The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

"God made you alive" | Col 2vv13-15 | Malcolm Cox

 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2.13–15 NIV11)
What does it mean that God made us alive with Christ? We take a look at this and joy of knowing that we can live our lives with a clear conscience.
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
 

"Hollow or Filled?" | Colossians 2:8-12 | Malcolm Cox

This week we explore what it means to be filled in Christ. How do we deal with discontentments and avoid the hollow promises of false religion and the world?
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

"Overflowing with thankfulness" | Colossians 2vv6-7 | Malcolm Cox | Watford

What does it mean to make the most of being 'in Christ'? How do we overflow with thankfulness? We investigate walking in Christ, roots, bricks, weights and jugs.“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6–7 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

"My goal is..." | Colossians 2vv1-5 | Malcolm Cox

In this class for the men of the Watford congregation, I reflect on the heart of the Apostle Paul and his goals for the ekklesia at Colossae.We consider how to contend hard for one another's spiritual welfare, and what it means to help each other be united in love and the strength of Christ.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

"A vaccine for life" | Revelation 22v3-6 | Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford and Thames Valley churches of Christ.
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

"Unity to all things" | Class 4 | What have Sundays to do with the mission?

The fourth and final class in this series as we rethink why we gather on Sundays. Today we look at the significance of the mission.
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.
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

"Unity to all things" | Class 3 | What is the Lord's Supper for?

The third in our class series as we rethink why we gather on Sundays. Today we look at the significance of the Lord's supper.
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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

"The Host and the Guest" | The Lord's Supper | Watford | 18 July 2021

What mean to be a ‘host’?
Characteristics of an outstanding host?
——————————————— 
An altar needs a priest, but a table only needs a host.
Jn 13 last supper Jesus is:
HOST - setting up, praying, leading the meal
SERVANT - washing feet
———————————————
Who is the most surprising guest at this table?
Why is this not so surprising?
———————————————
Lk 22,19–20
“Do this” - both supper & his hosting/servant heart - welcoming all 
"Who sits at the table says something about the community as well as the host." Hicks, John Mark.
———————————————
What can we as individuals do to promote this?
What can we do as a community to promote this when we come together for 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

"The altar and the table" | The Lord's Supper | Malcolm Cox

At the outdoor service of the Watford church of Christ we contemplated the difference, the continuity and the connection between the altar and the table.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

"Unity to all things", Class 2 - What are Sundays for?

The second of the four part series helping us reboot our thinking about why we gather on Sundays.
More resources here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/unity-to-all-things/ 
The second of the four part series helping us reboot our thinking about why we gather on Sundays.
More resources here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/unity-to-all-things/ 
Scripture references:Genesis 1,3–5; Luke 24,1, 13; Acts 20,7; 1 Corinthians 16,2; Revelation 1,10; 1 Timothy 4,13; Hebrews 10,24–25; 1 Peter 1,22; 1 Corinthians 10,16, 17; Acts 4,24; 1 Corinthians 11:4-5; Colossians 3:16; 
"All judges, city people, and craftsman shall rest on the venerable day of the Sun. But countrymen may without hindrance attend to agriculture." Emperor Constantine, 321
"Concerning the observance of the eighth day in the Jewish circumcision of the flesh, a sacrament was given beforehand in shadow and in usage. But when Christ came, it was fulfilled in truth. For the eighth day (that is, the first day after the sabbath) was to be that day on which the Lord would rise again, enliven us, and give us the circumcision of the Spirit. The eight today (that is, the first day after the sabbath), the Lord's day, was foreshadowed." Cyprian, c.250
"And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read… But Sunday is the day on which we all hold a common assembly, because it is the first day on which God… Made the world. And Jesus Christ our saviour rose from the dead on that same day." Justin Martyr circa 160
"We consider fasting or kneeling in worship on the Lord's day to be unlawful." Tertullian c. 211
"During the rest of the week the church was dispersed and hidden, as its individual members went about their life and work in different places. But on Sunday the church came together and revealed itself in the celebration of the Eucharist, with each member occupying his or her place in the assembly..." Paul Bradshaw; Early Christian worship; 78
Questions:1. What method of teaching works best for you when we gather together? How can you make the most of the teaching we receive from one another?
2. What helps you to make the most of our gathered fellowship? 
3. What helps you to make the most of the breaking of bread when we are together?
4. Which one of these (prayer and singing) is most meaningful to you and why? Which is least meaningful and why?
 
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