Denver Community Church

June 4, 2017: You're a Shining Star – Michael Hidalgo

The Psalmist proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim his handiwork …” What we gather from this is that when people look at the stars and the heavens they are awed by the work of God – his handiwork. Which is exactly what we are, according to Paul. We are God’s work, his art, the things on this earth that declare his glory. And what were we created to do? More good work!

Think about the beauty in that. The opportunity we have been given! We are hand crafted by God to do work that is good on this earth – just like the work he did that he called good! I could keep gushing because this is amazing news! What if we looked at ourselves as those who were created to create – so all would have the same amazement they do when they see the stars!

May 28, 2017: It is All a Gift – Landon Lynch

The conversation surrounding works and grace is a long-standing one. Many different biblical authors refer to a distinction between grace and works, and many church fathers/mothers interpret the text in an effort to sort out the spiritual weight of both. The Reformation still has this faith/works distinction as one of it’s more available explanations—even though this oversimplifies things. What’s fascinating is how quickly, even in the protestant circles who were supposed to be reforming the supposed “works-based Catholics,” we still make our way back to our focus being the work of the receiver (faith) instead of the giver (grace). 

 

For the Ephesians, Artemis needed to be appeased through works or else plague and famine would result. These works were everything from regular temple rituals, to offerings, to timely parades, to pre-marital sexual abstinence for women…just to name a few. Gifts from Artemis were really only gifts in the sense that she could choose to do evil to people, but she could be appeased and give good things instead. Gifts, or grace, from the gods in this sense was little more than a transaction, a cosmic math problem resulting in winners and losers, those who could boast for getting it right and those who could not. But for Paul, divine grace in its truest form is all about divine initiative. 

 

Interestingly, the distinction between grace and work has often turned into a Christian debate between faith and work, and many people use this very verse as ammunition in the debate about the value of faith of the believer vs the value of the work of the believer. But Paul’s assertion to the Ephesians transcends such debates and changes the focus of the conversation. Where we often want to focus on what we can control, Paul invites us to focus on that which is uncontrollable, unmanageable and untamable: God’s grace. It isn’t that works don’t matter (v. 10), it’s just that when it comes to getting grace and gifts from God our works are moot. God’s grace always beats our best works to the punch. We could never earn something he hasn’t freely given (Lk 15). And if we understand this we could possibly find ourselves in receipt of grace and having a very different conversation about what our works in this world might work towards.

May 28, 2017: It is All a Gift – Amanda Lum

The conversation surrounding works and grace is a long-standing one. Many different biblical authors refer to a distinction between grace and works, and many church fathers/mothers interpret the text in an effort to sort out the spiritual weight of both. The Reformation still has this faith/works distinction as one of it’s more available explanations—even though this oversimplifies things. What’s fascinating is how quickly, even in the protestant circles who were supposed to be reforming the supposed “works-based Catholics,” we still make our way back to our focus being the work of the receiver (faith) instead of the giver (grace). 

 

For the Ephesians, Artemis needed to be appeased through works or else plague and famine would result. These works were everything from regular temple rituals, to offerings, to timely parades, to pre-marital sexual abstinence for women…just to name a few. Gifts from Artemis were really only gifts in the sense that she could choose to do evil to people, but she could be appeased and give good things instead. Gifts, or grace, from the gods in this sense was little more than a transaction, a cosmic math problem resulting in winners and losers, those who could boast for getting it right and those who could not. But for Paul, divine grace in its truest form is all about divine initiative. 

 

Interestingly, the distinction between grace and work has often turned into a Christian debate between faith and work, and many people use this very verse as ammunition in the debate about the value of faith of the believer vs the value of the work of the believer. But Paul’s assertion to the Ephesians transcends such debates and changes the focus of the conversation. Where we often want to focus on what we can control, Paul invites us to focus on that which is uncontrollable, unmanageable and untamable: God’s grace. It isn’t that works don’t matter (v. 10), it’s just that when it comes to getting grace and gifts from God our works are moot. God’s grace always beats our best works to the punch. We could never earn something he hasn’t freely given (Lk 15). And if we understand this we could possibly find ourselves in receipt of grace and having a very different conversation about what our works in this world might work towards.

May 21, 2017: Alive, Saved and Seated – Michael Hidalgo

While we were dead we were made alive. Before we did anything God, in Christ, did everything. And what he has done is still happening, even right now. We do not have to wait for it. The verbs Paul uses here are amazing as he speaks in the present tense. We are raised, we are seated and we are saved – NOW. 

 

So, why do we keep living like we are not yet? Why do we keep striving and trying and thinking we can somehow earn something that has already been given? It doesn’t make sense on the face of it, does it? So what if we understood who we are now. So often there are all kinds of people and stories and reputations that follow us around … but Paul eschews all of that. He tells us you are alive, saved and seated. 

May 7, 2017: Far Above and Far Below – Landon Lynch

Jesus is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” This is an astounding statement for Paul to make because in Ephesus there was a lot of power. They were a major player for trade, culture and religion in the empire. However, Paul tells this church that the power of Jesus is “far above” all of that. His statement is an exaltation of Jesus! But, anything that is exalted and held up, can also be brought low and torn down. How?

 

By associating the name of Jesus with powers that are far below him. So many of us mix Jesus and the Kingdom up with empires, nations and kingdoms of this earth. And anytime we do this we subject Jesus’ name to powers that are below him. This is why we must pledge allegiance to God alone – and not to any nation.

May 7, 2017: Far Above and Far Below – Jon Gettings

Jesus is “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” This is an astounding statement for Paul to make because in Ephesus there was a lot of power. They were a major player for trade, culture and religion in the empire. However, Paul tells this church that the power of Jesus is “far above” all of that. His statement is an exaltation of Jesus! But, anything that is exalted and held up, can also be brought low and torn down. How?

 

By associating the name of Jesus with powers that are far below him. So many of us mix Jesus and the Kingdom up with empires, nations and kingdoms of this earth. And anytime we do this we subject Jesus’ name to powers that are below him. This is why we must pledge allegiance to God alone – and not to any nation.

April 30, 2017: Eyes That Can See What's There – Landon Lynch

It so often seems that what is real and here and right in front of us is the very thing we miss. Perhaps this is because there are things we cannot see with our eyes; only with our heart. This is Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus. That the eyes of their heart would be given light – so they can see what is already there for them. And what is there? The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead – here and now. 

So how would our lives be different if we trusted this kind of power as something we already have? We would fear nothing – not even death itself! Nothing could stand in our way as we, in the power of God – work alongside him to make his kingdom a reality here on earth as it is in heaven. Having these kind of eyes has the power to change the way we live. No longer would we hesitate wondering what the outcomes may be … because the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us and in our world.

April 30, 2017: Eyes That Can See What's There – Bekah Stewart

It so often seems that what is real and here and right in front of us is the very thing we miss. Perhaps this is because there are things we cannot see with our eyes; only with our heart. This is Paul’s prayer for the church in Ephesus. That the eyes of their heart would be given light – so they can see what is already there for them. And what is there? The power of God that raised Jesus from the dead – here and now. 

So how would our lives be different if we trusted this kind of power as something we already have? We would fear nothing – not even death itself! Nothing could stand in our way as we, in the power of God – work alongside him to make his kingdom a reality here on earth as it is in heaven. Having these kind of eyes has the power to change the way we live. No longer would we hesitate wondering what the outcomes may be … because the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us and in our world.

April 23, 2017: We Need Both – Landon Lynch

Paul longs for the church to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation – and he should. However, he speaks these words into a time when the Gnostics believed that knowledge was salvation. For them, knowing the right thing was the end in itself. Before we roll our eyes over that we may want to pause and reflect on how we view these same things. We have, at times, feared the idea of wisdom and even more revelation. Especially revelation found outside the words of Scripture – of course with a qualified interpreter with us to assist. 

 

But Paul does not seem to share our concern – not in the least. We have been invited to understand and grasp the resurrection that is happening each and everyday. We need wisdom to see this, with God as our source, and we need to speak prophetically when we see it, which is our need for Revelation. Perhaps our hesitance around this centers on our fear of what someone will do. Ah, we must remember the central role of community here. We need to be those who pursue wisdom and revelation together. Seeing they go hand in hand.

April 16, 2017: Resurrection In All Things – Michael Hidalgo

Every Easter, we encounter the debate over whether the resurrection is a historic or mythic event. Both sides seem to want to be able to verify, through evidence, their reason for their beliefs. But here’s the thing; one can believe either side of the debate, and still not recognize what God is and was doing by rising Christ from the dead. 

 

The question for us, is do we believe what the resurrection teaches us? That all things are made new in Christ? Do we believe, trust and have faith in God that life is found the resurrection? Do we believe that power and life is available now and has always been?