The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

Love One Another | John 13.34-35 | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionLove is not something God does - it is something he is “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:8, 16 NIV11)1. Exegesis, John 13.34-35““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:34-35 NIV11)A. New — love one anotherLev 19.18 / Mark 12.28-34“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18 NIV11)“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” (Mark 12:28-34 NIV11)New ‘law’ from new MosesNew command for a new people on a new Exodus, release from slaveryNew command for a new life (resurrection life), not just a new order of things“New” (kainen) implies freshness, or the opposite of “outworn” rather than simply “recent” or “different.”' ExpositorsB. As I have loved youLeviticus command - love others as love ourselves. Christ is now the way….We do not assess the quality of our love by our own definition of what it means for us to love people We don't assess the quality of our love by the way other people are loving us. We have a quality of love set by Jesus not by a human.John 13.1; 15.9, 13Also 1 John 3.16Foot-washing: Wash sins away; willing slavery to one another’s needsCommunity culture, not just individual - WBC translation -- 'if you have love among one another.C. Everyone will knowA different ‘law of attraction’Authenticates the Gospel (illustration of something that authenticates something)Evidence of true transformation, not just believers or moral people — world needs hope for transformation, not improvement2. Workshop10 minutes to discuss one of three questions in small groups - on handoutA. What are the main barriers to loving one another and how can they be overcome?B. What does it cost to love one another, and what will help us to willingly pay the price?C. What are the potential benefits/blessings to this congregation if we make deliberate efforts to obey this command?
3. How To GrowProper view of GodWe are not able to love one another because we do not have our minds filled with an accurate vision of God. WillardJesus - his vision for the church (not ours)Everyone knows everyone. It is not a little church with ambitions of becoming a big church. It has no agenda but to love one another and help each other better serve the Lord. It manifests the fullness of the church because in its life Christ and the Spirit are directing our attention to the Father. HighfieldConclusion, Romans 5:6–11All inspired by God/Jesus’ love for us….“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”          (Romans 5:6-11)Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

”Obeying God and His Words” | 19Nov23 | Niyi Adenubi

What Will We Be Remembered For? Remembrance Sunday 2023 Malcolm Cox

Introduction1605Remember, remember, the 5th of November,Gunpowder, treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intentTo blow up the King and the ParliamentThree score barrels of powder belowPoor old England to overthrowBy God's providence he was catch'dWith a dark lantern and burning matchHoller boys, holler boys, let the bells ringHoller boys, holler boys, God save the King!
Remembering the right things is importantQUESTION: What is vital to remember? What, if you forgot it, would cause severe stress in your life? What does/did God remember, and what are we to be remembered for?God remembers his people (do they remember him?)
“He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.” (Luke 1:69-75 NRSV)God remembers his people, but why?
1. Why God Should Forget
QUESTION: Reasons God should forget us
A. We offend himB. We forget himC. But…..““Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15 NIV11)God cannot forget
2. Why God Chooses to RememberQUESTION: Reasons God chooses to remember us
A. He promised to remember us (covenant)B. He loves the people Jesus died forC. He has a vision for usHe ‘needs’ us?Luke 12:6-7Nothing can separate us — Romans 8.37-39Let that motivate you to act for him and do things that will be remembered….
3. What Will We Be Remembered For? Mark 14:3-9Question: Why was she singled out to be ‘remembered’?
A. Acted generously She loved JesusCost did not worry herKnew he was going to the cross - last chance
B. Acted courageouslyDespite skepticsIncluding Jesus’ own followers (Mk 14.10-11)
C. Acted beautifullyAnointed Jesus — he was the centre of her attentionDevoted to JesusNot about recognition, reward, approvalThe way she is remembered points back to Jesus
ApplicationSmall things; Cost something; For Jesus; reaSupported by the Spirit
Conclusion, Matthew 28:18-20Remember — ‘I am with you always’‘Do this in remembrance of me’, Luke 22.19
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

Complete Unity | Ephesians 4:1-4 The Bond Of Peace | Stefan Wolmarans

Stefan explored the idea of Christian unity looking at some of the writings of Paul.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

Intimacy With Christ Through His Suffering | Archie Higgin

You have found an upload from the Watford church of Christ. We were delighted to welcome Archie Higgin to speak to us on what the suffering of Christ in Gethsemane teaches us about his compassion for his disciples and us today.

What Does Jesus Think About War?

IntroductionQUESTION: What do you think his answer would be?God’s people involved in war in OTGod’s people not involved in war in NTWhat changed?
ScripturesViolence from the start“Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8 NRSV)VisionOT - time when the lion will lie down the lamb; peace-bringer will come; peace between humans and God - “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them…. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.” (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25 NIV11)JesusMatthew 5:9 (NIV):** "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44 NIV11)Matthew 26:52 (NIV):** "Put your sword back in its place,' Jesus said to him, 'for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.”
Later NTRomans 12:18 (NIV):** "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV):** "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world."Ephesians 6:12 (NIV):** "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."1 Peter 3:9 (NIV):** "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."Revelation 21:4 (NIV):** "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Jesus can ‘use’ war to open up hearts, but he does not desire itJesus wants peace, and we can be his peace-bringers
Questions and IssuesIs self-defence, or national defence the same as going to war?What would we say to the argument that there is a greater good when we resist evil?What would we say if we were Jewish?What would we say if we were Ukrainian?
ConclusionWhat this means for us…..“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” (1 Timothy 2:1-7 NIV11)Pray for authoritiesLive peaceful lifeInvite others into the peace we have
Lord’s SupperJesus gave himself to violence to spare us the violence we deserve
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

