Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 4, 2016

Guest Speaker: Dr. Barry McCarty

“How the 12 Tribes came to be” – Genesis 29:31-35:26

Lesson notes not available.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 27, 2016

“What Sort of People…? 2 Peter 3:11-18 Bible Study 11/27/16

After a scathing denunciation of false teachers in chapter 2, the last chapter of 2 Peter opens with Peter’s affectionate declaration to believers (“beloved” 3:1). He now returns to the theme of chapter 1: the believer’s hope that is grounded in the precious promises of God. Addressing the apparent “delay” of Christ’s return, the threat of false teachers and the general tendency of people to be “tossed” in turmoil, Peter exhorts his readers to live presently in light of God’s promised eternal future. What sort of people should we be? We should be the sort of people that let the biblical next-world outlook shape the contours of our this-world existence.

I. Consider the context (3:1-10)

-“these things” connection (11)
-“day of the Lord” (10): judgment and deliverance
-predictions of prophets and commands through apostles (2)
-scoffers (3-6), fire (7) and the Lord’s patience (8-10)

II. Ponder the prescription (3:11-13)

-holiness and godliness: behavior and actions
-“waiting” (verses 12, 13, 14): longing expectation
-“hastening”: speeding the “arrival” by godly living

III. Apply four command-based principles (3:14-18)

-engagement: “be diligent” (14)
-assessment: “count” (9, 15)
-vigilance: “take care” or “guard” (17)
-progression: “grow” (18)

IV. Reflect on the truth

-“Rejoice in glorious hope! Our Lord and Judge shall come…” (C. Wesley)
-The stability of believers hinges on avoidance of error and advancement in godliness.
-Dare to place your life under the searching spotlight of eternity. Ask yourself frequently, “How important is this in light of eternity?”

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 20, 2016

“Keep Yourselves in the Love of God” Jude 1, 17-20 Bible Study 11/20/16

This morning we will examine a pivotal text in the frequently neglected book of Jude. It is essentially a polemic against false teachers and a warning for believers to persevere in right doctrine and right living. Believers are to persevere by keeping themselves in the love of God. Our text this morning communicates the specifics of how such a “keeping” is done. Those who are kept by God keep themselves in the love of God.

I. Keep yourselves in the love of God (21a)

-apparent conflict: verse 1 and verse 21
-“Grace is opposed to earning-not effort.” (Willard)
-fire insurance or fire endowment?
-How? Persevere: contend v. 3, remember v. 17
-specifically: three participles modify the main verb “keep” v.21

A. Build on your faith (20a)

-doctrinal conformity
-personal commitment
-avoiding the anesthesia of idolatry

B. Pray in the Holy Spirit (20b)

-intoxicated prayer
-use the words He inspired
-relationship requires communication

C. Wait for God’s mercy (21b)

-not passive
-Let future assurance shape present activity.
-“We have the presence and the promises of God. We are meant to march to that great music.” (Carmichael)
-Erupt in doxology (25)
-The foundation for finishing well is a riveted focus on the faithful love of God.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 13, 2016

Guest Speaker: Dr. Madison Grace.

“The Nature of Authority” 2 Peter 1:12-21

Lesson outline not available.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for November 6, 2016

“For This Very Reason” 2 Peter 1:1-11 Bible Study 11/06/16

This morning we begin a new study in 2 Peter, which was Peter’s final recorded correspondence. Writing to the same original recipients addressed in 1 Peter, Peter continued to offer inspired insights for believers living in the midst of persecution and cultural confusion. He wanted his readers to be assured that God’s power and promises provided everything necessary for their growth in conformity to Christ. Therefore, we can summarize his instruction in 1: 1-11 with the following statement: In light of the Lord’s power and promises, passionately pursue the goal of growth in likeness to Christ.

I. Practice biblical “choreography” (5-7)

-affirmation of effort: bring in diligence
-power of favor precedes our labor
-spiritually “fit out” the chorus
-seven-fold application of faith: banking on Christ
*moral excellence: virtue
*knowledge: discernment
*self-control: strict training
*perseverance: unswerving devotion
*godliness: reflecting God’s character
*brotherly kindness: family affection
*love: origin in the agent not the object

II. Prioritize biblical productivity (8-9)

-possession and progression
-neither ineffective nor unproductive in knowledge
-not blind or myopic

III. Prize biblical certainty (10-11)

-be diligent to confirm: cooperation
-observe the order: calling and election
-two results:
*no falling beyond recovery
*no hindered entrance
-confirmation by continuation

IV. So what?

-Affirm divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
-Remember: “Grace is opposed to earning-not to effort.” (D. Willard)
-Assess life biblically: “Three things are called precious in the Scripture: the blood of Christ is called “precious blood,” 1 Peter 1:19; and faith is called “precious faith,” 2 Peter 1:1; and the promises are called “precious promises,” 2 Peter 1:4.” (T. Brooks)
-Feed your mind with the promises of God.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 30, 2016

Guest Speaker: David Norman

Holding on until Help Arrives

1 Peter 5:1–11

Four Anchors to Weather the Storm

I. Cling to a trusted pastor (vv. 1–4)

II. Cling to a humble heart (vv. 5–7)

III. Cling to a shared suffering (vv. 8–9)

IV. Cling to an eternal perspective  (vv. 10–11)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 23, 2016

“The Truth about Suffering” 1 Peter 4:12-19 Bible Study 10/23/16

Our text this morning leads us to understand that, while Christ hung on the cross so that we wouldn’t have to suffer hell, He did not die so that we wouldn’t have to suffer here. Suffering for the cause of Christ, according to Scripture, is both prescribed and purposeful for the believer. When you treasure Christ above all things, your faith enables you to thank and trust Him in the furnace of suffering.

