Malcolm Cox

Malcolm Cox

By Malcolm CoxReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Malcolm Cox episodes

  • S2 Ep312: “The Resurrection Reveals the Compassion of Jesus” | Quiet Time Coaching Episode 312 | Malcolm Cox
    Based on the article “Jesus, Hope of the World” by Rachael Newham in Premier Christianity Magasine, April 2022

    The beginning of the good news about the resurrection begins with tears and confusion.

    “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Mk 16:3, 
    “Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.” Mk 16:8

    “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. “ Jn 20:11
    “The root of our joy as Christians, begins with grief.”

    In John‘s account crying is emphasised John 20:11–18. 
    “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
    They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” 
    “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”
    At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
    He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” 
    Jn 20:11-15
    Is that a deliberate emphasis, that the grief comes before the joy, and the grief lasts and is deep?

    Other are also confused. Given the cultural context it is strange that the first appearances are witnessed by women, But isn’t it also strange that the next thing that happens is Jesus hanging out with two friends on a walk?
    When Jesus asks the question about what’s been going on which seems so strange to the two people, “it was akin to an alien landing on Earth in 2022 and asking why we have such strong feelings about the last two years!”
    “We had hoped” (Lk 24.21) reminds us of where we are, but does not connect with where we are going. 

    The resurrection appearances are not what we might expect: women, walking on the road, grief and tears. Is there something in this to prepare disciples for the fact that their new life will not be explicable to many people? I would expect Jesus after resurrection to make a beeline for Pilate and then the High Priests, followed by Herod, then the temple, then his disciples and family. 

    Jesus shows his wounds as evidence that it is him. Why do these wounds remain?  Perhaps it is to remind him of his trauma and that helps us to be confident that he connects with our trauma. 

    “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Heb 2:18

    The Easter story is not only about the fact of Jesus being given life to triumph over the grave and death and the sin, but also that he meets us. He meets us in our tears, our confusion, our fear, in the garden, on the road, in the home. 

    “A reminder of the God who meets us in our fragility, with his gentleness.“

    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
    11 min
  • S2: The Meaning of the Resurrection | Thames Valley churches of Christ | Malcolm Cox
    In this class on the meaning of the resurrection we look at evidences for the resurrection, the implications of Jesus’ eternal life for us, and what we learn from the way Jesus engaged with people who witnessed his resurrected body.

    The ‘Nazareth inscription’ contains the following decree from Caesar: “Let no one remove them [bodies] for any reason. If not, however [i.e., if anyone does so], capital punishment on the charge of tomb robbery I will to take place.”

    Some of the key texts:
     • Heb 7:23-28
     • Rom 8:31-37 
     • 1Tim. 6:11-12
     • Rom. 6:4 

    Question
    1. For you, what is the most convincing piece of evidence for the resurrection?
    2. What does the resurrection mean for you in your daily life?
    3. In what way does the resurrection have an impact on your devotional life?

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

    Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](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
    20 min
  • S2: "How Jesus Died" | Mark Chapter 15vv21-47 | Malcolm Cox
    We have arrived at the penultimate destination on our road to the resurrection. We look at the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. We note his courage, dignity, faith, trust, love and hope.

    Next week we complete our journey as we rejoice and reflect on the meaning of the resurrection.

    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
    30 min
  • S2 Ep253: “What kind of participation are you aiming for?” Tuesday Teaching Tips | Episode 253 | Malcolm Cox
    Craig Douglas Erickson: “Liturgical participation and the renewal of the church”

    “Christian worship is by its very nature participator re-worship… Because all Christians are priests.” 231

    But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Pet 2.9

    Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Rom 12:1

    Are all the worshippers worshiping?

    How do we know?

    1. Trust Holy Spirit
      1. Inhabits:  You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. Rom 8:9
      2. Active:  And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:18
      3. “the experience of Christian worship is most fully accessible only to the illuminated, whose eyes have been opened to the mystery of prayer in the name of Jesus, whose conversion continues to be confirmed for the sanctifying grace and baptism.” 231
      4. Someone might not be a particularly engaged in the building, but you don’t know what’s going on once they’ve left.
        1. “immediate effectiveness can often be a misleading criterion by which to gauge the degree of participation.” 234
      5. Preparation
        1. Prayer for your teaching to be ‘participatory’ for the hearers
        2. Prayer that you are in the right place
        3. Techniques: questions; discussion; relevance; illustrations; media
        4. How prevent it becoming manipulative? Can we?
        5. Jesus’ parables don’t give the impression of being made up off the cuff
        6. Mission
          1. Participation in worship connects us with the one we are worshipping
          2. His heart is missionary.
          3. Part of the effectiveness of the way that we curate corporate worship is as to whether those with whom we have worshipped or engaged in a missionary sense
          4. The purpose of corporate worship is not corporate worship The purpose of corporate worship “..is the glorification of God and equipping of Christians with power, to carry out the mission of the church in the world. The two are inseparable.”232
          5. Barriers to participation
            1. Ignorance of Bible
            2. Ignorance of why we do what we do
              3. 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

              19 min
            3. S2 Ep311: “WHY WAS JESUS SILENT?” | Quiet Time Coaching Episode 311 | Malcolm Cox
              Something that has struck me this year in the run-up to Easter more than ever is the way in which Jesus is so restrained.

              – Silent before the high priests
              – Silent before Pilate
              – Silent as the soldiers mocked him and were violent towards him
              – Mostly silent on the cross in six hours
              – Why didn’t he answer?
              – He is calm, dignified and courageous – in contrast with the religious leaders, and even Peter.
              – Silence is not an admission of guilt, but settled surrender
              – Roman law presumed the guilt of those who refused to defend themselves

              “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
              Matthew 26:52-54

              Ten Thousand Angels

              1.
              They bound the hands of Jesus in the garden where he prayed
              They led him through the streets in shame
              They spat upon the Saviour so pure and free from sin
              They said, “Crucify him: he’s to blame”

              CHORUS
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              To destroy the world and set him free
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              But he died alone, for you and me

              2.
              Upon his precious head they placed a crown of thorns
              They laughed and said, “Behold the king”
              They struck him and they cursed him and mocked his holy name
              All alone he suffered everything

              CHORUS
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              To destroy the world and set him free
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              But he died alone, for you and me

              3.
              To the howling mob he yielded: he did not for mercy cry
              The cross of shame he took alone
              And when he cried, “It’s finished,” he gave himself to die
              Salvation’s wondrous plan was done

              CHORUS
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              To destroy the world and set him free
              He could have called ten thousand angels
              But he died alone, for you and me

              – He has the strength be needs because he trusts the father. That serenity was won in the Gethsemane prayer.
              – His same strength is available to me today – and you.

              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

              11 min
            4. S2: "The Meaning of the Cross of Christ" | Thames Valley churches of Christ | Malcolm Cox
              Notes on the class

              • “A lion’s story should always end with a kill, but the narrative has warned us that it is the lion who will die.”
              • My atonement series can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJOhHa_2t9jDzIj68ID3lX6BnCXRxdy6p 

                • The Greek verb paradidomi, to ‘hand over’ to someone else, is used by Jesus of himself in the second and third Passion predictions (9.31; 10.33), and for the fate of his disciples in the three apocalyptic warnings (13.9, 11, 12). Now it is used about Jesus no less than ten times (14.10, 11, 18, 21, 41, 42, 44; 15.1, 10, 15).

                • To most people in the ancient world, the attempt to see meaning in the death of a crucified criminal would have been pointless. Crucifixion was completely forbidden for Roman citizens, and only used for slaves and aliens; to anyone educated in the Greek philosophical tradition of divine detachment from the world, it would have been utter foolishness to seek theological profit from this death, while to a Jew anyone hanged on a tree was cursed (Deut. 21.22–23; see also 1 Cor. 1.23).

