The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

By The Watford Church of ChristReligion & Spirituality
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The Watford Church of Christ Podcast episodes

  • ”The Glory will be Greater” | Haggai Chapter 2vv1-9 | Malcolm Cox

    1. The Call to Reflect - Haggai 2:2

        - We notice all parts of the community are addressed. Secular leadership, spiritual leadership and the ‘remnant of the people’. 
        - No group will achieve much for God unless all parts are determined to please God and bring him honour. 
        - Are we all aligned in this way?

    - Haggai 2:3 “‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? 

        - Now 520, destruction 586 - 66 years previously
        - Three questions, all driving at the heart of their discouragement.
            - ‘Who of you’; ‘How does it’; ‘Does it not’?
        - Not all were old enough to remember, but some were, and may have been the most influential. If, when comparing the old temple with the smaller new one they were dejected, it is understandable. 
        - Perhaps he was one of those who was old enough to remember. It would lend weight to his question. Jewish tradition makes him old (1 Rabbi Eli Cashdan, The Twelve Prophets (Soncino Press, 1948), p. 254.).
        - Had the work begun to lose momentum? 
        - We can be similarly effected. The new ‘glory’ of the church may not look as ‘glorious’ to the older members. 
        - But it does not have to. It needs to glorify God, not transport us back to a former time of glory now gone, precious, but part of the past. 
        - How hopeful (faithful) are you about the future of the church? How much doubt and discouragement are you sensing, or how much excitement and anticipation? Can you be honest about any doubts and fears you are experiencing? God can handle whatever you are feeling.

    2. The Call to Courage

    - Haggai 2:4 “But now be strong,  
        - ‘but now’ - implies the ability to make a decision, as well as the need to do so. 
            - ‘but’ is a statement of faith. It does not matter what the past was like, how you feel about it, what you think it all signifies - what matters is what decision you make here and now as confronted with the word from God.
        - ‘be strong’ - Joshua 1:5-9. A time of a new beginning
            - Used 3 times - all parts of the community need to make the same decision. Implies that if one or two segments get on board, the other or others will derail the situation.
            - Implies strength is a decision
            - Implies they knew what it would look like to be ‘strong’ in their context. I.e. the actions that would follow from the decision to ‘be strong’. 
            - If God were to say to us ‘be strong’, would we know what that meant?
        - ‘work. For I am with you’ - ties together tightly the activity and the support. 

    - Haggai 2:5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you...Do not fear.’”

        - ‘Spirit remains’ - as in ‘abides’, or as in ‘you might have thought I had abandoned you, but I am still with you despite your rebellion and apparent realities’?
        - ‘do not fear’ - fear of the king reversing his decisions? Fear of standing out by finishing the temple? 
            - They were presumably a minority in the land. 
            - Fear of compromising personal comfort if prioritise building temple?
            - Fear of God not reversing the economic curses if they take him at his word? 
            - God believes in us when we do not believe in ourselves. 
            - Point of Grace [song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA3jPIHnsIc )
            - How much more we can trust God’s presence with us as we work for him, Jn 14:23

    3. The Call to Trust

    - Haggai 2:7 I will shake all nations
        - ‘what is desired’ - is this Messianic? 
        - ‘fill this house’ - with the treasures of the Gentiles. Is this an indication of the inclusion of the Gentiles, or of the triumph of Israel over the Gentiles?
        - God is saying he will rearrange the old order of things. Ultimately that come when Jesus entered the temple, cleansed it and brought the living water and powerful truth that would change the world.

    - Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’"

        - ‘glory’ here and v7 sandwich the mention that God owns the silver and gold. 
        - ‘greater’ - in God’s definition of greater. 
            - If we keep working for God the future will be better than the present.
        - ‘grant peace’ - Could it be the fear of reprisals has frightened the people? Maybe they are also afraid that their delays in rebuilding the temple have angered God. They know how God dealt with the desert rebellions and the idolatry of their past. Are they worried he will not forgive? The promise of peace could be a relational peace more than a political or social one. 

    Conclusion

    - Reflect; Courage; Trust
    - God always has a vision
    - It becoming reality does not depend on our talent level, but on our willingness to act courageously in full trust of God

    Questions:

    1. Could you take some time to reflect on how the work for God is going where you are? 
    2. Are there any areas where fear is holding you or your group back from building something that would glorify God?
    3. Do you truly believe that the future will be more glorious than the past?

    15 min
  • ”The Glory will be Greater” | Haggai Chapter 1 | Malcolm Cox

    1. It is a blessing to have people point us back to God

        1. Do we have the right priority? v2-4
            - Roof
            - Psalm 27:4
        2. Have we been paying attention to the way God is trying to get our attention? vv5-6, 9-11
            - Brexit; COVID; War; Energy crisis; inflation
            - Personal life: health; kids; ageing parents; jobs; 
        3. Do it for God, v8
            - His Pleasure & Honour
            - My spiritual retreat
        - Question: Who do you have in your life that points you back to God? 
         
    2. It is a joy to build for God’s pleasure and honour, v7-8, 12-14
        1. Mountains - costly
        2. All involved: 
            - Are you willing to work for the LORD in this congregation?
            - Do you know what that means?
            - One of our aspirations: ‘Toiling to build the church well’
        3. God’s strength - ‘the LORD stirred’
            - Psalm 27:4. Spiritual disciplines open us up to the work of the Spirit in our lives. 
            - What spiritual disciplines are you aware of?
                - Solitude; silence; celebration; fellowship; slow Scripture reading; praying through Scripture; fasting; 
            - The spiritual disciplines are wisdom, not righteousness. But they are wise practices that train and transform our hearts. James Bryan Smith, “Good and beautiful God”
        - Question: What spiritual disciplines are you employing to enable God to give you the strength to labour for Him?

    Conclusion

    - “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:19–22 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]](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
  • Class 2 | “Finding the Father’s Face” Series | Watford Men 2022

    Class 2 | “Finding the Father’s Face” Series | Watford Men 2022

    
    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 

    1. Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer 
    2. Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God
    3. Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them)
    4. 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
                - “Holiness has to do with purity. Jesus is teaching us that there is nothing bad about God. God can neither sin nor participate in evil. In one word, God is pure.” The Good and Beautiful God, James Bryan Smith, p60

    Our Father God is holy

    Defining ‘hallowed’

            - To make holy, treat as holy, reverance, to sanctify, to consider holy.
                - “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.” (1 Peter 3:15)  
            - "The word “hallow” means to “honour” or “make uncommon”—to “make something special,” as we might say in contemporary English.” Hill, Wesley. The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Christian Essentials) (p. 23). Lexham Press. Kindle Edition. 

    Why does this matter?

            - Isn't his name already holy? Why pray for that? 
                - ““Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”” Isaiah 6:3
                - Because his name is so often not treated as holy, even by his followers, and that is a serious problem! 
                    - “I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44
                    - "As name bearers they represent a good and holy God, and so we are praying that God keeps us from dishonouring the name by which we are called, that he would empower us to become ourselves good and holy." Timothy Keller, 'Prayer', p110  
                - We petition God that his name might be Hallowed because it is not. 
            - There is an evangelistic function. 
                - “..it is…a prayer which, when answered, means that we will hallow God’s name. In other words, Christ’s followers are asking their Heavenly Father to act in such a way that they and an increasing number of others will reverence God, glorify him, consider him holy, and acknowledge him.” Carson, p72.
                - "To pray for God’s name to be Hallowed is to ask God to preserve and display this mysteriously radiant reality. It is to ask God to keep before the eyes of the world this drama of divine majesty and mercy so that we can continue to speak it back to God in worship and cling to it in times of desperation." Hill, Wesley. The Lord's Prayer: A Guide to Praying to Our Father (Christian Essentials) (p. 23). Lexham Press. Kindle Edition. 

    What does it do for us to ‘hallow’ his name?

            - It reminds us we are disciples of Jesus  - “the Holy One of God!”, Mark 1:24
            - It deepens our connection with God. Polycarp was asked to 'hallow' the name of the emperor. He would not do it. To 'hallow' God's name means to revere his name above all names. 
            - It reminds us that the centre of all things is God, not us. 
            - It deepens our awe of him. Referencing Calvin, Timothy Keller remarks, "To 'hallow' God's name is not merely to live righteous lives but to have a heart of grateful joy toward God and even more, a wondrous sense of his beauty. We do not revere his name unless he "captivate[s] us with wonderment for him."" 'Prayer' p111

    Do we sense God’s holiness is a good thing or a bad thing - in the way it affects our relationship with Father God? It did not present a problem for Jesus, of course.

    Is there a way of understanding Father God’s holiness that can help us have a healthy, close personal relationship with him?

    Discussion about God

        1. If Father God is holy, what does this mean?
        2. If Father God is holy, how can we be more aware of this reality?
        3. If Father God is holy, how can we enjoy his holiness?

    Discussion about us as fathers

        1. What does this mean to be ‘holy’ for children?
        2. How can we help our children be more aware of our holiness?
        3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our holiness?

    Conclusion

    “Hallowed be your name.” “…I find it helpful to reword this verse to, “may your name be cherished and loved” Location 1229, Dallas Willard, “Life without Lack”, Kindle edition

    Next time: Father-God is powerful - “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in heaven”

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

    Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 

    God bless, Malcolm

    12 min
  • Testimony Sunday | Oge and Osagie

    Husband and wife team Osagie and Oge shared testimony and thoughts about the Lord's supper.

    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
  • One thing I do | Phil 3vv13-14 | Malcolm Cox

    ‘One Thing I Do’

    Last week’s lesson was on Philippians 3:13-14. Below are a few extra notes.

    ‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal’

    We never get to the point where we have fully obtained all that God has in mind for our growth. Paul does not want his readers to get the impression he has ‘arrived’, nor that he is in despair at the gap between himself and Christ. He optimistically and faithfully continues to press on. What is the ‘all this’? Righteousness, resurrection from the dead, something else? ‘Paul means to say that he does not lay claim to having fully grasped the meaning of Christ at this point in his experience.’ WBC

    ‘but I press on’

    Imagine movement, leaning forward and stretching. The word is used of the hunter going after their prey. 

