Podcast appearances and mentions of david pileggi

In the Shadow of the Temple - In Memory of Dwight Pryor | Rev. David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

Jesus' inaugural sermon in his home town synagogue frames his ministry in the words and context of the Jubilee redemption. According to Leviticus, the release of all debts and slaves, and returning land to its original owner is to happen every 49 years - a Jubilee on Yom Kippur, the day of repentance. Jesus' offer of salvation for the World to Come (forgiveness of our sins/debts) and for salvation in this present age (healing and deliverance) along with the necessity of repentance should no longer be abstract or mysterious to us. “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

Attending a wedding at Cana was Jesus' first public event recorded in the Gospel of John. His presence at an ordinary occasion and the miracle of making a huge amount of wine sets the tone for this Gospel – Jesus is more than sufficient for any human need. At this event we get our first glimpse of discipleship. Before any of the Twelve began to believe and follow him, Jesus' mother emerges as the first disciple and one that we should emulate. Discipleship based on her model of faith and loyalty always points to Jesus, "Do what he says”, and not to Mary herself.

The immersion of Jesus is remembered every year in liturgical churches, yet it can be confusing for Christians if we don't understand the Jewish context of that important event. That context includes the call to radical repentance, the role of the Spirit in anointing Jesus for prophetic utterance, and the heavenly voice that affirms His identity – and ours as believers as well.

THIS IS THE BLESSING | Joshua 1:1-18 with David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

ZECHARIAH, MARY, ANNA AND SIMEON | Luke 1-2 with David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

"My kingdom is not of this world.” So Jesus stated when He stood before Pilate, the Roman governor. The reality of God's kingship and sovereignty in the world is best understood by taking into account the Jewish thinking of Jesus' day. This will help every Christian come to a deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God as proclaimed, illustrated and demonstrated by Jesus of Nazareth. “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43)

In a day and age when sainthood seems impossible we must not lose sight of our ongoing relationships with those faithful Christians who have gone before us. While we do not venerate or pray to saints, those who died in Christ are still very much alive and their faithfulness continues to show us how it is possible to finish the race that is set before each one of us. This reality is strengthened when we remember that when the Church gathers we join them as they continually worship around God's throne.

Many of us think of joy as a spontaneous emotion, and perhaps some of us recognize that it's the mature fruit of the Spirit. Yet God commands all His people to be joyful during the Feast of Tabernacles as they remember His provision in the wilderness. Psychologists and therapists now recognize that joy comes to the grateful, something the Hebrew Bible has been teaching for millennia in the most practical of ways, showing us what it means to be made in God's image.

The Feast of Michael and All Angels highlights the spiritual warfare that Satan continues to wage upon the earth. His goal is not only to create chaos in “the world” but also among the saints. Never before in history have we been so bombarded by lies, fake news and deception that even we can become confused, demoralized and inactive. Let us not fall for this trickery but remember that God has given us all we need to resist the devil, live the truth, and bring Him glory.

More than any other gospel writer Mark writes that Jesus was a teacher, yet unlike the others he records very little teaching. But what Jesus was teaching and how He taught can be recovered once we begin to understand the principles that guided First Century Jewish discipleship. That context is more than just historically interesting and remains relevant for Jesus followers today.

Belief, in modern minds, can be relegated to the realm of simple thought. But when Jesus commands belief, He means obedience–a kind of holistic behavior that reveals underlying belief. So when self-professed "believers" in Jesus pick and choose when to obey Him, they stir up in themselves the beginnings of eventual treachery. Even Judas' infamous betrayal of Jesus began as nothing more than a simple turning away from Jesus. May we ever prepare our hearts to repent of our own budding treacheries. Readings: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18; Psalm 34:15-22; John 6:56-71

