The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 451 | New Thing Series — Part 6 | “Deliverer” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionA new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 
In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 14-17.
“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride. I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.” This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:”(Isaiah 43:14-17 NIV11)
- He will defeat all the enemies who oppress you- He guarantees deliverance: Because He is your Redeemer, the Holy One- He guarantees the defeat of Babylon    - The reason: He is the Lord, your Holy One, Creator, King    - The surety of judgment: He will utterly destroy the enemy— just as surely as He destroyed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Ex. 14:26–28
““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,  to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV11)
For Reflection- What has God delivered you from, and what further deliverance do you hope for? 
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

”Building the Tabernacle” - Exodus 40 | 31Dec23 | Malcolm Cox

Tabernacle Building Sunday
Exodus 40
IntroductionWhy are we doing this - ““Set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, on the first day of the first month.” (Exodus 40:2) - first day of the Hebrew calendar month of Nisan. Nisan: First month of religious year; March-April; Passover falls in this period - celebration of exodus 
When was this done - “So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year.” (Exodus 40:17) - 1 year after exodus; 9 months after arrival at Sinai
1. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)God shows approval by being ‘present’ with them
2. “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.”(Exodus 40:36-37)God guides them on their faith journeyFinal recorded act in Exodus - ready to move on with God to destination

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 450 | New Thing Series — Part 5 | “Witnesses” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionA new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 
In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 10-13.
““You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no Saviour. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?””(Isaiah 43:10-13 NIV11)
- He will appoint you to be His special witness & servant- The reason: That you may know, believe, & understand Him- The facts    - He alone is God        - “For you are great and do marvellous deeds; you alone are God.” (Psalm 86:10 NIV11)     - He alone is the Saviour        - “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” (Jude 1:24-25 NIV11)- The witness you are to bear    - He has revealed the truth    - He has saved you    - He alone is God    - He alone possesses eternal power & judgment: No one can stop or reverse His works
For Reflection- How do you feel about being God’s witness? 
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 449 | New Thing Series — Part 4 | “Gathered” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionA new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 
In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 5-9.
“Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth— everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble. Which of their gods foretold this and proclaimed to us the former things? Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right, so that others may hear and say, “It is true.””(Isaiah 43:5-9 NIV11)
- He will gather you from the ends of the earth, return you to the promised land (a symbol of heaven)- The identity of those gathered: Israel (true believers)- All the children— sons & daughters— of God, Ro. 8:16–17; 2 Cor. 6:17–18; Ga. 4:4–6    - “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8:16-17 NIV11)    - “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.”” (Galatians 4:4-6 NIV11)- All who are believers & created for His glory (see the new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17; Ep. 2:10; 4:24)    - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!     - For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.     - and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”     - (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24 NIV11)- The summons for unbelieving Jews to see & hear: Believe God- The summons for the unbelieving nations to assemble- To acknowledge that the Lord foretold the restoration of Israel- To prove their claim that their gods were real, that they could predict future events
For Reflection- What does it mean to you that you are a son or daughter of our heavenly father?
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 448 | New Thing Series — Part 3 | “You are Precious” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionA new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'  Malcolm here, and thank you for joining me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring our personal times of quiet with God. 
In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 2 to 4.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honoured in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”(Isaiah 43:2-4 NIV11-GK)
The promises of the Redeemer- He will be with you    - “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:20 NIV11)    - Through all the deep waters (trials, hardships) of life    - Through all the fiery oppressions of life    - “This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:4-7 NIV11)- He will rescue you, set you free from all oppressors (Egypt, Cush, & Sheba)    - Because He is your God, the Holy One, your Saviour    - Because you are precious to Him, you will be honoured & loved
For Reflection- Who or what has God rescued you from? Give him some praise and thanks!
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 447 | New Thing Series — Part 2 | “Do Not Fear” | Malcolm Cox

IntroductionA new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 
In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is simply the first verse.
“But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” (Isaiah 43:1 NIV11)
We are called to remember the source of our redemption — the LORD. - He created & formed you    - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV11)- He encourages you: Fear not- The Lord has redeemed you    - “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” Galatians 3:13-14 NIV11- The Lord knows you by name    - “The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3 NIV11)
““Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 NIV11)
For Reflection- What is the greatest fear you have at the moment? Can you pray it to God? 
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Record Quiet Time Coaching Episode 446 | New Thing Series — Part 1 | “Introducing the series” | Malcolm Cox

God is not static. He is involved in his creation. He is actively healing, redeeming and transforming the world and its people. In other words, he is always doing ‘a new thing’. These daily devotional podcasts accompany the teaching and preaching series of the same title for the Thames Valley churches of Christ and the Watford church of Christ.
The title of our series comes from this Scripture in the book of Isaiah:
“Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NRSV) Isaiah reveals God's plan for his people. They will not remain in exile forever. A return to the promised land is prophesied. The people in exile felt a mixture of fear and excitement. For some, living in exile had become comfortable. To uproot and return would be difficult. For others, it was the fulfilment of decades of prayerful expectation. The section of Scripture parallels the exodus with the return from exile. Leaving one land for another. Going on a difficult and dangerous journey. Leaving the familiar for the unknown. Having to trust God for provision. Pursued and surrounded by enemies. 
Perhaps you can relate to this challenge. The Christian life is one where we are secure in God, but always learning, growing and journeying towards something better. Moving forward and growing is exciting, but disturbing. There is a need to let go of old things, not to say they weren't useful — they taught us things and we should remember those lessons — but we do not live in the past. We are moving forward in time and maturity towards being with God for ever and growing more and more into the likeness of his son, Jesus.
As we enter a new year God surely has plans to do new things in us and among us. What those are we may not yet know. But we can be sure they will be revealed as the year progresses. In this series we are seeking to learn from the great men and women of faith in Scripture who encountered something new, were called to something new, took on something new, and left lessons in faith for us who follow after them.
Why not take a moment to pray and reflect on what you hope to get from his series? 
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.
ConclusionI hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 
God bless, Malcolm
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

”The Advent of Jesus in Matthew’s genealogy” Matthew 1.2-6” | 10Dec23 | Andy Boakye & Douglas Jacoby

Last Sunday we welcomed my good friend Dr Andy Boakye as a visiting speaker to the Watford church of Christ. He spoke on "The Advent of Jesus in Matthew's genealogy” from Matthew 1:2-6. 
Andy observed that four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and ‘the wife of Uriah’. All are questionable as to dignity. The theme of dignity restored to those who have lost it is a theme in Matthew’s Gospel. Especially when it pertains to women. 
‘Jesus affirmed the dignity of women by accepting them as disciples and treating them with a respect that was considered scandalous in his patriarchal culture.’ Four views on women in ministry 
Jesus came to restore the dignity of the disregarded and the forgotten. We see that in his treatment of any who are marginalised including by race — Matthew 15.22, the Canaanite woman.
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

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