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Episodes

Sunday Jun 21, 2020

“The connection between fear and peace”, Psalm 128

Sunday Jun 21, 2020

Sermon for the Watford church of Christ, 21 June 2020Introduction, v1
Question: Who or what is it good to fear?
Blessings galore! vv2-4
Fruit - security, vineyardsVine - sexual charmOlive shoots - vitality
A pre-vision of God’s great planThe reanimation of the original blessing“God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”” (Genesis 1:28 NIV11)
To be fulfilled at return of Jesus and bringing of kingdom of heaven to earth.
God’s desire is for our joy!
How to live in healthy fear of the Lord and walk in obedience to him, vv1, 4
A. Touched by fearyare: origin, “to tremble” or be “short of breath.”
Question: Who can you think of who had this kind of experience?Moses - Ex 3.6Isaiah - Is 6.5Paul - Acts 22.6-8All had life-changing ‘yare’ experiences
What does it look like to walk in obedience?
B. Motivated to walk in obedienceMoses - Ex 3.6 - led the people the way God wantedIsaiah - Is 6.5 - spoke God’s Word to peoplePaul - Acts 22.6-8 - preached God’s Word to the Gentiles
Us - 1 Jn 2.3-6 - walking in a certain way
“They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” (Hebrews 12:10–13 NIV11)
“If you go against the grain of the universe, you get splinters”. H. H. Farmer
Conclusion, v6bGod’s desire is that we live at peace.For a Christian this is because Jesus is with us.

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 Jun 15, 2020

"How to have a healthy ambition", Psalm 127, Malcolm Cox

Monday Jun 15, 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 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

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 07, 2020

"The way to run", 2 John 1.7-13, Stefan Wolmarans

Sunday Jun 07, 2020

Saturday Jun 06, 2020

"Is there a message in the mayhem?" - Session 2

Saturday Jun 06, 2020

Sunday May 31, 2020

“Where does joy come from?”, Psalm 126 - sermon for the Watford church of Christ

Sunday May 31, 2020

“Where does joy come from?”, Psalm 126IntroductionThey are surprised - can this really be happening?Joy is significant - fruit of Spirit, Gal 5.22-23Joy is different from pleasure“All Joy reminds. It is never a possession, always a desire for something longer ago or further away or still “about to be.” CS Lewis1. Joy comes from the LORD, vv1-3A. What has he done?Question: “What has the Lord done for you?”They want the present to catch up with the past - perhaps we need this too….B. Important to deliberately remember/recallTake time to do thisC. Gone viral Many reasons non-believers might talk about us as Christians, but perhaps joy is the best reasonRemembrance brings them joy and leads them to pray for a refreshed experience.How do they live in the meantime?2. Joy comes from faithfulness, vv4-6A. SobernessThey live in the real world - tears, weeping“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4.Sometimes sorrow and joy go togetherB. ActiveThey go out sowingC. Patient Waiting for the harvestA confident patience - “will”ConclusionRemember & request - vision of the fruitfulnessJesus: Our sorrow turns to joy - John 16:22–24Hebrews 12:1-3.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

Sunday May 24, 2020

"How to be unshakeable", Psalm 125, Malcolm Cox, Watford church of Christ

Sunday May 24, 2020

“How to be unshakeable”, Psalm 125
Answer: Trust in the LORD
How and why…….
Introduction, vv1-5
Question: what are their problems?
Mixed in with the wicked.
In danger of participating with unrighteous behaviour - bad character corrupts.
Fear may not be able to stay righteous for long enough.
Fear this will never end.
They are in danger of being shaken - so are we.
Wicked can be a category, not just individuals.
All that is corrupted, damaged by the fall et cetera.

