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
Saturday May 25, 2024
Saturday May 25, 2024
Our annual international Sunday was a blast! Wonderful international food, singing in different languages and much more. As part of the service we heard Joshua tell us his testimony and Malcolm spoke on how we find freedom in the peace 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
Thursday May 16, 2024
Thursday May 16, 2024
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
Friday May 10, 2024
Friday May 10, 2024
Lance brought us an overview of the sermon on the mount and in particular the beatitudes. He showed us how these simple but profound instructions are also promises that change 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
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Tuesday May 07, 2024
Matthew 6.26“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”Life makes us question whether God cares
1. Jesus Needed God's Care
Luke 3.21-22“Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.””
Luke 9.34-36“While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.”
Wilderness angels Mark 1.13“and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.”
Gethsemane angel Luke 22.43“An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.” Point: If Jesus needed it...
2. Jesus Showed us God Cares QUESTION: How did Jesus show people God cares?
Matthew 10.26-31““So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Point: God has gone out of his way to let us know he cares. Jesus shows us that sometimes God caring does not mean our lives are easy. Gethsemane! He understands us. Conclusion1 Peter 5.6-7“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”Convinced God cares?
His Eye Is On the Sparrow (1905) SM Mrs. C. D. Martin1. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav'n and home, When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me:His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
2. "Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear, And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears: Though by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. 3. Whenever I am tempted, whenever doubts arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me;His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me.I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free,For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
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 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