Contrary to God's will the people of Israel clamored for a king. They were desperate for security, especially from the Philistines, but were forewarned by Samuel the prophet that the burden of kingship would be crushing. Even David, the most ideal of rulers ended up abusing his power as seen in rape and murder (Bathsheba/Uriah). And when Jesus feeds the 5.000 the people want to seize him and make him king. Yet the kingship of Jesus is radically different from what many of us understand, and in our craving for security and provision we should be mindful of whom we ask to rule over us. The lessons of Jesus' miraculous provision are important for the perilous times we find ourselves in now. Readings: 2 Samuel 11:1-15; 2 Kings 4:42-44; John 6:1-21

The rejection of Jesus at Nazareth is not inherently a Jewish rejection of the Messiah's teachings–his followers would go on to other Jewish towns that received that same message. The call of discipleship is holistic and thus it demands a humble approach to the one in whose pattern a disciple would be molded. Where that humility (otherwise seen in action as faith) was absent in Nazareth, it abounded elsewhere in the Galilee. Readings: Psalm 48; Mark 6:1-13

Spying and lying may seem counterintuitive for the people of God, but the story of Rahab requires a context more complicated than some modern paradigms of morality. There is a righteousness to her behavior, and this week we discuss what that is.

In Mark 5, we are faced with two accounts of healing: that of a woman with an emission of blood, and the raising of a young girl from the dead. Both are examples of life-restoration. The latter story is more obvious, but the former story also deals directly with death (as "the life is in the blood," Leviticus 17:11). Jesus, then, is God-at-war with death–rescuing us from the inevitable consequence of our sinful, fractured world. We, too, wage war on death as we embolden one another further into faith, by which we invite God's rule and reign over our lives to rid us of death itself. Readings: Lamentations 3:22-33; Psalm 130; Mark 5:21-43

The story of Jesus silencing the storm not only tells us something essential about Jesus but also about his disciples - both ancient and modern. Like the disciples in the boat, our faith can be overcome by fear and can fail us during times of upheaval and uncertainty. At such times we can become offended by what we consider to be God's lack of concern for us, just like those disciples being swamped by the waves. "Don't You care? A failure to deal with those fears will keep us from becoming partners with God, being obedient and taking the risks to perform the mission that God has for each one of us. Readings: Job 38:1-18; Psalm 107:1-32; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Mark 4:35-5:20

As the evangelical world rediscovers the Jewishness of Jesus, we enrich our understanding of His full human identity. But it can be difficult to understand his "Jewishness" in contrast to his contemporaries, most notably among the Pharisees. When we find him accused of breaking Torah (Mark 2), and when he criticizes Pharisaical practices in turn, we are thrown into the same confusing debate alongside his disciples: what kind of Jewish rabbi is Jesus? Readings: Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; Mark 2:23-3:6

The celebration of Trinity Sunday gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of God and His saving work. It is so much more than the forgiveness of sin and justification. It also means healing and transformation, enabling us to put away our harmful individualism and self-interest and become the children of God, living with one another in a way that displays that holy life our Father shares with the Son and Spirit. Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

Many people, even some Christians, think that the Old Testament is only about Law and the New Testament is Love. But the ancient revelation was not changed by Jesus or Paul, although our ignorance of the Hebrew Bible, and perhaps even some anti-Semitism prevents us from seeing the connection. God's election of the people of Israel was an unmerited act of grace and love, and only then is Israel commanded to love God by keeping his commandments (one of which is to love the marginalized. Deut.10:19). In today's readings we see that Christians are also chosen by God and we abide with Him by keeping His commandments and loving one another. One well respected biblical scholar of the Old Testament has summarized this overarching theme of the Bible by saying: For God so loved the world … that he chose the people of Israel. Readings: Acts 10:44-48; Deuteronomy 10:12-24; John 15:9-17

Ezekiel is doubtless one of the harshest books of scripture, and this week's Haftara pairs with one of the harshest rituals in Torah: the double-sacrifice of a live goat and a scapegoat. This sacrifice on the Day of Atonement cleanses the people of both ritual and moral impurities. In it, we see the ancient connection between obedience and life; we also see the connection between disobedience and death, which Ezekiel so harshly comments on.

The image of shepherds and shepherding in the biblical text stands in sharp contrast to the romantic pictures of fat sheep on luxuriant, green hillsides that we see in popular Christian culture. The biblical image, best reflected in Psalm 23, is set in the dangerous Judean wilderness with wild animals, “the valley of the shadow of death”; sporadic grass and rain which (even today) can suddenly turn to perilous flash floods, "green pastures … still waters." When the Bible describes God as Shepherd, His sheep can say, “I shall not want” in this precarious world, and in the world to come, “I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” In the Gospel of John, Jesus also describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who provides in this world (John 7-9) and for eternity. “I give them eternal life and they shall never perish.” (10) Readings: Ezekiel 34:1-16; Psalm 23; John 10:11

Of the four Gospel accounts of Jesus' Resurrection, Mark's is the most shocking. His "shorter ending" (Mark 16:1-8) does not end in an appearance of the risen Jesus, but only a proclamation of His Resurrection to the faithful women who went to his tomb. Still, their initial act is to withhold this message out of fear and confusion. Throughout Mark's gospel the reader is being called into the same challenges that faced those women at the tomb: will we choose faith over fear and allow the reality of the resurrection to conquer the things we most fear and turn our paralysis to faithfulness. Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 25:6-9; Mark 16:1-8. --- Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/

When Jesus cleanses the Temple, he utters a confusing prophecy: "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in 3 days" (John 2:19). This saying made little sense to his hearers at the time; but after his death, burial and resurrection, his disciples remembered it in light of his body. What lessons can we learn today from this prophetic act? The early Church would go on to see itself as embodying a Temple for the Lord (Eph 2:21–22), but have we perhaps taken that honor too lightly? If Jesus cleansed his Father's house for the sake of its holiness, how much more must He make us a fitting space for God to dwell? This Lenten season, may we seek holiness through remembrance of our Messiah's passion–both for his Father's house, and for his Body.

Elijah, Moses, and Jesus all bear a striking resemblance to one another in several ways. They also differ drastically in others. From similar mountaintop experiences–including a shared one at Jesus's transfiguration–we see the role of the biblical prophet hitting key milestones in each of their stories. And we find, at these milestones, divine confirmation of their unique roles in God's plan of redemption.

Mark provides us a unique lens through which to see the mission and trials of Jesus: one of war. For He has come not only to teach us a new way to live, but to wholly and decisively destroy the works of the Evil One. In preparation for this, Jesus is tested in the wilderness by the devil, an endeavor not too dissimilar from the tests that other biblical heroes undergo. Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, even the nation of Israel itself, all find themselves tested in the wilderness. As we willingly subject ourselves to the disciplines of Lent in this difficult season of many kinds of battles, we pray to our Father that He will not lead us into unbearably hard-testing, but that He would deliver us from the Evil One.

The event on the Mt. of Transfiguration is understood more fully when we consider Moses' encounter with God on Mt. Sinai. With the glory of God upon him, Moses reminds the people that they saw His mighty works of deliverance in Egypt, are in covenant/reciprocal agreement with Him, and now must listen to Him. When the disciples go up the mountain with Jesus and they see Him glorified, they also are commanded to listen to Him. It when we behold God's glory and obey Him that we too can be transformed (from glory to glory) into the people that He wants us to be.

AND I APPEARED | Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 with David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

For centuries the baptism of Jesus has mystified readers of the New Testament. Since Jesus was the sinless Son of Adam/Man, why would He need to heed John's call to be immersed for the forgiveness of sins? As we survey John's activities and his call for repentance as a necessary step for national redemption, we come to a better understanding of how this event fits into the wider picture of the Gospels. It also teaches us something about the role of the Holy Spirit and how Jesus' humility and His identification with the people of Israel can help us pray for our families, churches and nations.

