Denver Community Church

August 7, 2011: Two Sons – Michael Hidalgo, Katie Sewell, and Nick Elio

So often the last story Jesus tells in Luke 15 is called “The Prodigal Son.” But the story is about two sons. Both of whom were lost. Two sons, both of whom the father loved. What do these sons tell us about the love of the father? 

July 31, 2011: The Big Story – Eric Swanson

July 24, 2011: Loving Yourself and The Other – Ryan Taylor

July 17, 2011: Circles of Grace – Jon Gettings

We are very quick to draw circles of grace in our own lives.  We strive for security and, as people of faith, especially for eternal security.  We do this because this has been the primary message we have received from the church in the last 50 years.  We have been given an equation that will securely provide something this world never could...and we respond to that invitation and work out the equation in our lives!  But, ultimately the rest of our faith journey becomes about defending our circle of Grace.  When its definition is challenged...we respond in fight or flight...but usually defensively defend our circle.  Jesus asks the question:  but what about the lost Sheep, Coin, and Son.  What about a God that is more about the lost than the found...how does that impact our circle and how we spend our time?

I would like to look at this idea in general and in light of the two audiences that are present for this time of teaching...the Pharisees and the 'sinners.'  Each of them would received these words from their own experience and context.  And, we will also receive it from our own experience, faith, understanding, etc.  So, what does it mean for us to receive these words today?  How then should we live?  How does this impact our theology and our how God calls us to live and spend our time in this world?

July 3, 2011: You Are What You Celebrate – Dave Meserve

June 26, 2011: Losing Life to Save It – Michael Hidalgo

There is a mystery throughout the Bible that Richard Rohr refers to as The Paschal Mystery. That being that it is death that brings life. It is losing your life so that you can save it. Jesus sums it up by saying, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Dying to live. So simple but so contrary to the way we see life.

June 19, 2011: Try Again – Michael Hidalgo

It appears that Jesus was having a bit of an off day. He is trying to provide healing for this guy, but doesn’t nail it on the first try. The guy can see a little, but not fully. Maybe Jesus needed a little bit more of that “Holy Ghost Power” up in here. Or maybe this story is an example of how healing truly occurs – in stages. 

Jesus’ disciples seem to miss the reality of who he is all the time. And his disciples today do the same thing (yes, I am referring to you and me). Perhaps this is the way we are wired. Today we have come to believe that accepting Jesus is more of a finish line than a starting line. We do not really believe any growth is necessary because we believe that we have all the answers at the beginning. But this is never true. Conversion is an ongoing process – one in which we begin to learn how little we actually do know, and learn that this is okay.

The question Jesus asks his disciples is a question that still needs to be asked today. Often we can mentally ascent to an answer, but when the reality of who he is and what he is about is shown for what it is – we may just want to rebuke him like Peter does. There are many kinds of Jesuses in this world. Judgmental. Militant. Weak. Welcoming. Impotent. And the list could go on – and on. So we must ask, “Who do you say that I am?” In the end there are some Jesuses that must be rejected and others that must be accepted. 

In this we must always be willing to accept who he says he is. We get ourselves into trouble when our experience, expectations, cultural norms, and religious traditions trump what Jesus is actually saying. There were a lot of expectations placed on Jesus in his day, and when these expectations come face to face with Jesus in the mind of Peter Jesus says, “Get behind me.” In other words – follow me and do what I do. 

June 12, 2011: Plug Your Ears and Spit – Michael Hidalgo

The Romans believed in a god named Asclepius. He was a god of healing. If you were sick you would go to the Asclepion (one of his temples) and priests there, for a fee, would invoke the powers of the god to come to your aid. One of the ways these powers came to bear on humans and heal them was through the bodily fluids of the god. 

This is interesting in light of the fact that Mark is writing to a Roman audience and tells the story of Jesus healing a man who was unable to hear or speak. Jesus performs this miracle, mind you, in the territory of the Romans – where their gods held power and sway. 

June 5, 2011: Crumbs From Your Table – Michael Hidalgo

It would be unthinkable that Jesus would potentially defile himself by associating with a woman like this. However, we cannot forget that Jesus just taught against the concept of clean and unclean, and now Mark is telling a story of Jesus that shows he meant it. A woman comes to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. But this woman is a Gentile. The intended readers of Mark’s gospel would have been quite interested in this exchange, as they were a largely Gentile audience. 

Jesus’ response to the woman is curious to say the least. He does not immediately tell her he will heal. On the contrary Jesus appears to insult her, and shows little interest in her needs. Yet this woman’s brilliant reply, and deep faith cause Jesus to provide healing for her. All she needed after all was a crumb or two for healing. 

May 29, 2011: Clean From the Inside – Michael Hidalgo

Why is it that religion can often get in the way of faith? The religious are so concerned that the disciples are eating with “common” hands, meaning their hands are unwashed and therefore unclean. Why would Jesus then, who is somewhat responsible for this, allow them to do this? Those who question Jesus are curious, if not, outright angered.

Jesus delivers a stinging rebuke in quoting the prophet Isaiah claiming that outwardly they have it all together, but inwardly they are falling apart. This is because they have substituted rituals, rules, regulations, and external observance for the true heart of religion. Their religion got in the way of their faith.