An audio lesson or sermon from various contributors
Episodes
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Monday Jul 17, 2023
Introduction
This is probably the deepest class on the topic of unity It is the hardest to teach, it might be the hardest to hear. It is tough to teach, because this angle on unity can easily be misunderstood. It is difficult to hear for some because it may trigger memories of ungodly experiences. However, submission is spiritually enriching or we would not see Jesus modelling it.
We might need to be re-educated as to what submission means, but it is something we do not need to fear. With those thoughts in mind, let's take a look into the Scriptures as to the connection between submission and unity.
Submission to the Father
John 4:34, John 6:38, John 12:28
“...may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”” (Matthew 26:39 NIV11)
“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death...” (Heb 5:7)
Note: Submission did not make him weak, a push-over or a doormat. Nor did he submit to unhealthy authority
Note: Jesus and his father were completely united. Jesus submitted himself voluntarily to the will of the father, even though it cost him so much.
How was he able to do this?
Security with the Father
“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” (John 16:32 NIV11)
“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53 NIV11)
“Abba , Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36 NIV11)
Note: From the time in his father's house when he was 12, to his father's acclamation of him when he was baptised, to his prayers as he hung on the cross, Jesus tenaciously trusted in his father.
Note: He was confident of his father's company, his power, and his approval. It was this security with his father that enabled Jesus to live a life of submission to his father's will. Their unity was an outcome of their mutual love.
What does this mean for us?
Submission to one another
“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Ephesians 5:21 NIV11)
“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you” (Hebrews 13:17 NIV11)
“Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.” (1 Peter 2:18 NIV11) “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behaviour of their wives,” (1 Peter 3:1 NIV11)
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.”” (1 Peter 5:5 NIV11)
Note: No follower of Jesus is exempt from submitting to other followers of Jesus. Some members of households are specifically reminded to submit because of local church circumstances and cultural pressures of the time. But even those were not specifically called to submit, like husbands to wives, must do so because all Christians are called to submit to one another.
Note: The submission called for is based on a trust of God – "in the Lord".
Note: Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline sums up his position with this statement, “Revolutionary submission commands us to live in submission to human authority until it becomes destructive.”
Note: Biblical submission is not about who is in charge, who has the power, who makes the decisions. It is about modelling Christlike submission to one another. The kind of submission we are talking about is laid out most powerfully and poetically at the beginning of Philippians chapter 2.
Meditation
(Philippians 2:1–11 NIV11)
The church has problems with unity, 'stand firm in the one Spirit' (1.27), 'being like-minded'
(2.2), 'selfish ambition' (2.3), 'your own interests' (2.4), 'grumbling or arguing' (2.14), 'everyone looks out for their own interests' (2.21), 'I plead...be of the same mind' (4.2).
Jesus is the focus of the letter: Jesus, Christ, Lord, Saviour -- 76 mentions in 104 verses
Unity with Christ leads to a concern for each other's well-being that creates unity among us - his brothers and sisters, his family.
Questions
What is Biblical submission, and what is it not?
What helps us submit to one another and what makes it difficult?
How can you personally, and the members of your group, grow in healthy submission to one another?
How will this help your unity in Christ?
Conclusion
Instead of, ’We are not going to have unity until we agree with one another’, how about, ‘We are not going to have unity until we submit to one another.’?
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Tuesday Jul 04, 2023
Introduction
- Healthy unity depends on two things — truthfulness and grace in Christian relationships. An overemphasis on truth leads to a culture of judgment. An overemphasis on grace leads to a culture of sentimentalism.
- Jesus came ‘…full of grace and truth.‘ John 1:14. Our congregations will be healthily unified if we imitate him and develop a culture of truth-speaking and grace-giving.
- - -
Truth-Speaking
“These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts;” (Zechariah 8:16 NIV11)
- A vision of a healthy future for God’s people post-exile
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15 NIV11)
“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25 NIV11)
- Has truth-telling been a problem in the Ephesian church?
Matthew 18:15–20
- What is the goal? Not truth-telling as such, but to ‘win them over’.
- What is the process? Not a formula, but personal, human, loving.
- ‘Go’ - take initiative
- ‘Point out’ - speaking what you see, feel, observe. Not passing judgment - e.g. “you are proud”.
- ‘One or two others’ - not a trial, but adding the additional weight of multiple witnesses.
- ‘Listen’ is repeated three times. The aim is that they will see truth, not be condemned.
- Treating them as a ‘pagan’ is not to pass judgment. How did Jesus treat pagans and tax collectors? It is to recognise a breakdown in Christian fellowship, but still to treat them with love and to hold on to hope for them and Hope for your relationship with them to be healed.
