Malcolm Cox

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11)

What does it mean that the merciful will be shown mercy? And how is this connected to the kingdom of heaven?

In this series we are immersing ourselves in the beatitudes - Matthew 5:5:3-12.  We're trying to figure out what each beatitude means for us practically and how that affects our relationship with God, and in particular, our times of quiet with God.

The reason this is on my mind is because I am preparing a teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley churches of Christ (http://www.tvcoc.org/) , and a teaching day for the Watford Church of Christ (http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org/) based on the sermon on the mount.

Join me today as I examine what it means to be merciful.

First, what is mercy?

“Mercy is compassion for people in need.”   “…whereby one is moved to pity and go to the relief of another in misery … cause(ing) its possessor to make the case of another his own, so that he is grieved by it, … we weep with those that weep…. It not only stirs the heart, but it moves the hand to render help to those in need.”

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17–18 NIV11) 

“The noun eleos (mercy) … always deals with what we see of pain, misery and distress, these results of sin; and charis (grace) always deals with the sin and guilt itself.  The one extends relief, the other pardon; the one cures, heals, helps, the other cleanses and reinstates.” Paul separates grace and mercy in his greetings in the Pastoral Epistles (1 Tim 1:2, 2 Tim 1:2). Perhaps mercy, in this context, is different from grace. “Grace answers to the undeserving, mercy answers to the miserable.”

Examples of merciful people in the Bible include:  Abraham rescuing Lot, Joseph forgiving his family, Moses with Miriam’s leprosy, David sparing Saul.

Our example is Jesus – merciful on the cross (see also Stephen, Acts 7).  Onesiphorus is held up as a person of compassion who can look forward to God’s mercy:  

“May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.” (2 Timothy 1:16 NIV11) 

How do we know if we are merciful?

An unmerciful person cannot see themselves as in need of mercy so cannot receive it – see Pharisee / tax collector (Luke 18:10ff).  A merciful person recognises their own need for mercy and so shows it to others. In showing it to others we become more aware of our own need for mercy – and so the virtuous spiral continues. It’s a spiral and not a circle because the more mercy we show the more mercy we receive and the more Christ-like we become.

|Questions: “Am I gentle or hard-nosed toward the downtrodden? Am I compassionate or impatient with the fallen?”

What does it take to become merciful?

This beatitude depends on us being meek.  Only the meek are aware of their sinfulness and fully grasp the wonder of the mercy of God and therefore able to show mercy (eager) to show mercy to others. As we reflect on the mercy of God to us, we become more aware of our potential for growth in the area of being merciful. God is merciful and enjoys showing mercy. A good question for me – do I enjoy showing mercy or am I reluctant to do so? 

Suggestions:

Pray to recall examples of God’s mercy to you 

Pray to notice those around you to whom you can show mercy 

RETREAT UPDATE

“Thank you" to everyone who has registered so far. 10 spaces gone - 7 remain. Details can be found by clicking here (https://www.malcolmcox.org/wait-for-the-lord-retreat-march-2019/) .

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] (mailto:[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 (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

I am continuing to receive very helpful feedback from the three-part series I taught recently for the Thames Valley churches of Christ.

Here is an excerpt from an email I received from Celia Forbes of our sister congregation in Birmingham:

Good morning Malcolm, Thank you so much for your inspiring and truly thought-provoking lesson. I'm deeply impacted by the idea that God prefers to speak through people than directly to people. Wow! I intend to meditate on that. What a responsibility, but also what an honour and privilege! I also loved that you highlighted that we speak FOR God. It helps me to deepen my conviction that whatever I say (or do) is NOT for my benefit, it's for God's glory (Colossians 3:23; Matthew 5:16).

1) Why do I think that God chooses to speak through people?

I think it's due to the power of an interactive conversation, where thoughts, feelings, questions and, very importantly, non-verbal communication can be exchanged rapidly, leaving people feeling like they have truly been listened to and therefore loved. But more importantly, so that people can fall more deeply in love with God.

She made an excellent second point which we might get to in next week’s teaching tip.

