Episodes

  • Teach Us to Pray | Hallowed be Your Name | Matthew 6:9 | Coleton Segars

    Teach Us to Pray | Hallowed be Your Name | Matthew 6:9 | Coleton Segars
    May 5 2026
    Hallowed Be Your Name Learning to Pray with Wonder, Confidence, and Peace Jesus does something deeply intentional in the Lord’s Prayer. Before He teaches His followers to ask God for anything, He teaches them to remember who God is. Prayer is not meant to begin with panic, requests, or anxiety—it begins with worship. Coleton explains that when Jesus says, “Hallowed be Your name,” He is teaching us to fill our minds and hearts with the greatness, faithfulness, and power of God before we ever bring Him our needs. This message is an invitation to become people who truly pray—not mechanically, not cautiously, but with boldness, awe, confidence, and trust. “Our Father in Heaven” — Remember Who You’re Talking To Matthew 6:9–13 “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name…’” Coleton begins by reminding the church why this prayer series matters so much to him personally. About ten years ago, he began pursuing a deeper prayer life because he wanted prayer to become more than a religious duty—he wanted to love it. During that journey, one quote changed the way he viewed prayer forever. Quote “Satan dreads nothing but prayer. His one concern is to keep the saints from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, he mocks our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray.” — Samuel Chadwick That quote helped Coleton realize why prayer often feels difficult. The enemy is not intimidated by human strength, intelligence, or activity. He trembles at the power of God accessed through prayer. Prayer matters because God moves through it. Last week’s focus in the series was the phrase “Our Father in heaven.” Jesus first teaches us that prayer begins by remembering who we are talking to: not a distant force, but a loving Father who welcomes His children. Now Jesus takes us one step further. “Hallowed Be Your Name” — Prayer Begins with Worship Coleton explains that “hallowed” means to treat God’s name as holy, weighty, glorious, and worthy of worship. Quote “‘Hallowed be your name’ means ‘let [your name] be regarded as holy.’ It is not so much a petition as an act of worship; the speaker, by his words, exalts the holiness of God.” — Tremper Longman III Quote “Hallowing is an active kind of praying—honoring, adoring, and naming the greatness of God. While ‘Our Father’ is a reminder of God’s intimacy; ‘hallowed’ is a reminder of His incomprehensible greatness.” — Tyler Staton Coleton explains that hallowing God’s name looks like: Saying what is true about GodRemembering what He has doneRepeating what He has promisedDeclaring what is possible with Him This kind of prayer fills the heart with worship before requests are ever made. The Psalms Show Us What Hallowing Looks Like Psalm 44 — Remembering God’s Power Scripture “With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors… it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face…” — Psalm 44:2–3 The psalmist spends enormous time recounting God’s past faithfulness. He talks about victories God gave, enemies God defeated, and promises God fulfilled. Coleton points out something fascinating: much of this prayer is telling God things He already knows. Why? Not because God needs reminding—but because we do. We forget who He is. We forget what He has done. We forget His power, His promises, and His faithfulness. Hallowing God’s name recenters the soul. 1. Hallowing His Name Expands Our Vision of What Is Possible One of the main effects of worshipful prayer is that it stretches our faith. Quote “The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something and enter into God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible.” — Corrie ten Boom Coleton says many Christians pray extremely safe prayers: “Keep them safe.”“Help them have a good day.”“Bless this meal.” Those prayers are not wrong—but if we truly believe we are speaking to the God of the impossible, why do we so rarely ask Him for impossible things? Hallowing His name enlarges our imagination for what God can do. Hezekiah’s Prayer — Worship Before Deliverance Scripture 2 Kings 19:14–19 King Hezekiah is surrounded by an enormous Assyrian army. Humanly speaking, defeat seems certain. But notice how he prays: “Lord, the God of Israel… you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth…” Before asking for rescue, Hezekiah hallows God’s name. He reminds himself that Assyria may be powerful, but God rules every kingdom on earth. Only after worship does he ask for deliverance. Coleton explains that worship gave Hezekiah courage to pray boldly in an impossible situation. The Apostles in Acts 4 — Worship Produces Boldness Scripture Acts 4:24–30 After Peter and John are arrested and ...
