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
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Sunday Sep 06, 2020
Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
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 Cahristian 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
Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
Monday Aug 31, 2020
Monday Aug 31, 2020
A sermon for the Watford church of Christ “A song of ascents. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. May the LORD bless you from Zion, he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 134:0–3 NIV11)“What happens when you arrive”, Psalm 134Introduction, v0-1aHave you ever had the experience of seeing something that took your breath away or made you cry out loud something like “Wow!”? End of pilgrimage - from Kedar to Jerusalem - (Psalm 120:5–6 NIV11)As if pilgrims overwhelmed by very real presence of God as finally arrive at destinationThe destination is not the goal - a relationship is the goalWe have ‘arrived’, therefore:1. We enjoy giving praise to God, vv1b-2Put aside whatever has been going on during the journey & celebrate!A. Minister/stand = same wordAccepted, secure; have a place, a role; we are servants of the Lord (Revelation 1:5–6)B. Night/mundaneLevites on night duty - could be mundane security jobC. Safe and accepted - in God's presenceIn Christ “house”: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,” (Eph 2:19 )Question: “How do we know we are safe in God?” (Ephesians 1:11–14)2. How to enjoy receiving blessings from God, v3aWe have arrived, therefore we receive blessings from God…“Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”“bless” in every verse (bless=praise, give thanks, extol) - barakhA. Blessings go both ways"When he ‘blesses’ us he reviews our needs and meets them; when we bless him we review his excellencies and worship him.”Relationship is the point, not arrival, or the distractions of being a tourist in Jerusalem.e.g. Not “going to heaven”, but getting to know the one we will be with in eternityB. Enjoy God’s blessingsDo you fundamentally believe God wants to bless you?Questions: What stimulates you to praise God? What helps you to ‘enjoy’ God?Conclusion, v3bMaker: Who we were made for.He is not far off: (Deuteronomy 30:11–14)Come near through the blood of Jesus: (Hebrews 12:22–24)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.
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.
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
PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
Sunday Aug 23, 2020
A sermon for the Watford church of Christ
Introduction, v0
"What is and is not unity?”
yahad: together, along with, in close proximity or concord either in space or time; by extension: close association in relationships, unity.
1. God’s vision, v1
Jesus: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22 NIV11)
Jesus used the word "one", more than the word unity
A. Relational harmony
Unity tested by proximity
If no testing, maybe not proximate enough!
B. Precious, honouring, spreading
Oil - Psalm 23
Perfume
Visage
Anointing as an honouring
Hospitality. Love spreads.
C. Refreshing
Hermon - 2,814m; snow all year; drenching; dew - soaking
Supply what one another need: Acts 2:45, 4:35
Church is not an institution with functions, but a family with relationships.
2. Gods vision for harmony comes about when we tell the truth instead of lies
The goal is expressing godly love - Eph 4.1-6; 14-16; 25-32
The means is communication
A. Speak
Conversations
Regular
Initiate
B. Truth
No hiding
C. Love
Gently
3. God’s vision for harmony comes about when we offer each other mercy instead of condemnation
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11)
““Do not judge, or you too will be judged.For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1–2)
The goal, again, is experiencing God’s love
The means is trust and respect
A. Mercy means no condemnation, Matt 18 / Lk 18
Remembering we are not superior
Trusting each other’s motives
People who do not trust others display a lack of trust in the Spirit, since all of us are just as Spirit-filled as each other
Mercy is cheerful : “if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:8 NIV11)
B. Mercy means active compassion
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16–18 NIV11)
Practical help for one another
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15–17 NIV11)
A loving truth and mercy are essential for harmony among a community.
See Jesus - “full of grace and truth”, Jn 1.14
Question for breakout rooms: “How harmonised are we? Are we doing life together?”
