Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 1, 2023
Salty Disciples
Mark 9:42-50
1. Background
• a redirection in the context of a discussion about greatness
• two key concepts: sensitivity and stewardship
2. A Responsibility to Grasp
• someone is watching you
• someone is listening to you
3. A Surgery to Perform
• what you do
• where you go
• what you see
• not physical mutilation but spiritual mortification
• what you think about hell
4. A Perspective to Adopt
• salt points to sacrifice
• fire points to persecution
5. So What?
• Because Jesus calls disciples to promote a thirst for Him, pursue the sacred stewardship of saltiness.
• Deal with sin radically.
• Dare to live sacrificially.
• “Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn, and pain! In Your service pain is pleasure, with Your favor loss is gain. I have called You Abba, Father; You my all in all shall be. Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.” (H. Lyte, “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 24, 2023
Unwashed Hands and Unclean Hearts
Mark 7:1-23
1. Background
• foretaste of confrontation in Jerusalem
• from actions to teachings: the issue of purity
• source of opposition: delegation from Jerusalem (3:22)
2. The Unwashed Hands Issue 1-8
• disciples caught “dirty handed”
• parenthetical commentary
• citation (Isa. 29:13) and identification (“hypocrites”)
3. A Scathing Rebuke 9-13
• problem: elevation of the external above the internal and human tradition above Scripture
• specific example: Exodus 20:12 and “Corban”
• circumventing biblical commands
4. The Unclean Hearts Issue 14-23
• root of uncleanness: internal/moral rather than external/ritual
• from the superficial to the substantive: food never enters a man’s heart
• the perennial problem: unclean hearts (Jer. 17:9, Prov. 4:23)
5. So What?
• Because a relationship with God hinges on the heart, aim for an internal sensitivity that produces an external consistency.
• Recognize the distinction between personal preference and biblical principle.
• “Legalism is always nailing a sign to the cross that says ‘necessary, but not enough.’” (J. MacGorman)
• Mind the gap! (Eph. 3:14-21)
• “Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love…Take my heart. It is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne…” (F. Havergal, “Take My Life, and Let It Be”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 17, 2023
Kingdom Acoustics
Mark 4:1-20
1. Setting
• preceding: mobbed by crowds, maligned by religious leaders, misunderstood by family
• a floating pulpit and a parable sermon (4:1-2)
2. Jesus Tells a Story 3-9
• opening command
• a parable about a sower, seeds and soils
• seed along the path: eaten by birds
• seed on rocky ground: initial success and subsequent failure
• seed among thorns: choked and fruitless
• seeds into good soil: dynamic growth
• repetition of opening command
3. Jesus Addresses the Purpose of Parables 10-13
• responding to the question of the disciples
• citation of Isa. 6:9-10
• the word: helps or hardens
• a sovereign “filtration system”
4. Jesus Explains the Story 14-20
• seed: word
• path: never started, rocky: started but never finished, thorns: survived but never bore fruit
• good soil: perseverance and productivity
5. So What?
• Knowing that lasting transformation is the product of God’s word taking root in you, prize it and persevere in it.
• Pray for an insatiable appetite for God’s word.
• Ponder and apply the principle of perseverance.
• “Sweetly echo the gospel call, wonderful words of life; Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life; Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever…” (P. Bliss, “Wonderful Words of Life”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 10, 2023
But That You May Know
Mark 2:1-12
1. Setting
• the first of five “conflict” narratives in 2:1-3:6
• preceded by the cleansing of a leper (1:40-45)
2. Jesus Comes Home to a Full House 1-2
• upon His return to Capernaum
• preaching the word
3. Four Men with a Friend Drop In 3-5
• restricted access and roof removal
• Jesus sees and says
4. The Snarl of Some Sitting Scribes 6-9
• their unspoken accusation (Lev. 24:16)
• divine discernment and insightful interrogation
5. Jesus Demonstrates His Authority 10-12
• that you may know…
• rise…and he rose…
• an immediate cure and the impact of unprecedented authority
6. So What?
• If Jesus says you’re forgiven, you are.
