Malcolm Cox

Malcolm Cox

By Malcolm CoxReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Malcolm Cox episodes

  • S1: "How you should pray", Class 1
    "This, then, is how you should pray" 

    Class 1: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”

    Structure
    • "Opening address: 
      • Our Father in heaven
    • Three clauses about God and his worship: 
    • May your name be held in reverence;
    • May your kingdom come;
    • May your will be done, as in heaven so also on the earth.
    • Three petitions for our own needs:
    •     Give us today the bread we need for tomorrow.
    •     And forgive us our debts as we too have forgiven our debtors.
    •     And do not bring us into testing, but rescue us from the Evil One."

      • Plan for prayer. Pattern on which to expand 
      • God’s glory - God’s rule - God’s will 
      • Our needs - daily provisions - forgiveness for us and others - protection.

        • Background
        Jewish synagogue prayer used at time of Jesus:
        • “Exalted and hallowed be his great name in the world which he created according to his will. May he let his kingdom rule in your lifetime and in your days and in the lifetime of the whole house of Israel, speedily and soon. Praised be his great name from eternity to eternity. And to this say: Amen.”

        Context of instruction
        • “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:8 NIV11)
        • Note: This is how you should pray, not this is what you should pray.

          • 1. Our Father
          • Our 
            • Plural throughout. Meant to be pattern for group prayer, not just individual.
            • We are joining all believers collectively every time we pray because we are spiritually connected.
            • Father 
              • Not unheard of in Judaism, but very rare to address God as Father. Jesus did it all the time: Matthew 11:25; 26:39, 42; Mark 14:36; Luke 23:34; John 11:41; 12:27, 17:1, John 17:5, 11, 21, 24f).
              • Reveals Jesus wants and expects same relationship he had with his father for his disciples.
              • “Jesus said, “Don’t cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I ascend to my Father and your Father, my God and your God.’”” (John 20:17 MESSAGE)
              • Some passages shedding significant light on the importance of the relationship of Jesus with the Father: John 3; Romans 8; Ephesians 2:3; Rom 8:15; Galatians 4:6; John 20:17; 1 John 3:1; Hebrews 12:10; 12:4-11.

                • 2. In heaven
                • The heavenlies - plural
                • Puts together familiarity (Father) with worship.
                • We need blend of the transcendent and the intimate in our times of prayer.

                  • 3. Hallowed
                  • Make holy, treat as holy, reverence, to sanctify, to consider holy.
                  • “..although it is a prayer that God’s name be hallowed, and therefore presumably a request that God will hallow his own name, it is nevertheless a prayer which, when answered, means that we will hallow God’s name. In other words, Christ’s followers are asking their heavenly Father to act in such a way that they and an increasing number of others will reverence God, glorify him, consider him holy, and acknowledge him.” Carson, 72. 
                  • Treat him as one to be respected 
                  • We are not the centre of this picture - God is in the centre.

                    • 4. Be your name
                    • God himself as revealed to humankind (Deut. 28:58; Isa. 30:27). All of who he is.
                    • "“The name of the LORD,” …embodies the power of the Lord. His people find safety in that name (Prov. 18:10). The name of the Lord is to be praised (Ps. 7:17; 135:1; Joel 2:26), called upon (Gen. 12:8; Joel 2:32; Zeph. 3:9), exalted (Isa. 24:15), trusted (Ps. 20:7; Zeph. 3:12), or feared (Ps. 102:15; Isa. 59:19). To speak in the name of the Lord is to speak with his authority (Exod. 5:23; Deut. 18:20; Jer. 30:9).”
                    • Our prayer is that God be known for his glory and the transformation of the world

                      • Conclusion
                      • Questions for discussion: 
                      • What stands out to you from this verse?
                      • How might your prayer life grow because of what this verse teaches you about God, yourself and prayer?

                        • Suggestion: Pray this verse every day between now and the next class
                        • Could you send me a short video clip of your thoughts on these verses?
                        • Please send me any questions you have: [email protected] 

                          • 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: [email protected].

                          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, 
                          21 min
                        • S1 Ep56: "Celebrate!" Newsletter podcast, Episode 56, 01 August 2020
                          Celebrate!

