Malcolm Cox

Introduction We all wish to be like Paul and Barnabas:  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11) This series aims to help us in our effectiveness. Today we tackle the first ‘commandment’. Know thy content, backward and forward, for your students’ respect and attention begins here. Before we progress to the practicals, it is important to grasp two points Mastering content is not the same as mastering a topic. The reality is that none of us ever know everything it is possible to know about a subject. But, you can master the content of your lesson.  Your ‘content’ is a combination of what you want your listeners to interact with — the facts and information you feel will be helpful to them and to which you hope they will react — and the material that you hope will aid their interaction with that information (illustrations, stories etc). As an example, in Acts 2 Peter’s speech

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38 NIV11) What do we learn about Anna’s relationship with God? Her disciplined devotion to God enabled her to recognise when He was a work. Notice that Anna approaches Jesus and his parents. They are not presented to her. She goes to them. Simeon had been told to expect something special, “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved

Introduction Do you ever wonder if your teaching is effective? Do you sometimes sense your preaching might not have the impact you had hoped? If so, you are like 99% of the speakers I know. The other 1% are deluded.  “At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed.” (Acts 14:1 NIV11)While it is not healthy to be paranoid about our effectiveness, nor can we  ever measure it empirically, there is a place for considering whether we have set ourselves and our listeners up for success. How to be ‘effective’ — not just skilled or accurate — is what we will explore in the next 10 episodes of these teaching tips. The Plan Our material is based on something my friend, and excellent teacher, Rob Payne sent me. His adapted ‘10 commandments of effective teaching are based on an article from Douglas Jacoby’s site. You can find the original here: https://www.douglasjacoby.com/the-ten-commandments-of-teaching-by-bria

In the latest of our teaching classes on tricky passages about men and women, we explored 1 Timothy 2 verses 8 to 15. A PDF of my notes is available on the website. 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

In this sermon for the Thames Valley churches of Christ, we explore the significance of unity to Jesus and our part in it.  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

Stefan Wolmarans continues a series of men and women in the Bible with an insightful sermon about Jesus and his mother. 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

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38 NIV11) What do we learn about Anna’s relationship with God? Her relationship with God was not diminished by her disappointments. Anna is described as a widow. As far as we know she had no children. There is no hint of bitterness in her life. Instead she takes delight in another mother’s child. How long it took her to get there we’ll never know, but perhaps her devotion was part of her healing. So

Introduction This is a very Thames Valley specific class series, but the principles will apply elsewhere. Nothing is broken, but that does not mean we should not strengthen what we have because greater strain is coming in the future. When unity is unattended to, it does become weaker. These classes will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity. If you have not listened to the sermon from last Sunday I suggest you do so. Today's class is focussed on building unity in our local group. Next time we will discuss unity between groups. 1. Jesus Prays for unity “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV11) Teaches on unity ““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 l

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we wrap up our series. Let’s start today with this quote from Desmond Tutu: "The Beatitudes offer a transformative vision for humanity. They inspire us to be peacemakers, to hunger and thirst for righteousness, and to cultivate a deep sense of empathy and compassion for others." With this in mind, let me offer two thoughts about preaching and teaching the beatitudes. 1. Preaching through the filter of the Beatitudes should leave our listeners feeling blessed The beatitudes are challenging, but they are a blessing. Even those opposed because of living the beatitudes are to “Rejoice and be glad” (Matthew 5:12). Why and how is this possible? “because great is your reward in heaven,” (Matthew 5:12 NIV11). When persecuted we are counted worthy (see the Apostles in Acts 5:41), and our faith is being purified (1 Peter 1:6ff), but most

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38 NIV11) What do we learn about Anna’s relationship with God? Her relationship with God was not affected by her age. Anna is described as ‘very old’. It is not fashionable to comment on a woman's age. Indeed, it is considered downright rude. "There are three things you don't ask a woman: her age, her weight, and how many shoes she owns." - How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) However, Luke's commen

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the eighth beatitude: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10 NIV11) It's interesting that the warning about persecution follows the beatitude about peacemaking.  Perhaps this is to remind us that our efforts will often not be appreciated. The issue is so important to Jesus that he does what he did not do for any of the previous beatitudes — he expands on this one: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11–12 NIV11) 1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - The kingdom. The first beatitude in verse 3 promises the sa

QUESTION: What does it mean to ‘follow’ someone today? 1. Women Following Jesus, Lk 8; Mk 15; Lk 23 “After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.”(Luke 8:1–3 NIV11) “In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.” (Mark 15:41 NIV11) “But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.” (Luke 23:49 NIV11) QUESTION: What did it mean for these women to ‘follow’ Jesus? As disciples, seeing his life, hearing his teaching, watching him interact with people Jesus travelled

