Malcolm Cox

We took ourselves off to Cassiobury Park for an outdoor service. On an exceptionally hot day it seemed only appropriate to discuss the topic of thirst from John 4. 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

Victor shared his inspiring testimony with us today. 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

The annual outdoor service at Wellington Country Park was a delightfully hot day. I spoke on the topic of uncertainty. I also broke my wife's plant spray.  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

This week I answer a question from my friend Chen. He is wondering what light Acts 6 sheds on the issue of serving where we are not gifted. 1. Churches always have problems Internal – 5.1ff; External 5:17ff; Internal 6:1ff; External 6:8ff Luke is telling Theophilus, and the Spirit is reminding us that church is messy, but God is at work in it all. 2. Healthy leaders know their limitations Looks like the Apostle had overseen this need up to now, Acts 4:35 Now understand it is beyond them Given the cultural tensions, they may not be the right people to ‘solve’ the issue – they are all Jewish, of course 3. Leaders look for solutions Apostles do not indulge in shaming or blaming They set the parameters: full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom They involve the people 4. A Spirit-led church will prioritise those with the need The ‘whole group’ (v5), i.e. Jews and Greeks chose the people The men chosen all had Greek names Love and humility is in action 5. Problems need the right kind of person, not the person with t

Why do I take personal spiritual retreats? Today is a brief reflection on the most recent of my retreats taken in the beautiful county of Hampshire. I spent three nights away in a tiny hut walking, praying, reading, thinking, reflecting and planning. I used the book of Haggai as the focus of my study and allowed it to form the theme of my retreat. My main prayer scripture from the book was, ““so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured,” says the LORD.” (Haggai 1:8 NIV11). This was one of my best ever retreats. I came back with only a few insights, but they were profound. Have you taken a personal spiritual retreat? If so, what are your top tips? If you haven't, what's stopping you? Would you like to correspond that I might help you figure out ways to make it work? 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 emai

This week I respond to a message from Selena… Hello Brother Malcolm, I was just reading Romans chapter 16 NIV. It’s missing verse 24 . Do you think this is on purpose or a misprint? Kindly, YLSIC, Selena “At this point, as RSV margin says, ‘Other ancient authorities insert verse 24, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.’ The western text, which lacked the doxology (verses 25–27), brought the letter to an end with this benediction (omitting that in verse 20b). The Byzantine text (followed by the Received Text and AV) took over the western benediction here as well as the earlier one in verse 20b.A few witnesses (codices P 33 104 365 436, with the Syriac Peshitta and Armenian versions, and Ambrosiaster’s Latin text) put this benediction after the doxology (as verse 28) and not before it (as verse 24). In its present position the benediction should not be too readily dismissed as unauthentic; if the dox-ology is not original (either absolutely or in its position at the end of chapt

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at chapter 8 of the book which is titled “Recognising the voice of God”. “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:2–4, 14, 27 NIV11 Voice recognition in nature Animals recognise voices. Takes time. Just like us with God. Partly because God's voice is gentle. It has to be this way, or else he would be shouting at us and that's no way to conduct a relationship! The three lights Circumstances Impressions of the Spirit Passages from the Bible Ask yourself which passages from the Bible might apply to your circumstances and

Jesus “They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” (Matthew 22:16 NIV11) - Teaching despite how people respond 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

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at chapter 7 of the book which is titled “Redemption through the word of God”. We are the intercessors, connected with God and with the world. How do we get there? An additional birth by the word of God Birth through the spirit and the word of God“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV11) Washed in the word of God The amazing extent of the dirtWe often don't notice how much we need that cleansing.  Union with Christ  "… In the progress of God's redemptive work communication advances into communion and communion into union."  From 'yours' to 'yours and mine' to 'ours'. “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my fles

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” (Acts 18:24–28 NIV11) - Fervour and vigour are not about volume - Humility to learn more - You don’t have to know everything (!), but you do need to be an active on-going student - “Perhaps it’s not theology we’re missing, but rather theo

Father’s Day 2022, Luke 15 1. What hurt the father about the younger son’s behaviour? A. Community shame  B. Wish the Father was dead  C. Harm he would get into  2. What hurt the father about the older son’s behaviour?  A. Community shame  B. Ingratitude, acting as if the father was not generous ““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:13–15 NIV11)   3. What do we learn about the heart of the father?  A. Love expressed in...  B. Loves both sons  C. Father used 11 times Conclusion  “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant off

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at Chapter 6: The word of God and the rule of God     - Astonishing faith in the power of words         - Centurion, “say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7 NIV11)         - "Most of what we think we see as the struggle of faith is really the struggle to act as if we had faith but in fact we do not." 118 Do we trust the ‘word’ of God? “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV11) God's word is so powerful and dynamic: created, redeems, rules in and through his word.      - Creation by words:  “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light….. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory a

Introduction: Attitude is more important than education. We need integrity. Ezra “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10 NIV11) Always learning Time  Resources - how much money have you spent on commentaries and Bible dictionaries compared to your television package? Devoted to observance Study to practice, more than to teach  Monday sermon prep because need to live it between then and Sunday Devoted to teaching Not intellectual pursuit  Teach what your study of God’s word has inspired you to practice Conclusions What will help you approach your study and teaching of God’s word with the greatest integrity? How can you be an ‘Ezra’? “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10 NIV11) Why not sign up for AIM…… https://www.aimukandireland.com/courses  Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ Our special International Sunday service was marked with singing and praying in different languages as well as some fun involving food colouring, blowup globes and empty pill casings. 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

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at Chapter 5: The still small voice and its rivals, 86 “A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.”  Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” (1 Samuel 3:8–9; 1 Kings 19:11–12 NIV11) It's not all about the fireworks from heaven Is the experience of Samuel

Introduction: - A never-solved challenge from the first century till now - In our family of churches unity was simple - Now it is much more complex 1. The Significance (of Unity) Jesus - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34–35 NIV11) “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV11) The world will not know that we are his disciples unless we are unified, unless we love deeply “In the church, we divide easily because we love shallowly.” Francis Chan, ‘Until Unity’. Paul - “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.” (Philippians 4:2 NIV11) Early church - “When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the c

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”” (1 Peter 1:22–25 NIV11) QUESTION: What is the difference between love and deep love? “Our church is not the group of people who show up Sunday morning to attend a weekly religious event. The real church is the people who are emotionally connected by their mutual and stated love for Christ and by their commitment to each other because of Christ.”  In this interactive lesson, we explored how we deepen our fellowship in a way modelled after the way Christ loved his disciples (John 13:34-35). What do you think are the most significant issues that help us to love one another deepl

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at Chapter 4. Our communicating Cosmos How do we know whether the voice we are hearing from God or not? The limits of signs Jesus could not be forced into doing ‘religious stunts’. Even something directly done by God does not necessarily convince, Luke 16:31. ““He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”” (Luke 16:31 NIV11)  ‘If a man (says Jesus) cannot be humane with the Old Testament in his hand and Lazarus on his doorstep, nothing - neither a visitant from the other world nor a revelation of the horrors of hell – will teach him otherwise. Such requests for signs are pure invasions." Hunter ‘Interpreting the parables’, 84 Necessity of a general understanding of God Knowing God helps us to recognise his word, but also what is congruent with his nature. This comes about largely through knowing his teachings. Four neg

I enjoy finding connections between the Old and New Covenants. Today I want to try one out on you. You can tell me if I am seeing something that is not there, or whether it is legitimate. Fellowship is under pressure     * COVID         * 2 years of our lives have been spent largely not in one another’s company         * Allows for reduced vulnerability         * We are truly viscerally vulnerable when together in a way that is not mirrored online.          * One of the beauties of in-person fellowship is the inability of the fellowshipers to control their fellowship. Someone will interrupt, someone will want to talk to us that we'd rather avoid, a topic will be broached we'd rather not discuss.      * Social Media         * The Separation of Church and Status, Brett McCracken, Princeton Theological Review, Vol XVII, No 2, (2010) pp. 21-34.             * McCracken is pretty scathing about the ability of social media to generate meaningful connections. He says, 'What else can this be but a performance, an exer

The latest in my occasional series as I process my feelings and thinking since the death of my mother last year. Today I reflect on why I visit the grave. The reason? Of course it’s love. Obvious? I guess so. But meaningful and refreshing. Remember, “Weeping may remain for a night, but joy cometh in the morning“ Psalm 30 Apologies for the wind noise by the way, but I didn’t have my fancy microphone with me.