Malcolm Cox

Christian doctrine is an exploration of the way God intends us to relate to him, one another and the world. It isn’t a dry or difficult topic but an exciting and dynamic one. What could be more important?

Not only that, but the consequences of teaching and living by erroneous doctrine are serious, “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

We, like those of Paul’s day, live in a time when “people will not put up with sound doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

What is our responsibility? “You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1) See also 1 Timothy 1:3. Teaching what is accurate will enable us to, “encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” (Titus 1:9)

In this module we will examine common Christian doctrines held by various denominations with three aims:

* To discover their value - even if they differ from our understanding

* To discover any errors - and evaluating whether or not those errors are significant

* To discover how they help us to be confident about what we believe and thus equipped to teach others

We are not looking to point out faults in other groups with a view to judging them. We have enough challenges of our own attempting to review and refine what we teach to ensure its accuracy and relevance. On the other hand, we will hold up the doctrines of other denominations to the light of Scripture as an aid to help us learn, grow and please God.

Who is this for? Anyone who wants to learn. That includes men, women, the old and young (physically and spiritually), members of the churches of Christ or not, leaders or not. I have been teaching some of this material for going on 40 years and I am still learning.

The topics to be covered:

- What is Doctrine? It is both more and less than you might expect.

- Odd Doctrines of the 1st–2nd centuries. Many of the colourful developments in Christendom aren’t exactly new.

- Catholicism & Orthodoxy.  What do Catholics believe? How about their close cousins, the Orthodox? What happened to church in the Middle Ages?

- Protestantism. Why was Protestant reaction so strong? Should everyone be a protestant?

- Calvinism / Open Theism. If God knows the future, do we really have any choice as to whether we serve him? Or maybe God doesn’t know what will happen in the future (?)

- Fundamentalism. We want and need to take the Bible seriously. Do we have to take it 'literally'? What happens when we do?

- Premillennialism. Are we living in the end-times? Will God give us signs or ways to interpret current events so that we don’t get “left behind”?

- The Charismatic Movement. Did gifts like prophecy and tongues and healing really die out after the apostolic age?

- Miscellaneous (American) Doctrinal Systems. Why do so many whacky religions originate in the States? (What, God used to be a man? Blood transfusions displease God—huh? Just say a few words and I’m saved?)

- Liberal Theology / New Age Movement. Would you like to understand this post-modern era? Grasping the approaches of the New Age movement and liberal theology will make all the difference.

- Prosperity Theology / Megachurch Movement. Willow Creek, Hillsong, Saddleback (Rick Warren) and Lakewood churches (the Osteens) have shaped 21st century thinking about church. What can we learn from the megachurch movement? The blessings of God are real. We want to trust them, but in what ways do the prosperity gospel advocates go too far?

- Toward a Biblical Theology. The way we think about God effects our doctrine, and the way we think about doctrine effects our view of God. We survey the lessons from 2,000 years of doctoral developments in an attempt to clarify our thinking about doctrine. 

Where and when

9AM-1PM, Saturday 24th September

Address: Novotel, 25b Friar Street, RG1 1DP Reading

Attendance in person, or online.

You have the option to stay for the filming of further classes in the afternoon and evening should you wish.

Costs

The costs of this individual module is £149. Discounts are available depending on circumstances.

Savings are available if you sign up for module bundles. Details are on the website.

For more information and registration please email me: [email protected]. Either I or our administrator Michelle Cheema will get back to you within 48 hours. More information can be found here: https://www.aimukandireland.com

Please pass this on even if you are not interested or able to participate. Most likely you know someone who might benefit.

Many thanks.

From your brothers, Malcolm Cox, Douglas Jacoby, Andy Boakye

We continue our series on the "one thing" sayings in the Scriptures. Today we encounter the blind man and the consequences of his healing. 

