Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 25, 2014

“Where God Is” 1 John 4:12-16 Bible Study 05/25/14
This morning’s text addresses the realm in which God resides. Of course, we know that God is omnipresent. However, the repeated use of the term “abide” in our text signals the specific concept of abiding/dwelling/being at home. It addresses the environment in which God is actively at work and particularly manifesting His supernatural power and presence. His heart beats with love for us and with the deep desire that we love one another. Because God is love, He resides where the atmosphere and activity of His love abound.

I. Connect the concepts

-believe (4:1-6)
-love (4:7-11)

II. Confirm the functions of love (12)

-furnishing proof
-fulfilling purpose

III. Consider the evidence (13-16)

-confirmation of the Holy Spirit
-confession of the truth
-continuance in love

IV. So what?

-“O to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be. Let Thy grace, Lord, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.” (R. Robinson)
-A reminder from Amy Carmichael: “Beloved, let us love!”
-Acknowledge the stewardship issue of love.
-Keep this question at the forefront: How has God treated me?
-What contact do I need to make this week for the purpose of affirming love, extending forgiveness or showing grace?

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 18, 2014

“Amazing Love” 1 John 4:7-11 Bible Study 05/18/14
The term “amazing” regularly is overworked and overused in our culture. However, some matters remain truly amazing. We come to one of those matters in this morning’s text. God’s love for us is so amazing that it defies tangible linguistic expression. In 4:7-11, John returns for the third time in his letter to the subject of love. Here, he intensifies the discussion and elaborates on love’s source and supernatural accomplishment. God’s amazing love is the foundation and motivation for loving one another. Because God’s love is truly amazing, transmit it to others passionately.

I. Trace love to its source (7-8)

-definite origin
-distinctive attribute
-determining factor

II. Treasure love in its expression (9-10)

-preciousness
-purpose
-provision

III. Transmit love to others (11)
-magnitude

-moral obligation

IV. So what?

-Those greatly loved love greatly.

-“And Can It Be” -Charles Wesley

-“As the bridegroom to His chosen, as the King unto His realm, as the keeper to the castle, as the pilot to the helm, as the captain to his soldiers, as the shepherd to his lambs; as the fountain in the garden, as the candle in the dark, as the treasure in the coffer, as the manna in the ark, as the firelight in the winter, as the sunlight in the spring, so Lord, art Thou to me.” -John Tauler

-“The bottom line is always red for the believer.” Lloyd Ogilvie

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 11, 2014

“The Truth Test” 1 John 4:1-6 Bible Study 05/11/14
Building off of His reference to the Spirit in 3:24, John offers readers of every age some indispensable insights for distinguishing the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error. In 4:1-6, he not only exhorts readers to exercise discernment but also gives them standards by which to do it. Because truth is a matter of life and death, we are called to exercise careful discernment. The merit of any message must be measured by the standard of Jesus Christ.

I. Obey the commands (1)
-stop believing and start testing

-objective: to determine origin/source

-urgency: presence of pseudo-prophets

-obligation: for all believers

-recognition: behind every statement is a spirit…

II. Apply the test (2-6)
-not your own invention

-message content: Christological, confessional and comprehensive

-audience character: from the world/from God…

-a striking contrast

-cause for confidence

III. So what?
-Affirm the existence of absolute truth.

-Refuse to let toleration trump truth.

-Recognize the error of minimizing the exclusivity of Jesus.

-Make the connection between biblical literacy and truth discernment.

-Don’t let false teaching pick your spiritual pocket.

-“Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight; Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight; Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower: Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.”
(Be Thou My Vision, attributed to Dallan Forgaill)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for May 4, 2014

“Blessed Assurance” 1 John 3:19-24 Bible Study 05/04/14

Earlier in 1 John 3, the beloved apostle has addressed the importance of obedience to God and love for others. Now, as he concludes his remarks in this chapter, he addresses his readers with great sensitivity. He knows they have been bombarded by false teachings and false lifestyles. He also knows that they, like us, inevitably deal with failure and doubt. Therefore, John offers some challenging yet comforting words of assurance. Assurance before God comes as you focus on His character and follow His commands.

I. Acknowledge the fact of assurance (19-20)

-a grounded life

-a soothed heart

II. Seize the privileges of assurance (21-22)

-freedom of speech

-fulfillment of desire

III. Return to the foundation of assurance (23-24)

-faith in Jesus

-love for others

-confirmation of the Spirit

IV. So What?

-“Assurance: the suburbs of paradise.” (Thomas Boston)

-Don’t miss the connection between assurance and obedience/love.

