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

  • "How to be unified", Psalm 133
    A sermon for the Watford church of Christ
     
    Introduction, v0
    • "What is and is not unity?”
  • yahad: together, along with, in close proximity or concord either in space or time; by extension: close association in relationships, unity.
    •  
    1. God’s vision, v1
    • Jesus: “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:22 NIV11)
  • Jesus used the word "one", more than the word unity
    •  
    A. Relational harmony
    • Unity tested by proximity
    • If no testing, maybe not proximate enough!
     
    B. Precious, honouring, spreading
    • Oil - Psalm 23
    • Perfume
  • Visage
  • Anointing as an honouring
  • Hospitality. Love spreads.
    •  
    C. Refreshing
    • Hermon - 2,814m; snow all year; drenching; dew - soaking
  • Supply what one another need: Acts 2:45, 4:35
  • Church is not an institution with functions, but a family with relationships. 
    •  
    2. Gods vision for harmony comes about when we tell the truth instead of lies
    • The goal is expressing godly love - Eph 4.1-6; 14-16; 25-32
  • The means is communication
    •  
    A. Speak
    • Conversations
  • Regular
  • Initiate
    •  
    B. Truth
    • No hiding
     
    C. Love
    • Gently
     
    3. God’s vision for harmony comes about when we offer each other mercy instead of condemnation
    • “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11)
  • ““Do not judge, or you too will be judged.For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Matthew 7:1–2)
  • The goal, again, is experiencing God’s love
  • The means is trust and respect
    •  
    A. Mercy means no condemnation, Matt 18 / Lk 18
    • Remembering we are not superior
  • Trusting each other’s motives
  • People who do not trust others display a lack of trust in the Spirit, since all of us are just as Spirit-filled as each other
  • Mercy is cheerful : “if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” (Romans 12:8 NIV11)
    •  
    B. Mercy means active compassion
    • “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:16–18 NIV11)
  • Practical help for one another
  • “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” (James 2:15–17 NIV11)
    •  
    • A loving truth and mercy are essential for harmony among a community.
  • See Jesus - “full of grace and truth”, Jn 1.14
    •  
    • Question for breakout rooms: “How harmonised are we? Are we doing life together?”
     
    Conclusion
    • Jesus always in harmony with the Father and of the Spirit
  • Jesus lived truth in love
  • Jesus lived mercy and grace
  • The cross brought and brings us unity with God and 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].

    If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

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

    “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

    God bless, Malcolm

    PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John
    29 min
  • “What happens when we choose the one who chooses us”, Psalm 132

    “What happens when we choose the one who chooses us”, Psalm 132

    Introduction, vv1-5

    • Solomon ‘speaking’
  • David’s sacrifices
    • Great cost - death of Uzzah, 2 Sam 6; 
  • sacrifices - 2 Sam 6 - 6 steps bull & calf, 
  • dancing
  • David's purpose: 
    • God's honour - Mighty one of Jacob (avir) (stone); 
  • God’s presence - worth the effort
  • Ephrathah - Bethlehem, David, Messiah
  • Jarr - ark housed when lost, like ‘lost in the woods’
  • Desire for God’s presence and ability to worship him - footstool
  • Solomon wants to ensure promises to David apply to him
  • Recites conditions, broke them, consequences followed - David died 971 - 586 Zedekiah eyes gouged out, temple destroyed - 386 years
  • But not all lost because God wants to be with his people, he chose us, he blesses us
  • Promise can be trusted because Messiah coming
    • Strength; Light; Defeat of enemies;Vindication of anointed one
  • What does this mean for God's people today?

    •  

    1. God chooses, vv13-14

    • Chosen
      • “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 Peter 2:9)
    • Desires to dwell X2
      • “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)
    • Resting place - satisfaction, contentment
      • “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
    • Enthroned - like moving in together
  • YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY GOD!

    • 2. God provides, vv15-16

    • Abundant provisions, lack nothing, Ps 23
      • Therefore the needy are needy no longer
  • Note emphasis on the marginalised
  • Clothed with salvation
    • “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26–29)
  • Therefore joyful singing
  • Confidence - “I will…” X3
  • YOU HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED
  • Therefore we sacrifice to love others

    • 3. God confirms, vv 17-18

    • Horn - symbol of strength and victory.
      • Note - growing. Like Kingdom. Yeast?
  • God has a vision for all of humankind and all of his creation - healing
  • Victory
    • Enemies defeated - Death and sin: 1 Cor 15
  • Messiah honoured - radiant crown
  • YOU HAVE NO NEED TO FEAR

    • Conclusion

    • Solomon wanted the promised blessings without the heart of David
  • Became distracted by things of this world that do not last
  • Jesus wanted us to experience the blessings of a relationship with God
  • Made sacrifices (like David) so we could be brought near to God
  • “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
  • Kingdom growing: God’s vision expanding
  • Crowned
    • “You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honour; …But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.” (Hebrews 2:7, 9)
  • Jesus - crown of thorns, so we can have a crown
    • “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
  • “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8)
    • 33 min
  • "How to be content", Psalm 131

    “How to be content”, Psalm 131

    Introduction, v0

    • QUESTION: “What does it mean to be content?”
  • The goal is contentment
  • NOT proud, BUT content, THEREFORE vision
  • Hope not possible without contentment
  • Spurgeon said it “..is one of the shortest psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn.” 

