Denver Community Church

June 27, 2021: Burning Like a Furnace – Michael Hidalgo

The Italian prophet Malachi (please use this joke in my absence) writes to the people pointing out the ways they continue to break the covenant with God. In the midst of this he also points out how God has remained faithful to them. It is God’s faithfulness and power, that will ultimately bring both judgment and renewal for the people. And when that happens, “… He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents” (4.5,6). But it’s not all roses, there will be punishment as well during the “great and dreadful day of the Lord.”

How do we square this sort of thing in our time today? The idea of a God who punishes seems, for some, antiquated, and many struggle with the idea of ever worshipping a God who does this sort of thing? Does God really only love those who are faithful to God (see verses Malachi 1:2-3)? Perhaps our answer comes through the vision of Elijah returning. Many associate Elijah with the Messiah, who we believe to be Jesus. When we look at Jesus what do we think when it comes to a God who is angry?

June 20, 2021– Remembering Rightly – Bekah Stewart

The name Zechariah means “The Lord Remembers.” And there is a thread of God inviting the people to remember their history. look back, learn from mistakes and remember the faithfulness of God. This is no small thing, as humanity continually fails to learn from history. Hence, we repeat the mistakes of the past. This is, in part, what Zechariah insists the people pay attention to, their history and God’s faithfulness.

What can it mean for us, then, to remember well? To remember “rightly”? How do we look at the sins of the past, the wrongdoing of those who came before us, and respond in a way that remains faithful? In what ways will we see God’s goodness and faithfulness in the midst of that?

June 13, 2021: Build My House –Michael Hidalgo

The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish life. When Babylon sacked Jerusalem they destroyed the majestic temple, built by King Solomon. The Babylonians exiled the Jewish people, and they hung up their harps - refusing to sing. Eventually, Babylon was sacked by Persia, and the Persian King Cyrus allowed the Jewish People to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and its temple. There was some opposition, along with discouragement that the second temple would never be as majestic as Solomon’s.

Enter Haggai. He brings words of encouragement to the people. It expresses God’s longing to have a house, a place where the people are able to once again enjoy fellowship with one another and with the Divine. There is something beautiful about this. A God who sends a prophet to strengthen and encourage people so they can spend time together. 

June 6, 2021: Rooftops, Stars, Clothing and Thresholds - Michael Hidalgo

Today as we read from Zephaniah, we ask the question: how do we learn to see "the other" in the same way we see ourselves?

May 30, 2021: I've Heard of You – Jon Gettings

Habakkuk is interesting as there is no direct message given to the people of Judah. Rather, it is a record of the prophet’s conversation with God. One could even say it is an argument with God. The prophet cries out against the way things have played out in his nation; believing them to be unjust. God replies to the prophet two times, which leads to a response - one of trust.

This trust expressed is not because everything is going to work out well or because things are suddenly all better. Not even close. Habakkuk says, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (3.17,18). This is the conclusion Habakkuk comes to.  

May 23, 2021: This is Not Comforting - Michael Hidalgo

This week we will focus on Nahum and take a look at why we might find it hard to hear of the anger and outrage in our world today. Could it be that we might be complicit in the pain and oppression that has brought about this anger?

May 16, 2021: Walk This Way –Dave Neuhausel

Micah begins on a tear against the leaders of Israel and he goes on for some time. He announces God’s fierce anger against them for their constant injustice. He says, “Hear this, you leaders of Jacob, you rulers of Israel, who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness” (3:9,10). As you read his poetry, his words spoken it is sobering and upsetting. Sobering because of its seriousness. Upsetting because of the injustice spoken against. If there is any prophetic book that speaks in a way to stir up the anger of the reader, it is Micah. But then something happens … kindness, compassion. 

This comes not from Micah, but from God. There is a certain sorrow in God’s anger. Like a loving parent who watches their child head down a destructive path, there is an ache, a love, a longing that things will change. Because the parent knows, if things do not change destruction will be the outcome. This is the heart of God reflected here. Anger with ache. It is from this place that God invites the people back to relationship - not through religious ritual but through a life, a way of walking (See: Halachah) - one that reflects justice, loving-kindness and humility.

May 9, 2021: And Now for the 6th Act! – Michael Hidalgo

The prophets are bizarre books, and among them the most bizarre is the book of Jonah. Is this historic or a parable? Is it based on an actual person named Jonah or is Jonah a name that refers to one who is “senseless” (see the Hebrew word meaning: “dove”)? Even more, is this a prophet? We seem comfortable saying he is, the book is even counted among the prophetic books of the Hebrew Scriptures, but the book itself does not call Jonah a prophet. So, what do we do with this odd, seemingly out-of-place book that tells a story that is wildly popular? 

Regardless of what we believe about the story, one thing the reader observes is Jonah is a story about his failure. He fails in his response to God’s call, he fails in his attempted escape and he fails in the message he delivers to Nineveh (at least he thought so). He believed his message would bring about the doom he prophesied. Instead, it stirred God’s compassion. And this was Jonah’s greatest failure. He failed to appreciate the compassion of God.

May 2, 2021: Scott Oppliger - That's Not How You Treat Family

This week we'll look at the book of Obadiah, where the prophet speaks to a people who are rejoicing in their enemy's calamity, asking "Is this how you treat family?"

April 25, 2021: Tov! – Michael Hidalgo

When Amos, a shepherd, came around the people of Israel were enjoying the good life (6:1-7). Well, not all of them. The ones enjoying the good life were on the “top” of the social order; the ones oppressing those on the bottom. And those on the bottom were the ones working to ensure the good life remained for those at the top. They enjoyed safety, security, wealth and allowed their places of worship to become pagan centers of worship. The women even told the men, “Bring us some drinks!” (4:1), while others went hungry and thirsty. Of course, they did all of this with impunity believing that as long as they worshipped God and performed some religious rites, they were pretty much good to go. 

God’s response? ““I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them …” (5:21,22). You see, God never says, “I reject your justice because of your lack of worship!” Rather God insists, “I reject your worship because of your lack of justice.” This is what the people of God got backward, and what unhealthy religion gets backward constantly. Religion is not to serve our comforts, but to lead us to seek the healing and justice of our world. This is why Amos cries out, “Let justice roll down like a river!”