Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 12, 2014
“Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord our Banner” Exodus 17 Bible Study 10/12/14
In previous weeks we have observed that the names of God reveal His character and remind us of His sovereignty, sufficiency and steadfastness. Jehovah-Nissi is a designation that includes these attributes while pointing us specifically to the powerful and awe-inspiring presence of the Lord. This name is an invitation for us to cultivate and celebrate a radical God-centeredness in our lives. Because He sustains and enables His people, we should lift up the Lord with our lips and our lives.
I. Grumblers gag on the Lord’s provision
-a staggering case of stubborn unbelief
-another “water” problem
-Massah and Meribah
-murmuring and manna (what is it?)
-a dangerous implication
II. The Lord purposely packages His provision
-for progress not paralysis
-the discipline of daily dependence
-intensification from food to foe
-“You can’t even keep your hands up!”
III. Jesus expresses the peak of the Lord’s provision
-Psalm 60:4-5
-Christ our Banner
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 5, 2014
“Jehovah Rophe: The Lord Who Heals” Ex. 15:22-26 Bible Study 10/05/14
This morning we will examine a name which is a powerful example of the progressive revelation of God meeting every need as it arises in the experience of His people. He reveals Himself as the One who saves, sustains, strengthens and sanctifies. The historical setting for this name is the wilderness experience of God’s people in Exodus 15. In 1 Corinthians 10, we also find Paul referring back to this setting and its enormous instructive implications. Since the Lord reveals Himself as the ultimate Healer, you can experience His healing and extend it to others.
I. The valley of defeat often follows the mountain of victory
-baby steps in the desert
-from delight to discontent
II. You need healing physically and spiritually
-the Lord’s power to heal
-the Lord’s priority in healing
III. Respond to the message of Marah
-the right frequency
-the right focus
-the right following
-survey the cycle: abundance, expectation, disappointment, complaint, provision
IV. The Lord, the only source of wholeness, turns the bitter to sweet
-the appetite of Egypt
-tree to tree connection
-healing in this house
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 28, 2014
“Yahweh: I AM WHO I AM” Ex. 3:13-15 Bible Study 09/28/14
When confronted with the presence of God in his “burning bush” encounter, Moses poses the question of the identity of the One who is speaking. In this context we are introduced to a name of God which is foundational for understanding His character. Since He is the timeless ultimate reality, you can know God not only as Lord of history but also as the Lord of the here and now.
I. Marvel at the preciousness: unpronounced and unprecedented
• Yahweh: holiness
• Hayah: self-existence
• Expresses the essential nature of His being
II. Meditate on the purpose: connecting and confirming
• Revelation of the name
• A burning but unconsumed bush
• Barefoot at the burning bush
• Continuity, activity and immediacy
III. Delight in the promise: pardon and presence
• Memorial name
• Apart from Yahweh: meaningless past, hopeless present and hellish future
• Fulfillment in Jesus (John 8:58)
IV. So what?
• Excuses often indicate irreverence
• Availability expresses reverence
• God: I AM THAT I AM
The Christian: By the grace of God I am what I am
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 21, 2014
“El-Shaddai: God Almighty Genesis 17:1-5 Bible Study 09/21/14
This morning we turn our attention to a man who became a father at age 100! More significantly, this father’s story points us to the Heavenly Father whose name is “God Almighty.” He was and is a promise-making and promise-keeping God. The assuring message He conveyed to Abram needs to be heard today. God Almighty is faithful to fulfill His promises through His incomparable power. Because He is God Almighty, we can trust the Lord to keep His promises to us even in seemingly impossible circumstances.
I. Sometimes a promise looks like an impossibility
-What in your life looks impossible?
-Abram: father of many/any!
II. Grasp the greatness of El-Shaddai
-supreme power
-supernatural provision
-known exclusively through Jesus
III. Assume the posture of positive surrender
-God does not need your help
-God does demand your obedience
-Abraham: Father of a multitude
IV. So what?
-“Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing….” (Luther)
-“Sever the root of sin by prizing the promises of God.” (Piper)
-The position from which we prize His promises is the path of obedience.
-“When my strength was all gone, When my heart had no song, Still in love He’s proved faithful to me. Every word He promised is true. What I thought was impossible I’ve seen my God do. He’s been faithful, faithful to me…” (Cymbala)
-A reminder from the experience of Olympian Derek Redmond
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 14, 2014
“Adonai: God as Lord of All” Gen. 15:2, Mal. 1:6, Isa. 6:8 Bible Study 09/14/14
This morning we turn our attention to three OT texts which contain the term Adonai with reference to God. This term is used some 300 times in the OT and carries with it the concepts of lordship and ownership. Understanding the fundamental issue of lordship is foundational for true spiritual health. When you know the Lord as Adonai, you gladly submit to your Master’s authority and confidently rely on His ability.
I. Lordship means that He owns you (Gen. 15:2)
-possession and submission
-remember Abram and Lot
-expect Him to be what you call Him
II. Lordship means that He owns all you have (Mal. 1:6)
-you can get out of the business of ownership
-failure to honor
-insult of leftovers
-His lordship and your stewardship
III. Lordship means a signal to service (Isa. 6:8)
-the always-occupied throne
-woe, lo and go
-function and unction
IV. A word from missionary Amy Carmichael
“From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.
