The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Episodes
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Tuesday Aug 29, 2023
Barry Lamb was our visiting speaker on Sunday, the 27th of August. He explored the fascinating details of the fourth chapter of Jonah. A section of scripture criminally neglected.
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
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
IntroductionUnity is always a vital topic, but even more so now than usual. The church continues to spread, expand and develop. This is all good but it means we must pay more careful attention to our unity. These lessons will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity.Today's lesson is focussed on examining one example of how Jesus built unity, and one example of how the early church built unity.
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1. JesusPrays for unity“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)- Jesus in the Father is the model for us
Teaches on unity““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)
How did Jesus maintain unity?
Example“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”” (Mark 9:33–37)- See also vv 14,16The disciples react to Jesus attempting to help them be honest by going quiet. No one has the conviction or purity of heart to confess on behalf of the group.
- How did Jesus maintain unity?- Observant - was not looking at his phone while with his disciples!- Waited for the right time and place- Asked a question- Allowed silence- Taught with compassionReminded them it was about him
More work needed - Mark 10:35–45We are one chapter further on and they still need help. Unity is never ‘finished'.Important we do not get tired of working to maintain unity.
Application- Any tensions? - Any ungodly attitudes or behaviour?- Unity is not maintained by harshness, nor by silence- Unity is maintained by listening, loving and talking
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2. The Early ChurchExample“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:1–7 NIV11)- Leadership listened- Involved everyone- Understood limitations- Discussion- Prayer
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ConclusionAll about JesusTuning fork(Ephesians 2:11–22 NIV11)
Friday Aug 18, 2023
Friday Aug 18, 2023
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
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
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
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
Thursday Aug 17, 2023
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
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
Tuesday Aug 01, 2023
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
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
Thursday Jul 06, 2023
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
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
Tuesday Jun 27, 2023
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
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
Tuesday Jun 20, 2023
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
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
Tuesday Jun 13, 2023
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