Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 14, 2016

“The Great Invitation” Matthew 11:25-30 Bible Study 02/14/16

The message of salvation/deliverance is the dominant theme of Scripture. As Matthew’s gospel unfolds, we see an intensifying emphasis on the absolute authority of Jesus. He is Lord over creation, disease, demons and, as we shall observe this morning, salvation. Interestingly, the “great invitation” of 11:28-30 is preceded by some stern warnings to those who refused, through sinful rebellion and/or indifference, to acknowledge the authority of Jesus and, specifically, His exclusive capacity to save. In our text this morning we see a beautiful blending/balancing of the truths of divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Jesus takes the initiative and issues the invitation. We have responsibility to hear it and heed it.

I. Consider the context

-“At that time…”
– macro and micro levels
-three cities
-reality of judgment

II. Recognize God’s sovereignty in revelation (25-26)

-His initiative
-“…these things…”: Kingdom
-hidden/revealed
-His “good pleasure”

III. Grasp the complete authority of Jesus (27)

-“…handed over…
-intimacy/intensity of knowledge
-divine sovereignty/human responsibility in balance

IV. Savor the gospel invitation (28-30)

-Come: believe
-Take: submit
-a “yoke” that fits
-promise of “rest”

V. For further reflection

-Since the authority of Jesus extends to the determination of your eternal destiny, respond to His invitation with total submission.
-“There’s a wideness in God’s mercy Like the wideness of the sea. There’s a kindness in His justice That is more than liberty…” (Faber)
-“Lay aside system and fly to the Bible; receive its words with simple submission…Be Bible Christians, and not system Christians.” (Simeon)
-“What we do every time we pray is confess our impotence and God’s sovereignty.” (Packer)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for February 7, 2016

“Fearful and Fearless” Matthew 10:26-33 Bible Study 02/07/16

After recording demonstrations of the authority of Jesus over disease and creation, Matthew’s gospel turns its attention to the calling of the first disciples. This calling is preceded by the appeal of Jesus to “…pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (9:38). After calling the twelve disciples, Jesus tells them of the cost of following Him. They can expect criticism, abuse and danger because of their identification with Jesus. This background sets the stage for our text this morning and its repeated encouragements to “have no fear” (26, 28, 31). Because of the Lord’s comprehensive control and care, you can be a fearless witness in the face of danger.

I. Truth triumphs over error (26-27)

-expectation of opposition
-“So have no fear…”
-contrasts: covered/revealed, hidden/known, dark/light, whispered/proclaim
-complete transparency

II. The soul matters more than the body (28)

-do not fear-they can only kill you!
-do fear the One who controls your eternal destiny
-fear: occurs when our greatest values are threatened

III. Nothing escapes the Lord’s notice (29-31)

-two sparrows for a penny-intensity
-hairs of your head-intimacy
-do not fear-the Lord values you

IV. Acknowledge Jesus confidently (32)

-before men
-choose death rather than denial

V. So what?

-Jesus refuses to disguise or minimize the cost of discipleship.
-“When Christ calls a man, he bids him, ‘come and die.’” (Bonhoeffer)
-“Don’t count this life with all its attachments as most valuable.” (Piper)
-“Christ suffered for propitiation. We suffer for propagation.” (Piper)
-“Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also; the body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still; His kingdom is forever.” (Luther)
-His eye really is on the sparrow!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 31, 2016

“Say the Word” Matthew 8: 5-13 Bible Study 01/31/16

After the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount and a final emphasis on the authority of Jesus, Matthew’s gospel records three instances of the authority of Jesus over sickness and disease. The second of these accounts concerns the appeal of a Roman centurion. While this account certainly points to the healing power of Jesus, it also provides us with the reminder that a right relationship with Jesus is a matter of “faithline” and not “bloodline.”

