Thames Valley Churches of Christ

Adventures in Faith with Abraham - Episode 2

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. This is a daily devotional podcast supporting a teaching series for the Watford church of Christ and the Thames Valley churches of Christ called "Adventures in faith with Abraham". It is also part of my quiet time coaching series.

What is it about Abraham which is so admirable? Many things. But perhaps above all else his adventurous faith, “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 2

Most preaching and teaching about Abraham begins in Genesis 12. Understandable, but we are missing something. Abraham first comes on the scene in Genesis chapter 11. Let's take a few minutes today to consider how the story of Abraham is set up.

“Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Now these are the records of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran; and Haran became the father of Lot. Haran died in the presence of his father Terah in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldeans. Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and Iscah. Sarai was barren; she had no child. Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran, his grandson, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans in order to enter the land of Canaan; and they went as far as Haran, and settled there. The days of Terah were two hundred and five years; and Terah died in Haran.” (Genesis 11:26–32 NAS95)

The writer of Genesis portrays Abraham as an historical figure. The amount of geographical and genealogical data and level of detail makes most sense that way. Some people doubt the actual existence of Abraham, and point to the lack of archaeological evidence. But then, there is very little archaeological data for any individual figure from 4000 years ago. The absence of evidence is not evidence of the absence of Abraham.

Let's spend a few moments today talking about geography and history.

The ancient city of Ur is equated with today's Tell al-Muqayyar, situated on the Euphrates in southern Mesopotamia. It may have had a population of around 25,000 at the time Abraham lived there. Many buildings, a ziggurat and Royal tombs have been unearthed.

Take a trip to the British Museum, or to its online gallery, and you will find what is called, "The Royal game of Ur". It is not too fanciful to imagine Abraham and his brothers playing this game as they grew up.

The Royal Game of Ur, 2600BC-2400BC Use this image 1460257001 | British Museum

Devotional thought for today

The Bible is not a book of fantasy stories, neither is it a theological treatise. At times it uses poetic (e.g. Psalms) and apocalyptic language (e.g. Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation), but most of the time it tells us about people to whom we can relate.

Take some time to imagine Abraham playing a board game with his father Terah. Perhaps it was his dad who taught him how to play. Maybe he had a competition with his brothers Nahor and Haran. If they were anything like siblings I know, they will have argued over the game, possibly even fought over it, scattering the pieces and overturning the board.

Picture playing the game with them - picking up a counter and placing it on the board. Of course, for this particular game the instructions have been long lost (!), but our imagination can supply the reality of the scene.

Prayer point for today

Ask God to help you see the humanity in Abraham and his contemporaries. Pray to approach their stories as people like you and I.

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

The apostle Paul said of Abraham, “He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me in January and February 2021.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

Adventures in Faith with Abraham - Episode 1.

Would you like to learn more about faith? You've come to the right person. No, not me, Abraham. I'm Malcolm Cox and this is a daily devotional podcast called "Adventures in faith with Abraham".

"... went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)

Join me as we step out on a faith adventure with Abraham.

Episode 1

How important is Abraham to you? He is mentioned by name 317 times in 286 verses of the Bible. More than most.

On a visit to India I was requested to preach. When I asked what to preach on I was told "Abraham". "No problem", I said, "but why Abraham?" The reply surprised me, "Because many Indian Christians have never heard of him."

On reflection, it made sense. So many come from a Hindu background and have never read the Bible. And of course, as was pointed out to me, we don't have to know about Abraham to become a Christian. I preached on Abraham that visit, and I hope I left a good impression of this amazing man of faith.

Whilst it's not necessary to know about Abraham to become a Christian, I would suggest it is necessary to know about him to fully grow into all that we can become as Christians.

Matthew includes Abraham in his genealogy of Jesus:

“This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:” (Matthew 1:1 NIV11)

Luke records the prayer-song of Mary:

“He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”” (Luke 1:54–55 NIV11)

Mark references Jesus mentioning Abraham in his debates with the Sadducees:

“Have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?” (Mark 12:26 NIV11)

John captures a significant moment in the ministry of Jesus when he mentions Abraham 10 times in a few verses: John 8:33-58.

