Malcolm Cox

Malcolm Cox

By Malcolm CoxReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Malcolm Cox episodes

  • 54: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 54
    “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 54
     
    Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   
     
    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  
     
    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. 
     
    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our website is http://www.tvcoc.org.  
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected]. 
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day. 
     
    God bless, 
     
    Malcolm 
     
    Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Wokingham, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley, 
    4 min
  • 53: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 53
    “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 53

    Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   

    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  

    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. 

    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our website is http://www.tvcoc.org.  

    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  

    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected]. 

    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day. 

    God bless, 

    Malcolm 

    Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Wokingham, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley, 
    4 min
  • 52: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 52
    “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 52

    Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   

    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  

    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. 

    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our website is http://www.tvcoc.org.  

    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  

    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected]. 

    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day. 

    God bless, 

    Malcolm 

    Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Wokingham, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley, 
    4 min
  • 193: "Secrets of the interactive sermon", Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 193
    Today’s episode comes courtesy of inspiration provided by a conversation I had last week.
    Albert and Angela May came over to discuss vision and plans for the ministry in Beaconsfield. We had a thoroughly edifying time discussing ideas and sharing experiences. I found much to enrich the way I’m thinking about our ministry here in Watford.
    One of the topics we discussed was our services. I described how in Watford we often vary the format of our services and the methods we use to deliver a message. We ended up talking about interactive sermons. You know the kind of thing. Question-and-answer from the speaker to the congregation forth and back. Breaking into small groups or even large groups for discussion as part of the sermon. And suchlike.
    Angela made a very good point as we discussed this. Which was that it takes quite a bit of confidence on the part of the speaker to engage in this kind of free-form speaking. I agreed with her. But I also think it’s something that every speaker can develop if they wish to.
    One of the reasons I feel strongly that this should be part of any speakers armoury is that it was part of Jesus'. There were times when he taught lessons, you could say. For example, the sermon on the Mount - Matthew 5-7. However, there were also many times when he was interrupted, or asked a question of his audience and interacting with their replies.
    If we're going to preach and teach like Jesus, we’re going to need to be able to handle questions and use questions effectively. Let's spend some time together thinking this through. I will share with you the benefit of what I have learned so far, and I look forward to having your feedback to improve what I’m doing.
    First of all, four reasons for engaging in these kinds of sermons:
    1. Jesus did it. You can hardly open a page of the Gospels without seeing Jesus pose a question, respond to a question, provoke discussion, participate in a discussion and, generally, interact with those around him. Sometimes it’s the crowd, on other occasions his disciples. He engages in this way with the Pharisees, Pilate, strangers and friends. Take Matthew 11 for example. The disciples of John the Baptist ask him a question to which he responds by asking them to examine the evidence of his ministry. As those disciples depart Jesus takes the opportunity to speak to the crowd about John the Baptist and explain that he was more than a prophet. He uses a rhetorical question in verse 16 to explain the characteristics of the generation he was addressing.  A significant proportion of Jesus' public teaching was interactive engagement with his hearers.
    2. You learn about your congregation and visitors. A side-blessing of interactive sermons is their pastoral usefulness. When you hear people interacting with Scripture and yourself, you’re learning something about their thinking about God, the Bible and themselves. Recently I asked a question and a person responded with an answer that had nothing to do with the question. I felt annoyed. But I realised, partway through my annoyance, that this person was telling me something about themselves. I needed to pay attention. The Spirit was moving and revealing things. So, even if you feel a particular interactive sermon hasn't gone as well as you’d hoped, or hadn’t remained on topic in the way that you had planned, do not despair. It could be that was exactly what was meant to happen.
    3. You help some people learn who learn best in this kind of learning environment.  One of the members of the Watford church, Tunde, told me that he learns best in these kinds of sermons. He remembers more, takes more in and finds it easier to apply the sermon when there has been some discussion between himself and other people. You likely have people like that in your congregation. Serve them well by incorporating interactive sermons as part of your preaching package.
    4. You model good Bible study. It’s a responsibility of a preacher to preach in such a way as to model healthy approaches to studying the Bible. When we interact with the congregation, asking questions, or asking them to break into groups to discuss a topic, we are helping them to develop a healthy approach to their own Bible study. Part of the reason I do these kinds of sermons is the hope that the congregation members and visitors will go home, open their Bible and practice the same kind of technique in their personal Bible study.

