The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

”Always Free, Yet Spiritual” | The ’GREAT’ church series | Malcolm Cox

Always Free, Yet SpiritualToday we are seeking to answer the following questions:Where does our freedom come from?What could compromise our freedom?What is this freedom for?This is an enormous spiritual topic. We will not do it for justice in one lesson. For the time being, I will concern myself with putting my sermon outline below along with the Scriptures referenced.“Always free, yet spiritual”, Gal 5:13Introduction, Luke 4:18-191. Where does our freedom come from?A. Jesus, John 8:31-36B. What kind of freedom?Is 61:1 - an event required every fifty years to restore Israelite slaves to freedom and Israelite land to tribal allotments.“To whatever extent the Gospel writers may have been influenced by other ways of thinking about freedom, the freedom they describe is neither the political freedom of individuals or states which was of primary interest to the Greeks, nor the inner philosophical freedom of the Stoics who abandoned themselves to circumstances, nor the freedom which the devout Jew found through observance of the Law, nor the freedom of separation from the material world found in much of gnostic thought.” IVP-Jesus and the GospelsC. How do we get it? Rom 6:1-142. What compromises our freedomA. Arguing for ‘rights’, Mark 15:5Jesus interested in doing will of father (John 6:38) and accomplishing his work of love for us, not in getting his ‘rights’Here, we do not look to get our rights from one another, but to serve each other's needsB. Legalism, Gal 5:1Cannot ‘earn’ approval of God, nor manufacture assurance of salvation.Easier to follow the law, than the sermon on the Mount.Here, we focus on the core, not disputable mattersC. Selfishness (libertarianism)Gal 5:13-15 - sin1 Cor 10:29 - damaging conscience of other ChristiansHere, we reject selfishness and embrace service3. What our freedom is forA. Love for the lostPhilip, Acts 8Peter, Acts 10B. Love for one anotherGal 5:6, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.”Use your freedom to love one another here (relationship-based)C. Love for GodCreates intimacy with God, Eph 3:12, approach God with freedom, παρρησία parrēsia boldness; freedom of speech; loose tongueConclusion, John 10:14-18His offer of freedom creates his friendship circle (Jn 15:14-15).Questions to ponderDo you have this freedom in Christ?What does freedom in Christ mean to you?How can you grow into your freedom?What opportunities has God given you to express your freedom in a Christ-like way?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

”Antichrist now vs Christ for eternity” | 1 John 2:18-27 | Epistles of John Series | Stefan Wolmarans

Join us as Stefan explores the theme of the antichrist and its relevance to present-day Christianity.
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

”Enabling Children to Become Christians” | The ’GREAT’ church series | Malcolm Cox

We are partway through our series on what it means to be a G.R.E.A.T. church. In other words, the kind of church that makes God look great and attracts people to him.
God-focussed Relationship basedEnabling our children to become ChristiansAlways free, yet spiritualToiling to build the church well
So far, we surveyed the Antioch congregation as an example of a God-focused church (Acts 11, 13, 14, 15). In addition, we have looked at what it means to love one another like Jesus loved his disciples (John 13:34-35).
This week we move on to what it looks like to be a congregation that enables our children to become Christians. The lesson is not about parenting as such (although we will look at parenting principles), it's about how we, as a community, can best prepare the children in this church to embrace the Christian faith.
Our key texts are:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–7 NIV11)
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 NIV11)
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21 NIV11)
Other relevant passages include: Genesis 1:28; Deuteronomy 1:39; 31:13; Proverbs 15:5; 13:24; 22:6, 15; 23:13-14; 29:15; Luke 1:16-17 (see Malachi 4:6); Acts 21:9; 1 Timothy 3:4-5.
There's no way around it - bringing up children is hard! Yet, nuclear families and extended families in the church community are part of God’s plan to help nurture young people to become Christians. 
Indeed, God has a vision for young people:
““ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17 NIV11)
In today's lesson we will be exploring God’s vision, compassion, provision, instruction and promises regarding children. 
The Proverbs in particular contain a good deal of instruction under the heading of “discipline". My definition of ‘discipline’ as used in the lesson: “The application of training, correction and consequences that hurts, but bears fruit, and is done out of love, not frustration.”
What does it mean to raise children without exasperating them or embittering them? We will not have enough time to investigate this fully, but I can recommend the resources below under the heading "Good enough parenting”.
I believe that wherever we are at the moment regarding our own children, or children in the congregation, there is always hope. That hope resides in God, because God never gives up on people. We might be tempted to do so, but he will persevere because he is the God of everlasting compassion. 
I invite all of us to consider our own part in helping the young people with whom God has blessed us, to come to love God, follow Jesus and be filled with his Spirit.
Questions to ponder1. Do I need to repent and turn my hearts to the children? (Luke 1:16-17)2. How can I grow in disciplining children effectively with love and without exasperating them?3. What is my role in the broader "children's ministry" in this congregation?
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