From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified,
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.
Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,
Let me not sink to be a clod,
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.”
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 7, 2014
“El-Elyon: God Most High” Gen. 14:17-24 Bible Study 09/07/14
This morning we will consider a second name of God which receives significant emphasis in the OT. As Abram rescues Lot and has a meeting with the mysterious Melchizedek, we encounter repeated references to El-Elyon, or God Most High. This name is in itself an invitation to rest in the truth that God alone is the sovereign King of the universe. In his challenging circumstances, what Abram most needed was to learn the practice of living in God’s presence. He needed to see all of life in relation to Him and to look to Him alone as Commander, Defender and Rewarder. Because the Lord is the sovereign King of the universe, bring your insufficiency to Him and live in the light of His complete sufficiency.
I. Recognize a key distinction
-He stands apart from all supposed Gods
-238 times in the OT: high, lifted up, lofty, exalted
-combination of comfort and challenge
II. Ask the critical questions
-your decisions: based on sight or faith?
-your victories: who gets the credit?
-your perspective: staggered beneficiary or functional universalist?
III. Apply the truth of El-Elyon
-incentive for evangelism
-foundation for faith
-demonstration of commitment
-“Any blessing that is lasting is a blessing that is contained in some new discovery of God.” (H. Lockyer)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 31, 2014
“Elohim: God with A Purpose” Gen. 1:1, Isa. 40:28-31 Bible Study 08/31/14
This morning marks the beginning of a new study which will focus on the names of God as we find them in Scripture. Pursuing the knowledge of God is no casual experience. It is to be the consuming agenda of our lives. That being the case, studying the names of God can increase and enhance our knowledge of Him. Our focus this morning is the name Elohim. This name is used at least 35 times in Gen. 1:1-2:4. It is used some 132 times in Genesis and as many as 2700 times in the Old Testament. This name clearly is associated with God’s creative activity and purposeful supervision over that which He has created. In an increasingly man-centered society that undervalues the Almighty and underestimates His work, we need the biblical perspective which reminds us that our sense of purpose is linked directly to our awareness of His purpose. Because the Lord is a God of purpose, we can know that our existence and environment are the result of His creative intention.
I. Recognize His role as creator
-centrality of the doctrine of creation
-He has no beginning
-He creates out of nothing
II. View Him as distinct from His creation
-He has priority over it
-He makes provision for it
III. Personalize the truth God reveals
-elevation of status
-opportunity for stability
-connect creation and redemption
Upcoming studies:
El Elyon: God Most High 9/7
Adonai: God as Lord of All 9/14
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 24, 2014
“Where Do You Stand?” 1 John 5:18-21 Bible Study 08/24/14
In the final section of his letter, John offers up a powerful resume of the believer’s new life in Christ. Verses 18-20 all begin with a “know” emphasis/affirmation. The three affirmations are then followed by an appeal/exhortation in verse 21. John’s final words in this letter challenge the reader to careful self-examination. Progress demands knowing where you stand and evaluating all information according to the standard of God’s revelation. In light of what you can know for sure, guard yourself from idols.
I. A word about sin (18)
-Sin stands in contrast to your new nature.
-Jesus stands guard to preserve and protect you.
II. A word about influence (19)
-You stand under the influence of the source of your life-God.
-The world you live in lies under the influence of Satan.
III. A word about truth (20)
-In Jesus alone you receive the revelation of the true God.
-Jesus enables you to know God.
IV. A word of warning (21)
-Don’t bow to a false view of God.
-Beware of imitations and reject all substitutes.
V. So what?
-A word from Ora Rowan (1834-1879)
Hast thou heard Him, seen Him, known Him? Is not thine a captured heart? Chief among ten thousands own Him, joyful choose the better part.
Idols once they won thee, charmed thee, lovely things of time and sense; gilded thus does sin disarm thee; honeyed lest thou turn thee thence.
What has stripped the seeming beauty from the idols of the earth? Not a sense of right or duty, but the sight of peerless worth.
Not the crushing of those idols, with its bitter void and smart; but the beaming of His beauty, the unveiling of His heart.
Who extinguishes their taper till they hail the rising sun? Who discards the garb of winter till the summer has begun?
Tis the look that melted Peter, tis the face that Stephen saw, tis the heart that wept with Mary can alone from idols draw.
Draw and win and fill completely, till the cup overflow the brim. What have we to do with idols who have fellowshipped with Him?
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 17, 2014
Guest speaker: David Norman
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity Student
“Repentance That Stays the Hand of God” Jonah 3:6-10 Bible Study 08/17/14
3 Kinds of Repentance:
• Personal Repentance v. 6
• Public Repentance v. 7-9
• Propitious Repentance v. 10
Main Idea:
National repentance will not take place until we see
widespread repentance in our churches. And we will not
see repentance in our churches until every believer
humbles himself, feels the weight of his sin, confesses
his sin before Christ, and continually turns from sin
toward Christ. It begins in us.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 10, 2014
Guest speaker: Daniel Dickard
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Student
“The Parable of the Unworthy Servant” Luke 17 Bible Study 08/10/14
No outline provided for today.
