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 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,
Sunday Jun 21, 2020
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
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
Sunday Jun 07, 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,
Saturday Jun 06, 2020
Saturday Jun 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 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 31, 2020
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
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
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