Christ Church Jerusalem

3 Nov 2019 - All Saints Day is one of the seven major feasts of the church. Rev. John Howanstine tells us that the holiday calls us to persevere and endure. We, the redeemed by Messiah, are not just saved into heaven but we are recruited into the procession of the more-than-conquering saints. We don't walk with Jesus alone but with one another. And we walk not just with those who are immediately around us but also with those who have gone on before us, the great cloud of witnesses. Let us remember our identity in Jesus, especially when we suffer. We are not victims but saints of Messiah King Jesus.

Readings: Daniel 7:1-3; 15-16; Ephesians 1:11-23; Luke 6:20-31

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27 Oct 2019 - Rev. John Howanstine has us consider the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus looks on the human heart, and he justifies those who are penitent and humble, acknowledging their need for mercy. Our God's nature is always to have mercy. So let us move from contrition to a resting trust in the holy love of our Abba Father.

See the icon John describes on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BMRNJ1ojruG/

Readings: Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; Luke 18:9-14

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Rev. Aaron Eime picks up with Paul in Corinth in the second half of Acts 18. Paul, Priscilla and Aquila then begin a journey eastwards to Syria. Silas and Timothy remain in Corinth. n Ephesus the party go to the Synagogue on the Sabbath. Paul encounters no opposition in his discussion of Messiah, rather gets a request to stay and explain further. A little out of character and perhaps pressed for time, Paul declines the invitation. Paul it seems is destined for Jerusalem, to fulfill that vow he made. Priscilla and Aquila remain in Ephesus instead and Paul lands at Caesarea.

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

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20 Oct 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi looks at the strange story of Jacob wrestling God through the night. Jacob was a fearful schemer, bad behavior he learned from his parents and grandparents. Yet after this incident on Genesis 32, he emerges transformed. His identity is change and he is no longer afraid. The lectionary pairs Jacob with the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, in which we also see desperate persistence, which God honors. What is faith? It's not only trust, but it's a refusal to give up. When Jesus returns, will he find us vulnerable enough, desperate enough for him? Will he find faithful ones?

Readings: Genesis 32:22-31; Luke 18:1-8

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13 October 2019 - On the morning of Erev Sukkot, Rev. David Pileggi compares the gratitude of the healed Samaritan leper with the biblical Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus on way to Jerusalem modeling discipleship. Earlier in the chapter, when disciples say "Increase our faith," they are asking "What does faith look like?" The answer comes in the encounter with the Samaritan leper who is persistence in expressing his gratitude and worship. The Feast of Tabernacles welcomes the outsiders to worship and express gratitude to the Creator God. Entering into the rickety sukkah is coming before to the LORD in faith and trusting him for our security.

Readings: Leviticus 23:34-44; Deuteronomy 16:11-17; Luke 17:11-19

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Rev. Aaron Eime walks us through the first half of Acts 18. Paul leaves Athens for Corinth, where he meets Aquila and Priscilla. Paul first preaches in the town synagogue, but leaves them in frustration. In a dream, God tells Paul that it is safe for him to stay in Corinth, so he stays for a year and half before trouble brews again.

[UPDATED: Thank you to the alert listeners who let us know we uploaded the wrong audio. Thank you for your grace and patience.]

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

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6 Oct 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi has us consider the Habakkuk, who complains to God as he sees violence coming and his personal safety is in doubt. Habakkuk asks questions. Questions are OK, especially when they come out of desire to know God better. But let us also remember that God doesn't answer ever question. We must learn to live faithfully even with mystery. "The righteous will live by his faith," his trust, his faithfulness, his persistence even in the face of trouble or violence. God is calling us to be faithful even as we see the world in confusion and turmoil. It's easy for us to say we give up, or we don't believe any more. God says, wait. Be trusting. Be faithful. When we acknowledge God is in control, that doesn't mean we are passive or isolationist. The Gospel of the Kingdom and the Glory of God are expanding in the world by the power of the Holy Spirit. Remaining faithful means we pray, we evangelize, we stand up against injustice, we care for the needy..

Readings: Lamentations 1:1-6, 3:19-26; Habakkuk 1:1-4, 2:1-4; Luke 17:5-10

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Rev. Aaron Eime walks us through Acts 17, as we now find Paul in Athens. Paul has, as was his custom, preached in the synagogue, but his spirit is was provoked by the idolatry in the city. So Paul also sat in the market to converse with philosophers and the like. They were willing to listen to his new ideas, until Paul mentioned the resurrection. Some sneered, but others were intrigued.

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

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29 Sept 2019 - As a community that celebrates both the Christian and Jewish calendar, we some times get interesting convergences or juxtapositions. This week, we mark Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) and the Feast of St. Michael and the Angels. Neither of these holidays are biblical, Rev. David Pileggi tells us, but they both speak of spiritual warfare for the followers of the LORD. Rosh Hashana begins preparation for Day of Atonement, a season perhaps analogous to Christian season of Lent. Our reading in Revelation tells of the war in heaven, of Satan being thrown out of heaven so that he is on earth making war with the saints. We are in a spiritual battle. We need to take up arms and fight. How? How do we resist the devil? We remind him of the blood, of Jesus' work on the cross. Like Michael, we say, "The LORD rebuke you." We resist him, through repentence. Spiritual warfare is not confronting the powers and principalities. It's about remembering that the victory the Lord has already won. Remembering that helps us to remain faithful even when all looks hopeless or lost.

Readings: Genesis 22:1-18; Numbers 29:1-6; Revelation 12:7-12

Prayer:

Father Almighty send St. Michael the Archangel to defend us in battle and be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of our souls and bodies. Amen.

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22 Sept 2019 - Rev. David Pileggi, in looking at the parable of the dishonest steward, asks, "Is Jesus really commending dishonesty?" What is Jesus trying to tell us through this story? David walks us through the main Jewish sects of Jesus day to find the targets of Jesus' sermon. The community of Qumran loved each other deeply, but they lived in isolation and hated the outsider. Jesus is calling us to mix with the world so that we may proclaim his healing message to it. There is a risk is leaving our comfy Christian communes. Yet, we have to take the risk for the love of the world. How else will the world hear? How else will the lost be saved?

Readers: Amos 8:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13

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