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 Feb 14, 2023
Tuesday Feb 14, 2023
Delighting in one another : Who or what do we delight in?
Let’s see what we can learn from this passage…..'...distress (anankē) being basically ‘the choking, pressing care’, and persecution (thlipsis) ‘the crushing trouble’ (Lightfoot).' TyndaleAs if his life has been on hold until this news arrived. In a time without rapid communication it must have been hard to be in the dark for so long.‘night and day’: He works night and day 1 Thessalonians 2:9 and he prays night and day. '...one gets the impression of a man struggling to put into words a feeling too deep for words.' Tyndale‘come to you’: His heart is to be with them. He wants relationship, not just communication. Email and other messaging can never substitute for presence. Let us never be content with virtual presence. Timothy's visit has encouraged him, but it has not satiated his desire to be with them in person.Faith, love - connection with holiness
QUESTION: What are some of the reasons we can and should delight in one another?How delight in one another?
1. Speak of faith and loveWe need faith and love - help each other with thisFaith - 5 mentions in chapter
'joy in the presence' - a powerful picture. Paul holds the Thessalonians in God's presence. Perhaps in memory, or prayer. Tells us something of Paul's relationship with God.
2. Pray for one anotherPaul’s prayers make a difference“May God - framed in God
Note:'you' - plural 17 times in this section‘we’, ‘us’ - 10‘our - 3.
ConclusionJesus died for his friends, Jn 15:13 - people he delights in
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 Feb 08, 2023
Wednesday Feb 08, 2023
Thank you for listening to this podcast (https://www.podbean.com/pu/pbblog-aiinq-1aef90).
You can find more materials on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj9Qa8D9zumJZdoAtARDUww) and website (https://watfordchurchofchrist.org).
Most Sundays we gather at the West Watford Free church, 10:30AM.
The address is: Tolpits Lane, Watford WD18 6NU
You can contact us on: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.
God bless you
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Wednesday Feb 01, 2023
Introduction, v1Paul’s emotional state because suffering mentioned 2:14ff“We could stand it not longer”What kinds of things make you say something like, “I can’t stand it any longer!”?What are the things, as a Christian, that make you act because you can ‘stand it no longer’?
Faith gets stronger when we get upset
Faith gets stronger when we actA. SacrificeSending TimothyRiots last timeJealous Jews unlikely to be any less jealousTravel; time; energy
B. RiskWhat if it does not work / rejected?Outcome uncertainIn the end this is our faith in action
ApplicationsPray for one anotherTake action to strengthen and encourage on anotherDo so because of love, gently and with compassionDo not charge in, but do not stand by and watchSpeak truth: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25 NIV11)
Conclusion, v5We have an opponentNot to be feared, but respectedJesus cared and acted - personal sacrifice for us…..“When God could stand it no longer…”
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
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Tuesday Jan 24, 2023
Introduction, vv13
1. How to handle suffering, vv13-16 A. Fallen world B. Some prefer darkness C. How we grow
2. How to handle it when people we love suffer, vv17-20 A. We feel their pain B. We make significant efforts C. We trust God
Conclusion, vv19-20
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19 NIV11)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2–4 NIV11)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1–3 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
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
A sermon for the Watford church of Christ
1. What God’s messengers are like inside, internally, their motives - and how you can tell, vv2-7
A. Suffering, v2Acts 16 - stripped, beaten with rods, severely flogged, prison, feet in stocks.Yet bold in speakingWhy do that if likely to receive same treatment?
B. Motives, v3Not trickyIf he had tricked them they would know by now
C. Flattery, v5No greedDoes not get you beaten up
Authority from suffering and sacrifice for no personal gain. Apply to leadership, of course, but also to how we treat one another because this is an issue of Christ-likeness.
“The hallmark of well-entrenched greed, then, is a willingness to use people to serve our love for money, rather than the use of money to serve our love for people.” Glittering Vices, Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung
“When we process our leadership by our character, the quality of the outcomes will be measured by a thriving culture where people are valued and not used, where the leader is respected and not feared, where a leader is trusted and not doubted, where the moral authority of the leader’s life makes others glad to cooperate and achieve, where grace underwrites the administration of the employee handbook, and where the leader’s example stimulates those he serves to live and lead as the leader lives and leads.” Redefining Leadership Joseph M. Stowell
2. What God’s messengers are like with people, externally, their actions - and how you can tell, vv7-12
A. ChildQUESTION: In what way could an adult like Paul be a ‘child’ among the Thessalonians?InvisibleNot a ‘hero’Dependant
B. Nursing motherQUESTION: In what way could an man like Paul be a ‘nursing mother’ among the Thessalonians?Skin-closeBird keeping chicks warmFeeding
C. FatherQUESTION: In what way could an person like Paul be a ‘father’ among the Thessalonians?Taking initiative byEncouragingComfortingUrging
QUESTION: What would these look like?
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Encouraging - put courage in - FAITHComforting - companionable compassion - LOVEUrging - take action - ENDURANCE
"He exhorted them like a sports coach telling his team how to win; he encouraged them like a friend strengthening someone facing a daunting task; he testified to them like a witness in a court of law." N. T. Wright, The NT for Everyone
ConclusionA wonderful model for us to imitate in reaching out to those who do not know God….
‘The true missionary is not someone specialised in the delivery of the message but someone whose whole being, completely committed to a message which demands all, is communicated to his hearers.’ Best, Tyndale Commentary
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 Jan 17, 2023
Tuesday Jan 17, 2023
0:00 Introduction4:15 Motives Matter10:42 Loving Actions16:35 Conclusion
1. What God’s messengers are like inside, internally, their motives - and how you can tell, vv2-7
A. Suffering, v2Acts 16 - stripped, beaten with rods, severely flogged, prison, feet in stocks.Yet bold in speakingWhy do that if likely to receive same treatment?
B. Motives, v3Not trickyIf he had tricked them they would know by now
C. Flattery, v5No greedDoes not get you beaten up
Authority from suffering and sacrifice for no personal gain. Apply to leadership, of course, but also to how we treat one another because this is an issue of Christ-likeness.
“The hallmark of well-entrenched greed, then, is a willingness to use people to serve our love for money, rather than the use of money to serve our love for people.” Glittering Vices, Rebecca Konyndyk DeYoung
“When we process our leadership by our character, the quality of the outcomes will be measured by a thriving culture where people are valued and not used, where the leader is respected and not feared, where a leader is trusted and not doubted, where the moral authority of the leader’s life makes others glad to cooperate and achieve, where grace underwrites the administration of the employee handbook, and where the leader’s example stimulates those he serves to live and lead as the leader lives and leads.” Redefining Leadership Joseph M. Stowell
2. What God’s messengers are like with people, externally, their actions - and how you can tell, vv7-12
A. ChildQUESTION: In what way could an adult like Paul be a ‘child’ among the Thessalonians?InvisibleNot a ‘hero’Dependant
B. Nursing motherQUESTION: In what way could an man like Paul be a ‘nursing mother’ among the Thessalonians?Skin-closeBird keeping chicks warmFeeding
C. FatherQUESTION: In what way could an person like Paul be a ‘father’ among the Thessalonians?Taking initiative byEncouragingComfortingUrging
QUESTION: What would these look like?
“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Encouraging - put courage in - FAITHComforting - companionable compassion - LOVEUrging - take action - ENDURANCE
"He exhorted them like a sports coach telling his team how to win; he encouraged them like a friend strengthening someone facing a daunting task; he testified to them like a witness in a court of law." N. T. Wright, The NT for Everyone
ConclusionA wonderful model for us to imitate in reaching out to those who do not know God….
‘The true missionary is not someone specialised in the delivery of the message but someone whose whole being, completely committed to a message which demands all, is communicated to his hearers.’ Best, Tyndale Commentary
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 Jan 06, 2023
Friday Jan 06, 2023
1 Thessalonians Series
We are making Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians our focus at the start of this year. What will we learn? Only the Spirit knows, but we shall explore the church in Thessalonica, the character and heart of the apostle Paul, and, most importantly, God himself. We are looking at a letter jam-packed with references to God, Father, Jesus, Christ, Lord and Holy Spirit - a total of 97 mentions in 89 verses. While it is true that we will learn practical aids to our Christian lives, we will, more significantly, learn a great deal about our Heavenly Father.
This class is an introduction to the church in Thessalonica with information on its location, founding, economics and archaeology.
Subscribe to the Thames Valley podcast feed and YouTube channel to make sure you do not miss the daily devotionals based on 1 Thessalonians as well as the teaching classes.
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 Jan 03, 2023
Tuesday Jan 03, 2023
v1 Greeting - personal; God-focus; grace & peacev2 - thankful for all; prayerfulv3 - hard work for God inspired by Jesusv4 - family relationships; 28 times - ‘brothers’v5 - God changed you dramaticallyv6 - Accepted suffering; joy from the Spirit‘If Christ wore a crown of thorns, why should His followers expect only a crown of roses?’ Martin Lutherv7 - modelled Christianity to other Christiansv8 - their reputation is connected to God’s workv9 - turned to serve Godv10 - Trust in God revealed by patient service
GodWe find 15 references to the Godhead in the 10 verses of chapter 1 and 97 mentions in all 89 verse of the letter.He gives grace and peace, and joy despite suffering which inspires their work for Him such that it inspire others.
Turn to serve, v9Repentance is a lifestyle and a radical one at that. Turn from: desire to be comfortable; compromise; fear; laziness; sins, halfheartedness; guilt; shame"It would be like asking people in a modern city to give up using motor cars, computers and telephones.” N.T. Wright.Turn to: God; hope, love, faith, exploration of the Spirit’s desires, listening to God, risk, adventure, stretch, the new
Discussion
1. God-focussedWhat does it mean to be God-focussed?What resources will help you to be God-focussed this year?
2. Turning to serveTurning away: Do you have something to turn away from in order to serve God? If you are struggling with this, what resources do you have to help you?Turning towards: What opportunities has God given you to serve one another and the lost? What will help you to serve in faith, love and endurance this year?
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 Dec 21, 2022
Wednesday Dec 21, 2022
The Lord's Supper at our carol service was my reading of the Bethlehem police report by John Sutherland. I took it from Dan Walker's inspirational book, 'Remarkable People: Extraordinary Stories of Everyday Lives'.
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 Dec 13, 2022
Tuesday Dec 13, 2022
“News of Great Joy!” Luke 2.8-20
“How to enjoy Christmas as a Christian”
Thoughts based on the ‘Sussex Carol’
v1 Merciful King
On Christmas night all Christians singTo hear the news the angels bringOn Christmas night all Christians singTo hear the news the angels bringNews of great joy, news of great mirthNews of our merciful King's birth
John 1.14; Rom 12.1; Eph 2.4-5; 1 Tim 1.16; Heb 2.17; 4.16; 1 Pet 1.3; 2.10
v2 Free from sin
Then why should men on earth be so sad?Since our Redeemer made us gladThen why should men on earth be so sad?Since our Redeemer made us gladWhen from our sin he set us freeAll for to gain our liberty?
Acts 13.39; Rom 6.7-22; Rom 8.2; Gal 5.13; Heb 9.15; Rev 1.5
v3 Life and Health
When sin departs before His graceThen life and health come in its placeWhen sin departs before His graceThen life and health come in its placeAngels and men with joy may singAll for to see the newborn King
Matt 16.25; Mk 10.30; John 1.4; 3.15; 4.14; 6.35; 10.10; Rom 5.17; 6.4; Heb 9.9/10.22
v4 Darkness to Light
All out of darkness we have lightWhich made the angels sing this nightAll out of darkness we have lightWhich made the angels sing this night"Glory to God and peace to menNow and for evermore, amen!"
Is 9.2; Matt 4.16; 5.14-16; John 8.12; 12.46; 1 Peter 2.9
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