    • 1. The Problem, v1

    • What led to this decision? Presumably he had this problem. “NOT” X 3.

    A. Why are we not content?

    • Comparisons with others - God does not accept me
  • Anxiety/Fear - God is not enough, cannot be trusted
    • Realisation we are not in control and we cannot manipulate God to get what we want
  • Some things God does not reveal: (Deut 29:29)
  • Selfish ambition: (Ecclesiastes 4:8 NIV11)

    • B. The issue is NOT

    • Ambition: (Philippians 3:12–14)

    2. The Solution, v2

    • Humility (Matthew 18:2–5). Self-awareness - we need God.

    Aware of God’s presence and strength

    • Bathsheba - aware of her / Goliath - aware of God - 1 Sam 17.37; 45-47
  • Hebrews 13:5 - Want God more than things
  • Philippians 4:11–13

    • QUESTION: “What helps you to be content?”

    3. The Vision, v3

    • Hope not possible without contentment

    Living in hope

    • Blessing others - active, not passive
  • (Philippians 4:2–9 NIV11)

    • Conclusion

    • Jesus’ inspiration - Confident in identity, value, Father’s love
  • Therefore - courage to serve and sacrifice
  • True contentment leads to the freedom to serve
    • 27 min
  • 1 John 1v5-7 Stefan Wolmarans 02Aug20

    Stefan spoke on 1 John 1.5-7.

     

    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
     
    Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Cahristian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
     
    God bless,
     
    Malcolm
     
    Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
    34 min
  • "How God moves us from despair to hope", Psalm 130

    “How God moves us from despair to hope”, Psalm 130

    Introduction

    Hope comes from God - 8 times in Psalm

    1. God can handle our despair, vv1-4

    A. Express Despair

    “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5 NIV11)

    B. Express Need

    “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” (Romans 6:20–21 NIV11)

    Transition - v4

    “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV11)

    2. God is worth waiting for, vv5-6

    A. Expect him to show up, Psalm 5.1-3

    “Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:1–3 NIV11)

    B. Expect him to act

    Conclusion, vv7-8

    Decisively put hope in God
    Because you know he is love

    For discussion

    What emerged for you from this lesson?
    What are you most in despair over right now?
    Do you believe God cares?
    What does it mean to put our hope in the Lord?

    “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”” (Acts 7:55–56 NIV11)

    “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV11)

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

    Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

    If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

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

    “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

    God bless, Malcolm

    PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

    20 min
  • "Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit", Acts 11.19-26, Malcolm Cox, Watford Version

    “Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit” Acts 11.19-26

    1. The Spirit moves the church, Acts 2-11

    A. Uncomfortable, Unexpected, Unprecedented experiences

    • Review the Spirit’s work so far in Acts. What he caused or allowed. 
  • Messiness not neatness is the more likely evidence of the Spirit at work.

    • B. Initiative, 11.20

    • The men of Cyprus and Cyrene did not ask for permission.
  • They were not maverick, but in community.
  • Our aim: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10 i.e. not just about saving souls, but healing that which was broken, damaged, corrupted by the events in Eden.

    • C. Impact

    • Antioch - Asia - Europe - the world
  • What ‘kingdom-minded’ project gets your spiritual blood pumping?
  • What do you need to sustain your initiative & develop the Spirit’s work?

    • 2. Barnabas as a model, Acts 11.22-26

    • Jerusalem - curious, not controlling

    A. Who was he?

    • Cypriot; bridge-builder; observer of God’s hand at work; encourager. 
  • Poured petrol on the fire of their zeal, not the wet blanket of suspicion.
  • “What can I do to help?”

    • B. What did he do to take things further?

    • Recruited others - Paul. 
      • We need the ‘odd’ people more than we might think. Perhaps you are one of them!
  • You might need a Barnabas before you can be really useful to God.
  • Barnabas today
    • Older generation - be a Barnabas
  • Younger generation - get a Barnabas

    • C. Impact

    • Great numbers
  • Helping the Judean poor
  • Developed a team (Acts 13:1)
  • Sent church planters (Acts 13.2-3)

    • Conclusion, v26

    • "The followers of Jesus were thinking and speaking in such a way that they were thought of as ‘the king’s people’, ‘Messianists’, Christians." Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone
  • How might you, moved by the Spirit, be a light to King Jesus for the people around you?
    • 37 min
  • Stefan Wolmarans, 1 John 1.1-4, 05July20
    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
     
    Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Cahristian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
     
    God bless,
     
    Malcolm
     
    Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
    37 min
  • "What victory means for a Christian", Psalm 129, Malcolm Cox, Watford church of Christ

    Psalm 129 - “What victory means to a Christian”

     

    Introduction   

    Question: Examples of personal victory?