• putting a finger on the pulse of the real problem
• “The degree to which you see your own need for forgiveness is the measure of how clearly you understand the gospel.” (S. Ferguson)
• “My sin, o the bliss of this glorious thought, my sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul.” (H. Spafford, “It Is Well with My Soul”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for September 3, 2023
Let’s Start at the Very Beginning
Mark 1:1-13
1. Background
• “action” gospel, most compact, “moving picture” gospel
• answering the question: Who is Jesus?
2. Preparation 1-8
• gospel: good news about a person
• pivotal role of John the Baptist (Mal. 3:1, Isa. 40:3, 2 Kings 1:8)
• preaching repentance and pointing to Jesus
3. Verification 9-11
• inauguration of public ministry
• visual and verbal validation
4. Indication 12-13
• driven into the wilderness
• onslaught of temptation
• reversing the curse
5. So What?
• In light of Scripture’s clear indication of Jesus’ identity, rely on His provision and recognize your place.
• “Tell me the story of Jesus, write on my heart every word, tell me the story most precious, sweetest that ever was heard…Tell of the cross where they nailed Him, dying in anguish and pain; tell of the grave where they laid Him; tell how He liveth again.” (F. Crosby, “Tell Me the Story of 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.” (Hankey/Fischer “I Love to Tell the Story”)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 27, 2023
A Case for Bible Saturation
Psalms 119:1-8
1. Background
• longest Psalm (176 verses), acrostic, 22 stanzas of 8 verses
• “alphabet of reflection” with 8 repeated synonyms
2. Description Emphasized 1-3
• repeated concept of blessedness (Psa. 1)
• walk in the law…keep His testimonies
• impact of ongoing pursuit and complete preoccupation
3. Determination Indicated 4-6
• Your precepts kept diligently
• steadfast keeping of Your statutes
• impact of fixation on Your commandments
4. Dependence Expressed 7-8
• anticipation of praise that results from learning Your rules
• anticipation of divine intervention
5. So What?
• Because Love for God is refreshed by revelation, soak up every syllable of Scripture.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 4:4 (Deut. 8:3), Luke 11:28, James 1:22-25
• “’One boat goes east, one boat goes west, by the self-same winds that blow. And it’s the set of the sails, and not the gales, that determines which way they go.’ And the Word of God sets our sails.” (A. Begg quoting Ella W. Wilcox, “Tis the Set of the Sail”)
• “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” (J. Rippon, “How Firm a Foundation”)
Short Sentence Prayers on Psalm 119:1-8
1. Lord, the Word is Your Word. Thank you for giving us Your Word.
2. Lord, teach us that the way of happiness is the way of obedience, and make obedience sweet to us.
3. Lord, grant that our religion would not be empty talk but Gospel life, that our love for you will show not only in our lips but in our lives, that we would practice what we preach.
4. Lord, by Your Holy Spirit, give us a right aspiration for holiness, a grace-wrought desire for godliness.
5. Lord, give us a love for Your whole Word and all Your commands, even in our blind spots.
6. Lord, grant that our lives would be built on the basis of Your Word.
7. Lord, give us Gospel resolve and grace dependence in our lives. (L. Duncan, LigonDuncan.com)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 20, 2023
When the Lord Is Your Portion
Lamentations 3:21-24
1. Background
• after the destruction/desolation of Jerusalem (25:8-11)
• from a context of darkness
2. Unexpected Shift 21
• a mind-altering reality
• the essence of hope
3. Unfailing Compassion Rooted in Unchanging Character 22-23
• not consumed (Psa. 103:10-14)…
• because of steadfast love
• because of the duration and depth of mercies
• because of the daily distribution of mercies
4. Expression of Satisfaction 24
• understanding the concept of “portion” (Num. 18:20, Psa. 73:25-26)
• a sure foundation for the soul’s hope
5. So What?
• When the LORD is your portion, you can have a hope that transcends your darkest moments.
