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!
If you’re in the Watford area on 19th December, do consider joining us for our annual informal carolling evening. It’s a lot of fun. Oh, and Santa may make an appearance…..
Date:
19th December 2018
Time:
19:30-21:00 p.m.
Event:
Carolling Evening, 19 December 2018
Topic:
Carolling Evening
Sponsor:
Watford church of Christ 07973 492 021
Venue:
West Watford Free Church
Location:
Tolpits Lane Watford WD18 6NU
Public:
Public
Here is the passage we will be looking at this coming Sunday, 14th October:
“Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptised. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”
After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.” (Acts 8:9–25 NIV11)
The big question we will be discussing is:
“What’s going on here that’s amazing?”
What do you think?
See you on Sunday, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, 10.30AM.
I’m preaching soon on Acts 8.1-8, and noticing a connection between courage and joy. Could you help me in my sermon preparation by sending me your reflections on the connection between courage and joy? I’d be very grateful.
“And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:1–8 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
I will next be speaking on Friday 17th August. The topic is the third class in the series “For God alone”. Our focus will be how to enrich our times of quiet with God. We will consider helpful resources including such things as books, internet sites, courses and more.
An update on my 3km swim to raise money for my volunteering trip to Nepal.
I have been training for the last few months and am planning to swim the 3km sometime next week.
The trip promises to be very helpful for the people in the city of Kathmandu and the village of Chhaimale, both in Nepal. As you are probably aware, education and healthcare services are nowhere near as good as in the UK so any service can go along way. I will be performing dental examinations and giving oral hygiene education to children and adults alike, along possibly with other aspects of service (eg english teaching in schools).
Any donations would be much appreciated (follow the link if you would like to donate).
Thank you, Ben
I’ll be speaking at the annual Thames Valley churches of Christ outdoor service and barbecue.
It’s always a very special and fun-filled event.
I hope you can make it. Message me if you would like more details.
God bless, Malcolm
Date:
1st July 2018
Time:
11:00 a.m.
Event:
Wellington Country Park church service and barbecue
Venue:
Wellington Country Park
Location:
Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road Risley RG7 1SP
Public:
Public
I’ll be speaking on the topic, “Jealous or curious?” for the Watford church of Christ this Sunday.
eg 300
