Denver Community Church

February 5, 2012: The Greatest – Michael Hidalgo

Central to the Jewish people is the prayer/confession found in Deuteronomy 6 called the shema – from the Hebrew word “hear.” This is the first word of the prayer. By saying this, one was “taking on the Kingdom of heaven.” Taking on the Kingdom is the foundational and first step toward living the commandments. This is why Jesus’ reply reflects that the shema is the most important command. In living out this command we submit ourselves to the rule and reign of God – which as Jesus knew is the basis for obedience to all the commandments.

January 29, 2012: Redeeming Our Work – Brian Gray

January 22, 2012: Living Dead – Michael Hidalgo

How are we to understand resurrection?

January 15, 2012: Images – Michael Hidalgo

For so long tradition has taught that this passage suggests to us a “split” way of looking at life. It has been commonly understood to refer to politics and religion as two separate spheres. These verses have historically been used by monarchs and governments to demand full loyalty to them – for they are to “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.”

However, when we read this story in context Jesus is by no means making any commentary about the way one approaches their specific government. Rather Jesus seems to be saying that “everything belongs to God” which means then, that nothing really belongs to Caesar. 

January 8, 2012: Taking the Vineyard Back – Michael Hidalgo

This parable of Jesus cuts to the core of his reason for coming to earth. He points out that those who are in leadership are perpetrating a system of utter corruption. They are like wolves who are destroying the sheep. Like greedy tenants who are unwilling to give up the vineyard that was never their anyway. 

Jesus “steps into the pulpit” as a prophet. In referencing the “vineyard” he is speaking openly about the people of Israel (Isa 5). The tenants then are the ones responsible for it, and they are the ones that will be dealt with. Throughout the prophets there are messages from God telling the corrupt / oppressive leaders they will be judge. Jesus says, “Now is the time.”

January 1, 2012: Beneath the Surface – Dave Neuhausel

One of the best ways to respond to a difficult question is with a better one.  This is one of those instances where Jesus performs one of his signature jedi mind tricks – a classic bait and switch.  Jesus is responding to an insincere question from some of his enemies who are only trying to trap and condemn him.  

But Jesus is not just reversing the dialogue back on his critics in order to simply expose and embarrass them, he is artfully changing the conversation.  Jesus always takes what we offer on the surface, our good and bad intentions alike, and draws out and reveals our deepest desires and hiddenness.  He takes our small ideas and points to the Big Idea behind it…  One might call this subversive…

December 24, 2011: Christmas Eve – Michael Hidalgo

December 18, 2011: On Light – Jon Gettings

Light is a theme associated with Christ in the New Testament and God in general. Light denotes positive, health, what draws us, what brings life.  Light is generally held in contrast to darkness.  Darkness denotes evil, hidden, unhealth, those blind to God. This passage talks about Christ having life in him that was the light of men. Life is used after verses relaying Christ has been with God forever and was involved in creation.  

How does this God...and these elements of God...bring us light? And what does that mean that his life brings us light? If light is what is positive, healthy, what is compelling and what brings full life...then this is what our lives can and should look like as followers of Christ. Then truly his life...his being...our relationship with him would bring us all of these things...would bring us light.  The things of this world and the enemy will constantly try to move us into darkness.  This is our battle...to allow the life of Christ to be our light and not be overwhelmed by darkness.  This is why we need community, rhythms (sabbath, etc.), scripture, and why we are the light for the world as when we live in this way others are drawn to and compelled by our light which is Christ's life.  

December 11, 2011: It Is Inside You – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus tells his disciples, and the crowd that has gathered around them. “You are the light of the world …” Curious, isn’t it? Of all the things he could have said he tells those listening they are light. These words echo the prophet Isaiah in which God tells the people of Israel they will be a light for the nations and rescue people from darkness. 

This all goes back of course to the garden when God creates the man and the woman. They are made in his image – the image of God who is light. Humankind has been created with a bit of light in us. The Celtics believed that our job as humans was to see that light and help others see it too.  Do you realize what this means? It means that we are, as God said to Moses, “like God” to dark, hurting and hopeless world.

December 4, 2011: Right Here, With Us – Michael Hidalgo

When God delivers the people of Israel from Egypt he is constantly in their midst. To remind them of his abiding presence he allows himself to be seen in the form of a pillar. During the day it appears as a cloud, and in the evening it appears as fire – a light. 

Then God told the people to construct the tabernacle. Inside it they were to place a lamp stand whose fire was never to go out. God asked the people to do this to remind them of his enduring presence with them. What is unique about the detail of the lamp is that unlike the scrutinizing detail of the other objects for the tabernacle there are no measurements given. The rabbis observing this asked, “Who can measure the light of God?”

The Psalmist states that God’s word is a lamp, a light. God wraps himself in light. God’s salvation is a light. Over and over we see that where God is there light is also. God’s presence is light. And it is by this light that we see and are rescued.