Moses admonishes the Israelites in their unwillingness and rebellion against the command to invade the Land of Canaan. Despite all that God had done for them during the Exodus, despite the witness of miracles and manna, and even His presence in the Mishkan, the Israelites conclude that because of Giants and powerful fortifications, the Lord actually hates them. What does this comment about us and our own hopes, dreams and trust in God for the future? Moses reminds them of God’s care by describing Him as a man who carries his son. This theological paradigm produces commentaries in the 2nd Temple Period that begin to call God ‘Father’, giving rise to Jewish prayers that begin ‘Our Father’ (see Amidah and Lord’s Prayer). Moses also declares that God will fight for Israel. This He has already done against Amalek in Exodus 17 and in Egypt with the plagues against the Egyptian gods and the drowning of Pharaohs army. Yet the people grumble causing the Lord to take an oath.

Led by Rev. 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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8 March 2020 - On the second Sunday of Lent, Rev. Aaron Eime has us consider the calls and slow obedience of Abram and Nicodemus. God calls those of us in the Kingdom to obey his commands, to love him and those around us. Maybe our start maybe slow, but if we persevere, the end will be glorious.

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 121; John 3:1-17

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The tradition of the first Sunday of Lent is that we begin to think about the death and resurrection of Jesus and his journey to Jerusalem and his temptation in the wilderness. The temptations that Jesus faced are very often the very things that we ourselves have to endure and the challenges we face in our discipleship and walk with the Lord, challenges that parallel those of Adam and Eve in the garden and of Israel in the wilderness. Rev. David Pileggi expounds, showing us that what happened in the garden is still happening to us today.

Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

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Moses continues his lengthy monologue to the uncircumcised nomadic masses that assemble before him on the plains of Moab. He declares that the people are as numerous as the ‘Stars of Heaven,’ an allusion to God’s promise to the patriarch Abraham in the Book of Genesis. This is presented as a positive blessing from the Lord with the added invocation for a further increase in population, up to a thousand fold.

In his retelling of the appointment of leaders to share the burden of command, specifically of settling judicial matters, Moses leaves out mentioning his father in-law, Jethro. Commentaries to Deuteronomy are divided as to whether this event is a retelling of Exodus 18, in which the impetus to appoint leaders from among the people comes from Jethro, the pagan priest of Midian, or of Numbers 11, qhere the elders will have the same Spirit as Moses and to bear the burden of the people with Moses (Numbers 11:17) but in which the Lord commands the appointing of leaders.

Led by Rev. 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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23 February 2019 - Liturgically, on the last Sunday before Lent, we read the story of the transfiguration of Jesus. This is an important transition in the life of Jesus as it is from this point that He begins to talk in terms of “I must go to Jerusalem, be crucified and be raised from the dead.” For Jesus, it is seen as God’s way or reassuring him that in the face of death, He will not be left to rot in the grave. We can then ask the question, “What has this to do with us?” Rev. David Pileggi explains that we are also invited to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to listen to his transforming voice.

Collect: O God, who before the passion of your only begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Readings: Exodus 34:4-7, 29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:4; Matthew 17:1-9

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Welcome to our Deuteronomy Bible study. Join Rev. Aaron Eime as we start to walk through the fifth book of the Torah, which makes commentary on the previous four. Deuteronomy is quoted or alluded to more than 100 times in the New Testament. reflecting its popularity during the second temple period.

Moses is the traditional author of the Book on Deuteronomy, with an unknown author and redactor adding the account of the death of Moses and presumably other sections of the Torah. Jewish tradition says that the redactor of the Torah is Joshua. The Book is known as Sefer Devarim in Hebrew (the Book of Words), in Greek it is called Deuteronomy following a mistranslation in the Septuagint of ‘Mishneh Torah’ in Chapter 17vs18. The Book appears to be the longest monologue in the entire Bible, presented by Moses who at the start of his career complains to God that he can’t speak. Somewhere along the line Moses has become quite erudite indeed.

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

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16 Feb 2020 - Last week David Pileggi touched on holiness in the context of the Sermon on the Mount. As we study the Bible we see that not only is God holy, but holiness gives life and is very attractive. It empowers each one of us and yet is mysterious at the same time. There is a certain paradox about holiness. It is described in the scriptures as being like a fire. Holiness is good and also dangerous and like fire. It should fascinate us.

Readings: Leviticus 19:1-19; Matthew 5:21-48

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One last study session, lead by Aaron Eime, to wrap up the Acts of the Holy Spirit study.

Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-acts-of-the-holy-spirit/

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9 February 2020 - Rev. David Pileggi has us consider the place of Torah in the life of the believer. Jesus says he hasn't come to cancel Torah (God's instruction) but to interpret it for us. The Torah is good, but Jesus wants to take us beyond the Torah. Jesus is offering us transformation. The intention of God's word is to make us holy. How do we talk toward transformation? By being honest with Jesus about our moral bankruptcy and then following Jesus and imitating him.

A sermon dedicated to the memory of Dwight Pryor.

Readings: 1 Corinthians 2:1-16; Psalm 112; Matthew 5:13-20

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As prophesied by Paul, without losing a man, the crew and companions are washed ashore on the island of Malta. When Paul is bitten by a viper, he miraculously fails to fall ill and die, as would befit most snake victims. The incident catches the attention of a Roman official, for whom God, through Paul, performs a healing miracle. The community then brings all their sick for healing. Led by Rev. Aaron Eime.

There will be one more session in which Aaron will give a finally overview of Acts.

Notes for this study can me found at 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/