-“Obedience is the indispensable condition, not the meritorious cause of answered prayer. (John Stott)

-Remember that the human heart is never the final standard.

-“If the pump of love is dry, the pipe of prayer is not deep enough.” (John Piper)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 27, 2014

“Love Is The Theme!” 1 John 3:11-18 Bible Study 04/27/14

Having extolled the staggering reality of the Father’s love and after stressing the significance of practical righteousness, John proceeds to return to a prevailing theme in his writing-love. In our text this morning, he indicates that love is a distinguishing trait of God’s children and that its presence indicates that the Lord has worked in our lives in a saving way. Those in whom God’s love dwells actively extend His love to others.

I. Introduction
-What the world needs now is…

-Who or what defines love for you?

II. The absence of love leads to death (11-12)
-Go back to the beginning

-Cain butchered his brother!

-Righteousness provokes the hostility of the devil’s children

III. The presence of love indicates life (13-15)
-Love proves life

-A devastating progression: hate, murder, death

IV. The essence of love centers in self-sacrifice (16-18)
-Jesus offers a unique model

-Love displays itself in sacrificial action

-Love unleashes us to move beyond self-preservation to self-sacrifice

V. So what?
-We cannot afford to “drop the ball”

-Recognize the distinction between advancing your comfort and advancing His cause

-Enthrallment + Investment = Impact

-“…Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.” (Isaac Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 20, 2014

“Living Hope” 1 Peter 1:3-9 Bible Study Resurrection Sunday 04/20/14

Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, you can have a hope that never dies.

I. Introduction
-distinction: your temporary station and your eternal destination

-biblical hope: stabilization without stagnation

II. Living hope rests in a supernatural power (3)

-“The resurrection is God’s ‘amen’ to Christ’s statement ‘It is finished!’” (S. Lewis Johnson)

III. Living hope rests in a secure possession (4)

-four observations about your inheritance

IV. Living hope rests in a superior protection (5)

-the constant surveillance of omnipotence

V. Living hope rests in a sensitized perspective (6-7)

-three observations about your trials

VI. Living hope rests in an unseen and incomparable person (8-9)

-“Let us never live another day as if He were dead.” (Peter Marshall)

-“…He then is all my hope and stay…” (Edward Mote)

-“In You alone, dear Lord, we own
sweet hope and consolation:
Our shield from foes, our balm for woes,
our great and sure salvation.” (Joachim Magdeburg)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 13, 2014

“Proof of Ownership” 1 John 3:4-10 Bible Study 04/13/14

Many families and individuals today take special precautions and spend significant resources in order to protect their safety and health. In our text this morning, John is concerned with the spiritual safety and health of his beloved readers. Desiring to protect them from false views about a right relationship with God and the nature of sin, He “shoots straight” with them. He has just addressed the astonishing love of God and how one should “never get over it.” In this morning’s text, he continues to expand on what he previously wrote regarding purity and righteousness. His challenge then and now is that believers should never stop growing in obedience. Growing obedience to Jesus is a distinguishing trait of the true believer. Because being a child of God is incompatible with the practice of sin, pursue conformity to Jesus in every area of your life.

I. Answer two diagnostic questions
-What is your view of sin?

-What is your view of Jesus?

II. Grasp the seriousness of sin (4-6)
-attacks the glory of God

-violates the will of God

-dismisses the work of God

III. Acknowledge the source of sin (7-8a)
-it finds its source in the devil

-it dominates the lives of his children

-its deception must be avoided

IV. Abide in the One who delivers from sin (8b-10)
-He takes away sins

-He destroys the devil’s work

-He enables “family resemblance”

V. So what?
-“The believer may fall into sin but he will not walk in it.” (D. Smith)

-What “ships” do you need to burn?

-“Obedience is the best evidence of trust in God.” (F. B. Huey)

-“If you’re going to fight a war, you’ve got to have a uniform.” (Captain America)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for April 6, 2014

“How Shall We Then Live?” 1 John 2:28-3:3 Bible Study 04/06/14

After addressing the moral (dark/light), social (hate/love) and doctrinal (error/truth) dimensions of the Christian life, John moves forward with the purpose of providing strong encouragement and pointed application. Essentially, he answers the question: Informed of the light, love and truth of the gospel, how should one live presently? Armed with an awareness of the supremacy of the Father’s love and the certainty of His promises, live with a growing appreciation of your identity and destiny.

