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  • He Is Good | Jesus the Cornerstone | Mark 12:10-11 | Coleton Segars

    He Is Good | Jesus the Cornerstone | Mark 12:10-11 | Coleton Segars
    2025/10/27
    Sermon Summary: “Jesus the Cornerstone” (Mark 12:10–11) “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’” — Mark 12:10–11 Introduction: A Title That Tells a Story Coleton opened by recalling a childhood nickname—“The Master of Disaster”—a title that summed up his habit of breaking things and then turning to his brother’s belongings for replacements. He explained how nicknames often tell us something true about who a person is. In this passage, Jesus gives Himself a title drawn from Psalm 118—the Cornerstone. This name, Coleton explained, reveals how Jesus wants to operate in our lives: as the foundation and guide upon which everything else depends. Coleton invited the church to explore two key characteristics of a cornerstone—and how they reveal what Jesus wants to be for us. 1. The Cornerstone Was the First Stone Laid A cornerstone was always the first and most important stone in ancient construction. It determined the direction, shape, and alignment of every other stone that followed. Builders would measure every subsequent piece against it. “Whatever the cornerstone looked like, the other stones would look like.” Coleton said that’s what Jesus wants to be for us: the one who shapes our lives, directs our paths, and forms our character. He’s not trying to control us—He’s trying to lead and form us into His likeness. Coleton then painted a vivid contrast between our human tendencies and Christ’s character: We Are Jesus Is Impatient Long-suffering Selfish Selfless Proud Humble Discontent Trusting Fearful Courageous Worried Peaceful Busy & stressed Unhurried Afraid of rejection Secure in the Father’s love Lustful Self-controlled Unforgiving Infinitely forgiving Empty Full and overflowing “The virtues we’re searching for,” Coleton said, “are not found apart from Him—they are found in Him.” Therefore, whatever or whoever is your cornerstone will shape your life into its image. Reflection Questions Coleton Posed: What is shaping your anger, your spending, your relationships? Who decides how you treat your spouse, raise your kids, or forgive others? What dictates your habits—Jesus or your desires? Coleton challenged listeners: If Jesus isn’t the one shaping your decisions, then something else is. That “something else” has become your cornerstone. 2. The Cornerstone Was the Strongest Stone The cornerstone wasn’t just first—it was also the strongest. It had to bear the weight of the entire structure and withstand storms. If it crumbled, the whole building collapsed. Coleton used this to illustrate why Jesus is the only foundation that won’t fail: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be shaken.” — Isaiah 28:16 Everything else in life—success, relationships, money, career, beauty, reputation—is fragile. If those things fall apart, so will we. But Jesus is the only foundation that can never be shaken. Coleton shared personally about how, early in his life, his relationship with Rainey was his cornerstone. When things were good, he felt secure. When they weren’t, he was crushed. Later, as a pastor, his cornerstone often shifted to his church’s success or how well his sermon went. When those things faltered, his peace faltered too. He said, “I can turn even my ministry into my cornerstone instead of Jesus.” To reorient his heart, Coleton often stares at Rembrandt’s painting “Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee.” He sees himself among the disciples, frantically trying to steady the ship—the church—while Jesus calmly rests amid chaos. Then he remembers Jesus’ question: “Why are you so afraid?” (Mark 4:40) Coleton said, “If He’s not worried, why should I be? If He’s not shaken, why should I be?” That truth reshapes everything. He invited listeners to apply that same faith to their own circumstances: If your job is shaking—Jesus still promises to provide. If the government is shaking—Jesus still reigns. If your children are struggling—Jesus loves them more than you do. If your health is declining—Jesus has already conquered death. Coleton said, “Whatever shakes your life reveals your cornerstone.” But when Jesus is your cornerstone, even the fiercest storm can’t topple your soul. 3. How to Make Jesus Your Cornerstone Coleton closed by teaching from Matthew 7:24–27, where Jesus says that the wise builder is the one who hears His words and puts them into practice. “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock… The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew… yet it did not fall.” Simply calling Jesus “Lord” isn’t enough. Obedience is what builds a life on Him. Coleton said, “There are people walking around calling Jesus ...