Conclusion
Jesus always in harmony with the Father and of the Spirit
Jesus lived truth in love
Jesus lived mercy and grace
The cross brought and brings us unity with God and 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.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.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, MalcolmPS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John
Monday Aug 17, 2020
Monday Aug 17, 2020
“What happens when we choose the one who chooses us”, Psalm 132
Introduction, vv1-5
Solomon ‘speaking’
David’s sacrificesGreat cost - death of Uzzah, 2 Sam 6;
sacrifices - 2 Sam 6 - 6 steps bull & calf,
dancing
David's purpose: God's honour - Mighty one of Jacob (avir) (stone);
God’s presence - worth the effort
Ephrathah - Bethlehem, David, Messiah
Jarr - ark housed when lost, like ‘lost in the woods’
Desire for God’s presence and ability to worship him - footstool
Solomon wants to ensure promises to David apply to him
Recites conditions, broke them, consequences followed - David died 971 - 586 Zedekiah eyes gouged out, temple destroyed - 386 years
But not all lost because God wants to be with his people, he chose us, he blesses us
Promise can be trusted because Messiah comingStrength; Light; Defeat of enemies;Vindication of anointed one
What does this mean for God's people today?
1. God chooses, vv13-14
Chosen“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Desires to dwell X2“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)
Resting place - satisfaction, contentment“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
Enthroned - like moving in together
YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD!
2. God provides, vv15-16
Abundant provisions, lack nothing, Ps 23Therefore the needy are needy no longer
Note emphasis on the marginalised
Clothed with salvation“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26–29)
Therefore joyful singing
Confidence - “I will…” X3
YOU HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED
Therefore we sacrifice to love others
3. God confirms, vv 17-18
Horn - symbol of strength and victory.Note - growing. Like Kingdom. Yeast?
God has a vision for all of humankind and all of his creation - healing
VictoryEnemies defeated - Death and sin: 1 Cor 15
Messiah honoured - radiant crown
YOU HAVE NO NEED TO FEAR
Conclusion
Solomon wanted the promised blessings without the heart of David
Became distracted by things of this world that do not last
Jesus wanted us to experience the blessings of a relationship with God
Made sacrifices (like David) so we could be brought near to God
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
Kingdom growing: God’s vision expanding
Crowned“You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honour; …But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:7, 9)
Jesus - crown of thorns, so we can have a crown“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8)
Monday Aug 10, 2020
Monday Aug 10, 2020
“How to be content”, Psalm 131
Introduction, v0
QUESTION: “What does it mean to be content?”
The goal is contentment
NOT proud, BUT content, THEREFORE vision
Hope not possible without contentment
Spurgeon said it “..is one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.”
1. The Problem, v1
What led to this decision? Presumably he had this problem. “NOT” X 3.
A. Why are we not content?
Comparisons with others - God does not accept me
Anxiety/Fear - God is not enough, cannot be trustedRealisation we are not in control and we cannot manipulate God to get what we want
Some things God does not reveal: (Deut 29:29)
Selfish ambition: (Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIV11)
B. The issue is NOT
Ambition: (Philippians 3:12–14)
2. The Solution, v2
Humility (Matthew 18:2–5). Self-awareness - we need God.
Aware of God’s presence and strength
Bathsheba - aware of her / Goliath - aware of God - 1 Sam 17.37; 45-47
Hebrews 13:5 - Want God more than things
Philippians 4:11–13
QUESTION: “What helps you to be content?”
3. The Vision, v3
Hope not possible without contentment
Living in hope
Blessing others - active, not passive
(Philippians 4:2–9 NIV11)
Conclusion
Jesus’ inspiration - Confident in identity, value, Father’s love
Therefore - courage to serve and sacrifice
True contentment leads to the freedom to serve
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Stefan spoke on 1 John 1.5-7.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
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 Cahristian 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
Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
Sunday Jul 19, 2020
Sunday Jul 19, 2020
“How God moves us from despair to hope”, Psalm 130
IntroductionHope comes from God - 8 times in Psalm
1. God can handle our despair, vv1-4
A. Express Despair“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5 NIV11)
B. Express Need“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” (Romans 6:20–21 NIV11)
Transition - v4“And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV11)
2. God is worth waiting for, vv5-6
A. Expect him to show up, Psalm 5.1-3“Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:1–3 NIV11)
B. Expect him to act
Conclusion, vv7-8Decisively put hope in GodBecause you know he is love
For discussionWhat emerged for you from this lesson? What are you most in despair over right now?Do you believe God cares?What does it mean to put our hope in the Lord?
“But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”” (Acts 7:55–56 NIV11)
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 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.
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.
