Malcolm Cox

Today we start a new series based on Psalm 27. I spoke on this Psalm’s theme, and especially verse 4, for the Watford church of Christ. We are part-way through a series based on the “one thing” phrases found in the Scriptures. I am dedicating this series to my friend Akin who told me that Psalm 27 was his father’s favourite Psalm.  I was so taken by the Psalm that I thought it would be worth taking the time to go deeper into the passage. We will take one verse at a time, week by week. We begin this week with a brief introduction, a reading of the Psalm and then I will share with you a short song I wrote using the words of verse 4. Music helps to embed words into our memories. I hope you will take the time to listen and learn this simple song. I believe it will enable the truth of God’s Word to find a permanent home in your soul.  First a comment or two on the Psalm’s setting. It has similar themes as the previous Psalm and following one. These are primarily the challenges created by enemies, and delight in

In the AIM UK&I community we have been discussing how we approach our study of a passage and prepare it for teaching or preaching. Here is one technique I use. It involves mind mapping. It is the first or second step in my process. The other is well described by Mike Poole, one of our AIM students, “I really liked letting the Bible wash over me that we learned in the NTS course as I found that helpful in understanding the bigger picture.” The third step is to study the passage with the aid of dictionaries, commentaries and similar resources. This step is the ‘pulling-it-apart’ phase. Let me demonstrate…..  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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at m

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at the epilogue of the book, “The way of the burning heart”. “They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”” Luke 24:32 The material world shouts at us, but the spiritual world whispers at us. Scepticism regarding the reality of the spiritual is part of the landscape of our culture. It is vital that we do not give into this and become sceptical of God interacting with us in a personal manner. One of the questions we must resolve is whether we truly believe what the Bible records. Included in those records are examples of God speaking to his people  As Willard puts it, “Spiritual people are not those who engage in certain spiritual practices; they are those who draw their life from a conversational relationship with God." 222 Our next project is a 15 episode series based on Psalm 27. We will begin with a general introduction - a

How do we make sure we teach in such a way as to build unity not weaken it? “Thank you” to Tina Poole for your post in the AIM UK & Ireland forum as well as the comments from Geordan, Mike, Charlie, Madalena and Andy B. You have inspired me to make this recording. https://www.aimukandireland.com/ First let us have a look at one of the classic unity passages, then I will offer a few tips. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, Teaching, as well as unity, is Christ initiative, not ours. Therefore, we keep Christ at the centre and visible. to equip his people for works of service, For a positive purpose. In other words we’re not trying to prove other people wrong so much as help people to be able to do right so that the body of Christ may be built up While this all applies to the church universal, perhaps Paul had in mind the local Ephesian body. Most of the time when we teach it is to help the local body, those present, with only half an eye

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at chapter 9 of the book which is titled “A life more than guidance”. The more we understand, the better our relationship with God will be "Faith is not opposed to knowledge; it is opposed to sight." 194 The framework for our answersGod is capable of accurate speech, we are not always capable of accurate understanding or hearing. This is not a fault of the speaker, and, does not mean he will give up trying.  It is our responsibility to learn how to hear better“If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”” (Mark 4:23–25 NIV11) Do we want to hear from God? Listening for God "I get down on my knees and say, 'Lord, I need to know what you want me to do, and I am listening. Please speak to me thro

The Pressures We Feel A. What is pressurising David? When was King David under pressure? David: Own son trying to kill him! 2 Samuel 15 B. What is pressurising us? The Hopes We Have A. What is David hoping for? B. What are our hopes for the summer? A. Ask Looking to God Dwell Married couple Stream, not a pool B. Seek…Seek…Gaze Acting on own initiative Study Meditate C. Beauty What is ‘beautiful’ about God? How does David ‘see’ God? Conclusion Only God can change us when we are under pressure Only Jesus can give us what we hope for How did Jesus handle the pressure – on the cross? ‘Father..my spirit’ – even to the end “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46 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. He

We took ourselves off to Cassiobury Park for an outdoor service. On an exceptionally hot day it seemed only appropriate to discuss the topic of thirst from John 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

Victor shared his inspiring testimony with us today. 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

The annual outdoor service at Wellington Country Park was a delightfully hot day. I spoke on the topic of uncertainty. I also broke my wife's plant spray.  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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

This week I answer a question from my friend Chen. He is wondering what light Acts 6 sheds on the issue of serving where we are not gifted. 1. Churches always have problems Internal – 5.1ff; External 5:17ff; Internal 6:1ff; External 6:8ff Luke is telling Theophilus, and the Spirit is reminding us that church is messy, but God is at work in it all. 2. Healthy leaders know their limitations Looks like the Apostle had overseen this need up to now, Acts 4:35 Now understand it is beyond them Given the cultural tensions, they may not be the right people to ‘solve’ the issue – they are all Jewish, of course 3. Leaders look for solutions Apostles do not indulge in shaming or blaming They set the parameters: full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom They involve the people 4. A Spirit-led church will prioritise those with the need The ‘whole group’ (v5), i.e. Jews and Greeks chose the people The men chosen all had Greek names Love and humility is in action 5. Problems need the right kind of person, not the person with t

