Christ Church Jerusalem

Gospel Change | Yoel Ben David

In this talk Yoel explains what Gospel change is and how we can be transformed by it. As he goes through John 4, we discover the breadth, process, and power of Gospel change as well as how Jesus reaches down to the very bottom of our hearts.

Readings: Third Sunday in Lent

Ps 73:21-28, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42

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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.

Amos declared that the Day of the Lord would be terrifying. We’ve seen that Israel had turned from God to seek their own wealth, their own pleasure, and their own religion. Because they sought their own at the expense of those who were poor, the slaves, and the widows, God would bring His own justice upon Israel.

So what should we do? Instead of waiting for the day of the Lord, seek Him now. Seek good and not evil, establish justice. What is good and what is justice? First of all, they are actions. If you can’t find God in your world, show Him to your world. Seek good and not evil and the Lord God Almighty will be with you. Seek justice and righteousness and God may even have mercy on us.

Born Again. Been There, Done That?

The call of Abraham and his growing faithfulness provides the perfect context for the encounter that Nicodemus had with Jesus. This gives us a wider perspective about Jesus’ teaching on being born again and what it means to have eternal life.

Readings: SECOND SUNDAY IN LENT

Genesis 12:1-9 • Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 • John 3:1-17

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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.

26th February 2023. The Duel in the Desert | Rev. David Pileggi

We see in the lectionary readings today that the testing of Jesus in the wilderness echoes the Garden experience and Israel’s 40 year sojourn in the desert. Although there are a number differences in these three accounts, the similarities are striking. We are attacked by the devil and seduced by our own human nature not only in our identity, fears and places of weakness, but also in the way we hear and understand the life-giving nature of Scripture. Today we learn and must remember that God allows us to be tested "so that it will go well with you.” (Deuteronomy 8:16)

Readings: FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT

Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7

Deuteronomy 8

Matthew 4:1-1

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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.

Transfiguration Sunday

Title

The Ineffective Knowledge of Jesus’ majesty | John Arnold

During Epiphany we journey along with the disciples as they witness Jesus’ ministry. The first Sunday of Epiphany, Jesus comes to John the Baptist to be baptized and we have two major statements. “Behold the Lamb of God.” and “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The final Sunday of Epiphany we look at the transfiguration of Jesus. Once again, God declares, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” But God then adds, “Listen to Him.” Peter was one of three disciples who witnessed God’s declaration and saw Jesus’ transformation. As he approached his own final days on earth, he wrote those he loved and explained what it meant to “Listen to God.” All disciples can hear the Word of God through Scriptures, but to be productive and effective Peter delves into what it means to actually hear God.

Readings Exodus 24:12-18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Matthew 17:1-9

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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.

Amos, The Burden of the Lord

Chapter 3, God is never without a witness. Israel can see the natural ways of the world. Certain truths are known, “Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” So why is it so hard for them, and us, to see what God is doing? He has revealed the truth, both in history and in Scripture through the prophets. History shows both the evil and the good. We can see the faults of those who came before us and we can see those who stood out in history and stood for what was right. The God of the Bible is also the God of history–His actions declare who He is. And while God is a God of mercy, His actions also show that His roaring is not in vain. God will act powerfully in righteousness and justice! Perhaps we should consider how we stand out in history.

Chapter 4, Come to the house of God and offer your sacrifices. Bring your tithes and loudly proclaim your thankfulness to God. As if the Lord will listen to you while you transgress against Him.

God sent Israel warnings through pestilence and famine. But what did the people do? There wasn't enough food for everyone, so the rich took what they needed while they oppressed the poor.

We often don't heed the subtler (or even not so subtle) warnings of God. All of us should prepare ourselves to meet God because we will meet Him. But will He meet us and say "Well done, good and faithful servant." Or will He meet us with judgment for our sins?

Talkin’ 'Bout My Generation

We continue our discussion of Matthew 5 as it relates to the followers of Jesus as a community. Ours sins are not just personal issues, but they affect others around us. Jesus emphasizes that it is not enough to adhere to the commandments externally, but obedience includes our attitudes, motivations and imagination. In the Great Commission Jesus tells His disciples to go and teach the nations to obey everything he has commanded. We must not water down His teaching in order to make discipleship less costly. Jesus’ challenge will surely animate many in our generation who are bored, discontented and find no purpose in life.

Readings:

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Psalm 119:1-8

Matthew 5:20-37

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.

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.

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/


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.