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Rev James Maciver preaches from Matthew 13:44-46 on two parables about the value of the kingdom of heaven - The Parable of the Hidden Treasure and The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price.

The service is around 30 minutes long, includes a children's talk, prayer, Scripture readings, a short sermon and a singing.

Reading: Proverbs 3 v 13-18 and Matthew 13 v 44-45

Sermon: Matthew 13 v 44-46

Praise: Psalm 19 v 8-11 (Scottish Psalter)

Proverbs 3:13–18

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

[13] Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

[14] for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

[15] She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

[16] Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

[18] She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed. (ESV)

Matthew 13:44–46

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

[44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

[45] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, [46] who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (ESV)

Rev James Maciver preaches on Jeremiah 33:1-11, livestreaming this short service from the manse. This is the first church service of its kind for us as a congregation. We are unable to meet as normal due to social distancing measures put in place by the government as an attempt to halt the spread of the Coronavirus or COVID-19. While we are restricted from meeting up physically, we are thankful for the technology that allows us to be together via social media. And we are thankful that God is not limited to a building but binds us together as the Body of Christ by his Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 33:1–11

The LORD Promises Peace

[1] The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard: [2] “Thus says the LORD who made the earth, the LORD who formed it to establish it—the LORD is his name: [3] Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known. [4] For thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah that were torn down to make a defense against the siege mounds and against the sword: [5] They are coming in to fight against the Chaldeans and to fill them with the dead bodies of men whom I shall strike down in my anger and my wrath, for I have hidden my face from this city because of all their evil. [6] Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. [7] I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. [8] I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me. [9] And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.

[10] “Thus says the LORD: In this place of which you say, ‘It is a waste without man or beast,’ in the cities of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man or inhabitant or beast, there shall be heard again [11] the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voices of those who sing, as they bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD:

    “‘Give thanks to the LORD of hosts,

        for the LORD is good,

        for his steadfast love endures forever!’

   

    For I will restore the fortunes of the land as at first, says the LORD. (ESV)

Rev James Maciver preaches on 1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. 16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life-to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 2 Timothy 3: 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

An t-Urramach Seamus Maciomhair a searmonachadh air Eabhruidhich 6:17 Uime sin air bhith do Dhia toileach air neo-chaochluidheachd a chomhairle 'nochdadh na bu phailte do oighreachaibh a' gheallaidh, dhaingnich e le mionnaibh e: 18 Chum tre dhà ni neo- chaochluidheach, anns an robh e eu-comasach gu-n deanadh Dia breug, gu-m bitheadh againne comhfhurtachd làidir, a theich chum didean gu greim a dheanamh air an dòchas a chuireadh romhainn: 19 Ni a tha againn mar acair an anama, araon cinnteach agus daingean, agus a theid a steach do'n ionad sin a tha'n taobh a stigh de'n bhrat-roinn. 20 Far an deachaidh an roimh-ruith-fhear a steach air ar son-ne, eadhon Iosa, a rinneadh 'n a Ard-shagart gu siorruidh a reir orduigh Mhelchisedeic.

Rev James Maciver preaches on 1 John 5:6 This is he who came by water and blood- Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. 9 If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on 1 Kings 22:14 But Micaiah said, "As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I will speak."

An t-Urramach Seamus Maciomhair a searmonachadh air Salm 94:12 Is beannaichte an duine a smachdaicheas tusa, a Thighearn' agus a theagaisgeas tu as do lagh. 13 Chum fois a thabhairt da o làithibh an uilc, gus an cladhaichear slochd do'n aingidh. 14 Oir cha tilg Dia dheth a shluagh, agus cha treig e 'oighreachd fein.

Rev James Maciver preaches on 1 John 5:1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Rev Kenneth I Macleod preaches on Luke 14:7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this person,' and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."