• connection to Christ: Lam. 1:12, Rom. 15:13, 1 Pet. 1:3-9
• “…Morning by morning new mercies I see…Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth…” (T. Chisholm, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”)
• “Broken cisterns, broken cisterns all around; but the fountain remains full.” (A. Bonar)
• Meditate this week on the magnitude of the mercies you’ve received.
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 13, 2023
So, You Want to Go Back to Egypt?
Jeremiah 42:1-43:7
1. Background
• events after the fall of Jerusalem (Jer. 40-45)
• Jeremiah imprisoned and then released (40:1-6)
2. A Request from the People 1-6
• people in Jerusalem after the exile
• their plan to “escape” to Egypt
• Jeremiah’s agreement to pray
• pious display of sincerity
3. Jeremiah’s Response to the People 7-22
• waiting to discern the LORD’S message
• if they stay in the land…compassion
• if they go to Egypt…catastrophe
• exposure of a fatal flaw
4. Rejection of Jeremiah’s Message 1-7
• arrogant accusation against a true prophet
• a disobedient entrance into Egypt
5. So What?
• In light of His promised presence and clear communication, obey the Lord eagerly.
• connection to Christ: John 14:6, 15; Col. 3:15-17
• “Those who reject what they know to be the will of God always invite disaster.” (Huey)
• “They regarded God as a power to enlist, not a Lord to obey.” (Kidner)
• “Here I raise my ebenezer…” (Robinson, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”)
• “May the word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom to capture your hearts for Christ, to comfort your hearts in Christ and to humble your hearts before Christ. Amen.” (Davis)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 6, 2023
But They Would Not Hear
Jeremiah 36:1-32
1. Background
• impending Babylonian conquest, 4th year of King Jehoiakim, 20+ years of Jeremiah’s ministry
2. Scroll Read to the Public 1-10
• take a scroll and write and Baruch the scribe
• scroll read on a fast day: repetition of motivation
3. Scroll Read to the Officials 11-19
• cabinet officials of the king
• Baruch reads and the officials tremble
• expression of concern for safety
4. Scroll Read to the King 20-26
• the scroll cut and thrown into the fire: absence of fear and expression of defiance
• contrast to his father, Josiah (2 Kings 22:11)
• concern justified
5. A Second Edition Scroll 27-32
• a second scroll with additional information
• a prophet unharmed, a king judged, the word confirmed
6. So What?
• Because God’s word endures forever, let its warnings lead you to Jesus.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 23:37-39, Col. 2:13-14
• “No one ever spoke more plainly of the penalties of sin than did Christ. The authoritative revelation of the consequences of wrongdoing is an integral part of the gospel.” (Maclaren)
• “Your word says I’m forgiven. Your covenant says You will always be with me. Though some may scoff and write me off, Your word will be the last word.” (T. Walker, “Your Word Will Be the Last Word”)
• The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isa. 40:8)
Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for July 30, 2023
A Lesson to Learn
Jeremiah 35:1-19
1. Background
• events/messages from the siege to the fall of Jerusalem
• object lesson of the Rechabites: “symbolic action”
2. Assessment of Loyalty 1-5
• instructions concerning the Rechabites (2 Kings 10:15-27)
• intensity of the assessment
3. Explanation of Refusal 6-11
• commandment of Jonadab
• careful obedience to a long-dead ancestor
4. Application for Judah 12-17
• instructions concerning Judah and Jerusalem
• argument from lesser to greater
• painfully apparent contrast
5. Commendation of Rechabites 18-19
• obedience acknowledged
• blessing pronounced (Neh. 3:14)
• searing rebuke
6. So What?
• Because He is the living God and means what He says, obey the LORD’S commands.
• connections to Christ: Phil. 2:8, John 14:15, 1 John 5:3
• “Sometimes secular loyalties to some cause or person put to shame the loyalty of God’s people to Him and His commands.” (Huey)
• The depth of your declaration of dependence is displayed through your obedience.
• “Jesus, too late I Thee have sought; how can I love Thee as I ought? And how extol Thy matchless fame, the glorious beauty of Thy name? Jesus, my Lord, I Thee adore; O make me love Thee more and more.” (Collins, “Jesus, My Lord, My Life, My All”)