The phrase that stood out to me from her email was “leaving people feeling like they have truly been listened to and therefore loved”.  How do we speak in such a way that people feel loved? Let me offer three suggestions to do and three not to do. Let’s begin with the do nots:

Do not point. It’s hard to feel loved when someone is pointing at you. That index finger aimed in your direction is often, too often, an expression of judgement rather than grace. If you’re going to use gestures, better to use an open hand than a pointed digit.

Do not shout. There is a fine line between inspiring passion and scary shouting. It’s hard to feel loved when someone is shouting at you. Review your lessons. Listen to the audio. If someone was having a conversation with you at that volume, how would you feel? Tone down the volume if you’re a shouter. Some of us are by nature very quiet speakers and this might not apply.

Do not overuse “you”.  From time to time we can’t avoid using the word “you”. But we're on safer ground in communicating love when we talk about “us”. This is especially true when we're making a difficult or challenging point. It’s hard for, “you need to repent” to sound loving. But, "we need to repent” said with the right tone can still sound loving even though it is challenging. Again, listen to your recordings and note the balance between “you” and, “we”.

Now let’s go on to what to do:

Do smile. Practice smiling. I mean, in the act of speaking. Don’t grin like a crazy baboon, but remember you are bringing “good news”. It’s a good idea for your face to reflect that truth.  It’s hard to feel loved when the speaker frowns more than they smile.

Do look at people.  It’s hard to feel loved when someone is looking over your head at someone else, or the back of the room. Look people in the eye. Don’t linger too long on one person, but don’t just scan the room. 

Do talk about Jesus. I know. It’s so basic. But, when we've got a topic about which we are excited, all too easily we end up talking about the topic (love, sin, judgement, grace) and forget to talk about Jesus. I mean to talk about Jesus as Jesus, not just the fact that he died for us. In other words, to remember that he is as human as you and I. We must portray him as that - as well as his awesome divinity. It’s hard  to feel loved by a topic or a concept. It’s much easier to feel loved by Jesus.

What I’d like to know today is, “How do you communicate love in the way that you speak?”

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] (mailto:[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 (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" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

The tale of two cathedrals

Penny and I took a few days away in the north-east of England this last week. We were visiting her aunt and uncle as well as getting a few days away to ourselves near the quaint town of Filey.

Having been away there's a lot to catch up on, so forgive the short newsletter this week. What I will say however is that I had the blessing of praying in two different kinds of cathedral. The first was a side chapel in York Minster. Whatever you think of traditional modes of Christendom and buildings like cathedrals, there was something special about reading and praying through a Psalm whilst in a building where Christian prayers have been said for over a thousand years.

My other 'cathedral' was the beach near Filey. Praying whilst walking on the beach listening to the gulls, seeing a grey seal, enjoying the crashing sound of the waves and the brilliance of the low autumn sun was a truly spiritual experience!

I hope you manage to get times of recreation and refreshment both for your body and your spirit.

One other special event deserves mention, which is how delightful it was to meet with my old friend Douglas Jacoby (http://www.douglasjacoby.com) and a few friends this last Sunday evening. There's nothing like spending a few hours in stimulating company!  It reinforced my conviction as to how important it is to have a maturing and growing ministry of teaching in all our congregations.

I offer my recordings this week in the hope that they will help you to be as bright and tasty as possible.

The podcast summary contains a reminder of what’s been posted on my site this week. I.e. the usual TTT, SS & QTC. To watch/listen to any posts, just head over the the website (https://malcolmcox.org) .

Prayer request

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to prepare the teaching series for January and February as well as the teaching day on the Sermon on the Mount.

Thank you for reading this far, and encouraging me in my endeavours to support our times of quiet with God, our corporate worship experiences, and the effectiveness of our preaching and teaching.

If you know anyone who might enjoy these materials, please send them a link to my website (http://www.malcolmcox.org) and encourage them to sign up for this newsletter.

God bless, Malcolm

In the first chapter of his book “Sing!”, Keith Getty argues persuasively that we are designed by God to sing. The quality is not the issue, nor the competency. If we can speak, we can sing. Both forms of sound are simply airwaves moving over vocal chords.

He lays out several good reasons for all Christians to sing congregationally (regardless of musical talent), but I won’t go over those now. Buy a copy of the book and read it for yourself! However, I would like to quote a summary statement from the end of the chapter (location 394 from the Kindle edition):

"Don’t sing primarily because you love singing, or keep quiet because you do not. Sing because you love who made you, and formed you, and enables you to sing.." Getty, Keith. Sing! . B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Worship leaders should not only be those people who seem to most enjoy singing, but those who most enjoy inspiring and educating the congregation in singing.  Perhaps congregations on occasion do not wholeheartedly engage in the singing because they have a wrong understanding of why we sing. Consider Psalm 98:

“Sing to the LORD a new song,

        for he has done marvellous things;

    his right hand and his holy arm

        have worked salvation for him.     

The LORD has made his salvation known

        and revealed his righteousness to the nations.    

 He has remembered his love

        and his faithfulness to Israel;

    all the ends of the earth have seen

        the salvation of our God.     

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth,

        burst into jubilant song with music;     

make music to the LORD with the harp,

        with the harp and the sound of singing,     

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—

        shout for joy before the LORD, the King.    

 Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

        the world, and all who live in it.     

Let the rivers clap their hands,

        let the mountains sing together for joy;    

 let them sing before the LORD,

        for he comes to judge the earth.

    He will judge the world in righteousness

        and the peoples with equity.” (Psalm 98:1–9 NIV11)

When we lead others in musical worship we are not producing harmonious sound from our bodies, but from our spirits. The sounds that come from our mouths originate in the heart, not the lungs.

Is it possible that the maturity and depth of the congregational singing where you are could be developed by reminding and teaching the congregation (as well as yourself) that singing is a response of love and not a responsibility connected with giftedness?

Question for today: “Which Scriptures have you found most helpful in inspiring wholesome understanding about the reasons we sing?"

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] (mailto:[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 (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" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NIV11)

What does it mean that hungry people will be filled? And how is this connected to the kingdom of heaven?

In this series we are immersing ourselves in the beatitudes - Matthew 5:5:3-12.  We're trying to figure out what each beatitude means for us practically and how that affects our relationship with God, and in particular, our times of quiet with God.

The reason this is on my mind is because I am preparing a teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley churches of Christ (http://www.tvcoc.org/) , and a teaching day for the Watford Church of Christ (http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org/) based on the sermon on the mount.

Join me today as I examine what it means to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness.

This beatitude aims at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. Righteousness (and the kingdom, which is what the SOM is about) is the priority:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV11) 

We’re on to something big here. Let’s dive in deeper.

Hungry and thirsty

What does it mean to hunger and thirst, biblically?

Do we seek experience and personal fulfilment or righteousness?  The former are not wrong, but righteousness is more fundamental and foundational.  If we do not desire this more than anything then pursuing the former will lead to shallowness and an addiction to ever-increasing emotional highs.  We will not achieve happiness by pursuing it.

If we are in pain we want to relieve it – fine.  But a doctor will have a deeper duty to discover the cause of the pain.  If he only treats the pain he may miss something far more important and deadly.  Similarly we have a hunger and thirst provided by God – if we meet that hunger in the wrong way we run the risk of spiritual death.

“According to the Scriptures happiness is never something that should be sought directly; it is always something that results from seeking something else.”

Food and drink are essential to life – so is righteousness for a Christian.  There is a painful hunger that only righteousness can satisfy.  It should be consistent. Psalm 42 sums this up. 

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1–2 NIV11) 

Righteousness

If more and more people pursued righteousness the world would be a much better place. Why? Because a community expressing a pattern of life lived in conformity to God's will cannot help but influence this world for the better.  Let’s have a deeper look at the issue of righteousness.

Three aspects to ‘righteousness’ dominate the Bible:

i) Legal – i.e. right relationship with God – not the point here since Jesus is addressing people who are already in a right relationship with him.  Remember, he is talking about the characteristics of his Kingdom people – not those who want to know how to enter the Kingdom.  He talks about that elsewhere (see the parables in Matthew 13).  In many Old Testament passages ‘righteousness’ is synonymous with ‘salvation’ …”  – Is 45:8, 46:12-13, 51:5, 56:1, 61:10.  However, it should also be noted that the concept of ‘salvation’ in the Old Testament included more than simply being in a right relationship with God.