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    42 分
  • He is Good | A Better Gospel | Mark 12:1-12 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | A Better Gospel | Mark 12:1-12 | Coleton Segars
    2025/10/20
    Sermon Summary: “The Patient Heart of God” Mark 12:1–12 Introduction: The Gospel That Captivates, Not Terrifies Coleton began with a story from his childhood — his first time hearing the gospel at a Vacation Bible School in Riverdale, Georgia. The preacher was loud, red-faced, and terrifying. Young Coleton walked down the aisle, not because he loved Jesus or wanted to follow Him, but because he was afraid of hell. He reflected, “The preacher’s message was true — but it didn’t lead me to turn to Jesus because I was captivated by Him. Jesus wasn’t made beautiful or awesome to me; He was made out to be brutal, angry, mean, and threatening.” Coleton shared that his goal was to communicate the same truth that preacher did — that rejecting Jesus brings death — but in a completely different way: showing the beauty, patience, and love of God who relentlessly pursues us. From this parable, Jesus reveals two truths: The patient heart of God. What we invite into our lives when we reject the Son. 1. The Patient Heart of God Mark 12:2–5 – “At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed… He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.” Coleton explained that this parable paints the long history of Israel’s rejection of God’s prophets. Time and again, God sent messengers calling His people to repentance — and time and again, they refused to listen. Yet, instead of destroying them, God patiently sent another messenger. And another. And another. That’s the heart of God: He keeps coming after His people, giving chance after chance. “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise… Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 God’s patience isn’t weakness — it’s love in action. He longs for every person to experience life and repentance. Coleton said, “This isn’t just about ancient Israel. This is how God pursues each of us. Even when we run, ignore, or push Him away — He keeps sending reminders, people, and moments to get our attention.” Examples of God’s Patient Pursuit C.S. Lewis described his conversion as a “chess game with God.” He was an atheist who wanted nothing to do with religion, but God kept making “moves” — awakening a longing in him for beauty and joy that the world couldn’t satisfy. “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” – C.S. Lewis Lewis later wrote about the night he finally surrendered: “I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.” – C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy Similarly, St. Augustine — once consumed by lust and pride — found himself restless and unsatisfied. One day, he heard a voice say, “Take up and read,” and his eyes fell on this verse: “Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery… Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 13:13–14 That moment changed him forever. “There was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away.” – St. Augustine, Confessions Coleton then shared his own story — how God patiently pursued him through emptiness, injury, and unlikely people: First, through the emptiness he felt in high school after trying everything to fill the void. Then, through pain, when he tore his knee and began thinking about God. Then, through a person, a man named Mark McClendon, who shared the gentle love of God. Finally, through conviction, one night when he felt God chasing him — even in his brokenness. “He is always pursuing us with great patience,” Coleton said. “Because He doesn’t want any to perish.” Paul wrote the same in Romans 1:19–20: “What may be known about God is plain… since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen… so that people are without excuse.” God’s pursuit is relentless. His heart is patient, and His goal is repentance and relationship. 2. Why God Sent the Son Mark 12:6 – “He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’” Coleton pointed out the beauty and heartbreak of this verse. The owner of the vineyard — representing God — has one last hope: his beloved son. Instead of crushing the tenants, he sends his son in love, saying, “Surely they will respect my son.” God sends Jesus not to condemn, but because He desperately hopes humanity will respond. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son… For God did not ...
