Malcolm Cox

Malcolm Cox

By Malcolm CoxReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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Malcolm Cox episodes

  • S1 Ep301: Quiet Time Coaching Episode 301 : Mark 11.1-11 | "Value the Gaps"
    Do you ever feel like there are gaps in your understanding or your faith? You are in good company with the followers of Jesus, his family, the crowds and the Pharisees.

    Let's take some time to meditate today on the gaps in the account of the triumphal procession from Mark 11: 1-11.

    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
    10 min
  • S1 Ep3: Malcolm's Masters Theocast | Episode 3 | "Dealing with Dyslexia"
    Welcome to Malcolm’s Masters Theocast – a podcast journalling my Masters in theological studies. We are taking the mystery out of what it means to study a masters in theology. Along the way, I shall be sharing what I am learning about studying, theology, and the Masters specifically.

    Today I’m sharing the current learning strategies that take into account the challenges my dyslexia presents.

    “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2Corinthians 12:9 NIV11)What stood out to you from what I shared? Drop me a line with any comments, questions or suggestions. You can leave a comment wherever you hear this podcast, or on my website (www.malcolmcox.org), or via email ([email protected]).

    If you know anyone who might benefit from these recordings, do please pass the link on.

    Until the next time, may God bless you in whatever he is calling you to master

    Malcolm
    14 min
  • S1: "Iffy Faith" | Mark Chapter 9 | Malcolm Cox
    In this sermon for the Watford Church of Christ, we explore the issue of iffy faith. How much faith do we need, and how should we react when something appears to be impossible?

    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
    23 min
  • S1: Five Ways The Holy Spirit Unites Disciples of Christ: Class 5 - The Spirit Unites Disciples by Spiritual Formation Practices
    Class 5 – The Spirit Unites Disciples Because We Join Together in Spiritual Formation Practices

    Intro
    “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1–6 NIV11)

    Main Point For Today: The Spirit unites us when we participate in spiritual formation practices

    To quote John Mark Hicks, “Disciples, united in prayer, are united in the Spirit. The practice of prayer (as well as other disciplines) is rooted in the work of the Spirit. The Spirit is present to listen and speak in these moments.” p69

    Many spiritual disciplines are available: fasting; silence; celebration; confession; Frugality; Fellowship;

    • My booklet if you want it – sign up for my newsletter here: https://www.malcolmcox.org
    • Two excellent books:
      • “The spirit of the disciplines: Understanding how God changes lives”, Dallas Willard
      • “Celebration of discipline: the path to spiritual growth”, Richard Foster – 
      • But today, we will focus on prayer

