We take a stroll into Nazareth and the synagogue there. Inside we find Jesus reading the scroll of Isaiah. What will happen next?
The video shown part-way during the sermon can be found by clicking here.
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Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org
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God bless,
Malcolm
“The Kingdom” Class 3
Becoming a kingdom person
Handout: Kingdom Class 3 Handout
“The community or people ruled by God and with whom he dwells, to some extent reality now but to be fully consummated in the future”
1. How kingdom people live
2. How kingdom people grow
Conclusion
“What amazes you?”
What helps and what gets in the way?
Some ideas from this passage…..Acts 8:9–25
Here’s the Acts8.9-25 Handout
Question: What is amazing in this passage?
1. Philip’s courage
2. John’s change, Luke 9:51–56
3.Stephen’s changes
4. Apostles’ calmness and imperturbability
Question: What stops us being amazed & amazing others about God?
“The people were amazed at his teaching, … and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.” (Mark 1:22; 6:2; 7:37; 10:26; 11:18 NIV11)
How do we get the strength/courage? Matt 28.20
From presence and spirit of Jesus.
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God bless,
Malcolm
“The kingdom of heaven is like….” (Matt 13.24; 31, 33, 44, 45, 45, 47, 18.23; 20.1; 22.2)
“The community or people ruled by God and with whom he dwells, to some extent reality now but to be fully consummated in the future”
Kingdom Class 2 Handout
The Kingdom Class 2 Slides
1. “Your kingdom come”
2. The character of the kingdom
Response
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Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org
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God bless,
Malcolm
“How to have a harvest of joy”
“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)
“God places the best things in life on the other side of terror”
Question: What examples of courage do you see in this passage?
Questions
Three steps to faith-fuelled courage and joyful living:
“God places the best things in life on the other side of terror”
Here’s the PDF of the handout: Acts8.1-8 Handout TV
“Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.”
(Matthew 4:23 NIV11)
What is the Gospel?
Matthew 4:23
If Jesus talked about kingdom, so should we, and we should think about it.
1. What does the OT reveal?
Daniel 2:44
Daniel 7:13–14
Matt 28:17–20
2. What did Jesus say?
Mark 1:14–15
Luke 4:43
Dynamic
Luke 11:19–20
Focus
Character: Matthew 13:24
Imminence: Luke 9:27, Luke 9:61–62
3. What does it mean?
Theories
Purely personally internal
Future
The hour of a person’s decision
Mythical symbol
Present with / in Jesus
Kingdom present functioning as precursor to coming perfected kingdom
Acts 1:6
“The community or people ruled by God and with whom he dwells, to some extent reality now but to be fully consummated in the future”
4. When is it coming?
Luke 19:11
Luke 17:20–21
Matthew 12:28
Luke 1:32–33
5. How can I participate?
John 3:5
6. What should be my response?
Enjoy the abundant (eternal) life now
Receive kingdom / receive eternal life
Matthew 19:16
Matthew 19:23
John 5:24
Through death of self
Luke 18:17
Luke 9:23
Not self-centred denial
But, Christ-centred denial
Leading to eternal impact
Matthew 24:14
Message
Mission
Motive
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God bless,
Malcolm
What do you think it would be like to be king or queen?
Questions
What was the King Turtle’s problem?
What did he get wrong?
What did he forget? How did the others feel?
Was Jesus a king?
What kind of king was he?
What was he like as a king?
What did Jesus say about being “in charge”?
“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” (Matthew 20:26 NIV11)
How did Jesus become a king?
“They twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.” (Matthew 27:29 NIV11)
We love Jesus because he is a king who died so we could live.
We follow him because he is a king who serves us.
His example inspires us to serve one another, to die to ourselves for the sake of others.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions.
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God bless,
Malcolm
Do you have a joy-filled life, or a joy-less life? Joy is vital in a healthy marriage, family and friendship. Why is it so elusive? We learn in this lesson how to find joy – via courage.
Question: what examples of courage do you see in Acts 8.1-8?
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 NIV1)
“So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” (Matthew 28:8 NIV11)
God is joyful; Jesus is full of joy; Holy Spirit provides joy…
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said…” (Luke 10:21 NIV11)
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,” (Romans 14:17 NIV11)
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Galatians 5:22 NIV11)
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV11)
Therefore makes sense to pursue joy…
How?
Through courageous acts inspired by the love of God.
Summary:
Where does courage come from?
Not knowledge Jesus rose from dead; God exists; going to be with God forever when die etc.
Instead, it comes from knowing Jesus is alive, walking with us, accompanying us; keeping his promises; Matt 28 – “I am with you”.
Jesus is with me now, present, involved, immanent, attentive, listening, available for me now, interceding for me now, hearing my prayers now, sustaining me, strengthening me.
This gives us courage.
Joy comes partly from courage expressed, but partly because of knowing I have lived something fundamental to being a Christian – living by faith, trusting in Jesus.
Where do you need more joy?
That’s the same place you need more courage.
Courage first – then joy will follow.
Three steps to faith-fuelled courage and joyful living:
1. Jesus: trust he is with you
2. Open: to new ideas
3. “Yes”: say “yes” to new opportunities for courage
People who have joy attract others
Who would you rather be with?
Cannot fix some situations, but can fix courage.
If have courage, will have joy, will not mind situations so much!
And…others benefit
A church which filled with joy attracts others.
You can find more videos on our YouTube channel. Our web site is www.watfordchurchofchrist.org.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.
Thanks again for watching. Have a super day.
God bless,
Malcolm
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.
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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