“One Thing I Know”, John 9

1. Jesus on sin and suffering, vv1-5

2. Jesus heals, vv6-7

3. Jesus creates a stir, vv8-34 

A. Neighbours 

B. Pharisees 

C. Parents & Man 

4. Jesus creates faith, vv35-38 

A. About choice 4

B. About discipleship 4

C. About Lordship 4

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

Today we continue with a series based on Psalm 27. I spoke on this Psalm’s theme, and especially verse 4, for the Watford church of Christ. We are part-way through a series based on the “one thing” phrases found in the Scriptures.

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend listening to the first episode which covers some background thoughts on the context of the Psalm. 

Now, on to today's verse. 

“Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.” (Psalm 27:3 NIV11)

David is not only confident about the present, but also about the future.  It is one thing to have enemies, it is another when they band together and start a war!  Even then David is confident in God.  An army is nothing when God is on our side.

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.” (Exodus 14:13 NIV11)

“The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’” (Judges 7:2 NIV11)

““Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”” (2 Kings 6:16 NIV11)

Sometimes we can hold it together while attack is threatened, but give in to fear once the assault has begun. At that point we are tempted to complain to God that we have prayed and trusted him that the fight will not happen, but happen it does. Will we then continue to trust God?  Victory does not always look certain during the battle.

“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.” (Exodus 17:11 NIV11)

But if we remain faithful we will ‘rout’ the enemy (Heb 11.34).  

“…who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” (Hebrews 11:33–34 NIV11)

David’s heart is at peace through all these trials. His inner David, his self, the seat of his thoughts and emotions, his mind, are all unafraid, untroubled, and calm. If David had that level of confidence in God, how much more fortunate we are to have the promise of peace from Jesus!

““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33 NIV11)

What are the lessons from this verse? 

i. Overwhelming opposition does not mean we have to despair

ii. Confidence and courage are possible in all circumstances since God is with us

We will conclude today’s podcast with the song I wrote using the words of Psalm 27 verse 4.

Next week we will proceed to the fourth verse of the Psalm. In the meantime, 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

Tuesday Teaching Tips | Episode 272 | “The Myth About Non-Verbal Communication”

The oft-repeated claim is that communication is 7 percent verbal, 38 percent vocal, and 55 percent facial. Is this true? Those statistics come from two studies conducted in 1967. Their conclusions have become accepted orthodoxy, but there are serious methodological limitations to those studies.

The author of Communication is 93% Nonverbal: An Urban Legend Proliferates, by David Lapakko (Associate professor at the department of communication studies at Augsburg College, Minneapolis) says, “What that number tells people is to pay little attention to the words they use, because words don’t really matter.“*

Do words matter? How significant is body language?

What do you remember of the body language connected to the following speakers? Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream”? Or Churchill’s, “We will fight them on the beaches….”, or, Shakespeare/Hamlet’s, “To be or not to be”, or, “When you pray, say, “Our Father who art in heaven””?

Body language and vocal inflection play a part, there is no doubt about that, but to say that the words themselves are only 7% of the communication is an unsubstantiated claim.

1. Distractions - nervous ticks; film yourself.

2. Connect with your audience - look up and around, talk to your ‘friends’

1. Have confidence in God’s Word - read it clearly and slowly. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10–11 NIV11)

2. Choose the words in which you explain your core point carefully. Speak them with conviction. People may only remember that one phrase, but that might be enough. 

    - “Jesus because thirsty because he was thirsty for our freedom from thirst.”

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) 

Keep calm and carry on teaching

God bless, Malcolm

* https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=ctamj

Today we continue with a series based on Psalm 27. I spoke on this Psalm’s theme, and especially verse 4, for the Watford church of Christ. We are part-way through a series based on the “one thing” phrases found in the Scriptures.

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend listening to the first episode which covers some background thoughts on the context of the Psalm. 

Now, on to today's verse. 

“When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.” (Psalm 27:2 NIV11)

David has problems. His enemies not only have evil intent, but they aim to destroy. They want him gone, out of the picture, eliminated. Have you ever had an experience like that? What does it do to your peace of mind and confidence about the future? Let's see how David responds.

First of all, we note that David faces reality head on. He is not unaware of his predicament, nor is he trying to pretend it is not as severe as it is. One of the keys to spiritual well-being is to acknowledge our challenges, to recognise the motives of those who would harm us, and to take it all to God.

