Malcolm Cox

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ. The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11 More notes, lessons and resources can be found here:  www.malcolmcox.org “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ. The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11 More notes, lessons and resources can be found here:  www.malcolmcox.org “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm

You have found a daily devotional podcast on 1 Thessalonians. These recordings accompany the teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley and Watford churches of Christ. The brief devotionals are aimed at encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God” 1 Thessalonians 2:12 “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11 More notes, lessons and resources can be found here:  www.malcolmcox.org “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:28 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm

Who’s advertising strap-line is that?  L’Oreal.  How many of use L’Oreal products? In 1900 a man could divorce his wife for wearing make-up since it was used by prostitutes! £3 billion a year is spent on cosmetics and toiletries every year.  In London £29 million every month is spent on skin care alone! But we’re not talking about cosmetics.  We’re talking about something more than skin-deep.  We’re talking about the awesome love of God! Have you ever thought you weren’t worth much to God? If at no other time of the year, at least at Christmas we should be able to believe we are very, very valuable to God.  Let’s read from Matthew 1.1-17 Most of us, I think, reckon we’re too sinful, messed up and weak to be loved by God.  Yet this seemingly boring list is packed full of evidence we’re all valuable and useful to God. V3 Judah was the father of Perez & Zerah – through Tamar (Genesis 38).  Remember the situation with Tamar? To cut a long story short she was Judah’s daughter-in-law.  She was lied to by Jud

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29 Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023 PREPARING FOR 2023     - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.     - v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out.     - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups:  1. What will help you persevere? v25-26         - Hold on, v25         - v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols         - Where will you get the strength from? 2. Where do you see God's power at work in 2023? v26-27         - May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.””

The Lord's Supper at our carol service was my reading of the Bethlehem police report by John Sutherland. I took it from Dan Walker's inspirational book, 'Remarkable People: Extraordinary Stories of Everyday Lives'. 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

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29 Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023 Introduction – v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out. – Some questions to ask ourselves personally: 1. What will help you persevere? v25-26 – Hold on, v25 – v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols – Where will you get the strength from to speak with passion and joy? 2. Where do you see God’s power at work in 2023? v26-27 May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”” (Psalm 2:8–9 NIV11) A judgment scene. Shepherd’s club for fighting those who threaten the flock. Potters guild in the city. Name of ene

Lesson 2 - Vision for 2023     - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.     - v18 Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. He is the one able to give us a compelling vision, and carry out out.     - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups:  1. What will help you persevere? v25-26         - Hold on, v25         - v26. Does my will to the end: i.e. continue with love, faith, service and repent of immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols         - Where will you get the strength from? 2. Where do you see God's power at work in 2023? v26-27         - May be a shepherd’s staff with an iron tip. Referring to: “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”” (Psalm 2:8–9 NIV11)             - A judgment scene. Shepherd’s club for fighting those who threaten the flock.         - Potters gu

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29 Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023 Review 2022     - Not about comparing ourselves with Thyatira. But about using Jesus' approach to help us.     - v18 - Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. His opinion about us is what matters, not the opinions of others, nor our own feelings.      - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups:  1. What has gone well? v19         - They prioritise love          - They are growing         - “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)         - Their love is not intellectual, but practical - Galatians 5:6; Acts 10:38. 2. What needs improvement? What is being tolerated? What sins are apparent? v20-21         - Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22.  The adultery is likely metaphoric as in

“How to enjoy Christmas as a Christian” Thoughts based on the ‘Sussex Carol’ v1 Merciful King On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring On Christmas night all Christians sing To hear the news the angels bring News of great joy, news of great mirth News of our merciful King's birth John 1.14; Rom 12.1; Eph 2.4-5; 1 Tim 1.16; Heb 2.17; 4.16; 1 Pet 1.3; 2.10 v2 Free from sin Then why should men on earth be so sad? Since our Redeemer made us glad Then why should men on earth be so sad? Since our Redeemer made us glad When from our sin he set us free All for to gain our liberty? Acts 13.39; Rom 6.7-22; Rom 8.2; Gal 5.13;  Heb 9.15; Rev 1.5 v3 Life and Health When sin departs before His grace Then life and health come in its place When sin departs before His grace Then life and health come in its place Angels and men with joy may sing All for to see the newborn King Matt 16.25; Mk 10.30;  John 1.4; 3.15; 4.14; 6.35; 10.10; Rom 5.17; 6.4; Heb 9.9/10.22 v4 Darkness to Light

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-29 Summary: Use the words of Jesus to the church in Thyatira to help you assess 2022 and gain a vision for 2023 Introduction – v18 – Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. His opinion about us is what matters, not the opinions of others, nor our own feelings. We speakers are all about Jesus – not ourselves, but our conduct, thinking and attitude matter. – Some questions to ask ourselves personally: 1. What has gone well? v19 – They prioritise love and are growing – “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11) – What has gone well in your speaking this year? How have you grown? What do other people say? 2. What needs improvement? What is being tolerated? What sins are apparent? v20-21 – Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22. The adultery is likely metaphoric as in the OT, Jer 3, Ezek 16, Hos 2, but the immorality is also

We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures. – The Lord’s Prayer teaches prayer, but it also teaches us how to relate to God as Father, and what he is like – This series is designed to help us – Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer – Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God – Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them) – Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know Introduction, Matthew 6:9-13 – ““This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven Father-God is nearby; hallowed be your name, Father-God is holy; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father-God is powerful; Give us today our daily bread.Father-God is caring; And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors. Father-God is forgiving; lead us, not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one – Father-God is our protector. Our Father God