1. Prayer: trust in God because he answers prayer, vv4-5
A. Question: give me a list of answered prayers in the Bible
Why are they there? inspiration and instruction.
Take an answered biblical prayer this week, examine it and ask yourself what is meant to inspire you, and what is meant to instruct you.
B. Specific
His prayer is specific, honest and personal - LORD
Asking God to honour his promises - v4
Asking God to sort out the mess - v5.
Not agains the wicked - but to the LORD
Leaving things in his hands
SPIRIT “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Rom. 8:26–27 NIV11)
JESUS “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom. 8:34 NIV11)
We trust in God because he answers prayer. Sooner or later. Getting you out of the situation or getting you through it.
2. Passing: trust in God because trials are temporary, v3
“remain”
A. Light and momentary
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Cor. 4:17 NIV11)
We can handle it - but only with God
“Nothing counter to God’s justice has any eternity to it.” Peterson, Obedience, 89.
It is as if all evil has a sell-by date - we may not see the date, only God does, but it is there.
An expiry date exists.
B. Has a purpose.
Christ-likeness.
C. Jesus experienced this
He understands
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 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.” (Heb. 4:15–16 NIV11)
We trust in God because our trials are temporary and they have a purpose.
3. Presence: trust in God because of his permanent and powerful presence, v2
A. Surrounded
B. How do we access?
Silence and solitude.
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matt. 11:28–30 NIV11)
We trust in God because he is with us every step of the way. Nothing that happens can destroy us.
Conclusion, v1
Because he answers prayer.
Because our trials are passing and they have a purpose.
Because God is permanently present with us.
We trust God.
We are “mountain Christians”
Unshakeable because of Jesus
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”” (Heb. 12:28–29 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
mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Sunday May 17, 2020

"The great escape", Psalm 124

Sunday May 17, 2020

Introduction
Many things God helps us escape from
Metaphors here: Earthquake
Flood - Peterson, p74
Beast of prey
Fowler
He speaks from having experienced the worst - chased by Saul, Philistines (2 Sam 5).
This is no theoretical piece of poetry, but a recalling of experience.
1. Bible Examples
QUESTION: Examples of people in the Bible who escaped
Why do those stories resonate?
2. Personal Experience
QUESTION: What has God helped you escape from so far?
i.e. What might well have happened if you had not decided to follow the Jesus way?
How does that make you feel about situations at the moment you need to ‘escape’ from?
What things do you need help to escape from at the moment?
3. Future Hope
QUESTION: What helps us stay escaped?
Powerful God - this Psalm, “By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also.” (1 Corinthians 6:14), “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
Sober about weaknesses -
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” (1 John 1:8–10)
“If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.” (2 Peter 2:20)
Supportive and honest friends - “Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”” (Matthew 26:38)
Conclusion
Celebration is the tone of this Psalm
Gratitude for what God has already done Communion helps
Words of “And can it be”
1. And can it be that I should gain
An int’rest in the Saviour’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

2. ’Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love Divine!
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

3. He left His Father’s throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

4. Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

5. No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness Divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach the eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

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
mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Monday May 11, 2020

Questions about Psalm 124, Malcolm Cox, Watford church of Christ

Monday May 11, 2020

"Questions about Psalm 124", Malcolm Cox
I'm preaching on Psalm 124 this coming Sunday, 17 May 2020.
I'm looking for a bit of help with the preparation.
What kind of attack do you think the writer is thinking of? It seems pretty severe!
Also, how can we be confident the Lord is on our side without becoming proud?
What do you think is the core point of the Psalm?
I would be really interested in your thoughts. Thanks for helping me out. If you would like to join as on Sunday, drop me a line and I'll send you the link.
“A song of ascents. Of David. If the LORD had not been on our side—let Israel say— if the LORD had not been on our side
when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive
when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us,
the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters
would have swept us away.
Praise be to the LORD,
who has not let us be torn by their teeth. We have escaped like a bird
from the fowler’s snare;
the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:0–8 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
mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,

Sunday May 10, 2020

"Much-needed mercy", Malcolm Cox, Watford church of Christ

Sunday May 10, 2020

Introduction, v3-4
Question: “Can you think of people in the Bible who were treated with contempt/ridicule (who did not deserve it)?”
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10–12 NIV11)
‘mercy’, Hebrew: hanan = compassion for the miserable; take pity; be kind; implies acts of kindness, not simply feelings of pity.
Look with confidence, v1Question: “Who do you think of as the ultimate victorious person?”
A. Seated“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1–2)
B. Jesus, Ephesians 1.20“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” (Ephesians 1:19–23 NIV11)
Look with patience, v2Question: Who do you know you can count on?A. Decision to look“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)B. AttentiveQuestion: “What do you think the psalmist means by using this slave metaphor?”“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’ ” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. ”” (Luke 18:1–8 NIV11)“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)
Conclusion, vv3-4Move from conceptual to the personal - “the LORD” to “LORD have mercy”
Question: “When have you felt the need for God’s mercy most acutely?”
A. Show mercy as an imitation of the heart of God“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)
B. Anticipate your relief“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself.All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2Cor 4:7–18
Fix eyes on Jesus“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Heb 12:1–3
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 NIV11)
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:34–39 NIV11)
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 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

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 May 03, 2020

2 John vv4-6, Stefan Wolmarans, Watford church of Christ

Sunday May 03, 2020