Christ Church Jerusalem

On the seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. David Pileggi teaches that Jesus told the parable of the wheat and tares to explain why there is opposition to his message and movement that centers on the Kingdom of Heaven. Still, the parable does much more than give a reason for unbelief as it challenges and yet encourages believers in numerous ways that should deepen our discipleship. "A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall," but to mix two well-known song titles, it thankfully is "A Slow Train Coming."

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On the sixth Sunday after Pentecost, Deacon Aaron Eime shares from the Parable of the Sower, in which the Word of God is the message of the Kingdom sown into human hearts through discipleship. The parable challenges us to examine which type of disciple we are and will be. In a world that denies hope and truth, the disciples of Jesus are called to show the hope of redemption. The good soil is the disciple who hears the Word of God and puts it into practice, yielding a bountiful harvest.

Lectionary readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

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The number 40 occurs frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures and is associated with testing, endurance, hardships, and overcoming in order to become more spiritual, receive a blessing, be rewarded with divine answer or knowing the will of God. Moses’ first fast of 40 days was rewarded with the Words of God from the Finger of God. Immediately God tells Moses to arise and return to the Israelites, as the people of Moses have rebelled. Once the rebellion occurs they are no longer called the people of God. God has examined the people and concluded they are a stiff-necked, stubborn bunch. God says He is going to destroy the Israelites and repopulate with descendants of Moses. However, His judgement is not immediate, He waits for the intercession of Moses.

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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On the fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Rev. David Pileggi points out a tension within Jesus’ message: Jesus offers rest to those who are weary but he ties this promise to the condition that we will take his “yoke" upon us and learn from him. It would seem that if you needed rest you would want freedom from problems and from the grind of daily life. However, freedom as understood in our times brings not well being but rather loss. David examines the biblical and Jewish context of Jesus' promise and considers why it is easier to be a disciple of Jesus than to be a disciple of this world. While following Jesus has many challenges, the rewards by far outweigh all that the world can offer.

Readings: Exodus 33:12-23; Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30

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Fear of the coming battle and conquest of Canaan could pose a problem for the people of Israel, as this posed a problem 40 years ago. Memory is important as the past can affect the present. There was now a competing memory of failure with the 10 spies within the national memory of Israel: We have done this before and we failed, what has changed now? Memory, both national and individual is therefore selective. When retelling the sacred history within the Torah, Moses does not include everything. Instead in Chapter 8 and 9 Moses focuses on three things: the Exodus from Egypt, Israel’s lack of righteousness and constant rebellions, and the sin of the Golden Calf.

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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On the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Canon Daryl Fenton reminds us that the kingdom of God is anywhere where Jesus is acknowledged as King, where his will is obeyed, and where the faithful reap the benefits of obedience. However, we have mutiny in our hearts. How^ can we remain in the mighty King's good graces? By the power of the Holy Spirit who enables us to obey the King. And King Jesus, in his mercy, promises rewards for obeying him. Are you ready to be a subject of the Kingdom of God?

Readings: Jeremiah 28:1-9; Romans 6:12-23; Matthew 10:40-42; Psalm 89:1-18

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Memory and Forgetfulness are central to the success or failure of the people of God. Responsibility falls on Israel to live in the present, counting themselves as being the generation who departed Egypt and received the Torah at Sinai. Theologically the past is the present! And this will prevent future success turning into arrogance and rejection from the Land of Inheritance. The Good Land before them is bountiful in agriculture, listed as the 7 species. When the people have eaten and are satisfied, they are instructed to bless the Lord, thus forming the tradition of saying grace after meals. During the 2nd Temple Period, blessings were added before and after meal occasions. The Brachot for bread and wine existed a generation prior to Jesus.

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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The big lie that infects millions in the West and other parts of the world has been magnified by an unprecedented form of secularism that advocates human flourishing as its only objective – and nothing can be allowed to stand it its way. In stark contrast to this culture of self-aggrandizement, Jesus tells us to pick up our cross, to sacrifice and to deny ourselves. Bearing the cross is an essential part of being Jesus’ disciple, and it is in losing our life for His sake that we find wholeness, meaning, maturity, joy and so much more.

Readings: Romans 6:1b-11; Jeremiah 20:7-13; Matthew 10:24-39

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Commandments of the Lord need to be done, that is observed and obeyed, says Moses the Lawgiver. Why should we obey the Word of the Lord? Simply because it is the Word of the Lord. Moses produces another reason for obedience: life! The theology that obedience produces life is reinforced again in Hebrews 5:9, where eternal life is linked to obedience to the Messiah. Obedience and the negative disobedience have consequences.

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/

Deacon Aaron Eime takes us from Sinai to Galilee as he connects the God of Israel as revealed in Exodus with Yeshua proclaiming the Kingdom of God in first-century Israel. Jesus is always moved with compassion for the scattered, harassed people. He calls us to join him in the great work of proclaiming the Good News of hope and making disciples of all the nations.

Readings: Exodus 19:1-9; Psalm 100; Matthew 9:35-10:15

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: https://www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem