Christ Church Jerusalem

19 May 2019 - Can anything good come out of Caesarea? Michael Kerem walks us through the story of Cornelius and its history-shifting implications. When we won't willingly cooperate with God, he sticks us in a place so we can watch him move sovereignly. So it was with Peter, who barely said anything before the Holy Spirit was poured on the household of a Roman centurion in proof that repentance that leads to life had been gifted to non-Jews, too. All Peter could say in his defense was, "Who was I that I could stand in God's way?" Readings: Acts 11:1-18; Revelation 7; John 13:31-35 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

12 May 2019 - We love the world system even though it continues to fail us. It is dangerous, though, Rev. David Pileggi reminds us. The danger is that, when we derive our identity and/or our security from created things rather than from the Creator, the world converts our loyalty against Jesus. However, when we as a community are generous and care for the poor like Dorcas did, we rebel against the world system, and we make a deposit in a heavenly bank account. Those who give to the poor lend to the Lord (Prov 19:17), and God will repay. Generosity also brings us closer to Messiah. Where do we find Jesus? In giving aid to the poor and needy. Readings: Acts 9:36-43; Revelation 6; John 10:22-30 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

The Sacred History of the Early Church demonstrates a sharing of possessions, generosity and compassion and a care for the poor among the believers. Rev. Aaron Eime says it is not a model of a socialist movement, the formation of a kibbutz or the biblical model for the redistribution of wealth. Thus far in Acts we have witnessed only positive actions and results of the Holy Spirit and His work among the people, now we see a not so positive result of the Holy Spirit with the deaths of Ananias and Saphira. From the incident we note that it is possible to lie to the Holy Spirit and that this has consequences. We learn we cannot hide the truth of the heart from the Lord. 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/

The public healing of the cripple man by the Apostles, Peter and John, attracts the attention of the Temple leadership. Rev. Aaron Eime tells us that the issue was not the healing in itself, an obvious miracle, but the preaching of the Resurrection. Temple leadership was dominated by the sect of the Sadducees who held to a limited canon of Scripture and denied the doctrine of the Resurrection at the end of days. In the morning, Peter and John are questioned. Before responding they are filled with the Holy Spirit. We are promised by the Messiah that when we are indeed brought before rulers, not to worry about what we will say (Matthew 10) the Spirit will speak for us. 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/

5 May 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi compares the ministries of Peter and Paul, how Jesus called them and restored them after egregious sins. The resurrected Jesus does not wait for Peter to apologize for his betrayal. Jesus calls Paul as he is on the way to persecute disciples. Jesus initiates the restoration of both men and commissions them for ministry. All of us are called. All of us are sent. However, there is a cost for answering the call. Is He worth it? Readings: Acts 9:1–20; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

28 April 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, speaking on Acts 5, has us consider what turns the fearful disciples into courageous men and women proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Messiah? Transformation comes from seeing, knowing Resurrection itself, the risen Jesus of Nazareth, who is not just a first century rabbi but something so much more. The disciples are also empowered by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel, a message about the forgiveness of sins which flows from Jesus Messiah, who stands in Revelation wounded but glorified, Jewish but for all peoples. Readings: Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-18; John 20:19-31 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

While the Book of Acts contains the most references to the Holy Spirit in the Bible, Acts 3 contains no mention of the Holy Spirit at all. We do not see His activity overtly expressed or His presence acknowledged. We only see here a healing through Peter and John. The healing attracts attention. Peter has an opportunity to declare they are witnesses of the Resurrection. He calls for Repentance as part of the process of Salvation. 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/

21 April 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, at the 9:30 a.m. service, asks us "Why do we seek the living among the dead?" Why do we seek life in internet fame, in riches, in our own works? Resurrection is not an idea, a doctrine, or a philosophy. Resurrection is a person. "Who are you looking for?" Jesus asks Mary Magdalene. We should be seeking Jesus, the resurrection and the life. Readings: Exodus 14:10-18; Acts 10:34-43; Luke 24:1-12 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

