Denver Community Church

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.

November 27, 2011: Let There Be Light – Michael Hidalgo

Of all the things God could have created first, he created light. Which begs the question, did light exist before God created it? Then he set the light apart from darkness. Which is interesting, because exactly where does light stop and darkness start? How can one separate these two things? Where is the boundary?

For all that we know of light there is still mystery associated with it. This is where we will begin Advent. Exploring the mystery, power, and beauty of light. In this we will remind ourselves that the only thing the human eye actually sees is light. What we think we see – trees, cars, mountains, houses, or anything – are only light being refracted. This is why when it is dark we cannot see anything. Fascinating that the only thing we were created to see is light.

November 20, 2011: Beneath the Surface – Dave Neuhausel

November 13, 2011: Weapons of Peace – Michael Hidalgo

Kings ride horses. Horses are weapons of warfare. They are a symbol of power. They are an honorable animal. Who rides a donkey? A donkey is a humble animal, and a symbol of peace. Why would anyone think of making an entrance this way?

 

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew prophet Zechariah spoke about the King one day coming on a donkey. What is also interesting is the time of Jesus entrance. It was on the same day that the Roman Governor Pilate would have been entering Jerusalem. It was not often he came up from his capital in Caesarea Martima, but when he did, he came with the pomp and circumstance of a king. 

 

When he entered he came on a horse. Jesus came on a donkey. Pilate came showing his power. Jesus came showing his humility. Pilate came riding a weapon. Jesus came riding a symbol of peace. Jesus was acting out what the prophet Zechariah spoke of. 

November 6, 2011: The Blind Seeing Clearly – Michael Hidalgo

In a moment of almost comic relief, Mark relates a story in which a blind fellow knows who Jesus is. The disciples seem to not see it. The religious cannot see it. But a blind beggar on the side of the road can see it – and he yells, “Son of David!” Isn’t Jesus the son of Mary (and Joseph)?

His simple request was for Jesus to “have mercy” on him. He never asks for healing.

October 30, 2011: Urban Entry – Michael Hidalgo and Dave Neuhausel

Someone once asked Jesus, “who is my neighbor?” He answered by telling a story…  

 

The story is about a weak and abused man who is in great need and is ignored by religious people who are too fearful and distracted to help him.  Then a stranger notices the man and with great compassion and care he decides to sacrifice his social and financial status for the sake of caring for the man in need… 

 

Jesus said that the man who had the most compassion is the neighbor.  To say it another way - Jesus said that anyone who is weak and in need around you is your neighbor.  

 

We live in an increasingly urbanized society.  In 2008 a shift took place, a global benchmark for cities occurred.  For the first time in our world there were more people living in urban settings than rural.  Our world is also increasingly diverse and globalized.  That is to say that as much as the world gets bigger, more populated and complex, it conversely is getting smaller through more readily accessible and connected communication, commerce and cultural diversity.  While India is thousands of miles away we make choices everyday that affect people in that country.  Our world is increasingly interconnected.   We have neighbors all around us, some around our home, others just across the boarders of our country, still others over vast seas.  Jesus was always crossing boundaries – cultural, religious, social, etc.  He commanded his followers to do the same.  We want to be a community of exceptional neighbors who dare to cross boundaries with justice and compassion. 

 

So, who then is your neighbor?