Christ Church Jerusalem

14 October 2018 - In today's passage, a rich young man asks Jesus what good thing he must do to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. Rev. David Pileggi highlights that Jesus' answer is out of love and not condemnation. The Kingdom of Heaven is a movement of people who call Jesus King and allow Jesus to rule and reign. Jesus is challenging the young man's dependence on his wealth. What are you depending on instead of Jesus? Readings: Amos 5:6-7,10-15; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31

7 October 2018 - Rev. David Pileggi tackles Jesus' teaching on divorce, reminding us to keep Jesus' words within the context of discipleship. Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow him into a life of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Divorce is result of our refusal to open ourselves to his transformation. God's intention for marriage is to bless the couple, society, and all creation. It is also meant to be a picture of God's commitment to his people. If hard-heartedness is the cause...

30 Sept. 2018 - The Christian Feast of Michael and all the Angels reminds us of our victory we have (through Messiah) over the Adversary. Rev. David Pileggi calls us to take spiritual warfare seriously but to approach it soberly. Michael the Angel does not himself rebuke Satan but rather says, "The Lord rebuke you!" In Mark 9, we learn that we must be charitable and generous with believers that are different that us. Disunity gives place to the devil. David also reminds us that Jesus was a...

Shalom, podcast listeners. Chag sukkot sameach! Happy Feast of Booths. Christ Church is running a T-shirt fundraiser through the Sukkot holiday. Starting at $20, you can get a 'Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem' or Romans 11 themed shirt. Both designs are available in various styles and colors. Act soon, as the fundraiser ends on Sunday, Sept. 30. International shipping is available. Visit https://www.bonfire.com/store/christchurchjerusalem/ to buy. Thank you for listening and thank you for...

23 Sept 2018 - The holidays are for us to remember God's salvation and his provision. Concerning the Feast of Booths, Rev. David Pileggi says that while it brings great blessing, the challenge for us Christians is to approach this holiday in a mature way. Otherwise we will have confusion and division. Readings: Deuteronomy 16:13-17; Nehemiah 8

9 Sept 2018 - On the morning before Rosh Hashanah, Rev. David Pileggi tells us how in this spiritual new year, it is time for us to take stock, to examine ourselves for those things that offend God and our neighbor, to seek reconciliation, to humble ourselves and repent. The sound of the shofar (ram's horn) is to wake us from our slumber, to warn us to stay awake. What is staying awake? Being careful how we live before God, especially as we live under the great pressure of this world....

2 Sept. 2018 - Rev. David Pileggi walks us closer to the Pharisees so we can understand better where they were coming from and why the were attracted to Jesus but also why they argue with him. In Mark 7, it's not that Jesus disagrees with the Torah but with the Pharisee's interpretation. Jesus is not overturning the commandments. The issue is what makes us holy and what defiles us. What does defile us? The disobedience of the human heart. Readings: Psalm 15, Mark 7:1-23

26 Aug 2018 - Rev. John Howanstine ask us how we react when Jesus asks us to do something we don't understand? Do we humbly sit under his teaching or do we walk away in disgust and pride? Scripture readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Ephesians 6:10-20; John 6:56-69

19 August 2018 - Rev. David Pileggi reminds us that Jesus promises us -- even in the sinful, broken world we live in -- we can share in the eternal, divine life that the Father gives the Son. This is not just some legal standing. This is about relationship. How are relationships in the Bible cemented? With the sharing of food. Why does Jesus go beyond the language of abiding and clinging on to eating in John 6? Jesus is referencing the rich biblical connection of food and intimate...

5 August 2018 - Rev. John Howanstine reminds us that we do not live by bread alone. After Jesus fed the 5,000, the crowds returned to have their bellies filled again. Jesus instead declares himself the Bread of Heaven, calling us to feed on him. For those of us who long for intimacy with Jesus, the Communion Table is a trysting place where the LORD has ordained for us to meet him. Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; John 6:24-35

29 July 2018 - Rev. John Howanstine says that Jesus knows we are weak but he calls us to take heart, to be strengthened, to have courage. He wants to transform us from dimly burning wicks into great lights in the world by giving us his own strength. Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44, Psalm 145:10-19, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21

22 July 2018 - Matthew Dalling looks at the story of David and Bathsheba, in which King David breaks several of the 10 Commandments. The seeds of the most terrible deeds reside deep in our hearts, even in the heart in the "best" of us, even those of us close to God. This episode shows us the power of sin, the inescapable consequences of sin, the shrewdness of grace, and the assurance of God's pardon. Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-16; 2 Samuel 12:1-14; Psalm 14

15 July 2018 - Rev. Aaron Eime looks at the circumstances around the execution of John the Baptist and what the two main characters can teach us. Herod liked John but wavered on whether to let him go. That indecision led Herod to do evil. Do not delay in doing good lest we are tricked into doing the wrong thing. John was a holy man, an attribute acknowledged by his contemporaries. So why did he die? The beheading of John reminds us that there is suffering in this world. The kingdom suffers...

8 July 2018 - Rev. David Pileggi reminds us that our devotion to Jesus -- which must take priority -- may create friction with family and friends, but warns us not to hide behind theology to neglect unforgiveness. David also discusses Jesus' ministry model and why it's still relevant today.

1 July 2018 - Jesus the Son of God comes to bring life, Rev. David Pileggi reminds us. God is a God of Life. He takes it upon himself to deal with sin through the life and death of Jesus. For the people of Israel who, according to Leviticus, are to be holy, God provided sacrifices and the ritual immersion bath. Concerning the issue of purity, it is no sin to become impure, but it is sin is to remain in impurity. God is more powerful than death and has provided a solution for his people....

24 June 2018 - Rev. Aaron Eime reminds us that God's orders to us are no different to those given to Adam -- we are to work to expand the Kingdom of God. We serve in kingdom of mystery and paradox. The Servant King calls us sinners to be saints. The King of the Universe sends us into the storm sometimes. Suffering and blessing go hand in hand. He, however, does not send us into the storm alone. He is with us even in the most harrowing moments, so preserve and do not stop. Readings: Job...

10 June 2018 - The first opposition to the ministry of Jesus was ‘very close to home,’ Rev. Aaron Eime reminds us. We are called to serve even when the going gets tough. The religious leaders are next to oppose Him, and they challenge Him at the source, saying he has a demon. God is life, and there is no death in God. They can’t control Jesus, and so they accuse Him. Perhaps the unforgivable sin is to look at the good works coming through the Messiah and to say it is a work of a demon. Jesus...

3 Jun 2018 - Rev. David Pileggi expounds further on the depths of the meaning behind the Shabbat for Israel and us today in the Sunday evening Sermon.

3 June 2018 - If we love Jesus we will keep his commandments, reminds us Rev. David Pileggi, so it behooves us to know his life and teaching. There are disputes over the interpretation of the sabbath rules. In Jesus' day there were great debates and discussions. In no way does Jesus minimise the keeping of the sabbath. God himself rested on the seventh day; the sabbath celebrates redemption; it is about creation and redemption, a taste or down payment of the rest that is to come in eternity....

27 May 2018 - It is not by accident that Trinity Sunday comes a week after Pentecost. When we talk about the Trinity, it is abstract, intellectual and embarrassing. How do you defend and explain it? In many ways, it should be left a mystery. The context is that after the resurrection Jesus is sending his disciples out; he wants them to go into all the world. Jesus is seen to have authority, raising up students who became disciples, who reflect the character of the teacher. Jesus is greater...