        1. The Spirit unites us when we pray together in defending our unity and helping one another
          • “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” (Jude 1:17–23 NIV11)
          2. – Context – divisive, Spirit-less people, threat to unity
          – Antidote to division – prayer together in Spirit
          – Context – doubters, weak, threat to unity if they are neglected
          – Antidote to weakness and doubts – pray together in the Spirit
        2. The Spirit unites us when we pray together for one another to be courageous in declaring the gospel
          • “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:18–20 NIV11)
            • – Context – in prison, tongue-tied & afraid
            – Antidote – ask a whole church to pray for you – united with Paul in his mission
          • Reminds us of this situation:
            • – “On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David: “ ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed one. ’ Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:23–31 NIV11)
            – Context – threats via persecution, could have divided them
            – Antidote to fear – prayer to be in accord with Spirit’s agenda
          • What does it look like to pray in the Spirit?
            • No one definitive answer
            • Here are some thoughts for us to chew on and discuss in our local groups. First some thoughts from other authors:
              • “The Spirit is given as helper, and not least for the task of prayer (Rom. 8:26–27); but…in the Spirit means more than by the Spirit’s help. The Spirit is the atmosphere of Christians’ lives, and as they live in the Spirit grace will be given to watch and power to continue in prayer.” Foulkes, Francis. Ephesians: An Introduction and Commentary. TNTC 10. IVP/Accordance electronic edition, version 2.8. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1989.
              • “By the Spirit—Through the influence of the Holy Spirit.” Wesley, John. Wesley’s Notes on the Bible. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.4. Altamonte Springs: OakTree Software, 1997.
              • “Barclay has: “Let the Spirit be the atmosphere in which you pray.”” Wood, A. Skevington. Ephesians. EBC 11. Edited by Frank E. Gaebelein and J. D. Douglas. Accordance electronic edition, version 2.8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978.
              • “The writer is calling for prayer inspired, guided, and made effective through the Spirit. Those who are united in their access to the Father through the Spirit (2:18), who are built into God’s dwelling place in the Spirit (2:22), and who are being filled with the Spirit (5:18) can and should pray constantly in and through this Spirit.” Lincoln, Andrew T. Ephesians. WBC 42. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.6. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990.
                • Praying in accordance with the Word of God and living according to God’s teachings
                • Praying whilst in conscious dependence upon the Spirit, asking the Spirit for what we need – strength, courage, faith, wisdom….
                • Praying whilst consciously mindful of Jesus, whose Spirit we have. What would he do, what would he think? Especially helpful when we are faced with circumstances which the Bible does not specifically and explicitly teach on. Looking for the Spirit inside to help us live as followers of Jesus in a way faithful to him, not only in the precise words he uttered, but also in the way he lived.
                • Praying mindful of the Spirit that he would unite us, and praying for our unity in the Spirit. Praying together mindful that the Spirit is in me, and in you, and in all of us, and that he might truly unite us.
                • Also important that when we are praying alone we remember that we are still praying ‘with’ our fellow-believers, as long as we are praying in the Spirit
                • What is God calling you to be? Trusting, courageous, persevering, forgiving – when praying together about this we are strengthened us and we pray in a way the Spirit delights in.
                • I have two questions for you:
                  • What does it look like for your local gathering to pray in the Spirit?
                  • Are there some other spiritual disciplines your local gathering could practice that would delight the Spirit?

                    • 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
                    24 min
                  • S1 Ep17: "Joy in the mourning" | Episode 17 | "Remembrance, laughter, a headstone"
                    Today I reflect on my experience at the service of remembrance and thanksgiving for those who died recently, a poem, some guilt, some laughter, a headstone and Christmas.

                    These occasional podcasts are my audio journal as I process my thinking and feeling around the death of my mother from earlier this year.

                    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
                    10 min
                  • S1: "The Walking Trees" | Mark Chapter 8 | Malcolm Cox
                    Handout

                    We take a look at a man who sees people walking like trees (whatever that means?!) and the lessons for followers of Jesus today. What do we see? Who do we see?

                    This was a sermon for the Watford church of Christ.

                    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
                    24 min
                  • S1 Ep2: Malcolm's Masters Theocast Episode 2 : "Why Study Theology?"
                    Welcome to Malcolm's Masters Theocast - a podcast journalling my Masters in theological studies . We are taking the mystery out of what it means to study a masters in theology.

                    Along the way, I shall be sharing what I am learning about studying, theology, and the Masters specifically.

                    Today I share my motivation, aims and hopes in studying theology. Along the way, I'm going to ask you what stops you from studying theology. Perhaps we need to redefine what we mean by "theology".

                    What stood out to you from what I shared? Drop me a line with any comments, questions or suggestions. You can leave a comment wherever you hear this podcast, or on my website (www.malcolmcox.org), or via email ([email protected]).

                    If you know anyone who might benefit from these recordings, do please pass the link on.

                    Until the next time, may God bless you in whatever he is calling you to master.

                    Malcolm
                    13 min
                  • S1 Ep1: Malcolm's Masters Theocast Episode 1 - Introducing the podcast
                    Welcome to Malcolm's Masters Theocast - a podcast journalling my Masters in theological studies

                    We are taking the mystery out of what it means to study a Masters in theology.

                    Along the way, I shall be sharing what I am learning about studying, theology, and the Masters specifically.

                    It's been my privilege to begin studying for my Masters in theological studies at the London School of Theology in October 2021. I'm very grateful for the generous financial sponsorship given to me by the Thames Valley churches of Christ as well as the International teaching ministry of Dr. Douglas Jacoby.

