Christ Church Jerusalem

The parable of the rich farmer wanting to build bigger barns and Jesus’ teaching on worry and possessions resonates with one of the the main themes found in the Feast of Trumpets/Rosh HaShana holiday: God’s Kingship and the confrontation with idolatry. Surely, the idols of our age are the search for personal prosperity, peace and security. And when these become our primary goals we are tested in the very things that we crave. Such testing should be welcomed as it enables us to deepen our discipleship and model Jesus' alternative to the world’s well meaning, desire for the good life. Readings: Numbers 29:1-6 • Deuteronomy 8:7-18 • Luke 12:16-30. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Forgiveness and discipline might seem to be somewhat contradictory but they should both be a result of our love and care for one another. If we avoid warning people of their behavior we are not giving them the opportunity to feel the joy and relief of confession and the forgiveness God promises–forgiveness we are also called to give as God forgives us. Readings: Ezekiel 33:1-11 • Psalm 119:33-40 • Matthew 18:15-20. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Suffering is something few of us want, too many of us boast about and, perhaps, not enough Christians are willing to face. Rather than grumbling and complaining over every difficult thing we face, Christians are called to be blameless and innocent–a light in a dark world. Jesus gives an example and call to his disciples to take up their cross and follow after him while Paul will tell us what our sacrifice should look like. Readings: Romans 12:9-21 • Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45 • Matthew 16:13-28. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Jesus will challenge us to confess who He is in a very dark and confused pagan environment, and declare that His kingdom will not be stopped, not even by Hell. Readings: Exodus 1:8-2:10 • Isaiah 51:1-6 • Matthew 16:13-20. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Many times in scripture God is revealed to us as full of compassion, plenteous in mercy and slow to anger. And while we are never able to earn His favor or repay His goodness, we are expected to respond aright. Too often, in receiving God’s mercy, many become proud and cheapen God’s overwhelming gift. Instead, as we see in today’s readings, our trust in and response to God’s character and providence requires patience, humility and mercy extended to others. Readings: Genesis 45:1-15; Romans 11:1-2a, 25-36; Matthew 15:21-28. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

We are all called by God, He knows those He calls and He knows we can do it, so go do it! Readings: Jonah 2:1-10; Romans 10:5-15; Matthew 14:22-33. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

The miraculous provision of food for the 5,000 (recorded in all four gospels) teaches us something critical about Jesus and what it means to be his disciple. This miracle highlights how his ministry follows and yet expands the pattern set by Moses and Elijah. Further, the manner in which Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it foreshadows his redeeming death and the gift of the Eucharist which has nourished believers down through the ages. Being overwhelmed by so many people needing food, the disciples were challenged by Jesus when he told them "You give them something to eat”. This command is still relevant for us as Jesus invites us to put away all passivity, discouragement and defeatism and actively partner with him in the work that he is doing in our world today. Readings: Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21; Matthew 14:13-21. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

We are encouraged to seek first the kingdom of God and to thirst after His righteousness. That’s not always easy and do we need to do that after we have become followers of Jesus? Readings: 1 Kings 3:3-14; Romans 8: 26-39; Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

The Ancient of Days and Son of Man are on their thrones. But the kingdom of God has an enemy. Throughout our life we will meet many false prophets and many false teachers that are scattered within the Church by Satan. The mockery these people make of God, His teachings, and the church can often make us sad, anxious, and angry–even to the point of sinning ourselves. But while we must be careful not to fall victim or support them, perhaps we should remind ourselves that God Himself is patient. God is patient because He cares for all people but especially His children. Readings: Genesis 29:15-28; 1 Kings 3:3-14; Matthew 13:32-33, 44-52. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

The parable of the sower describes the heart of the disciples who hear the Word of God and choose to respond to God's invitation. His invitation is free but does require a response! Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Isaiah 55; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

There is a time to hear the message of the King and that time is now. But having ears to hear includes submitting ourselves to follow the message of the King. In the end, we will submit to the message of a king, a god. The question that we should ask ourselves is do we want to submit to the gods we make or to the God that made us. When we submit to the gods we make, even though it is because we are seeking our own benefit, our own lusts, and our own selfishness it will only burden us and make us like those gods we make–vain, self-righteous, self-absorbed. Submitting to the God who made us does mean that we look to serve–serve the orphan, the widow, our neighbour, and all those who God loves (which includes those who would be his enemies). But even so, this burden is well worth bearing, for it is not wearisome and following His commands is true rest for our souls. Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Isaiah 55; Matthew 13:1-9,18-23. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Jesus ends his challenging discourse on discipleship (Matthew 10) by assuring us that we will be rewarded for even the smallest act of kindness (cup of cold water) to another disciple. We often miss the challenges in what we consider to be “easy" acts of obedience. Yet what appears to be relatively simple commands that come with little personal cost may be just as challenging as facing persecution or taking up our cross. Equally, we often fail to see the benefits and blessings that come by doing seemingly small and insignificant acts of hospitality and loving kindness. Readings: Genesis 22:1-19; Galatians 6:1-10; Matthew 10:40-42. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

