Malcolm Cox

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.

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 first 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

Introduction 2 Peter 3:15–16 Some of this material can be triggering because of abuses that happened in our past. This can be the case for both men and for women. Context Corinth: Entrepreneurial; Progressive; Cult of Aphrodite (Goddess of war and fertility); Port city (vice and visitors); Honour/shame; Diverse; Patron/client system. Las Vegas/New York. Aristophanes (c. 450–385 BC.) coined the term korinthiazesthai (“to act like a Corinthian,” i.e., “to commit fornication”) in view of the city’s reputation. Plato used the term “Corinthian girl” as an euphemism for a prostitute. The church: Divided (rich/poor); disorderly - Patron house churches - Chapters 12 and 13 between these instructions - Emphasis on everyone needing one another (12:27-31) - Love one another — be like God. The way we use our gifts is more important than the gifts themselves. The gifts are temporary. Love is permanent. - Gifts are things from God. Love is God’s nature.  1 Cor 11 Summary ‘Head’: Kephale — ‘source’, ‘leader’, or, ‘autho

Introduction My father gave me a birdfeeder for my birthday. It's one of those that you stick on to a window using suction cups. That way the birds come up close and you can eyeball them. I was warned that it might take some time for the birds to get used to the feeder. However, I was not prepared for the fact that it has taken two months before the first bird appeared. Every few days I change the bird food because it was getting damp and mouldy. I don't know how much money I spent on the bird food that I have to keep throwing onto the ground. I was frustrated, and faintly angry towards those ungrateful birds. Eventually, a pigeon found its way onto the feeder. You will see one of the first birds in the photograph on the website and attached to the podcast. It looks faintly ridiculous because it's not really the right sized bird for that feeder. However, I appreciate it's resourcefulness.  The Text “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you w

Introduction What do we learn about Esther’s relationship with Mordecai? Obedient to him B. Concerned for him C. Protective of him D. Generous to him What do we learn about Mordecai’s relationship with Esther? B. By challenging her to accept responsibility C. Obedient - Accepts her instructions D. Cooperative - Worked with her What do we learn about men and women working together? A. Different circumstances, same devotion to God, each doing their part B. Accept their Vulnerability C. Summary Conclusion What do we learn about their work together? Gifts — They bring different gifts to the table. Opportunity — They have different opportunities because of the circumstances, and take responsibility for doing what they can. Necessary — They are necessary to each other fulfilling God's will, for their life and blessings that come to others through them Influence — Neither is dominant, both have an influence on one another Authority — Both ‘command’ the other What do we learn about God? He rewards faith —

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 fourth beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”(Matthew 5:6 NIV11) The fourth beatitude follows naturally from the first three: ““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) 1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - The call is not passive.  Although we can do nothing to ‘increase’ our own righteousness in God’s eyes, we are still responsible for hungering and thirsting after the right things.     - Perhaps it is exemplified by the attitude of Paul, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Phil

Introduction I recently returned from a teaching weekend for our sister congregation in Tallinn, Estonia. The theme was spiritual growth as seen through the lens of 1 Thessalonians. One of the sub-themes was growing together in community. The Text “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–15 NIV11) What do we learn about spiritual growth? Everything in this text is about community. Although it is appropriate to value those who lead, the responsibility for congregational well-being is shared by every member. In struggling to artic

We hope you enjoy this exciting and thorough treatment of the relationship between Deborah and the Barak. Stefan Wolmarans gives us a fascinating insight into Israel's history, and the relevance for our own times -- as revealed in Judges chapters 4 and 5. 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 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 third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NIV11) The third beatitude follows naturally from the first two: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3–4 NIV11) 1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - Greek: ‘praus’ means, ‘gentle, humble, considerate, courteous’     - The blessing is paradoxical.  The proud, boastful and pushy seem to inherit the earth in our experience.      - Jesus = ultimate example (same Greek word in these passages….)         - ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28–29 N

Introduction God has been focusing my mind and heart on the theme of generosity and gratitude. Today, let me bring you the fruits of the reflection on the funeral of my father-in-law on Monday, combined with teaching about Adam and Eve on Sunday. My father-in-law had many good characteristics, but what stood out to me was his generosity. It seems this was something everyone who knew him noticed. The funeral chapel was packed, including a very large number of ex-work colleagues. At one time he oversaw 500 people in his role at work. Many of those I spoke to said he was the best boss they ever worked for. He was generous with his advice, time and always had a listening ear, even when it was not convenient for him. That generosity drew them to his funeral to express the gratitude. The day before the funeral, I spoke on the relationship between Adam and Eve. How it went from blissful to broken and the implications for male and female relationships ever since. However, although that was the intended focus, it b

Our world fractured on many lines: wealth, class, race and ethnicity, religion, age, education 1. It Was Very Good! Gen 1:31 A. Good Creation Humankind made good - not a mistake We have a role B. Role Responsible - jointly Fruitful Rule together No hierarchy C. Generosity of God Creation  Fruitfulness/stewardship Purpose After the ‘big picture’ view of Gen 1, now let’s zoom in on the detail 2. It Was Not Good, Gen 2:18 For Adam to be without a companion A. Helper ‘Eve’ - ‘life’, 3:20 ezer - other references including to God For the work - good work God has in mind for us “…’ezer is a generic term that refers to someone who contributes to completing a task or accomplishing a goal. The objective here is for the ‘ezer to partner in tending the Eden garden. Genesis does not comment one way or another on whether woman is a minor partner (contributing less than Adam), a major partner (contributing more), or an equal partner. Gupta, Nijay K.. Tell Her Story (p. 24). IVP. He is your shield and helper and your

Tuesday Teaching Tip 307 | The Beatitudes and Effective Communication: Lessons for Preachers and Teachers | “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” | Malcolm Cox 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 second beatitude: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4 NIV11) The second beatitude follows naturally from the first one: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 NIV11)1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel The Pharisees were mourning over the Roman domination, and perhaps over the sins of Israel, but not their own sin. Spiritually healthy people of the Old Testament days wept when God was dishonoured. “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.” (Psalm 119:136 NIV11) God noticed and applauded those whose hearts were grieve