Christ Church Jerusalem

21 July 2019 - Rev. John Howanstine tells us Jesus had deep love for Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, visited their home to visit with them. Martha, we see in her confession of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God, loves and trusts in Jesus. Yet, when he comes, she is distracted by what she thinks she needs to do. Our God comes to sit with us, visit with us. Hear him call your name as he invites you to be still and just soak in his presence. Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Aaron Eime walks us through Acts 11, where Peter now explains his interaction with Cornelius to his fellow Jewish believers. Then the scene shifts north to the church in Antioch. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

14 July 2019 - Rev. John Howanstine walks us through the familiar parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus is headed to Jerusalem for the final time when he is asked a question: "What do I have to do to have a life worth living?" In his answer, Jesus illustrates that God has show to be a neighbor to us, shown us compassion when we were still his enemies. Jesus calls us to follow him on the road of compassion. Are we instead looking for loop holes? Let us answer the eternal call of God, step in to the story, and let it transform us. Readings: Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Aaron Eime leads us through Acts 10, which introduces the watershed moment of Gentile inclusion into the Jesus movement. Prior to this the mission of the early church had been restricted to the Jewish and Samaritan peoples. The place settings of the event are also of importance. Cornelius, a Roman centurion of an elite Italian unit, was based in Caesarea, the administrative capital of the Roman occupation. He is identified as a godfearer, a Gentile attracted to monotheism who has joined the synagogue. He was a generous supporter of the Jewish people despite being an integral part of the occupation force. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Peter was residing in Joppa, associated to the tradition of the prophet Jonah. Beginnings and ends always occur in the same place and same manner in the Bible. Jonah was instructed to go to Gentiles and refused. Now Peter receives the same commission and accepts. Blessed by our teachings

7 July 2019 - Rev. Aaron Eime looks at Jesus sending out the 70 disciples in Luke 10. Jesus sends disciples, apostles (sent ones) ahead of himself to speak for him. Like the 70, we are called to be the voice of the Messiah and to declare the Good News of that Kingdom that proclaims freedom to the captives of sin. Are our lives reflecting the message? Readings: Psalm 30; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. David Pileggi walks us through Saul's proclaiming the Gospel in Damascus after encountering the risen Jesus Messiah. We'll also look at Peter's ministry on the coast and the raising of Dorcas. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

30 June 2019 - Rev. Aaron Eime gleans discipleship lessons from the encounter Jesus and his disciples have in Samaria. Disciples are to be students of their master. The text gives us lessons on obedience, mercy, and humility. It also calls us to not hesitate in heeding the call of Jesus. Readings: 1 Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Acts 9* contains the first of three accounts of Saul's life-changing encounter with the risen Jesus on the way to Damascus. One of the curiosities of Acts is that it records the personal testimony of Saul three times but doesn't record the testimony of any of the other apostles or church leaders. Every historian makes choices on what to include and what to omit. Luke’s motivation for writing that seems to make most sense of his choices is that he was providing historical information and relevant details to aid Paul's defence at his trial in Rome (about 62 AD). Most bibles that include section headings use the phrase “The Conversion of Saul” or something similar to describe the first part of chapter 9. In Israel and in Jewish circles in general the term "conversion" comes with a lot of baggage, so an alternative is worth considering. Luke uses a word meaning conversion in Acts 15:3 when referring to the Gentiles, but Paul doesn’t use that word when he is reflecting on this turning point in his life; he refers

23 June 2019 - Rev. Aaron Eime walks us through Jesus delivering the demoniac in Luke 8. Jesus crosses a boundary to deliver a possessed gentile, showing tht God is faithful to both Israel and the nations, just as the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) promised. Readings: Psalm 22:18-27; Isaiah 65:1-9; Luke 8:26-39 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Dr. Dru Johnson spoke about his latest book: Human Rites: The Power of Rituals, Habits, and Sacraments. What are we doing when we gather around the sacraments — or when we make the same breakfast every morning? Embodying rituals, says Dru Johnson. And until we understand what we’re doing and why, we won’t know how these rituals work, what they mean, or how we might adapt them. In Human Rites Johnson considers the concept of ritual as seen in Scripture and its role in shaping our thinking. Dru is an associate professor of biblical and theological studies at The King’s College in New York City. Before that, he was a high-school dropout, skinhead, punk rock drummer, combat veteran, IT supervisor, and pastor—all things that he hopes none of his children ever become.

