Weekly Lesson for October 6, 2013
Guest speaker: David Norman
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity Student
Colossians 2:6-7 “Walking in Christ”
Weekly Lesson for September 29, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Whatever Happens…” Philippians 1:27-30 Bible Study 09/29/13
This morning’s text reflects a shift in emphasis in Paul’s letter to Philippian believers. The word “only” in verse 27 signals a transition from information to exhortation. As a concerned leader and spiritual parent, Paul encourages his readers with exhortations regarding their practice and privilege as Christians.
The “big” idea: Because of the surpassing worth of Jesus, determine to promote His person and work whatever happens.
I. Conduct Yourself Worthily (27)
-“behavior as citizens…”
-“worthy”: corresponding conduct
-unaffected: present or absent
-unyielding: “standing firm…”
-undivided: “striving …”
II. Consider Yourself Privileged (28-30)
-affirmed through opposition
-graciously gifted to suffer
-a stark contrast
-encouraged by personal example
III. So What?
-How much of what I do is motivated primarily by the presence or absence of others?
-How am I presently involved in advancing the cause of Jesus?
-Is my view of suffering cultural or biblical?
-Am I willing to make the exaltation of Jesus the focus of my future?
Weekly Lesson for September 22, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Reality Check” Philippians 1:21-26 Bible Study 09/22/13
Paul’s powerful assertion in this morning’s text is both a sobering challenge and a penetrating “reality check.” All of us live for something or for someone. As Paul considers his future as a believer, he knows that Christian hope makes the outcome certain but leaves open both the time of fulfillment and the means by which the goal is reached. Our objective this morning is to examine carefully Paul’s perspective on this life and the life that is to come.
The “big” idea: Because of the surpassing worth and power of Christ, reality for the believer involves present fruitful service and future eternal gain.
I. Biblical reality enables discernment (21-22)
-life: opportunity for increased fruit
-death: prospect of immediate gain
II. Biblical reality fuels desire (23)
-constrained/hemmed in
-longing to exchange “camp” life for “home” life
III. Biblical reality dictates devotion (24-26)
-the progress of others
-the praise of Christ
IV. So what?
-“Live here in light of there under the conquering authority of the King.” -Joseph Stowell
-“I cannot but run with all my might, for I am close to the goal.” –Charles Simeon in old age
-Am I utterly enthralled with Jesus?
Weekly Lesson for September 15, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“An Obsession with Advancement” Philippians 1:12-20 Bible Study 09/15/13
After giving thanks to God for his partnership with believers in Philippi and praying for their growth, Paul discloses to his readers what might be called his one “magnificent obsession.” Paul could never be considered a spiritual “couch potato.” His focus is ever forward, upward and onward. In fact, his singular focus enables him to have a decidedly distinct perspective concerning his circumstances. Our text this morning drives home the truth that when the advancement of the gospel is your primary goal, you can view your circumstances as God-given opportunities to promote it.
I. Trying circumstances often lead to meaningful progress (12-17)
-apprehension regarding Paul’s imprisonment
-Paul’s declaration: advancement in the midst of adversity
-attracting attention to Jesus: the Praetorian Guard
-promoting the proclamation of Jesus
II. Trying circumstances often remind us of what really matters (18-20)
-the message of Jesus
-method, message and motive…
-the magnification of Jesus
-cause for rejoicing
III. So What?
-Resist the subtle lure of “cruise-control” Christianity
-Let trying circumstances “blow the haze of triviality” out of your life
-Resolve to magnify Jesus in the midst of your “restrictions”
-Remember that the Lord “holds the gavel”
-Model the motivation of Jesus
-A lesson from the life of Samuel Rutherford
Weekly Lesson for September 8, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Growth and Glory” Philippians 1:9-11 Bible Study 09/08/13
Given our tendency to underestimate the power of prayer and to underexercise the privilege of prayer, Paul’s prayer in today’s text is an instructive and encouraging reminder. While it is true that we have been invited to pray about everything, no prayer request is more important than the one that pleads for the spiritual growth of God’s people. Because God’s glory matters most, let it shape the content of your praying and the conduct of your living.
I. Pray for supernatural love (9-10a)
-abounding: sacrificial love
-informed: knowledge and discernment
-discriminating: enablement to assess
II. Pray for supernatural character (10b-11)
-pure: sincere and blameless
-produced: “…having been filled…”
-perceptive: the return of Christ anticipated
-purposeful: the glory of God
“Let the glory of the all glorious God be everything to you.” – Andrew Murray
There are no traffic jams on the straight and narrow way.
“All the world is God’s own field, fruit unto His praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown unto joy or sorrow grown.
First, the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we wholesome grain and pure may be.” – Henry Alford
Weekly Lesson for September 1, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Partners in Joy” Philippians 1:1-8 Bible Study 09/01/13
This morning we begin our study of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. Paul wrote this letter during his first Roman imprisonment. The church at Philippi was founded on Paul’s second missionary journey. The majority of believers in this church was non-Jewish. These believers had a wonderful relationship with Paul, having sent Epaphroditus as their messenger of personal concern to Paul armed with a gift. The letter we know as Philippians was sent along with Epaphroditus upon his return to Philippi. It conveys Paul’s gratitude for the gift he received and an encouragement to unity.
