Thames Valley Churches of Christ

"God The Ultimate Father", Father's Day Sermon, Heinrich Koorts, Thames Valley churches of Christ

1. God is powerful

• God as creator
• God as guide: pillar of fire
• God as provider: manna
• God as rescuer: parting the sea
• And he is our Father!
• Are you in touch with God’s power?
• What helps you to remember God’s power?

1.  
2. God is selfless
   • “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV11)
   • “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9 NIV11)
   • Do you believe God cares for you?
   • Do you believe that He wants what is best for you?
   • We serve a selfless God - that’s a powerful argument for trusting him!
3. God is comforting
   • A comforter - someone who alleviates grief or distress
   • God wants to take on our distress.
   • “A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
   • LORD, how many are my foes!
   • How many rise up against me!     
   • Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”     
   • But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.     
   • I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
   • I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.     
   • I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
   • Arise, LORD!
   • Deliver me, my God!
   • Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.     
   • From the LORD comes deliverance.
   • May your blessing be on your people.” (Psalm 3:0–8 NIV11)
   • Think of Jesus in Gethsemane - he waited with God in prayer until the strength and comfort arrived.
   • Is God your first go to in times of comfort?
   • Do you seek comfort from God? if so, how?

How lucky we are to have God as our ultimate Father!

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 1, John Partington, Thames Valley churches of Christ

We need to answer some questions regarding counseling:

1. Is counseling helpful for Christians?
2. What is the connection between spiritual and emotional issues?
3. What is the relevance of counseling for our fellowship?

We react to situations - sometimes healthily, sometimes not so much. Part of healthy maturing is to do with growing in awareness of formative experiences and assumptions.

 

John explained some of the historical background to modern counseling, and some of the main approaches to counseling. Details are on the powerpoint slides which are available on the website.

 

John talked in more detail about person-centered counselling (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Rogers) than other approaches. It is the specific therapy in which he is trained. The core principles are:

1. Empathy
2. Congruence
3. Unconditional positive regard

Counselling is more about relationship and connection, not method.

 

Can Christians counsel one another?

 

Yes, and no!

 

A list of helpful scriptures are on the powerpoint slides. We are called to be devoted to one another and each other’s well-being. Being involved in each other’s lives is a healthy expectation. 

 

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry....” (James 1:19 NIV11) 

 

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.” (Gal. 6:1–5 NIV11)

 

We can all help one another at different times. Be available to one another and look out for each other. We are not called to take responsibility for another person where it is their responsibility.

 

Key practice: don’t compare yourself with one another.  

 

Do we need a counsellor? There are some times in all our lives when we can benefit from the support of other people. Make sure the person is a listener, non-judgmental, non-directive, with an adult-to-adult relationship, mutual respect, vulnerable, honest, open and authentic, humble, considering others better than themselves, someone with time.

 

Be aware of barriers to a healthy one-another relationship - a list is on the PowerPoint slides.

 

We’re looking to connect, whether we need counselling or not. Connection is the point. Why not check in daily? Connect each day. 

• Share how you are feeling.
• Share openly what is on your mind - listen. Talk about the day
• Pray.

It only need 15 minutes or so.

 

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 man blind from birth", John 9, Surrey Heath and Borders

Thank you for listening to this recording. You can find more teaching tips here and on the on the YouTube teaching tips playlist. 

 

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.

 

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. 

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a terrific Tuesday, and a wonderful week.

 

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, 

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, Acts 14.1-7, Thames Valley churches of Christ, Malcolm Cox

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?”, Acts 14.1-7

Introduction, v1a

•Modern Konya, 90 miles east of Antioch.  

•Abundant water, a genial climate, rich vegetation, and great prosperity.

