Denver Community Church

July 9, 2023: Guest Teacher - Jasper Peters

Guest teacher Pastor Jasper Peters continues our summer series at Denver Community Church.

July 2, 2023: A New Space in the Universe - Michael Hidalgo

This is the first week of the summer teaching series at Denver Community Church.

June 25, 2023: Announcement

We will not have a message to share this week as our community is expressing worship through support of our LGBTQAI+ sisters, brothers and siblings at Pride Fest. Check back next week as we resume our journey into the Book of Luke.

June 18, 2023: There Is No ”Them” - Michael Hidalgo

He came by the place where the person was hurting, beaten and naked to provide assistance in the form of clothing, water, cleaning wounds and a ride on a donkey. Sound familiar? Well, when Jesus told this story it wouldn’t have been offensive only because he makes a hero out of one of their most despised peoples; it’s doubly offensive because he calls them to remember a story from their past. What Jesus has the Samaritan in his story do - bandaging, pouring oil and wine and giving donkey rides - is an echo of what Samaritan soldiers did for their wounded and captured countrymen hundreds of years earlier. But many years later, Samaritans, in a rage, scattered human bones all over the Jewish temple courts.
 
Isn’t it astounding the way we can remember the parts of the story that serve the opinion we would like to have of someone, and how easily we can forget the times we served one another and treated each other with honor and dignity? How interesting that the most recent offense has a way of blotting out of our memories years of good? What is it that is so painful about remembering the joy that once was while in the midst of angst? Isn’t this life and relationships? One day we honor each other and the next day we insult each other (knowingly and unknowingly), and in the middle we have to figure out how to go about remembering our stories with others. What do we hold onto? What do we let go of? What action gets to have the last word about someone in our heads? Or is there a better way Jesus invites us to go about this?

 

June 4, 2023: You Must Be Crazy - Kent Dobson

It can feel good to quote Jesus when he says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” But in this text, none of that seems true. People are not supposed to have a home, bury their dead or treat their families with respect?

While these words are challenging, Jesus is inviting his followers toward a single-minded way of life. One that is devoted to and focused on the true, good and beautiful life of the Kingdom. This is in keeping with the traditions found within Judaism and Christianity – both seeing God as one. If God is one, then we are invited to live and be the same.

May 28, 2023: Bringing the Fire - Michael Hidalgo

There are plenty of stories of fire falling from heaven on perceived enemies of God. Whether the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the one that seems to be reflected in 2 Kings 1 where Elijah twice confronts messengers of Ahaziah with fire from heaven that consumes them. It is no wonder then, that James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven; it was part of their tradition.  As much as there may have been precedent, it seems Jesus is not interested in their ideas of violence; instead, he rebukes them in the same way he rebuked the sea.  Although the Samaritans rejected Jesus, he did not seem interested in punishing them.

May 21, 2023: I Am (Not) The Greatest - Jonathan Merritt

Jesus, once again, speaks of the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of heaven as he speaks of the pursuit of being least. In our context, we award the best, fastest, strongest, and those who win. Jesus confuses everyone by saying it is the “least among you all who is the greatest.” We say this, we hear this, but what does this mean exactly, and what does this look like in our context today in Denver?

Why are we enamored, as a culture, with the “next best thing”? Is it possible that there is something within us that knows this world was created in perfection? Is it possible that something hardwired deep inside us knows that things are supposed to be better? Is it this longing that leads us to pursue “stronger, better, faster”? The mysterious answer to that question seems to be found in the journey of descent.

May 14, 2023: Coming Down the Mountain - Michael Hidalgo

From a “mountain top” experience to the depths of pain: Jesus is approached by a father who is begging for healing for his son. What parent would not do everything and anything they could to find healing for their son? But in a seeming turn Jesus does not seem to respond with compassion, rather he responds with exasperation. And to whom is he speaking? There is little that is clear here in this story regarding his response.

One thing we do know – whatever the cause of the son’s maladies – there is something wrong with what is happening. This is why Jesus heals the boy, and the people are amazed at the greatness of God; yet another phrase which is also unclear in this context. Are they saying that Jesus is God? Are they praising God because of Jesus’ actions? We are left to wonder. What seems clear is the opposition that will face Jesus and his followers, even after moments on the mountain top.

May 7, 2023: Let’s Stay Here - Michael Hidalgo

In Luke 9.28-36, Peter, James and John witness something extraordinary: Jesus’ pedestrian clothing change into magnificent, gleaming robes, his face changes in appearance, and two of the greatest prophets show up- all surrounded by glory. Somehow amidst this incredible experience, the disciples become fully awake to all that was going on...they could see.

April 30, 2023: Having It All For Nothing - Michael Hidalgo

We invest, save, work, achieve, accumulate, gain for what? Jesus asks, “What good is all of this if you end up forfeiting your soul? This powerful question pits the external against the internal. So often we take our cues from our society, family, culture and surroundings so that we might catch a glimpse of what the “good life” is, and in doing so miss what is really stirring within. 

Perhaps, in order to not forfeit our souls, we need to learn to access and listen to them. Perhaps be must understand this thing within us is God given and wishes to speak to us. It is what God has wired within us from the very beginning and wishes for us to discover.