The word ‘devour’ can mean to ‘eat’.  This is a reminder of the frail nature of our physical existence. It can also mean to ‘slander’ from an Akkadian idiom ‘to eat a piece of me’. Who does this remind you of? 

Satan is a roaring lion looking to devour us. But, he can be resisted and he will flee. He flees not because of our strength, but because he recognises the strength of Christ in us.

Emphatically it is David’s enemies that will fall and not he himself.  He has the light (v1) - they are in darkness where stumbling is a natural consequence of not having light. The tables are turned.  The enemies expect to be victorious, but they are the ones who will fall, and not David.  They will not be falling at David’s feet, but falling at the feet of God. It is he who fights our battles. You might like to look up this song on such a theme by Michael W. Smith: https://youtu.be/YBl84oZxnJ4 

People ‘falling’ at the power/revelation of God was a common experience in Scripture, Ezek. 1:28; 44:4; Dan. 2:46; 8:18; 10:9; Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14; Rev. 1:17; 19:10; 22:8, and when the soldiers approached Jesus.

“When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” (John 18:6 NIV11)

The story is told of the Christian woman who heard a knock at the door. She called out, “Who’s there?”. “The devil”, came the reply. “Can I come in?” “Yes”, she said, ‘but you should know that Jesus is here with me.” “Ah!”, said the devil, “I’ll come back another time.”

What is the lesson from this verse? When under attack David does two things: 

i. He turns to God in prayer  

ii. He turns to God in faith

These two actions are adequate to quiet his soul.  Both actions require courage. The courage to step away from our anxiety long enough to pray, and the courage to trust God for a future which we cannot yet see. How could these two simple actions help you with whatever you feel I might ‘devour’ you?

We will conclude today’s podcast with the song I wrote using the words of Psalm 27 verse 4.

Next week we will proceed to the third verse of the Psalm. In the meantime, 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

Overview

The previous section (Luke 10:25-37 - the Samaritan) is focussed on how we treat other people in a way that pleases God. This section focuses on how we treat God himself. The ‘horizontal’ dimension of relationships is followed by the ‘vertical’ dimension.

Martha opened her home to him

This is not the only time Martha and her family are mentioned. You might like to compare this scene with the one in John 11. It looks like the death of Lazarus is later than Luke 10. The family’s relationship with Jesus appears to have a deeper maturity. Do you see it that way?

Literally this means, ‘listening to his word.’ It carries the idea of paying attention in order to obey. It is an attitude of being willing to take in what one is hearing rather than letting it wash over you. Is this our attitude when we read the Scriptures?

Martha was distracted by all the preparations

When God shows up, are we too busy? That might be a slightly simplistic question, but given how busy we all are with ‘good’ things, we must pay attention to our ability to notice God’s presence. That noticing does not happen by accident. It is an attitude cultivated into healthiness by practice and a desire for God to be our ‘one thing’ (Psalm 27). 

few things are needed—or indeed only one.

Martha detects a lack of compassion in Jesus, or so she thinks. Jesus does not appear to care about the injustice in the house. Yet Jesus applauds Mary’s conviction in being focussed on the “one thing that is needed” and does not bow to Martha’s request. Surely it is indeed unfair that the burden of preparation has fallen exclusively onto Martha? Martha is not only working hard, but is the one recorded as “opening her home” to Jesus. This is a generous act. Why is it not that Mary opened the home as well? Was Martha older? Did Mary live in a different house? We don’t know for sure, but it seems likely that Martha was the senior sister.

Martha is not given ‘credit’ for her service. It is Mary that is ‘credited’ because of her submission to the more important thing - sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening.

“Against convention, he approved of Mary of Bethany sitting at his feet to learn from him, like a male disciple, when custom would have had her helping her sister with the meal preparations (Luke 10:38–42).” Bartlett, Andrew. Men and Women in Christ . IVP.