•“Then some Jews came from Antioch andIconiumand won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.” (Acts 14:19 NIV11)

•“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra,Iconiumand Antioch,” (Acts 14:21 NIV11)

•“The believers at Lystra andIconiumspoke well of him.” (Acts 16:2 NIV11)

•“what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch,Iconiumand Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” (2 Timothy 3:11 NIV11)

 

Results of effective speaking

 

1. Enabled by God, vv1b-3

 

A. Belief

B. Opposition

•“refused” - a choice

C. Perseverance

•“considerable time”

•“boldly”

•Message of his grace - wonderful phrase

•God with you

•God enabling you - ‘didomi’

•How?

•Prayer - “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:29 NIV11)

•Suppression of ego: “for the Lord”, v3

•Focussed on preaching a person, not a religion: “for the Lord”

•Preaching a positive message - “his grace”, not negative one

 

Results of perseverance

 

2. The results of God’s enablement, vv4-6

A. People make a choice

B. Opposition

•More serious this time

•GentilesandJews - unholy coalition. Reminds us of Pilate and Herod.

•Why do they decide to move on?

C. Moving on

•How do we decide when to move on?

•Surrounding countryside: Herts, Beds & Bucks

•Cynics - pigs simply devour - ““Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” (Matthew 7:6 NIV

•When other opportunities present themselves - “Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”” (Mark 1:38 NIV11)

 

Summary

•Expect people to choose

•Expect the negative people to oppose you

•Move on when to stay would prevent the gospel being spread

 

Conclusion, v7

•Unstoppable zeal

•Neither poisoning nor plots were enough to deter them

•Starts with “as usual”

•Ends with “continued to preach”

•God:

•Confirmed the message of His grace

•Empowered his messengers

•Affirmed his bold ambassadors

 

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, 09 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

 

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, 3 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

Teen-led service, 2019, Thames Valley churches of Christ

 

The teens led us today. Listen or watch and marvel at their convictions, poise and eloquence!

 

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,

"Three Big Questions", Class 3: “Why would a good God allow suffering?”

Three Big Questions

Class 3: “Why would a good God allow suffering?”

Introduction

• “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect….” (1 Peter 3:15–16 NIV11)

Before you begin

1. Note: this is a sensitive and difficult topic - avoid simplistic answers
2. Ask what it is about this topic that interest them
3. Ask what kind of evidence they would need in order to trust in a good God
4. Ask if they would be open to revising their opinion if convincing evidence/arguments were presented to them
5. Do not trivialise suffering

Introduction: deal with your elephant

If we are going to help people with their questions about suffering, it presupposes that we have worked through our own and found our own perspective on suffering that makes sense to us.

You have to make peace with your own suffering if you're going to help other people understand suffering and God.

1. Questions needing an answer

1. God could have created a world without suffering. Why didn’t he?
2. Suffering is pointless
3. The fact God allowed suffering shows us he is not a God of love

Positive aspects of suffering

1. It’s how we g……..
   1. “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Heb 12:11
   2. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Rom 8:28–29
   3. “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10–11
2. It’s how we find t…..
3. It points us towards G…
   1. “We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” CS Lewis, “The Problem of Pain”
4. It m…………….. us to make a difference
   1. “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” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV11)
   2. ““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”” (Luke 4:18–19 NIV11)

Conclusion

• How do these thoughts affect your view of God?
• How do these thoughts affect your view of Christianity?
• Would you like to know more?
• Scripture to share: “Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7.17

Resources

• https://preparetoanswer.wordpress.com/2019/01/03/why-does-god-allow-suffering/
• “A grief observed”; “The Problem of Pain”, CS Lewis
• “Walking with God through pain and suffering”, Tim Keller
• “Baffled to fight better” - a commentary on Job, Oswald Chambers
• “When God is silent”, Douglas Jacoby, and, https://www.douglasjacoby.com/
• The Psalms of communal lament: Psalms 44, 60, 74, 79, 80, 85, 90.

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, 28 May 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

"Three Big Questions", Class Two: “Did Jesus Rise?”, Malcolm Cox, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Three Big Questions

Class Two: “Did Jesus Rise?”