If Jesus thought Abraham was important, shouldn't we? And we've not even touched on the preaching in Acts, the epistles of Paul and Peter, the letter to the Hebrews and others. We will get to those in the series.

So, a simple question for today.

Will you commit to taking Abraham seriously? More seriously than ever before? Pray and ask God to help you.

That's my commitment to you in this podcast series, and I hope you will join me.

If you have any questions or feedback please contact me: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

“He is the father of us all.” (Romans 4:16 NIV11) Let's allow him to be the father of Faith to you and me.

Many thanks for listening today. See you tomorrow as we continue our adventure of faith with Abraham.

Take care and God bless, Malcolm

"Kingdom Dreams" Dec 2020: Tim, Richard and a cast of thousands

You have found a podcast from the Thames Valley treasures of Christ.

This week Tim, Richard and a number of others talk about what it means to have a kingdom dream.

We are encouraged to prepare for 2021 by dreaming and praying. What can God do using the gifts he has given you and I?

www.tvcoc.org

Struck by Scripture by Ben Dannatt

A message from Ben Dannatt on 29th November, 2020

"Lives in lockdown - Judah, Jacob and Tamar"; Class 4 The Packhams "Inspiration in lockdown"

Tamar Worksheet

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZVNpfHvTLDVhPeuwny_QckOZfNbCfXCx/view?usp=sharing

Judah Worksheet

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W6_m7NcA1AKtVrWZRcD7juhvnizvsnxZ/view?usp=sharing

Jacob Worksheet

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eKi5o37R1BnEljOGcei-QGPfb0iaq-SW/view?usp=sharing

Inspiration in Lockdown Class 3: Hannah's Prayer Unlocks Hope

Malcolm Cox continues his series on inspiration during this lockdown with a discussion on Hannah and her prayer. 

TVCOC Annual Gift for the Poor 2020 by Tidu Mankoo

Tidu Mankoo breaks down the 3 projects we will helping to contribute towards this year in our annual gift to the poor abroad. 

Can You Feel The Zeal by Roger Packham

Roger Packham from our Dorset Church inspires us today with his message about zeal. 

Remembrance Sunday, 08 November 2020, Ben Dannatt

"There is No Longer Jew nor Greek: Dialogue on Christianity and Race"

Honest dialogue about Christianity and racial identity informed by Scripture and experience of black Christians

 

“God has put the body together, giving greater honour to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honoured, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:24-27 NIV11

 

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28).

 

In the verse quoted above, Paul attempted to capture the oneness of the people of God. This oneness emerged from the premise that believing in Jesus made believers spiritual descendants of Abraham and members of the worldwide, multi-ethnic family of God. In this family, all notions of domination and hierarchy were dismantled, and people acknowledged only the loving Lordship of the risen Jesus. This oneness, unprecedented in the ancient world, reflected the counter-cultural love of Jesus himself, who called a Zealot and a tax collector – normally sworn enemies – to live as brothers. 

 

As such, in a world whose history is tainted by the effects of domination, imperialism, marginalisation and enforced slavery, Christians and the Christian community ought to be models in reconciliation and healing. However, the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner and Trayvon Martin (to name a few) and the resurgence of Black Lives Matter protests have resurfaced deep wounds that have not healed, in the hearts of many of our black brothers and sisters. This combined with weaknesses in the Christian understanding of ethno-racial unity within and outside Christian communities has impacted the faith of many. 

 

This session aims to bring the experiences of black Christians into conversation with Christian scripture to help facilitate honest dialogue, promote understanding and navigate the sensitive landscape of Christianity and racial identity.

 

Speakers include Dr Andrew Ezeilo and Sandra Ezeilo, Rachael Corson, Elleen Okotie, Mike Desouza and Dr Andy Boakye. 

 

The format included a mix of sharing, teaching and 30 minutes for discussion in breakout rooms.

 

Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.tvcoc.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: tvcochrist@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm