee, a joyful song I’ll raise; but oh, eternity is too short to utter all Thy praise!” (Adam Clarke)
• This Thanksgiving: Because of His unsearchable and unspeakable greatness, seize the privilege of praising God for who He is and what He does.