Malcolm Cox

Introduction Studying Anna for a sermon led me to some unexpected insights about her devotional life. It inspired me to put a multi-episode series together. The Text “There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the seventh beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 Peacemaking can only be done by the pure in heart, because impartiality is necessary to that endea...

Introduction Last week I was away with my father and Penny on holiday in the delightful county of Dorset. We spent one afternoon in Dorchester, and several hours in the Dorset County Museum. I can highly recommend it. It is certainly one of the best regional museums I have ever been to. We got a good feel for the lives of the people of Dorset through the centuries. Among the exhibits were a set of...

For our teaching classes in May I have asked my friend Simon Dinning (Belfast International church of Christ) to record two classes for us on the topic of the kingdom (to riff on the theme of the coronation).  The second class is here.  I hope you find this useful for personal edification, or family group discussions. Please pass it on to your groups. God bless, Malcolm Please add your comments on...

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ Dates : 11thC BC - 'a festive time' Geography : Maon and Perez - Wilderness David's situation in context Samuel dead - his key supporter - King-in-waiting - like Charles Chased by Saul - Wife given away. - Could have killed him (has another opportunity later) - Remaining priest Opening scenes David's men and Nabal, vv4-13 Nabal's servant and Abigail, vv14-...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the sixth beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NIV11) Mercy is connected to purity.  Showing mercy needs a pure heart because it must be done altruistically.  Alt...

Introduction Penny gave me a wonderful birthday present. She bought me tickets to something called the Fully Charged Live Show . It's an exhibition all about electric vehicles, sustainable living, alternative energy sources, and the like. It's something I'm interested in out of curiosity, but also because I believe these issues are vital to our responsibility to steward the creation in the way God...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the fifth beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7 NIV11) The fifth beatitude follows naturally from the first four: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is...

For our teaching classes in May I have asked my friend Simon Dinning (Belfast International church of Christ) to record two classes for us on the topic of the kingdom (to riff on the theme of the coronation).  The first class is here.  I hope you find this useful for personal edification, or family group discussions. Please pass it on to your groups. God bless, Malcolm Please add your comments on...

Introduction 2 Peter 3:15–16 Some of this material can be triggering because of abuses that happened in our past. This can be the case for both men and for women. Context Corinth: Entrepreneurial; Progressive; Cult of Aphrodite (Goddess of war and fertility); Port city (vice and visitors); Honour/shame; Diverse; Patron/client system. Las Vegas/New York. Aristophanes (c. 450–385 BC.) coined the ter...

Introduction My father gave me a birdfeeder for my birthday. It's one of those that you stick on to a window using suction cups. That way the birds come up close and you can eyeball them. I was warned that it might take some time for the birds to get used to the feeder. However, I was not prepared for the fact that it has taken two months before the first bird appeared. Every few days I change the...

Introduction What do we learn about Esther’s relationship with Mordecai? Obedient to him B. Concerned for him C. Protective of him D. Generous to him What do we learn about Mordecai’s relationship with Esther? B. By challenging her to accept responsibility C. Obedient - Accepts her instructions D. Cooperative - Worked with her What do we learn about men and women working together? A. Different cir...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the fourth beatitude: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”(Matthew 5:6 NIV11) The fourth beatitude follows naturally from the first three: ““Blessed are the...

Introduction I recently returned from a teaching weekend for our sister congregation in Tallinn, Estonia. The theme was spiritual growth as seen through the lens of 1 Thessalonians. One of the sub-themes was growing together in community. The Text “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the...

We hope you enjoy this exciting and thorough treatment of the relationship between Deborah and the Barak. Stefan Wolmarans gives us a fascinating insight into Israel's history, and the relevance for our own times -- as revealed in Judges chapters 4 and 5. 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...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the third beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5 NIV11) The third beatitude follows naturally from the first two: ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is t...

Introduction God has been focusing my mind and heart on the theme of generosity and gratitude. Today, let me bring you the fruits of the reflection on the funeral of my father-in-law on Monday, combined with teaching about Adam and Eve on Sunday. My father-in-law had many good characteristics, but what stood out to me was his generosity. It seems this was something everyone who knew him noticed. T...

Our world fractured on many lines: wealth, class, race and ethnicity, religion, age, education 1. It Was Very Good! Gen 1:31 A. Good Creation Humankind made good - not a mistake We have a role B. Role Responsible - jointly Fruitful Rule together No hierarchy C. Generosity of God Creation  Fruitfulness/stewardship Purpose After the ‘big picture’ view of Gen 1, now let’s zoom in on the detail 2. It...

Tuesday Teaching Tip 307 | The Beatitudes and Effective Communication: Lessons for Preachers and Teachers | “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” | Malcolm Cox Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the second beatitude: “Bl...

Introduction This is the second of two classes reflecting on the significance of the witnesses to the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This week's class will focus on the witnesses to the resurrection.  Who was at the tomb? The Text “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body ha...

The Text “Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but sh...

John 20:1-18 1. Daring Discipleship A. Cross Dangerous Love - loyalty Mary M - Luke 8.1-3 Only women in all four accounts Mary mother of Jesus Did not believe - came to faith “When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”” (Mark 3:21 NIV11) “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s...

Introduction What would it be like to preach and teach through the filter of the beatitudes? What would the impact be on us as speakers and our congregations as listeners? Today, we will look at the first of the beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3 NIV11) 1. The Meaning in the context of the Gospel     - The kingdom is a key theme in Matthe...

Men and Women in Christ: A Divine Harmony I am excited to announce that we are embarking on a new teaching series exploring the stories of men and women in the Bible. Through this series, we will delve into the lives, roles, and contributions of these Biblical figures and examine the relationships between men and women as portrayed in the Scriptures. Throughout the series, we will explore a wide r...

Introduction In preparing material for Easter Sunday, I've been inspired by the conspicuous courage of the women at the cross and the empty tomb. Why did they remain in place at the cross when others fled? Why did they go to the grave when others stayed away? What does this tell us about Jesus and discipleship? The Texts "Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife...