Malcolm Cox

Introduction “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NRSV) 2024 is round the corner. We have the opportunity to prepare spiritually for the upcoming 12 months. Just as we reflect on the past year, looking forward with faith and intentionality can deepen our relationship with God and guide our journey ahead. In Philippians 3:14, Paul encourages us to "press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." In this class, we'll explore two ideas to help you and your group prepare spiritually for the next 12 months. We are going to do this today by looking at two sets of words that come up more than once in Scripture: Grace, mercy and peace; faith, hope and love. 1. Relationship with God It is healthy to focus on our relationship with God before we attempt to achieve anything for him. Has God been getting your attention in an area of connection with him? Conside

Last Sunday we welcomed my good friend Dr Andy Boakye as a visiting speaker to the Watford church of Christ. He spoke on "The Advent of Jesus in Matthew's genealogy” from Matthew 1:2-6.  Andy observed that four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and ‘the wife of Uriah’. All are questionable as to dignity. The theme of dignity restored to those who have lost it is a theme in Matthew’s Gospel. Especially when it pertains to women.  ‘Jesus affirmed the dignity of women by accepting them as disciples and treating them with a respect that was considered scandalous in his patriarchal culture.’ Four views on women in ministry  Jesus came to restore the dignity of the disregarded and the forgotten. We see that in his treatment of any who are marginalised including by race — Matthew 15.22, the Canaanite woman. 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, pract

Last Sunday we welcomed my good friend Dr Andy Boakye as a visiting speaker to the Watford church of Christ. He spoke on "The Advent of Jesus in Matthew's genealogy” from Matthew 1:2-6. Something has stayed with me since Sunday so I thought I would share it with you today.  Andy observed that four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus — Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and ‘the wife of Uriah’. All are questionable as to dignity. The theme of dignity restored to those who have lost it is a theme in Matthew’s Gospel. Especially when it pertains to women.  ‘Jesus affirmed the dignity of women by accepting them as disciples and treating them with a respect that was considered scandalous in his patriarchal culture.’ Four views on women in ministry  Jesus came to restore the dignity of the disregarded and the forgotten. We see that in his treatment of any who are marginalised including by race — Matthew 15.22, the Canaanite woman.  ‘We have endured traumatic histories and the almost daily assaults on our dignity, lik

Introduction What has God taught you this year about preaching and teaching? Today, we're going to discuss three valuable tips for reviewing the lessons God has taught us in 2023, so that we can celebrate our growth and prepare for new lessons in 2024. Tip 1: Personal Reflection Whenever anyone asks for my feedback on their lesson my response is to ask them a question, “What do you think?” It’s not a test to see if they produce the ‘right’ answer. Rather, it is an opportunity for them to grow in their ability to assess their own teaching and preaching. Why is this important? Because they hear their own preaching and teaching more than any member of their congregation ever will. We can become our best sources for feedback if we train ourselves to think this way.  How do we do this? We take time to pause and think deeply about our experiences, successes, challenges, and areas for improvement. By reflecting on our personal experiences, we can identify what has worked well and what needs adjustment. We can a

The nativity is close at hand. Our tree is up, decorations festoon the house, most of the Christmas presents have been purchased and carols are playing in the background. “Joy to the world” is one of those songs. It combines the themes of hope and joy. Let’s meditate on the connection between help and joy by reading the traditional lyrics: 1. Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n and nature sing, and heav'n, and heav'n and nature sing. 2. Joy to the earth, the Saviour reigns!  Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. 4. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove the glories o

Reflect, Renew, and Rejoice: A Spiritual Review of the Last 12 Months for Christians and Christian Groups Introduction “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NRSV) As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time for us to conduct a spiritual review of the past 12 months. Reflecting on our personal and congregational spiritual journey can deepen our relationship with God, provide valuable insights, and help us discern to will of the Spirit for the future. In this class, we'll explore two ideas for conducting a spiritual review that will help you and your local group to grow in Christ. Before we dig in to those three areas, we might take a moment to consider if this kind of reflection has Scriptural warrant. I believe it does. For example, Paul’s letters are tools of the Spirit to help the congregations he writes to reflect on their spirituality, what God has been teaching them, and

