The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

Jesus and Mary Magdalene | Christian Xavier

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/). 
 
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
 
God bless, Malcolm

Men and Women in Christ | ”Huldah and Josiah” | Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ.
1. Huldah, vv14-20
A. What was an Old Testament prophet?QUESTION: Definition?A ‘covenant enforcer’
B. One of a few female prophetsThe others: Miriam, Deborah, and Isaiah’s wife (Exod 15:20; Judg 4:4; 2 Kgs 22:14; Isa 8:3).No sense this wrongNo sense should be a manContemporaries: Jeremiah; Nahum; Zephaniah; Habakkuk
C. Knew the BibleKnew the book - even though lostKnew it was ScriptureKnew how to interpret into her time
2. Josiah, vv8-13; 23:1ff
A. Strikes against himEvil grandfather and father - 2 Kings 21:6; 21:20-22Tragic family - 2 Kings 21:23-24Evil societal religious culture - 2 Kings 23:6, 7, 10,Evil leadership culture - 8/4His elders and betters had got it wrongNot a victim
B. Spiritual IntegrityEnquire of the best person - even if not conventional.Wants to know how much authority this book hasWants to know what it means for him
C. Renews covenant & Passover23:1-3, 21-23, 25Urgent, thorough, self-motivated, braveConsequences to religion industry!Purity of heart — he was OK. Did this for Israel and God.
Why did Josiah react in the way he did? What does that tell us about him?What motivated his actions? Why did he do what he did?What can we learn from Josiah?
What does Huldah’s response tell us about her?Why do you think Josiah asked her, not any other prophet?What can we learn from Huldah?
SummaryJosiah had a good heartHe needed someone to help him interpret God’s WordHuldah had cultivated her relationship with GodShe was ready when the most important opportunity came
3. God and Us
A. Huldah as a model of spiritual wisdomDo you need to devote yourself to learning scripture?We are all teachers - but teachers need to learn
B. Josiah as a model of repentanceDo you need to seek out someone to help you understand your spiritual state?Do you need to repent?Any idols?
C. God as patient, warning, helping
ConclusionJosiah’s name: healed by God; God will support; God heals1 Peter 2.24 - his wounds heal us
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

Men and Women in Christ | ”1 Peter 3:7 and other scriptures” | Malcolm Cox

Today's passages are: 1 Peter 3.1-7; Titus 2.1-5; Ephesians 5.21-33; Colossians 3.18-19; Galatians 3.26-29; Romans 16.1-2; Romans 16.7
For the notes, go to this address for the pdf: https://www.malcolmcox.org/men-and-women-in-christ-1-peter-37-and-other-scriptures-malcolm-cox/
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

Men and Women in Christ | Ruth and Boaz | Douglas Jacoby

A sermon for the Watford church of ChristDr Douglas Jacoby was our visiting speaker. He helped us explore the story of Ruth - and unlocked some deeper meanings most may have missed.
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

Men and Women in Christ | ”Lydia the Leader” | Acts 16 | Malcolm Cox

1. Lydia, 16.13-15, 40
A. Lydia’s BackgroundGeography - Lydia’s originsMurex10,000 snails = 1.4g dye1 piece of clothingRestricted who and where could be wornPhilippian river
B. What do we know about Lydia? 16.13-15, 40
C. Why is Lydia named?Only one in Acts 16Phil 4.2-3: “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”Lydia, Epaphroditus, Euodia, Syntyche, and Clement and unnamed Philippian jailer. ‘Rather should the words of the Torah be burned than entrusted to a woman. Whoever teaches his daughter the Torah is like one who teaches her lasciviousness.’ First century Rabbi, EliezerPhilippian church's female foundation Paul not disappointed he did not find a man - did not see it as a lesser optionBook of Philippians indicates a thriving congregation exists and was not harmed by female foundation and leadershipFemale Leadership - Household customs‘When Christians met in the home of a female householder, where they would gather in the atrium, the semipublic area where business was regularly carried on, the householder would naturally serve as the leader of the house church. That is, by the very sociology of things, it would never have occurred to them that a person from outside the household would come in and lead what was understood as simply an extension of the household. To put it plainly, the church is not likely to gather in a person’s house unless the householder also functioned as its natural leader. Thus Lydia would have held the same role in the church in her house as she did as master of the household.’“From women disciples like Mary Magdalene and Joanna the wife of Chuza, who traveled with Jesus and learned from him…to ministry couples like Priscilla and Aquila in which the wife took the foremost role, to Lydia of Philippi who led a house church, diakonoi like Phoebe of Cenchreae, coworkers like Euodia and Syntyche, and even apostles like Junia imprisoned for her ministry work—women in the early church led with the approval and support of men around them.” Tell her story, Nijay K Gupta
2. What are the lessons for us?
A.  God defies human expectations
B. God brings people to the baptistry
ConclusionLord’s Supper“…don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.” Romans 6:1-10

