Malcolm Cox

Recently I preached a [Sermon](https://youtu.be/YMs6kE3v6xM) based on Luke 4.19-30 and the visit of Jesus to the synagogue in his home town of Nazareth (synagogue [video](https://youtu.be/ZE4zfXLk57k)).

“All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff. But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.” (Luke 4:28–30 NIV11)

Where did his bravery come from?  In Luke chapters 3 and 4 I can see four sources of his bravery.  If we can understand them, they can help us with our growth in spiritual courage. The first one is:

**God’s approval**

“When all the people were being baptised, Jesus was baptised too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”” (Luke 3:21–22 NIV11)

Jesus not only experienced God's approval but was determined that others would sense it as well. Perhaps this is best illustrated in the way Jesus loved Peter.

"After his work on the cross was finished, however, Jesus went looking for love, and he sought it from the one who had just failed him most. Could this be what he most wanted the cross to produce in his followers? Was his death designed to reach past their fears of God and begin a new relationship based on the intimacy of love instead? What else could it be?"  From, “[He loves me](https://www.amazon.co.uk/He-Loves-Me-Learning-Affection-ebook/dp/B00FLZ9U4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542124598&sr=8-1&keywords=he+loves+me+wayne)!” By Wayne Jacobsen, p78

In light of the significance of this need we do well to do whatever we can and whatever we must to understand, accept and live within God’s approval. Then we will live lives of inspiring bravery. Then we will see the Spirit's power work through us to live the kingdom 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.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here.

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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My friend Stefan Wolmerans preached recently using a video illustration with a sizeable shock factor.

It made me consider how we decide where to put our surprises in our lessons. At the start, later, at the end?

Where would you put it?

Croatia's win against Russia in the quarter final on Saturday sent them crashing into the semi-final of the World Cup, but these firefighters had to rush out to an emergency moments before the crucial penalty. As the Zagreb Fire Department watch the final penalty by Ivan Rakitic the callout bell rings, launching the firefighters into action. Without hesitation and without even glancing back at the screen they race over to their protective gear and get it on within seconds of the bell ringing.

[https://youtu.be/WWWr2lobGyw](https://youtu.be/WWWr2lobGyw)

**At start?**

“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” (Luke 15:11–12 NIV11)

**Later on?**

“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Luke 10:30–34 NIV11)

How do you decide where to place the surprises in your lessons?

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips [playlist](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/). 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm 

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I'm preaching on Ephesians 2:22 this Sunday, 25 November 2018 for the [Watford Church of Christ](www.watfordchurchofchrist.org).

“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22 NIV11)

There is tremendous theological and spiritual depth in this one verse. I'd be grateful for your thoughts, comments or questions. What do you see in this passage? What is its relevance for a congregation? What might its application be for an individual Christian?

Please send me your suggestions. By the way, if you would like to join us, we will be at Laurance Haines School off Vicarage Road in Watford this coming Sunday at 10:30 in the morning. Our service is followed by lunch. All are welcome!

God bless, Malcolm

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On my recent trip to Israel I made a new friend. His name is Daniel Smith and he leads worship in the San Diego International church of Christ. We sat and chatted about all things worship. Today's recording is the second of three. We talk about the corporate worship strengths of the San Diego church.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up on coach.me.

PPS: 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

My wife and I were privileged to be in Israel for two weeks recently. One of the highlights was a communion service in Gethsemane. Douglas Jacoby shared some thoughts before we took communion. I recorded the audio in the hope that it will give you special spiritual fuel for your next devotional time with God.

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

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [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.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: 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, Gethsemane, Douglas Jacoby, Jerusalem, King David, communion, Lord’s supper,

I have just returned from a trip to Israel. Whilst there I was given reason to be grateful for my teaching mentors in the faith, such as [Douglas Jacoby](www.douglasjacoby.org). 

The church needs more and better equipped teachers. If they did in the first century we also do today:

“Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1–3 NIV11)

Do you have a teaching mentor? Or even a network of mentors? I am contemplating setting up a teachers network. I would value your prayers and thoughts on how this might work.

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

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. 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

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, Coach.me, coaching, coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, Douglas Jacoby, Israel, BST, Acts 13,

We take a stroll into Nazareth and the synagogue there. Inside we find Jesus reading the scroll of Isaiah. What will happen next?

Thank you for listening and watching. 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]

Have a super day.

God bless,

Malcolm

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We take a stroll into Nazareth and the synagogue there. Inside we find Jesus reading the scroll of Isaiah. What will happen next?

Thank you for listening and watching. 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]

Have a super day.

God bless,

Malcolm

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On my recent trip to Israel I made a new friend. His name is Daniel Smith and he leads worship in the San Diego International church of Christ. We sat and chatted about all things worship. Today's recording is the first of three. We talk about motivation in leading corporate worship.

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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up on coach.me.

PPS: 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

On a recent tour of  Israel, I spent some good time with my old friend Douglas [Jacoby](https://www.douglasjacoby.com/).  We discussed the Psalms and he mentioned the book he's written on them called "[Thrive](http://a.co/d/08Z0kfh)!". I bought a copy and started reading it straight away. It's been blessing my spiritual life and I thought I'd bring you a brief description and review of the book for today's quiet time coaching episode.

Please let me know what you think of Psalms, books on the Psalms, and Douglas's book if you've read it.

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]]([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: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up [here](https://www.coach.me/mccx).

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: "An [elephant's](https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John