    ‘Jesus took hold’

    Jesus took hold of Paul on the Damascus road. Since then he has continued to press on towards greater Christ-likeness.  He has not fully grasped this, but he presses on to grasp what is his to grasp because Jesus grasped him.

    ‘I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.’

    He may not be there yet, but that does not diminish his motivation. Rather, it increases it.

    But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

    He has tasted Christ and found him delightful. He wants more!

    ‘forgetting' is in the present tense. Not, ‘having forgotten’, but deliberately continuing to forget. Sometimes we are reminded of things we would rather forget. By faith we ‘forget’ the failures and the victories to avoid the traps of guilt and pride.

    I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

    He keeps on running - the already but not yet of the Christian life. We are already saved, but not yet in glory. We live in this tension. Things go more smoothly when we accept this tension instead of fighting it. 

    ‘goal’ means ‘goal-marker’. What is this goal marker? ‘anything or anyone that kept the believer from straying from the course of the Christian life or from slackening in the believer’s moral strivings.’ WBC

    ‘the prize’. ‘To know Christ fully and completely was the prize for which he had been striving ever since his encounter with Christ on the Damascus road.’ WBC

    ‘called’ - “He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess 2:14; “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:30

    Reflections

    Are there mistakes you have made that you find hard to ‘forget’ and hold you back from pressing on? If so, what one action could you take this week to make progress?
    Similarly, are there victories you have enjoyed that cause you to be complacent and hold you back from pressing on? If so, what one action could you take this week to make progress?
    Is the ‘prize’ clear to you? If not, what would make it clearer and more inspiring?

    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
  • Class 1 | Father God is Nearby | Finding the Father’s Face Series

    The big question – “How can we become like Christ?” What is the way to transformation? We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures. When you see and become familiar with someone’s face you know them. We need to ‘see’ our father-God’s face. The challenges is that we have filters. Some helpful, some not so. Jesus’ relationship with Father-God reveals his ‘face’. 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:

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

    2. Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God
    3. Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them)
    4. Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know

    Matthew 6:9-13

    ““This, then, is how you should pray:
    – Jesus is teaching us not only how to pray, but, crucially, who we are talking to.
    Our Father in heaven
    – Father-God is nearby
    – “In Jewish cosmology heaven did not refer to a place that is far away; heaven referred to the surrounding atmosphere, the very air they breathed.“
    hallowed be your name,
    – Father-God is holy
    – “Holiness has to do with purity. Jesus is teaching us that there is nothing bad about God. God can neither sin nor participate in evil. In one word, God is pure.”
    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 our debtors.
    – Father-God is forgiving
    And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
    – Father-God is our protector

    3. Our Father God is Nearby

    “God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (Acts 17:27 NIV11)
    “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5 NIV11)
    “Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.” (John 14:23 NIV11)
    “while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20 NIV11)
    ““Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” (John 12:27–30 NIV11)

    4. Discussion about God

    1. If Father God is nearby, what does this mean?
    2. If Father God is nearby, how can we be more aware of this reality?
    3. If Father God is nearby, how can we enjoy his presence?

    5. Discussion about us as fathers

    1. What does this mean to be ‘nearby’ our children?
    2. How can we help our children be more aware of our availability?
    3. What can we do so that our children enjoy our presence?

    Next time: Father-God is holy

    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

    15 min
  • ”Hitting the bullseye of love” | 1 John 3:11-16 | Epistles of John Series | Stefan Wolmarans

    Stefan brought us his latest in the 1 John series.

    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

    39 min
  • ”One Thing I Know” | John 9 | Malcolm Cox

    “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

    22 min
  • ”One Thing You Need” | Luke 10:38-42 | Malcolm Cox

    The ‘One Thing’ Series

    In this week’s Watford Word we take a look at our third ‘one thing’ passage found in Luke 10:38-42.

    “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” (Luke 10:38–42 NIV11) 

    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?

    Mary…sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said

    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 has a traditional view of the woman’s place being in the kitchen: Jesus’ acceptance of Mary as a disciple at his feet is radical indeed (10.38–42).” Burridge, Richard. Four Gospels, One Jesus?: A symbolic reading . SPCK.

    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.

    What about us?

    “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.

     

    For Reflection 

    1. The ‘good’ can be the enemy of the ‘best’. Are some good things getting in the way of what is most needed in your relationship with Jesus? What can you do about that?
  • Is God calling you to ‘sit’ more than ‘serve’? How do you feel about deliberately taking time to sit at Jesus’ feet to learn from him? Is it easy, hard, frustrating? What are you learning about your devotion to Jesus?
  • Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. Martha was not bad-hearted, nor did she have a personality disorder or OCD. She and her sister made different choices one day. Luke recorded the events to make sure we could reflect on our choices. What is this revealing to you about your choices?

    • 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

    25 min
  • ”One Thing You Lack” | Mark 10:17-31 | Malcolm Cox

    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

    receive the kingdom

    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. 

    no one is good

    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?

    One thing you lack

    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?

    the poor

    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.

    come follow me

    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

    great wealth

    “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.

    first..last

    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.

    For Reflection 

    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

    31 min

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