Today we reflect on the series. I hope you are not overwhelmed by all the material. The idea is not to become instantly perfect in all areas, but rather to ask God to reveal which area he would wish you to develop. Has something stood out? Let me list the main topics we have covered. The case for expository preaching What’s the Big Idea? Tools of the Trade The road from text to sermon  The Arrow and the Target The Shapes Sermons Take Making Dry Bones Live Start with a Bang and Quit All Over The Dress of Thought How to Preach so People will Listen A Final Word In re-reading the book for the AIM homiletics module and this series, the area that God has pointed me to is a combination of the “Big Idea” and the “Arrow and the target”. I am seeing the value in simplifying more of my messages to ensure they have one main idea and a clear target. The result has been tighter, shorter lessons (on the whole). What is your main takeaway?  We have two more teaching tips left in 2023. Next week we will reflect on tea

Should we pray with an agenda? “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”(Matthew 6:5-8 NIV11) Introduction Is it acceptable to pray with an ‘agenda’? I ask because of something I experienced not too long ago. I was part of a prayer gathering online. The event had an agenda — a healthy one. We were praying for unity. I am glad I was there, and grateful to the person who planned the meeting. However, two incidents bothered me, and I have been trying to work out how important they are. Hence this

Introduction Love is not something God does - it is something he is  “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 John 4:8, 16 NIV11) 1. Exegesis, John 13.34-35 ““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:34-35 NIV11) A. New — love one another Lev 19.18 / Mark 12.28-34 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18 NIV11) “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with al

Today we look at the eleventh chapter — ‘A Final Word’. Why are we preaching? Where is the power in preaching? Who are we to believe we can speak for God? As Robinson says in his book, “No one in his right mind who thought about it would ever choose to be a preacher. It's a commitment to the impossible." 168 Let’s reflect on this Scripture for a moment….. “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV11) Over 40 years ago I read this section of Isaiah. It spoke to me then, it speaks to me still. I trust it to be true. While not about preaching per se, it does convey the right sentiment about the efficacy of God’s Word. In the final chapter of his book, Haddon Robinson emphasises the sig

One of the characteristics of a refugee is that they carry very little with them. Everything in their luggage or backpack must be vital. There is no place for the unnecessary or superfluous. Many refugees carry all their possessions on their backs, or push them in a cart. They make difficult choices about what to take with them, and what to leave behind. For most refugees they are carrying a tiny proportion of their worldly belongings. There are parallels here with the people of Israel and followers of Jesus. Let's consider this passage in 1 Corinthians chapter 5. “Your boasting is not a good thing. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Clean out the old yeast so that you may be a new batch, as you really are unleavened. For our paschal lamb, Christ, has been sacrificed. Therefore, let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8 NRSV) No Yeast  When the Israelites

Today we look at the tenth chapter ‘How to Preach so People will Listen’. A sermon is not a text or an outline, it is thing that only lives as it is spoken. The speaking of it is what makes it real. Therefore the way we deliver it is important. The oft-quoted adage that only 7 percent of a message comes through the words is, I understand, a debatable claim. But, what cannot be denied is that the way we speak a sermon has a significant influence on the way it is received. Below I lay out the structure of the chapter in Haden Robinson's book. I will not go through it in detail – better that you buy the book! What I will do today is share some observations based on my experience.  The outline in Haddon Robinson’s book Grooming and dress Movement and gestures: spontaneous gestures; definite gestures; varied gestures; properly timed gestures Eye contact Vocal delivery: pitch; Punch; progress; pause Rehearsal Feedback  First, some examples from Jesus. Jesus Gesture - “Pointing to his disciples, he said, “He

One of the characteristics of a refugee is that they are unable to return to  the place from which they escaped. Or, at the very least, it is unsafe to do so. Many refugees are fleeing political, racial or religious persecution. To return might be suicide. The yearn to return is strong, however, no matter how dangerous. Israel struggled with this. Christian have a parallel experience. Temptation to Return The Israelites were quick to forget their slave status in Egypt. Fear messed with their thinking. Their pre-Moses memories faded in the face of frightening news.  “Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:3 NAS95) Leaders are no less prone to this temptation than anyone else. I expect you can think of Kings who violated this command, “Moreover, he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor shall he cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, since the LOR

