Thames Valley Churches of Christ

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An audio lesson or sermon from various contributors

Episodes

Monday Apr 29, 2019

"How to be an Antioch church", Acts 11.19-30, Malcolm Cox, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Monday Apr 29, 2019

“How to be an Antioch church”, Acts 11.19-30

Introduction, vv19-21
Third largest city in Roman Empire at the time (after Rome and Alexandria). Pop around 500,000.
Centre for admin of Syria.
Famous for lax morals
At centre of events from here to Acts 14.28.
Cosmopolitan city: many Jews and Gentiles.

1. sPeak words of encouragement, vv22-24
Gentiles already converted, but individuals (Ethiopian; Cornelius). What’s new is the scale of Gentile conversions.

A. Observe/listen what God is doing
Barnabas had the spiritual insight to recognise that God’s plan was being fulfilled at Antioch.

B. Speak words of encouragement
If we cannot speak words of encouragement recognising, noticing what God is doing in each other's lives, it means we don't know each other well enough yet.

C. God brings increase trust/faith
Making disciples
The effect of Barnabas’ encouragement was to pour petrol on the fires of their faith and zeal.

2. Partner with a friend, vv25-26
2 x 2 was the method of Jesus
“To look” - Word implies it was hard.

A. Find a partner not a problem
When task overwhelming
When lonely
Take initiative, not wait for someone else

B. Someone different from you
Realisation that one reason I do not do this is because I now know people's problems!

C. Active in service together
Making/maturing disciples together.
Creates unity

3. Provide practical help vv27-30
Successive poor harvests in various parts of the Roman Empire at this time.
Claudius, 41-54 AD
The famine was not just in Judea, but could effect the Antiochean disciples too. Their heart is to help others not to worry about their own vulnerability.
The Antiochan disciples take up money in faith that the prophecy will be fulfilled and send the money in advance of the famine so that the Judean disciples can buy up food in advance.
That is a significant step of faith and trust (especially since the prophet had come from Jerusalem in the first place).

A. Listen to needs
Emotional; spiritual; material

B. Respond
Initiative

C. Sacrifice
Time/money

Conclusion
IMAGINE
Life living like this
Church like this
Impact on neighbourhood

sPeak words of encouragement
Partner in the Gospel
Provide practical help

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,

Saturday Apr 27, 2019

"The church united by love", Class 3 - "All Things Together In Jesus", Chris Birtles, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Saturday Apr 27, 2019

Slides download from the website.

Unveiling of God’s plan: Eph 1.7-10
All Things Together: Col 1.17-20
All Things Together In Jesus: Jn 1.3; Col 1.20
This World is Not My Home? Jn 18.36; Matt 6.10
Give to Caesar… Matt 22.21 / 1 Maccabees 2.68

The Ministry of Reconciliation: 2 Cor 5.16-20

Human Vocation

Adam and Eve: Eden as Temple – stewards of Creation
Israel: Love the LORD your God / Love your neighbour
Ekklesia: Ministry of Reconciliation
NTW: Reflect God onto the world / Reflect praise back to God
Transformation through love

Onesimus and Philemon 

Two letters – Pliny and Paul
Pliny: repentance and forgiveness
Paul: Onesimus the runaway slave has become a Christian
Paul does not look to build a bridge but be the bridge between Philemon and Onesimus
Pliny: reset equilibrium
Paul: showing Philemon how he can participate in the transformation - the reconciling of all things in Christ
Transformation – slave and master become brothers through the cross – all things together in Christ
Love and unity in Jesus

See this article by NT Wright on Philemon.

Welcome and Partnership: Philemon 1.17; Jn 13.35

United By Love: 1 Cor 10.32; Gal 3.28

Corinth – Lord’s Supper: 1 Cor 11.21

Roman/Greek society based on social hierarchy
Slave – Caesar
Agape feast – adoption of gentile/pagan practice of joint meal
Corinthians maintained social hierarchy in celebrating agape feast
The church in Corinth is not allowing itself to be transformed
Not putting welcome and fellowship into practice
Embarrassed by Paul’s imprisonment and bluntness?

