S1: “Jesus the practical joker”, Luke 24.13-35, Malcolm Cox, Watford churches of Christ
“The Day Jesus Played A Practical Joke” Luke 24.13-35 Introduction Question: What examples of Jesus ‘pretending’ can you see? Discussion Question: Why did he ask, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” Question: Why did he ask, “What things?” Question: Why did he ask, “Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” Question: Why did they recognise Jesu...
38m Jan 27, 2020
38m
S1 Ep29: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 29
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 29 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 27, 2020
4m
S1 Ep30: "Was Jesus a practical joker?", Newsletter 25 January 2020
Jesus the practical joker Was Jesus a practical joker? Is that too irreverent a question for you? I posed this idea on Sunday for the Watford Church of Christ. We were taking a look at Luke 24:13-35.  The recording of that sermon will go up later on today (Sunday) and a link will be added to next week's newsletter. There's a tremendous amount of humour on the road to Emmaus. Perhaps not for the...
10m Jan 26, 2020
10m
S1 Ep28: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 28
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 28 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 26, 2020
4m
S1: “Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series: Seventh Lesson “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matt 5:9
“Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series: Seventh Lesson “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matt 5:9 QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far? Peacemakers: Not appeasers Not peacekeepers QUESTION: “What is the difference between peacekeeping and peacemaking?” 1. Peacemaking in the Bible God Sending his prophets, the ‘covenant-enforcer...
29m Jan 25, 2020
29m
S1 Ep27: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 27
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 27 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 25, 2020
4m
S1 Ep26: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 26
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 26 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 24, 2020
4m
S1: "Fixed on Jesus", Hebrews 12.1-3, Sermon for the Watford church of Christ
Fixed on Jesus “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the t...
33m Jan 23, 2020
33m
S1 Ep25: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 25
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 25 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 23, 2020
4m
S1 Ep24: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 24
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 24 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 22, 2020
4m
S1 Ep191: Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 191: "What is a sermon?"
Today another episode inspired by my reading of Dr D Martyn Lloyd-Jones' book, “Preaching and preachers”. Let’s look at some thoughts from the fourth chapter of the book entitled “The form of the sermon”. We will talk about the form, but the form comes from an exploration of what a sermon actually is. Why is this important? It’s important because if we don’t know what we're trying to deliver we...
21m Jan 21, 2020
21m
S1 Ep23: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 23
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 23 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 21, 2020
4m
S1 Ep22: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 22
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 22 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 20, 2020
4m
S1 Ep21: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 21
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 21 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 19, 2020
4m
S1: “Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series: Fifth Lesson = "Blessed are the merciful"
“Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series: Fifth Lesson “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11) QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far? Poor-Mourn-Meek-Hunger-Merciful 1. Old Covenant hesed: steadfast love, Psalm 89.28 hanan: undeserved help, Psalm 103.8 raham: empathic love, Isaiah 13:18; 49:15; Psalm 18:1 God is ‘the Father of mer...
32m Jan 18, 2020
32m
S1 Ep29: "Devotion in all weathers", Newsletter 17 January 2020
Devotion in all weathersA few days ago I was taking a later than usual prayer walk through Cassiobury Park. I came across a site I had not expected.  A group of people playing croquet. In January. In Watford. I enjoy croquet. My father bought a set back in the '70s, and we grew up playing it on the lawn. Evidence supplied in the photo below. I took the picture on my first camera. Playing croque...
8m Jan 18, 2020
8m
S1 Ep20: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 20
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 20 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 18, 2020
4m
S1 Ep117: "The value of theming your service", The Sunday Sample, Episode 117
Do you ever theme your services? A thread weaving its way through the service. It might be a topic, a Bible verse, or a spiritual idea bonding the different parts of the service together. I'd like to share with you an example of one I put together for the Thames Valley Church of Christ and the reasons for doing so. First, reasons for doing so Discipline. It provides a focus for every speaker, a...
17m Jan 17, 2020
17m
S1 Ep19: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 19
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 19 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 17, 2020
4m
S1 Ep18: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 18
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 18 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 16, 2020
4m
S1 Ep17: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 17
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 17 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of...
4m Jan 15, 2020
4m
S1 Ep16: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 16
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 1 6 Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words o...
4m Jan 14, 2020
4m
S1 Ep15: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 15
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 15   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 13, 2020
4m
S1 Ep191: “Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series: Third Lesson - "Blessed are the meek"
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far? Psalm 37 and Context Beatitude position significant: Poor in spirit - mourn - meek - hunger & thirst for righteousness Paradoxical blessing. How do we resolve the paradox? Psalm 37:11 – recognised as messianic 1. Meekness ‘praus: ‘gentle, humble, considerate, c...
40m Jan 12, 2020
40m
S1 Ep14: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 14
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 14   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 12, 2020
4m
S1 Ep28: "Looking forward to crucial conversations", Newsletter 10 January 2020
Looking forward to crucial conversationsYesterday I booked flights to San Antonio. I'll be attending the teachers' conference there in early March. The title "Conversations: exploring the teaching ministry" is intriguing. It sounds open and non-threatening. A place to listen and to be heard. That's the kind of conference I like most. Somewhere to gather with passionate people who are as committ...
13m Jan 11, 2020
13m
S1 Ep13: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 13
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 13   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 11, 2020
4m
S1 Ep12: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 12
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 12   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 10, 2020
4m
S1 Ep11: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 11
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 11   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 09, 2020
4m
S1 Ep10: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 10
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 10   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing word...