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3:15–16)

Before you begin

1. 1. Ask what they think of the resurrection of Jesus
   2. Ask what kind of evidence they would need in order to believe Jesus rose from the dead
   3. Ask if they would be open to revising their opinion if convincing evidence were presented
   4. Reminder: Something happened or we would not have 2,000 years of Christendom

 

1. Why this matters
   1. Jesus: Matthew 12:38-41
   2. Church: Acts 1.3, 22; 2.24, 31, 32; 3.15, 26; 4.2, 10, 33; 5.30; 10.40; 13.30, 34, 37; 17.18; 23.6; 24.21; 25.19
   3. Faith: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

• • • See also 1 Peter 121; Psalm 16.10; Matt 17.22-23; Rom 1.4; Acts 17.31; Rom 4.25; 6.4-5; 1 Thess 4.14; Heb 7.24-25; Matt 12.38-41

2. Objections

1. 1. Tomb Occupied

• • • Wrong Tomb: John 20:15; 4-6
    • Hallucination: 1 Cor 15

1. 1. Tomb Empty
      1. Jesus not dead (swoon theory) John 19:34
      2. Jesus dead but body removed by:

• • • • • • Disciples: 1 Pet 1:16; Jn 13:36-37; Jn 20:9; Mk 14:50; 1 Cor 4:9-13, 2 Cor 11:22-33; Luke 23:50-56; Matthew 26:62-66; Luke 24:1. Also, Acts 12:19, 16:27
          • Romans, Matthew 28:11-15
          • Jews, Matthew 28:11-15
          • Robbers; Gardener; Worms; Aliens

1. Positive Evidence

1. Emergence of the church

1. 1. Conviction
   2. Conversion of sceptics
   3. Growth of the church
   4. Change from Sabbath to Sunday
   5. Opponents of Christianity

1. The unlikeliness of the doctrine

• “criterion of embarrassment”
• “evidence against interest”

1. 1. Women
   2. Variations
   3. Messianic expectations: Jews; Disciples; Women
   4. Numbers: 1 Cor 15
   5. Jerusalem

Conclusion

• Reminder why this matters: The resurrection declares Jesus as worthy in his authority to teach us about life, death and what lies beyond

Suggested questions for your friend…

• How does this evidence affect your view of Jesus?
• How does this evidence affect your view of Christianity?
• Would you like to know more?

Scripture to share:

“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”  John 7.17

Motivation for us:

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Resources

• https://www.douglasjacoby.com/
• https://biologos.org/resources?query=resurrection
• Simon Dinning: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155826035563183&id=689233182
• “The Evidence for Jesus” (Hodder Christian Essentials), R.T France
• “More than a carpenter”, Josh McDowell
• “The Case for Christ”, Lee Strobel
• “The Resurrection factor”: Josh McDowell
• “Easter Enigma”: John Wenham
• “The case for the Resurrection”: Lincona & Habermas
• Torrey, R. A. - “Evidence for the Resurrection” - CrossReach Publications. Kindle Edition.
• Wright, N. T. - “The Resurrection of the Son of God” - SPCK
• Morison, Frank - “Who Moved the Stone?” - Hauraki Publishing. Kindle Edition.
• Gilbert West LLD (Oxford) - “Observations on the history and evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1747)” - 486 pages, scanned copy available on Google books
• Douglas Jacoby – “True and Reasonable”, chapter 9 – Discipleship Publications International
• “Is the resurrection beyond belief?”, D. Instone-Brewer, Premier Christianity magazine, Apr 2019
• "Difference in Resurrection accounts?”, Simon Dinning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEIkpqWAW0M
• Reasonable Faith - “Did Jesus Rise From the Dead: https://www.facebook.com/reasonablefaithorg/videos/343587733010141/

Next week

• “Why would a good God allow suffering?”

 

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,