1 November 2020 - The Feast of All Saints is the perfect opportunity to be reminded of the biblical nature of holiness, vindicating some points of both Roman Catholic and Protestant views. This feast day, says Rev. David Pileggi, also allows us to express our gratitude for those who have gone before us and have shown us how to live faithfully in troubled times – in war, persecution, epidemics, or even in the everyday routines of life. Of course, we must remember that those who have died in faith are not really dead. They are very much alive as that great cloud of witnesses cheering us on to the finish line.

Readings: Revelation 7:9-17; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

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Idolatry was the ancient bugbear that constantly vexed the people of Israel. In Israel’s sacred history they had left Mesopotamia (the great eastern empire) and its gods, through the family of Abraham, and they had left Egypt(the great western empire)and its gods, guided by Moses. Israel is placed in the centre of these two great powers, revealing the true monotheistic God of the Universe to the Gentiles. Establishing a just society reflecting God’s character remains the high priority for Moses. Separation from idolatry was therefore essential to the fabric of Israelite society as a theological witness to the nations surrounding them. As a people of God, divine punishment

for idolatry could threaten the entire nation of Israel and its tenure in the Land of Canaan.

Led by Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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25 October 2020 - The severe critique that Jesus unleashes on the Pharisees in Matthew 23 is often seen out of context, says Rev. David Pileggi. Jesus himself was close to world of the Pharisees, following many of their customs. (He was an itinerant teacher, raised up disciples, was obedient to Torah, believed in eternal life, and more.) We forget, or may not realize, that this discourse was an internal Jewish debate, and we should view his criticism in that light and not weaponize his words against the Jewish people. Instead, we should take His words as a warning and ask ourselves how we (as religious people) may be guilty of the same offenses or hypocrisy.

Readings: Micah 3:5-12; Matthew 23:1-12

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18 October 2020 - The world is full of images and false advertising. Much of what is presented to us through the media, film and television is rarely accurate. So what of the image of God? Is the image that the world has of God a true reflection of His character? Rev. Aaron Eime reminds us we are called to follow the Lord and to imitate Him. The role of the believer is to present the true character of God by reflecting His nature.

Readings: Exodus 33:12-33; 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

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God is the master of time. He exists outside of it and dwells within it. His involvement in His creation occurs at specific times, and God has provided a sacred calendar to record sacred time. Moses, however, focuses his speech to Israel towards the three pilgrimage festivals, seemly downplaying the other Feasts of the Lord. In this portion Moses expounds on Shavuot (Weeks/Pentacost) and Sukkot (Booths/Tabernacles). One primary aspect of his oration on the festivals is the involvement of the whole community of Israel, including the strangers (non-Jews) and the weak members of society and the Levitical priests. The clergy must be involved in the life cycle of Israel. They are not to be distant nor removed from the public mind.

Led by Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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11 Oct 2020 - The Bible often uses the imagery of a feast or banquet to describe God's care and provision for His people. However, in the texts assigned tor this Sunday, we see that God not only wants to bless us, but He invites us into an inter-active relationship of trust and transformation. And that requires a response to His goodness. Sermon by Rev. David Pileggi.

Readings: Exodus 32:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14

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Moses describes the three pilgrim festivals, all rooted in the agricultural cycle, that required travelling to the Temple. It appears that these pilgrimage festivals were of more importance to the ancient Israelites, perhaps because of the actual existence of a physical Temple. Moses does not mention the other four feasts of the Lord. In discussion we mentioned that one reason could be that these feasts are particular representations of the Messiah.

Led by Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

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4 October 2020 - The Torah commands the people of Israel to celebrate the Feasts of the Lord. Tabernacles, like the other two pilgrimage Feasts, is to be celebrated in holiness: no work, going to the Temple, and bringing gifts to the Lord. However, at Tabernacles God also commands His people to be joyful, says Rev. David Pileggi. Do we find it difficult to be joyful? Are we afraid of joy or perhaps even feel that God owes us more than we have? Gratitude is not an abstract feeling but an act of the will, and Hebrews 13 helps illustrate how we can put gratitude into practice. (Hat tip to Lesley Gore.)

Readings: Leviticus 23:33-44, Hebrews 13:1-20

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Sukkot is the last of the three pilgrimage festivals. In Leviticus 23:42-43 God commands: "You shall live in booths for seven days ... so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." God's redeeming power is shown in the Passover. His provision and covenant are celebrated at Shavuot. Sukkot is the culmination of redemption. Our the attitude is to be one of thanksgiving, and the response of gratitude to the redeeming God is true obedience.

Led by Aaron Eime.

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Slavery was common practice in antiquity and is an unfortunate practice that continues to this day, with an estimated 40 million people suffering under the condition of slavery. The national history of the Jewish people involves being a nation of slaves to the Pharaohs of Egypt. With our present day morality and abhorrence of the concept of slaves, we ask the question why does the

Bible not abolish slavery?

Led by Aaron Eime.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/ ‎

Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/