Hi there, thanks for coming over and having a look at our channel.  We're a church community based in West Watford, and with members scattered throughout Herts, Bucks & Beds. 

We're on an adventure like no other. Journey with us as we discover what life is really about and find answers to life's big questions. 

Most weeks we're at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Herts, WD18 0DD, 10.30am. 

Our aspirations are to be:

1. God-Focused:  Mat 5:8
2. Relationship-Based:  Jn 13:34–35
3. Enabling Our Children to Become Christians:  Eph 6:4
4. Always Free Yet Spiritual:  Gal 5:13
5. Toiling to Build the Church Well: 1 Cor 15.58

Contact Malcolm for details: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.

www.watfordchurchofchrist.org

Watford Church of Christ

Source: 
https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8w3du-f3acda 
 
A sermon for the Watford church of Christ--- 
Intro, Luke 17:11 
QUESTION: "Share one thing you've been grateful for this week - or even today"- Today we talk about gratitude, thankfulness. We are commanded to be thankful:“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV11)- Commanding thankfulness is right, but problematic - if we do not understand why--- 
1. The compassion of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:12-13 
QUESTION: "Why do you think the ten men stood at a distance? Was Jesus unwilling to go to them? Were they afraid?" "What does it tell you about the way they viewed Jesus?" Respect? Not wanting to bother him or get him in trouble?        - Jesus told to make audacious requests:“Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,        as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,        but deliver us from the evil one. ’” (Matthew 6:11–13 NIV11)“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 NAS95)QUESTION: "How has the compassion of Jesus showed up in your life?"--- 
2. The power of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:14- Trust in Jesus- Thankfulness follows obedience- “As they went” - i.e. healing after obedience. Faith always sees fruit after obedience. See Noah, Hebrews 11:7f.- Thankful for the command - leads to obedience - leads to fruit- That power is linked to our practice of what Jesus taught - in advance of seeing it bear fruitQUESTION: "How has the power of Jesus showed up in your life?"--- 
The Heart of Thankfulness - Luke 17:15-16 
- Response; praise &amp; thanks    QUESTION: What motivated the Samaritan to come back to Jesus? Why didn’t the other nine return?    QUESTION: What does this passage teach you about gratitude?--- 
Conclusion - Luke 17:17-19 
- All about God- All included- Positive future- Faith/salvation- What do we learn about faith from what Jesus says here?--- 
Communion: 
“After taking the cup, he gave **thanks** and said, “Take this and divide it among you. And he took bread, gave **thanks** and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave **thanks**, broke it and began to give it to them.” Luke 22:17, 19; 24:30 NIV11 
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](mailto: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](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).  
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.  
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)  
God bless, Malcolm

Source:
https://www.podbean.com/eau/pb-8w3du-f3acda

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ---
Intro, Luke 17:11
QUESTION: "Share one thing you've been grateful for this week - or even today"- Today we talk about gratitude, thankfulness. We are commanded to be thankful:“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV11)- Commanding thankfulness is right, but problematic - if we do not understand why---
1. The compassion of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:12-13
QUESTION: "Why do you think the ten men stood at a distance? Was Jesus unwilling to go to them? Were they afraid?" "What does it tell you about the way they viewed Jesus?" Respect? Not wanting to bother him or get him in trouble?        - Jesus told to make audacious requests:“Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,        as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,        but deliver us from

"What makes us thankful", Luke 17:11-19, Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ 
--- 
 
Intro, Luke 17:11 
 
QUESTION: "Share one thing you've been grateful for this week - or even today" 
- Today we talk about gratitude, thankfulness. We are commanded to be thankful: 
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV11) 
- Commanding thankfulness is right, but problematic - if we do not understand why 
--- 
 
1. The compassion of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:12-13 
 
QUESTION: "Why do you think the ten men stood at a distance? Was Jesus unwilling to go to them? Were they afraid?" "What does it tell you about the way they viewed Jesus?" Respect? Not wanting to bother him or get him in trouble? 
 - Jesus told to make audacious requests: 
“Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, 
 as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, 
 but deliver us from the evil one. ’” (Matthew 6:11–13 NIV11) 
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15–16 NAS95) 
QUESTION: "How has the compassion of Jesus showed up in your life?" 
--- 
 
2. The power of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:14 
- Trust in Jesus 
- Thankfulness follows obedience 
- “As they went” - i.e. healing after obedience. Faith always sees fruit after obedience. See Noah, Hebrews 11:7f. 
- Thankful for the command - leads to obedience - leads to fruit 
- That power is linked to our practice of what Jesus taught - in advance of seeing it bear fruit 
QUESTION: "How has the power of Jesus showed up in your life?" 
--- 
 
The Heart of Thankfulness - Luke 17:15-16 
 
- Response; praise & thanks 
 QUESTION: What motivated the Samaritan to come back to Jesus? Why didn’t the other nine return? 
 QUESTION: What does this passage teach you about gratitude? 
--- 
 