                    What questions to you have about studying theology? Are you excited, intimidated, fearful? Please send me your thoughts. 

                    If you know anyone who might benefit from these recordings, do please pass the link on.

                    Until the next time, may God bless you in whatever he is calling you to master.

                    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
                    3 min
                  • S1: "Five Ways The Holy Spirit Unites Disciples of Christ" | Class 4 - Kingdom Work | Malcolm Cox
                    Five Ways The Holy Spirit Unites Disciples of Christ

                    Class 4 - The Spirit Unites Disciples Because He is With Them as They Participate in Kingdom Work
                    “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:1–6 NIV11)

                    Main Point For Today: The Spirit unites us by being present with us and empowering us in our work for the kingdom for God

                    1. The kingdom work of Jesus was done in the power of the Spirit
                    • To quote John Mark Hicks, “The Spirit anointed Jesus, led him into the wilderness, and empowered him for ministry in Luke 3-4." Telios, Volume 1, Number 2, p68

                     “Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district.” (Luke 4:14 NAS95)

                    ““THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. 
                    HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, 
                    TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVOURABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.”” 
                    (Luke 4:18–19 NAS95)

                    • What does this ministry of the kingdom of God look like? It involves "heralding the good news of the kingdom, exercising authority over the principalities and powers, and healing brokenness” ibid.
                    • Before we ask what this means for us, let's take a moment to consider whether this applies to you and me

                      1. The kingdom work of the followers of Jesus is done in the power of the Spirit
                      • Jesus tells his followers to, “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19 NIV11)
                      • If Jesus did his work in the power of the Spirit, it would make no sense for him to expect us to continue his work without the same Spirit being available and necessary.
                      • We have the Spirit (Act 2:38–39)
                      • “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (Romans 8:11 NIV11)

                        • The Apostle Paul claimed that he accomplished what he did for God, “by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.” (Romans 15:19 NIV11)
                        • He reminds the Thessalonians that the, “gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction.” (1Thessalonians 1:5 NIV11)
                        • The work of Jesus was done in the power of the Spirit, our work is done in the power of the same Spirit. What does this mean and what does it look like?

                          • 2. Our kingdom work today is done in the power of the Spirit
                          • Let's take a moment to consider what kingdom work is? What is the ministry of Jesus? What is his mission. And what does ours look like?
                          • Our ministry and mission mirrors what Jesus did. 
                          • Therefore, we must interpret what he did into our local congregational contexts.

                            • To quote Hicks one last time, “In the Spirit, we embrace the unity of believers through shared ministry - that is, shared participation in the proclamation and practice of the good news of the kingdom of God, which is the mission of God." 69

                            What he's telling us is that the Spirit enables our unified work in the kingdom doing kingdom work. It's a good thing to do our individual work for God in his kingdom, but there's something very special about doing it together. Sharing our faith together, teaching people the Bible together, praying together, sitting with people in our congregation and outside listening as they pour out their hearts, grief and hurts, fasting together, baptising people together, healing the environment together, engaging in making the world a better place and removing barriers to social and racial inclusion, engaging with other social justice issues that would bring about something closer to the kingdom vision of a peace-filled, joy-filled and united humanity under God. All done together. 

                            3. What does this mean for our congregational communities?

                            • I have three questions for us:
                            • What does it look like for your local gathering to herald the good news of the kingdom by the power of the Spirit?
                            • What does it look like for your local gathering to exercise authority over the principalities and powers by the power of the Spirit?
                            • What does it look like for your local gathering to heal brokenness by the power of the Spirit?

                              • Next time
                              • Spiritual formation practices: The way the Spirit unifies us as we pray in the Spirit
                              • Send me any comments or questions

                                • 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
                                16 min
                              • S1: "Jesus does the unexpected - again!" | Mark Chapter 7 | Malcolm Cox
                                Click here for the sermon handout.

                                In this week's sermon for the Watford Church of Christ we venture into enemy territory. Jesus goes to Tyre. He looks for privacy, but finds a desperate woman prepared to eat crumbs. What is going on?

                                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

                                27 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: