Malcolm Cox

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ.

The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11

More notes, lessons and resources can be found here: 

www.malcolmcox.org

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

Who’s advertising strap-line is that?  L’Oreal.  How many of use L’Oreal products?

In 1900 a man could divorce his wife for wearing make-up since it was used by prostitutes! £3 billion a year is spent on cosmetics and toiletries every year.  In London £29 million every month is spent on skin care alone!

But we’re not talking about cosmetics.  We’re talking about something more than skin-deep.  We’re talking about the awesome love of God! Have you ever thought you weren’t worth much to God? If at no other time of the year, at least at Christmas we should be able to believe we are very, very valuable to God.  Let’s read from Matthew 1.1-17

Most of us, I think, reckon we’re too sinful, messed up and weak to be loved by God.  Yet this seemingly boring list is packed full of evidence we’re all valuable and useful to God.

V3 Judah was the father of Perez & Zerah – through Tamar (Genesis 38).  Remember the situation with Tamar? To cut a long story short she was Judah’s daughter-in-law.  She was lied to by Judah and so dressed up as a prostitute, had sex with her father-in-law and became pregnant by him.  Perez and Zerah were the result – and they’re in the line of Jesus. 

V5 Rahab was a prostitute (Joshua 2)

V5 Ruth was a Moabite (Ruth 1.4).  They were a nation born out of incest when Lot’s daughters had sex with their father while he was drunk.  Not the best start to being a nation!

V6 Uriah’s wife was Bathsheba and was a Gentile.  Not only that but she became David’s wife once he had committed adultery with her and bumped off her husband (1 Sam 11).  

So Jesus’ family tree included mothers whose backgrounds included an amateur prostitute, a professional prostitute, a woman from a nation born out of incest and a woman whose passport into the family was via adultery and murder.  Not a very impressive list?  

I believe they are on this list to show us two things:

i) God cares about the messed-up and the marginalised

ii) God can use anyone to his glory

Why not make a resolution?  Ask God to use you in 2023.  And when you ask Him, “Why me? I’m no good!”, you’ll hear Him say, “Because you’re worth it!” If the nativity, the incarnation and Christmas mean anything they mean we are worth it - to 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.

“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, 

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023

PREPARING FOR 2023

    - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.

    - v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out.

    - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups: 

        - Hold on, v25

        - v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols

        - Where will you get the strength from?

        - May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”” (Psalm 2:8–9 NIV11)

        - A judgment scene. Shepherd’s club for fighting those who threaten the flock.

        - Potters guild in the city. Weima, 154 - name of enemy inscribed on pot and broken. 

        - Where might God's power be at work - in you and through you - in the months ahead?

        - Jesus ‘replaces’ Venus as the morning star, Rev 22:16, 2 Pet 1:19. The morning star is Venus, a symbol of sovereignty and victory. Arises just before the dawn.  Victorious Roman Generals erected temples to Venus.  Jesus is promising victory to those who hold on and remain obedient to what they already know. They will share his victory, his messianic rule.

        - Jesus is confident in the church. He is confident in you. "God don't make junk". 

        - What would living a victorious Christian life look like for you in 2023?

            - “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 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, 

The Lord's Supper at our carol service was my reading of the Bethlehem police report by John Sutherland. I took it from Dan Walker's inspirational book, 'Remarkable People: Extraordinary Stories of Everyday Lives'.

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

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023

– v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out.

– Some questions to ask ourselves personally:

– Hold on, v25

– v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols

– Where will you get the strength from to speak with passion and joy?

May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”” (Psalm 2:8–9 NIV11)

A judgment scene. Shepherd’s club for fighting those who threaten the flock. Potters guild in the city. Name of enemy inscribed on pot and broken.

Where might God’s power be at work – in you and through you – in the months ahead?

Jesus ‘replaces’ Venus as the morning star, Rev 22:16, 2 Pet 1:19. The morning star is Venus, a symbol of sovereignty and victory. Arises just before the dawn.  Victorious Roman Generals erected temples to Venus.  Jesus is promising victory to those who hold on and remain obedient to what they already know. They will share his victory, his messianic rule.