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    41 分
  • He is Good | When Jesus Disagrees with You | Mark 11:27-33 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | When Jesus Disagrees with You | Mark 11:27-33 | Coleton Segars
    2025/10/13
    Coleton began with a piercing question: “How much do you think Jesus agrees with the way you live your life?” He invited listeners to imagine Jesus observing everything—how they spend time and money, how they treat people, what they watch, post, and prioritize. Would Jesus agree with most of it, or would He find much to challenge and correct? Coleton quoted author Anne Lamott: “You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Then he adapted it: “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God agrees with everything you do.” He reminded the congregation that Jesus does disagree with us—and that it’s not a mark of rejection but of love. Since He is infinite, holy, and perfect, and we are finite and sinful, it only makes sense that His view of our lives will often clash with ours. “Jesus’ disagreement with sin in our lives led to the most loving act anyone could do for another person—to lay down His life for them.” Coleton emphasized that in our culture, disagreement is often seen as unloving—but Scripture teaches the opposite. Jesus loves us enough to confront what destroys us. The key question, then, becomes: “What is your response when Jesus disagrees with you?” From Mark 11:27–33, Coleton showed three wrong ways to respond when Jesus disagrees with us—and one right one. 1. Questioning Jesus’ Authority (vv. 27–28) “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?” The religious leaders asked Jesus this because He had just cleansed the temple and publicly called them out as a “den of robbers.” They weren’t questioning because they were curious—they were questioning because He disagreed with them. Coleton said: “If Jesus had agreed, they wouldn’t have questioned. They would have used Him to prove their points.” And we do the same. When a verse affirms our views or lifestyle, we post it, memorize it, and celebrate it. But when Scripture disagrees with us—when it calls out sin, pride, greed, gossip, or unforgiveness—we tend to ignore it, reinterpret it, or go silent. “We question His authority by avoiding the verses that disagree with us.” Coleton illustrated this with historical examples of people literally cutting parts out of the Bible: Thomas Jefferson’s Bible, which removed miracles and Jesus’ divinity. The “Slave Bible,” edited by slave owners to remove verses about freedom and equality. The Nazi Bible, which stripped out all Jewish references and messages of mercy. “They didn’t argue that the verses were untrue—they just silenced them.” Then he asked a haunting question: “If a Bible were written based on your life, what would it include—and what would it exclude?” He called this the “MPT”—My Personal Translation—the version of the Bible where “Jesus agrees with every decision I make.” Reflection We may not use scissors like Jefferson, but we do it subtly in our hearts—ignoring passages like: “Forgive as you’ve been forgiven.” “Love your enemies.” “Give sacrificially.” “Do not gossip.” “Live at peace with everyone.” Coleton challenged listeners to ask: “Where do you question Jesus by simply silencing verses that disagree with you?” 2. Seeking to Discredit Jesus (v. 28) Coleton explained that the religious leaders’ question wasn’t sincere—it was a trap. “They don’t actually want to know. They’re trying to find a reason not to listen.” William Lane, in his commentary, observes: “Whatever answer Jesus gives, the conclusion is the same: He must be arrested. If He attests that His authority is from God, the charge is blasphemy. If He claims secular authority, the charge is insurrection.” Their goal wasn’t truth—it was to discredit Jesus so they wouldn’t have to change. “They knew they couldn’t disprove Him, so they tried to discredit Him.” Coleton drew a parallel to how we do the same today—finding reasons why Jesus’ words don’t apply to us: The Feels – “That doesn’t feel right.” Your Truth – “That might be true for you, but not for me.” The Snowflake Situation – “My situation is different.” The Cultural Argument – “That was for a different time.” Proof-texting – Quoting a verse out of context to justify sin. Minimizing – “It’s not a big deal; God will forgive me.” Justifying – “They made me do it. I deserve this.” Comparison – “At least I’m not as bad as that person.” Calling the Bible Outdated – “That doesn’t fit in the modern world.” He quoted Tim Keller: “Society makes judgments through what C.S. Lewis called ‘chronological snobbery,’ assuming that whatever has gone out of date is discredited.” Coleton said: “All of these are ways we say, ‘I don’t have to do that because…’” And every time we do, ...
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    42 分
  • The Imago Dei | Genesis 1:26, Romans 12:6 | Rainey Segars

    The Imago Dei | Genesis 1:26, Romans 12:6 | Rainey Segars
    2025/10/06
