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
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Charl speaks honestly about the confusions of the Christian life and how we can find hope in God.
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
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Thursday Apr 18, 2024
Sean St. Jean brought us a deeply moving and assuring lesson based on:
Matthew 6.27““And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?”
As he said, "Life is fragile. Anxiety is inevitable. Worry is not."
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
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Tuesday Apr 16, 2024
Stefan gives us the reasons behind why it's important that we are a new creation.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
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Wednesday Apr 03, 2024
Introduction
QUESTION: Smell, touch, hearing, sight, taste - which sense is most important to you and why?
1. Death Smells Bad
A. Lazarus, Jesus“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.”” (John 11:39 NIV11)
Spices needed: “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40 NIV11)
Death smells bad!
B. Living death?QUESTION: What do we use to distract us from the things we fear?
2. Resurrection Life Smells Good
A. Jesus“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.” (Mark 16:1-2)
“[John] bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.” (John 20:3-8 NIV11)
3. Our New Lives Smell Good“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV11)
A. To the worldWe smell like JesusHow maintain?
B. Consciously learning from himHow to smell more like JesusTake these as Bible study and prayer focus ideas:1. Attitude - Philippians 2.52. Ready - Luke 12.353. Obedient - John 14.23-244. Merciful - Hebrews 2:175. Amazing - Matthew 8:27
ConclusionLord’s SupperNo fear of death
“Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 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
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Tuesday Mar 26, 2024
Paul Smith was our visiting speaker in Watford for Palm Sunday. He gave a fascinating insight into the triumphal entry to Jerusalem made by Jesus the week before he died.
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
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
A New Creation, Matthew 20.29-37 — New Sight
IntroductionWhat is the question?Who does God accept?Rich law-keepers?Ethnic Israel?Leaders?Associates?What is revealed? About God? About Jesus? About following Jesus?
“As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. There were two blind men sitting by the roadside. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” The crowd sternly ordered them to be quiet; but they shouted even more loudly, “Have mercy on us, Lord, Son of David!” Jesus stood still and called them, saying, “What do you want me to do for you?” They said to him, “Lord, let our eyes be opened.” Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes. Immediately they regained their sight and followed him.” Matt 20.29-34
Ch20 overview and themes1-16: parable of the labourers -- the last shall be first and the first shall be last17-19: prediction of his death and resurrection 20-23: Mother of James and John requests special treatment (one of very few women to get it wrong)24-28: Teaching on servanthood29-34: Jesus heals two blind men
Why this matters to us....
1. Why Jesus Stops, vv29-37Question: What is happening?Someone asksHe sees/hearsHe came for this reasonHis compassion - desire to help
2. Who Jesus Stops ForQuestion: What are we meant to notice?The blind - some end up seeingThe blind - some do not end up seeing
3. What we learn about JesusQuestion: What do we learn about Jesus?He is interruptible - for you, for usHe hears the cries of the needy - out there and in here.He is moved, by our needs - that feeling in the gut….
ConclusionWho are we?Blindly blind?Grumblers; Selfishly ambitious; Jealous; Restrictors; Blind?Are we the grumblers if people get into heaven we don’t think deserve to get there?Are we the mother of Zebedee who wants special treatment from Jesus for those we love?Are we the disciples angry because someone might be ‘greater’ than them?Are we the crowd who’s discipleship is restricting who has access to Jesus?Seeing blind?People who seek Jesus’ help despite opposition and embarrassment
JesusInterruptibleAttentiveGenerousCompassionateAre we Jesus - interruptible, generous, attentive, compassionate?On Monday - will you be interruptible for the sake of people feeling the compassion of Jesus?
Lord's Supper“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” (Luke 14:13 NRSV)The Lord’s Supper is that kind of banquetAnger at sin (not sinners) led to Jesus' courageous compassionate sacrificeEaster is on the horizonLet's stop right now to remember and honour Jesus stopping for us
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
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
Thursday Mar 14, 2024
A New Creation, 2 Co 5.17IntroductionLessons from 'a new thing’ - Isaiah 43.19Abraham: The promises of God (doing things his way) create a legacy far exceeding anything we can achieve by our own effortsRahab: When you get an inkling of God's movements, follow along and fit in, even though it might mean you lose your house!Elijah: Get refreshed by God - don't give upDaniel: Impact in a culture opposed to your faithEsther: Don't underestimate the impact one person can have (with support)Nehemiah: Blessed are those who mournPeter: Jesus has vision for flawed followers Samaritan woman: Jesus transforms our future2 Cor 5.16-17 - what does this mean? Also Galatians 6.15
1. God Recreates Creation, Rev 21:1-5A. God has a master-planCreation-Fall-Covenant-Law-Messiah-New Covenant-New 'Law' (new command, 'but I say')-New Creation (new people)-New Heaven and Earth
B. God has an inspiring vision“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1)“And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”” (Revelation 21:5)
2. Jesus Models the New CreationLiving the kingdom life - modelling it to us (inspiration to us)
A. New teaching, (Mark 1:27; Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44)‘But I tell you…’
B. New command (John 13:34-35)‘Love one another as….’
C. New relationships (John 15.15)Friendship with Jesus and abba God - joyful obedienceWith people - marginalised, hurtingIllustration: Jesus at the home of Simon the Leper, Mark 14.3-9Being a new creation means being inappropriate in this creationAn inappropriate location - leper’s houseAn inappropriate person - woman presentAn inappropriate extravagance - alabaster, expensive perfumeAn inappropriate gesture - shatteredAn inappropriate identification - High Priest (like Aaron), King (like David), Prophet (like Elisha)
3. We are a New CreationA. New relationshipsWith God as FatherWith the lost as ambassadorsOC - lepers to priest. Jesus reverses this. Takes cleanness to the leper.OC - go to temple in Jerusalem to seek God. Jesus reverses this. Takes ‘temple’ and presence of God to lepers and others.With one another as familyWe go ‘to’ peopleWe go to those who need usWe pay a high ‘cost’
B. New life,The ‘full’ life, John 10.10 - this is discipleship, a life lived after JesusAIM programme — “Spiritual Life”Our access is the death of Jesus, (Romans 6:1-11)
ConclusionCall to explore the theme of 'a new creation', leading to 'a new thing'Link to Lord's Supper - Prayer
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
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
Wednesday Mar 13, 2024
AIM UK & Ireland Spiritual Life Module
“The spiritual life is not a life of laws and precepts but a life of participation, affection and love, a life mingled and mixing with God.” William Law
Description
The Bible places far more emphasis on who we are inside than how we behave or appear to others. We have all seen too many people we know fall, not rebounding but remaining fallen, due to a weak walk with the Lord–while others continue to go forward to do great things despite formidable obstacles.
Are you looking to strengthen your relationship with God and deepen your understanding of Christian spirituality? Look no further than the AIM Spiritual Life Course, an in-person and online course designed to enhance and guide your spiritual journey. The course covers character, sexual issues, financial responsibility, spiritual disciplines such as fasting, prayer, meditation, scripture, devotional reading, and so much more—the secret of mirroring Christ’s character: the inner spiritual life.
Teachers include Douglas Jacoby, Andy Boakye and Malcolm Cox. At the live session on 23 March we will cover the crucial topics of growing through suffering (Andy Boakye), discipleship as the door to life to the full (Malcolm Cox) and the joys of personal spiritual growth (Douglas Jacoby). Additionally, you will have access to specialised teaching from many others on-line after the event.
Join our worldwide community of learners and experience the transformative power of Christian spirituality.
More Information
AIM UK & Ireland site: https://aimukandireland.com/Spiritual Life Module description: https://aimukandireland.com/enrol/index.php?id=13Details
Location: West Watford Free church, Tolpits Lane, Watford WD18 6NUDate & Time: Saturday 23rd March 2024, 9:30AM – 2.45PMRegistration & Payment: https://tvcoc.churchsuite.com/donate/fund/usz20xvrCost: £20 for the day; £75 for the entire moduleRefreshments: Light lunch, hot and cold drinksTransport: Nearest stations — Watford Junction (35 mins walk), Watford High Street (30 mins walk), Watford Metropolitan Line (20 mins walk).Parking: Free parking onsite and adjoining roads
If you have any questions please drop me a line.
God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Tuesday Mar 05, 2024
Andrew Agerbak was our visiting speaker on the 3rd of March. He shared five points from the life of Joseph illustrating the way in which his faith enabled him to continue to grow and be open to God doing a new thing in his life.
Sunday Mar 03, 2024
Sunday Mar 03, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 508 | New Thing Series — Part 63 | “A New Creation” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
Today we wrap up this series by reviewing the topic of a new thing and looking forward.
In this series we have explored God doing a new thing in the lives of Abraham, Esther, Daniel, Elijah & Elisha, Nehemiah, Peter and the Samaritan woman. We could have picked scores of other men and women in both testaments. Despite all the problems, sins and failings, God always has something new in store for us.
"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23
The story of God with his people is the story of new beginnings, new life, and new creation.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
As a result, we live in a new way.
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
For Reflection
How lucky we are to have a new life. This life comes to us through our experience of renewal in baptism. As somebody said, “Baptism is a new creation bath with old creation water.”* as we wrap up the series may I ask you what God revealed regarding any new thing he has in mind for you? And, let us set our sights forward to further discover what it means to live a new life as a new creation.
Why not take some time today to ask God to solidify any new convictions about him doing a new thing in your life? And, ask him to help you grow into all that it means to be a new creation?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
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.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
John Mark Hicks, Bobby Valentine, and Mark Wilson: Embracing Creation