“To sit at a teacher’s feet…was to adopt the posture of a disciple.This is the posture that Mary adopts, and Jesus defends her adoption of this role against Martha’s preference for traditional matronly roles (Luke 10:38–42).”  Two Views on Women in Ministry (p. 245). Zondervan.

What does Jesus mean by, “it will not be taken away from her”? A strange sounding phrase. Perhaps it is because of her decision to ignore her sister’s request to help and instead sit at Jesus’ feet. Such an action demonstrates her conviction about the correct priorities. As a result she is assured of the continued presence of Jesus in her life (the implication of “it will not be taken away from her”). If this priority is a settled conviction it will inform her whole life and as a consequence the entirety of her life will be effected and blessed.

“Being overcommitted, too busy and preoccupied are not new to contemporary society. Martha was confronted with the same dilemma we face every day. Will we take on too many things or be concerned about the wrong things and thus miss the most important things?” Smith, James Bryan. The Good and Beautiful God (p. 173). John Murray Press.

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

This coming Sunday I am preaching on John 9. The man born blind. Part of my prayer this morning was asking God to show me the meaning of this passage for my own life so that I can live it this week before preaching it on Sunday.

Reflecting on a passage is part of preparation. Certainly, there is a place to pull apart the text, to analyse, to exegete and to research content and context. However, another essential and in my experience neglected aspect of preparation is reflection. 

In her book “Your MA in theology”, Zoe Bennett comments, “[reflection] takes time and demands attention to what is new to us, rather than a quick jumping to conclusions or hurrying on so fast we miss things.”  

Is this what was happening when Paul warned Timothy about those teaching false doctrines? “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” (1 Timothy 1:7 NIV11)

The word translated “know” (novo - GK) is elsewhere translated "reflect". They have ideas, but their conclusions are so much "meaningless talk" (v6).  

That same word is translated "understand" in the following passage: ““When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.” (Mark 13:14 NIV11)

Jesus urges us to reflect on what he said in order to grasp the meaning of his instruction. The two people reflecting on their experience on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32), and Peter reflecting on his experience with Cornelius and the Holy Spirit (Acts 11:16) are further examples of the value of reflecting on teaching and experience. 

Returning to Zoe Bennett, she adds: “A former colleague of mine, Brother Patrick Moore, used to say, ‘teaching is the overflow of contemplation’.” This is correct. Certainly we must study a text, but if it has not touched us personally, it is simply a transference of information rather than a life-altering teaching opportunity.  

As Paul said to Timothy, “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” (2 Timothy 2:7 NIV11) We teach better when we reflect on what we are teaching. Here are three tips for better teaching reflection. After studying a passage:

1. Pray through the passage

2. Ask God to reveal to you the way in which a key theme of the text can be lived by you this week

3. Pay attention to what God reveals, put it into practice and take note of how it effects you. Add the subsequent experience into your lesson as appropriate

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) 

Keep calm and carry on teaching

God bless, Malcolm

Today we continue with a series based on Psalm 27. I spoke on this Psalm’s theme, and especially verse 4, for the Watford church of Christ. We are part-way through a series based on the “one thing” phrases found in the Scriptures.

If you haven’t already done so, I recommend listening to the first episode which covers some background thoughts on the context of the Psalm. 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

(Psalm 27:1)

What is the first thing we notice? The first two words of each sentence. "The LORD”. David may be surrounded by enemies, but YHWH is first and foremost in his thoughts. One of the reasons David was a man after God's own heart was that he trusted God to be present, nearby and attentive. How spiritual well-being is directly tied to how much confidence we have that God is present and powerful. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1 NIV11) His followers were worried about his physical departure. They didn't realise was that he would be just as present, and more so because the Holy Spirit would be with us and in us, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16–17). Jesus promises us he will always be with us, “My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV11)

What is the lesson from this truth? We do well to begin our prayers with a reflection on the presence of our Father God, Jesus and the Spirit before we offer our requests and petitions. That's why the Lord's prayer begins with, “Our Father in heaven…". 