I. Cling to Jesus continually (2:28-29)
-transitional/shift verses

-abide now

-the righteousness-regeneration connection

II. Consider the quality of the Father’s love (3:1a)
-wrong response: entitlement

-right response: astonishment

III. Claim the reality of your new identity (3:1b-2a)
-a matter of reference

-a matter of reality

IV. Anticipate your final destiny (3:2b-3)
-to be like Jesus and to see Jesus

-anticipation as motivation for purification

-no “exemptions”

V. So what?
-Live every moment in light of the “moment” to come.

-Contemplation of conformity motivates commitment to purity. (D. E. Hiebert)

-“We are not to judge our lives by other peoples’ but by Christ’s, who is the standard or goal toward which we are to move.” (H. Hobbs)

-“There shall we see His face and never, never sin. There from the rivers of His grace drink endless pleasures in.” (I. Watts)

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 30, 2014

“Treasuring the Truth” 1 John 2:18-27 Bible Study 03/30/14

Sincerity can be a commendable virtue, but something more than sincerity is required to make a thing true. There must be substance. For the believer, this ‘substance” is the objective standard of Holy Scripture. Faith in a lie inevitably leads to disaster. In contrast, faith grounded in truth is never misplaced. With this morning’s text, John directs us to the third mark or “test” of authentic faith. Previously, we examined the moral/light test and the social/love test. This morning we continue on to consider the doctrinal/truth test. John is fond of striking contrasts such as light/darkness, love/hate and truth/error. Our culture may be blurring the distinction between truth and error but God’s Word draws a timeless line of distinction between the two. Doctrine often gets a “bad rap” both outside and inside of the church. We must avoid the false idea that doctrine/teaching is disconnected from “practical” living. When time is short and truth is attacked, believers must respond with a commitment that includes profession and practice.

I. God’s Word expresses a distinction between truth and error (18-21)
-environment: last hour, antichrist/antichrists

-exit: departure of false teachers from the fellowship

-evaluation: fellowship, anointing, discernment

II. God’s Word exposes defective doctrine (22-23)
-denial: with reference to Christ

-damage: dishonor and deprivation

-determination: basic doctrinal test

III. God’s Word encourages an active defense (24-27)
-principle: “abide”- 6 times

-protection: Word and Spirit

IV. So what?
-Understand the danger of deficient thinking about Jesus.

-Communicate the exclusivity of Jesus with compassion and without compromise.

-Denial of Jesus deprives one of the Father.

-The Spirit of God never contradicts the Word of God.

-Beware of membership without meaning.

-Abiding enables intimacy and expectation.

-Cling to Jesus!

-“I love to tell the story, for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.” (Katherine Hankey)

Here is the prayer adapted from John Piper that many have requested:

O Christ, take my son/daughter for your servant. Turn his/her heart to You. Obliterate rebellion from his/her heart. And may he/she grow to godly manhood/womanhood, full of love to You and to others. Let him/her not love the world nor give a hoot for things or praise. But may Your glory be his/her passion day and night until the Kingdom comes.

Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for March 23, 2014

“The Love God Hates” 1 John 2:12-17 Bible Study 03/23/14

As strange as it may sound, in some areas of life the concepts of love and hate are quite compatible. We have an explicit example of this in Psalm 97:10: “O you who love the LORD, hate evil!” We have another example in this morning’s text. The first part of 1 John 2 covers what the believer is to do and what he is to love. Now, in contrast to the ‘to do” emphases addressed previously, our text instructs us concerning what “not to do.” In essence, we are warned about the wrong kind of love, the love God hates. Because the world is passing away and has values opposed to God, reject it and pursue His will.

I. Grasp the status of the true believer living in this world (12-14)
-prelude: transitional six-fold statement

-identification of genuine Christians

-explanation of terms: little children, fathers, young men

-well-equipped for victorious living

II. Avoid attachment to this world (15)
-a clear prohibition

-understanding the use of “world” in this context

-an “excluding” love

III. Consider the contradictory character of this world (16)
-desires of flesh- sensuality

-desires of eyes -visual appeal

-pride of life- arrogant self-sufficiency

IV. Feast on the biblical promise (17)
-passing world system

-remaining “will-doing” believer

V. So what?
-Relish the reality of “blessed assurance.”

-Take pains to avoid an “illicit affair” with this world.

-Examine the stewardship of your personhood, perspective and possessions.

-Aim to view your present life through the lens of eternity.