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The Sunday Sample Episode 70: “Integrated worship”

I am trying to create a greater connection between the different parts of our services in the Thames Valley churches of Christ this year.

I share what we did last Sunday from John 15.

I’d love to know your ideas on this.  

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.

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.

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

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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Quiet Time Coaching, episode 75, “Gratitude in the dentist’s chair”

A spell in the dentist’s chair surprisingly led me to a contemplation of gratitude. Let me share with you how this developed.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”

(Colossians 3:15 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. Here’s the email: 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.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 143: “Awesome Apollos”, Part 5, “How to be a great help”

“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 18:27–28 NIV11)

  1. Learned man
  2. Self-motivated
  3. Passionate
  4. Humble
  5. A great help – effective

proving – epideiknymi – to exhibit, to show, to point out, to demonstrate, prove*

“a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures” (Acts 18:27–28 NIV11)

  • Did what they needed him to do

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NIV11)

  • Content to be a waterer rather than a planter

How can we be a great help?

  1. Find out what your hearers need
  2. Put all your effort into meeting that need
  3. Be content to play a part

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist.

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.

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.

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm

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The Sunday Sample Episode 69: “Creativity in Worship”

I value creativity in leading worship. However, how do we protect ourselves from making it about ourselves instead of God? 

I share a quote from the book “Participating in Worship” by Craig Erickson.

I’d love to know your ideas on this.  How can we hear the voice of the Spirit helping us with our creativity and avoid ego?

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.

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.

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

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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“I am he who searches hearts and minds”

Tom McGuirk opened the Friday morning session at the “Alpha and Omega” leadership conference in Izmir. A few notes on his presentation follow……

The churches mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3 are inspiring in their faithfulness despite persecution and opposition. Yet they are also a helpful call to soberness,

“Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.”

(Revelation 2:20 NIV11)

Jesus has a passion for the church, his bride, and will do whatever it takes to help her be pure and inherit the promises he offers.

Why would we tolerate the sin that enslaves when promises like these are available?

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations—that one ‘will rule them with an iron sceptre and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father. I will also give that one the morning star.”

(Revelation 2:26–28 NIV11)

Victory over sin is available. It will take:

  1. Believing that change is possible. Past ‘failures’ do not mean victory is not possible now. If God is with us all things are possible.
  2. Investing the effort and getting our hands dirty. It might be hard work, we might be misunderstood or even opposed, but it is worth it. God will honour our efforts.
  3. Being honest about our own struggles so that we do not feel like hypocrites when talking to others about their sin. And doing this not for the sake of example, but because a life of purity honours God.
  4. Recognising the problem is sizeable and urgent. Complacency about sin is not becoming for a follower of Jesus. The long-term effects on current and future members could be catastrophic. The younger generation are the most vulnerable.

Questions to consider:

  • Do we need ‘purity groups’ in our churches?
  • Do we have people who we can count on to listen to us confess our sins and temptations?
  • Are we intentional about using scripture to help our spirit be strong against temptation?
  • Are we making best use of software on our devices to block unhelpful materials?
  • What are we doing to equip parents in the church?

Tom spoke passionately and from the heart. I am grateful for his honesty and openness.

God bless, Malcolm

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Quiet time coaching, episode 74, “Your sins shall be white as snow”

A surfeit of snow set me in mind of this scripture:

““Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NIV11)

Let me share with you what I learned while musing on this Scripture and making my way through the snow. 

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.

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.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

Turkey Conference – Prayers Requested

On Thursday 7th February I’m travelling to the “Alpha & Omega” conference in Izmir, Turkey.

It’s a gathering of leaders from all around the UK, Ireland, other parts of Europe, Scandinavia, the Nordics, and the Middle East.

We’ll be learning from one another and visiting several Biblical sites located in that part of Asia Minor. Please pray that I and all who attend will return with our faith refreshed and our hearts purified.

Where wifi permits I’ll be posting updates as we go.

God bless, Malcolm

The last time I was in Ephesus, 12 years ago. Andrew, Simon and I sang “The impossible dream” in the amphitheatre. I wonder what the Apostle Paul would have made of that!

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The Sunday Sample Episode 68: “Lifting off at the chorus”

A time of worship at a conference I recently attended reminded me of how valuable it can be to remove the instruments between verse and the beginning of the chorus.

I share three examples where this can work.

I’d love to know your ideas on this. Which other songs could benefit from the “lifting off” treatment?

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.

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.

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

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 142: “Awesome Apollos”, Part 4, “Heroic Humility”

“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 18:27–28 NIV11)

  1. Learned man
  2. Self-motivated
  3. Passionate
  4. Humble

“explained” – ektitheœmi – to place outside, put forth; to expose an infant; to set forth, declare, explain,

“adequately” – akriboœs – accurately, diligently, circumspectly, strictly; precisely, distinctly,

Barriers:

  • learned
  • thorough knowledge of the Scriptures
  • He had been instructed in the way of the Lord
  • taught about Jesus accurately

“knowledge puffs up while love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV11)

  1. His humility led him to listen
  2. His humility led him to listen to ‘lesser’ people
  3. His humility led him to change his opinion, and teaching

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist.

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.

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.

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

God bless,

Malcolm

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“Let Jesus be your friend”, John 15, Malcolm Cox, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Jn15HandoutDownload
John 15 Sermon SlidesDownload

“Let Jesus be your best friend”,  John 15

  • We are made for friendship
  • Adam needed Eve
    • “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”” Genesis 2.18
  • Think about the significance of friends throughout your life
  • None like Jesus
  • Friendship he offers us cannot be earned
  • Friendship he offers cost him dear

1. Jesus defines friendship

  • Only he really knows what friendship is all about
  • Jesus-style friendship
  1. Initiative
  2. Investment
  3. Innocent

2. Living in friendship with Jesus

  • “meno”: stay, continue, dwell, lodge, remain, rest, settle, endure, continue unchanged, persevere, constant, steadfast, indwell, abide….
  • “to be in close and settled union”

Friendship with Jesus means…

  1. Time: Spark + Proximity + Time
  2. Trust: life and doctrine
  3. Telling: proud of our friend Jesus

Conclusion

  • What would your life be like with a closer friendship with Jesus?
  • What would your church be like with a closer friendship with Jesus?
  • What would your world be like with a closer friendship with Jesus?

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.

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.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.

God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up here. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John