                • In 14.62 all three titles come together: the High Priest asks Jesus directly, ‘Are you Christ’ (picking up 1.1 and 8.29), ‘the Son of the Blessed One?’ (implying the title ‘Son of God’ used by the demons and the voice in 1.11 and 9.7; as only a human being, the High Priest still avoids the direct form). Jesus responds with a direct ‘I am’ (echoing the divine name of Exodus 3.14), but then returns to Son of Man, not for riddling humble self-affirmation, but for the glorious figure of Daniel 7.13. The High Priest’s reaction of tearing his clothes emphasises how stupendous a claim has been made.

                • “Like an infinitely wise military strategist, God knew how to get His enemies to use their self-inflicted blindness against themselves and thus to use their self-chosen evil to his advantage. He wisely let evil implode in on itself, as it were, and thereby freed creation and humanity from evil’s oppression”, Nature of Atonement”, 37

                • Heb. 2:14    Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.

                • “...Jesus died as our substitute and bore our sin and guilt by voluntarily experiencing the full force of the rebel kingdom we have allowed to reign on earth.” 43

                • Definition: “The Father, because of His love for human beings, sent His son (who offered himself willingly and gladly) to satisfy God’s justice, so that Christ took the place of sinners. The punishment and penalty we deserved was laid on Jesus Christ instead of us, so that in the cross both God’s holiness and love are manifested.” p67

                • "by means of a tree, we were made debtors to God. Likewise, by means of a tree, we can obtain the remission of a debt. Irenaeus circa 180 Eusebius

                • Col. 2:14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

                • “The atonement means that the relationship between humans and God is restored (healed). The central piece in this restoration is that God, through the Servant who personally takes on all our iniquities, grants forgiveness of sins....The punishment for our sins, which was often meted out in terms of suffering, sickness and calamity, has also been taken on by that Servant. His absorption of both the sin and its punishment is the means to our healing and restoration, by grace bringing us shalom or well-being in all its richness.” The Nature of the Atonement”, p130 
                • 1Cor. 1:18    For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

                  • "In place of Isaac the just, a ram appeared for slaughter, in order that Isaac might be liberated from his bonds. The slaughter of this animal redeemed Isaac from death. In like manner, the Lord, being slain, saved us. Being bound, he loosed us. Being sacrificed, he redeemed us." Melito circa 170

                  Conclusion
                  • Throughout the gospel, especially in the middle section on discipleship and in the apocalyptic warnings of chapter 13, there have been hints that this is the fate of the church. Those who believe that following the way of the crucified one is a bed of roses have forgotten about thorns, says Mark. Yes, Jesus is the Son of God, powerful and mighty in his cosmic struggle, and that is not to be forgotten; but there was no last-minute miraculous escape for him – and those who follow should expect no less.


                  • Next week we will explore the meaning of the resurrection.
                  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
                  20 min
                • S2 Ep252: Teaching Tips 252 | "Are we commanded to be personally fruitful?" | Malcolm Cox
                  Today I answer another question from a friend. In summary, his question centres on whether it is appropriate to use the teaching about bearing fruit in John 15 to encourage an expectation of what is called "personal fruitfulness".

                  I share some thoughts about the nature of the mission, our particular historical emphases in the International churches of Christ, and the downplaying of the personal element by the apostle Paul (1 Cor 1:14). We also look at Old Testament context (Is 5:1-7) 

                  Fruit bearing is not a test, but a by-product of abiding.  It’s not ‘produce or die’, but ‘abide and produce’, it is not a demand, but a promise.  Love for Jesus and one another is at the core of the discourse from John 13 to 17 (Jn 15:12; Jn 13:34-35)
                   
                  "If we are to ask what fruitbearing signifies, the broad answer of Bultmann is adequate: “every demonstration of vitality of faith, to which, according to vv 9–17, reciprocal love above all belongs”; we may add, in the light of v 16, “to which also effective mission in bringing to Christ men and women in repentance and faith belongs”. Taken from the Word Biblical Commentary
                   
                  Your gift might be inviting people to church, it might be teaching them, it might be hospitality, or it might be something else. All of us have gifts and opportunities to help people become Christians, but it is not narrowly limited to bringing people to the community of faith.