I. Respond biblically (12-13)

-do not be surprised…
-do keep on rejoicing
-indication of identification
-intensification of intimacy

II. Remember specifically (14-16)

-support from heaven
-opportunity to show your satisfaction
-participating in a purging process

III. Rely actively (17-19)

-entrust for safekeeping
-His permission and purpose
-engage in active obedience

IV. So what?

-Acknowledge the twin truths of suffering and glory.
-Bank on the utter reliability of God in Christ.
-Repudiate the prosperity gospel by living out the biblical gospel.
-Mission 1:8/Fuel the Fire: Availability (Jn. 6:1-14)
Sustenance (Jn. 6:22-40)
Stewardship (2 Cor. 8-9)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 16, 2016

“Armed with an Attitude” 1 Peter 4:1-6 Bible Study 10/16/16

Our passage this morning is an application of the key truths found in 1 Peter 3:18-22. Believers share in Christ’s victory and also share in His sufferings. Believers are enabled to suffer for Christ when they rely on the accomplishment of His death and arm themselves with His attitude. In this rich text we will observe that we should expect suffering if we participate in the Lord’s rescue operation and that we should select suffering for the sake of an authentic Christian testimony.

I. Run to the roar (1)

-Boniface (Seventh Century): “Let us stand fast in what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us neither be dogs that do not bark or silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf. Instead, where the battle rages, let us find ourselves. Run towards the roar of the lion! Run towards the roar of the battle! That is where Christ’s most glorious victories shall be won.”
-because Christ died
-arm yourselves with a mindset

II. Resist the path of least resistance (1)

-suffering that signifies a clean break
-personal obedience over pain avoidance

III. Refuse to waste any more time (2-3)

-embracing the will of God as the higher value
-you don’t need some more time to sin
-the degradation of the undelivered

IV. Anticipate the accountability of adversaries (4-5)

-their shock and slander
-you don’t need the last word-God has it

V. Anticipate triumph even in death (6)

-gospel not proclaimed in vain to Christians now dead
-alive with Christ
-wherever He leads and whatever the cost

VI. So what?

-fueling the fire for Mission 1:8
-Gen. 12:1-3: called to the unseen
-Gen. 15:1-6: trusting the promise of God
-Gen. 17:1-8: acknowledging your new identity
-Gen. 22:1-18: absolute surrender

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 9, 2016

“Resources for Reality” 1 Peter 3:13-22 Bible Study 10/09/16

Our text this morning focuses on the reality of suffering for believers. Specifically, it focuses on suffering that comes as a result of our commitment to and identification with Christ. In contrast to those who dismiss or deny outright the concept of a believer’s suffering, these verses treat it as something to both expect and embrace. Let the truths of Christ’s substitutionary death and triumphant resurrection motivate you to magnify His worth in your own suffering.

I. Catch the context

-between two “calls” to suffer
-3:13-17: Don’t fear and Do honor Christ…

II. Ponder the suffering of Christ (18)

-mindset of Christianity
-comfort or conquest?

III. Savor the sufficiency of Christ (18)

-died for sins
-died for unjust
-died once for all time
-died to bring us to God

IV. Reflect on the days of Noah (19-20)

-in the spirit
-proclamation to spirits now in prison
-encouragement and assurance

V. Consider the correspondence of baptism (21)

-flood and baptism
-not baptismal remission of sins
-appeal to God

VI. Rest in the reign of Christ (22)

-ascended and enthroned
-all subjected to Him

VII. So What?

-“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” (J. Elliot)
-“No wound? No scar? Yet as the Master shall the servant be, And pierced are the feet that follow Me. But thine are whole. Can he have followed far Who hast no wound or scar?” (A. Carmichael)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 2, 2016

“Identity Confirmation” 1 Peter 3:1-12 Bible Study 10/02/16

Our text this morning should be connected carefully to all that precedes it in 1 Peter. Chapter 1 emphasizes the believer’s hope and the necessity of holiness. Chapter 2 begins with a stirring reminder of the identity of believers as God’s temple and God’s people. The rest of the chapter addresses citizens and servants and their identity as citizens of heaven and servants of Christ. With chapter 3, two more distinct groups are addressed: wives and husbands. Finally, 1 Peter 3:8-12 makes an all-inclusive appeal for believers to live out their identity as God’s people. When God’s people apply their identity in their temporal relationships, the gospel is magnified and God is glorified.

I. Wives: Hope in God (1-6)

-Reverence for God motivates submission. (1-2)
-Inward character counts more than external cosmetics. (3-5)
-Confident expectation enables courageous compliance. (6)
-Consider the “window” of your marriage.
-What’s it like to be married to me?
-Confirm the location of your hope.
-When wives, and all believers, hope in God, they value what He values and fulfill His designed function for them.

II. Husbands: Practice Holy Husbandry (7)

-Exercise active sensitivity.
-Assign specific honor.
-Accentuate uninterrupted fellowship.
-Is my wife more like Jesus because she is married to me?
-Believing husbands are called to a holy husbandry that nurtures and cherishes their wives to the glory of God.

III. All Believers: Offer a Blessing Instead (8-12)

-Prioritize being a certain kind of people. (8)
-Practice a certain kind of behavior. (9)
-Pursue a certain kind of fear. (10-12) (Psa. 34:11-16)
-Enabled by the Lord’s power and motivated by fear of Him, believers can resist retaliation and respond with blessing.
-Remember who you are and whose you are.