Denver Community Church

September 4, 2011: The Smallest is the Biggest – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus, once again, introduces us to the upside-down Kingdom of heaven. So often we strive to be first. We award the best, the fastest, the strongest, and those who win. Yet Jesus confuses everyone by saying “the first will be last.” We say this, we hear this, but what does this mean exactly? What does this look like in our context today in Denver?

Why are we so enamored, as a culture, with the “next best thing”? Is it possible that there is something within us that knows this world was created in perfection? Is it possible that something hardwired deep inside us knows that things are supposed to be better? Is it this longing that leads us to pursue “stronger, better, faster”?

August 21, 2011: Can and Will – Michael Hidalgo

In the beginning of the Mark’s gospel we meet a leper who says to Jesus, “If you are willing, you can …” Now we meet a father who says, “If you can do anything …” One believes and the other is unsure. Perhaps this is because this fellow has exhausted possibilities. He is desperate to rescue his son. He has tried, time and time again, but nothing seemed to work. 

So he, in exasperated desperation says to Jesus – “Can you do something?” Isn’t this a prayer we have all prayed? So many times there has been some frustration to our prayers, after we have tried everything, asking “God, can you do something?” Jesus says, “I can if you believe.” Which makes one wonder, do things happen only for those who believe? Can we will something to happen? Or does God work despite of our disbelief?

August 14, 2011: You Look Different – Michael Hidalgo

There is much more in our world that we are able to see and experience. Physicists tell us there are as many as 11 dimensions. Yet most of us constantly live in 3 dimensions. This does not mean that the other 8 are not real, it simply means we do not have eyes to see them. Yet we live in the reality of all 11 all the time – we are just unaware of this. 

In some ways this is what happens with Jesus and his disciples on the top of a mountain. He leads his followers to the top of a mountain, and from there shows them the reality of his Kingdom (which faintly echoes a story about Moses). 

What they see was a fuller (or maybe more real?) reality than they had ever seen before. In some ways there eyes were opened for the first time, and they were able to see what is and what will be. Like the 11 dimensions it’s not that we have to know them, and understand them all. Perhaps we simply should live with a sense that all are real and present. Just like the Kingdom of Heaven – although we currently do not experience it in all its fullness it is real and present.

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.