Why do I take personal spiritual retreats? Today is a brief reflection on the most recent of my retreats taken in the beautiful county of Hampshire. I spent three nights away in a tiny hut walking, praying, reading, thinking, reflecting and planning. I used the book of Haggai as the focus of my study and allowed it to form the theme of my retreat. My main prayer scripture from the book was, ““so that I may take pleasure in it and be honoured,” says the LORD.” (Haggai 1:8 NIV11). This was one of my best ever retreats. I came back with only a few insights, but they were profound. Have you taken a personal spiritual retreat? If so, what are your top tips? If you haven't, what's stopping you? Would you like to correspond that I might help you figure out ways to make it work? 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 emai

This week I respond to a message from Selena… Hello Brother Malcolm, I was just reading Romans chapter 16 NIV. It’s missing verse 24 . Do you think this is on purpose or a misprint? Kindly, YLSIC, Selena “At this point, as RSV margin says, ‘Other ancient authorities insert verse 24, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.’ The western text, which lacked the doxology (verses 25–27), brought the letter to an end with this benediction (omitting that in verse 20b). The Byzantine text (followed by the Received Text and AV) took over the western benediction here as well as the earlier one in verse 20b.A few witnesses (codices P 33 104 365 436, with the Syriac Peshitta and Armenian versions, and Ambrosiaster’s Latin text) put this benediction after the doxology (as verse 28) and not before it (as verse 24). In its present position the benediction should not be too readily dismissed as unauthentic; if the dox-ology is not original (either absolutely or in its position at the end of chapt

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at chapter 8 of the book which is titled “Recognising the voice of God”. “The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice…. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:2–4, 14, 27 NIV11 Voice recognition in nature Animals recognise voices. Takes time. Just like us with God. Partly because God's voice is gentle. It has to be this way, or else he would be shouting at us and that's no way to conduct a relationship! The three lights Circumstances Impressions of the Spirit Passages from the Bible Ask yourself which passages from the Bible might apply to your circumstances and

Jesus “They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are.” (Matthew 22:16 NIV11) - Teaching despite how people respond 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at chapter 7 of the book which is titled “Redemption through the word of God”. We are the intercessors, connected with God and with the world. How do we get there? An additional birth by the word of God Birth through the spirit and the word of God“For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:23 NIV11) Washed in the word of God The amazing extent of the dirtWe often don't notice how much we need that cleansing.  Union with Christ  "… In the progress of God's redemptive work communication advances into communion and communion into union."  From 'yours' to 'yours and mine' to 'ours'. “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my fles

“Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” (Acts 18:24–28 NIV11) - Fervour and vigour are not about volume - Humility to learn more - You don’t have to know everything (!), but you do need to be an active on-going student - “Perhaps it’s not theology we’re missing, but rather theo

Father’s Day 2022, Luke 15 1. What hurt the father about the younger son’s behaviour? A. Community shame  B. Wish the Father was dead  C. Harm he would get into  2. What hurt the father about the older son’s behaviour?  A. Community shame  B. Ingratitude, acting as if the father was not generous ““Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” (Matthew 23:13–15 NIV11)   3. What do we learn about the heart of the father?  A. Love expressed in...  B. Loves both sons  C. Father used 11 times Conclusion  “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant off

Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God; Dallas Willard Today we look at Chapter 6: The word of God and the rule of God     - Astonishing faith in the power of words         - Centurion, “say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7 NIV11)         - "Most of what we think we see as the struggle of faith is really the struggle to act as if we had faith but in fact we do not." 118 Do we trust the ‘word’ of God? “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 NIV11) God's word is so powerful and dynamic: created, redeems, rules in and through his word.      - Creation by words:  “And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light….. In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory a

Introduction: Attitude is more important than education. We need integrity. Ezra “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10 NIV11) Always learning Time  Resources - how much money have you spent on commentaries and Bible dictionaries compared to your television package? Devoted to observance Study to practice, more than to teach  Monday sermon prep because need to live it between then and Sunday Devoted to teaching Not intellectual pursuit  Teach what your study of God’s word has inspired you to practice Conclusions What will help you approach your study and teaching of God’s word with the greatest integrity? How can you be an ‘Ezra’? “For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.” (Ezra 7:10 NIV11) Why not sign up for AIM…… https://www.aimukandireland.com/courses  Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ Our special International Sunday service was marked with singing and praying in different languages as well as some fun involving food colouring, blowup globes and empty pill casings. 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).  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