Jesus is confident in the church. He is confident in you. “God don’t make junk”.

What would living a victorious Christian life look like for you in 2023?

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)

Why not sign up for the church history module: https://www.aimukandireland.com/course/church-history

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.

Keep calm and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm

Lesson 2 - Vision for 2023

    - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.

    - v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out.

    - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups: 

1. What will help you persevere? v25-26

        - Hold on, v25

        - v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols

        - Where will you get the strength from?

2. Where do you see God's power at work in 2023? v26-27

        - May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”” (Psalm 2:8–9 NIV11)

            - A judgment scene. Shepherd’s club for fighting those who threaten the flock.

        - Potters guild in the city. Name of enemy inscribed on pot and broken. 

        - Where might God's power be at work - in you and through you - in the months ahead?

3. What will convince you to go forth into the year with spiritual confidence? v28

        - Jesus ‘replaces’ Venus as the morning star, Rev 22:16, 2 Pet 1:19. The morning star is Venus, a symbol of sovereignty and victory. Arises just before the dawn.  Victorious Roman Generals erected temples to Venus.  Jesus is promising victory to those who hold on and remain obedient to what they already know. They will share his victory, his messianic rule.

        - Jesus is confident in the church. He is confident in you. "God don't make junk". 

        - What would living a victorious Christian life look like for you in 2023?

Conclusion

            - “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)

www.aimukandireland.com

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

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023

Review 2022

    - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.

    - v18 - Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. His opinion about us is what matters, not the opinions of others, nor our own feelings. 

    - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups: 

        - They prioritise love 

        - They are growing

        - “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)

        - Their love is not intellectual, but practical - Galatians 5:6; Acts 10:38.

        - Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22.  The adultery is likely metaphoric as in the OT, Jer 3, Ezek 16, Hos 2, but the immorality is also real.  The worship of idols is replacing the worship of God.  

        - Who was she? 

        - 1. Lydia, Acts 16:14-15, 40

        - 2. Wife of a church leader in Thyatira

        - 3. Local sibyl - pagan prophetess

        - 4. Symbolic representative of Thyatiran church

        - 5. Prominant woman: claiming to be a prophetess. A charismatic female teacher.

        - The baddest of all the bad girls in the Bible!

        - eating food

            - The trade guild issue. Necessary for networking and acceptance. If you belonged you had to attend. Esp. prominent and numerous in Thyatira. Not only for trade, but some like a club.

i. Immorality

ii. Compromise with worldliness 

        - “I will kill her children with death”.

        - Cannot hide behind Jezebel and blame her.

        - ‘hearts and minds’ - we know that God knows our hearts and minds, but it is healthy to own up when things ‘at home’ are not spiritually healthy before God feels the need to intervene!

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, 

“How to enjoy Christmas as a Christian”

Thoughts based on the ‘Sussex Carol’

v1 Merciful King

On Christmas night all Christians sing

To hear the news the angels bring

On Christmas night all Christians sing

To hear the news the angels bring

News of great joy, news of great mirth

News of our merciful King's birth

John 1.14; Rom 12.1; Eph 2.4-5; 1 Tim 1.16; Heb 2.17; 4.16; 1 Pet 1.3; 2.10

v2 Free from sin

Then why should men on earth be so sad?

Since our Redeemer made us glad

Then why should men on earth be so sad?

Since our Redeemer made us glad

When from our sin he set us free

All for to gain our liberty?

Acts 13.39; Rom 6.7-22; Rom 8.2; Gal 5.13;  Heb 9.15; Rev 1.5

v3 Life and Health

When sin departs before His grace

Then life and health come in its place

When sin departs before His grace

Then life and health come in its place

Angels and men with joy may sing

All for to see the newborn King

Matt 16.25; Mk 10.30;  John 1.4; 3.15; 4.14; 6.35; 10.10; Rom 5.17; 6.4; Heb 9.9/10.22

v4 Darkness to Light

All out of darkness we have light

Which made the angels sing this night

All out of darkness we have light

Which made the angels sing this night

"Glory to God and peace to men

Now and for evermore, amen!"