                  What I am suggesting should take the pressure off, but makes it no easier!
                  It is simpler and simplistic to take attitude, “I just need to invite people to church to clear my conscience that I am ‘on the mission’.”

                  But the truth is deeper and more wonderful, if no less challenging, because it's the question as to whether I am truly abiding in Christ, and truly, deeply, in a Christlike way loving my brothers and sisters which is more fundamental.

                  What are your thoughts on this question?

                  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
                  19 min
                • S2: "Jesus - the strong, silent King" | Mark Chapter 15vv1-20 | Malcolm Cox
                  We continue on the road to the Resurrection.

                  1. The Silence of Jesus Amazes Pilate, vv2-5

                  A. v2
                  King?
                  “You? You must be kidding!”
                  The key question for High Priests
                  The key question for Pilate
                  The key question for humankind
                  The key question for you and me
                  QUESTION: What kind of king is Jesus?

                  B. v3
                  Many accusations

                  C. vv4-5
                  QUESTION: Why didn’t he answer?
                  Calm, dignified, courageous. In contrast with the religious leaders, and even Peter.
                  Silence not admission of guilt, but settled surrender
                  Amazed
                  Roman law presumed the guilt of those who refused to defend themselves
                  No faith

                  2. The Shouts of the Crowd Manipulate Pilate, vv6-15a

                  A. v8-11
                  self-interest
                  Jealousy/Envy ‘phthonos’, ‘the heart burns’, ‘the stomach is hot.’
                  QUESTION: What are they jealous of? 

                  B. v12-15a
                  “what crime?” - knows innocent
                  call to crucify - “he is a robber; Caesar is our king”
                  Are you following the crowd? 1 Peter 4:1-5

                  3. The Strength of Jesus Defies the Soldiers’ Mockery, vv15b-20a

                  A. v17-19
                  “Ancient images of crowns frequently show the kings wearing crowns with radiating points, symbolising the glory flowing from the head of the monarch.  The thorny or spiked branches mock this type of crown, using materials ready at hand from the acanthus shrub or from palms.”  
                  One day – every knee shall bow – including ours! 
                  Phil 2:8-11.

                  B. v20a
                  led - v1, 16 - to crucify

                  Conclusion, v20b
                  Chief priests, elders, teachers of law, whole Sanhedrin, Pilate, Crowd, Soldiers, whole company
                  Who is the focus?
                  The who amazes, who surrenders, who is kind - Jesus
                  Will you let him be your king?

                  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
                  31 min
                • S2: "Under Trial!" | Mark Chapter 14vv43-72 | Malcolm Cox
                  As we continue on our road to the resurrection, we stop off to look at the two trials of Jesus and Peter.

                  1. The Garden, vv43-51
                  A. Darkness
                  B. Betrayal by your bestie
                  C. Abandonment

                  2. The House of the High Priest - Jesus’ Trial, vv53-65 4
                  A. ‘illegal’ trial
                  B. Silence and acknowledgment of identity
                  C. Physical abuse

                  3. The Courtyard of the House of the High Priest - Peter’s Trial, vv66-72
                  A. Legitimate ‘trial’
                  B. Loud protestations and denial of identity
                  C. Avoidance of consequences

                  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

                  33 min
                • S2 Ep310: "Return to the scene of joy" | Nehemiah 8:17 | Quiet Time Coaching Episode 310
                  "So the people went out and brought back branches and built themselves temporary shelters on their own roofs, in their courtyards, in the courts of the house of God and in the square by the Water Gate and the one by the Gate of Ephraim. The whole company that had returned from exile built temporary shelters and lived in them. From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great." Nehemiah 8:16-17

                  Sometimes the best way to recapture our joy is to go back to scenes of joy in the past. This week I had a delightful experience of recapturing gratitude for something that happened 37 years ago. 

                  What helps you to recapture your spiritual joy?

                  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


                  9 min

                About Malcolm Cox

                From the publisher's feed

                Malcolm Cox. Enjoying communicating the depth & relevance of the Bible to life today. Author of 'An Elephant's Swimming Pool' about John's gospel. For theology and spirituality see: