Christ Church Jerusalem

Too Radical? Not Practical?  Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is somewhat puzzling as it seems too radical and not practical for everyday life.  Yet when we look at its First Century Jewish and Biblical context its meaning becomes more understandable.  God’s Torah (guidance and instruction) is brought to the forefront by Jesus when he claims that He is not misinterpreting God’s Word but is giving its right interpretation.  We can only appreciate his teaching when we overcome a certain Christian misunderstanding of Torah and see its  intimate relationship to the Beatitudes. Readings: Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9-12 Psalm 119:33-40 Matthew 5:13-20 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Amos, The Burden of the Lord Chapter 2, A nation like every other nation. Israel was called to be holy, set apart from the darkness of the the world to bring light to the nations. Instead they followed the road of temporary gain--economics, politics, even family and religion above obedience to the God different than every other god. Disobedience to God isn't simply breaking a few laws, it is turning from all that is good and leads down a path of misery. Misery for those we persecute and eventual judgment from God for us. Who is this God? Learn about the instructions and statutes He set forth and look at the things He has done -- the mercy, redemption, and judgment He showed in those actions. He has revealed Himself to us, but we must seek after Him.

The Community We All Long For The rebellion in the Garden not only affected our relationship with God but also our relationships with one another. Part of Jesus’ ministry is to restore relationships and re-establish community as God intended from the beginning. At times Jesus called this community the Kingdom of Heaven, and in the Gospel of Matthew we learn that it is comprised of the poor in spirit - those disciples who have made Jesus King. Relationships grounded in the Beatitudes are a witness to a world longing for community. Readings: Fourth Sunday after Epiphany Micah 6:1-8 Psalm 15 Matthew 5:1-12 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Amos: The Lord Roars From Zion Chapter 1, The Lord roars from Zion. Throughout Israel there are schools of prophets. But God chose a shepherd breeder to see the vision of what God was going to do. Was the message something Israel wanted to hear? In his first vision, Amos saw that God would pour out his wrath on those nations that disobeyed. Perhaps at first this would be pleasing to hear for the people of God, but they will soon learn that they have also disobeyed and will not forever escape God's wrath. Perhaps before we rejoice that the day of God's anger will come, we should consider ourselves and repent lest it is you and I that will suffer the wrath of God.

Location, Location, Location We usually don’t think too much about the geography of the Bible, but often it has an important theological message. Quoting from Isaiah, Matthew explains why the Son of God began his ministry in rural, insignificant Galilee. Isaiah tells us that the northern kingdom of Israel was dismantled by the Assyrians and the people were left in darkness, hopelessness and exile. It is no coincidence that Jesus’ message and ministry began there. Restoration and healing is found when we heed Jesus’ urgent call to repent and we leave the darkness to follow him. Readings: Third Sunday After the Epiphany  Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:12-23 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Behold the Lamb of God. How does a John the Baptist know to call Jesus the Lamb of God? And what should our response and our desire be to this declaration of truth? Readings for 2nd Sunday after Epiphany Isaiah 49:1-7 Psalm 40:1-11 John 1:29-42 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Love and Sacrifice We learn from the biblical sacrificial system that love and intimacy with God are bound up with sacrifice. In the “Binding of Issac” God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son whom he loves. On the banks of the Jordan river, God presents His beloved Son to Israel, and the Father so loves the world that he gave his only begotten Son. We also, as beloved sons and daughters adopted into God’s family, are called to live sacrificially. Although we live in an age of narcissism and self-absorption, His Holy Spirit can give us the courage and faith to believe that abundant life comes through self-giving. BAPTISM OF THE LORD: Isaiah 42:1-9 Acts 10:34-43 Matthew 3:13-17 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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The Circumcision and the Naming of the Lord. The King of heaven possesses a Hebrew lineage and a Hebrew name, yet He is The King of all nations.

Christmas Day How much is the lamb related to Jesus and His birth? Bethlehem was the town where the Royal Lambs were raining shed and prepared for the Passover sacrifice. Jesus was our Passover spotless lamb who would shoulder the sins of the world. It was remarkable the similarities between Jesus and the lamb. Readings: Titus 2:11-14 Psalm 96 Luke 2:1-14-20 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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A Very Messy Christmas | Rev. David Pileggi Often It’s been noted that the story of Jesus’ birth begins with a genealogy of some ancestors who were “less than perfect” – liars, cheats, idol worshipers, and prostitutes – sinners who made a mess of their lives and the lives of others. The birth of Jesus can only be fully understood in the context of this story. “Fear not,” the angel said at His birth, “I bring good news of great joy for you and all people. A Saviour, the Messiah is born unto you.” Like all of us, Jesus was born into and lived amidst messy and painful circumstances. Yet this obedient Son would save us from our sins and bring us back into an intimate relationship with the Father. He is Immanuel, God with us – whatever the circumstances we may find ourselves in today. And that is Good News. Readings: Fourth Sunday in Advent - Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate

Take No Offense | Rev. David Pileggi On this third Sunday of Advent we recall the doubts that John the Baptist had about the Messiah-ship of Jesus. While recognizing Jesus as the Anointed One, John couldn't accept Jesus’ messianic agenda or the redemptive nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. In response, Jesus said “Blessed is the one not offended in me.” How many of us, like John the Baptist, have expectations of Jesus that lead to disappointment which can corrode our faith and ultimately our relationship with God? Readings - Third Sunday of Advent: Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalm 146:4-9, Matthew 11:2-11 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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A Lifestyle of Repentance John the Baptist is one of the most enigmatic figures in the New Testament. The lack of detail often clouds his mission - which is more than just announcing the coming of Messiah. As foretold by the prophets – Isaiah in particular – it is that God will return to Zion with his people in glory to bring redemption to both Israel and the nations in an unprecedented way. Yet before this can happen the people must cleanse themselves with repentance. This message is as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago: a lifestyle of repentance is the key to redemption. Readings: Second Sunday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12

Getting ready. This week we talk about what Jesus’ return means to us and how that might change our lives forever. Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Service of Thanksgiving

The Character of our King This Sunday is often referred to as “Christ the King” Sunday because of its theme of the reign of Christ. Instead of the more common subject of the “kingdom” Rev Neville Jones takes a different tack and looks at the character of the King. Using a number of bible passages he summarises the promises and prophecies for this divinely anointed ruler, and how Jesus is careful to not inflame any misplaced expectations that many had about this “coming king”. In several well-known passages he then looks at how Jesus reveals his true character, the effect it had on those involved and how we in turn should respond. Quote (from the sermon) The Lord’s response could be summarised this way: “Thanks David for the offer of a house, but I tell you what, I’ll build you a house” … and when God says he will build a house it, it stays built. Readings: Jeremiah 23: 1-6, Colossians 1: 11-20, Luke 23: 33-43 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christ

Warning! When the disciples were marveling about the temple Jesus took that moment to warn them. It would soon be destroyed. Are we like them? Do we think our nation -economy-culture-education-family is too great to fail? His warnings to them are relevant for us today. In particular we examine the dangers of deception and how we can prevent falling prey to self deception and being led astray by others. Readings: Twenty Third Sunday after Pentecost - Remembrance Sunday Isaiah 65:17-25, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Rev. David Pileggi | Their Days, Our Days and the End Days Paul's words of instruction and comfort to the church of Thessalonika have special relevance for us and the times in which we live. First, Paul thanks God for their faith and steadfastness in the midst of suffering, but he also warns them not to be deceived or get too excited or be deceived about the coming of the Lord. That will not happen until the man of lawlessness is revealed and proclaim himself to be God - even though the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Surely this teaches us to avoid foolish speculation about the end times which has only brought confusion and embarrassment to the church. Readings: Haggai 1:15-2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; Luke 20:27-38 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ 
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Title - All Saints Day Description - If we live we live to the Lord, if we die we die to the Lord, so whether we live or die we are the Lords, how then shall we live? Readings: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 Psalm 149 Luke 6:20-31 Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

23 August 2022 | The Good Folks and the Sinners Our passage today is the story of Jesus calling to the tax collector in a sycamore tree while He was passing though Jericho. This story should be read along side the parable of the 2 men who went up to the temple to pray - a religious man (Pharisee) and a sinner (tax-collector). In both accounts we are not only confronted with the issue of self-righteousness, but also with those good people (the religious man and the crowd) who seem to think that God’s mercy is beyond the sinner. The shocking ending to both accounts reminds us that we all stand in need of God’s mercy, and that humility and repentance is the right response to God’s overwhelming grace to us all. When reading these stories, it is easy to condemn the callous crowd and the Pharisee, but let's be aware that these faults are alive and well in the church - and in us. Readings: Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22 Psalm 84:1-7 Luke 18:9-14 & 19:1-10 Blessed by our teachings? Consi

We Have Profaned Succot (Tabernacles) is not just a time for God’s people to rejoice, but is a holiday for all the nations. God desires to redeem the nations, not just individuals, but they are bound up in disobedience with idolatry is its chief expression. The people of God should be a "light to the nations” and model a clear alternative to idolatry. Holiness is not only a separation from evil, but to attach to Goodness. But so often our attachments and dependence upon created things and not our Creator has desecrated His name among the nations and brought us nothing but chaos and more. The rejection of all forms of idolatry must begin in the house of God and then will we be able to call the nations to repentance. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/
This sermon is also available on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem
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