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    45 mins
  • Teach Us to Pray | Father In Heaven | Matthew 6:9-13 | Coleton Segars

    Teach Us to Pray | Father In Heaven | Matthew 6:9-13 | Coleton Segars
    Apr 27 2026
    Teach Us To Pray — “Father In Heaven” Introduction: Why We Need to Learn to Pray Coleton begins with a simple but relatable picture: his son Teddy not enjoying golf because he doesn’t know how to play. “I’d enjoy it more if I knew how to hit it.” That insight becomes the doorway into the entire series—many people don’t enjoy prayer because they don’t know how to do it. The goal of this teaching is not just to inform people about prayer, but to help them experience joy in it. Coleton introduces the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) as the foundation—a short, 31-word prayer in its original language, yet deep enough to shape a lifetime of communion with God. Key Quote: “The Lord’s prayer is simple enough to be memorized by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer.” — Justin Welby Coleton explains that this prayer is both: A pattern (Matthew: “pray like this”)A prayer to be repeated (Luke 11:2: “when you pray, say…”) Key Quote: “We can either use each phrase as a handrail… or pray exactly these words thoughtfully.” — Frederick Dale Bruner This series will walk through the prayer line by line, beginning with the first phrase: “Our Father in heaven.” 1. Remember Who You’re Talking To (Matthew 6:9) Coleton emphasizes that Jesus begins prayer by reshaping our understanding of God. Before anything else, we must remember: we are speaking to a Father. A Radical Shift in Prayer Jesus adapts a traditional Jewish prayer (the Kaddish), which begins by magnifying God’s name—but instead of starting there, Jesus begins with relationship: Father. This is intentional. Jesus is not removing God’s holiness—He is making Him personally accessible. Key Quote: “Pray to God more intimately than you think you’re allowed.” — Tyler Staton The word Abba reflects deep closeness—not childish, but deeply personal. Coleton illustrates this with his son calling him “pop-pop”—a name that reflects relationship, not just title. Why This Matters How we perceive God determines how we pray: If we think He’s angry → we become guardedIf we think He’s disappointed → we withdrawIf we think He’s distant → we disengage Key Quote: “Most people’s biggest problem with prayer is God Himself… scowling, perpetually disapproving…” — Pete Greig Jesus corrects this: you are approaching the safest, most loving presence you’ve ever known. If we don’t start here, we won’t pray freely, consistently, or joyfully. 2. Because He is Father — It Shapes How We Talk to God Coleton addresses a common barrier: “I don’t know what to say.” Through a deeply personal story about his son’s speech delay, he reveals a powerful truth: a father doesn’t care how polished the words are—he just wants to hear his child’s voice. That becomes the central image Jesus wants us to carry into prayer. Freedom Over Formula While tools like A.C.T.S. or P.R.A.Y. can help, Coleton warns against turning prayer into a rigid system. We don’t talk to people we love using formulas—so why would we do that with God? Prayer is meant to be: NaturalRelationalHonestFree You can: Talk about your dayShare your highs and lowsExpress frustration or confusionSit in silence Even biblical examples support this: The Psalms are full of raw emotionJob questions and wrestles with God Coleton makes a key distinction: Complaining to God is prayerComplaining about God is grumbling God desires the first. 3. Because He is Father — It Shapes What We Expect from God Coleton then shifts from how we speak to what we expect. Expectation #1: We Should Expect More Scripture: “How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” — Matthew 7:9–11 Jesus teaches that God’s generosity surpasses even the best human parents. Coleton challenges a common hesitation: feeling guilty for asking God for things. Many people hold back because they think their needs are too small or too selfish. But a loving father doesn’t shame his child for asking. He shares a powerful story of rock climbing with his dad—choosing independence over accepting help. Instead of pride, it brought hurt. Why? Because relationship invites dependence. Key Quote: “Jesus is trying to bring us… to the Father with hands out.” — C.H. Dodd Not asking isn’t humility—it can actually be distance. Expectation #2: We Should Expect “No” A good Father doesn’t give everything His children ask for. God’s “no” is not rejection—it is protection and love. He sees what we don’tHe knows what will harm or shape usHe gives both yes and no as gifts Coleton reminds us: don’t let unanswered prayers convince you God doesn’t care. Sometimes His refusal is His deeper kindness. 4. Practicing Prayer as Children of the Father Coleton ends with practical application: What does it actually look like to pray this way? You can: Pray the Lord’s Prayer ...
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    46 mins
  • Teach Us to Pray | Three things to Know about Prayer | Matthew 6:5-8 | Coleton Segars

    Teach Us to Pray | Three things to Know about Prayer | Matthew 6:5-8 | Coleton Segars
    Apr 20 2026
    Learning to Pray Introduction: Coleton begins by sharing personally that 10 years ago he didn’t know how to pray—and honestly didn’t think it mattered. But everything shifted when he encountered people who genuinely loved prayer and believed this simple truth: People who pray will experience more from God and with God than people who don’t. That statement reframed everything. Coleton points out that prayer is not something we naturally know how to do—it must be learned. But the encouraging truth is: it can be learned. He highlights something powerful from the Gospels: the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them how to preach, perform miracles, or lead—but they did ask Him to teach them how to pray. Why? Because they saw something in Jesus’ relationship with the Father that they wanted. Over the past 10 years, Coleton shares that he has experienced more of God than in the previous 29 years of his life—and he attributes that largely to learning to pray. Quote: “The greatest undiscovered area in the resources of God is in the place of prayer… you cannot estimate the power of prayer. Prayer is as vast as God because God is behind it.” — Leonard Ravenhill This sets up the main idea: Jesus wants to teach us how to pray, and in doing so, invite us into a deeper experience with God. 1. God Wants to Actually Meet with You Coleton’s first point is simple but profound: Prayer is about relationship, not performance. Main Idea God is not distant or disinterested—He is eager to meet with you anytime you intentionally turn your attention toward Him. Bible Passage “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen…” — Matthew 6:6 Coleton explains that Jesus is not giving a rigid rule about location but emphasizing intentionality. The “room” and “closed door” represent focused, personal connection. Key Insight: God gives His attention to any place of intention. Any moment you intentionally turn toward God—whether in a quiet room, your car, during chores, or even a quick pause in a stressful meeting—He meets you there. Coleton illustrates this with real-life examples, including stepping away during a difficult meeting just to “steal a moment” with God. Even a few seconds becomes sacred when it’s intentional. He also shares the story of Susanna Wesley, who used her apron over her head as a “prayer closet” while raising 19 children—showing that the “secret place” is less about location and more about focus. Quote: “The Father has a special affinity for ‘the secret place’… He is continuously watching there.” — Frederick Dale Bruner Takeaway You don’t have to go somewhere special to meet with God. Any place becomes sacred when you choose to seek Him. 2. Your Prayers Can Be Very Short The second thing Jesus teaches is deeply freeing: Prayer does not need to be long to be effective. Bible Passage “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans…” — Matthew 6:7–8 Main Idea You don’t have to earn God’s attention with long, impressive prayers—you already have it. Coleton contrasts Jesus’ teaching with pagan beliefs of the time, where people thought they had to “fatigue the gods” with long prayers to be heard. Quote: “The pagan rule to get your prayer heard is ‘much.’” — Frederick Dale Bruner Jesus completely dismantles this idea. God is not reluctant—He is a loving Father who is already attentive. Key Insight Because God already hears you, prayer can be as simple as: “Help.”“Thank you.”“I’m sorry.”“I need you.” Coleton shares a relatable analogy: if every phone call with a friend required an hour, you’d hesitate to answer—but if it could be brief, you’d engage more often. Prayer works the same way. When we realize prayer doesn’t require long stretches of time, we actually pray more. Quote: “It is a relief to know that the Father… is not a reluctant listener.” — Frederick Dale Bruner “Much prayer is not the mediator to God; Jesus is.” Coleton also addresses persistence in prayer, clarifying: Persistence is powerfulBut persistence is not required to be heard We persist because we are heard—not to be heard. Takeaway You always have God’s attention. Pray anytime, with whatever you have. 3. He Knows How to Help You the Most The third truth Jesus gives is deeply comforting: God knows exactly what you need. Bible Passage “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” — Matthew 6:8 Main Idea God’s knowledge of your needs is not a reason to stop praying—it’s the reason you should run to Him. Coleton explains that we are drawn to people who understand us without needing long explanations. He shares a powerful story about his sister, who struggled to find comfort after losing her husband because people cared—but didn’t truly understand what she needed. Everything changed when she met others who had experienced the ...