    Introduction – When People Don’t Approve of You Rainey began her message with a story from her college years — a painful and funny one about rejection. She told how she dated a grad student named Noah who was brilliant, popular, and part of an elite, intellectual friend group. When she went to dinner to meet his friends, she knew she was being evaluated — an “audition dinner.” When asked about Kant’s Critique of Judgment, all she could say was, “I think Kant is really good. Art also, very good. So to sum up, I am pro.” It didn’t go well. Shortly after, Noah broke up with her, saying she “wasn’t smart enough” and that she’d be more comfortable with someone “her speed.” It was humiliating. She had been evaluated and found lacking. Rainey then drew the connection: this kind of rejection happens to all of us. We don’t always fit in. Sometimes we’re not chosen, we’re overlooked, or we’re compared unfavorably to others — the sibling the parents brag about, the colleague the students prefer, the church that people leave for. She said, “There’s no use pretending everyone will love you. That’s not true. The Gospel has to be good news even when people don’t like us.” If our sense of worth depends on impressing others, we become weak, reactive, and easily crushed. To show how dangerous this is, Rainey turned to Scripture. ⸻ 1. The Danger of Insecurity (Matthew 14:1–11) She read the story of Herod and John the Baptist: “Herod was greatly distressed, but because of his oath and his dinner guests, he ordered that John be beheaded…” (Matthew 14:9) Rainey highlighted that Herod didn’t kill John out of hatred. He killed him out of insecurity. He wanted to look strong in front of his guests. He cared more about their approval than what was right. She said, “If Herod hadn’t been so desperate for them to think he was strong, he’d have been free to ask, ‘What is right?’ Instead, he asked, ‘What do they want to see?’” That’s what insecurity does. When we tie our worth to others’ opinions, we become unable to do what’s right. We can only do what others want to see. It’s a position of terrible weakness. Then she brought it home: “If I link my worth to your approval, I can’t be a person who obeys God. I can only be a person who performs for you.” That’s why we need good news for the insecure heart. ⸻ 2. Imago Dei – You Are Made in the Image of God Rainey’s first idea for finding freedom from insecurity is the biblical truth of the Imago Dei — that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). She described how all beauty and goodness in creation point to God: “The heavens declare the glory of God; day after day they pour forth speech.” – Psalm 19:1–2 Mountains, oceans, sunsets — they all reflect something of His glory. But humans are unique because we don’t just reflect His glory — we resemble Him. She said, “God used His own fingers to carve the lines of your face. He held your cheeks and said, ‘Yes, that’s just right.’” We are designed to show the world something of what God is like — each of us in a slightly different way. To despise yourself or wish to be someone else is to insult the Artist who made you. “The one who carved your bones is not wishing you were more like your sister.” It’s beneath your dignity, Rainey said, to let your worth swing back and forth with every opinion. Your worth is not determined by the crowd — it’s anchored in the Creator. Then she turned to the Third Commandment, often translated “Do not take the Lord’s name in vain.” She explained that the Hebrew verb nasa means “to carry.” So the command really says: “Do not carry the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) In other words: “You carry My name. Represent Me well.” If we treat people as though they don’t matter, we misrepresent the God who made them. When we devalue others, we carry His name badly — we show the world a false picture of Him. So, what are we called to show the world? Rainey told the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 — an abused, pregnant, runaway slave who meets God in the desert. God sees her, comforts her, and promises a future. In response, she names Him: “You are El Roi — the God Who Sees Me.” And Rainey said, “That’s who He still is. To people no one else sees, He is the God who sees.” That’s our calling as image bearers: not to impress others, but to see others as He does. The highest calling is not to be admired — it’s to notice the forgotten, to look into someone’s eyes and say with our presence, ‘God has not forgotten you.’ When we do that — whether as a doctor, teacher, parent, or neighbor — we reveal the God who sees. That’s the stable foundation of our worth: not impressing people, but bearing His image. ⸻ 3. The Gospel According to You Rainey’s second major idea was that God isn’t wishing you were more ...
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    47 分
  • He is Good | Power in Prayer | Mark 11:20-25 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | Power in Prayer | Mark 11:20-25 | Coleton Segars
    2025/09/28

    Coleton began with a story about accidentally cutting himself with his dad’s pocketknife. Just like with the knife, he wants to handle this text carefully because it’s often misunderstood—either leading people to miss out on what Jesus promises or to become disillusioned when prayer doesn’t seem to work. ⸻ 1. What Is Jesus Actually Saying? • Jesus says: “Truly I tell you…” — a phrase He uses in other places where the words were fulfilled literally (Peter’s denial, eternal life, heaven and earth passing away). • Therefore, we should not reinterpret His words about prayer and mountains to mean something symbolic. • Jesus also says “anyone” and “whatever you ask,” which expands the promise beyond just the disciples. • The phrase “moving mountains” was a common Jewish saying about impossible tasks, showing Jesus meant bold prayers that seem impossible. Quote: • “Moving mountains” became a figure of speech for a task that was considered virtually impossible. — Background Commentary ⸻ 2. How Did the Disciples Respond? • The disciples didn’t reinterpret Jesus—they prayed boldly in