Thames Valley Churches of Christ

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 29 July 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 29 July 2019

 

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

"By The Spirit", Class 3, "Walk By The Spirit", Thames Valley churches of Christ, Malcolm Cox

"By the Spirit” - Class 3

Walk by the Spirit

1. Walk Away, 5:16-21

• Romans 7 - to which Romans 8 is the answer - a Spirit-guided response - 8:27
• Rom 8:9 - we are in the realm of the Spirit, v12-13 we can put to death the old life
• All I dislike about this world will be improved by a more Christ-like version of me.
• One of our aspirations: “always free but spiritual”, Galatians 5:13
• Solution provided by God so that we can walk in the right direction, Rom 8.26-27:
  • Spirit is on our side
  • Spirit prays for us
  • Spirit moves us towards the will of God

Question: “What helps us to walk away?”

2. Walk Towards, 5:22-25

• Matt 7:15, fruit makes us recognisable for who we are, 7:19-20.
• Not ‘normal’ levels of human qualities - but Jesus-level!
• That’s why we need the Spirit’s life in us (Spirit of Christ, Rom 8.9), 2 Cor 3:17-18
• Direction, not arrival; Process, not product; Lifetime, not year
• John Mark - from hindrance to helpful: Acts 15:37–38 / 2 Timothy 4:11

Question: “What helps us to walk towards?”

3. Walk With, 5:26; 6:1-2

• Growing in the Spirit makes us ready for service
• Treating one another right, 5.26
• Helping one another when we stray, 6.1-2
• Remembering we are human too, Gal 6.3
• A peacemaker, Matthew 5:9

Question: “What helps us to walk with?”

Conclusion, 6.7-10

• People of “The Way”: Acts 9:2; 19.9, 23; 24.14, 22
• Walking in a particular and different direction:

1. Walking away
2. Walking towards
3. Walking with

Gal 5.6b; 6:10 What does each of these points mean for you and your ‘group’? How will you adjust the way you pray & live as a result? Do you have questions about the Spirit? Send them to malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Beaconsfield, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

"By The Spirit", Class 3 Information, Thames Valley churches of Christ, Malcolm Cox

What’s happening this Friday, 26 July 2019. It’s our third class in the series on the Holy Spirit. This time looking at Galatians chapter 5 and walking by the Spirit.

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

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 22 July 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 22 July 2019

 

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Amesbury, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, tv coc, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

"Spiritual Traditions and the Heart", Alex Clegg, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Matthew 15.1-9

1. Spiritual Traditions

• “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”
• Jesus doesn’t say tradition is bad.
• Tradition is often just “human rules”.
• “Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.”
• The Pharisees tradition didn’t match God’s will.
• Do you have traditions/human rules in your spiritual life?
• Do they help your heart to be close to God?
• Do they align with the will of God?
• Do you have traditions/human rules in your spiritual life?
• Do they help your heart to be close to God?
• Do they align with the will of God?
• The Pharisees didn’t share God’s heart.
• “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

2. The Heart

• Unclean from the inside out, not the outside in.
• The word of God gets at our hearts.
• “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23
• How near does your heart feel towards God?
• Where might you be refreshed by thinking about your heart towards God?
• Have a heart to heart with God!

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Amesbury, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, tv coc, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

"By The Spirit", Class 2, "Praying in the Spirit - Part 2", Thames Valley churches of Christ, Malcolm Cox

“By The Spirit”

Praying in the Spirit - Part 2

“But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” (Jude 1:20–21 NIV11)

1. The Spirit is on our side, Rom 8.26a

• A primary work of the Spirit is to convince us of and help us experience the love of God.
• When you live with a sense of shame you know this is not from the Spirit.
• “..hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NIV11).
• The Holy Spirit opens a channel so that God’s love may be made real to us.
• “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph 2:18 NIV11)
• In light of this truth, the difference this will make to my prayer life is……………..

1. The Spirit prays for us, Rom 8.26b

• A primary work of the Spirit is to help us pray.
  • “The Spirit, however, makes our groaning his groaning, putting his prayers to the Father inside our prayers. He does so by placing within us a deep, inexpressible longing to do God’s will and see his glory….The Spirit enables us to long for the future glory of God and his will, even though we don’t know the specific thing we should pray for here and now.” Keller, Prayer, page 72
• In light of this truth, the difference this will make to my prayer life is……………..

1. The Spirit moves us towards God’s will, Rom 8.27

• A primary objective of Spirit is to get us to the will of God.
• “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10 NIV11).
• ““The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”” (Matthew 26:41 NIV11).
• “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31 NIV11).
• “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Eph 6:18).
  • “..in the Spirit means more than by the Spirit’s help. The Spirit is the atmosphere of Christians’ lives, and as they live in the Spirit grace will be given to watch, and power to continue in prayer.” Foulkes, Francis. Ephesians: An Intro and Commentary.
• In light of this truth, the difference this will make to my prayer life is……………..

