Denver Community Church

June 2, 2019: What's Not to Love? – Jon Gettings

If one were to talk about an oppressive systemwe would understand what she was talking about. Systems of oppression and domination are everywhere. This is a helpful way of thinking about the word “world” – it is this system that is against God. The very system we are told not to love. Why? Because of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life that come from it: three ways of talking about the evil of it. And this is not the first time we have heard this.

Jesus, when in the desert for 40 days, was tempted in all three of these ways. His response? To remember who God is and was and trust that. Because, that will never pass away.

May 26, 2019: The War is Over – Bekah Stewart

John pauses and addresses children, fathers and young men, which is to say everyone who is listening. You are forgiven. You know God. You have overcome the evil one. He says it not just one, but twice. You are forgiven. You know God. You have overcome the evil one. This is such a deep and pastoral moment for John. In the midst of hate, division, anger, confusion and people leaving the Church, he encourages them by telling them who they are and what they know.

 

Often when it comes to conflict we insert ourselves into it to take sides and dress down the opposition. We tell our allies why they and we are right and how we can win. John doesn’t do any of that. He simple reminds them of who they are. You are forgiven. You know God. You have overcome the evil one. There is nothing divisive here, only truth that offers a grounding for the listeners. Perhaps, in the midst of division we need to remember who we are.

April 28th, 2019 - The Three Loves - Michael Hidalgo

May 19, 2019: A Very Thin Line – Michael Hidalgo

Don’t hate, love. Love, don’t hate. These are the two commands given here in the midst of incredible division for John’s community. It was being ripped apart by warring factions, and where there was once love, hate emerged. How does this so often happen? Two groups or two people who once enjoyed sweet fellowship and deep love can move so quickly toward abject hatred. Well, it’s because these two emotions are not opposites – the opposite of love is indifference, not hate.

This is important, because it may actually be a key toward overcoming hate. Rather than telling people to stop hating, we can be those who learn to love in practice. By seeking to name and recognize and own the way we have wounded, have been wounded and the fear we carry within us. In this, we will learn that our hate often simmers on the fires of something done to us by those we love. And if that’s the case, then we can take a step toward understanding where our relationship is between love and hate, and it will be worth it because of the love that has been there the whole time. After all, love and hate are only separated by a very thin line.

May 12, 2019: The Difficulty of Simplicity – Paula Williams

Jesus was asked about the most important commands and he responded with two: love God and love others. “All Scripture hangs on these two things,” he concluded. Another rabbi was asked to explain Torah while the questioner stood on one foot. The rabbi replied, “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor: this is the whole Torah; the rest is the commentary; go and study.” Several commentators suggest that these are the old and new rules John refers to here in chapter 2. It’s really that simple, isn’t it?

Simplicity is something we’ve mostly lost today. Perhaps that is because simplicity is incredibly difficult to pull off. It takes far more understanding, knowledge, depth and vision than even the most complex of all things. This is revealed by the simple command: LOVE. Is there anything more difficult than that?

May 5, 2019: Learning and Doing – Dave Neuhausel

We will learn about steps we can take to learn about the complexity of immigration in the US and what we can do to be a part of the solution.

April 28, 2019: The Three Loves – Michael Hidalgo

In Torah we are commanded to love three times: To love God, to love our neighbor and to love the immigrant in our midst. We will discuss how we can move toward this and transcend the partisan debate.

April 21, 2019: ¡Viva La Vida! – Michael Hidalgo

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, while it was still dark something curious happened. Many people who had died were raised to life and came out of their tombs. One of those people was, of course, Jesus, but who were the others? Where did they go? Who saw them? And if something this amazing really did happen why does only one gospel mention the event … as a passing detail?

 

There are few answers to the questions this seemingly bizarre story raises. It’s possible that solid answers are not only hard to come by, but answers may not be the most important thing. What we know is on that early morning on the first day of the week when Jesus resurrected he was not alone; there were others. Which means, the resurrection is a real hope even in the midst of death – in the very place where light, life and love seem gone – resurrection is ready to do her work.

April 14th, 2019 - Where to Now? - Michael Hidalgo

April 7th, 2019 - The Hero's Journey - Scott Oppliger