Introduction 1605 Remember, remember, the 5th of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent To blow up the King and the Parliament Three score barrels of powder below Poor old England to overthrow By God's providence he was catch'd With a dark lantern and burning match Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King! Remembering the right things is important QUESTION: What is vital to remember? What, if you forgot it, would cause severe stress in your life?  What does/did God remember, and what are we to be remembered for? God remembers his people (do they remember him?) “He has raised up a mighty saviour for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy cov

Today we look at the ninth chapter of Haddon Robinson’s excellent book. How is our thinking ‘dressed’? Have you ever dressed inappropriately for an event you went to? It sends the wrong signals, confuses the observers, and embarrasses the wearer. Lessons that are badly dressed draw attention to the confused thought that led to this error. What do we mean by dressing a lesson? Haddon Robinson gives us the following subtitles to the chapter:  Strong transitions A clear style: a clear outline; short sentences; simple sentence structure; simple words A direct and personal style A vivid style I won't comment on all of these because Haddon Robinson does it much better in his book, but I will highlight a couple of points. Transitions Why do clear transitions matter? The matter because a listener needs stronger clues about the direction of thinking than a reader. Someone reading a text can see the transition in front of them. They can re-read the document and observe the transition. In a lesson the listener ne

In this short series we have been exploring how security in the Father enables our willing submission to him and the difference that makes to our prayers. In the first episode we talked about the way in which we hear our Father’s voice. We considered the example of Jesus, and took inspiration from his ability to hear his Father’s voice in passages like: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 NIV11) In the second episode we tackled the topic of submission. Although submission is challenging to practice, it is so much easier when we are convinced of our heavenly Father’s unconditional love for us. Jesus was the ultimate super-submissive son, setting us an example by wrestling in Gethsemane and going to the cross — not because he felt like it, but because it was the will of his Father. Jesus humbly surrendered to the Father’s plan, saying, “not as I will, but as you will.” His submission demonstrated the depth of His trust in God’s wisdom and divine purpose. In the third episo

Refugees are running from something. Starvation, oppression, persecution, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, forest fires, war — the list is long. More than once God’s people found themselves running away from danger. God’s refugee people became expert escapologist - some of the time. However, at others they suffered from not heeding the warnings. What relevance does this have for our relationship with God? God’s people ran away from danger We could explore Noah running from the flood or Abraham running from famine, but we will concentrate on the flight from Egypt. The exodus was an escape. In a hurry. Even their captors urged them to get on with it, “The Egyptians urged the people to hurry and leave the country. “For otherwise,” they said, “we will all die!”” (Exodus 12:33 NIV11) God rescued his people from slavery, idolatry and a context in which they were in danger of being assimilated by the prevailing culture. He carried them to safety, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I car

When God Makes You Go ‘WOW!’, Psalm 65 Introduction What makes you go, “WOW!”? 1. God yearns for our nearness, vv1-4 A. Answers prayer B. Forgives our sins C. Divan’s testimony D. God wants us near, Matthew 11:28 Application: 2. God has the strength you don’t, vv5-8 A. Nature B. Strength The Universe is not stranger than we imagine. It is stranger than we can imagine. British biologist JBS Haldane C. Power, 1 Corinthians 6:14 Application:  3. God provides more than we need, vv9-13 A. Abundance is never enough for human greed B. God provides the resources for life C. God provides the resources for the Christian life, John 7:37-39, John 10:10 Application: Conclusion Lord’s Supper: Luke 22.19 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@malcolmc

Stefan explored the idea of Christian unity looking at some of the writings of Paul. 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

Today we look at the eight chapter: Start with a Bang and Quit All Over.  Outline of the chapter in Haddon Robinson’s book The introduction: an effective introducing commands attention; uncovers needs; introduces the body of the sermon; may exhibit other characteristics The conclusion: a summary; an illustration; a quotation; a question; a prayer; specific directions; visualisation  Introduction Write draft based on main point. Keeps you on track. Write final version last Why should I listen to you? Yes, you. The topic may be interesting, but they are listening to you, not a ‘paper’. What’s in it for me? Make them lean in Pause - take a breath - don’t rush A Jesus Introduction We don't see Jesus adding an introduction to many of his parables, but that's not because they did not have an introduction. It is because the context in which they were told was the introduction. They were an immediate response to something said or done by someone nearby. In other words they were already contextualised. T