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    36 mins
  • God Given Resources | Psalm 24:1 | Shannon Plate

    God Given Resources | Psalm 24:1 | Shannon Plate
    Apr 13 2026

    From our April 12, 2026 service.

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    35 mins
  • He is Good | The Resurrection | Mark 16:1-20 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | The Resurrection | Mark 16:1-20 | Coleton Segars
    Apr 6 2026
    Sermon Summary: The Resurrection Changes Everything 1. A Case for the Resurrection Coleton begins by challenging the assumption that belief in Jesus’ resurrection requires blind faith. Instead, he invites us to consider the evidence—to think critically and honestly about why the resurrection of Jesus has endured throughout history. He introduces a fascinating comparison: the Roman emperor Nero. Nero was powerful, widely known, and ruled the known world—yet today, almost no one has heard of any “resurrection story” about him. In contrast, Jesus was a poor, obscure Jewish carpenter with a short ministry, no political power, and no army—yet His resurrection is known worldwide. Coleton’s point is simple but profound: If false resurrection stories fade into obscurity (like Nero’s), why has Jesus’ resurrection endured and spread across the globe? This forces an honest question: Is it possible that the reason we still talk about Jesus’ resurrection… is because it actually happened? He emphasizes that Jesus does not call people to blind faith. In fact, Jesus rebukes His own disciples—not for lacking blind belief—but for refusing to believe credible eyewitness testimony. Key Scripture: “He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.” (Mark 16:14) Jesus expected them to weigh the evidence. Coleton connects this to how faith grows: Supporting Scripture: “Consider the lilies of the field… consider the birds of the air…” (Matthew 6) Faith is not anti-thinking—it is formed through considering. Jesus invites us to look at evidence, reflect, and respond. Key Quote: “The question we should all consider is why we’ve ever heard of Jesus… Christianity rose from the dead because Christ did.” – Glen Scrivener Main takeaway: Faith in the resurrection is not a leap into the dark—it’s a step toward the light based on compelling evidence. 2. What the Resurrection Inaugurated in the World Coleton shifts from proving the resurrection to explaining its meaning. He points to a prophetic vision of the world found in Isaiah—a future where everything broken is restored: Key Scripture: “The wolf will live with the lamb… they will neither harm nor destroy… for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:6–9) This is a picture of a restored world—like Eden renewed: ● No injustice ● No violence ● No sickness ● No chaos Key Insight: The resurrection of Jesus is not just proof of life after death—it is the beginning of that restored world breaking into our current one. When Jesus speaks after His resurrection, He uses similar imagery: Key Scripture: “These signs will accompany those who believe… they will drive out demons… speak in new tongues… place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:17–18) Jesus is describing a reality where: ● Evil is pushed back ● Healing happens ● Restoration begins Key Quote: “A fresh, wise, healing, restorative order had come to birth.” – N.T. Wright Coleton’s main idea here: The resurrection didn’t just promise a future heaven—it launched a new reality now. Those who follow Jesus begin to experience glimpses of that future restoration in their present lives. He points to examples: ● The early church sharing resources so no one was in need ● Social barriers breaking down (rich/poor, male/female, slave/free) ● People being healed, freed, and transformed Even today, lives are changed—addictions broken, identities restored, relationships healed. Main takeaway: The resurrection means the future kingdom of God is already breaking into the present—and believers can experience it now. 3. How We Should Respond: Expect and Pursue Restoration If the resurrection inaugurated a new reality, then our lives should reflect that. A. Pray with Expectation Jesus taught us to pray for God’s kingdom to come “on earth as it is in heaven.” That means we should: ● Pray for healing ● Pray for restoration ● Pray expecting God to move We are not working against God’s will—we are stepping into what He already started through the resurrection. B. Share the Gospel with Expectation Key Scripture: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” (Mark 16:15) Coleton highlights something striking: The disciples were told to share the resurrection even when they themselves struggled to believe it at first. This reminds us: ● Our job is not to convince—just to share ● Some will reject it ● But those who believe can experience transformation Main takeaway: The message of Jesus carries power—when people believe it, their lives can truly change. 4. Don’t Just Believe in Jesus—Follow Him This is one of Coleton’s most important points. Many people believe in Jesus—but don’t experience transformation. Why? Because belief without obedience does not lead to change. He describes ...
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    41 mins
  • He is Good | The Death of Jesus | Mark 15:16-47 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | The Death of Jesus | Mark 15:16-47 | Coleton Segars
    Mar 30 2026
    The Death of Jesus Coleton begins by grounding this moment in something deeply human: watching someone die changes you. He shares the memory of watching his grandfather pass away—the sights, the sounds, the emotions—and how it stayed with him. That kind of moment doesn’t fade; it marks you. That’s exactly what happens to the Roman centurion in this passage. He watches Jesus die, and it changes everything. For the first time in the Gospel account, a human being—an unlikely one at that—declares: “Surely this man was the Son of God!” (Mark 15:39) Up to this point, only God Himself has called Jesus His Son. Now a hardened Roman soldier sees it—and worships. Coleton’s main idea: we are meant to be marked by the death of Jesus in the same way. And to help us see that, he draws out three realities revealed in Jesus’ death. 1. God is Demonstrating His Love for Us What We See in the Text Coleton points to verses 16–32, where Jesus is: MockedBeatenSpit onLied aboutCrucifiedInsulted even while dying And who is doing this? Religious leaders (hypocrites)Soldiers (abusers)Criminals (rebels)Bystanders (mockers)His own executioners These are the people Jesus is dying for. “Christ died for the ungodly… While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:6–8) “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Coleton’s Main Point This is not just Jesus being loving—this is God demonstrating His love. God is showing, in the clearest possible way, what He feels about sinners—not after they clean themselves up, but while they are still broken, rebellious, and undeserving. Application You do not have to earn God’s love.His love is not based on your behavior—it cannot be, or the cross makes no sense.He already loves you at your worst. Coleton presses into a common lie: We often believe God doesn’t really love us. He traces this lie through Scripture: Genesis – The serpent convinces Adam and Eve that God is holding out on them.Numbers – Israel believes God is trying to harm them, not bless them.The Rich Young Ruler – He walks away from Jesus, not trusting His love. In every case, distrusting God’s love leads to missing life. Key Insight The cross is meant to be a permanent marker in your life: God loves you this much. So when God leads, commands, or corrects—it is always coming from love, not control or cruelty. 2. God is Being Incredibly Merciful to Us What We See in the Text (vv. 33–37) Darkness covers the landJesus cries out: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”Jesus breathes His last These are not random მოვლენ—they are loaded with meaning. Coleton Connects This to the Bigger Story Exile from God’s Presence In Genesis, sin leads to exile.Here, Jesus experiences that exile: “Why have you forsaken me?” Judgment Through Darkness In Exodus, darkness was a plague of judgment.Now darkness falls again—this time as Jesus bears judgment. The Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:6–9) People sinned → were bitten → dyingGod said: Look at the symbol of judgment lifted up, and live Jesus connects this to Himself: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake… so the Son of Man must be lifted up…” (John 3:14–18) Coleton’s Main Point Jesus is taking the full judgment and punishment for sin. Not part of it. Not most of it. All of it. Application Most Christians say: “Jesus died for my sins.” But Coleton challenges: we don’t live like we believe that. We still think: “God is punishing me for that mistake.”“This bad thing happened because I sinned.”“I’m not sure God will forgive me this time.” But Coleton makes it clear: God already punished sin—fully—in Jesus. There is nothing left for you to pay. Quotes to Drive This Home “He lives for this… When you come to Christ for mercy… you are going with the flow of His deepest wishes.” — Dane Ortlund “I am a sinner… but my Savior has died for all my sins… His blood is sufficient.” — (Martin Luther, paraphrased) Key Insight Jesus is not reluctant to forgive you. He is eager. He went to the cross for this exact purpose. Coming to Him for forgiveness isn’t bothering Him—it’s receiving what He paid for. 3. God is Inviting Us Back Into His Presence What We See in the Text (vv. 37–38) “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” What This Means That curtain represented separation: In Genesis, humanity is shut out of EdenIn the Temple, God’s presence is restricted behind a veilOnly the high priest could enter—once a year But now? God tears the curtain Himself. “This was God’s way of saying… the way is now open to approach Me.” — Timothy Keller Coleton’s Main Point Through Jesus’ death, God is inviting us back into His presence. The barrier is gone. The separation is over. The relationship is restored. Why This Matters Coleton explains: what we’re really looking for in...
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    44 mins
  • He is Good | The Visible Gospel | Mark 15:1-15 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | The Visible Gospel | Mark 15:1-15 | Coleton Segars
    Mar 24 2026
    The Visible Gospel Text: Mark 15:1–15 1. The Great Exchange: Jesus Takes the Place of the Guilty Coleton begins by grounding the message in a simple but powerful idea: the gospel is not abstract—it’s visible in this moment. Through the story of Jesus and Barabbas, we see something unforgettable: the innocent is condemned so the guilty can go free. Coleton illustrates this with a personal story (Sandra and Sam at Memphis Pizza), showing how this truth isn’t just theological—it’s deeply personal. At the core of his faith is this belief: “I believe that Jesus was condemned so that guilty sinners like me could be set free.” He then walks us through the scene: Jesus is falsely accused of being an insurrectionist.Barabbas is actually guilty of that exact crime.Yet Jesus takes Barabbas’ place. Even more striking: Barabbas’ name means “son of the father.”Jesus is the true Son of God the Father. So what we see is this: The true Son of the Father takes the place of a guilty “son of the father.” This is not just history—it’s a picture of what Jesus wants to do for us. Scripture Mark 15:1–15 Key Idea The innocent was condemned so that the guilty could go free. 2. For Those Who Know They Are Guilty and Struggle with Sin Coleton turns to those who feel stuck—people who are painfully aware of their sin and can’t seem to break free from it. He describes the internal cycle: You keep falling into the same sin.You feel guilt and frustration.You begin to wonder: “Will God really forgive me again?” He points us to Barabbas. Barabbas deserved: punishmentcondemnationjudgment But he received none of it—because of Jesus. And that’s the truth for us: Because of Jesus, we will never be treated as our sins deserve. Coleton addresses a subtle but common lie: We believe God forgives… until we sin again. Then we start to feel like: “This time He’s done with me.”“His grace has limits.” But Coleton reminds us: “Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.” Jesus was treated as our sin deserves—so we never have to be. Quote “He will always side with you against your sin, not against you because of your sin.” — Dane Ortlund Key Idea Jesus will never turn against you because of your sin—He always moves toward you with mercy. 3. For Those Living in the Wreckage of Their Sin Next, Coleton speaks to those whose lives bear the consequences of their choices. This is deeper than guilt—it’s damage: broken relationshipslost opportunitiesshattered trustemotional and spiritual fallout He describes the honest realization: “I did this. My sin caused this.” Barabbas knew that reality too. His life was wrecked by his own decisions—and it landed him in prison. But then something unexpected happens: Jesus brings life where only death was ahead. Coleton shares a powerful insight from a friend who had experienced this personally: “People may still see Barabbas as a criminal… but he is still walking in a new life and identity because of what Jesus did.” This is crucial: Jesus doesn’t always erase consequences.But He does bring new life in the middle of them. Coleton connects this to the story of the Prodigal Son: The son wrecks his life.He returns expecting rejection.Instead, the father restores him fully. God’s heart is not to leave you in the mess—He meets you in it and brings life. Key Idea Jesus doesn’t abandon you to your past—He brings life even in the places you’ve ruined. 4. For Those Questioning Jesus and Christianity Coleton then turns outward—to skeptics and seekers. He makes this clear: The story of Barabbas is not just about forgiveness—it’s about transformation. Jesus doesn’t just: remove guilt He also:change lives Coleton shares a historical challenge from Hugh Price Hughes to atheist Charles Bradlaugh: Bring even one life changed for the better by atheism, and I’ll debate you. Hughes would bring 100 lives transformed by Jesus. Bradlaugh declined. The point is simple: The gospel doesn’t just make claims—it changes people. Coleton then shares the story of actor Pietro Sarubbi (who played Barabbas in The Passion of the Christ). During filming, Sarubbi locked eyes with the actor portraying Jesus—and something unexpected happened: “When looking at me, his eyes had no hate… only mercy and love.” That moment led to his conversion. Coleton uses this to show: An encounter with Jesus changes everything. Scripture John 1:12 — “To all who did receive him… he gave the right to become children of God.”John 5 — “They have crossed over from death to life.” Key Idea Jesus offers both forgiveness and a completely new life—and all we must do is receive it. 5. The Invitation: Receive What Jesus Has Done Coleton closes by returning to Barabbas. Barabbas did nothing to earn his freedom. He didn’t: clean up his lifeprove himselfrepay Jesus He simply walked out of the prison. All he had to do was receive it. And Coleton ...
