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.
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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.
I hope you can make it. Message me if you would like more details.
God bless, Malcolm
Date:
17th June 2018
Time:
10:30 a.m.
Event:
"Jealous or Curious?"
Topic:
"Jealous or Curious?"
Venue:
Laurance Haines School
Location:
Vicarage Road Watford WD18 0DD
Public:
Public
Start your Christmas Eve in the right frame of mind by joining us for the hearty singing of well-known Christmas carols. We’ll enjoy readings by the children, as well as a performed duet and the revealing of a newly written Christmas song.
Plenty of parking. Refreshments afterwards.
Date:
24th December 2017
Time:
10:30-12:00 p.m.
Event:
Watford Church of Christ Carol Service
Topic:
Carol Service
Sponsor:
Watford church of Christ 07973 491 021
Venue:
Laurance Haines School
Location:
Vicarage Road Watford WD18 0DD UK
Public:
Public
Have you ever wondered what to say to someone as they grieve? I know I have.
On Sunday 26th November we’ll gather with friends to discuss this question. We’ll be helped by professionals who deal with these situations more often than most. We will also be looking into the scriptures for the wisdom of the ages.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3–7 NIV11)
Grieving is tough. The wrong word can make it harder still.The right word can be a life-saver. We will spend this session learning where effective comfort can be found.
We’ll discuss some practicals and principles of what to say and what not to say – what to do and what not to do.
It will also serve as an introduction to a bereavement course starting in 2018.
Please join us for this special event. There is plenty of car parking space. Classes for children aged 2-9 years old.
If you’d like to know more leave a comment and I’ll get back to you.
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