We can only know the true nature of God as Father from the Scriptures. The Lord’s Prayer teaches prayer, but it also teaches us how to relate to God as Father, and what he is like This series is designed to help us Understand our Father better through what is revealed in the Lord’s Prayer Come to know him better & enjoy our Father-God Be a more Father-God-like father to our children (if we have them) Represent Father-God more accurately to the world and thus make him more attractive for people to get to know Introduction, Matthew 6:9-13 ““This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven Father-God is nearby; hallowed be your name, Father-God is holy; your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Father-God is powerful; Give us today our daily bread.Father-God is caring; And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven debtors. Father-God is forgiving Our Father God is forgiving: Which Scriptures come to mind that fit the following statements? Forgiveness is not e

Today we conclude our series based on Psalm 27. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend listening to the first episode which covers some background thoughts on the context of the Psalm.  Now, today verse we recapitulate the core verse of the Psalm.  “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4 NIV11) “One thing that all mature Christians agree on is the absolute beauty of God. They’ve experienced it! They’ve seen it and have been changed by it. They long for it, just like the writer of Psalm 27. “One thing I ask”—what is that one thing? To seek and to see the beauty of God. That’s not a bad summary of prayer. Starke, John. The Possibility of Prayer (p. 32). InterVarsity Press. O Worship The Lord In The Beauty Of Holiness Verse 1 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness Bow down before Him His glory proclaim With gold of obedience and incense of

Dr Douglas Jacoby is our visiting speaker from Scotland. He teaches us on the significance of the second advent when Jesus will come again. We continue the topic of the coming of the Christ next Sunday, the 11th of December. Please feel free to join us then or for our carol service on the 18th of December 10:30 in the morning. 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

Truth through personality “In the first place, I ask that men make no reference to my name; let them call themselves Christians, not Lutherans.“ Admonition Against Insurrection (1522) Martin Luther “by any consideration of body or soul you should never say: I am Lutheran, or Papist.” On Receiving Both Kinds in the Sacrament (1522) Martin Luther “Moses said to the LORD, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” The LORD said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”” (Exodus 4:10–12 NIV11-GK) “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22 NIV11) Conclusion Be more than your speech, not less. Why not sign up for the church history module: https://www.aimukandireland.com/course/church

v18 - Note the letter begins with an inspiring picture of Jesus. His opinion about us is what matters, not the opinions of others, nor our own feelings.      - Some questions to ask ourselves personally and in our local groups:  1. What has gone well? v19              - “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV11)           - Their love is not intellectual, but practical - Galatians 5:6; Acts 10:38. 2. What needs improvement? What is being tolerated? What sins are apparent? v20-21         - Jezebel: 1 Kings 16:31, 2 Kings 9:22.          - The baddest of all the bad girls in the Bible! 3. What will be the consequences if you do not pay attention to the things God has brought to your attention? vv22-24         - “I will kill her children with death”.         - Cannot hide behind Jezebel and blame her.         - ‘I will not impose’ - The lack of imposition of burdens

Now let’s discuss why Jesus came and what this means for us…. Jn 1:14 - ‘enfleshing’ ‘dwelling’ Question: What is the point of the incarnation? 1. Show the church how to live “The pattern for the church is not the narrative descriptions in Acts, but the incarnation of God in the person of Jesus.” Hicks, Pattern Community, leadership,  2. Affirm goodness of creation  “The incarnation affirmed the goodness of creation, since God cannot participate in moral inferiority, much less something evil.” Embracing creation,  3. Reveal God as wanting to hear from us “Of course he would speak to us ordinary people. The Incarnation of Jesus proves that.” Willard, Hearing God Question: What advantages do we have since Jesus is still incarnate? Mediation. The Son was incarnate in order to become the "one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5).  2. Grace: Glorified, he remains all that he was, with sympathy for strugglers undiminished. Heb 4:15-16. He is our helper.  3. Hope: we will be like

Today we continue with a series based on Psalm 27. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend listening to the first episode which covers some background thoughts on the context of the Psalm.  Now, on to today's verse.  “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14 NIV11) Reminder To Self David turns from addressing God to appealing to other people. His experience of God coming through for him gives him the conviction to extend the invitation to others. Or, perhaps, is he talking to himself? Is he saying, “I have spoken truth about trusting God, and I know I am tempted to take matters into my own hands, therefore I will remind myself to allow God to be sovereign and decide on the timing.” Waiting is hard According to James Bryan Smith in his book “The Good and Beautiful God” the average American, in their lifetime, spends, “six months sitting at traffic lights • eight months opening junk mail • one year searching through desk clutter • two years trying to call people w

I'm in the last stages of preparing for our church history module for AIM UK & Ireland coming this weekend. If you are watching this in time, please feel free to sign up for the classes on the 3rd of December. Even if you're too late for that, you can still sign up for the course and watch the classes online. https://www.aimukandireland.com/course/church-history What does church history have to do with teaching of preaching? Church History helps us separate pragmatism and tradition from core teachings, and thus helps unity and prevents unnecessary division. Let me offer one thought based on the book, “Renewing God’s People” by Holloway and Foster.  The churches of Christ have been traditionally non-instrumental. Churches have divided over the issue. Where did this come from? The lack of instruments in the movement was not initially a scriptural issue and was probably more to do with its frontier nature.  “The first recorded instance of an instrument used in worship among the Stone-Campbell churches w