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38 NIV11) What do we learn about Anna’s relationship with God? Her relationship with God was not affected by her questionable heritage.  Let’s look back into her ancestral past. Penuel (Phanuel) was her father. His name indicates his origins as Peniel where Jacob saw God ‘face to face’, Genesis 32:30. ‘A town was afterwards built there (Judg. 8:8; 1 Kings 12:25). The men of this place refused to su

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the seventh beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 Peacemaking can only be done by the pure in heart, because impartiality is necessary to that endeavour. So this beatitude follows on from the former.  1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - Peacemakers are children of God because “What they do is to repeat what God has done.”        - Jesus was prophesied to be the “Prince of Peace” (Is 9:6)     - Christ is our peace          - Eph. 2:14 ‘For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall…’          - Col. 1:20 ‘…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.’     - All Christians are calle

Introduction Last week I was away with my father and Penny on holiday in the delightful county of Dorset. We spent one afternoon in Dorchester, and several hours in the Dorset County Museum. I can highly recommend it. It is certainly one of the best regional museums I have ever been to. We got a good feel for the lives of the people of Dorset through the centuries. Among the exhibits were a set of stocks. I was not quite sure what to make of them and the description in the pictures accompanying this recording. The board reads thus: Hugh Baker, Currier, of this Borough, was complaynd of to Mr. Maior that he went out of church yesterday at Morning Prayer before prayers were ended, and confesseth the same, and is censured to sit in the stocks two houres for his misdemeanour. Dorchester Offenders' Book, 1629-1630Poor Hugh Baker was stuck in those stocks for two hours simply because he left church early. We don't know the circumstances. Perhaps he was ill. Perhaps the person praying was boring! But let's face

For our teaching classes in May I have asked my friend Simon Dinning (Belfast International church of Christ) to record two classes for us on the topic of the kingdom (to riff on the theme of the coronation).  The second class is here.  I hope you find this useful for personal edification, or family group discussions. Please pass it on to your groups. God bless, Malcolm 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

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ Dates: 11thC BC - 'a festive time' Geography: Maon and Perez - Wilderness David's situation in context Samuel dead - his key supporter - King-in-waiting - like Charles Chased by Saul - Wife given away. - Could have killed him (has another opportunity later) - Remaining priest Opening scenes David's men and Nabal, vv4-13 Nabal's servant and Abigail, vv14-19 Abigail's Actions, vv20-31 Abigail  Her courage: An armed militia - in a ravine Humility (vulnerable) Straight-talking explanation: Nabal is a fool, I have a plan Generous Savvy: Up on politics; sling ref; appeals to his conscience; appeals to his godliness God-focus; Prophetic; trust God 2. David's Repentance, vv32-35 QUESTION: What do you see in his character? Recognises God at work Decisive - Instant change in his perspective Humble - it is a woman! Accepts her instruction/teaching and offer. Affirming -- Praises her - credit where due; blesses her; Closing scenes Abigail and Nabal, vv36-

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the sixth beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NIV11) Mercy is connected to purity.  Showing mercy needs a pure heart because it must be done altruistically.  Although the merciful will be shown mercy, the reward is not something that a merciful person thinks about.   The Meaning in the context of the Gospel   Jesus was upset with the Pharisees for not having a pure heart (Lk 11:39, Matt 23:25-28).  Why bother with keeping a pure heart?  Because we will be like our Lord, who is pure of heart, in the next life (1 John 3:2-3).  A Christian strives to be as much like his or her Lord because he is our model and hope.  What can this mean?  Perhaps it refers to keeping a spiritually narrow focus in life (Psalm 86:11).  Rather than a moral purity perhaps it refers more to a

Introduction Penny gave me a wonderful birthday present. She bought me tickets to something called the Fully Charged Live Show. It's an exhibition all about electric vehicles, sustainable living, alternative energy sources, and the like. It's something I'm interested in out of curiosity, but also because I believe these issues are vital to our responsibility to steward the creation in the way God intended us to. But that's a topic for another day.  A feature of the exhibition was a series of panel discussions focused on topics such as, “Low carbon food, and how to create converts"; How much better can batteries become?; “How to drive and charge as efficiently as possible?" All the talks were excellent, except the final one. That's not because the topic wasn't interesting, nor that the people on the panel were not experts. If it was because one person on the panel had an agenda, and they were going to get it across, whether anybody liked it or not, or whether it connected with the topic or not. This panelli

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the fifth beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11) The fifth beatitude follows naturally from the first four: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:3–5 NIV11). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”(Matthew 5:6 NIV11) Meekness precedes mercy.  Only the meek are aware of their sinfulness and fully grasp the wonder of the mercy of God and are therefore able to show mercy to show mercy to others. Indeed, they will delight in showing mercy. 1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - Mercy is  an emphasis in Matthew: Matt 6:12, 14–15; 9:13; 12:7; 18:21–35; 23:23.