4m Jan 08, 2020
4m
S1 Ep190: Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 190: "How to preach for a change"
Welcome to the year 2020! This is our first Tuesday teaching tip for the new decade. Before I get into today’s topic let may explain a change to the teaching tips schedule. This coming year I shall be posting a new tip every other week instead of every week.  I reflected on last year and the lessons learned from frequent posting. I’m glad that I learned how to generate meaningful material so fr...
24m Jan 07, 2020
24m
S1 Ep9: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 9
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 9   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.    These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words...
4m Jan 07, 2020
4m
S1 Ep8: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 8
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 06, 2020
4m
S1 Ep7: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 7
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 05, 2020
4m
S1 Ep27: "How to flourish in 2020", Newsletter 04 January 2020
Flourishing in 2020Not long after we moved into our present home Penny planted me a small olive tree. She told me that one day it would grow to be quite sizeable. This week I noticed some olives on the tree. Now, just like many people in the Bible, I have my own olive tree! “But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.      For ...
10m Jan 04, 2020
10m
S1 Ep6: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 6
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 04, 2020
4m
S1 Ep116: The Sunday Sample, Episode 116: "Write a new song in 2020"
Happy new year! My biggest challenge for 2020 is to write 12 songs. I’ve joined the “12 song challenge” at Resound Worship (https://www.resoundworship.org/) . In today’s recording I ‘review’ the booklet, “How to write worship songs” (https://www.resoundworship.org/store/product/how-to-write-worship-songs) by Joel Payne and Sam Hargreaves. That’s all I’ll say in the show notes. The video and pod...
7m Jan 03, 2020
7m
S1 Ep5: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 5
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 03, 2020
4m
S1 Ep121: Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 121. "My devotional theme for 2020"
Happy New Year! I’ve decided on my devotional focus for 2020.  With all the preparation I’m doing for the sermon on the mount teaching series and the beatitudes teaching day, I’ve been soaked in those scriptures.  God has laid the beatitudes on my heart as a devotional aid. I’ve been praying through them daily for a few weeks. They thrill me and challenge me! “Blessed are the poor in spirit, fo...
8m Jan 02, 2020
8m
S1 Ep4: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 4
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 02, 2020
4m
S1 Ep3: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 3
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Jan 01, 2020
4m
S1 Ep2: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 2
Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.    Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7. These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words of Jesus and apply them to our devotion...
4m Dec 31, 2019
4m
S1 Ep189: Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 189: "Preaching and teaching hopes for 2020"
As of the time of recording the new year is almost upon us. Do you have a big hope for your preaching and teaching in the year ahead? We cannot predict the ways in which God may refine us, teach us and shape us in our preaching and teaching in 2020. But there’s no harm in settling on at least one main hope for the future 12 months. As someone once said, “If you aim as nothing you are sure to hi...
10m Dec 31, 2019
10m
S1 Ep1: “Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 1
“Kingdom Come” podcast, episode 1   Would you like to know more about the heart of Jesus? If so, you’ve come to the right place.     Welcome to the “Kingdom Come” podcast of the Thames Valley churches of Christ. For two months we are diving deep into the “Sermon on the Mount”, found in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7.   These podcasts are designed to help us take these amazing words ...
4m Dec 30, 2019
4m
S1 Ep26: "Take Time To Review", Newsletter 28 December 2019
Reflection on 2019 A short bit of script this week - the details are in the podcast. Are you taking time to reflect on the lessons God has taught you this year? I heartily recommend you do so. This was my task on Friday. The podcast contains more information about how I conducted this review. I hope my podcasts and other materials this week will help you to reflect on what God has been teaching...
6m Dec 28, 2019
6m
S1 Ep115: The Sunday Sample, Episode 115: "Corporate worship hopes for 2020"
As of the time of recording the new year is almost upon us. Do you have a big hope for the corporate worship in the year ahead? Whilst we cannot predict the ways in which God made refine us, teach us and shape us in our leading of corporate worship in 2020, there’s no harm in settling on at least one main hope for the future 12 months. As someone once said, “If you aim as nothing you are sure t...
7m Dec 27, 2019
7m
S1 Ep120: Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 120. "Hopes for times of quiet with God in 2020"
As of the time of recording the new year is almost upon us. Do you have a big hope for your times of quiet with God in the year ahead? Whilst we cannot predict the ways in which God may refine us, teach us and shape us in our relationship with him in 2020, there’s no harm in settling on at least one main hope for the future 12 months. As someone once said, “If you aim as nothing you are sure to...
10m Dec 26, 2019
10m
S1 Ep188: Tuesday Teaching Tips, Episode 188: "How to assess your preaching and teaching in 2019"
This year God has used you in your teaching and preaching. Other people have been blessed by what you have shared. But, what has God taught you about teaching and preaching? It’s important from time to time to pause and reflect. Moses reminded the people of Israel that they must not forget what God had taught them: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the thi...
10m Dec 24, 2019
10m
S1 Ep25: "Welcome to love", The weekly newsletter, 21 December 2019
Welcome to loveI love a warm welcome, don't you? I saw the sign above on Monday when I went to pray in a new place - Phillipshill Wood in Chorleywood. It was part of my preparation before popping off to  Rootz (https://www.facebook.com/RootzCafe/) Café to finish writing the last of the sermon on the Mount class series. I would have enjoyed my walk in the woods without the sign, but it added som...
10m Dec 21, 2019
10m
S1 Ep114: The Sunday Sample, Episode 114: "Lessons from 2019"
This year God has used you in your leading of corporate worship. Other people have been blessed by the way you have served. But, what has God taught you about leading corporate worship?  It’s important from time to time to pause and reflect. Moses reminded the people of Israel that they must not forget what God had taught them: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not f...
8m Dec 20, 2019
8m