Acts. • They spoke directly to mountains (sickness, persecution, demons, even death) and God responded powerfully. • Examples: Acts 3 (healing), Acts 9 (raising Tabitha), Acts 16 (casting out spirits), James 5 (prayer of faith heals the sick). • The evidence shows they took Jesus at His word and practiced it literally. ⸻ 3. Why Don’t We Experience This Today? • Many don’t expect God to act powerfully anymore because: • Lack of faith (James 4:2) • Selfish motives (James 4:3) • Broken relationships (1 Peter 3:7) • Cherishing sin (Psalm 66:18–19) • Lack of persistence (Luke 18) • We’ve been taught to reinterpret Jesus, so our expectation for prayer is low. • Doubt is a major barrier: doubting that prayer works, that God hears us, or that He will act. Quote: • “Two thousand years of exegesis have successfully explained away texts like these… They have awkwardly suppressed the fact that the Bible clearly presents healing and miracles as something Jesus and the early church practiced and expected…” — Ulrich Luz, paraphrased by Frederick Dale Bruner ⸻ 4. How Do We Grow in Faith for Prayer? • Fight doubt by deepening trust in God’s character through Scripture and prayer. • Ask God to increase your faith. • Surround yourself with people of strong faith. • Read accounts of powerful prayer in history. (Great book: E.M. Bounds —On Prayer) • Seek God’s will for what you’re praying—He will reveal it. ⸻ 5. Don’t Settle for Less • Jesus gave His life to give us access to God in prayer—why would He do this if our prayers were powerless? • Don’t reinterpret Jesus’ words to fit your experience. Instead, pursue the experience Jesus promised. • There is real power in prayer when we remove hindrances, pray in faith, and seek God’s will. Discussion Questions: 1. What stood out to you from Sundays message? 2. How does looking at the way the disciples prayed in the book of Acts shape your confidence in Jesus’ words about prayer? 3. Of the hindrances to prayer which do you most relate to? Why? 4. Do you think doubt is a bigger struggle with God’s ability or His willingness? 5. Who in your life strengthens your faith when you struggle with doubt?
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    49 分
  • He is Good | The Tree, the Temple, & the Curse | Mark 11:12-21 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | The Tree, the Temple, & the Curse | Mark 11:12-21 | Coleton Segars
    2025/09/22
    Coleton walked through Mark 11:12–21 in a “documentary style,” scene by scene, showing how Jesus’ actions with the fig tree and temple symbolized God’s judgment on empty religion and pointed toward Jesus as the true and better temple. 1. The Fig Tree: Looks Alive but is Diseased • Jesus curses the fig tree not because He expected fruit out of season, but because fig trees always produced early figs (paggim) before leaves. • A leafy fig tree without fruit symbolized decay and disease. • The fig tree was a living parable: Israel (and the temple) looked full of life, but inside was barren and corrupt. Author Quotes: • James Edwards: “Once a fig tree is in leaf one therefore expects to find branches loaded with paggim in various stages of maturation. This is implied in verse 13…” (Pillar New Testament Commentary). • Tim Keller: “Growth without fruit was a sign of decay. Jesus is simply pronouncing that such is the case here.” (Jesus the King). • Hosea 9:10: “When I found Israel, it was like finding grapes in the desert; when I saw your ancestors, it was like seeing the early fruit on the fig tree.” ⸻ 2. The Temple: Corruption in the House of God • The temple was busy with sacrifices and money changing, looking religiously alive, but it was full of corruption and exploitation. • The Court of the Gentiles (where nations could worship) had been turned into a marketplace, blocking people from encountering God. • Jesus overturns tables, declaring the temple a “den of robbers.” • The fig tree mirrors the temple: full of activity but fruitless in righteousness. Author Quotes: • William Lane: “The sale of animals in the Temple forecourt was an innovation of recent date and was introduced by the High Priest, Caiaphas in A.D. 30…” • James Edwards: “The leafy fig tree, with all its promise of fruit, is as deceptive as the temple, which, despite its religious activity, is really an outlaws’ hideout…” ⸻ 3. The Withered Tree: The Old System Passing Away • The next day the fig tree is withered to its roots, symbolizing the end of the temple system. • Jesus’ death and the tearing of the temple curtain marked the new way of access to God—through Christ alone. • Jesus has done what the temple never could: provide full forgiveness of sins and direct access to God. Author Quote: • James Edwards: “The fig tree thus symbolizes the temple: as the means of approach to God, the temple is fundamentally—‘from the roots’—replaced by Jesus as the center of Israel.” ⸻ 4. Jesus Reverses the Curse • In Genesis 3, Adam was cursed by a tree and covered his shame with fig leaves. • In Mark 11, Jesus curses the fig tree, showing He will reverse the curse. • On the cross, Jesus covers our shame with His blood. Author Quote: • Cyril of Jerusalem: “In this way the curse laid upon Adam and Eve was being reversed.” (Catechetical Lectures 13.18). ⸻ 5. Application for Us Today Coleton gave two warnings and one encouragement: 1. Beware of being a leafy tree without fruit. • Religious activity without true spiritual fruit is empty. • Genuine faith in Christ produces fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.). 