Denver Community Church

May 20, 2012: Pressed and Crushed – Michael Hidalgo

Mark gives us a startling picture of how agonizing Jesus’ decision was to obey his father. He was in the place of the “olive press” – a place where olives were pressed and crushed. Jesus is compared to an olive being pressed and crushed with the oil being squeezed out of it. 

Often we abandon the humanity of Jesus and his agony in submitting to his father’s will. This was not an easy prayer to pray, but it was one that Jesus prayed in faith. Mark shows us that no matter how difficult the decision we, through God, have the power to do it. 

May 6, 2012: Bread and Wine – Michael Hidalgo

The meal that is recorded here is a meal that the Church has celebrated for 2,000 years. Some have called it “The Lord’s Supper,” others “Holy Communion,” and most traditionally “Eucharist.” But what does it all mean? Many recognize that it is represents the Body and the Blood of Jesus which was broken and poured out for us, but what should the people of God know?

The meal that Jesus celebrated with his disciples was the traditional Seder meal in which he brought new meaning to the elements of the dinner. Like the Seder the people of God are commanded to “do this in remembrance” of Jesus. We will ask, “What are we remembering?” “Why is the meal so central to all streams in the historic, orthodox church?”

April 29, 2012: Mark 14:1-11 – Michael Hidalgo

There are two stories here. One is about the ultimate faithfulness in the anointing of Jesus by the sinful woman. The other is about the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. There is here, a “sandwich” in which one story informs the other.

April 22, 2012: This is the End Part 2 – Dave Neuhausel

How exactly do we read the words of Jesus? There are so many clues, hints, and details that all seem shrouded in mystery. How are we to take these words? Is it possible that Jesus is simply speaking about the inauguration of his kingdom?

April 15, 2012: This is the End – Michael Hidalgo

There is just so much “doomsday” prophecy these days. From Harold Camping to the Mayan Calendar to the Bestselling Left Behind book series – it seems people want to know how it’s all going to end. Jesus gives a stirring monologue in this chapter, seemingly talking about how it’s all going to go down in the end. Since this time, people have been riveted. 

But why? Why should we care about how it’s all going to end? Does it make any difference whatsoever? The answer is, “yes.” Depending on how we view the world to come has an influence on how we live now – today.  

April 8, 2012: This Can Happen – Michael Hidalgo

April 1, 2012: How It Ends – Michael Hidalgo

The prophet Isaiah speaks about God’s renewal, restoration, and redemption. He tells the people of Israel that they will be “mighty oak trees, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” One thing that many forget is the decimation and destruction that had come to the people of Israel before they were planted for the display of God’s splendor. They were accused of being greedy, corrupt, and oppressive – so God took them out. 

But destruction is not where the story ends. In the midst your biggest mistakes, sins, and regrets we must always remember “that’s not where the story ends.” It ends in restoration, healing, and wholeness, which is the story that we tell of God that display his splendor.

March 25, 2012: The Geography of Grace – Dave Neuhausel

March 18, 2012: Drop the Debt – Michael Hidalgo

Forgiveness, it has been said, is a supernatural endeavor, for it is impossible for humans to do something this difficult in their own strength. Perhaps then we ought to try and understand God’s forgiveness, so that we can ask him to perform the same miracle in our lives. But we don’t do we? We hold on to the hurt, and think about the pain. We become bitter, angry, and resentful as we dwell in the place of unforgiveness.

In the end we are the one’s who end up imprisoned behind the bars of our own hatred. Forgiveness is not letting the person off the hook, but rather giving up demands as to what should happen to that person. It is dropping the debt so that we can walk in a new freedom. 

This is the kind of forgiveness that is available to us, and is the kind of forgiveness we can supernaturally give to others. 

March 11, 2012: The Freedom of What's True – Michael Hidalgo

Confession is simply a statement of what is true about you. That’s it. It is saying, “I lied.” “I cheated.” It is saying, “I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.” That’s what confession is. So why in the world is it so hard to confess anything? Why is it so hard to talk about what is true about you?

 

Maybe it’s because we really know what’s inside. Maybe it’s because we really know what we think, feel, did, or said – and we can’t talk about it because we don’t want anyone to know. We don’t want anyone to know because of what they might think of us, do to us, or say about us when we are around. And we know what they might think, do or say because we have seen what happens to other people when they confess. They become the object of scorn. 

So we bury it. But the truth is still in there. So we live in captivity to lies. The reality is the truth needs to be stated fully and clearly if we are ever to move forward in our lives and toward deeper intimacy with God and others. If this is the case, then truth (which includes confession) should always be celebrated – even if the truth brings pain.