Denver Community Church

August 24, 2014: I Am (Not) a God – Michael Hidalgo

It’s tempting at times to seek recognition and accept all the credit for what we do in life. We can easily get to the point where we believe that we are the ones who are deserve the praise. The writer of Acts tells us two competing stories about this happening. One is of Herod (12.21-23) the other of Barnabas and Paul. 

Both are thought to be gods. Herod accepts the accolades and it leads to his death. Barnabas and Paul rend their clothes, and beg those who believe the are gods to listen to their witness to the One God. Who are we? Herod or Paul? Do we wish to feed the ego or nourish our souls?

August 10, 2014: Pay Attention – Michael Hidalgo

August 3, 2014: Psalm 23 – Kathy Escobar

July 27, 2014: Who Is My Enemy – Fran Blomberg

July 20, 2014: Lord is My Shepherd – Hugh Halter

July 13, 2014: In the Presence of My Enemies – Carl Medearis

July 6, 2014: The God of Psalm 23 – Dave Terpstra

June 29, 2014: A Direction and a Plan – Landon Lynch

There are some people who are always on the inside looking out. They can’t stand the process of settling, but are always feeling a tug toward the next horizon. Others feel nervous when they see this sort of thing. For them, the highest value is staying rooted and centered and cultivating the hearts of people who are already with them.

This is what we see at work here. Paul is always on the move. And he is sent as a pioneer by the settlers. But without the settlers he’d have nowhere to leave from, and without Paul there would be no one to carry the message as a witness. In this we see that we all work together better.

June 22, 2014: What Is God Calling You To? – Jon Gettings

The word of the Lord came to Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh …” What did Jonah do? He ran the other way, and went to the port city of Joppa. There was no way he would hear God’s command to go to those people. They were a horrible lot. We know how the story goes – God finally convinces Jonah to go to Nineveh. And when he goes, those in the city repent. 

Now, the word of the Lord comes to Peter. Where is he? Joppa. What is God asking him to do? Go to those people. At first Peter refuses. Would he do the same thing as Jonah or would he hear the word of God and go to Cornelius? What about us? Who are the people God is calling us to go to? Are we Jonah or Peter? 

June 15, 2014: Words That Bring Leprosy – Landon Lynch

Saul is breathing out murderous threats against the Christians when he is confronted by Jesus. The experience leaves him blind. Thousands of years before that Miriam spoke against Moses. The result was that she was struck with leprosy. This led the rabbis to teach that when one spoke evil, God would strike them with leprosy. 

Which brings us back to Saul. He is speaking evil words, and is blinded by “scales” on his eyes. The word in Greek is lepra - the root of the word leprosy. How would Saul, a devout Jew, have felt in this moment? In his encounter with Jesus he was confronted with his own sin – and this led to his conversion.