The Choice For Corinth: Romans 8:29-30; Jn 13.35; Rev 2.5

Eyes to See: Paul wants the Corinthians to learn to see the world clearly

How? By:

Renewed Mind: Rom 12.2
Jesus the King: Rev 1.5,6. He is king whether it looks like it or not.

Ministry of Glory

The Corinthians are embarrassed by Paul
They have requested a letter of recommendation
It may not look like it but Paul’s ministry is glorious
Paul echoes the Exodus, Jeremiah and Ezekiel to prove this

The New Covenant: Jer 31.31-34

A Soft Heart: Ezek 11.19-20

Exodus

The Law on tablets of stone
- Now through the Spirit the Law is written on the hearts of Christians
After the rebellion of the golden calf YHWH dwells with the people but outside the camp
- Now God dwells in the heart of every disciple
2 Corinthians 3:18

The Letter of Recommendation: 2 Cor 3.7-11

The Corinthians must recognise the kingdom and allow themselves to be transformed and become a living letter of recommendation to the world

What Does This Mean For the Church?

The Temple was where Heaven and Earth came together
They now come together in the body of Jesus
Jesus has reconciled us to God and shown us a new way of being human
Christians must be reconciled to one another so that we can prove this new way to the world

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.

God bless,

Malcolm

Monday Apr 22, 2019

"Easter Sunday" sermon, Ben Dannatt at the Bristol church

Monday Apr 22, 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

Monday Apr 22, 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead: 22 April 2019

Monday Apr 22, 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

Sunday Apr 21, 2019

"How God makes us truly happy", Easter 2019, CJ Wakefield, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Sunday Apr 21, 2019

CJ took us on a tour of the Beatitudes showing us how the teachings of Jesus make us truly happy.

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, Oxford, Banbury, 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, Sermon on the Mount, Gospel of Matthew, Beatitudes,

Monday Apr 15, 2019

"Why are we here?", Obi Abuchi - 14 April 2019, Surrey Heath & Borders

Monday Apr 15, 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

Monday Apr 15, 2019

The Thames Valley Week ahead: 15 April 2019

Monday Apr 15, 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

Sunday Apr 14, 2019

"God's Grace on the Road to Eternity", Mikko Summala, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Sunday Apr 14, 2019

Grace - what we need here and now

Prayer - what we need to help us get from here to there

Salvation - where we are going

Grace and Mercy

Is 30.18
Rom 8.38-39
God is eager to offer grace

Salvation

Jn 3.14, 16
“Eternal life”
God determined not to lose anyone

Prayer

God’s main tool for helping us to get from receiving grace and achieving salvation
Man speaking to God
Active stopping, listening, confession, asking
Matt 6.7-8
Ask
God will hear you
God already knows what you need

How does this fit together?

Grace (GOD); Jesus (SALVATION); Spirit (PRAYER)

How does the LORD want us to talk to him?

“OUR FATHER”

Matt 6.7-8

A simple call to pray
Almighty God
Father, LORD, The Creator of the universe

V11

Bread - the stuff we need to live this day
Daily - living one day at a time

V12

Debt - everything that needs to be paid back
Forgiving others is the harder part
Especially because emotions are involved
Leave the sins of others behind

V13

Temptation/Testing
We have freedom of choice; important to utilize that with responsibility
Need protection from the power of Satan

“Doxology”

The power is God’s
Confident in surrendering
Being dependent on God is

Salvation progression

Awareness
Recognition
Confession
Request

"The Church United by Love", Class 2, "Your God reigns", Chris Birtles, Thames Valley churches of Christ

Saturday Apr 13, 2019

The Return of the LORD

Isaiah 52:7,8

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy;  for in plain sight they see the return of the LORD to Zion.

Class 1: Rebellion & Reconciliation

God made humans in His image to be stewards of Creation

From the Fall onwards humans rebelled against God

Even the covenant people rebelled and were sent to Babylon

Only God Himself could offer the faithful obedience necessary to end the exile

The Good News: Your God Reigns

Jesus is king

But the Romans are still here?

Daniel 2:44

How do we explain this?