I. Scene 1 (5-7)

-Capernaum-ministry headquarters
-the centurion appeals
-response of Jesus

II. Scene 2 (8-10)

-the centurion replies
-Jesus marvels

III. Scene 3 (11-12)

-Jesus makes application
– inclusion of the unexpected
– exclusion of the expected

IV. Scene 4 (13)

-command of Jesus
-healing from a distance

V. So what?

-When you trust Jesus to be who He is and to do what only He can do, you give evidence of your Kingdom citizenship.
-Appreciate the authority of Jesus.
-Acknowledge your own unworthiness.
-Affirm the ability of Jesus.
-Frequently, those closest to the truth are most likely to take it for granted.
-“Jesus Christ, in the depth of His nature and the width of His work, stands alone. (MacLaren)
-Jesus is still the Great Physician!

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 24, 2016

“Operation Application” Matthew 7:24-29 Bible Study 01/24/16

In the concluding portion of His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus applies the truth of His teaching by relating the story of two hearers and two builders. This powerful word of “application” has enormous implications for our lives both presently and eternally.

I. Consider the context

-verses 13-14: narrow way-obedience to the teaching of Jesus
-verses 15-20: fruits of righteousness mark the true prophet
-verses 21-23: necessity of doing the Father’s will to pass scrutiny
-verses 24-27: necessity of hearing and obeying the words of Jesus

II. Observe the “wise man” (24-25)

-“does them…”: overall pattern of life marked by submission to the teaching of Jesus
-“will be like…”: future tense, relating to return of Christ in judgment
-rock: safety and security, connection to “these words of mine”
-rain, floods, wind…: no collapse

III. Observe the “foolish man” (26-27)

-“does not do them…”
-“will be like…”

-sand: unstable, fragile
-rain, floods, wind…: total collapse

IV. Observe the authority of Jesus (28-29)

-high Christology
-contrast to other teaching sources
-storms of life?
-Is Jesus attempting to “frighten” people into the Kingdom?

V. So what?

-Only as you hear and heed the words of Jesus are you prepared for eternity.
-“Entrance to the Kingdom does turn on obedience after all-not the obedience which earns merit points, but which bows to Jesus’ lordship in everything and without reservation.” (Don Carson)
-Cultivate holy fear. There is a heaven to be gained and a hell to shunned.
-“High King of heaven, the victory won, May I reach heav’n’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all. (M. E. Byrne)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 17, 2016

“Raising the Bar” Matthew 5:17-22 Bible Study 01/17/16

This morning we return to the Sermon on the Mount and a key text which addresses the Kingdom of Heaven and its demands in relation to the Old Testament. Far from rendering the Old Testament obsolete for Kingdom subjects, Jesus demonstrates the powerful continuity between the Old Testament commands and the commands of the Kingdom of Heaven. Because Scripture points to Jesus and has its fulfillment in Him, worship Him and grow in conformity to His character.

I. Introduction

-what the Bible is not:
-Kingdom of Heaven emphasis
-Sermon on the Mount: introduction 5:1-16 and body 5:17-7:12
-Law/Prophets: Old Testament Scriptures

II. Jesus offers an important clarification (17-19)

-prohibition
-not abolish…but fulfill
-validation: jot and tittle
-the Lord’s evaluation

III. Jesus prescribes a surpassing righteousness (20)

-scribes and Pharisees
-righteousness: conformity to the character of Christ
-distinctions: spirit, internal, character…

IV. Jesus “raises the bar” through internalization (20-22)

-prohibition of murder
-angry…
-insults…
-“fool”…
-action and attitude behind the action
-application: The atrocity of the act of abortion is exceeded only by the hideous attitude behind it.

V. For further reflection

-“The biggest problem is to get Christians to stop behaving like fallen society.” (S. Briscoe)
-“The teaching of the Sermon on the Mount is not to be admired but to be obeyed.” (R. France)
-“O for grace our hearts to soften! Teach us, Lord, at length to love; We, alas, forget too often, What a Friend we have above!” (J. Newton)
-“Love like Jesus’ none can measure, Nor can its dimensions know; ‘Tis a boundless, endless river, And its waters freely flow.” (W. Gadsby)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 10, 2016

“And When You Pray…” Matthew 6:5-15

Introduction:

Are you content with the current status of your communication with God?