21 April 2019 - At the 6 a.m. resurrection service, Reuven Berger of Kehilat ha'Seh al Har Zion (The Congregation of the Lamb on Mt. Zion)walked us from Genesis 3 to Romans, I Corinthians and Hebrews to show how Jesus' resurrection affects us who are in Messiah. Reuven shares a testimony of how Yeshua relieved him of a life-long fear of death. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

14 April 2019 - Rev. John Howanstine, on Palm Sunday, walks us through the holy work of remembering the day Jesus revealed himself as the King and Messiah. Despite the joyful reception, Jesus wept, sobbed in grief knowing the rejection that awaited him. Now he calls us to weep with him as he calls the world to repent and acknowledge his kingship. Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10; Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 19:28-48 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

7 April 2019 - Matthew Dalling, on the Fifth Sunday in Lent, explored what it practically means to follow Jesus looking at the example of Mary anointing and cleaning the feet of Jesus. Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21, Philippians 3:4-14, John 12:1-8 & 24-26 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Acts 2, Sacred History, records the events of Shavuot (Pentecost) in Jerusalem. The Disciples continue to wait for the Gift of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus. They continue to meet in the Temple. Acts 2, with its allusions to Mount Sinai, demonstrates the writer’s intimate knowledge of the oral traditions and commentary of the Jewish People. The Disciples are said to be united in one accord, every nation under Heaven is said to be in Jerusalem, tongues of fire appear, voices are heard and seen. 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/

31 Mar 2019 - Rev. John Howanstine, on the Fourth Sunday in Lent, looks at the love of the Father as displayed in Jesus' parables of the two sons, of the lost sheep, and of the lost coin . And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin. Readings: Psalm 32, 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Luke 15: 11-32 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

25 Mar 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi. Third Sunday in Lent Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

In the middle of Acts 2, Peter is conducting his defense of the events occurring in the Temple on Pentecost/Shavuot. He declares that Jesus was a man proved by God through miracles and signs, this same Jesus was resurrected by God. What sort of body does Jesus have? His own body. Resurrection is the sign/proof that God has made Jesus the Messiah. Death cannot hold the Messiah. Death is not part of the original creation; it was introduced to the creation following the Fall of Adam. Throughout Peter's defense ,he reminds the people of what they have seen and heard, Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10vs17). The Kingdom of Heaven continues to advance through the verbal proclamation of the Gospel and the visible signs of the Spirits power and activity. 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/

Rev. Aaron Eime walks us through Acts 1:15-26, where Peter stands up and takes the lead among the disciples, numbering around 120 including males and females. Peter declares that the Holy Spirit spoke through David. Does the Holy Spirit speak through other people? Peter also calls for them to replace Judas among the leadership of the twelve. Aaron notes that a hierarchy has been established with the inner group of twelve. 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/

17 March 2019 - We began Lent with a reminder that God hates nothing he has made. Rev. John Howanstine calls us to respond to merciful God by asking him to give us contrite hearts. God's glory is to always have mercy. The door is still open to repentance. Let us not only think of repentance as feeling bad for our sins but as a turning that makes us run back to him so we can be gathered into his loving embrace. Readings: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke: 13:31-35 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 1:4-14, where Jesus commands his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for a gift from God. The Holy Spirit is a Gift. Not something purchased, borrowed, bargained, nor deserved and certainly not a right. Promise of the Holy Spirit comes with Power. What does it mean to have power? Jesus says the purpose of the Power is to be a witness of Jesus to the ends of the world. Aaron also looks at Jesus' ascension to heaven and angels. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

10 March 2019 - On the First Sunday in Lent, Rev. David Pileggi has us consider how the Temptation of Jesus in the desert is relevant to us. God's boot camp, his seminary is the desert, where he teaches us humility, dependence on him, and seperation from the world and its distractions. In the desert he also teaches us to resist the lies of the devil. The devil has been defeated by the cross and the resurrection, and we must be willing to see through the devil's lies and must have the will to say no to his shortcuts and say yes to obeying and being faithful to God. Readings: Genesis 3:1-24; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Luke 4:1-13 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Rev. Aaron Eime looks at what the Holy Spirit does, where he shows up in Scripture and how Jewish theology of the Holy Spirit developed in the Second Temple period. Then Aaron jumps into the text of Acts, looking at chapter 1, versus 1-3. Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/ Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/