How Will New Kingdom Arise?

The conquest of the Promised Land followed established pattern of strength over weakness

The Jews anticipated the new kingdom would follow the same pattern

YHWH would be king so Israel would reign supreme

Psalm 2:10,11- "Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, with trembling kiss his feet,"

The Final Journey to Jerusalem

Luke 19:11-27 The Parable of the Ten Pounds

Luke 19:28-40 Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem

Luke 19:41-44 Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

Luke 19:45-48 Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem

Luke 19:41-45

Visitation - Episkope

Episkope: that act by which God looks into and searches out the ways, deeds character, of men, in order to adjudge them their lot accordingly, whether joyous or sad NRSV Concordance

Parable of the ten pounds/minas

Parable of the talents

Parable of the wicked tenants

The Return of the LORD

Jesus sees His final journey to Jerusalem as embodying the return of God to Zion

The cross is the ultimate sign that Israel has rejected its king

Jesus’ Temple-action shows that Israel now stands condemned

The Real Enemy

Israel is apostate and as much the problem as Rome

Israel defeating Rome will not solve the problem

The real enemy is sin and death - Satan

The Lord’s Supper

If the Temple is corrupted so too are its rites

Luke 22:15-19

Jesus sees His imminent death as sacrificial – replacing the Temple-rites

The Plan of Battle

In Jesus’ eyes the battle would be fought and the kingdom inaugurated through His death

Jesus would let the enemy do its worst and prevail

Why Passover rather than Day of Atonement?

The Enemies of God Crushed

Daniel 2:44

When?

The First-fruits

Celebrated day after Sabbath

Sadducees: First Sunday after Passover

Pharisees: Celebrated the day after the Passover

John 19:31

…that sabbath was a day of great solemnity.

Barley harvest – a sheath offered to YHWH before harvest collected

So Jesus was the Passover Lamb and the first-fruits of the harvest

Now But Not Yet

The resurrection points towards a future fulfilment

1 Corinthians 15:20-24

The Enemies of God Crushed

Daniel 2:44

Now But Not Yet

So where and when are we?

Familiar narrative

Triumphal entry

Betrayal

Arrest

Trial

Crucifixion

The Hidden Narrative -NTW

Mary and Joseph trek from north to south because of a Roman decree

Jesus is born in Bethlehem

Micah 5:2

N.T. Wright: How God Became King – The clash of the kingdoms

Good Friday - the Sixth Day

Genesis 1:27,31

John 19:5

God takes on the image of man and becomes the man who truly bears the image of God

The Hidden Narrative

John 12:13,15

John 19:2

John 19:14

John 19:19

Matthew 28:2 - The Roman guard cannot contain Jesus

Paul – prisoner of Rome

Acts 28:16,30-32

Who is in control?

The Throne of the King of the Jews?

Mark 10:37-38,40 - The cross becomes the throne of Jesus

The Good News:Your God Reigns

A different kind of kingdom

Philippians 1:27

Symbols:

Faith

Love

Unity

Philippians 2:5

We will continue with the third class in two weeks’ time on 26th April 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, Deepcut, Frimley, Salisbury, 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

Tuesday Apr 09, 2019

"Three Big Questions" (3BQs) Class Series

Tuesday Apr 09, 2019

Later this year we have a short three-lesson series called, “3 Big Questions” (“3BQ”).

We will tackle three common objections to the Christian faith. In doing so, I hope that we will be better equipped to talk about our faith in a way that reveals it to be “true and reasonable” (Acts 26:25).

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV11)

I’m trailing this now because I’d like to know what you think the three big questions are. What do people say to you as their biggest objections to or confusions with Christianity? I imagine the 3BQs could include things like, “I can’t believe in a God who allows suffering”. Or there again, “If Christianity was true there wouldn’t be so many denominations.”

These are good questions, but are they the BIG questions? Please let me know what you are actually, really hearing at the evangelism coalface.

The series does not begin until June. But we want to make the classes as effective as possible, thus lengthy and detailed preparation is anticipated. Because of this, please give me your responses by the end of April.

Many thanks and God bless, Malcolm