Denver Community Church

October 13, 2007: Ministry Team Retreat (Part 2)

October 13, 2007: Ministry Team Retreat (Part 1)

October 7, 2007: Understanding Covenant (4 of 4) – Michael Hidalgo

God calls his people into covenant with him and one another. Throughout history from Noah to Jesus covenants are made binding God to people, people to God, and people to one another. We will explore the meaning of covenant and better understand what it means to be committed to each other within as we journey with God in the context of DCC. In recognizing the covenant that Jesus entered with his people, we will conclude by celebrating communion, and asking people to commit to becoming a part of DCC.

September 30, 2007: Understanding Our Values (3 of 4) – Michael Hidalgo

The early church lived and moved in very specific ways. They were dedicated to learning, praying, building into one another, worshipping in the Temple, and enjoyed men and women finding Jesus. Many of these people spent years with Jesus, and knew what he expected of his followers. We will practice the same disciplines in which they engaged. In doing this, we are confident that God will move in and through us and allow us to enjoy seeing men and women find Christ. 

September 23, 2007: Discovering Our Vision (2 of 4) – Michael Hidalgo

We will explore the narrative arc of redemption. We will begin in Genesis 1 and conclude in Revelation 22. In the beginning the man and the woman lived whole lives in relation to God, self, one another, and the earth. We will learn how from the moment the man and the woman sinned God began his pursuit of humanity. It is through the redemption provided ultimately by Jesus that we can return to the way things once were in the Garden of Eden. As followers of Jesus we are restored in all relationships, are able to discover what it means to be made in the image of God, and are called to bring this message of hope to the world.

September 16, 2007: Exploring Our Mission (1 of 4) – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus kind of nailed the mission of the church. As a faith community we are called to live out this mission in all parts of our lives. We are called to be active in doing what Jesus did. We are his embodiment of truth in our world. Teaching people to live in his ways happens by the way we live our lives. We will understand what it means to be people who follow Jesus as a community, and embody him in our world

September 2. 2007: War and Peace – Michael Hidalgo

In a world of strength, military might, and oppression Jesus calls his people to peace. Peace is much more than the absence of conflict, it refers to the wholeness of a person. In Jesus’ day the memory of Octavian (Caesar Augustus) was fresh in everyone’s mind. His Uncle Julius was assassinated which caused strife and division to ensue throughout the empire. It was an epic story - in the midst of all of this one man stepped up and brought peace to the Empire. He called himself Divi Filius which means son of god. Funny - the one who brought peace called himself a son of god. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Jesus is telling his people they can become greater than Caesar, for his people will bring about the peace of the One true God.

August 26, 2007: The Why Behind the What – Michael Hidalgo

Purity was of utmost importance in the days of Jesus. If one was not pure they could not participate in temple worship, they were cut off from the community, and they would be considered “sinners.” In order to remain pure some Jews developed an intricate system of rules and regulations - commentary of Torah - intended to help people remain pure. Over time some began to pride themselves on how well they could keep the law. As a matter of fact they were perfect at keeping the Law. Jesus however, looks at the heart. He asks “What is inside of you?”

August 19, 2007: Nope, That Was My Stomach – Michael Hidalgo

Mercy is often viewed as pity for those who need. We look at someone who is more vulnerable than us and think, what a pity … but this is not what Jesus is getting at with the word mercy. The idea of pity, actually comes from a Greek perspective. From a Jewish perspective is spoke of God’s faithfulness to his people. Jesus calls his followers to be people who are faithful to others. Those who are committed, trustworthy, loving, loyal, and kind. This is the kind of God we serve, one who is not slow in fulfilling his promises, but one who is trustworthy, loving, faithful and kind. We will learn that more than merely feeling sorry for someone, when Jesus had compassion / mercy it was always followed by action. 

August 12, 2007: A Theology of Bread – Michael Hidalgo

Jesus uses a metaphor that was well known in the Hebrew mind. Hunger and thirst. These two words spoke powerfully to the most basic of needs, and often occur together in describing the most dire of circumstances. The prophets speak of those who will no longer hunger or thirst when the King of righteousness and justice returns to liberate his people. This takes on special significance as Jesus, the Bread of Life, is that King … he does what is right (by that he gives to each person freely, and each is satisfied). Throughout the gospels we see Jesus eating with people of all kinds. There was special significance in that he was including all people, they were satisfied and had enough left over … and he called us to participate in the meal in which he symbolized that His body was for all of us. His righteousness (also translated by some justice) is what would satisfy for all would be filled.