ii) Moral – i.e. right character and conduct that pleases God – contained in this verse and subsequent parts of the SOM (v20).  It contains the idea of sanctification.  A desire to be free from sin’s power and right with God in ongoing relationship.  A desire to be free from the desire of sin. A desire to walk with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the light of fellowship (1 John 1:5).  A desire for holiness - effectively, Christlikeness. Growing in the fruit of the Spirit is a sign of being filled, which in turn is a sign of hungering and thirsting after righteousness.  It’s a comfort that Jesus indicates that the ‘blessed’ are not those full of righteousness, but those who ‘hunger and thirst’ after it.

iii) Social – i.e. a concern with seeking to liberate the oppressed, promote civil rights, justice, integrity in business and honour in the family.  Luther said that we need a, “hunger and thirst for righteousness that can never be stopped or sated, one that looks for nothing and cares for nothing except the accomplishment and maintenance of the right, despising everything that hinders this end.  If you cannot make the world completely pious, then do what you can.”

We know when we’ve grasped this when we have no smug sense of self-satisfaction about our own ‘righteousness’.  We need the attitude of Paul (Phil 3:7-11, Rom 7:18).

The call to righteousness is not passive.  Although we can do nothing to ‘increase’ our own righteousness in God’s eyes, we are still responsible for hungering and thirsting after the right things.  We are capable of being proactive in seeking righteousness.  But it takes concentration and effort – it is not automatic or a default setting we don’t need to maintain.

Some things that encourage the right appetite:

• The company of godly men and women

• Time in the Bible

• Time in Prayer

• Reading godly books

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied, but in an on-going fashion. It’s good to stay hungry and thirsty and keep finding food and drink by going to the same place – our God.  A Christian does not need to be hungry for salvation, but he or she should be hungry for growth, for sanctification, for the work of the Spirit in our lives.  We desire ‘perfection’ and must press on. 

Not until the next life will we know no hunger or thirst – Rev 7.16-17.

“Never again will they hunger; 

        never again will they thirst. 

    The sun will not beat down on them,’ 

        nor any scorching heat.      

For the Lamb at the centre of the throne 

        will be their shepherd; 

    ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ 

        ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”” (Revelation 7:16–17 NIV11) 

These first four beatitudes have a logical progression and are primarily about our attitude towards God and his priorities.  The next four beatitudes are more about our attitude towards our fellow human beings. We’ll move on to the next beatitude in the following podcast.

RETREAT UPDATE

I’m delighted with the take-up for the “Wait for the LORD” retreat so far. There are a few places left. Email me if you would like to attend - [email protected]. All the details can be found on the dedicated page (https://www.malcolmcox.org/wait-for-the-lord-retreat-march-2019/) of my website.

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] (mailto:[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 (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

“They Spoke So Effectively”

Acts 14.1

Class 3: “How to speak”

Delivery; dealing with nerves; use of A/V; voice; style

QUESTION: “What are the most challenging aspects of presentation?”

Personal 

Nerves 

Exodus 4.10-12

“I’m e…………” instead of, “I’m frightened”

God is with you: Acts 18.9-10

Unworthiness: Isaiah 6.5-9

Practical

Voice

Notes

Impact

Personal sharing

Audiovisual

Titles

Practicals

God-focus

Conclusion

Develop a plan for one personal issue

Develop a plan for one practical issue to be improved at the next time you speak

Send me questions/suggestions

Resources: Tuesday Teaching Tips (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLssKYNRlLIE_A3ckUf7NrtJEqNVbft98J)

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] (mailto:[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 (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" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

Salt and lightThe more I study the Sermon on the Mount, and especially the Beatitudes, the more it's changing the way I view my responsibilities as a Christ-follower. The quote above from the book "Fearfully and Wonderfully" by Philip Yancey and Dr Paul Brand, reminds me of the way God works.

He does not come to us in a way which compromises choice. He speaks through people more than he speaks directly to humankind. He sends us evidence of his love (in Jesus) rather than simply telling us of his love. And then he sends us, disciples of his son, to make the invisible visible. In what way can we make the invisible visible? By being salt and light.

We are called to be salt and light.  I must confess that I don't always feel my life is very 'salty', or bright.  Yet, if we realise we are the light and salt of the world then we know we are powerful - if not by the methods of the world, yet more powerful than any force in the world.

I offer my recordings this week in the hope that they will help you to be as bright and tasty as possible.