Third Sunday In Advent | Rev. David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

Christmas Morning 2023 | Rev. David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

Circumcision And Holy Name Of Jesus | Rev. David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

Anglican Priest David Pileggi talks about what Christmas means in his town of Jerusalem in the midst of war.    --- Anglican priest David Pileggi has lived in Jerusalem for over 40 years. In that time he has seen a lot, but recent events in Israel and Gaza have been as shocking and disturbing as any he has encountered. He talks to Life & Faith about his life in the “Holy City” - what he loves about it and the things he weeps over. Despite all that has transpired in recent days David Pileggi refuses to despair. As he prepares his Christmas 2023 message for the gathered locals and pilgrims, he remains convinced the story of the baby born down the road in Bethlehem 2000 years ago, remains the best hope for not only that troubled part of the world, but for all of us.   --- Christ church Jerusalem is the oldest protestant church in the Middle East 

Fear to Folly In the short story, The Parable of the Talents, Jesus warns us about being too fearful and cautious in using our gifts and resources in a creative, even risky way to advance His kingdom. He tells us that when we stand before the Judgement Seat we will have to give an account, not only of our deeds, but also of the things we failed to do. The Second Sunday Before Advent • Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18• 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 • Matthew 25:14-30 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Recently on the Upstream podcast, my colleague Shane Morris sat down with David Pileggi, the rector of Christ Church in Jerusalem. His work there involves helping Palestinian children through increased access to hospital care and combating trafficking. He also educates Christians about the Jewish context of their faith. Fr. Pileggi has served as an Anglican minister in Jerusalem for over 40 years.  From that perspective, he thinks that the most important aspect of the Israeli-Hamas conflict is missed by many in the West.   "Probably at its heart there is a religious underpinning that most secular people in the West don't understand because many Westerners, especially Western elites, can't take religion seriously. And so, they focus on land, or refugees, or human rights, etc., etc. And I don't want to deny that any of these are important, especially to the Palestinians. But there's something a lot deeper that's going on."   In general, shaped by a secular vision of life and the world, Westerners tend to underestimate the significance of religion. In particular, Westerners fail to understand how committed Islamists are to their vision of life and the world, especially considering Islam's most significant rival religions:   "The Islamicists in Palestinian society said, 'we don't want two states for two people. We want Palestine to be free from the river to the sea. We want Palestine to be an Islamic state. The Jews have no theological right. They have no claim theologically to a piece of territory that was once Islamic and really technically can't revert to or can't become Jewish, because Jews, like Christians, are second-class citizens within the Islamic world, and they have no right to rule or to reign over Muslims or have no right to take control of territory that was once Islamic.'"   There's also the issue of moral clarity, something that a secular vision of life and the world also cannot sufficiently undergird.  "What happened on October the seventh was a genocide. Genocide can never, ever be justified. And if people don't have enough maturity and enough historical nuance, or maybe even just common sense to say, 'I support the Palestinians, but at the same time, I'm going to condemn Hamas, or I cannot support what they did,' then our society is in huge trouble. And I almost worry more about the United States than I would worry about Israel."  Postmodernism further corrupts the secular vision by superimposing an alternative moral vision, a pre-determined moral vision built on Marxist categories of oppressed and oppressors. This inevitably devolves into what Fr. Pileggi called a “romanticized” view of people, rather than a realistic one.  "Being pro-Palestinian also means you don't romanticize the Palestinian people. You see them honestly for their good points and their bad points, for their weaknesses, for their strengths. And the same goes for Israel, right? Our relationship with the Jewish people, it's not based on certain romanticism or biblical fundamentalism. … And by the way, neither should the basis of our support for Israel be some kind of Islamophobia or dislike of Arabs, whatever that may be. … We look at Israel, we can see the good parts of the society and we can also see, you know, where the society is weak and perhaps fails ethically or morally."   Fr. Pileggi's realism is helpful, not only because of his decades of experience in this contentious part of the world, but also because it's a biblical realism. Though his prescription may sound simplistic, it's where any Christian vision of human conflict should leave us:  "You know, people tell me, 'Well, what's the answer to this Middle East problem?' The answer is Jesus. Right? Jesus is the answer. And I think one of the things that we've learned over the years [is] that saying you believe in Jesus, saying you admire Jesus, doesn't get you very far. … If there's going to be transformation in the lives of a community, or transformation in a family or a society, [we] have to put the teachings of Jesus into practice."  To hear the entire conversation with Father Pileggi, rector of Christ Church Jerusalem, search for the Upstream podcast with Shane Morris, wherever you listen to podcasts.  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Kasey Leander. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

