Denver Community Church

January 18, 2009: Apples and Oranges – Michael Hidalgo

Their love and faith springs out of a hope in the gospel. Hasn’t the gospel already happened? Yet Paul still uses the language of “bearing fruit.” This is the language of covenant and creation. Throughout the Old Testament we hear God speaking to his people about “fruitfulness” and “being fruitful.” This is the language of growth, the language of renewal and the language of continued creation. This points toward a future – and this gives us our hope. God also speaks to his people Israel of what awaits them when they go to the promised land – a land that is fruitful. What does it mean to live as an Eschatological people? We will explore what it means to live as Kingdom citizens with a posture toward the future. 

January 11, 2009: Brothers and Sisters – Michael Hidalgo

Paul is calling Timothy a brother, when he once called him a son. Before that Timothy was a Halfling – neither Jew or Gentile. Paul then calls all of the people who are a part of the Church Holy. This is interesting – have they fulfilled the command of God to “Be Holy” because He is holy? What does it mean to be holy anyway – just good, well behaved, mild mannered, attending church a lot? We will explore why we all  are set apart for God’s purposes. (Note to Chris Stocker: We will have the entire book of Colossians read during the service by four volunteers.) 

January 4, 2009: The Rhythm of God – Dave Meserve

In His wisdom, God does not spell out how we should conduct every minute of our lives.  Yet, there are rhythms inherent in how He created us and our world. The Scriptures highlight three such rhythms to the generation of the Exodus.  We will explore and seek to apply those ways to our lives in the 21st century.

December 28, 2008: When the Desert is Enough – Michael Hidalgo

December 21, 2008: A Light and A Sword – Michael Hidalgo

Let’s be honest. This is a little bit of a dark prayer. If one were to paraphrase Simeon they might say, “I can die now.” Why would Simeon say this to God? Yet Simeon knew that salvation had come to the world through this little infant that he was holding in his arms. In that moment Simeon rejoiced and thanked God for allowing him to see the child. Simeon understood that this blessing was not just for Israel, but that he would be a light to the Gentiles to. Maybe this is why he is destined to cause the rising and falling of many in Israel. 

All of this came to a man who was waiting, a man who had been told that he would see the salvation of Israel. Imagine the expectation that Simeon had each day believing that salvation was coming. Are we people who are living with that kind of hope? That kind of expectation? What are we waiting for that will bring us peace?

December 14, 2008: Wings of Healing – Michael Hidalgo

Zechariah in his praising of God allows his past to inform his present and therefore he has a picture of the future. In his remembering he speaks about the sun from Heaven. He seems to recall the prophet Malachi who speaks about the sun coming bringing healing in his wings. Zechariah is praising God because he knows healing is coming. During Christmas our wounds, hurts, and disappointments seem exposed. How can we bring healing to others this Christmas? What is it in our own hearts that needs to reach out to God?

December 7, 2008: A Larger Story – Michael Hidalgo

Mary has just found out that she is pregnant. Pregnant! Nothing could be worse for an unmarried woman in Ancient Israel. Her only recourse would be to convince people that it was Joseph – but of course he would know that it was not true. Or she could tell people that she had never known a man and that it was miraculous, but who in their right mind would believe this. Was there any other option?

Mary seemed to think so. She turned and praised God in what is arguably the most famous hymn recorded in all of Scripture, known today as The Magnificat. Mary sees God’s plan unfold before her and she ends up right in the middle of it all. As she reflects on the promises of God to his people Israel she understands now what is in store for her in the future. 

November 30, 2008: (Dis)grace – Michael Hidalgo

Elizabeth had it all. The Bible speaks about the kind of people her and Zechariah are. She is blameless, the daughter of a priest, and married to a priest. However, she is dealing with the worst thing imaginable – she is barren. In her day this was grounds for divorce. It was a serious matter and many would have presumed that she was up to something – and being punished for it. Elizabeth reflects a different understanding.

She praises God for removing her disgrace from among the people. Her words speak toward how others thought of her, but not how she viewed herself. 

November 23, 2008: I Just Threw Up in My Mouth – Brian Gray

Why do the rich need a dinner invite? Laodicea was a wealthy city, but all that they have is trash in the eyes of God. His desire is for them to see the futility of what they have attempted to build. This church is in need of healing, and the God of healing and second chances is there. He is ready to come in and have a meal with them. Imagine that, the God of the Universe will sit and identify with you, not in your wealth, but in your poverty! As we transition out of this series, let’s help our people understand that we are poor, and our only wealth is in the Kingdom.

November 16, 2008: Keys to the Kingdom – Michael Hidalgo

Philadelphia was the furthest east of the seven cities that were written to. It was a missionary city built for the express purpose of furthering Greek life and thought. If one lived in Philadelphia, they held Greek thought higher than anything else. They were to go and make disciples.

God gives the Church a new imperative. Go and make disciples for me. He is opening a door for them to go through. They are no longer to be missionaries for Caesar but for God himself.