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
PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John
Friday Jul 17, 2020
Friday Jul 17, 2020
“Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit” Acts 11.19-26
1. The Spirit moves the church, Acts 2-11
A. Uncomfortable, Unexpected, Unprecedented experiences
Review the Spirit’s work so far in Acts. What he caused or allowed.
Messiness not neatness is the more likely evidence of the Spirit at work.
B. Initiative, 11.20
The men of Cyprus and Cyrene did not ask for permission.
They were not maverick, but in community.
Our aim: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10 i.e. not just about saving souls, but healing that which was broken, damaged, corrupted by the events in Eden.
C. Impact
Antioch - Asia - Europe - the world
What ‘kingdom-minded’ project gets your spiritual blood pumping?
What do you need to sustain your initiative & develop the Spirit’s work?
2. Barnabas as a model, Acts 11.22-26
Jerusalem - curious, not controlling
A. Who was he?
Cypriot; bridge-builder; observer of God’s hand at work; encourager.
Poured petrol on the fire of their zeal, not the wet blanket of suspicion.
“What can I do to help?”
B. What did he do to take things further?
Recruited others - Paul. We need the ‘odd’ people more than we might think. Perhaps you are one of them!
You might need a Barnabas before you can be really useful to God.
Barnabas todayOlder generation - be a Barnabas
Younger generation - get a Barnabas
C. Impact
Great numbers
Helping the Judean poor
Developed a team (Acts 13:1)
Sent church planters (Acts 13.2-3)
Conclusion, v26
"The followers of Jesus were thinking and speaking in such a way that they were thought of as ‘the king’s people’, ‘Messianists’, Christians." Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone
How might you, moved by the Spirit, be a light to King Jesus for the people around you?
Thursday Jul 09, 2020
Thursday Jul 09, 2020
Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
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 Cahristian 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
Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Sunday Jun 28, 2020
Psalm 129 - “What victory means to a Christian”
Introduction
Question: Examples of personal victory?
Question: How does victory feel?
1. “The Victory of Survival”, vv1-2
Most nations look back to their victories - but Israel looks back at their survival!
Question: victorious survivors in life or Bible?
Sometimes survival is the victory for a Christian!
i. Surviving Great Oppression, 2 Cor 1:1-11
God’s people kicked around over the centuries.
We are not always strong, but we are hard to kill
Paul is a great example of this - 2 Cor 11:23-29
ii. Surviving and Still Standing - my mother
Key thing is to keep looking forward - Phil 3:12-14.
“patience has a positive tonic effect on others; because of the presence of the patient person, they revive and go on, as if he were the gyroscope of the ship providing a stable ground. But the patient person himself does not enjoy it.”
Patience a positive virus - catch it from one another
Point: Oppression is temporary
“What is victory for a Christian?”
Victory for a Christian means surviving - and learning, growing, maturing in the process.
2. “The Victory of Freedom”, vv3-4
God puts us right with him and ourselves
Freedom is victory - how do we handle it?
i. Freedom from Painful Ploughing, Gal 5:13-6:5
No longer need suffer the pain of sin
Nor cause others pain with our sin
Instead help others with their sins - Gal 6:1-5
iii. Freedom from the Cords
Our perseverance depends on God’s determined faithfulness to us
He did this with Jesus and the cross.
Point: Freedom is a gift from God
“What is victory for a Christian?”
Victory for a Christian means enjoying our freedom and using it to help others
CONCLUSION vv5-8
His honesty admirable - not sure all the feelings are!
“The uppermost roof on the common dwelling places in Israel would have been constructed of beams laid across the walls intertwined with reeds and grasses. The whole roof would then be plastered with mud to fill in the gaps and make them somewhat watertight. Any lingering seeds in the grass or mud might briefly sprout but would quickly die for lack of roots."
Real history! Where is imperial Egypt which enslaved Israel—or the Philistines, Assyrians or Babylonians?"
For a Christian - Rome, all the prominent atheists of history, the Bible sceptics, Communism, etc.
1 Cor 15:54-57
Satan has been defeated, and he is empty because Jesus’s grave is empty:
Therefore death has been emptied of its power
Therefore sin has been emptied of its power
Point: Satan is completely defeated
Satan utterly defeated - shamed, empty, lonely
Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
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 Cahristian 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
Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,