Conclusion - Luke 17:17-19 
 
- All about God 
- All included 
- Positive future 
- Faith/salvation 
- What do we learn about faith from what Jesus says here? 
--- 
 
Communion: 
 
“After taking the cup, he gave **thanks** and said, “Take this and divide it among you. And he took bread, gave **thanks** and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave **thanks**, broke it and began to give it to them.” Luke 22:17, 19; 24:30 NIV11 
 
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](mailto: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](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 
 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
 
God bless, Malcolm

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ
---

Intro, Luke 17:11

QUESTION: "Share one thing you've been grateful for this week - or even today"
- Today we talk about gratitude, thankfulness. We are commanded to be thankful:
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 NIV11)
- Commanding thankfulness is right, but problematic - if we do not understand why
---

1. The compassion of Jesus makes us thankful - Luke 17:12-13

QUESTION: "Why do you think the ten men stood at a distance? Was Jesus unwilling to go to them? Were they afraid?" "What does it tell you about the way they viewed Jesus?" Respect? Not wanting to bother him or get him in trouble?
        - Jesus told to make audacious requests:
“Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,
        as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,
        but deliver us from the evil one. ’” (Matthew 6:11–13 NIV11

Introduction 
* Most important thing to do for virus, economy, social well being? 
* Lot of our malaise when feeling overwhelmed, flat, anxious or overstressed is due to confused priorities, or, what's really important? 
 * “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” Mk 12:28–29 
 * So, we know loving God and neighbours is primary 
 * But, how do we figure out what that means for our lives, personally? 
 
PART 1: Unhealthy ways to decide what's important 
* Imagine if you made decisions about our children our marriage or our friends on these bases. 
 * I will do what you want because I am feeling guilty about mistakes I've made in the past. 
 * I will do what you want because I'm afraid otherwise you might hate me or leave me. 
 * I will do what you want not because it makes you happy with because it makes me feel better. 
* That would not be a healthy relationship with a human 
* It certainly is not a healthy relationship with God. 
 
Questions for the groups: What was the important thing they knew or learned? Why was and is this important? How would the importance of this manifest itself in your life? 
 
Five characters to show us the way 
1. David 
“One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Ps 27:4 
* It's easier to teach a Christian the bible than it is to teach them how to worship. 
* David - a man after God's own heart. 
* ‘Beauty’ = favour, pleasantness 
* A good quiet time could be to meditate on what is ‘beautiful’ about the LORD. Would that include His holiness, mercy, long-suffering nature, loving-kindness, integrity, justice, completeness, perfection, wisdom, .....? Interesting that in Ps 50.1-6, His/Zion’s beauty is expressed in terms of fire, speaking, tempest, judgment etc. 
* His desire to be close to God is very active - ‘ask’, ‘seek’ X2, ‘dwell’, ‘gaze’ 
* ‘dwell’ used of a married couple who have set up house together 
 
2. Rich young ruler 
“Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”” Mk 10:21 
* Do you have any barriers to full surrender to Jesus? 
* He starts on his knees, but turns his back on Jesus 
* This man has no material needs and no law-needs. He knows he has other needs, but what are those needs. Jesus is about to tell him - and it is clearly not what he man expected. 
 
3. Mary 
““Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”” Lk 10:41–42 
* Sometimes good things are why we miss out on the best thing. 
* The better priorities, chosen consistently over time, yield a lasting legacy of godliness 
 
4. The blind man 
“He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”” Jn 9:25 
* Important to remember the transforming power of Jesus in our lives. 
* It's never doctrine that converts anyone, it's always the evidence of the power of Jesus in peoples' lives. 
* Perhaps especially true for our children 
* Have your testimony ready. 
 
5. Paul 
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3:13–14 
* Baggage from the past will obscure what is important for the present and the future. 
* Paul did not deny his baggage, but he did not let it get in the way of being ambitious for God. 
* We never fully ‘arrive’ on earth, but progress can be a delight 
 
Conclusion 
What have our characters taught us about what is important? 
* David: knowing that God is at the heart of prayer 
* Rich young ruler: knowing God is at the heart of surrender 
* Martha: knowing God is at the heart of service 
* Blind man: knowing God is at the heart of witness 
* Paul: knowing God is at the heart of ambition 
 
Suggestion: 
* Use these characters as a way of assessing what's important going into 2021 
* As a filter to help assess where you are & want to be in 2021 
 
Scriptures used in or related to today’s lesson: Ps 27:4; Matthew 23:23; Mark 10:21; 12:28-29, 33, 39; Luke 10:41-42; 16:15; John 9:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Philippians 3:13-14 
 
Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 
 
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 
 
God bless, Malcolm

Introduction * Most important thing to do for virus, economy, social well being? * Lot of our malaise when feeling overwhelmed, flat ...

&quot;How to figure out what&#39;s really important&quot;, Mark 12:38 39, Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ 
 
Introduction 
Could you use some inspiration? 
Looking at Biblical character in 'lockdown' circumstances 
Circumstances beyond our control - how react? In faith? 
House arrest - Acts 28:16 
Two years - Acts 28:30 
His movement was restricted, but his impact for Jesus was not 
 
1. Encouraging Fellow-Believers 
Letters written 
Philemon 1:1 
Colossians 4:3; 4:10 
Ephesians 1:1; 4:1; 6:19–20 
Philippians 1:1; 13-14 
Could you write a blog, record a podcast....? 
Could you communicate more with other Watford people? 
Find out what is meaningful 
 
Question: What kind of communication do we prefer? Frequency; Method; etc 
 
2. Praying for People 
Colossians 1:9–12 
Ephesians 1:15–21; 3:14–19 
Philippians 1:9–11 
More people praying now than before lockdown 
How might you be able to grow in your prayer life as a result? 
 
Question: What is helping or could help your prayer life deepen/develop at the moment? 
 
Conclusion 
Rejoicing in sufferings: Colossians 1:24 
Magnified Christ: Philippians 1:20 
﻿ 
﻿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. 
 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
 
God bless, Malcolm 
 
PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ

Introduction
Could you use some inspiration?
Looking at Biblical character in 'lockdown' circumstances
Circumstances beyond our control - how react? In faith?
House arrest - Acts 28:16
Two years - Acts 28:30
His movement was restricted, but his impact for Jesus was not

1. Encouraging Fellow-Believers
Letters written
Philemon 1:1
Colossians 4:3; 4:10
Ephesians 1:1; 4:1; 6:19–20
Philippians 1:1; 13-14
Could you write a blog, record a podcast....?
Could you communicate more with other Watford people?
Find out what is meaningful

Question: What kind of communication do we prefer? Frequency; Method; etc

2. Praying for People
Colossians 1:9–12
Ephesians 1:15–21; 3:14–19
Philippians 1:9–11
More people praying now than before lockdown
How might you be able to grow in your prayer life as a result?

Question: What is helping or could help your prayer life deepen/develop at the moment?

Conclusion
Rejoicing in sufferings: Colossians 1:24
Magnified Chri

"Paul in Lockdown - Part 1", Acts 28:16-31, Malcolm Cox

"Hedges and heaven" - we need each other. Luke 7:33-39. 
 
1. Inclusivity is built person to person 
Loving the one who is different 
Luke 7.33-39 
Jesus too ‘ordinary’ - a friend to ordinary people 
Anointing him as king 
A political as well as a theological act 
Asking for justice and mercy 
‘Religionists’ not in tune with the Spirit 
 
Church: Who am I learning from? Benefitting from spiritually? 
Churches should become more and more diverse in every sense the ‘older’ they are. 
One sign of personal spiritual maturity is the ability to connect with more and more different kinds of people 
Same for a church - that this can be home to more and more different kinds of people 
 
Question to ponder: Have you noticed God bringing new people into your life? 
 
Conclusion 
Jesus died that all would know his Father: 
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.” (1 Timothy 2:1–7 NIV11) 
 
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. 
 
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. 
 
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) 
 
God bless, Malcolm 
 
PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

"Hedges and heaven" - we need each other. Luke 7:33-39.

1. Inclusivity is built person to person
Loving the one who is different
Luke 7.33-39
Jesus too ‘ordinary’ - a friend to ordinary people
Anointing him as king
A political as well as a theological act
Asking for justice and mercy
‘Religionists’ not in tune with the Spirit

Church: Who am I learning from? Benefitting from spiritually? 
Churches should become more and more diverse in every sense the ‘older’ they are.
One sign of personal spiritual maturity is the ability to connect with more and more different kinds of people
Same for a church - that this can be home to more and more different kinds of people

Question to ponder: Have you noticed God bringing new people into your life?

Conclusion
Jesus died that all would know his Father: 
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all 

Watford Church of Christ Videos

"What makes us thankful", Luke 17:11-19, Malcolm Cox

"What makes us thankful", Luke 17:11-19, Malcolm Cox

"How to figure out what's really important", Mark 12:38 39, Malcolm Cox

"Paul in Lockdown - Part 1", Acts 28:16-31, Malcolm Cox

"Hedges and heaven" - we need each other. Luke 7:33-39.

Description

Group of Brands

Watford Church of Christ Videos

Sort by Default

"What makes us thankful", Luke 17:11-19, Malcolm Cox

"What makes us thankful", Luke 17:11-19, Malcolm Cox

"How to figure out what's really important", Mark 12:38 39, Malcolm Cox

"Paul in Lockdown - Part 1", Acts 28:16-31, Malcolm Cox

"Hedges and heaven" - we need each other. Luke 7:33-39.

Description

Group of Brands