Thames Valley Churches of Christ

"Jesus the Life-Whisperer", Wellington Service 2019, Thames Valley churches of Christ

We are designed for an adventurous life.

Why settle for a rocking horse when a real one is available? We take a look at why going through life with Jesus is better than doing it alone.

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

"Where does your gate lead?", Malcolm Cox, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Looking at two ‘gates’ today and what they mean for us and the world….

 

1. Gate of Confusion, Gen 11.1-9

    “Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”     But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The LORD said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.”

 

A. What are they trying to do?

“one language / common speech” about outlook, not just words

East - away from Eden, away from God

Desire to control destiny

Idolatry / Pride

Our world devastated by human pride, selfish ambition and attempt to control destiny

 

B. Why does God do what he does?

God’s mercy in action

For humanity’s protection - rushing headlong to destruction

Imagine it had not just been Nazis in WW2; or Stalin, or ISIL? But whole world united against the Jews, the intellectuals, those of free thought, the Christians…..

They did their worst, but it could have been much worse.

How much evil can you do if you can't understand each other?

One united voice without respect for God will lead to terrible things.

 

Bab-El - “gate”; Babel - “confusion”

 

2. Gate of Satisfaction, Jn 10.7-10

“Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

 

Voice: “Enter my gate and you’ll experience love, meaning and safety.”

Safety: "I have a place of safety in a world of savagery."

Sustenance: In, out, find pasture - what you need

Salvation: Because close to the shepherd. He considers my salvation more important than his safety…..

““I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” (John 10:11–13 NIV11)

 

Jesus came down

To gather

To open the gate

For all nations

To be brought together under his protection and love

 

If we are united in Christ we are united in love and truth and thus united under the sovereignty of our maker who knows best how we are to function and his life can then be experienced, and shared with others.

This unity is not dangerous because it is a humble unity.

Partly seen in this life in the kingdom, through the church, fully expressed in the next life as revealed in revelation.

 

Conclusion…., Rev 21.22-27

“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendour into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honour of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

 

CHOOSE YOUR GATE

Choose carefully

Your future depends on it

The world’s future depends on it

 

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, 01 July 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 01 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,

Helpful Counselling Class 3, “Does Counselling Work?”, Joan Mankoo, Thames Valley churches of Christ

“The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” (Prov. 20:5 NIV11)

• A relationship of understanding can help draw one  another out of deep waters.
• Without it we might drown.

Does counselling work?

• Yes, but not always.
• It depends on the needs of the individual and the benefit they find in the counselling.
• Relationship is the key issue. Are you connecting with your counsellor?
• The person receiving counselling must be open to the relationship and the process or it will not work.

Personal Development

“honour your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”(Matt. 19:19 NIV11)

• Take responsibility for feelings and behaviour
•  Impact on all relationships including our relationship with God.
• Understanding myself better canhelp us to mature and grow.
• We aim to grow towards self-acceptance and thus empathy for others.

Why do I need someone else to help me with this?

• We are not objective
• Blind spots and assumptions need exposing and examining.
• Someone to offer empathy, connection and love
• Confidentiality is key

See Brene Brown video about blame and taking responsibility.

 

Practical tips for your own personal development

• Slow down
• Be creative - such as keeping a journal
• Be vulnerable
• Our aims is to improve relationship (GOD - God, Ourselves, Disciples)
• “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Eph. 5:18–20 NIV11) 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:15–16 NIV11) 

 

In practice

• Know your limitations
• Respect the other person, confidentiality, collaboration 

Principles in practice: list on the slide

 

Practice is Process

• Takes time
• Is not a fix
• Trust
• Growth
• Beginning, middle and end

An example: Greig/Loss - see slide and grief video

 

Working with children and young people: see slide

• Help people to find their hope

Growing towards our full potential: see slide

 

Relationship is all

• Jn 13.34
• Mk 12.31
• 1 Cor 3.7

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,

Sermon, 23 June 2019, from Chris Birtles at Surrey Heath

 

 

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 24 June 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead 24 June 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,

“The Same God Forever”, Heinrich Koorts, Thames Valley Churches of Christ

God is the same forever. How does this fact relates to our prayer life?

 

“Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17–18 NIV11)

 

A man like us! Really. With feelings, fears, distractions, hopes, dreams, 

 

God never changes in his power. Thus we can be confident he hears our prayers and he has the power to answer our prayers. Are we praying confidently? If we are confident in God it is more likely that we will pray:

• Consistently 
• Specifically
• Hopefully

Heinrich shared a number of specific answered prayers - some of his own and some of other people.

• Do we pray?
• Are we bold in our prayers?
• Are we faithful in our prayers?
• Do you believe God is capable of answering them?
• Do you share stories of where God answered them?

Perseverance in prayer is important because our timing is not God’s timing. 

 

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,

“Helpful Counselling”, Class 2, John Partington, Thames Valley churches of Christ

John's Definition: "Counselling is a means of exploring ‘self’ to gain awareness, understanding and acceptance."

 

“Its not what happens to us that is the significant thing. It is how we view what happens that shapes us.”

 

Spiritual maturity depends upon avoiding seeing ourselves as victims. What gets in the way of such maturity?

• Defending self – defence mechanisms - denial, regression, projection, blame.
• Hiding self – isolation, emotionally closing down
• False self – portraying what we think others want us to be, mask
• Inflated self – narcissistic, the world revolves around me, ‘look at me’.
• Self – gratification – using ‘things’ to fill an emotional or spiritual hole, overeating, addiction, indulgence.
• Punishing self – self loathing, self harm, suicide.
• Rather than explore ‘self’ the above try to protect self.

How do we explore self? We expose our vulnerability. The power of the redemptive gospel is about healing dysfunctions due to seeing either perpetrated upon us, or by us.

 

The truth can set us free (John 8) - if we search for it as an adult. Secrets keep us sick.

 

Our path to spiritual maturity and healing is through honesty, openness and willingness to face truth and accept God’s acceptance of us. This is not possible by human means alone, but by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

 

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,

Surrey Heath and Borders sermon: Jonty Culwick, 16 Jun 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,

The Thames Valley Week ahead, 17 June 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead

 

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