”What would Jesus do with refugees?” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionNot making any points about the rights and wrongs of the conflictWhat are we to do? What are we to learn?
ScripturesHow does God think about refugees? What does he feel towards them?
OT:Deuteronomy 10:18-19 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."Leviticus 19:33-34 — "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."
God thinks they need protecting and feels compassion.He wants his people to be the same.
NT:Matthew 25:35-36 — "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."Luke 10:25-37 — The Parable of the Good SamaritanHebrews 13:1-2 — "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it."Jesus“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”” Matthew 2:13-15
Jesus wants the vulnerable protected. He feels compassion towards them.More than that, he has empathy born of his own experience.He wants his followers to feel the same and act accordingly - with compassion.Is this easy?
ThinkingThe fact that we feel powerless does not mean we are powerless to act.The fact we cannot change things beyond our control does not mean we cannot make a change somewhere to someone.God cares about refugees.We can make a differenceHe knows how refugees feel.Our acts are magnified by God’s Spirit
What does this mean?God sees their situation. He is available to them.We see people’s situation. We can make ourselves available to people.One phone call. One prayer might make all the difference.
ConclusionWe are/were foreigners, Ephesians 2:11-22Now part of the kingdom because of Jesus
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm

When God Makes Us Go ”WOW!” | Psalm 19 | Malcolm Cox

When God Makes Us Go “Wow!”Psalm 24:1-2; Genesis 1:22, 28-30; Psalm 19; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1; Colossians 1:15-20
IntroductionState of creation. Does God care?Ps 24:1-2 - belongs to him!Is it our problem?  Do we care?God blessed the earth (water creatures and birds), Gen 1:22God blessed us, Gen 1:28-30We have been gifted this earth, Gen 1:29ffTo ‘rule’ it (1:28) - but like God rules - benevolently, for all
1. Creation Exists to Speak God to the World, Ps 19 v1 - what glories of God’s creation do you value? vv2-6 - When you see nature in all its glory, how do you feel and what is your response to God? Valuing creation is participating in God’s direct evangelism campaign
vv7-9 In what ways have we ignored God’s precepts in our use of the world’s resources? We have abused his gift: Destroying; Not caring; Nor renewing; Some unrecoverable V12 - The Psalmist admits that he did not realise he was doing wrong. How does that apply to our generation? Fossil fuels - not clear at start. Clear now; Since 1850s; Eunice Foote v13 What might be ‘ruling over us’ that we need to change? Consumer mindset; Exploitation masquerading as growth mindset; Did we learn anything from slow down of pandemic?v14 - The Psalm ends by reminding us that God is our Rock and our Redeemer. There is hope
2. Followers of Jesus Care for Creation Because He Has a Vision of a Renewed Creation, Colossians 1:15-20
God has a vision for his creation — natural world & the people 
2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1 - ‘new’ = ‘renewed’ (neos/kainos). How will this be achieved?  By Jesus. Why does this matter now? Because we are called to help usher in this kingdom by the way we live.
V15 — He is in charge of creationvv16-17 — He is creator & sustainer: Heb 1V18 — He is in charge of his church (family on earth)Vv19-20 — He is the restorer (reconciler) of all things, bringing peace and healing through his blood.Jesus is the re-creator. Bringing the ultimate new creation, and starting it now through his newly recreated people – us! We live in the already-but-not-yet. The way we treat people and creation is a foreshadowing vision of what is coming. Jesus did this while here on earth, now he does it through his family. We show people where we are going by how we live now. That is why we care about the vulnerable and the lost. To follow Jesus is to honour him and that includes what he made and sustains and will renew
Two reasons we care about creation:
It is God’s evangelism campaign - in partnership with usJesus is renewing it - in partnership with us
Conclusion
Lord’s Supper: Jesus is renewing all things, including us & our world. We are thankful, but do we bless creation in the same way we are blessed? Let the world know that God is worthy of awe by preserving and healing his awe-inducing creation.We have peace with God because of JesusLet us bring peace to the earth where we can“…making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:15-20
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

Complete Unity | Colossians 1:18 - Head and Body | Stefan Wolmarans

In this sermon for the Watford Church of Christ Stefan Wolmarans explores the significance of Jesus as head of the church and what this means for unity within a congregation and between congregations.
“He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything.” (Colossians 1:18 NRSV) https://accordance.bible/link/read/NRSVS#Col._1:18
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm

Complete Unity | ”Mark 9:38-41 -- Jesus and ’difference’” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
QUESTION: Why is unity/connection/cooperation between churches important?Why is it difficult? How Jesus approach difference between his followers? What does that mean for us and other churches today?“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV11)- - - 1.  JesusQuestion: Among people of faith, who did he condemn? 
““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:13-15 NIV11)Later examples: Judaisers
Question: Among people of faith, who did he correct?Later examples: Apollos — Acts 18, Ephesian disciples — Acts 19
Example““Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.” Mark 9:38-41
Discussion: Why did the disciples want to stop them? What is Jesus seeing that they are missing? 
ApplicationNotice their life, not just belief — means getting to know them well enoughAssume a good heartAccept encouragement when it comes you way from believers- - - 
2. Our situation in Watford
Questions What does this mean nationally and internationally?What does this mean locally in WatfordWhat does this mean where we live?
ApplicationsCall a Christian you know. What is the Spirit teaching your church? Find something you/we can offer them. Start a Bible group at work - in person or Zoom.Host a Christian book club with Christian members of your family.Have Christians who live in your neighbourhood over for dinner.
- - - 
ConclusionAll about Jesus and his heartLord’s Supper - Eat at same table as sinners!We will never know what we have to learn and what we have to offer unless we connect with people of Christian faith from other congregations“Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”” (Mark 2:13-17 NIV11)
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org). 
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
God bless, Malcolm