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
Friday Sep 29, 2023
Friday Sep 29, 2023
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.
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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
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Wednesday Sep 20, 2023
Question: When you are flagging, what lifts your spirit?It depends on the voice in your head.What voice did Jesus have in his head?“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” (Matthew 3:17 NIV11)“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”” (Matthew 17:5 NIV11)Other voices tried to get inside his head –- the devil (in the desert, a more opportune time), the Pharisees, his mother and brothers, the Sadducees, Scribes, the teachers of the law, even his own disciples with their selfish ambitions and doubts.I think this is one of the reasons he often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. He had to get those voices out of his head to be able to hear his father's voice.Because he prioritised this, he was able to live securely in the love of God, and successfully in submission to God's will for his life.Was this easy for him? No.“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7 NIV11)He enjoyed an ‘abba’ relationship with his father, even in toughest moments: “Abba , Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36 NIV11)We are authorised and encouraged to do the same, “The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”” (Romans 8:15 NIV11)“Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba , Father.”” (Galatians 4:6 NIV11)We have the same promise of a close relationship with Father God.Jesus understands how hard things can be, so we look to him as our inspiration,“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”(Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV11)He empathises and helps.Question: What help us to ‘hear’ God’s voice of affirmation?Abba FatherChorusAbba Father let me be Yours and Yours aloneMay my will forever be evermore Your ownNever let my heart grow cold never let me goAbba Father let me be Yours and Yours aloneDave Bilbrough; CCLI Song #38686Please 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 Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Thank you for watching this video. You can find more videos on our YouTube channel. Our web site is www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.
Thanks again for watching. Have a super day.
God bless,
Malcolm
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