From the Manse
Dear Congregation,
Since I last stood in front of you in worship last Sunday, of the many things I have been engaged in this week, I took a service at Mearns House Care Home (last Sunday) and several High School Assemblies at Mearns Castle (with Jacob and Murdo the youth worker at Eaglesham).
Both events are regularly in my calendar. As a result, they might fall under the radar for prayer. However, I was reminded this week of the importance to pray for even the most regular of activities.
As Christians, even the most regular and routine of days needs to be brought before the Lord in prayer.
Can I encourage you to pray for all aspects of our congregational life, not letting "the routine", put you off praying for it.
I suspect that this is at least one of the things Paul means when he encourages the church in Thessalonica to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18).
Pray we would not be tempted to sin. Pray we would be protected from the evil one’s plots to limit our desire to serve even in the mundane and routine. Pray that we might be fruitful in all we do for his glory…bringing the fragrance of Jesus Christ wherever we are.
Studies In Isaiah:
We have been studying the book of Isaiah over a number of Sundays now. This book has been compiled from the ministry of Isaiah that lasted something like fifty years. No wonder it is a long book!
Coincidentally, it is 66 chapters long as is the same number books in the bible. It is also interesting that as the bible has its significant break from Old Testament to New Testament at the fortieth book (thirty-nine in the Old and twenty-seven in the New) so Isaiah’s main division occurs also at chapter forty. (There are other subdivisions within the book but this is the main one.)
In our recent sermons, we have been discovering that the first thirty-nine chapters include the real threat to Judah from her neighbouring nations, including her brothers and sisters of Israel. However, the main threat to Judah is Assyria. Assyria is the super-power of that era. God has raised up that nation as His instrument of judgment. The ten tribes which made up the Northern Kingdom of Israel are overcome by Assyria in 721BC and deported to other places. This was prophesied by Isaiah and is God's judgment on them for their disobedience.
Judah is given grace and though Assyria came right up to Jerusalem, the Lord miraculously delivered her from the Assyrians. This is all happening in Isaiah’s own life-time.
Over the last two Sundays we moved from the poetry of Isaiah's prophecies to an historical narrative found in chapters 36-39. This historical section is extremely similar to 2nd Kings 18-20 (and 2nd Chronicles 32). As judgment is declared against the pride of Hezekiah and Jerusalem, it will not be Assyria who is used by God to display God's wrath - but Babylon (Isaiah 39.5-7). This will not happen until about 100 years after Hezekiah's own death (and Isaiah's) when the Babylonians will be the new super-power.
The Babylonian exile of Judah prophecied by Isaiah but happening in 586BC is tragically depicted later in the history books of the bible (in Kings/Chronicles). The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and take away the treasures from the temple and palace along with the king and the people. Judah is exiled to Babylon. Isaiah speaks of these events even though they are so far ahead of his time.
As we break into this second half of the book, chapters 40-66, so often Isaiah writes with God-given insight into Judah's experience of exile. And into that sad experience the Lord's message through Isaiah is one of comfort and hope.
Isaiah is incredibly given the name of the king who will assist Judah in returning to their land. He will not be an Assyrian or Babylonian king. God will raise up a new super-power after the Babylonians, the Persians. Cyrus will come from the East as a servant/shepherd of God's people (Isaiah 44.28, 45.1) and by the grace of the Lord, the Persians will allow Judah to return and rebuild/restore their nation. The history books of Ezra and Nehemiah unpack the events Isaiah saw in advance.
So as we enter this last main section of Isaiah in chapters 40-66, we find a dominant theme of hope for Judah. Hope in a return to their land. But Isaiah also speaks of a hope of an end time glorious new heavens and earth! And all the way throught the book of Isaiah, the Lord gives glimpses of how that will be made possible. The Lord will send His Messiah. though He will suffer under God's judgement, he will do so for the people to bring atonement with God His peace and blessing. We know now that this Messiah who Isaiah spoke of coming would be called Jesus, their Saviour and ours.
What an amazing record we have in these sixty-six chapters of The Prophecy of Isaiah.
Pray the Lord will speak to us through this book as he has done countless generations before us.
With Warmest Regards
Scott
What's the best future you could imagine?
This short course continues this Sunday and next.
Last Sunday's group had a really good time with discussions AND of course the nice foodie treats.
Keep this group in your prayers.
Commissioning Service
for JACOB INGLESON
Everyone is welcome to morning worship on Sunday 9th October when we will be formally launching Jacob’s ministry amongst us.
Please note the date and plan to stay on afterwards as we enjoy a delicious lunch and time of fellowship in the Maxwell hall.
This really thoughtful and clever cartoon was in the Times this week on the day of the Queen's funeral. Justin Welby speaking at the Abbey also reminded us that many have lost dear ones in recent times, who won't be remembered and noted in the way Elizabeth II was...but the Lord knows.
Be holey in all your conduct
If ever there was an opportunity for a Caption Competition this is it!
Send them in for next week...but the actual story is from Scott below...
We have had some water ingress from rainfall flooding at the garage door and leaking through to the room where we hope to start Blythswood Boxes in October.
Many thanks to Calum and Charles for getting straight onto it!
I wonder if they did rock, paper, scissors to see who went down the mine! I suggested they tie a rope to Charles in case he got lost...
Scott
GCM - Thanks!
“Big Arran Challenge completed last Saturday. Now I remember just how “big” (and bumpy) Arran really is.
A huge thanks to everyone who sent good wishes and for all the very generous donations. The total raised is really amazing. I’m sure the funds will go to great use by Glasgow City Mission in their projects to help those suffering from homelessness and poverty.
Thank you sincerely for joining me in spirit and in kind and supporting in the challenge.
Ken”
GCM - Open Morning!
Glasgow City Mission are holding an open morning for church members on Saturday 1 October from 10:00-12noon.
We would love it if members of the church were able to come along to our Crimea Street project to learn about the breadth of work we do in the city.
(See Mag 121 for all the details or speak with Jack Geddes)
9 lessons from the most watched sermon ever
Welby spoke just 502 words, and did not waste a single one.
"Watching the TV footage as people arrived for the funeral, I heard one TV commentator remark: “Today is all about Her Majesty, nothing else matters…”
I nearly choked on my toast! If the correspondents had taken the time to look at the order of service, carefully crafted by Her Majesty, it should have been clear how much the Queen would have disagreed! Both the funeral and the committal were soaked in scripture, with rich Christian hymns and readings that again and again heralded the good news of Jesus Christ.
And Welby followed suit - not that he’d have needed much persuading. I’m so thankful that he didn’t shy away from keeping the spotlight of this Christian funeral on the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, with six powerful references to Jesus giving the sermon an unavoidable focus."
This is from an article from Robin Ham- it isn't long - click on this link and read through the full article (it's just about 3 mins read.)
Ladybird Book of Maxwell
There will be more news about this Curry and Quiz night coming soon - but Grace, Tara and Chiara hope you can keep the date free and join them for what will be a really enjoyable and fun event.
Speak with Kirsty Bell if you need more info just now.
Christian Persecution in China
Tuesday 4th October | 7.30pm
Living for Jesus in the face of growing authoritarianism
with Release International partner Bob Fu, President ChinaAid
This October we are delighted to host Release International partner and ChinaAid President Bob Fu, for a series of live events across the UK. Join us to hear how your support is helping our brothers and sisters in China to persevere.
DATE: Tuesday 04 October TIME: 7.30pm
VENUE: Hamilton Baptist Church, 23 Kemp Street, HAMILTON, Scotland. ML3 6QL
See Mag 121 for info re Bob Fu and this event.
Questions from Ian
"Hello lovely people of Maxwell, I am in need of some help. (too right - Ed!)
I am hoping to put on several quizzes at Maxwell through November and December for both fellowship and evangelical opportunities. However, I find myself in need of a team of willing volunteers (and advisors). If you can help just send me a message: 07793968349."
Fighting for the Family
Conversion Therapy - Assisted Suicide - Education
The Christian Institute Scotland are touring Scotland to help Christians understand these topics better -
'the need to fight for the family has never been greater'
More information will be in future magazines but note the Glasgow dates are Mon 7th and Wed 9th Nov.
https://www.christian.org.uk/scotlandtour/
The weekly prayer meeting is now on a Thursday!
7.15pm - 8.30pm
All welcome.
An inspiring night at the musicals featuring singers from London's West End.
At NMBC. FRIDAY 30th SEPTEMBER, 7.30pm
Amazing performers will bring you songs from Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, and The Greatest Showman.
The singers will give an insight into life in the West End, their careers and their Faith.
£6 per ticket, group tickets for 4 people for the price of 3 available too.
GET TICKETS NOW - CLICK HERE
Are you on the Pray Now WhatsApp Group?
If you want to be added to the group to receive prayer news then simply ask Margaret and she will add your number to the list.
If you have a matter that you would like to be prayed about in this way, you can contact Margaret Boyd or Scott and they will organise for news to be sent out.