- - -
Grace-Giving
Matthew 18:21–35
- Look for the maximum you can forgive, not the minimum. The Pharisees of the day said three times was adequate. God calls us to grant the same limitless grace he offers us.
- Grace is sometimes easier to give to people in the world than in the church. The experience of being sinned against by Christians is often more painful, but all the more glorious when we forgive.
- Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman, “In Jesus’ insistence that we should forgive seventy times seven, there seems to be the assumption that forgiveness is mandatory for three reasons. First, God forgives us again and again for what we do intentionally and unintentionally. There is present an element that is contingent upon our attitude. Forgiveness beyond this is interpreted as the work of divine grace. Second, no evil deed represents the full intent of the doer. Third, the evildoer does not go unpunished. Life is its own restraint. In the wide sweep of the ebb and flow of moral law our deeds track us down, and doer and deed meet. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” At the moment of injury or in the slow burning fires of resentment this may be poor comfort. This is the ultimate ground in which finally a profound, unrelieved injury is absorbed. When all other means have been exhausted, each in his own tongue whispers, “There is forgiveness with God.””
- - -
Questions
1. How hard or easy do you find it to tell truth to a fellow-believer? Why is that?
2. How hard or easy do you find it to give grace to a fellow-believer? Why is that?
3. What questions arise regarding how to bring things up, when to do so and whether it really matters?
4. How do you know when you are being gracious and when you are being sentimental?
- - -
Conclusion
- Jesus was a master at both truth-telling and grace-giving. Why not scan a gospel looking for what you can learn from him in the act of truth-telling and grace-giving?
- Christian fellowships are far from perfect, but if we grow in truth-telling and grace-giving we will thrive, grow into greater Christ-likeness and display his love to a love-starved world.
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
This is a very Thames Valley specific class series, but the principles will apply elsewhere. Nothing is broken, but that does not mean we should not strengthen what we have because greater strain is coming in the future. When unity is unattended to, it does become weaker. These classes will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity. If you have not listened to the sermon from a recent Sunday I suggest you do so.
Today's class is focussed on building unity between our groups. The pdf with notes and scripture references can be found here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/complete-unity-class-2-how-churches-are-unified-with-one-another/
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
Thursday Jun 08, 2023
What did Jesus mean when he prayed for complete unity?
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Tuesday Jun 06, 2023
Introduction
This is a very Thames Valley specific class series, but the principles will apply elsewhere.
Nothing is broken, but that does not mean we should not strengthen what we have because greater strain is coming in the future. When unity is unattended to, it does become weaker.
These classes will discuss attitudes and actions that can strengthen our unity.
If you have not listened to the sermon from last Sunday I suggest you do so.
Today's class is focussed on building unity in our local group. Next time we will discuss unity between groups.
1. Jesus
Prays for unity
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22–23 NIV11)
Teaches on unity
““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” (John 13:34–35 NIV11)
Works to promote unity.....
Example 1
“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”” (Mark 9:33–37 NIV11)
See also vv 14,16
The disciples react to Jesus attempting to help them be honest by going quiet. No one has the conviction or purity of heart to confess on behalf of the group.
Timing and location matter
Example 2
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Mark 10:35–45 NIV11)
We are one chapter further on and they still need help. Unity is never 'finished'.
2. The Early Church
Example 1
“In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.” This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:1–7 NIV11)
Leadership listened
Involved everyone
Understood limitations
Discussion
Prayer
Example 2 - (Romans 12:3–8 NIV11)
Discover gifts - often more obvious to others than oneself
Use those gifts for the benefit of the body
Conclusion
All about trust
Built by love
Built by respect
Built be honesty
Questions
Any un-dealt with tensions in your group?
What is the next significant decision in your group? How will you approach it to ensure maximum unity?
How can you help each other play their part?
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Thursday May 18, 2023
Thursday May 18, 2023
For our teaching classes in May I have asked my friend Simon Dinning (Belfast International church of Christ) to record two classes for us on the topic of the kingdom (to riff on the theme of the coronation).
The second class is here. I hope you find this useful for personal edification, or family group discussions. Please pass it on to your groups. God bless, Malcolm
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](mailto: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](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
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Thursday May 04, 2023
Thursday May 04, 2023
For our teaching classes in May I have asked my friend Simon Dinning (Belfast International church of Christ) to record two classes for us on the topic of the kingdom (to riff on the theme of the coronation).
The first class is here. I hope you find this useful for personal edification, or family group discussions. Please pass it on to your groups. God bless, Malcolm
You've found an upload from the Thames Valley churches of Christ. Thank you for watching this video. If you'd like to know more go to www.thamesvalley.church where you'll find news, information, resources and much more.