Summary, Luke 11.1-13

1. Pray with humility, vv1-4

• Learn to pray (Lk 11.1)
• Learn to forgive (Eph 4.32).

1. Pray with confidence, vv5-13

• Confident in perseverance, Lk 18.1-8.
• Confident in provision, 1 John 5.14

Conclusion

• How will you adjust the way you pray as a result of tonight’s lesson about the Spirit?
• Suggestion: Use Romans 8.26-27 as a prayer frame for a week.
• Do you have questions about the Spirit? Send them to malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Amesbury, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, tv coc, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

“What Happens When You Go With God”, Acts 14.20-28

“What Happens When You Go With God”, Acts 14.20-28

 

Introduction, v20

Themes

•Numbers converted, word spread

•Making disciples everywhere

•Opposition / setbacks

•“Firsts’ all over the place!

•Overall feeling:Undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God

•Resulting in….

 

1. Bear God’s Fruit

•By bringing God’s Word to all kinds of people

A. Converts - variety

•Flexibility of approach: Jews / Gentiles / Pagans

•Undiminished enthusiasm for winning disciples for Jesus

B. Elders - leadership

•Evangelismandstrengthening

•All churches need both

•That’s whey we need to meet up

•Leaders are not the most gifted, they are committed to strengthening

•Brave to go back to where persecuted

•High level of compassion for young Christians / new churches

•Undiminished enthusiasm for the strengthening of disciples

 

2. Bear With Setbacks

•Persevered despite these ….

A. External Setbacks

•Opposition; Poisoning; Persecution

•Brave to go back to sites of pain

•Compassion for young Christians drove them

•Undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks

B. Internal Setbacks

•Betrayal / Desertion

•John Mark

•Undiminished enthusiasm despite internal setbacks

 

Conclusion, 14.26-27

•Why did this happen?  God - He is the focus.

•We don’t know how they felt day to day, but we do know they found their way back to undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God.

•Because motivated within the grace of God;

•Conscious of the presence of God;

•Confident in the love of God

•Because confident of the competency of God

•His power/strength

•His wisdom

•Do you believe God is loving and competent?

•When we go with God we see the fruit of God in new disciples and strengthened disciples

•When we go with God we see undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks and internal setbacks

•When we go with God we live for him with undiminished enthusiasm

 

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Amesbury, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, tv coc, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 15 July 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 15 July 2019

 

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

"By The Spirit", Class 1, "Praying in the Spirit - Part 1", Thames Valley churches of Christ, Malcolm Cox

“BY THE SPIRIT”

Praying in the Spirit - Part 1

John 14:16–17; Ephesians 1:13–14; Ephesians 2:22; Romans 8:15–27

1. “We” - we cry

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

2. “Cry”

• ‘kratzo’ - see all NT references below: Matt 14.30; 9:27; Mk 6:49; John 19:12; Luke 19:40

1. Creation groans - v22
2. We groan  - v23
3. Spirit groans - vv26-27

Question: “What life situations have caused you to “cry” to God in the Spirit?”

• Romans 8:28–29

Question: “How does the “we cry” help your life of prayer?”

3. “Abba”

• dadda - John 14:23

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba”” help your life of prayer?”

4. “Father”

• Not starting with “Lord”

Question: “How does the “we cry, “Abba, Father.”, help your life of prayer?”

Conclusion

What does each of these four points mean for you and your ‘group’?

1. We - communal
2. Cry - real
3. Abba - relationship
4. Father - safe

• How will you adjust the way you pray as a result of what the Spirit has made possible?
• Suggestion: Use Romans 8.15 as a prayer frame for a week - “We cry, “Abba, Father.””
• Do you have questions about the Spirit? Send them to malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

* “Cry” (katzo): Matt. 8:29; 9:27; 14:26, 30; 15:22–23; 20:30–31; 21:9, 15; 27:23, 50; Mark 3:11; 5:5, 7; 9:24, 26; 10:47–48; 11:9; 15:13–14; Luke 4:41; 9:39; 18:39; 19:40; John 1:15; 7:28, 37; 12:44; Acts 7:57, 60; 14:14; 16:17; 19:28, 32, 34; 21:28, 36; 23:6; 24:21; Rom. 8:15; 9:27; Gal. 4:6; James 5:4; Rev. 6:10; 7:2, 10; 10:3; 12:2; 14:15; 18:2, 18–19; 19:17

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

 

Reading, tvcoc, Thames Valley churches of Christ, ICOC, Tim Dannatt, Malcolm Cox, ICCM, Lower Earley, Southampton, Winchester, High Wycombe, Oxford, Banbury, Deepcut, Frimley, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Amesbury, Sunday School, Reading University, Youth Ministry, Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, Shevvy Dannatt, Mark Abril, Rachel Abril, Churches of Christ, Christian churches near me, tv coc, International church, churches close to me, Thames Valley, Thames Valley location, Thames Valley church of Christ, the Thames Valley,

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 08 July 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 08 July 2019

 

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