The essence of discipleship is attachment, and discipleship to Jesus involves transferring our primary loyalty from family, ethnic group or nation to Jesus Himself. Such changes can be difficult and costly as we see clearly in the life of Abraham. He was called to surrender his past and was prepared to give up his future (sacrifice of Isaac) and struggled in the present while waiting for God to fulfill his promises. Tempted by his fears, Abraham took short cuts that had long-lasting repercussions. Despite his many difficulties Abraham matured and his story should encourage us to address our own fears and lack of faith that hinders our allegiance to Jesus. Readings: Genesis 21:8-21; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Paul concludes his instructions on how to Walk Worthy of the Lord by focusing on three things. First, Paul urges the Colossians to be watchful in prayer and in thanksgiving. While others may be vulnerable you should be praying for them and keep the watch in the night. Secondly, Paul urges his readers to pray for the opportunity to speak the mystery of Christ. And when those opportunities come, to be found walking in wisdom and speaking graciously but also "seasoned with salt", knowing how to speak to each person we meet. Finally, to walk worthy of the Lord, we do not walk alone.

Today compassion is considered to be a fundamental value in our society yet it is often confused with doing symbolic acts that cost us little. In contrast, the ministry of Jesus was motivated by a costly compassion which he expected his disciples to emulate. Jesus not only models the compassion that God has for his fallen creation but surely learned from the example of his earthly father Joseph. When sending out the Twelve Apostles, Jesus gives them authority to bring his redemptive presence into the lives of the sick, oppressed, ostracized and those without direction. The Twelve learn empathy and compassion by living with and depending on those to whom they are sent to help. Readings: Ezekiel 34:1-16; Mathew 9:35-10:23. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

Paul encourages the Colossians to “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus”. Does this give us permission to do as we like, as long as it is in the name of Jesus? Drive out the infidels! … in the name of Jesus. Do as I say, woman! … in the name of Jesus. Absolutely not, we are to be compassionate, kind, humble, meek and patient. Wives and Husbands, children and parents, even bond-servants and masters are all to bear with one another, love one another, forgive one another, even as–and this is where it gets difficult to do things in the name of, or in the authority of Jesus–even as the Lord has forgiven you. If we truly want our families and societies to thrive, perhaps we should start by following these commands.

The word believe also means trust in Hebrew. We are all called to trust the Lord and take courage to walk that calling in faithfulness. Faith is more than believing in something, it’s also something you do. Readings: Genesis 12:1-9; Psalm 33:1-12; Matthew 9:9-13,18-26. 👉🏼 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: www.youtube.com/christchurchjerusalem

If we are alive in the Messiah, we should walk worthy of our Lord. This means putting away things that are wrong, such as sexual immorality, greed, and covetousness. It also means living a life worthy of the Lord in our mind, heart, and tongue, even when it comes to our neighbours who are culturally, economically, politically, or socially different from us. In the time of Paul, the Colossians were no different from much of the Greek world. They did not follow the same moral rules and laws that God declared to be right and good. But, as the Colossians saw God treat all people the same, they were all called to walk in the same way, worthy of the Lord–whether Greek or Jew; slave or free; male or female.

The command to go and make disciples provides the perfect end to Matthew's gospel. The 1st Century context of Matthew's story includes the Jewish practice of discipleship. More than a set of doctrines or practicing spiritual disciplines, discipleship is attachment to a person. As Paul reminds us, a good way to become a disciple of Jesus is by imitating others who model His life for us. All who seek to make disciples must first be discipled themselves Readings: Genesis 1:1-2:4a; Daniel 7:9-13; Matthew 28:16-20. Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

Walk in the Lord! There are many paths to walk in this world but so many are empty. It is the Messiah who was raised from the dead. It is the Messiah who triumphed, who is God, who is above all and is head of the Church. And it is through the Messiah that we can be full, not full of ourselves, mind you, but full of life (as we also have been raised from the dead of our trespasses). And yet, too often, we go back to what is empty.