Christ Church Jerusalem

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/

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2 February 2020 - Rev. Aaron Eime, on the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus, has us consider how tradition can guard us and how Jesus identifies with our poverty. Mary and Joseph, following the traditions of second-temple Judaism, take Jesus to the temple 40 days after he is born. There Jesus' identity as the Anointed One is affirmed by two prophetic voices who had been faithfully waiting for God's promised light to the gentiles and the glory of Israel.

Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 84; Luke 2:22-40

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26 January 2019 - Neville Jones has us look at Matthew 4 and it's relation to Isaiah 9. Two of the Gospel of Matthew's themes are how Jesus fulfills scriptural prophecies and the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. We may sometimes pray for God's Kingdom to come, looking forward to the future. However, the Kingdom is also breaking in now. Let us pray for God's Kingdom to break into our lives today.

Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-13; Matthew 4:12-23

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19 January 2020 - What was the role of John the Baptist? Matthew Dalling says John is like a traffic cop speeding ahead to announce the coming of an important person. John announces the coming of Jesus Messiah. How do we respond? Are we exploring to find out more about who Jesus is?

Readings: Isaiah 49:1-7; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:19-42

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Acts 27 narrates Paul's being sent off to Rome. Why, Rev. Aaron Eime asks, is the travel account so very detailed? Why is such detail required by Luke? To whom would these details be useful? Perhaps to reveal the character of Paul to his accusers in Rome. The ‘We’ passages resume in the narrative, indicating Luke now as an eyewitness to much of the events described.

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/