Christ Church Jerusalem

8 Dec 2019 - On the second Sunday of Advent, Rev. David Pileggi has us consider Paul's message of peace in Romans. Our world is not in peace, but in an uproar and hysteria, a state not far from the historical context of Paul's epistle to Rome. Paul's message in this letter is about who God is and what God is doing. The gospel is the story of God's covenant faithfulness to all of humanity; and our sin cannot stop God's mission of peace. The proof of the power of the gospel is seen when different communities can live together in peace under the reign of Jesus the Messiah. The way we bring peace in our communities is by strengthening those who are weak.

Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

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1 December 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, on the first Sunday of Advent, has us consider Jesus' words in Matthew 24 as we remind oursevles of his second coming. In this remembering and preparing, we must live in the paradox the breaking in of the Kingdom continues to redeem even as we wait for Jesus' return. Yes, Jesus is coming back, but he is active among us now when we gather in his name, when we come to his table. Jesus has words of admonition for us as we wait for him; he does not want us to be complacent nor deceived nor terrified. All of us will be confronted with the unexpected. In order to be prepared to stand before our judge, we have to live a life of obedience that keeps us in a state of spiritual readiness.

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

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Neville Jones picks up in Acts 21:37 where Paul -- in Jerusalem -- has just been saved from an angry mob by Roman soldiers. Most of chapter 22 is Paul’s speech to the dangerously agitated crowd at the northern end of the temple area. When the crowd only gets more angry, Paul narrowly escapes being flogged by the Roman soldiers who had taken him into custody.

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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Acts 21 completes the account of Paul’s third missionary journey and moves on to the events that the Holy Spirit revealed in the latter stages of that journey – the “imprisonment and afflictions” that awaited Paul. Led by Neville Jones.

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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24 Nov 2019 - Rev. Alex Jacob, director of CMJ UK, spoke on Colossians 1 on Christ the King Sunday. What gives Jesus authority? These verses tell us that Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the sovereign Son, the one before all things, the head of his community. This early hymn helps us communicate the tension of the good news that the Kingdom of God and its King have come in the midst of a muddled and broken world.

Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Colossians 1:1-20; Luke 23:33-43

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Most of Acts chapter 20 recounts events during the return stage of Paul’s third missionary journey. A relatively large group of church representatives and co-workers were travelling with Paul, carrying with them a collection for the poor of the church at Jerusalem. Paul and Luke spent Passover at Philippi and then joined the main group at Troas where they spent a week. They continued by ship southwards down the coast of Asia (Western Turkey) but sailed past Ephesus and stopped at the next port city, Miletus, presumably to avoid getting drawn in to the busyness at Ephesus. Study led by Neville Jones.

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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17 Nov 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, in looking at Luke 21, speaks about the difficulty of eschatological passages. Has this section already been fulfilled? Is it yet to come? Is God done with the Jewish people? God himself is in control of history and works in the midst of sinful Jews and sinful gentiles. Also, God is not forgetful of covenant with Jewish people. If we remember God's faithfulness, we don't have to be afraid of what is to come. Let us prepare spiritually by keeping in mind that when Jesus talks about endurance, we don't have to do it ourselves. Faith is a gift, and Jesus is with us to the end of the age.

Readings: Malachi 4; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

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10 Nov 2019 - Rev. Aaron Eime, on Remembrance Sunday, looks at the theme of resurrection that runs through the lectionary passages. Death was never meant to be in this world. Our risen Messiah has defeated death, and one day God will put away death. Though many in the world hopelessly believe that there is nothing beyond death, we have a story of hope to share. In our flesh we will see God and know him and each other, too.

Readings: Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21; Job 19:23-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17; Luke 20:27-38

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Neville Jones starts Acts chapter 20, which gives us the conclusion of Paul’s almost 3-year spell at Ephesus and describes his subsequent travels in the Roman provinces of Asia, Macedonia and Achaia. Much of his activity is glossed over in a few verses but with a couple of events highlighted. Luke, like any historian, needs to be selective about what he includes, and chapters 19 and 20 would indicate that he included unusual or significant events (e.g. healings, miracles, the near riot at Ephesus) but not much about Paul’s regular work of teaching, pastoring and church-planting.

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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Rev. David Pileggi reminds us that Acts must be read as a continuation of the Gospel of Luke. The mission of Jesus according to that account is found in Luke 4:16-20 when Jesus reads from Isaiah 61 and 58 and applies those words to himself. The Holy Spirit is on him (and his followers) to set the captives free. In Acts 19 we have Paul and the early church preaching a gospel that specifically liberates from the demonic that finds a foothold through idolatry. The gospel ultimately overcomes all political and spiritual opposition. Following Jesus can be a risky business that results in persecution, hostility and

misunderstanding.

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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