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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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?
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
Tuesday Sep 27, 2022
1. It is a blessing to have people point us back to God 1. Do we have the right priority? v2-4 - Roof - Psalm 27:4 2. Have we been paying attention to the way God is trying to get our attention? vv5-6, 9-11 - Brexit; COVID; War; Energy crisis; inflation - Personal life: health; kids; ageing parents; jobs; 3. Do it for God, v8 - His Pleasure & Honour - My spiritual retreat - Question: Who do you have in your life that points you back to God? 2. It is a joy to build for God’s pleasure and honour, v7-8, 12-14 1. Mountains - costly 2. All involved: - Are you willing to work for the LORD in this congregation? - Do you know what that means? - One of our aspirations: ‘Toiling to build the church well’ 3. God’s strength - ‘the LORD stirred’ - Psalm 27:4. Spiritual disciplines open us up to the work of the Spirit in our lives. - What spiritual disciplines are you aware of? - Solitude; silence; celebration; fellowship; slow Scripture reading; praying through Scripture; fasting; - The spiritual disciplines are wisdom, not righteousness. But they are wise practices that train and transform our hearts. James Bryan Smith, “Good and beautiful God” - Question: What spiritual disciplines are you employing to enable God to give you the strength to labour for Him?
Conclusion- “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:19–22 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
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Thursday Sep 22, 2022
Class 2 | “Finding the Father’s Face” Series | Watford Men 2022We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures. The Lord’s Prayer teaches prayer, but it also teaches us how to relate to God as Father, and what he is like
This series is designed to help us 1. Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer 2. Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God3. Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them)4. Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know
Introduction, Matthew 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 - “Holiness has to do with purity. Jesus is teaching us that there is nothing bad about God. God can neither sin nor participate in evil. In one word, God is pure.” The Good and Beautiful God, James Bryan Smith, p60
Our Father God is holy
Defining ‘hallowed’ - To make holy, treat as holy, reverance, to sanctify, to consider holy. - “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” (1 Peter 3:15) - "The word “hallow” means to “honour” or “make uncommon”—to “make something special,” as we might say in contemporary English.” Hill, Wesley. The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Christian Essentials) (p. 23). Lexham Press. Kindle Edition.
Why does this matter? - Isn't his name already holy? Why pray for that? - ““Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”” Isaiah 6:3 - Because his name is so often not treated as holy, even by his followers, and that is a serious problem! - “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44 - "As name bearers they represent a good and holy God, and so we are praying that God keeps us from dishonouring the name by which we are called, that he would empower us to become ourselves good and holy." Timothy Keller, 'Prayer', p110 - We petition God that his name might be Hallowed because it is not. - There is an evangelistic function. - “..it is…a prayer which, when answered, means that we will hallow God’s name. In other words, Christ’s followers are asking their Heavenly Father to act in such a way that they and an increasing number of others will reverence God, glorify him, consider him holy, and acknowledge him.” Carson, p72. - "To pray for God’s name to be Hallowed is to ask God to preserve and display this mysteriously radiant reality. It is to ask God to keep before the eyes of the world this drama of divine majesty and mercy so that we can continue to speak it back to God in worship and cling to it in times of desperation." Hill, Wesley. The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Christian Essentials) (p. 23). Lexham Press. Kindle Edition.
What does it do for us to ‘hallow’ his name? - It reminds us we are disciples of Jesus - “the Holy One of God!”, Mark 1:24 - It deepens our connection with God. Polycarp was asked to 'hallow' the name of the emperor. He would not do it. To 'hallow' God's name means to revere his name above all names. - It reminds us that the centre of all things is God, not us. - It deepens our awe of him. Referencing Calvin, Timothy Keller remarks, "To 'hallow' God's name is not merely to live righteous lives but to have a heart of grateful joy toward God and even more, a wondrous sense of his beauty. We do not revere his name unless he "captivate[s] us with wonderment for him."" 'Prayer' p111
Do we sense God’s holiness is a good thing or a bad thing - in the way it affects our relationship with Father God? It did not present a problem for Jesus, of course.
Is there a way of understanding Father God’s holiness that can help us have a healthy, close personal relationship with him?
Discussion about God 1. If Father God is holy, what does this mean? 2. If Father God is holy, how can we be more aware of this reality? 3. If Father God is holy, how can we enjoy his holiness?