Is 9.2; Matt 4.16; 5.14-16; John 8.12; 12.46; 1 Peter 2.9

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

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29

Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023

Introduction

– v18 – Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. His opinion about us is what matters, not the opinions of others, nor our own feelings. We speakers are all about Jesus – not ourselves, but our conduct, thinking and attitude matter.

– Some questions to ask ourselves personally:

1. What has gone well? v19

– They prioritise love and are growing

– “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)

– What has gone well in your speaking this year? How have you grown? What do other people say?

2. What needs improvement? What is being tolerated? What sins are apparent? v20-21

– Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22. The adultery is likely metaphoric as in the OT, Jer 3, Ezek 16, Hos 2, but the immorality is also real. The worship of idols is replacing the worship of God.

– Who was she?

– The baddest of all the bad girls in the Bible!

– Eating food

– The trade guild issue. Necessary for networking and acceptance. If you belonged you had to attend. Esp. prominent and numerous in Thyatira. Not only for trade, but some like a club.

Toleration is the bigger problem.

What have you ‘tolerated’ in your speaking?

“For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” (1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 NIV11)

Have you blended encouragement, comfort and urging?

3. What will be the consequences if you do not pay attention to the things God has brought to your attention? vv22-24

– “I will kill her children with death”.

– Cannot hide behind Jezebel and blame her.

Are your listeners bored? Are you getting a reaction to your speaking?

What will happen if you do not grow?

Conclusion

Next time – vision for 2023

Why not sign up for the church history module: https://www.aimukandireland.com/course/church-history

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.

Keep calm and carry on teaching.

God bless, Malcolm

We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures.

– The Lord’s Prayer teaches prayer, but it also teaches us how to relate to God as Father, and what he is like

– This series is designed to help us

– Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer

– Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God

– Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them)

– Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know

Introduction, Matthew 6:9-13

– ““This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven Father-God is nearby; hallowed be your name, Father-God is holy; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father-God is powerful; Give us today our daily bread.Father-God is caring; And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors. Father-God is forgiving; lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one – Father-God is our protector.

Our Father God is our protector

Prevent Devil from taking advantage or our trials

1. What causes us to doubt God’s protection?

Harm done to us by authority figures

Painful life experiences that we feel are unfair

“…the life of faith does not protect us from the pit. Rather, the power of God brings us out of the pit to new life which is not the same as pre-pit existence.” Location 670 Walter Brueggemann, Praying the Psalms

“Though we will suffer problems, accidents or trials, God gets the last word. Nothing can happen to us that God cannot redeem.” Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful God (p. 61). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition.

We cannot protect our children from all harm – does lead us to doubt God’s ability to protect us from harm?

2. What are some of the consequences of not trusting God’s protection and taking matters into our own hands to protect ourselves?

We hoard and lack generosity

“Living from a condition of scarcity, we learn that we must protect what we have. If we give it away, we might end up in dire straits.” Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful God (p. 85). John Murray Press. Kindle Edition.

We do not heal from sin, shame, guilt

3. What are some scriptures that assure us of God’s protection?

1. Psalm 23 / Jn 10

2. 1 Cor 13:4-8. ‘Love’ stands for God

3. 1 Cor 10:13

4. Rom 8:26-27

5. Psalm 121

6. 2 Thess 3:3-4

7. Eph 1:13

8. Jn 17:12ff

Discussion about God

1. If Father God is our protector, what does this mean?

2. If Father God is our protector, how can we be more aware of this reality?

3. If Father God is our protector, how can we enjoy his protection?

Discussion about us as fathers

1. What does it mean to be a protector for our children?

1. Kids feel safe to talk to us – the door is always open

2. My Dad is there for me

3. Guidance

4. Assistance

5. “Use me as an excuse”

2. How can we help our children be more aware of our protection?

3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our protection?

Conclusion

Protection changes over time as we grow

“Father of goodness, look upon us, we who live in this miserable state of woe. We know that children cannot find a better condition than to be with their loving father, who feeds them, gives them drink, clothes them, protects them and shields them from all needs. Gracious Father, take us, your miserable children, to be with you in heaven.” A Short Meditation on the Lord’s Prayer (1526) By Balthasar Hubmaier

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