David lists three of God’s qualities at the beginning of this Psalm. God is his light, his salvation and his stronghold. These qualities give us a clue as to what David is fearing. He is fearing darkness, lostness and insecurity. Don't we all struggle with these feelings from time to time?

Perhaps David is thinking of the lamps in the tabernacle. They were maintained so they did not go out symbolising God’s permanent presence. you might remember Samuel’s experience of hearing God in the temple, “The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.” (1 Samuel 3:3) 

We rightly fear darkness and lostness, ““The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22–23). Messiah was expected to be a light, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”” (Isaiah 49:6 NIV11). Jesus is the light: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”” (John 8:12 NIV11)

A ‘stronghold’ is a place of safety, a refuge where no harm can befall, “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9 NIV11) In Hebrew it can mean a walled and fortified place; a safe inaccessible place especially an elevated situation above ones enemies. As brothers and sister to Christ we are safer than any physical space, “We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.” (1 John 5:18)

What is the lesson from these truths? Our prayers carry more substance when they reflect the qualities of God. God as provider of light, salvation and safety meant everything to David as he experienced the challenges in his life at that point. What challenges are you facing? Which of God’s many qualities are most relevant to you at the moment? Could you make those a focus of your prayers? I suspect you will find such a practice helpful in strengthening your faith and courage.

Reflecting on the Lord's nearness and his qualities leads David to speak a simple truth - there is no one he needs to fear. As the writer to the Hebrews puts it, ““The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””(Hebrews 13:6 NIV11)

Jesus is not angry when we fear people, but he hurts for us because he knows there is a better, healthier, more peace-filled and joyful way for us to live. We can live without crippling fear - the fear which shackles our spiritual ambition. 

What is the lesson from this truth? To bring our fears into God's light and allowing him to burn them away as we rejoice in his presence, his power, his provision and his love.

We will conclude today’s podcast with the song I wrote using the words of Psalm 27 verse 4.

Next week we will proceed to the second verse of the Psalm. In the meantime, 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

Our focus today is the man who runs up to Jesus and falls on his knees in front of him. However, it must be noted that this incident comes hard on the heels of the previous scene.

Children were brought to Jesus - only for the disciples to rebuke them. Jesus in turn rebukes his disciples and declares that “the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (v14). Mark is showing us the ideal kingdom-candidates before we encounter the flawed kingdom aspirant.

‘Paradoxically, the least powerful, least wealthy, least influential have a greater prospect of entering the kingdom than do those who are most powerful, wealthy, and influential.’ Word Biblical Commentary

Why are the children able to ‘receive the kingdom’ (v15)? We are not told precisely here, but perhaps we get a clue by looking at the contrasting example of the man on his knees.

He looked good. He sounded good. He ran to Jesus, he fell upon his knees, he addressed Jesus respectfully (‘good teacher’), he kept the law. Yet something was amiss. He knew it. Why approach Jesus otherwise? 

The answer was not what he expected nor wanted. He may have started on his knees, but he ended by turning his back on Jesus. He may have begun by running to Jesus, but he ultimately walks away. He may have arrived with eagerness, but he departed with sadness.

Why does Jesus correct the man? Surely Jesus is ‘good’? Perhaps Jesus is detecting flattery and deflecting it.  ‘The word order places the emphasis on the με, “me”: “Why me do you call ‘good’?”’ WBC. Only God is worthy of primary focus, not even Jesus. He has come to reveal God to humankind, not himself. Will this man honour not so much Jesus, but God who is source of all goodness including his good commands?

This man has no material needs and no law-needs.  He knows he has other needs, but what are those needs?  Jesus is about to tell him - and it is clearly not what the man expected. 

‘looked’ - looking at him. Did Jesus pause to study the man? Was the silent pause an opportunity for him to think, or perhaps a moment for the man to think about what he had just said? Was Jesus giving him space to add something more?

Jesus told him to give his money to the poor because once it is given you can’t get it back! This command is clearly not for everyone. The extravagance of the woman in Mark 14:5 is a counter-example. Jesus gives each person the challenge they need.