Rev. David Pileggi Readings: Third Sunday Before Advent Amos 5:18-24, Psalm 78:1-8 Matthew 25:1-13 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Love in a Time of Crisis Loving God and our neighbor can appear to be insufficient in a time of chaos, fear and death. “Surely," we tell ourselves, "we must do something more.” Yet it is by putting this teaching of Jesus into practice that we demonstrate our confidence in His redemptive Kingship. This is how the world will see our hope that God has not abandoned us even in our darkest hour. In Romans 12, Paul spells this out for us practically: Love must be sincere; hate what is evil, cling to what is good … as far as possible live in peace with everyone … overcome evil with good. Readings: Matthew 22:34-46; Leviticus 19:1-18 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Unless You Go With Us On Mount Sinai Moses asks God, 'Who will accompany us on the way to the Promised Land?' God says He will send an angel but Moses insists that the Lord must go with them. He argues that only He Himself, dwelling in the midst of Israel, will distinguish them from all the other nations. It is the same for us. It is not theology, traditions, or politics that make us distinctive in the eyes of the world. But that the reality of Immanuel/God With Us, is seen to be amongst us in the person of His Son, Jesus the Messiah. Readings Exodus 33:12-23 • Isaiah 45:1-7 and • Matthew 22:15-22 --- Blessed by our teachings? Consider saying thank you with a small (or large) donation. www.christchurchjerusalem.org/donate/ Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

November 14th, 2023 | 1 Kings 1.1–31 With David Pileggi by Christ Church Jerusalem

The Treason of Indifference |Rev. David Pileggi Today, when so many events in the Middle East are being seen as the fulfillment of prophecy it can create a fatalism and passivity that stops many from intercession. The story of the Golden Calf powerfully highlights the character of God, the true nature of prophecy and the cost of effective intercession. Along with the events of unfaithfulness at Sinai we consider Jesus' parable about those who rejected the king's invitation to the wedding of his son - both nothing less than an act of treason. Readings for Sunday Exodus 32:1-14 Isaiah 25:1-9 Matthew 22:1-14 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

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

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

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

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

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

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/ Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

A Place For You | Rev. David Pilegg Jesus told his disciples, "I go to prepare a place for you." We have a tendency to spiritualize these words, so we assume that Jesus is only talking about the world to come. Yet throughout the Hebrew Bible we see God's provision of a place for His people that we only enter through love and obedience. Jesus invites us to that place where we can fully participate in the relationship He has with Father - – a.k.a. eternal life. Readings: SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER I John 3: 1-3, 11-24 Psalm 116 John 14:15-21 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

Salvation & Abundant Life | Rev. David Pileggi Today our Gospel reading is John 10, Jesus the Good Shepherd. The context is John 9, the account of a blind man who was thrown out of the community, a victim of crude theology (which some of us may retain in part). It was in this situation that Jesus responded, “I am the Good Shepherd … I came to give life to the full.” The benefits of salvation are found in the flock that Jesus shepherds, in His community. (Acts 2: 42-47). Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, John 10:1-10 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.

It's an Earthquake | Rev. David Pileggi Has the resurrection of Jesus become an abstract doctrine for us, or something that we only mention at a funeral? Like Matthew's earth-shattering account, let us refuse to domesticate that most important event, and let's ensure that it shapes our lives and sends us fearlessly out into the world to make disciples. Readings: Resurrection Sunday Jeremiah 31:1-6 Acts 10: 34-43 Matthew 28:1-10 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
 Listen to this sermon and more on our podcast. Search for Christ Church Jerusalem in Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite podcast app.