2. Beware of becoming a corrupt temple. • Just like the priests rationalized sin, we often say: “I know what God says, but…” • Our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit, and corruption comes when we disobey God’s Word while justifying our choices. 3. Give Jesus access and authority over every area of life. • Don’t hold back hidden areas. • Through Adam came death, but through Christ comes life in all its fullness. • He wants to bring blessing and restoration wherever sin once ruled. Author Quote: • 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.” ⸻ Discussion Questions 1. What does the story of the fig tree teach us about the difference between appearance and reality in our spiritual lives? 2. How can we tell if we are producing real spiritual fruit and not just leaves? 3. In what ways might the modern church (or our personal lives) look like the temple—busy, impressive, but lacking true worship? 4. Why is it easy to rationalize sin with “I know God says, but…”? How do we guard against that? 5. What are the “hidden markets” in your life—areas you’ve not surrendered to Jesus’ ...
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    40 分
  • He is Good | Jesus is King | Mark 11:1-11 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | Jesus is King | Mark 11:1-11 | Coleton Segars
    2025/09/15
    Coleton preached on Jesus’ triumphal entry and how Jesus seeks to make two central claims: 1. Jesus is the Messianic King — the crowd’s actions and the fulfillment of prophecy (Zechariah 9:9) show that Jesus openly claims the kingship. He accepts royal honor (“Hosanna,” cloaks, branches) and—when challenged—refuses to silence the praise, even saying that if the people were quiet “the stones would cry out.” N. T. Wright: “You don’t spread cloaks on the road –especially in the dusty, stony Middle East!–for a friend, or even a respected senior member of your family. You do it for royalty. And you don’t cut branches off trees, or foliage from the fields, to wave in the streets just because you feel somewhat elated; you do it because you are welcoming a king.” Jesus claim to be King forces a decision: is Jesus merely a helpful healer/teacher, or is He your sovereign King who rules your life? C. S. Lewis: “A really foolish thing that people often say about Jesus is: ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man yet said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic (like a man who says he is a poached egg)—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” We have to choose to receive or reject Jesus as King. 2. Jesus is not like other kings — unlike Roman triumphs that display conquest, prisoners, and plunder, Jesus rides a colt (a sign of peace and humility) and is followed by people He’s healed and freed. His reign looks like liberation, restoration, and sacrificial service, not domination and bondage. David Guzik & Dr. David L. McKenna “A Roman Triumphal Entry was an honor granted to a Roman general who won a complete and decisive victory and had killed at least 5,000 enemy soldiers. When the general returned to Rome, they had an elaborate parade. As a symbol of bloody conquest, they chose a prancing horse at the head of a processional that included his warriors, a shackled contingent of the conquered people, and an extravagant display of the treasures that the army had taken by force. The procession ended at the arena, where some of the prisoners were thrown to wild animals for the entertainment of the crowd. Now we understand why Jesus is so specific about His entry and the animal He rides. In the symbol of the foal of a donkey, Jesus predicts His role as the King. Jesus makes His triumphal entry on a donkey—a symbol of peace, not war; of humility, not pride. Behind Him comes (not prisoners but), an entourage of disciples and a rabble of common people whom He has healed and set free. They serve as the trophies of His conquest—not won by bloody violence, but by relentless love.” Why it matters: if Jesus is truly your King, He gets to govern all areas of life (money, marriage, speech, media, anger, forgiveness, political loyalties, etc.). That means surrendering personal control and letting his values shape decisions and habits. If you resist that rule you may still experience a Christian language of forgiveness and blessing but not the transforming reality of Jesus’ kingdom — a kingdom characterized by love, freedom, reconciliation, generosity, and joy even amid suffering. Coleton closes with a pointed question to wrestle with: Is Jesus your King? and invites people to examine which kingdom’s traits actually define their life. ⸻ Practical takeaways • The triumphal entry publicly declares Jesus’ kingship — it’s not optional or merely symbolic. • Jesus’ kingship is servant and liberating, not coercive or violent. • To truly follow him means handing over areas of life where you still rule, and allowing his kingdom fruit (love, peace, patience, generosity, freedom, reconciliation) to grow. • Evaluate life by asking: “Whose kingdom am I experiencing here?” If it’s not Jesus’, return and make Him King. ⸻ Discussion & Small-group / Personal practice questions Use these to help people put the sermon into practice — mix of reflection, confession, and action. 1- Read Mark 11:1–11. What detail(s) jump out at you this time that you hadn’t noticed before? Why might those details matter? 2. Coleton says Jesus forces a choice: King or not. What makes accepting Jesus’ kingship hard for you personally? 3. Take one area of your life (money, marriage, parenting, social media, anger). Describe which kingdom (Jesus’ kingdom or the ...