                          My parents celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary last weekend. We were unable to celebrate their 60th and 61st anniversaries due to illnesses in the family. We were determined to do it this year, even though social distancing made the event a little awkward! As my parents said, we must celebrate while we can because we do not know about tomorrow. So true. Let's take time to celebrate when we can - and that goes for the small things as well as the big things.

                          You will have noticed there was no newsletter last week. That's because Penny and I were on holiday and I just didn't have time. I decided that celebrating some time away with my wife was more important. Please forgive me if you missed the newsletter, but I think I made the right choice!

                          We holidayed in Essex. If you've never spent much time in that county, I can thoroughly recommend it. We spent most of our time reading, walking amongst salt marshes and soaking up the history of the area. If you look very, very closely at the picture below you might just see my bird watching wife observing the local wildlife.

                          The lack of a newsletter last week means that you have more material than usual in this week's edition. Pretty much double the podcasts and videos.

                          In other news, I had a wonderful time speaking for the combined Birmingham and Leicester congregations this last Wednesday. They welcomed me warmly. It was a delight to catch up with old friends, some of whom I have not seen for years. I shared my lesson on the Spirit, Antioch and Barnabas which I have also shared for the east London congregation, Watford, the Thames Valley church and the Uppsalla group. 

                          The Watford Church of Christ are feeling very blessed at the moment I must say. Not only was Simon restored earlier this year, and Jane baptised into Christ earlier in July, but Richard was also baptised in our local river on Thursday evening. We don't know why God gives fruit when he does, but we will celebrate it whenever he chooses to give it to us!

                          Upcoming projects for the next few days and weeks

                          • A pre-recorded sermon to go out on the 2nd of August for the Singapore Church
                          • The final few sermons on the Psalms of Ascent for the Watford church
                          • Beginning a new series on prayer for the Thames Valley church (based on the Lord's prayer from Matthew 6)
                          • An article on the mission (hint, it's not about evangelism)
                          • A meeting with a group of brothers hosted by Eddi Balian in Canada
                          • Our 35th wedding anniversary. Not really a project! But certainly something to celebrate!

                            • Solution focused coaching

                            Over the last few months I have been in training as a solution focused coach with the Academy of Solution Focussed Training. It's been very demanding but also rewarding. I will share the details another time. I've now completed the training and happy to offer my services as a trained coach. I'll be grateful if anybody would let me practice my newly acquired coaching skills on them. I need to rack up enough hours to be able to apply to the ICF for certification. 

                            Let me know if you would like some coaching. Sessions can be as short or as long as needed. I can offer some pro bono coaching, but you can certainly pay me if you like!Until the next time, I hope and pray that you would notice what God is giving you to celebrate and that you do so with all your heart!

                            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: [email protected].

                            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
                            11 min
                          • S1 Ep236: Quiet Time Coaching Episode 236: "The meaning of the omnipresence of God"
                            Do you believe that God is present with you all the time?

                            I am listening to the Audible version of A. W. Tozer’s book, "The knowledge of the holy”. Once or twice a week I listen to a chapter before going out to pray and use the theme as the foundation to my devotional time with God. This morning’s chapter was on the omnipresence of God. Today I will bring you some reflections on this theme.

                            If God is God he must be omnipresent. This we can take as an intellectual fact. However, the question is whether this presence remains an intellectual thought, or becomes personal. Surely God intended to be a personal experience.

                            The Psalmist wrote, “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD.” (Psalm 89:15 NIV11) God's personal presence with us is not a New Testament concept. However, it is a more powerful and intimate experience. Why? Because God came in flesh:

                            “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” (John 1:18 NIV11)

                            Jesus promised us a far more powerful, permanent experience of the presence of the Father: “My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV11)

                            Father, Son and Spirit all have made their home in us: “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11 NIV11)

                            Why might we struggle with recognising and experiencing his presence as much as we would like to? Doubtless there are many possible answers to this, but for today I suggest two.

                            1. God respects our choices. Because he loves us, he allows us to choose to be conscious of his presence. In this sense he is unobtrusive. Always present, but never insistent on being noticed. He is always willing for us to connect with him, but he needs inviting. 

                            2. Our pain may obscure our awareness of his presence. I am reminded of an illustration in the book, “Interior castle” by Theresa of Avila. Let me adapt her thought. Imagine yourself in a room with close friends. Someone turns out the lights and you find yourself in a pitch black room. You know that you are still in the presence of your friends, but you cannot see them. If you are attentive, you can still be conscious of their presence. But if you become overwhelmed by the darkness, you may forget they are there. 

                            What does this mean for us? At least the following:

                            * Gods promises are with us all the time, therefore we can live without being controlled by our fears. Complete confidence is ours.
                            * God's joy is with us all the time, therefore we can, at any time, experience his joy no matter what is going on. 
                            * God's peace is with us all the time, therefore we can, at any time, experience his peace no matter what is going on in or around us.

                            It is true we do not feel this or experience it all the time. As Tozer puts it: 

                            “As a child might cry out in pain even while sheltered in its mother's arms, so a Christian may sometimes know what it is to suffer even in the conscious presence of God.” Chapter 14Nonetheless, it is a wonderful comfort to know that God's presence is not dependent on my awareness of his existence. I can trust he is with me all the time no matter what else is going on. His presence is not dependent on my sinlessness, nor my awareness. My prayer is that I will grow in both my willingness to acknowledge his presence, and a valuing of his presence more and more during my average days.

                            Question for the week: “Which spiritual practices help you to be more aware of God's presence with you during your normal day?”

                            One other thing. 

                            I am preparing a teaching series on prayer for the Thames Valley churches of Christ. We begin next week. If you would like people to know one thing about prayer, what would that be? If you would like to learn one thing about prayer, what might that be? Please drop me a line with your thoughts: [email protected].

                            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: [email protected].

                            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,
                            17 min
                          • S1 Ep209: "How to start your lesson". Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 209
                            Introduction
                            “There are three types of preachers: those to whom you cannot listen; those to whom you can listen; and those to whom you must listen. During the introduction the congregation usually decides the kind of speaker addressing them that morning.” Expository Preaching, Haddon W Robinson, page 167

                            Tuesday Teaching Tip 9 - "Interesting Introductions" 

                            • Usually written last - because by now we know what we are trying to achieve! 
                            • Do you want people to listen carefully?
                            • Then prepare introduction well

                              • 1. Context
                              • Formal/Informal
                              • Church members only/Guests
                              • Jargon!
                              • Long/short - usually short

                                • 2. Create tension
                                Boring intro leads to assumption of boring lesson.
                                Random introduction leads to assumption of incoherent lesson.
                                Ask yourself: “Why should these people listen to me today?”
                                Put that into words

                                • Questions - that you then answer
                                • Surprise statements - that you then unpack
                                • Tell a story

                                  • 3. Connect
                                  • With main point & summary statement
                                  • With audience - relevant to them; make them realise you are talking to them and about them

                                    • 4. Conduct
                                    • Confident walk to podium
                                    • Prepare Bible/Papers
                                    • Look up and smile
                                    • Prepare first few words

                                      • Conclusion
                                      Question: What makes for an interesting introduction?

                                      Next time: How to end your lesson

                                      “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4 NIV11)

                                      This video is part of the series: “They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might” (Psalm 145:11)

                                      Basic preaching and teaching course for men and women

                                      In this course we will cover some of the basics of the preparation and presentation of biblical lessons.
                                      The aim is to provide helpful examples and teaching for both the older and younger Christian.
                                      One a week
                                      We will cover the following topics:

                                      • Extra class: An introduction to the privilege of speaking God’s word
                                      • How to choose what to speak on.
                                      • How to explore the passage for yourself.
                                      • How to use other resources like commentaries.
                                      • How to select your point.
                                      • How to choose a structure for your lesson.
                                      • How to start your lesson.
                                      • How to end your lesson.
                                      • How to make your lesson memorable.
                                      • How to make the most of congregational involvement.
                                      • How to prepare yourself to speak.
                                      • Extra class: A summary of the course and suggestions for ongoing learning.

                                        • 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: [email protected].

                                        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, 
                                        20 min
                                      • S1 Ep235: "Prepared by Prayer": Quiet Time Coaching Episode 235
                                        Jesus prepared his followers by praying for them. They remained weak, but not under-prepared. How convinced are you that you are fully prepared for God’s work?

                                        “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:13–19 NIV11)In each place in the Fourth Gospel where the activity of the evil one (or the devil or Satan) is mentioned up to this point it was directed against Jesus to bring about his death (Jn 6:70; 8:44; 13:2, 27). Once Jesus was removed from the scene, this activity would be directed against his disciples.   

                                        They are to be protected rather than removed because they have work to do; because God loves the world.

                                        Question for the week: “What helps to convince you that you are fully prepared for the work God has in mind for you?"

                                        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: [email protected].

                                        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,
                                        17 min
                                      • S1 Ep208: "How to choose a structure for your lesson". Tuesday Teaching Tip 208, Class 5
                                        Class 5: How to choose a structure for your lesson. TTT 208

                                        • Introduction
                                        • You have chosen your text
                                        • You have explored it
                                        • You have mined other resources
                                        • You have found the point
                                        • Now you need to choose a structure
                                        • See also TTT 101 - How to choose a structure for a class
                                        • See also TTT 97 - How to Find Your Sermon Structure
                                        • See also - How to Find the structure.
                                        • First some principles…

                                          • One of many possible structures 
                                          Find more than one so you can choose the one that works for this occasion

                                          Does justice to the passage
                                          • Helps people remember
                                          • Can come back to it
                                          • Points us to God 
                                          • Rick Warren: God, Father, Jesus, Spirit 

                                            Look for natural breaks
                                            • In the text
                                            • In the action

                                              • Now let’s look at the text I have chosen….
                                              • ““So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud labourers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.” (Malachi 3:5)

                                              • Conclusion
                                              • Question: What resources do you have available?
                                              • Question: How can you make best use of them?

                                                • Next time: How to start your lesson

                                                • “One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4 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: [email protected].

                                                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
                                                17 min
                                              • S1: "How to have spiritual conversations with your muslim friends" Malcolm Cox & Andy Boakye I 3 Big Questions
                                                How to talk to Islamic friends about spiritual matters

                                                Introduction
                                                • Not a class on Islam, but how to talk ‘faith’ with a muslim friend
                                                • “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.…” (2 Timothy 2:23–25 NIV11)

                                                  • 1. Things not to say or do
                                                  • How to prevent the conversation stopping as soon as it starts, or becoming an argument.

                                                  2. Understanding the fundamental worldview of a Muslim
                                                  • Mohammed 
                                                  • The Qur’an  
                                                  • Jesus 

                                                    • With this grounding we will more easily find common ground.

                                                    3. Ways to encourage Muslims to talk about their faith
                                                    • Their approach to their spirituality 
                                                    • In the hope we can find common ground 
                                                    • Create openness to explore spirituality from a Christian perspective

                                                      • Conclusion
                                                      • Pointers towards further helpful resources.
                                                      • Practical take-aways

                                                        • Questions
                                                        • Please send them in

                                                        Resources
                                                        • Nabeel Qureshi
                                                        • James R White
                                                        • David Wood
                                                        • Ibn Warraq
                                                        • “Answering Islam” Norman Geisler and Abdul Saleeb

                                                          • 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: [email protected].

                                                          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
                                                          29 min
                                                        • S1: "How God moves us from despair to hope", Psalm 130
                                                          Sermon for the Watford church of Christ

                                                          “How God moves us from despair to hope”, Psalm 130

                                                          Introduction
                                                          • Hope 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, vv7-8
                                                          • Decisively put hope in God
                                                          • Because you know he is love

                                                            • For discussion
                                                            • What 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: [email protected].

                                                              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, 
                                                              20 min
                                                            • S1 Ep55: "Why you need to retreat", Newsletter 18 July 2020, Episode 55
                                                              Why you need to retreat

                                                              I was very privileged this week to have the time and space to go away for two nights on spiritual retreat. I found some very quiet accommodation outside a tiny village somewhere south of Salisbury. Near Stonehenge for those of you don't know that part of the world. Wherever I can and to whomever I can I unashamedly bang the drum for the significance of spiritual disciplines in general, sabbath days as one of the jewels in the crown of spiritual disciplines, and overnight retreats.

                                                              I have not taken an overnight retreat for some time. More's the pity. But a combination of global and local events pushed me out of my usual routine and sent me away to be with Father, Son and Spirit in a gloriously focused, intimate and relaxed way. 

                                                              We know that Jesus spent time alone with his Father. He “was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,” (Luke 4:1), “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16), “went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35).  Some of those times were overnight.

                                                              If there is no other reason, the best reason to take an overnight retreat is simply because Jesus did. However, I believe there are many other good reasons for going away alone. There is something about stepping away from the usual routine that helps us to get better perspective on what's going on in life. On what God is doing. Sleeping in a different place, eating at a different table, praying with a different view all help to refresh our thinking.

                                                              Let me share with you some of what I did this time.

                                                              1. Review. I took with me the notes of my first spiritual retreat in 2003. I dug them out of the depths of my computer and compared my thinking from 17 years ago with today. Without going into the details, what stood out to me was God's faithfulness to me. Of the many things I was concerned about then, and prayed about, I can see, looking back, that God has either answered them or provide me with the peace and ability to handle the fact that some have not yet been answered.
                                                              2. Reading. I read and/or re-read parts of two books while I was away. One Dallas Willard called "Life without lack" based on Psalm 23 and another called "The ruthless elimination of hurry" by John Mark Comer. Both were tremendously helpful to me. I find having a book to read helps centre me. Of course a Bible book also helps!
                                                              3. Walking. Perhaps you can walk, perhaps you cannot, but the key thing for me is finding new places to pray that stimulate me. Generally speaking, at times like this I find either mountains or the seaside especially conducive to creative prayer. On this occasion I was able to drive to the south coast as you can see in the picture above, walk up to some cliffs and pray there.
                                                              4. Psalms. I generally find that using a Psalm as a core passage of Scripture for my prayers is very helpful. This time I focused on Psalm 18 which was the focus also of my first spiritual retreat 17 years ago. It was a wonderful experience to revisit that Psalm, and pray through it considering what God has been doing over the last 17 years. Of course, this time different parts of it stood out to me compared to last time. I used that Psalm whilst on the cliffs meditating on it, praying through it and thinking about its themes.

                                                                5. Before heading home on the Tuesday afternoon I made a visit to the historic city of Salisbury. The reason I went there was because as a boy chorister I sang in the cathedral back in the mid-70s. It was a trip down memory lane.  I could not get into the cathedral because of COVID-19 restrictions, but walking around the grounds reminded me, once again, of the faithfulness of God over a long period of time. It's over four decades since I was that youngster in the cathedral all dressed up in robes and singing church music. 

                                                                The journey, or more accurately the adventure of life has been rough at times, rarely dull, and sometimes filled with joy. But the key reminder for me was that God has been with me every step of the way, whether I was aware of him or not. Perhaps this is the greatest benefit of taking an overnight retreat. The rest of our troubles fade into the background as God comes into the foreground.

                                                                The place I stayed had rubbish Wi-Fi, the television didn't work, and there was no mobile phone signal. All of which would normally be a frustration, but on this occasion was a blessing! I needed to get unplugged so that I could get re-plugged into the resources that truly matter.

                                                                I know not everybody reading this has the flexibility I do, but I would encourage everyone to plan an overnight retreat of some kind if you possibly can. If you get creative it's amazing what becomes possible.

                                                                Until the next time, I hope and pray that you would find that God is available to you whenever wherever you are.

                                                                God bless, Malcolm
                                                                21 min
                                                              5. S1: "Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit", Acts 11.19-26, Malcolm Cox, East London Version
                                                                “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 today
                                                                Older 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?

                                                                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: [email protected].

                                                                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
                                                                31 min

                                                              About Malcolm Cox

                                                              From the publisher's feed

                                                              Malcolm Cox. Enjoying communicating the depth & relevance of the Bible to life today. Author of 'An Elephant's Swimming Pool' about John's gospel. For theology and spirituality see: