Christ Church Jerusalem

November 21st, 2023 | Malachi 1.1–2.7 With John Arnold by Christ Church Jerusalem

November 14th, 2023 | 1 Kings 1.1–31 With David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

November 7th, 2023 | 2 Kings 4.1–37 With Aaron Eime by Christ Church Jerusalem

October 31st, 2023 | Isaiah 40.27–41.16 With Philip Morrow by Christ Church Jerusalem

October 24th, 2023 | Isaiah 54.1–55.5 With John Arnold by Christ Church Jerusalem

October 17th, 2023 | 1 Samuel 20.18–42 & Isaiah 42.5–21 With Aaron Eime by Christ Church Jerusalem

The Treason of Indifference |Rev. David Pileggi Today, when so many events in the Middle East are being seen as the fulfillment of prophecy it can create a fatalism and passivity that stops many from intercession. The story of the Golden Calf powerfully highlights the character of God, the true nature of prophecy and the cost of effective intercession. Along with the events of unfaithfulness at Sinai we consider Jesus’ parable about those who rejected the king’s invitation to the wedding of his son - both nothing less than an act of treason. Readings for Sunday Exodus 32:1-14 Isaiah 25:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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This week, all across Israel, families have been gathering in their Sukkas which are small booths, in order to mark the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. We hear of this festival in Leviticus 23, where it not only tells Israel to build booths, but to also gather plants. The four plants are Palm, Myrtle, Willow and an Etrog (a Yellow Citrus). The text however doesn't tell us why we gather these plants, or what to do with them.  We can learn from Jewish tradition that God asks us to worship him with all our senses. And over the years Jewish people have noticed that these four plants have either a taste or a smell, but not both. That is except for the Etrog. An interpretation was added to this observation showing how each of these different plants represented a type of disciple. In his sermon, Aaron takes us through from Sukkot, to the Parable of the Two Sons, and challenges us... what type of disciple are we? Do we smell AND taste like a follower of Jesus? Readings: Exodus 17:1-17 Psalm 72 Matthew 21:

This week, our usual Sunday evening service coincided with the beginning of Yom Kippur, the biblical Day of Atonement. On this day, people across the Jewish world read from the Scroll of Jonah, reminding themselves of the centrality of repentance in their walk with God. This centrality of repentance is not only tangible throughout the BIble but echoes throughout the New Testament. However, how often are we told by the world that forgiveness is contemptible? CS Lewis famously remarked, "it is not that people think this too high and difficult a virtue: it is that they think it hateful and contemptible." Turning to our Gospel reading in Matthew about the Unfaithful Servant, it is made perfectly clear that if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven. In this week's sermon, John Arnold highlights the stark difference between the world's view of forgiveness and that of God's view, linking it back to demonstrate how we can see the fingerprints of this dichotomy in the traditional Jonah readings for Yom Kippur. R

The parable of the rich farmer wanting to build bigger barns and Jesus’ teaching on worry and possessions resonates with one of the the main themes found in the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh HaShana holiday: God’s Kingship and the confrontation with idolatry. Surely, the idols of our age are the search for personal prosperity, peace and security. And when these become our primary goals we are tested in the very things that we crave. Such testing should be welcomed as it enables us to deepen our discipleship and model Jesus' alternative to the world’s well meaning, desire for the good life. Readings: Numbers 29:1-6 • Deuteronomy 8:7-18 • Luke 12:16-30.

Forgiveness and discipline might seem to be somewhat contradictory but they should both be a result of our love and care for one another. If we avoid warning people of their behavior we are not giving them the opportunity to feel the joy and relief of confession and the forgiveness God promises–forgiveness we are also called to give as God forgives us. Readings: Ezekiel 33:1-11 • Psalm 119:33-40 • Matthew 18:15-20.

Suffering is something few of us want, too many of us boast about and, perhaps, not enough Christians are willing to face. Rather than grumbling and complaining over every difficult thing we face, Christians are called to be blameless and innocent–a light in a dark world. Jesus gives an example and call to his disciples to take up their cross and follow after him while Paul will tell us what our sacrifice should look like. Readings: Romans 12:9-21 • Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45 • Matthew 16:13-28.

Jesus will challenge us to confess who He is in a very dark and confused pagan environment, and declare that His kingdom will not be stopped, not even by Hell. Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10 • Isaiah 51:1-6 • Matthew 16:13-20.

Many times in scripture God is revealed to us as full of compassion, plenteous in mercy and slow to anger. And while we are never able to earn His favor or repay His goodness, we are expected to respond aright. Too often, in receiving God’s mercy, many become proud and cheapen God’s overwhelming gift. Instead, as we see in today’s readings, our trust in and response to God’s character and providence requires patience, humility and mercy extended to others. Readings: Genesis 45:1-15; Romans 11:1-2a, 25-36; Matthew 15:21-28.

We are all called by God, He knows those He calls and He knows we can do it, so go do it! Readings: Jonah 2:1-10; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33.

The miraculous provision of food for the 5,000 (recorded in all four gospels) teaches us something critical about Jesus and what it means to be his disciple. This miracle highlights how his ministry follows and yet expands the pattern set by Moses and Elijah. Further, the manner in which Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it foreshadows his redeeming death and the gift of the Eucharist which has nourished believers down through the ages. Being overwhelmed by so many people needing food, the disciples were challenged by Jesus when he told them "You give them something to eat”. This command is still relevant for us as Jesus invites us to put away all passivity, discouragement and defeatism and actively partner with him in the work that he is doing in our world today. Readings: Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Matthew 14:13-21.

We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and to thirst after His righteousness. That’s not always easy and do we need to do that after we have become followers of Jesus? Readings: 1 Kings 3:3-14; Romans 8: 26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52.

The Ancient of Days and Son of Man are on their thrones. But the kingdom of God has an enemy. Throughout our life we will meet many false prophets and many false teachers that are scattered within the Church by Satan. The mockery these people make of God, His teachings, and the church can often make us sad, anxious, and angry–even to the point of sinning ourselves. But while we must be careful not to fall victim or support them, perhaps we should remind ourselves that God Himself is patient. God is patient because He cares for all people but especially His children. Readings: Genesis 29:15-28; 1 Kings 3:3-14; Matthew 13:32-33, 44-52.

The parable of the sower describes the heart of the disciples who hear the Word of God and choose to respond to God's invitation. His invitation is free but does require a response! Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Isaiah 55; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23.

There is a time to hear the message of the King and that time is now. But having ears to hear includes submitting ourselves to follow the message of the King. In the end, we will submit to the message of a king, a god. The question that we should ask ourselves is do we want to submit to the gods we make or to the God that made us. When we submit to the gods we make, even though it is because we are seeking our own benefit, our own lusts, and our own selfishness it will only burden us and make us like those gods we make–vain, self-righteous, self-absorbed. Submitting to the God who made us does mean that we look to serve–serve the orphan, the widow, our neighbour, and all those who God loves (which includes those who would be his enemies). But even so, this burden is well worth bearing, for it is not wearisome and following His commands is true rest for our souls. Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Isaiah 55; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23.