The goal this morning is not to guilt-trip you, but to give you great grounds for confidence and encouragement as you engage in the inestimable privilege of prayer. You honor God in prayer when you delight in His character and depend on His care.

1. The principle of dependence – “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling…” Augustus Toplady
2. The practice of the three “pillars” — giving, prayer, and fasting
3. The call to vigilance — be careful

I. How Not To Pray (Matthew 6:5-8)

A. Jesus makes an assumption regarding prayer
B. Jesus prohibits two specific approaches in prayer
1. Hypocrisy
2. Verbosity
C. Jesus anchors His teaching about prayer in the character of God the Father – “The essential difference between pharisaic, pagan, and Christian praying lies
In the kind of God to Whom we pray.” John Stott

II. How To Pray – Delight – In God’s Character (Matthew 6:9-10)

A. Appreciate Him as your Father
B. Honor His name
C. Anticipate His kingdom
D. Acknowledge His will

“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.” Richard Baxter

III. How To Pray – Depend – On God’s Care (Matthew 6:11-15)

A. Rely on His provision
B. Relish His pardon
C. Run to His protection

“When the disciples pray, Jesus wants them to reflect constantly on their dependence on God for everything: their survival, their salvation, and their sanctification.” Charles Quarles

Conclusion

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for January 3, 2016

“Your Pursuit of Poverty in 2016” Matthew 5:1-3 Bible Study 01/03/16

This morning we begin a study of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. The Beatitudes are statements of promised Kingdom blessing recorded in Matthew 5:1-12. They comprise the bulk of the introductory portion of the Sermon on the Mount which covers Matthew chapters 5-7. Often misunderstood, the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount do not describe attributes one must manifest to “earn” God’s favor. Rather, they stress the transformed character of the one who truly has met the King and become a citizen of His Kingdom. When you grasp something of the depth of your own spiritual poverty, you treasure the mercy of the Ruler and the magnitude of His reign.

I. Introduction (1-2)

-primary audience:
-place
-new identity: an “extreme makeover”
-the meaning of “blessed”

II. Affirm your inability

-the opposite of being rich in pride
-the source of blessing (James 1:16-17)
-the beginning of blessing (Psalm 32:1-2)

III. Acknowledge that emptying precedes filling

-repentance and conversion
-boasting and self-pity
-dismissing the disposition of merit

IV. Make the Master your measure

-the curse of comparison
-the key to the Kingdom

V. Conclusion

-Christianity is for the crippled!
-“…hear and respond to Jesus’ teaching like a true disciple rather than like the crowds who were impressed by Jesus’ authority but who ignored His instructions.” (C. Quarles)
-“Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to thy cross I cling; Naked, come to thee for dress; Helpless, look to thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.” (Toplady)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 27, 2015

“Tempted As We Are” Matthew 4:1-11 Bible Study 12/27/15

This morning we turn our attention to the temptation of Jesus which followed His baptism and His Father’s words of affirmation. Hebrews 4:15 informs us that Jesus was tempted as we are, yet without sin. Temptation is a common subject in Scripture and a constant reality in our lives. How Jesus responded to temptation demonstrates and authenticates His identity as the Son of God. His response is also instructive for us as we face it in our own lives.