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    43 mins
  • He is Good | Dangers of Sin | Mark 14:66-72 | Coleton Segars

    He is Good | Dangers of Sin | Mark 14:66-72 | Coleton Segars
    Mar 16 2026
    The Dangers of Sin Mark 14:53–54; 66–72 Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus Every person is chasing something they believe will give them life—peace, approval, success, love—but many of the paths we take slowly lead us somewhere we never intended to go. Jesus offers a different way: a life where our deepest thirst is actually satisfied instead of slowly destroying us. Introduction: The Danger We Often Don’t Notice In this passage, we see one of the most heartbreaking moments in the life of Peter. Just hours earlier, Peter had passionately promised Jesus he would never deny Him—even if it meant death. Mark 14:30–31 “Today—before the rooster crows twice—you will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” Peter truly believed those words. He loved Jesus and meant what he said. Yet only a short time later, he denies even knowing Him. Coleton explains that this story reveals two serious dangers about sin that every follower of Jesus must understand. These dangers are not just about Peter’s failure—they reveal how sin works in all of our lives. 1. Sin Is Deceptive The first thing we see in this passage is that sin rarely announces itself loudly. Instead, it sneaks in quietly and gradually. Peter does not wake up that morning planning to deny Jesus. In fact, he has the exact opposite intention. He is trying to stay close to Jesus. Mark even tells us he followed Him into the courtyard of the high priest. Mark 14:54 “Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.” Peter wants to stay nearby in case there is a moment when he can help Jesus. But in the process, something subtle begins to happen. The First Denial A servant girl recognizes him. Mark 14:67–68 “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said. But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Notice what happens here. Peter doesn’t panic or collapse emotionally. It barely registers with him that he has just done the very thing he promised he would never do. Sin often works exactly like this—it slips under the radar. The Second Denial When the accusation comes again, Peter denies it again. Still, he does not seem to recognize what is happening. In his mind, he may be rationalizing it: I’m not denying Jesus to the authorities. I’m just saying I don’t know what this girl is talking about. But compromise has already begun. The Third Denial The third denial is stronger and more aggressive. Mark 14:71–72 “He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about.’ Immediately the rooster crowed… Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken… and he broke down and wept.” In that moment, Peter wakes up to what he has done. He likely thinks: How did I get here? How did I become the person who did this? Coleton explains that this is exactly how sin works. It rarely pulls people into massive, dramatic failure immediately. Instead, it leads people there through small compromises that seem harmless. C.S. Lewis famously described this strategy: “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” —C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters Sin doesn’t start with catastrophic decisions. It begins with small steps: Not an affair, but hiding a texting conversation.Not addiction, but scrolling endlessly for comfort.Not hating your spouse, but constantly focusing on their flaws.Not deep bitterness, but refusing to forgive a small offense. These small compromises slowly move our hearts away from God. Peter later warns the church about this very danger: 1 Peter 5:8 “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Peter writes those words as someone who has experienced exactly how deception works. 2. Sin Cannot Give Us What We Actually Desire The second danger is that sin promises fulfillment but never delivers it. Peter is trying to protect his ability to stay near Jesus. His lies are meant to help him remain close and ready to act if the moment comes. But sin does not work that way. Instead of helping Peter accomplish his goal, sin leads him somewhere far worse—publicly denying the person he loves most. Coleton illustrates this with a powerful story about Olympic runner and World War II veteran Louis Zamperini, who survived a plane crash and drifted in the Pacific Ocean for 47 days. He was surrounded by water, desperately thirsty. But he could not drink the saltwater. Drinking it would only make things worse—causing dehydration, sickness, and eventually death. Steve Hoppe describes this reality: “Louie was dying of thirst, yet surrounded by water. The saltwater looked refreshing. It ...
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    40 mins