The podcast summary contains a reminder of what’s been posted on my site this week. I.e. the usual TTT, SS & QTC. To watch/listen to any posts, just head over the the website (https://malcolmcox.org) .

Prayer request

Please keep me in your prayers as I continue to prepare the teaching series for January and February as well as the teaching day on the Sermon on the Mount.

Thank you for reading this far, and encouraging me in my endeavours to support our times of quiet with God, our corporate worship experiences, and the effectiveness of our preaching and teaching.

If you know anyone who might enjoy these materials, please send them a link to my website (http://www.malcolmcox.org) and encourage them to sign up for this newsletter.

God bless, Malcolm

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,

What’s one of the tell-tale signs a worship leader has understood their role? It’s revealed by which of these two questions they ask themselves at the end of church service:

Question one: “How did I sing today?”

Question two: “How did the congregation sing today?"

While the first question has its place (especially if you saw people wincing!), the second question is more relevant and, in fact, more scripturally informed.  Consider what Paul tells the Ephesians:

“...be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:18–20 NIV11)

His instruction is not to worship leaders. His instruction is to the congregation. We don’t know exactly how they organised their singing and whether they had what we would recognise as a leader of worship. However, whatever their methods, the priority was the spirituality of their congregational singing.

I’m reading the book “Sing!” By Keith Getty at the moment. Here’s what he has to say about this question at location 250 of the Kindle edition:

"How did the congregation sing? Each of us is part of the answer to that in our own church, whether we are on stage or standing by our seat on the main floor. It’s a harder and in some ways less comfortable question than all the other ones people tend to ask about the music in church. Yet Paul does not tell us to perform for one another, but to sing to one another. We need to ask, “How did the congregation sing?”" Getty, Keith. Sing! . B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

There are two ways to interpret the answer to the question, “How did the congregation sing?”. 

The first is to pass judgement on the congregation. The second is to pass judgement on our effectiveness as worship leaders. 

I suggest that when the congregation is not singing wholeheartedly we consider carefully our response.

Before we express our frustration ("How can they be like that after all the work I put in preparing this worship service?”), we would do better to reflect on our personal 'performance'. What is it about the way I led the worship today, and what is it about my Spirit, or the methods we used that could have been healthier? In what way could I have helped the congregation to sing in a way more like that envisaged by Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians?

Here’s an idea for you. The next time you finish a gathering which includes worship, before you do anything else, before you’ fellowship’, pack away the equipment or jump in your car to go home, read Ephesians 5:18-20, and then ask these two questions:

Did the congregation, generally speaking, make music from their hearts to the Lord today?

What could I do next time to help deepen the congregation's devotion to expressing thanks to God through song?

What do you think about this perspective? How do you evaluate your congregation's singing? How do you avoid being negatively judgmental, whilst retaining objectivity?

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] (mailto:[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 (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" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NIV11)

What does it mean that meek people will inherit the earth? And how is this connected to the kingdom of heaven? The blessing is paradoxical.  The proud, boastful and pushy seem to inherit the earth in our experience.

In this series we are immersing ourselves in the beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-12.  We're trying to figure out what each beatitude means for us practically and how that affects our relationship with God, and in particular, our times of quiet with God.

The reason this is on my mind is because I am preparing a teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley churches of Christ (http://www.tvcoc.org/) , and a teaching day for the Watford Church of Christ (http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org/) based on the sermon on the mount.

Join me today as I examine what it means to be meek.

Overview

Jesus seems to be quoting Psalm 37:11, or at least have it in the back of his mind. You might want to read the rest of the Psalm as background to the thinking of Jesus.

Is the position of this beatitude between those who mourn and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness significant?  Meekness is required if, having acknowledged my sinfulness, I am going to be humble enough to really hunger after righteousness. 

Now let’s look at the specifics.

Meek

What does the word “meek” actually mean? The Greek word is: ‘praus’, meaning, ‘gentle, humble, considerate, courteous’.  In Is 61.1 the Hebrew word translated in Septuagint as ‘poor’ is the same as that underlying the word ‘meek’ here. Thus there is a strong connection between this beatitude and the first. This being the case, the meek are also those who are humble because oppressed, those in need who have been humbled, yet will soon receive their reward.

What does meekness look like?

