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 Nov 22, 2022
Tuesday Nov 22, 2022
1. Paul the ideal representative of Jesus - a regenerate lifev3: Snake: symbol of evil. Eden. Snake tried to kill Paul - a 'risen' man. Symbolic of the message of resurrection post-baptism (shipwreck)?v5: Shook off the snake - Jesus shook off death's cursesnake and sea (two evils) have no effect on Paul.This new life is powerfulv9: So many parallels with Jesus. see Luke 4:38-41“Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.” (Luke 4:38–41 NIV11)vv15-16: Paul escorted like an Emperor arriving victorious“The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:15–16 NIV11)Fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus that the Gospel will go to the ends of the earth“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8 NIV11)v17: Opposed by the very people who should have been helping him‘he’ - end of ‘we’ section. Is it significant? Had Luke left, or was he putting the spotlight more on Paul.‘I’ is the first word in Paul’s sentence. This is a personal apologia. But not self-focussed. Only to get a hearing.v23: All about the Gospel‘witnessed to them’ - he was not interested in defending himself, but taking the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.vv25-27: Stubborn JewsIs 6 used by Jesus - recorded in all four Gospels - and with the same resultSo like Jesus - but human and weakUndignified landing on Malta‘Encouraged’ by the people who came to greet himChained to a soldierDid not decide most of his itinerary, route or timingUnable to persuade all the Jewish leaders who came to see himWhat is discipleship?Walking in the power of a Christ-given new lifeOur discipleship goal? Remind people of Jesus.
2. The Gospel is unhinderedAll we say about Paul is true and important, but the most important thing is to demonstrate that nothing can hinder the Gospelv31: Literally: “Proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and unhindered.”Last word is ‘unhindered’ - only time used in NTActs ends with no resolution to Paul’s personal problems, but instead on the real point of the narrative, the continued strength and spread of the gospel. The focus must remain on the gospel and not on the personal.What hindrances do you think Paul and the early church had to contend with?What are some of ours?Job - Gospel still unhinderedHealth - Gospel still unhinderedChildren - Gospel still unhinderedAll areas for the Gospel - perhaps the main area for the Gospel. Are we aware of how God can do this? The opportunities he is giving us? If you are there, that’s where the Gospel is. What is the essential nature of those hindrances?Temporary; Human;“All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.” Philippians 4:22Probably written from RomeWhat is our vision for an unhindered gospel in 2023?
Conclusion“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Is. 6:6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”We are unworthy to take this message, to live this life - but we are made ‘worthy’ because we have been touched
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 Nov 18, 2022
Friday Nov 18, 2022
Handout Class 4 | “Finding the Father’s Face” Series | Watford Men 2022Matthew 6:9-13 ““This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven - Father-God is nearby - hallowed be your name, - Father-God is holy - your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.- Father-God is powerful, He is King of Kings and cannot be thwarted - Give us today our daily bread - Father-God is caring
Our Father God is caring - He provides - Psalm 23 - “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV11) - Care about our bodies - “…in the 1850s the average American slept 9.5 hours a night. By 1950 that number dropped to eight hours a night. Today the average American sleeps under seven hours a night.” Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful God (p. 33). John Murray Press. - In what ways do we take care of our bodies? - Care about our emotional/mental health - In what ways do we take care of our emotional and mental health? - Care about our spiritual health - In what ways do we take care of our spiritual state?
Discussion about God 1. If Father God is caring, what does this mean? 2. If Father God is caring, how can we be more aware of this reality? 3. If Father God is caring, how can we enjoy his care?
Discussion about us as fathers 1. What does it mean to be ‘caring’ for our children? 2. How can we help our children be more aware that we care? 3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our care for them?
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
Wednesday Nov 16, 2022
1. Inherited FlawsA. ‘Son of Shealtiel’B. You are someone’s son/daughter
2. Circumstantial FlawsA. Zerubbabel B. You are influenced by society, this world and people around you
3. Created Flaws A. “I will take you” B. You are responsible for your decisions
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (2 Corinthians 4:7–10 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
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Tunde takes us into the story of Jesus and the woman at the well.
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 Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Stefan brought us the next in his series on 1 John.
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 Oct 25, 2022
Tuesday Oct 25, 2022
1. How does coming into my blessings (relationship with me) work? vv 10-13 A. Israel needed reminding that they did not make themselves holyB. God chose them, redeemed them, stuck with them through ups and downs C. How did God first make you aware that the blessing of being a relationship with him was possible?
2. What has been your experience of my holiness? vv14-19a A. You did not respect it. B. I brought/allowed you trouble, but you ignored it to pursue your own priorities C.What influences/tempts us to forget to respect God’s holiness?
3. What does your future look like now you have repented? vv19b A. Currently no better than before! B. But the future is promised to be better. C. What does trusting God look like, here in Watford, practically, today?
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 Oct 20, 2022
Thursday Oct 20, 2022
Handout Class 3 | “Finding the Father’s Face” Series | Watford Men 2022
“What comes into our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us…. Were we able to extract from any man a complete answer to the question, “What comes into your mind when you think about God?” we might predict with certainty the spiritual future of that man.” A. W. Tozer
Matthew 6:9-13 - “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Father-God is powerful. He is King of Kings and cannot be thwarted.
Our Father God is PowerfulDefining ‘powerful’. “When the Bible seeks to explain God’s holiness, it says that God is a “consuming fire”—a dangerous and terrible presence.” ‘The Possibility of Prayer’, John Starke“To the Israelites the glory of the LORD looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.”…“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.“…“..for our “God is a consuming fire.” Exodus 24:17; Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29 Why does this matter? Isn't he already powerful? Why pray for that? What does it do for us that his kingdom come and his will be done?Do we sense God’s powerful nature is a good thing or a bad thing - in the way it affects our relationship with Father God?Is there a way of understanding Father God’s power that can help us have a healthy, close personal relationship with him? ‘So terrifying and attractive, so immense and wonderful is God.’ ‘The Possibility of Prayer’, John StarkeDiscussion about GodIf Father God is powerful, what does this mean?If Father God is powerful, how can we be more aware of this reality?If Father God is powerful, how can we enjoy his power?Discussion about us as fathersWhat does it mean to be ‘powerful’ for our children?How can we help our children be more aware of our power?What can we do so that our children enjoy our power?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 Oct 19, 2022
Wednesday Oct 19, 2022
“HAPPY HARVEST!” | Lev 23:33-43
1. Sukkot: Lev 23:33ff (Soocoat)
2. Jesus, Jn 7:37-39 A. Water from SiloamB. Light of the world, Jn 8:12 C. Vision
3. Transformation A. Transformation was Jesus’ vision B. How is our transformation going? C. Decisions
Conclusion, Jn 19:31-37
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 Oct 11, 2022
Tuesday Oct 11, 2022
Stefan continues his occasional series in the first epistle of John.
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 Oct 04, 2022
Tuesday Oct 04, 2022
1. The Call to Reflect - Haggai 2:2 - We notice all parts of the community are addressed. Secular leadership, spiritual leadership and the ‘remnant of the people’. - No group will achieve much for God unless all parts are determined to please God and bring him honour. - Are we all aligned in this way?
- Haggai 2:3 “‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? - Now 520, destruction 586 - 66 years previously - Three questions, all driving at the heart of their discouragement. - ‘Who of you’; ‘How does it’; ‘Does it not’? - Not all were old enough to remember, but some were, and may have been the most influential. If, when comparing the old temple with the smaller new one they were dejected, it is understandable. - Perhaps he was one of those who was old enough to remember. It would lend weight to his question. Jewish tradition makes him old (1 Rabbi Eli Cashdan, The Twelve Prophets (Soncino Press, 1948), p. 254.). - Had the work begun to lose momentum? - We can be similarly effected. The new ‘glory’ of the church may not look as ‘glorious’ to the older members. - But it does not have to. It needs to glorify God, not transport us back to a former time of glory now gone, precious, but part of the past. - How hopeful (faithful) are you about the future of the church? How much doubt and discouragement are you sensing, or how much excitement and anticipation? Can you be honest about any doubts and fears you are experiencing? God can handle whatever you are feeling.
2. The Call to Courage- Haggai 2:4 “But now be strong, - ‘but now’ - implies the ability to make a decision, as well as the need to do so. - ‘but’ is a statement of faith. It does not matter what the past was like, how you feel about it, what you think it all signifies - what matters is what decision you make here and now as confronted with the word from God. - ‘be strong’ - Joshua 1:5-9. A time of a new beginning - Used 3 times - all parts of the community need to make the same decision. Implies that if one or two segments get on board, the other or others will derail the situation. - Implies strength is a decision - Implies they knew what it would look like to be ‘strong’ in their context. I.e. the actions that would follow from the decision to ‘be strong’. - If God were to say to us ‘be strong’, would we know what that meant? - ‘work. For I am with you’ - ties together tightly the activity and the support.
- Haggai 2:5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you...Do not fear.’” - ‘Spirit remains’ - as in ‘abides’, or as in ‘you might have thought I had abandoned you, but I am still with you despite your rebellion and apparent realities’? - ‘do not fear’ - fear of the king reversing his decisions? Fear of standing out by finishing the temple? - They were presumably a minority in the land. - Fear of compromising personal comfort if prioritise building temple? - Fear of God not reversing the economic curses if they take him at his word? - God believes in us when we do not believe in ourselves. - Point of Grace [song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA3jPIHnsIc ) - How much more we can trust God’s presence with us as we work for him, Jn 14:23
3. The Call to Trust- Haggai 2:7 I will shake all nations - ‘what is desired’ - is this Messianic? - ‘fill this house’ - with the treasures of the Gentiles. Is this an indication of the inclusion of the Gentiles, or of the triumph of Israel over the Gentiles? - God is saying he will rearrange the old order of things. Ultimately that come when Jesus entered the temple, cleansed it and brought the living water and powerful truth that would change the world.
- Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’" - ‘glory’ here and v7 sandwich the mention that God owns the silver and gold. - ‘greater’ - in God’s definition of greater. - If we keep working for God the future will be better than the present. - ‘grant peace’ - Could it be the fear of reprisals has frightened the people? Maybe they are also afraid that their delays in rebuilding the temple have angered God. They know how God dealt with the desert rebellions and the idolatry of their past. Are they worried he will not forgive? The promise of peace could be a relational peace more than a political or social one.
Conclusion- Reflect; Courage; Trust- God always has a vision- It becoming reality does not depend on our talent level, but on our willingness to act courageously in full trust of God
Questions:1. Could you take some time to reflect on how the work for God is going where you are? 2. Are there any areas where fear is holding you or your group back from building something that would glorify God?3. Do you truly believe that the future will be more glorious than the past?