Denver Community Church

September 17, 2023: The Only Sign - Michael Hidalgo

In this teaching, Lead Pastor Michael Hidalgo helps us explore dying the rising as a universal pattern that we are invited to join.  Jesus said the only sign given would be the sign of Jonah.  In early literature during and shortly after Jesus’ time, this sign pointed toward resurrection.  Rather than looking for miracles or divine apparitions, Jesus is heading into the belly of the earth.  This sign that he gives, is also one he invites us to imitate.  This is the sign of Jesus. There is an incipient wisdom to this pattern that is seen in and through all things; the dying and the rising.  Perhaps if we only had eyes to see, we would learn to see this mystery in and through all things. 

 

September 10, 2023: Who is the Enemy? - Michael Hidalgo

Jesus presents the religious with a new vision of who he was and what he was going to do in their midst. He uses violent language: "break-in," "tie up," "plunder," which are all illegal activities; yet this is the metaphor Jesus uses, digging into his opponents with this language. He is not simply disagreeing; he is pointing out that they are complicit in the Kingdom that will fall … along with its “house” (a seeming reference to the temple).  In Jesus' time, it was believed that when Israel lost its independence that God relegated the rule of Israel to earthly powers – to the devil and his angels. While it seems that Jesus is speaking philosophically and mythologically, he may also be making a bold statement about the coming destruction of Israel. Jesus, it seems, is going about binding up the strong man, and cleaning house. And what exactly is he “plundering” – Jesus is answering a question posed by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 49: “Can plunder be taken from a warrior …?” God’s reply is a firm “yes.” And the plunder are the captives who are set free.

September 3, 2023: That Sounds Like a Guarantee - Michael Hidalgo

What is our relationship with God when it comes to prayer?  How can we be bold and brazen in this relationship, trusting in who God is?  Initially this seems as though we should to ask God for whatever it is our hearts desire, persistently knocking at God's door.  Is this really how prayer works?  God will deliver something to us, if only to get us to pipe down? Jesus speaks about asking and seeking and knocking, which is an idiom that refers to the study of Torah and how one should approach the text. If we are faithful to pursue the text like this, then we will better understand what it means to ask God for good things.

August 27, 2023: How Do We Pray? - Keri Ladoucer

Luke tells us, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.” It was only when he finished that his disciple asked him to teach them how to pray, which causes one to wonder: what did this disciples see and experience in Jesus’ prayer that led him to make this request?  It’s possible we can know this based on the words of Jesus that follow- an intimate prayer that looks to God and the Kingdom for the present (daily bread), the past (forgive us) and toward the future (lead us not into temptation).  Whether we understand exactly why the request was made we, like the disciples, can learn that this simple prayer covers all of life – our regrets of the past, our immediate needs of the day, our hopes for the future – placing all of it in the hands of a God who listens. 

August 20, 2023: Sitting Down in the Busyness - Michael Hidalgo

Michael Hidalgo walks us through the story of Jesus, Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42.  
Martha is the one who plays host to Jesus, which suggests that this is her household. In this story, it is often assumed that Martha is the one who doesn’t “get it” while Mary is the one who is praised by Jesus. And while Jesus does say that Mary has chosen what it better, it is not that straightforward. Luke tells us that Martha’s work matters. The word he uses to describe her work most often relates to the work of ministry, and that is what she is doing.  Her hospitality then makes her and her household a place of peace for Jesus and his disciples (see Luke 9.1-6, 10.5-6). It is from this place that she asks Jesus to tell Mary to join her in the work of ministry. Mary, we learn is “sat at the lord’s feet" (a Jewish idiom for being a disciple). Perhaps this is why Jesus says that she has chosen what is better; she is listening, paying attention, learning and hearing the words of Jesus.

August 13, 2023: Guest Teacher - Jason Miller

Guest teacher Jason Miller concludes Denver Community Church's summer series, "57 Words."

August 6, 2023: Guest Teacher - Michelle Warren

Guest teacher Michelle Warren continues the Denver Community Church summer series, "57 Words."

July 30, 2023: Guest Teacher - Maggie Knight

Children's Pastor Maggie Knight continues our summer teaching series.

July 23, 2023: Guest Teacher - Hannah Thom

Guest teacher Hannah Thom continues Denver Community Church's summer series, "57 Words."

July 16, 2023: Guest Teacher Series - Nick Elio

Family Ministries Pastor Nick Elio teaches on the Lord's Prayer in week 3 of Denver Community Church's summer series.