Jesus seems to be saying, “Help me with my mission.”  See Mark 2:14; 8:34; John 1:43; 12:26; 21:19, 21:22. Perhaps the question Jesus is posing to the man is, “Is my mission more important than yours?”

“In Jesus’ second response to the man, the commandments are assumed and taken for granted. The second response, however, moves beyond command to an abandonment and trust that involve the losing of self in yielding, trustful communion....The move is from willing duty to utter delight.” Walter Brueggemann, Psalms, 196

“He is told to part with the goods of this age since he is so interested in the next one, but he will not do so. His interest in the next world is not sincere enough to enable him to give up his preocupation with this world.” NIBC, Hurtado, Mark, 164

He wants wealth in both realms, but that is not possible as a demand or precondition of following Jesus. This gives the lie to the prosperity gospel advocates.

Jesus’ instruction indicates the urgency of the call. This is not simply a call to follow a Rabbi, but a call uttered due to the arrival of the kingdom and its king.

The rich man looked like he belonged to those who are “first”, but he will be last. The disciples looked more like they belonged to the “last”, but they would be the first.

The rich man calculates and finds the price not worth paying.

Fundamentally he does not trust Jesus in the way children trust him. He hedges, attempting to find a way into the kingdom acceptable to God and to himself. That hedging keeps him on the wrong side of the hedge.

This scenario makes the disciples wonder if they have the right approach, attitude and understanding. Jesus is challenging and reassuring. They cannot ‘achieve’ eternal life, but God can and will make the difference. The costs are high - everything! But the rewards are far beyond anything we could hope for otherwise.

1. The main question from this section of Scripture is, “what does this tell us about discipleship?”. What is the discipleship lesson for you personally?

2. Is there ‘one thing you lack’ for wholehearted discipleship to Jesus? What is that? Is there someone you could talk to about it?

3. In what ways do the reassurances of Jesus to his disciples about the last being first inspire your spiritual walk?

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

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God bless, Malcolm

For the last two years I have been combining the sermon and communion. Or more accurately, concluding my sermons with reflections on the Lord's supper.  Why have I done this? What are the benefits and drawbacks?

Perhaps you have heard of or seen the so-called ‘sermunion’. On occasion it has been employed to save time. I have heard this approach despised and denigrated as not being a real sermon, or a real communion. Are these criticisms fair? 

Today let me offer a few thoughts about benefits and drawbacks. Please tell me what you think.

Benefits

1. Avoiding too many ‘lessons’ in one service. Sometimes we get three or every four lessons in a service. A welcome ‘lesson’, a HOPE talk ‘lesson’, a communion ‘lesson’, and a sermon - possibly even some of our prayers are more like lessons! The sermon/communion approach reduces the number of ‘lessons’ by ensuring that the sermon and Lord's supper have the same theme. This connectedness seems healthy.

2. Moving from the Scriptures to the table seems right. Now we know why we are celebrating, and what we are remembering. 

3. Jesus gets the honour, not the preacher.

4. A discipline the speaker. This approach forces me to ask whether Jesus is the point of my lesson? When I prepare the communion conclusion to a sermon it becomes obvious whether the lesson is really about Jesus or not. 

5. Keeps focus on Jesus, the cross and the resurrection 

6.  Ensures the congregation’s focus is on Jesus not themselves as they reflect on the lesson and its application to their lives.

Drawbacks

1. Keeps the focus on the one speaker. A separate person sharing their reflections on the Lord’s Supper provides a wider variety of voices and perspectives as well as enabling training for more speakers. 

2. It could be argued that a separate talk around the Lord’s Supper gives it greater prominence.

3. Might not be appropriate after a rousing sermon inspiring us to action.

Have you seen this done well? Have you seen it done badly? What is happening in your local congregation and why is it done that way?

Remember, the way we do the Lord's Supper and sermons is  attached to our traditions. There's not a great deal of specificity in the New Testament. We have flexibility, but it's important that we do what we do with an intent to glorify God and inspire spiritual maturity in one another.

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) 

Keep calm and carry on teaching

God bless, Malcolm