“Meet Your Advocate” 1 John 2:1-2 Bible Study 02/23/14
This morning we will focus on two remarkably rich verses in 1 John. They are closely connected to and flow out of John’s emphases in 1 John 1:5-10. We are to have a biblical view of sin as well as a clear understanding of the appropriate biblical response to sin when it occurs in our lives. These two verses offer great comfort and assurance to the believer and invite him/her to prize the promise of the absolutely unique advocacy of Jesus Christ.

Introduction
-Sin is always bad news.
-Three responses: denial, dismissal and despair
-Biblical balance: warning and consolation
-When sin threatens to paralyze you, remember the provision of an Advocate for you.

I. Consider your Advocate’s unceasing action
-“…we have…”

-Advocate: counsel for the defense, to speak up/lift up the voice in behalf of…

II. Consider your Advocate’s premium location
-“…with the Father…”

-face-to-face

III. Consider your Advocate’s matchless qualification
-Jesus, Christ, righteous

-Every believer has an Advocate at all times in the best place who offers real help.

-the justification/sanctification connection

IV. Consider your Advocate’s prior substitution
-present advocacy based on prior activity

-propitiation: atoning sacrifice

V. So what?
-“The wisdom of God ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God.” (J. Piper)

-When you take the cross seriously, you take sin seriously.

-“Savior, teach me day by day, Love’s sweet lesson to obey, Sweeter lesson cannot be, Loving Him who first loved me.” (J. Leeson)

Guest speaker: David Norman
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Master of Divinity Student

“Satisfaction Guaranteed” Colossians 2:8-10 Bible Study 02/16/14

Main Idea: Satisfaction is found only in the person and work of Christ.

I. False Teaching (Col 2:8)
II. Jesus (Col 2:9)
III. Faith (Col 2:10)

Questions for Reflection:

1. What false messages do I face daily?
2. Do I focus more on Jesus’ humanity or His divinity?
3. What hooks have taken hold of me?

“Walking in the Light” 1 John 1:5-10 Bible Study 02/09/14

This morning’s text addresses the subjects of God’s character, our sin and God’s forgiveness. Building on a foundational assertion of God’s nature/character (God is light…), John proceeds to make two crucial appeals to his readers. Believers are to walk in the light and address sin in their lives with sensitivity and honesty. When we grasp God’s character, we aim to advance in our walk and agree about our sin.

Introduction

-sin: missing the mark, stepping out of bounds
-sin and the believer’s “family status”
-sin and the believer’s fellowship

I. Contemplate the character of God (5)

-proclamation with an emphasis on the receiver

-“light” in this context: the moral perfection of God

-John’s stylistic emphasis: positive/negative

-looking ahead: the threefold use of “if we say…”

II. Conform to the character of God (6-7)

-the use of “walk”

-the incompatibility of “darkness”

-two results of walking in the light: fellowship and cleansing

III. Confess your sin to God (8-10)

-avoiding self-deception

-confess: to “say with” or agree with God about your sins

-since God is “faithful and just…”

-forgiveness and cleansing

-a sobering warning

IV. So what?

-“The only way, according to John, we’ll ever hear from God the words, ‘You are forgiven,’ is if we speak the words, ‘I have sinned.’” (David Allen)

-You will either cover sin (Prov. 28:13) or confess sin (1 John 1:9).

-“He who cannot find water in the sea is not more foolish than the man who cannot perceive sin in his members.” (Charles Spurgeon)

-Grasp the malignancy of sin and the magnificence of grace.

-Two texts for walking in the light: Psalm 119:11 and Psalm 119:36-37

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Meet Jesus: God in Human Flesh” 1 John 1:1-4 Bible Study 02/02/14

This morning we begin our study of 1 John. Sadly, Christians often approach teaching concerning the person and work of Jesus in a way that may be classified as “Brylcreem Theology- a little dab will do you.” Too frequently, these people settle for half-truths which results in a half-hearted and often joyless outlook. The content of 1 John is a stirring reminder that one must think biblically and precisely about the identity of our Lord. John was one of our Lord’s original disciples. At the time of the writing of 1 John, he was likely the only surviving member of the original twelve. He was the human author of five of our New Testament books. We know that he spent his later years in Ephesus and that 1 John was written between A.D. 80-85. The letter is addressed to second and third generation Christians who populated the church at this time. Among the topics which appear prominently in the letter are the infiltration of false teachers, the danger of laxity in moral standards, the refutation of false teachings and the profound pastoral heart of John. With this background in mind, we turn our attention to 1 John 1:1-4 and its powerful presentation of Jesus. Because of the factual reality of Jesus Christ, believers can enjoy supernatural fellowship and superabundant joy.

I. Focus on the reality of Jesus Christ

-eternally
-historically
-experientially

II. The reality of Jesus Christ makes fellowship possible

-amazing
-unifying
-mobilizing

III. The reality of Jesus Christ makes fullness profound

-obedience
-affection
-orientation

IV. So what?

-“Jesus was the only man who had a heavenly Father but no heavenly mother, who had an earthly mother but no earthly father; who was older than his mother and who was as old as his Father.” (R.G. Lee)
-Recognize the greatest problem in every culture.
-What you think about Jesus is the most important thing about which you can think.
-Biblical truth always precedes biblical fellowship.
-“There are but two lessons for a Christian to learn- the one is to enjoy God in everything, the other is to enjoy everything in God.” (Charles Simeon)

Guest speaker: Tim Wheeless
Southwestern Baptist Seminary

“We need a Passion for Winning the Lost” Proverbs 24:11-12

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Thinking and Living-Faithfully! Philippians 4:10-23 Bible Study 01/19/14

Phil 4:8-9 provides an appropriate and interesting bridge from the preceding verses to the verses that follow (the focus of our study this morning).Paul is driving home the essential truth that we must think Christianly in order to live faithfully. One commentator expressed it like this: “When we dwell on the right things, the church is unified, the Savior is magnified and believers are fortified.” As you reflect and rely upon the enabling power of Jesus, you can live with consistent contentment and confident generosity.

I. View contentment as a learned commodity (10-13)
-rejoicing in “revival”

-delicate appreciation

-the discipline of Jesus-sufficiency

-a learned “secret”

-empowerment for the assignment

II. Model the gracious character of God (14-20)
-exclusive partnership

-grace-centered commendation

-a fragrant offering

-fullness according to wealth

-directed doxology

III. Go forward in the grace of God (21-23)
-“trophies” in Caesar’s household

-grace: from focus to finish

IV. So what?
-“The power of Christ in Paul was not for the gratification of Paul’s whims but for the carrying out of Christ’s will.” (A.T. Robertson)

-“For Paul, contentment is not found in creating our own security but by abandoning our security to Jesus Christ.” (Sinclair Ferguson)

-Practice the balanced “blessing” of others.

-You can do what God assigns you to do because of the power He keeps pouring into you.

-“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength, but sometimes I wonder what he can do through me. No great success to show, no glory on my own, yet in my weakness He is there to let me know…His strength is perfect when our strength is gone, He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on, raised in His power the weak become strong, His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect. We can only know the power that He holds, when we truly see how deep our weakness goes. His strength in us begins when ours comes to an end. He hears our humble cry and proves again…His strength is perfect… (Steven Curtis Chapman and Jerry Dean, Jr.)

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“He Has You Covered” Philippians 4:2-7 Bible Study 01/12/14

Our passage this morning includes some of the most well-known verses in the letter to the Philippians. A proper understanding of it requires that we see the “big picture” contextually in terms of Paul’s circumstances and those of his recipients. In spite of less than ideal circumstances (Paul is in prison and Euodia and Syntyche are in conflict!), the experience of God’s surpassing peace remains a distinct possibility. With fatherly concern, Paul assists his readers in focusing on the “big picture” in order that they might persevere, having been “covered” with the peace of God. You can enjoy the protection of God’s surpassing peace when you take seriously the prerequisites for it.

I. Rejoice continually (4)
-inclusive command

-specific focus

II. Relate reasonably (2-3, 5)
-from observation to imitation

-imminent and intimate perspective

III. Request comprehensively (6)
-clear prohibition

-balanced perspective

-panorama of prayer

IV. Receive expectantly (7)
-with the result that…

-guaranteed covering

-the God of peace going, the peace of God guarding…

V. So what?
-Let Scripture sustain you in the “race”

-“Thy mighty name salvation is, and keeps my happy soul above: Comfort it brings, and power and peace and joy and everlasting love. Jesus, mine all in all thou art, my rest in toil, my ease in pain, the medicine of my broken heart. In war my peace, in loss my gain, my smile beneath the tyrant’s frown, in shame my glory and my crown.” (C. Wesley)

-Do we delight in Jesus? It is difficult to rejoice in someone with whom we have no relationship.

-The one who gives peace is our peace!

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Cross-Driven Living” Philippians 3:17-4:1 Bible Study 01/05/14

With 3:17, Paul, for the second time within a few verses, calls us to follow his example. In 3:15 we are called to share his determination to “press on” with a growing delight in Jesus, an exclusive reliance upon Him for salvation and a passion to be like Him. In 3:17 the call is for us to esteem the truth as Paul does. The “truth” in this case centers on the cross and coming again of Jesus. Such truth must direct the course of our lives in the “here and now.” In light of your heavenly citizenship and its transforming reality, stand firm in your commitment to the cross of Christ.

I. Two Exhortations (17)
-imitate the person

-focus on the pattern

II. An Important Explanation (18-19)
-enemies of the cross

-end…destruction

-god…belly

-glory…shame

-mindset…earthly

III. A Contrasting Reality (20-21)
-heavenly citizenship

-returning Savior

-transformed body

-subjecting power

IV. A Final Exhortation (1)
-therefore…

-stand firm

V. So What?
-“A God without wrath brought man without sin into a kingdom without judgment
through the ministration of a Christ without a cross.” (H. Richard Niebuhr describing
the message of the liberal social gospel)

-“I have often prayed that daily, and to the end, I may live as a tent pitched between
the cross and the grave of our Lord…the empty cross and the empty grave.”
(Handley Moule)

-“The winds of hell have blown, The world its hate hath shown, Yet it is not o’erthrown.
Hallelujah for the Cross! It shall never suffer loss. The Lord of hosts is with us, the God
of Jacob is our refuge.” (Spurgeon)

-“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait Hoping, trusting ever, Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.” (Fanny Crosby)

-Be a cross-clinger!

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“But One Thing!” Philippians 3:9-16 Bible Study 12/29/13

Previously, in 3:1-8, Paul portrays Jesus as the believer’s all-sufficient and all-surpassing wealth. This morning’s text offers to us the biblically appropriate response to such a reality. If Jesus is the most valuable entity in the universe, what kind of people should we be and what kind of lives should we live? Our text offers concrete answers to these questions as we anticipate the arrival of a new year on Wednesday. Because of the surpassing worth of Jesus, press on in your relationship with Him. This means being a “one thing” person!

I. Embrace identity with Jesus completely (9-11)
-Paul’s permanent “address”

-the treasure of true righteousness

-the “fuel” of resurrection power

-the fellowship of His sufferings

-no destination “anxiety”

II. View yourself accurately (12-13a)
-estimation

-exertion

-explanation

-accounting

III. Pursue Jesus passionately (13b-16)
-But one thing…

-press on: forgetting…straining

-maturity: responding obediently to truth

IV. So What?
-Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort. (D. Willard)

-Sanctification does not permit spiritual abdication. (A. Motyer)

-Behold Him there! The risen Lamb! My perfect, spotless Righteousness! (C.L. Bancroft)

-Pressing on demands holy amnesia and holy sweat.

Teacher: Dr. Matthew McKellar
Associate Professor of Preaching/Chair of the Preaching Department
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Simeon’s Satisfaction” Luke 2:25-32 Bible Study 12/22/13
In our culture, satisfaction is a desperately sought after and fleeting commodity. The mantra of many today is captured in the words the Rolling Stones made famous: “…can’t get no satisfaction.” The concept even expresses itself in candy-bar marketing: “Snickers satisfies.” Yes, satisfaction has to do with hunger and longing. This morning we turn our attention to a man who found true satisfaction-deep, permanent soul-satisfaction. His name was Simeon and he discovered that only a sovereign God who keeps His promises can provide true satisfaction. Nearing the end of his life, he experienced the fulfillment of a promise that he would not see death before he had “seen the Lord’s Christ.” His “song”, or word of praise, traditionally is referred to as the “Nunc Dimittis” , a Latin designation meaning “now You are dismissing…” From Simeon we learn that real satisfaction is all about an appetite for the right things. Like Simeon, when you rely on the Lord’s own revelation of Himself and relish it for all that it is, you can know true satisfaction.

I. Introduction
-note the intentional old age/infancy contrast

-note the repeated emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit

II. Rest completely assured
-foundation: Spirit and Word

-revelation: see the Lord’s Christ

-reception: a new era

III. Understand the mission
-global scope

-light to the nations

-glory of Israel

-set for falling and rising

IV. Yearn for fulfillment
-looking for consolation

-the other side

-shall we long for Him less?

V. So What?
-“He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found…” (I. Watts)

-“Bethlehem morning is more than just a memory, For the child that was born there
Is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, And He will come again.” (M. Chapman)

-Recognize that the mission of Jesus is not sentimental but sacrificial

-Let the ground of your satisfaction center in the certainty that God has a perfect track
record of keeping His promises.