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    38 分
  • Culture of Celebration | Luke 15:11-32 | Coleton Segars

    Culture of Celebration | Luke 15:11-32 | Coleton Segars
    2025/09/07
    Coleton preached on the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15), showing how it illustrates God’s heart for celebration when lost sinners come home. He tied this story to the church’s vision of cultivating a Culture of Celebration, alongside Gospel saturation, pursuit, blessing, and belonging. Main Idea: God is the most joyful Being in the universe. His heart is full of celebration, and His people are called to reflect that joy so the world can see what He is really like. A culture of celebration not only honors God but also draws others to Him. Why We Need a Culture of Celebration 1. Celebration shows us what God is really like • From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture shows God’s joy, feasts, songs, and festivals. • Jesus entered the world with joy and left His disciples with joy. Heaven itself rejoices over one sinner who repents. 2. We pass on what we love and enjoy • People naturally share what excites them (sports, hobbies, food). • If Christians only pass on duty and obligation but not joy and delight, the next generation will miss the fullness of life in Christ. • Celebration helps us pass on the joy of knowing Jesus. 3. Celebration shows sinners it’s safe to come home • The prodigal son expected rejection but was met with a feast. • Many avoid God because they fear rejection. • The church must embody God’s joy-filled welcome, making it clear that repentance is met with celebration, not condemnation. Practical Applications • In church life: expressive worship, prayer nights, baptisms, community parties, fun days, block parties, feasts, and celebrations of answered prayer. • In personal life: throw parties when God answers prayers, create “redemptive calendars” of God’s goodness, and intentionally celebrate as families. • The goal: when people experience joy-filled gatherings, they should walk away thinking, “I didn’t know Jesus was that good. I could follow this Jesus.” ⸻ Discussion Questions Understanding God’s Heart 1. When you picture God, do you naturally think of Him as joyful? Why or why not? 2. How does the father’s response to the prodigal son reshape your view of how God receives sinners? Personal Practice of Celebration 3. What is one way you can create a rhythm of celebration in your home or with your friends? 4. What has God done in your life recently that deserves a party or a joyful remembrance? Passing On What We Love 5. What do you naturally get excited about and pass on to others? How could you do the same with your joy in Jesus? 6. How might your joy in Christ become contagious to your children, friends, or neighbors? Mission & Hospitality 7. If someone far from God attended one of our gatherings, would they feel celebrated? Why or why not? 8. What practical step can you take this month to invite someone into the joy of life with Jesus? ⸻ Author Quotes from the Sermon Charles Spurgeon: “This age does not generally sin in the direction of being too excited about God. However, we have sinned so long on the other side. Perhaps a little excess in the direction of zeal might not be the worst of all calamities. For, it is a mark of Christ’s presence when the church becomes enthusiastic.” Dallas Willard: “We will never fully understand God until we believe that He is the most joyful Being in the universe.” Richard Foster: “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ. He entered the world on a high note of jubilation… He left the world bequeathing His joy to the disciples.” “It is a danger of devout Christians to become stuffy bores… Celebration adds a note of gaiety, festivity, hilarity to our lives… Celebration helps us relax and enjoy the good things of the earth.” Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz): “Sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself. It’s as if they are showing you the way.” Thomas Aquinas: “No one can live without delight and that is why a man deprived of spiritual joy goes over to carnal pleasures. Because the church has deprived people of the joy of God, the world looks good.”
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