Denver Community Church

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.

November 9, 2008: Wake Up Dead Man – Jon Gettings

There was a legend of sorts in Sardis that people could be raised from the dead from the hot springs that came out of the acropolis. The letter says, “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” This is followed with the imperative, “Wake Up!” Sardis was a city of people who seemed to have fallen asleep. They were confident in who they had been, like the early dwellers of this city who were confident in their stronghold. Following Jesus is a life long pursuit. Let’s wake up and continue to strengthen what he has given us.

November 2, 2008: Put Down the Picket Sign – Michael Hidalgo

How do we welcome evil people, and yet have a healthy level of intolerance? How do we stand up and speak with humility into injustice, sexual immorality, infidelity, and greed while showing the love of Jesus in all we do? Often the Church gripes about not having its rights, and protesting this or that. Is that it? Should we protest, or engage those who we are protesting against so that we might be a part of leading them toward full life?

October 26, 2008: The Place Where Satan Lives – Michael Hidalgo

The first Provincial Temple to the Imperial Cult was built in Pergamum. It was considered a place of authority and power. It was a place that was devoted to the worship of powerful gods and the Emperors. John uses the illusion of a double edged sword (The Bible) as that which is more powerful than the great kingdoms of this world. (The sword was also an expression of high authority in the Roman mind.) The very words of God himself are more powerful than the temples, culture and even the kings of empires. John exhorts the Church to return to the Text to find the manna of God.