I. Introduction to Philippians (1-2)
-theme: joy in Christ
-greeting: saints, grace and peace
II. Grasp the nature of Paul’s gratitude (3-8)
-joyful
-confident: the “pivot” verse 6
-appropriate
III. Make the timeless application
-conviction about a common goal
-confidence about continued growth
-compassion because of a common ground
IV. The “big” idea
-Because the Lord is the ultimate “Finisher”, you can have joyful confidence as you partner
with others in the promotion of the gospel.
Weekly Lesson for August 25, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Pity on the City” Jonah 4:5-11 Bible Study 08/25/13
When the Lord shows pity to a city that Jonah thinks should be pulverized, Jonah is ready to throw in the prophetic towel. He had yet to learn that the Lord’s heart for the city must govern his relationship to the city. Today, if the Lord is concerned for the city, how can we remain unconcerned for it?
I. Consider your response to the city (5)
-three times in one verse
-Jonah separates and shelters himself
-Jonah becomes a spectator
-not another fish-swallowing!
II. Observe the Lord’s instructive appointments (6-8)
-here: plant, worm and wind
-compassion that delivers from discomfort
-commitment to piety not pleasure
-a case of applied theology
III. Catch the dramatic contrast (9-11)
-inquiring rather than indicting
-exposing the presence of pettiness: plants or people?
-no investment, enablement or endurance
-“And should not I pity…?”
IV. So What?
-The infinite value of God and the infinite mercy He delights to show dictate that His heart
for the city must govern ours.
-How will you finish the story?
-Your “enthusiasm” for the King of mercy
Weekly Lesson for August 18, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“A Case of Forgotten Grace” Jonah 3:10-4:4 Bible Study 08/18/13
Our text today indicates that Jonah’s restoration was still not complete. Rather than rejoicing in the repentance of Nineveh and God’s sparing of the city, he expresses resentment and becomes the “pouting prophet”. He still had much to learn about God’s amazing grace. Grace is the unmerited and unearned favor of God. How are you presently responding to it?
I. Delight in the demonstration of grace
-Jonah should have been thrilled!
-Like Cain, Jonah burned with anger.
-Why? Because the Lord showed grace to Nineveh
II. Praise the distribution of grace
-“Was this not my word…?”
-An attempt at self-justification
-A self-appointed theological advisor
-Summary of attributes: gracious, compassionate, merciful
III. Participate in the extension of grace
-An incomplete echo (I Kings 19:4)
-Desire for divine euthanasia
-Jonah would rather expire than extend.
-The Lord: still gracious to Jonah
IV. So What?
-Because every blessing you taste flows from grace, determine to treasure it in every circumstance.
-“The reputation of the God of grace in Nineveh necessitated the loss of the reputation of Jonah in Israel.” – Sinclair Ferguson
-“May the grace of God be precious to you, the basis for your praise of God, not your protest, as it was with Jonah.” – Bob Deffinbaugh
-“Every day of our Christian experience should be a day of relating to God on the basi of His grace alone. We are not only saved by grace, but we also live by grace every day.” – Jerry Bridges
Weekly Lesson for August 11, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bible Study “The Second Time” Jonah 3:1-10 08/11/13
Those three words, “the second time” are some of the sweetest words found anywhere
in Scripture. Having been “deposited” on dry land, Jonah, the reluctant prophet, receives
a second summons from the Lord to go to Nineveh. Today, many would confess that only
because the Word came a second time to them that they are now engaged in God’s service.
I. The Word governs the assignment (1-4)
-highlight “the word”
-repeated commission to “that great city”
-response of obedience
-word of warning
II. The Word promotes authentic revival (5-9)
-belief beyond the Pharisees (Matt. 12:41)
-meaningful emotion
-specific action
-absence of entitlement
III. The Word affirms the Lord’s unchanging purpose and unlimited perspective
-“…not like a man…” (1 Sam. 15:29)
-mouthpiece for the message of mercy
-Some guilt trips have a good destination.
IV. So What?
-Out of His great mercy and according to His Word, the Lord deploys delivered
sinners as instruments to bring about the deliverance of more sinners.
-Let us not be numb to the Nineveh around us.
-“…something greater than Jonah is here.”
-Embrace His agenda!
Weekly Lesson for August 4, 2013
Guest speaker: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bible Study 08/04/13 “A Severe Mercy” Jonah 1:17-2:10
This morning we resume our study of Jonah, the prodigal prophet of the Old Testament.
In his experience of being swallowed by a great fish, Jonah becomes a stellar example of
the Lord’s merciful dealings with His children. Also, we will observe that prayer takes on a new
level of intensity when it is offered from inside the belly of a fish!
I. Observe (again) the arresting providence of God
-an appointed fish
-vehicle for deliverance
-sign of supremacy
II. Discern the deeper work
-not the belly of a fish but the heart of a prophet
-departure from God’s presence and word
-summary: “I called…You heard…”
III. Trace the path from rebellion to restoration
-flee to God’s presence
-pray God’s word: Jonah uses the Psalms.
-praise God’s character: Jonah does it from the gut of a fish.
IV. So what?
-The Lord demonstrates His mercy to His servants so that they may
magnify it personally and extend it indiscriminately.
