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
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
Thursday Apr 28, 2022
It was a privilege to have my friend Christopher speak for us on Sunday. He and his son were visiting from Uppsalla.
He speaks from the heart about freedom - based on that wonderful passage in Galatians.
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 Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
A sermon for the Watford Church of Christ.
We have reached the end of our road to the resurrection. We spent some time today thinking about the meaning of the resurrection. Why did he rise? Why does he still live?
The key aspects of our exploration are his ability to help us and his commitment to love 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
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
We have arrived at the penultimate destination on our road to the resurrection. We look at the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. We note his courage, dignity, faith, trust, love and hope.
Next week we complete our journey as we rejoice and reflect on the meaning of the resurrection.
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
Monday Apr 04, 2022
Monday Apr 04, 2022
We continue on the road to the Resurrection.
1. The Silence of Jesus Amazes Pilate, vv2-5
A. v2King?“You? You must be kidding!”The key question for High PriestsThe key question for PilateThe key question for humankindThe key question for you and meQUESTION: What kind of king is Jesus?
B. v3Many accusations
C. vv4-5QUESTION: Why didn’t he answer?Calm, dignified, courageous. In contrast with the religious leaders, and even Peter.Silence not admission of guilt, but settled surrenderAmazedRoman law presumed the guilt of those who refused to defend themselvesNo faith
2. The Shouts of the Crowd Manipulate Pilate, vv6-15a
A. v8-11self-interestJealousy/Envy ‘phthonos’, ‘the heart burns’, ‘the stomach is hot.’QUESTION: What are they jealous of?
B. v12-15a“what crime?” - knows innocentcall to crucify - “he is a robber; Caesar is our king”Are you following the crowd? 1 Peter 4:1-5
3. The Strength of Jesus Defies the Soldiers’ Mockery, vv15b-20a
A. v17-19“Ancient images of crowns frequently show the kings wearing crowns with radiating points, symbolising the glory flowing from the head of the monarch. The thorny or spiked branches mock this type of crown, using materials ready at hand from the acanthus shrub or from palms.” One day – every knee shall bow – including ours! Phil 2:8-11.
B. v20aled - v1, 16 - to crucify
Conclusion, v20bChief priests, elders, teachers of law, whole Sanhedrin, Pilate, Crowd, Soldiers, whole companyWho is the focus?The who amazes, who surrenders, who is kind - JesusWill you let him be your king?
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
Saturday Apr 02, 2022
Saturday Apr 02, 2022
As we continue on our road to the resurrection, we stop off to look at the two trials of Jesus and Peter.
1. The Garden, vv43-51 A. Darkness B. Betrayal by your bestie C. Abandonment
2. The House of the High Priest - Jesus’ Trial, vv53-65 4A. ‘illegal’ trial B. Silence and acknowledgment of identity C. Physical abuse
3. The Courtyard of the House of the High Priest - Peter’s Trial, vv66-72 A. Legitimate ‘trial’ B. Loud protestations and denial of identity C. Avoidance of consequences
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 Mar 24, 2022
Thursday Mar 24, 2022
Stefan took us to Gethsemane where we see Jesus at his most vulnerable. What can we learn from his humility, his neediness, and his courage?
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
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
1. Jesus prepares his disciples for hospitality, vv13-16Special occasions are often marked with special mealsJesus is not a victim. He is in control, the masterThe disciples lived by faith not by siteRoasting the lamb and providing unleavened biscuits, bitter herbs, sauce, water, and wine. The room itself would require special furnishings (such as couches and lamps).
ApplicationWhen you follow Jesus, you get more than you bargained for.When you invite Jesus into your life, you invite his friends, and not only that, but all the other people he loved to hang out with that we don’t.
2. Jesus prepares his disciples for understanding, vv22-26This meal explains what happens the next day. As the Passover is symbolic, so are these actions of Jesus.All meals in this culture were to establish or perpetuate a relationship. The way Jesus uses the bread and wine (“this is my person) make it clear that “to partake of the bread meant to join oneself to Jesus and his fate.”The cup is always connected with suffering, hence a symbolic joining with the suffering of Jesus, a symbolic participating in the restoration of Israel, instituting the new covenant (Acts 2).Covenants sealed with blood, Exodus 24:1-8.Blood poured out is symbolic of dying a violent death. Nothing to do with literal drinking a blood.He will die as a sacrifice and sin offering: Isa 53:10
ApplicationFollowing Jesus means eating his bread and drinking his cup - participating in his life.
3. Jesus prepares his disciples for failure, vv17-21; 27-31“To betray a friend after eating a meal with him was, and still is, regarded as the worst kind of treachery in the Middle East”“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.” Psalm 41:9If “one of the twelve” v20 can lose it, so can we.Better for him if he had not been born: this man's fate will be worse than that of Jesus. That's saying something!Heb 6:4-9
Judas - greedFailure of faith (loyalty), not couragePeter - boastingFailure of courage, not faith
C. ApplicationBe sober about your strengthMake a plan to be strongerTrust that God will bring you throughThe apostles were stronger after this, and endured severe persecution. Your past failures do not define your future.
What is God preparing us to do?What is God preparing you to do?
Jesus not caught off-guard. Always in control
“Rom. 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for 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
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
A sermon for the Watford Church of Christ in the series: "The Road to the Resurrection"
Handouts available here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/a-beautiful-thing-mark-141-11/
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 Mar 04, 2022
Friday Mar 04, 2022
Join us as Akin explores what it means to be a friend to God and to one another.
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).
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
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
“Toiling to build the church well”: 1 Cor 15:58; Eph 3:20-21
1. Toiling in Vain
A. Meaningless
“when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”(Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV11)
“I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.” Eccl 2:18
1Cor. 9:26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.
B. Unspiritual
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Ps 127:1-2
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Cor 3:10-15
2. Toiling in Thessalonica
1Th. 1:2-3 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 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.
A. Work…labour…endurance
faith…love…hope
salvation is all of God, but faith is busy
endurance: ‘fortitude of the stout-hearted soldier’
If we know what inspires us, the work will flow
B. Inspired by Paul
1:6; 2:7bff, 17
You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 1 Thess 1:6-8
Patient, long-term building"we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thess 2:7-12
But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. 1 Thess 2:17-20
C. Relationships
Rom 16 etc.
Toiling together can be a joy
Studying with people together
Praying together
Learning together (AIM!)
All about investment below the surface - iceberg
Love one another
Love the neighbour (the lost one)
“Love one person a week”
Pray for one another
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal 5:6
Conclusion, 1 Cor 15:54-58
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
Victory - through the labour of Christ on the cross
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