16 June 2019 - On Trinity Sunday, Matthew Dalling ask us "Are we joyful or are we grumpy?" The Bible calls us to a life of joy. The paradox is that this life is full of suffering. We all long for deep joy, but when suffering come, we instead close ourselves off. We rather need to confront suffering and understanding the suffering of Jesus. When we consider the suffering he endured for the joy set before him, we can then learn from him and so merge our joy with his. Readings: Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

Neville Jones leads us through the story of Philip, one of “the Seven” commissioned to serve the community of believers, who preaches the Gospel in Samaria. There had been centuries of division and mistrust between Jews and Samaritans, but they had much in common. The Samaritan regard for the Torah and their shared history with the Jewish people made Samaria fertile ground for the message of Jesus Messiah. Philip probably started in ancient Shechem, which lay at the foot of their holy mountain Gerizim. He found he had a very attentive audience, helped, of course, by the powerful signs of healing and deliverance. Yet, there came a complication, in the person of Simon the magician. Later, Philip encounters the Ethiopian eunuch, whose story stands in contrast with the situation in Samaria. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem

9 June 2019 - On Pentecost Sunday, Rev. David Pileggi tells us that New Testament teaches that Holy Spirit is available to everyone. God gives his Spirit freely, but maintaining relationship with the Father calls for costly discipleship, holiness. "If you love me, you will obey what I command." We are to respond to God's gift of deliverance in gratitude. What does the Holy Spirit do in John? The Holy Spirit brings the presence of Jesus to us. It allows us to enter into the Divine Community. The Holy Spirit does what Jesus does, what the Father does. The goal of having the Spirit is for all in Messiah go out to be witnesses of the Jesus Messiah. Readings: Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17, 25-27 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Gerald McDermott, in the run up to Pentecost/Shavuot, spoke on “Jonathan Edwards and the Holy Spirit.” Gerald is the Anglican chair at Beeson Divinity School. His research focus has been three-fold: Jonathan Edwards, Christian understandings of other religions, and the meaning of Israel. McDermott has produced six books on Edwards; his Theology of Jonathan Edwards (coauthored with Michael McClymond) won Christianity Today’s 2013 award. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Aaron Eime picks up the story of Stephen's death and then begins to lead us through the story of Philip, one of “the Seven” commissioned to serve the community of believers, who preaches the Gospel in Samaria. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Acts 7, Rev. Aaron Eime tells us, has often been used by skeptics as an argument against the integrity of Scripture, who cite the many inconsistencies and disparities of Stephen's speech before the Sadducees. Stephen, as described in Acts 6, is full of the Holy Spirit and a worker of miracles and signs. Little more is known of Stephen except that he is a Greek speaker from the Hellenistic Jewish community. He reads and quotes from the Septuagint Greek Bible, which explains the differences in quotes from the Old Testament. Stephen's speech is given during a high pressure situation in which charges of blasphemy against the Torah and the Temple have been brought against him. This is his chance to defend himself, he does so by going on the offensive. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

2 June 2019 - On Ascension Sunday, Rev. David Pileggi has us contemplate the spiritual reality of Jesus as King, as the ruler of the Kingdom of God. In the 40 days that Jesus walkrf the Earth after his Resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven. It is central to Jesus that God has begun to execute authority in the world. Where do we find Jesus ruling and reigning? Where people are doing his will, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The idea of God ruling as king is a Jewish message. Let us pray that God would heal our cynicism and over-familiarity with the Scriptures so we may be filled anew with joy and gratitude and worship our King. Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Luke 24:44-53 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Neville Jones walks us through Acts 6, which starts a new section in the book. The focus is shifting from the apostles to other players, such as Stephen, Philip and Saul (Paul). Stephen is the central character in chapters 6 and 7, as Luke builds the narrative bridge toward the life of Saul of Tarsus. The timing of chapter 6 is not clear; it could be a year or perhaps a few years after Pentecost. What is clear is that this new community of the Way faces challenges: growing pains and culture clashes between Hebrew-speaking, Judean Jews and Greek-speaking diaspora Jews. The Twelve Apostles decide to appoint what are later called deacons to assist with food distribution and make sure no one is neglected. Later in the chapter, Stephen is revealed as more than someone who can “serve tables” but as a powerful and gifted public speaker and debater. This will get the attention of the opponents of the Way. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/

26 May 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, looking at Acts 16 and John 14, reminds us that peace and joy that come from being in relationship with Jesus. We see peace and boldness in Paul and Silas as they spread the good news of Jesus in Europe, and that peace and boldness flow from their knowledge and trust of Jesus. Paul is so secure in Jesus that he responds to persecution by praying and singing hymns. Mission is not about numbers but about creating communities that praise and worship God. Readings: Acts 16; John 14:23-29 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Aaron Eime picks up when once again the Apostles receive the attention of the High Priest, who seems to be jealous of the Apostles' success. An unknown number of apostles, just the leadership of the community now numbering in the thousands, are imprisoned overnight to await trial and judgement the next morning in keeping with Jewish Law. However, an unnamed Angel of the Lord opens the door and instructs them to go to the Temple and speak about the Life. What is the full message of the Life and Resurrection? The Holy Spirit is noted to be a witness of the Resurrection. Peter then declares that the Holy Spirit has been given to those who obey the Messiah. We learn that obedience is also a key element in the following of Jesus and is connected to receiving the Holy Spirit. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donat