The Watford Church of Christ Podcast

Hope matters - 1 Cor 13

Without hope, faith and love have no purpose. 

Hope gives meaning to present suffering. 

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa. 23:4 NIV11)

We are walking through suffering - not living there permanently. 

Suffering times are part of life, walk through it. 

Hope from the Past

Genesis 1.26-28, 31

Creation very good. 

We are made in image of God. 

Dignity and responsibility

Capacity to think and act like God

Creates confidence in our values. Rooted in identity. 

Helps us treat others with dignity and respect. 

We are created to represent Christ in this fallen world. 

His ambassadors. 

Therefore we treat all of creation with dignity - including the environment

Genesis 2

What went wrong?

Rebellion

Blame-shifting

Disobedience has consequences

God has a plan for restoration

Hope for the future 

Surprised by hope - Tom Wright

Is 65.17

Rev 21-1.4

2 Peter .13

Rev 22.1-5

Hope in the present

Col 1.15-20

Jesus the perfect revelation of God

How can we live live our calling to follow Christ in this world?

Bring the glory of Jesus to people by helping them with areas they are poor  

Poverty of resources, relationships, identity

Give material support, friendship and time. 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 29 July 2019

 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 22 July 2019

 

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,

Striving in the storm

1 Sam 1.6-15

Hannah saw her life as a failure. 

Her expectations of life were not met. 

She faced unjust criticism and taunting. 

Her personal pain was intense. 

Her response was to pray. 

Struggle is part of life. 

Never feels good when we’re in the middle of it. 

Keeping our faith in God

We need to learn to dance with God. Dance in the storm, not waiting for the storm to pass. 

“To dance with God is our willingness to keep our faith in God.”

“Dance is self-expression of powerful impulses and physical release

James 1.2-5

“When we dance with God we can find a way to transcend our current struggles and the storms in our lives by creating different perception of our current realities by:

 

Finding our hope in God

"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 NIV11)

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psa. 118:8–9 NIV11)

Maintaining our confidence to take action through God

“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.” (Prov. 14:8–9 NIV11)

 “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?A As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” ¶No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Rom. 8:31–37 NIV11)

 

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,

“What Happens When You Go With God”, Acts 14.20-28

 

Introduction, v20

Themes

•Numbers converted, word spread

•Making disciples everywhere

•Opposition / setbacks

•“Firsts’ all over the place!

•Overall feeling:Undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God

•Resulting in….

 

1. Bear God’s Fruit

•By bringing God’s Word to all kinds of people

A. Converts - variety

•Flexibility of approach: Jews / Gentiles / Pagans

•Undiminished enthusiasm for winning disciples for Jesus

B. Elders - leadership

•Evangelism and strengthening

•All churches need both

•That’s whey we need to meet up

•Leaders are not the most gifted, they are committed to strengthening

•Brave to go back to where persecuted

•High level of compassion for young Christians / new churches

•Undiminished enthusiasm for the strengthening of disciples

 

2. Bear With Setbacks

•Persevered despite these ….

A. External Setbacks

•Opposition; Poisoning; Persecution

•Brave to go back to sites of pain

•Compassion for young Christians drove them

•Undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks

B. Internal Setbacks

•Betrayal / Desertion

•John Mark

•Undiminished enthusiasm despite internal setbacks

 

Conclusion, 14.26-27

•Why did this happen?  God - He is the focus.

•We don’t know how they felt day to day, but we do know they found their way back to undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God.

•Because motivated within the grace of God;

•Conscious of the presence of God;

•Confident in the love of God

•Because confident of the competency of God

•His power/strength

•His wisdom

•Do you believe God is loving and competent?

•When we go with God we see the fruit of God in new disciples and strengthened disciples

•When we go with God we see undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks and internal setbacks

•When we go with God we live for him with undiminished enthusiasm

 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 15 July 2019

 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 08 July 2019

 

“But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:20–28 NIV11)

 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 01 July 2019

 

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,

 

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,

The Watford week ahead, 24 June 2019

 

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,