Discussion about us as fathers 1. What does this mean to be ‘holy’ for children? 2. How can we help our children be more aware of our holiness? 3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our holiness?
Conclusion“Hallowed be your name.” “…I find it helpful to reword this verse to, “may your name be cherished and loved” Location 1229, Dallas Willard, “Life without Lack”, Kindle edition
Next time: Father-God is powerful - “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven”
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Tuesday Sep 20, 2022
Husband and wife team Osagie and Oge shared testimony and thoughts about the Lord's supper.
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 Sep 13, 2022
Tuesday Sep 13, 2022
‘One Thing I Do’Last week’s lesson was on Philippians 3:13-14. Below are a few extra notes.
‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal’We never get to the point where we have fully obtained all that God has in mind for our growth. Paul does not want his readers to get the impression he has ‘arrived’, nor that he is in despair at the gap between himself and Christ. He optimistically and faithfully continues to press on. What is the ‘all this’? Righteousness, resurrection from the dead, something else? ‘Paul means to say that he does not lay claim to having fully grasped the meaning of Christ at this point in his experience.’ WBC
‘but I press on’Imagine movement, leaning forward and stretching. The word is used of the hunter going after their prey.
‘Jesus took hold’Jesus took hold of Paul on the Damascus road. Since then he has continued to press on towards greater Christ-likeness. He has not fully grasped this, but he presses on to grasp what is his to grasp because Jesus grasped him.
‘I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.’He may not be there yet, but that does not diminish his motivation. Rather, it increases it.
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,He has tasted Christ and found him delightful. He wants more!
‘forgetting' is in the present tense. Not, ‘having forgotten’, but deliberately continuing to forget. Sometimes we are reminded of things we would rather forget. By faith we ‘forget’ the failures and the victories to avoid the traps of guilt and pride.
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.He keeps on running - the already but not yet of the Christian life. We are already saved, but not yet in glory. We live in this tension. Things go more smoothly when we accept this tension instead of fighting it.
‘goal’ means ‘goal-marker’. What is this goal marker? ‘anything or anyone that kept the believer from straying from the course of the Christian life or from slackening in the believer’s moral strivings.’ WBC
‘the prize’. ‘To know Christ fully and completely was the prize for which he had been striving ever since his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road.’ WBC
‘called’ - “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess 2:14; “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:30
ReflectionsAre there mistakes you have made that you find hard to ‘forget’ and hold you back from pressing on? If so, what one action could you take this week to make progress?Similarly, are there victories you have enjoyed that cause you to be complacent and hold you back from pressing on? If so, what one action could you take this week to make progress?Is the ‘prize’ clear to you? If not, what would make it clearer and more inspiring?
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 Sep 08, 2022
Thursday Sep 08, 2022
The big question – “How can we become like Christ?” What is the way to transformation? We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures. When you see and become familiar with someone’s face you know them. We need to ‘see’ our father-God’s face. The challenges is that we have filters. Some helpful, some not so. Jesus’ relationship with Father-God reveals his ‘face’. The Lord’s Prayer teaches prayer, but it also teaches us how to relate to God as Father, and what he is like.
This series is designed to help us:
1. Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer2. Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God3. Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them)4. Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know
Matthew 6:9-13““This, then, is how you should pray:– Jesus is teaching us not only how to pray, but, crucially, who we are talking to.Our Father in heaven– Father-God is nearby– “In Jewish cosmology heaven did not refer to a place that is far away; heaven referred to the surrounding atmosphere, the very air they breathed.“hallowed be your name,– Father-God is holy– “Holiness has to do with purity. Jesus is teaching us that there is nothing bad about God. God can neither sin nor participate in evil. In one word, God is pure.”your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.– Father-God is powerfulGive us today our daily bread.– Father-God is caringAnd forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.– Father-God is forgivingAnd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”– Father-God is our protector
3. Our Father God is Nearby“God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27 NIV11)“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5 NIV11)“Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV11)“while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NIV11)““Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” (John 12:27–30 NIV11)
4. Discussion about God1. If Father God is nearby, what does this mean?2. If Father God is nearby, how can we be more aware of this reality?3. If Father God is nearby, how can we enjoy his presence?
5. Discussion about us as fathers1. What does this mean to be ‘nearby’ our children?2. How can we help our children be more aware of our availability?3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our presence?
Next time: Father-God is holy
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 Sep 06, 2022
Tuesday Sep 06, 2022
Stefan brought us his latest in the 1 John series.
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