”Relationship-Based” | The ’GREAT’ church series | Malcolm Cox

This is the second lesson in a new series for the Watford Church of Christ. What does it mean for us to be a church who make God look great? 
Our second foray into answering this question is to establish the significance of being relationship-based. We take inspiration from the God's vision, Christ's heart, the Spirit's power and the church's witness.
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

”God Focussed” | The ’G.R.E.A.T.’ church series | Malcolm Cox

This week we begin a new series in the Watford Church of Christ. What does it mean for us to be a church who make God look great? 
Our first foray into answering this question is to establish that we must first and foremost be God-focused. We take inspiration from the church in Antioch looking at what happened in Acts 11, 13, 14 and 15.
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

”Resilience and mental health” | Refresh 2022 | Malcolm and Penny Cox

Penny and I were very privileged to be able to teach on this vital topic. Join us for this lesson we shared at the Thames Valley "Refresh 2022" conference.
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

”Don’t Look Up” | 1 John 2vv15-17 | Stefan Wolmarans

Stefan continues his series on 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

”Together” | Acts 2v42 | Malcolm Cox

In this sermon for the Watford church of Christ we examine the healthy practices of the early church. 
What does it mean to be devoted to the apostles teaching, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and the prayers?
I include here some of the quotes used in the sermon:
“It was a small group…whom Jesus commissioned to carry on his work, and bring the gospel to the whole world. They were not distinguished; they were not well educated; they had no influential backers. In their own nation they were nobodies and, in any case, their own nation was a mere second-class province on the eastern extremity of the Roman map. If they had stopped to weigh up the probabilities of succeeding in their mission, even granted their conviction that Jesus was alive and that his Spirit went with them to equip them for the task, that hearts must surely have sunk, so heavily were they weighted against them. How could they possibly succeed? And yet they did.” Evangelism in the early church, Michael Green.
Chrysostom [347-407; Constantinople]‘This was an angelic commonwealth, not to call anything of theirs their own. Forthwith the root of evils was cut out.… None reproached, none envied, none grudged; no pride, no contempt was there.… The poor man knew no shame, the rich no haughtiness.’
The Methodist Covenant PrayerI am no longer my own but yours.
 Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; 
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
 let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, 
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
 let me be full, let me be empty,
 let me have all things, let me have nothing:
 I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.
 And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
 you are mine and I am yours. So be it. 
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.'
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

Luke 2:22-35 | “Spirit, Salvation and Sword” | Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford Church of Christ 
1. Spirit at work, vv25-27    - Working before Pentecost    - Year past & year to come    - Messy, but glorious    - Much like 2021!
2. Salvation at work, vv29-32    - "They are both living in a world of patient hope, where suffering has become a way of life. It now appears that God’s appointed redeemer will deal with this suffering by sharing it himself." Wright, N. T. Luke for Everyone.  4. Accordance electronic edition, version 2.3. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2011.    - Available to all
3. Sword at work, vv33-35    - 'rhomphaia' denotes a large sword    - Jesus came to serve us at a high cost    - We imitate him    - Is there a serving-focus God is presenting to you in 2022?
Conclusion- Jesus will himself fall & rise- Communion celebrates this
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

”The Two ‘Names’ of Jesus” | Matthew 1vv18-25 | Malcolm Cox

As Christmas approaches we take a look at the experience of Joseph and his encounter with the angel.
Thank you for connecting with this material. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM at  the West Watford Free church, Tolpits Lane, WD18 6NU
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 listening. Have a super day.
God bless,
Malcolm