I. Make the connection (1-2)

-message of repentance 3:1-12
-baptism of Jesus: identification and affirmation
-role of the Holy Spirit
-fasting and hunger
-the tempter: devil/satan

II. Observe the “provision” temptation (3-4)

-if/since you are the Son of God…
-stones to bread
-it is written Deut. 8:3

III. Observe the “protection” temptation (5-7)

-pinnacle of Temple in Jerusalem
-throw yourself down
-Scripture-twisting Psa. 91:11-12
-it is written Deut. 6:16

IV. Observe the “plan” temptation (8-11)

-fall down and worship
-be gone, satan!
-it is written Deut. 6:13
-devil departs and angels minister

V. For further reflection
-Avoid the “Flip Wilson Mentality.” 1 Cor. 10:13, James 1:13-15
-Recognize that where Adam/Eve and Israel failed, Jesus succeeded.
-Savor His sympathy and seek His presence Heb. 4:14-16
-When tempted, wield the weapon of the Word. Eph. 6:17, Psa. 119:11
-“The great Physician now is near, The sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, Oh, hear the voice of Jesus…” (William Hunter)
-When you resist temptation by the help of the Holy Spirit, you model the allegiance of Jesus to His father. Dr. Matthew McKellar’s weekly lesson from December 27, 2015

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 20, 2015

“Known and Worshiped” Matthew 2:1-12 Bible Study 12/20/15

Matthew’s account of the visit of the Wise Men underscores the wisdom and power of God in pursuing His great goal: that His Son would be known and worshiped as King over all. Know Him and worship Him this Christmas-and always!

I. Honor Jesus as King of Kings

-Herod: king of the Jews

-inquiry about Messiah

-emphasis on “where” (Micah 5:2-4)

II. Honor Jesus as King of the nations

-represented by the wise men

-focus on foreigners (Isaiah 60:1-3)

-King and Promise-Fulfiller

III. Grasp the guidance and goal of God

-speculation about the “star’

-exertion of supernatural influence

-the worship of the nations

IV. Identify the features of non-worship

-indifference of religious leaders

-hostility of Herod

-the far-off near and the near far-off

V. Worship through joyful recognition and sacrificial giving

-authority and dignity

-quadruple rejoicing

-gifts that focus and foreshadow

VI. For further reflection

-The One “pavilioned in splendor” placed Himself in a manger.

-“Worship is communion with God in which believers, by grace, center their mind’s attention and their heart’s affection on the Lord, humbly glorifying God in response to His greatness and His Word.” (B. Leafblad)

-“Thou hast given so much to me, Give one thing more, a grateful heart; Not thankful when it pleaseth me, As if Thy blessings had spare days, But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.” (G. Herbert)

-“May we say from the heart, ‘Lord Jesus you are the Messiah, the King of Israel. All nations will come and bow down before you. God wields the world to see that you are worshiped. Therefore, whatever opposition I may find, I joyfully ascribe authority and dignity to you, and bring my gifts to say that you alone can satisfy my heart, not these.’” (J. Piper)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for December 13, 2015

“It Happened Like This” Matthew 1:18-25 Bible Study 12/13/15

Along with Luke 2:8-20, our text this morning may be one of the most familiar passages related to the birth of Jesus Christ. Rather than allowing ourselves to be “dulled” by the familiarity of this story, we should ponder the amazing narrative and be “staggered” by it. The story of incarnation-God taking on human flesh should evoke worshipful awe. Of the incarnation, J. I. Packer has observed: “Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as this truth of incarnation-the Word becoming flesh.” Because the biblical testimony is true, embrace the truth of “Immanuel” and its life-transforming implications.

I. Consider three amazing aspects of the incarnation

-supernatural conception (18)
* commentary from John 1
* context of Matthew 1
* conception connected to the Holy Spirit

-angelic intervention (19-21)
* description of Joseph
* dispelling of fear
* declaration of deliverance

-prophetic confirmation (22-23)
* Isaiah 7
* Immanuel: “God with us”

II. Observe one amazing response of obedience (24-25)

-acting on received revelation
-“ …knew her not…”
-“ …called his name Jesus.”

III. So what?

-“We will never face life alone now that God has made Himself known, Father and Friend with us to the end, Immanuel.” (S. C. Chapman)
-The body fashioned in the womb was the same body raised from the tomb!
-“And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant.” (Chrysostom)
-“The NT knows nothing of an incarnation which can be defined apart from its relation to atonement.” (James Denney)