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Friday Apr 14, 2023
Introduction
This is the second of two classes reflecting on the significance of the witnesses to the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week's class will focus on the witnesses to the resurrection.
Who was at the tomb?
The Text
“Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”
(John 20:11–18 NIV11)
What did Mary experience?
The gentleness of Jesus
- He noticed her emotional state: Crying, not seeing straight
- He refrained from accusation: Questions, no negative comment, commission later.
- He connected personally: “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3 NIV11). He knows your name.
See, ‘He knows my name’: https://youtu.be/ore7feFfD40
(I expand on this point in my latest quiet time coaching episode which you can find here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/quiet-time-coaching-episode-409-resurrection-reflection-the-gentleness-of-jesus-malcolm-cox/).
What does this tell us about faith? And love for Christ?
Just as at the cross and thee burial we are seeing discipleship in action as displayed by the marginalised in society. Mary is determined to be close to Jesus, even if it he is dead. Now that’s commitment! She wants to hold him, even if it didn't make sense. She is willing and eager to obey Jesus by taking the message to the Apostles, even though it would not make sense to them. She is brave even though afraid. She had the courage to witness to Jesus even when it did not make sense. She knew her testimony would most likely be dismissed. What was she thinking as she made her way to find the apostles? Compelled by truth, excitement, and love she went to find them even though she did not know exactly what, how or why the events of the resurrection had happened. She laid herself open to ridicule.
What does this mean for us today?
- We do not always know how to articulate the message, or explain it. Most will reject the message, but we are still compelled because it is true, and that truth has changed us. We have met the risen Christ and he as forever transformed us.
- You can act in loving obedience despite the presence of fear
- You don't have to be a super-disciple to witness to the resurrection
Conclusion
Perhaps the overall point here is not to lose sight of Jesus when talking about the resurrection. Mary Magdalene was eager to take the message back to Peter and John. But what made her so excited was not some theological point, but that the one who loved her and the one she loved was alive. She had seen him, heard from him, and at least tried to touch him.
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](mailto: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](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
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
Thursday Apr 06, 2023
This is the first of two classes reflecting on the significance of the witnesses to the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week's class will focus on the witnesses to the crucifixion and burial.
Who was at the cross?
* Women: Mary Magdalene; Mary the mother of James and Joseph; the mother of the sons of Zebedee; Salome; 'many other Galilean women'; the sister of the mother of Jesus; Mary the wife of Clopas.
* Men: The disciple loved by Jesus
* "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home." (John 19:25–27 NIV11)
* Centurion: "And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:39 NIV11)
Who was at the burial?
* Women: Mary Magdalene; the 'other' Mary (Mary, the mother of Joseph); "women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it." (Luke 23:55 NIV11)
* Men: Joseph of Arimathea; Nicodemus
What did they experience?
* Mary, the mother of Jesus, saw his eyes open for the very first time and close to the very last time. As his mother, she was used to helping him when he got in trouble or soothing him when he got in pain. Now, she is present but unable to do that. She was his helper, and now she is helpless. She stands as an example of remaining with people in their pain, even though we can do nothing to alleviate it. We don't have to have the answer, be able to waive the magic wand, or say anything. Do not leave them, but stay with them in their pain.
* Mary Magdalene: Jesus was there to help her through her pain. Now she is there to help him through his.
* "After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means." (Luke 8:1–3 NIV11)
What does this tell us about faith? And love for Christ?
* Mother of Jesus & Mary Magdalene
* We see discipleship in action as manifested in loyalty, faithfulness and love despite danger and fear. These women held on even though confused.
* Centurion
* The death of Jesus has an impact on non-believers.
* Joseph of Arimathea
* He was sacrificing for love. His action served no apparent purpose according to the mission of Jesus. Little did Joseph know how significant his act of love towards Jesus was.
What does this mean for us today?
1. Trust that sticking around with Jesus when it's painful will bear fruit
2. Anything you do for Jesus in love can be used by him
3. Bring the cross to people, and it will have an impact
4. You don't have to be a super-disciple to benefit from witnessing the cross
Conclusion
Perhaps the overall point here is not to lose sight of the cross. The people who witnessed the cross never forgot it. No matter the inconvenience, pain, danger, or fear, we must keep our eyes on the cross. It is not the end of the story; we'll talk more about that next time, but it helps make sense of the next part. The women and a few men understood what the writer to the Hebrews was discussing.
"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 throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV11)
What stood out for you today from our exploration of the significance of the witnesses to the crucifixion and burial of Jesus?
The next class comes out in two weeks and will focus on the witnesses to the resurrection. Do you have any questions about those witnesses or the events of the resurrection? Please let me know: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Please send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto: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](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.
God bless, Malcolm