Men and Women in Christ | ”Priscilla, Aquilla, Mr and Mrs Peter” | Danny Makinson

Danny explores the significance of the roles played by Priscilla, Aquilla, Peter and his wife.
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

Men and Women in Christ | 1 Timothy 2vv8-15 | Malcolm Cox

In the latest of our teaching classes on tricky passages about men and women, we explored 1 Timothy 2 verses 8 to 15.
A PDF of my notes is available on my website.
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

Men and Women in Christ | ”Jesus and Mary the mother of Jesus” | Stefan Wolmarans

Stefan takes us on the fascinating exploration of the relationship between Jesus and his mother.
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

Men and Women in Christ | ”Abraham, Sarah and Hagar” | Leon Watkins

Leon gave us a fascinating insight into the lives of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.
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

Men and Women in Christ | ”Women Following Jesus” | Malcolm Cox

QUESTION: What does it mean to ‘follow’ someone today?
1. Women Following Jesus, Lk 8; Mk 15; Lk 23
“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”(Luke 8:1–3 NIV11)
“In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.” (Mark 15:41 NIV11)
“But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” (Luke 23:49 NIV11)
QUESTION: What did it mean for these women to ‘follow’ Jesus?
As disciples, seeing his life, hearing his teaching, watching him interact with people
Jesus travelled, lots of moving about, 12 + women - how find accommodation, travel? High commitment. Supporting him in mission, listening to him, talking to crowds as listen, supporting Jesus, work, out of own means, things that belong to them. Women disciples there as he teaches large crowd.
What does it mean to follow Jesus as a disciple?Leave - Go his way
Support his agenda
Essentially - “Jesus is Lord”
2. Women Learning from Jesus, Mk3; Matt 14; 15
QUESTION: What examples can you think of in the Gospels?
““Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!” (Mark 3:33–34 NIV11)
“The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.” (Matthew 14:21 NIV11)
“The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.” (Matthew 15:38 NIV11)
Taught by him, in mixed groups as many taught
QUESTION: What did it mean for these women to learn from Jesus?Sacrifice time - inconvenient
Listen with the object of learning
Respond
3. Women Knowing Jesus - by Experiencing the Life of Jesus, Cross, Resurrection….
QUESTION: What shows us that the women were close to Jesus?
To the Cross
“A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.” (Luke 23:27 NIV11)
“But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” Luke 23:49
“Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.” Mark 15:40-41
To the tomb
“The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it.” Lk 23:55
What shows us that the women were close to Jesus?
At the cross, at the tomb, feeling fear, doubt, hopeLoyalty
Sacrifice
i.e. Love
What does it mean to learn from Jesus as a disciple?Want his life — accept when God takes us into experiences that are like those of Jesus
“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”(Philippians 3:10 NIV11)
 
Conclusion
Women were an integral part of the ministry of Jesus
What if every time we read ‘disciple’ we think men and women unless it specifically excludes women?
We see no tension between the men and women followers of Jesus
We see a symbiotic joint ministry support and learning situation
This is really about Jesus
He was so inspiring people followed
Do you know this Jesus?
Apply
Discipleship is the only way to that vision
Have you made that decision?
What holds you back?
Remember the promise“everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29 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