    Question: How does victory feel?

    1. “The Victory of Survival”, vv1-2

    Most nations look back to their victories - but Israel looks back at their survival!

    Question: victorious survivors in life or Bible?

    Sometimes survival is the victory for a Christian!

     

    i. Surviving Great Oppression, 2 Cor 1:1-11

    God’s people kicked around over the centuries. 

    We are not always strong, but we are hard to kill

    Paul is a great example of this - 2 Cor 11:23-29

     

    ii. Surviving and Still Standing - my mother

    Key thing is to keep looking forward - Phil 3:12-14.

    “patience has a positive tonic effect on others; because of the presence of the patient person, they revive and go on, as if he were the gyroscope of the ship providing a stable ground. But the patient person himself does not enjoy it.”

    Patience a positive virus - catch it from one another

     

    Point: Oppression is temporary

    “What is victory for a Christian?”

    Victory for a Christian means surviving - and learning, growing, maturing in the process.

    2. “The Victory of Freedom”, vv3-4

    God puts us right with him and ourselves

    Freedom is victory - how do we handle it?

     

    i. Freedom from Painful Ploughing, Gal 5:13-6:5

    No longer need suffer the pain of sin

    Nor cause others pain with our sin

    Instead help others with their sins - Gal 6:1-5

     

    iii. Freedom from the Cords

    Our perseverance depends on God’s determined faithfulness to us

    He did this with Jesus and the cross.

     

    Point: Freedom is a gift from God

    “What is victory for a Christian?”

    Victory for a Christian means enjoying our freedom and using it to help others

    CONCLUSION vv5-8

    His honesty admirable - not sure all the feelings are!

    “The uppermost roof on the common dwelling places in Israel would have been constructed of beams laid across the walls intertwined with reeds and grasses. The whole roof would then be plastered with mud to fill in the gaps and make them somewhat watertight. Any lingering seeds in the grass or mud might briefly sprout but would quickly die for lack of roots."

    Real history! Where is imperial Egypt which enslaved Israel—or the Philistines, Assyrians or Babylonians?"

    For a Christian - Rome, all the prominent atheists of history, the Bible sceptics, Communism, etc.

    1 Cor 15:54-57

    Satan has been defeated, and he is empty because Jesus’s grave is empty:

    Therefore death has been emptied of its power

    Therefore sin has been emptied of its power

    Point: Satan is completely defeated

    Satan utterly defeated - shamed, empty, lonely

    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
     
    Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Cahristian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
     
    God bless,
     
    Malcolm
     
    Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
    35 min
  • “The connection between fear and peace”, Psalm 128
    Sermon for the Watford church of Christ, 21 June 2020

    Introduction, v1

    Question: Who or what is it good to fear?

    1. Blessings galore! vv2-4

    Fruit - security, vineyards
    Vine - sexual charm
    Olive shoots - vitality

    A pre-vision of God’s great plan
    The reanimation of the original blessing
    “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”” (Genesis 1:28 NIV11)

    To be fulfilled at return of Jesus and bringing of kingdom of heaven to earth.

    God’s desire is for our joy!

    1. How to live in healthy fear of the Lord and walk in obedience to him, vv1, 4

    A. Touched by fear
    yare: origin, “to tremble” or be “short of breath.”

    Question: Who can you think of who had this kind of experience?

    Moses - Ex 3.6
    Isaiah - Is 6.5
    Paul - Acts 22.6-8
    All had life-changing ‘yare’ experiences

    What does it look like to walk in obedience?

    B. Motivated to walk in obedience
    Moses - Ex 3.6 - led the people the way God wanted
    Isaiah - Is 6.5 - spoke God’s Word to people
    Paul - Acts 22.6-8 - preached God’s Word to the Gentiles

    Us - 1 Jn 2.3-6 - walking in a certain way

    “They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” (Hebrews 12:10–13 NIV11)

    “If you go against the grain of the universe, you get splinters”. H. H. Farmer

    Conclusion, v6b
    God’s desire is that we live at peace.
    For a Christian this is because Jesus is with us.
     
    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
     
    Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Cahristian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
     
    God bless,
     
    Malcolm
     
    Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
    35 min
  • "How to have a healthy ambition", Psalm 127, Malcolm Cox
    Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
     
    Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.
     
    Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
     
    Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].
     
    Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.
     
    God bless,
     
    Malcolm
     
    Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,
    30 min

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