It looks like Abraham giving in to Lot (Genesis 13).   it looks like Moses (the meekest man) refusing to defend himself and in choosing to reject the comforts of Egypt – a humble self-emptying made at his own choice )Numbers 12).  David’s dealings with Saul show the same meek attitude.  Jeremiah would not give up speaking the message God had given him despite what people were saying about him.  Stephen at his martyrdom is meekness incarnate.  Paul is gracious to people and churches who have hurt him. Of course, it looks like Jesus (Heb 11:24f, Phil 2). He is the ultimate example (same Greek word) – Matt 11:28f. (translated ‘gentle’) & 2 Cor 10:1. Jesus was led as a lamb to the slaughter – not dragged.

How do we look when we are meek?

Someone said that, "Meekness is a controlled desire to see the other’s interests advance ahead of one’s own.”  Gal 6:1. Meek people are great listeners and learners. They do not seek revenge, but trust God for vindication.  However, this does not mean they are weak or easy-going. Meekness is not niceness, laziness, complacency, compromise, tolerance. Meekness and strength go together. One writer put it this way, “The meek man is one who may so believe in standing for the truth that he will die for it if necessary.” 

Fundamentally it’s a very constructive characteristic. There are many positive scriptures about meekness: 2 Cor 10:1, Gal 5:22, Col 3:12, 1 Peter 3:15f, James 1:19-21. A meek person is at peace, because he or she realises he has all things in Christ anyway (2 Cor 6:10, 1 Cor 3:21-23) and so has no need to fight for things. One person said, “The meek are happy, deeply happy in a way to which the big-headed can never aspire.” 

inherit the earth

What does it mean to “inherit the earth”? Is the ‘earth’ here a reference to the new heaven and new earth in the age to come, rather than this one (Matt 19:28, 2 Pet 3:13, Rev 21:1)?.  the word biblical commentary makes this point:

“In the present context of messianic fulfillment it connotes the regenerated earth (Matt 19:28; cf Rom 4:13), promised by the eschatological passages in the prophets (eg, Isa 65–66)." Hagner, Donald A. Matthew 1–13. WBC 33A. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.

We know our ultimate inheritance is in the next page and guaranteed by the Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14).  However, there’s no reason to suppose it could not refer to both the here and now and the next age.  so many of the kingdom promises contain an element of the present and the future (the “already, but not yet”). 

We inherit this present earth in that a truly meek person is wholly satisfied in the here and now. Already content. Not frustrated waiting for contentment to arrive (2 Cor 6:10, Phil 4:11, 1 Cor 3:21).  Someone who is at peace with Jesus has the fruit of a content mind and heart.  A meek follower of Jesus is someone who lives amazed and grateful that God thinks of them as well as he does, and treats him far better than they deserve. As a result, they finds great fulfilment in this life and treat others with superlatively gentleness and respect. 

Do you find the prospect of growing in meekness attractive? What intellectual, or emotional barriers interfere with developing more meekness? 

RETREAT UPDATE

Details for the "Wait for the LORD" retreat are up on a new page of my website. Click here (https://www.malcolmcox.org/wait-for-the-lord-retreat-march-2019/) for details.

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] (mailto:[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 (http://www.malcolmcox.org/) .

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,

“They Spoke So Effectively”, Acts 14.1

Class 2: “What to speak about”

How to pick a passage/topic; text or topic; lesson planning tips.

QUESTION: “How do we know what to speak about?” 

Intersection of: 

C……………… 

C……………… 

1. Text

Different types:

Word

Verse

Passage

Narrative

Exegesis / Eisegesis 

What …….it mean?

What …….it mean? 

2. Topic 

Biographical

Doctrinal

Lesson planning tips

Templates

Question: “Why is it important to prepare well in advance?”

P…… it

L…… it

Conclusion

Next week: “How to speak” - delivery; dealing with nerves; use of A/V; voice; style.

Homework for next time: 

Use one of the templates or make up your own to prepare a welcome, hope talk, communion or lesson. Bring it next time to share. 

Send me questions/suggestions ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) ) 

Resources: Tuesday Teaching Tips (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLssKYNRlLIE_A3ckUf7NrtJEqNVbft98J)

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] (mailto:[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 (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" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , 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,