      5. Now, seven practical points:
      1. Start somewhere. You may not feel particularly qualified or skilled in this area. Join the club. I began incorporating interactivity into my sermons about 15 years ago in Cricklewood. I didn’t have a model - although I had in mind some of my favourite comedians who I’d seen interact with their audiences. I do think, by the way, that all preachers and teachers should study the comedic arts. It’s not that we are trying to be comedians, but comedians learn how to read an audience, how to interact with them and how to do so with timing which helps get their point across. In any case, we have to start somewhere. I didn’t have training nor mentoring in this area. I simply started and learned from there. I encourage you, especially if you feel insecure about this, to bear in mind that the congregation is, at least most of the time, on your side! They will forgive you if you stretch yourself in this area. They will know it is hard, but they will appreciate your attempts to bring a freshness to the preaching which will help them as they learn from God’s word.
      2. Make the questions visible. I put the questions on screen and on a handout. It is challenging for a congregation to remember a question you have asked if they do not have it in front of them. This is especially true if you’re expecting people to work in small groups. We have people in congregations who are hard of hearing, dyslexic, do not speak English as their first language and have other challenges with words and language. Help them out by making the questions visible.
      3. Make the timing clear. If I’m breaking the congregation into groups for discussion, I give a clear time-limit. This will usually be between two and five minutes. The average is probably three minutes. Too short it and there is not enough time for meaningful discussion. Too long and the discussion will get off-track.  I ensure that I do not get off track by setting a timer on my phone or putting a countdown timer on screen.
      4. Respond positively. You will occasionally get answers which are off-topic or plain bonkers! You don’t have to say, “That’s a great point.” to such answers. That would be insincere.  Instead simply smile, say “Thank you”, and move on to the next person.
      5. Do not interrupt people unless they are being disruptive or giving a very long-winded answer. I have seen people try the interactive approach, but interrupt the congregants when they've only got halfway through what they’re saying. It’s not only rude, and discourages other people from commenting, but you also don’t get the benefit of their full answer.
      6. Ask open-ended questions. The best questions are usually ones that engage people’s imagination. For example, this last Sunday when preaching on Mark 4 and the calling of the first disciples, I asked the question, “What do you think the disciples understood Jesus to be calling them to when he called them to follow him?” That a longer question than I prefer to use, but I’m trying to help the congregation to engage their imagination. Not so much, “What did Jesus call them to”, but “What did they think they were being called to”.  Avoid questions which have only one answer. Instead, ask questions which will reveal things.
      7. Work very hard on getting your questions right. The most important part of this whole enterprise is to craft engaging, stimulating and meaningful questions. The point of the question might seem obvious to you. But it may not to the congregation. Try to imagine yourself receiving the question and ask yourself if you would be clear about what you are being asked. It’s happened on more than one occasion that I have asked a question and observed the congregation looking back at me with frowns on their faces. Two weeks ago I asked a question in a sermon. Barry Edwards put up his hand and asked what I meant. I was so embarrassed! But he was right. In that moment I realised that there was an ambivalence about the question. I rephrased it with a clearer point, Barry was satisfied and so were the congregation. “Thank you, Barry.” You won’t get all your questions right. That’s just the way it is. But, work hard on your questions.

        8. Questions are not the only way of creating an interactive sermon. But I focused on questions today because, especially if you are not familiar with this approach, it is the easiest way to get into delivering interactive sermons. You can do all kinds of things with props, games, impromptu skits, flip charts, post-it notes and much more. Perhaps we will go on to those another day. But if you master the use of questions, you will have mastered the most significant of all interactive sermon tools.
        What I’d like to know today is, “What do you think is the best way to conduct interactive sermons which contribute healthily to the spiritual education of a congregation?”
        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, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 
        34 min
      8. “Jesus at His Core”, Matthew 4.12-22. Sermon for the Watford church of Christ.
        “Jesus at His Core” - Matthew 4.12-22
        Introduction, vv12“When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he withdrew to Galilee. Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— to fulfil what was said through the prophet Isaiah: “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.” (Matthew 4:12–22 NIV11)
        1. Jesus’s core message, vv12-17 
        QUESTION: “What is at the core of his message?”
        2. Jesus’s core method, vv18-22
        QUESTION: “What was it about fishermen that made them suitable?”
        QUESTION: “What do you think they understood him to mean?”
        QUESTION: “What were they leaving?”
        For reflection…..
        • What is at the core of our ‘message’?
        • How can we communicate a message of good news to those in darkness around us?
        • What is it about you which makes you suitable to be a disciple? What experiences, strengths, personality has God given you that contribute to making you an effective follower of Jesus?
        • What do you understand Jesus to mean when he called you to follow?
        • How can you best express the core of Jesus in your life this week?
        • See also Isaiah 9.1-2; Mark 1.15; Luke 5.1-11. 

          • 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, 
          31 min
        • 51: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 51
          “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 51 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our website is http://www.tvcoc.org.  Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.  Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected]. Thanks again for listening. Have a super day. God bless, Malcolm Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Wokingham, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,
          4 min
        • Sermon on the Mount, Bonus Episode - Matthew 7.1-6
          Sermon on the MountBonus Episode - Matthew 7.1-6
          Matt. 7:1
          Chapter3 dangers building toward the golden rule. Danger of judgmental-ism, danger of folly, danger of misunderstanding the father.
          JudgeJudge (krinoœ) can mean to discern, to judge judicially, to be judgmental, to condemn. What about the context? Must mean “do not be judgmental”, no critical spirit, condemning attitude.  Same verb found in Romans 14:10.Need to make judgments: Matt 7.6, 15-20; 18.15-17.Perhaps this warning comes here because, if we have grasped the teachings of chapters 5 and 6 and have begun to live and celebrate them, it is possible we could look down at those who have not yet done so.Carson sees this attitude as, “a scurrilous sort of zeal.” Carson, 107
          You will be judgedPerhaps by God, perhaps by others. “People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.”

          Matt. 7:2
          In the same wayImplies judgement by God. See Matt 18.23-35.  But could also refer to the way others will treat you. We see this especially when a critical spirit becomes part of the culture. If we indulge it in ourselves, it will infect those around us.See also: Romans 2:1, 21–23; James 4:11–12.  Breaks the beatitude to be merciful, Matthew 5:7; 6:14.

          Matt. 7:3Speckkarphos, a tiny splinter of wood or straw
          plankbeam or rafter 
          Biblical example: 2 Samuel 12:1-7. David, Nathan.

          Matt. 7:5
          HypocriteHere it’s the disciples who are hypocrites, not his usual targets the Pharisees etc.The speck is there. The problem is not the diagnosis. The problem is the inconsistency of applying judgement to another but not to oneself.One of the great sadnesses of a critical spirit is that it comprises love - John 13:34; 17:20-23.
          Remove the speck “… The speck of sawdust in the patient’s eye does in fact require removal, even if the operation should not be performed by a surgeon with a plank in his own eye.” Carson, 110.God himself blends justice with mercy, therefore, so should his followers. It is far more likely that those with a speck will welcome help in removing it if they are confident their spiritual surgeon lacks hypocritical judgemental-ism.

          Matt. 7:6
          ContextJesus is making a judgement here. Indicates it does not mean we should not make judgements. Only hypocritical ones. He is also telling us that we must make such judgements as he is making. See also Matthew 7:15. Paul - 1 Corinthians 5:5, Galatians 1:8; Philippians 3:2; Galatians 5:12; 1 John 4:1; John 7:24.
          SacredThe holy given to the unholy is unthinkable.
          PearlsWhat is meant to be admired forever is instead lost.
          Tear you to piecesWhat does this mean?  Is it that thoughtless application of truth leads to unhealthy reactions.What of the connection with judgement? Jesus is advocating discernment here. “… We are not to be judgmental and yet we are not to be undiscriminating.” Carson, 106.
          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, 
          13 min
        • 50: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 50
          “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22–23 NIV11)Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   

          Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  

          These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. 

          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
          4 min
        • 49: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 49
           ““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21 NIV11)

          Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.   

          Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.  

          These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotional life. 

           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
          4 min
        • “Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series, Class 12: Matthew 6.25-34
          “Kingdom Come”Sermon on the Mount Series 
          Class 12: Matthew 6.25-34
          QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far?
          ‘Therefore’ 
          • Because material treasures unsatisfactory and temporary (Matthew 6:19-21) 
          • Because focus on wrong things (Matthew 6:22) 
          • Because must choose master (Matthew 6:24)
          • Because kingdom loyalty must be total (Matthew 6:19-24) 

            • 1. Worry
            • QUESTION: When is worry helpful?
            • QUESTION: When is worry unhelpful?

              • Merimna, ‘over-concerned’
              • Paul: Phil 2.27-28.
              • The worriers: Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6.
              • The lazy: 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:11. 
              • The burdened: Gal 6.2

                QUESTION: How can we recognise when we are worrying in a way that breaks this command?
                2. Solutions to worry
                More, v25 - Jn 10.10, the ‘good life’ - the ‘more’ life needs air to breath.
                • What we ‘look at’ 
                  • Birds and Flowers 
                    • “orni-theology” 
                      • 500 million
                • Survival
                • katamanthano 
                  • Splendour: Solomon - 1 Kings 10:5; 1 Kgs 4:32–33
                • How much happier we would be if we could give up trying to achieve something we cannot achieve by a method that will not produce what we hope for. 

                  1. What we think of the Father
                  • He knows and cares. Matt 6.6-8
                  • Trusting God for daily needs cf. Phil 4:6–7; Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 5:7.
                    • Conclusion: Seek first the kingdom
                    • ‘But’: decisive action needed 
                      • The antidote to anxiety is not so much not being anxious as pursuing the right things - the kingdom and God’s righteousness.

                    • seek: present imperative - ongoing 
                      • Not so much bringing the kingdom into being in an eschatological manner, but living under God’s rule, revealing the kingdom.
                    • “make it your priority to find”

                      kingdom: 
                      • Seek God’s kingship - "resolving to live under God’s direction and control”

                      • righteousness 
                        • Emphasis: Matt 5:6, 10, 20, 
                      • Discipleship “God’s righteousness is not a focus that brings condemnation, but rather a reminder that it is his righteousness that sees us to heaven and not our own.” 

                        • given to you 
                          Solomon. Asked for wisdom and got everything else thrown in. 
                        • Trust the nature of the one making the promise.

                          • tomorrow: v33 about today, v34 about the future. 
                            • A very pragmatic observation. We cannot predict tomorrow. 
                          • Today’s bread - Matt 6.11.

                            • QUESTION: What does this look like today? What is the right response to worry?
                            • QUESTION for prayer and reflection: How will this passage affect the way you live this week?

                              “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MESSAGE)

                              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, 
                              32 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: