CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS

Good News of Great Joy Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus Christmas announces that God didn’t step into the world to shame us or control us, but to rescue us from what’s destroying us, heal what’s broken inside us, and give us the life we’ve been longing for. If that kind of hope exists, it’s worth taking a serious look at Jesus. Sermon Summary Introduction: The Eucatastrophe of Christmas Coleton begins with the angelic announcement in Luke 2:8–11, where shepherds—ordinary, overlooked people—are met by the glory of God in the middle of the night. “There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby… An angel of the Lord appeared to them… ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:8–11) Coleton introduces the idea of eucatastrophe, a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien, meaning “an unexpected breaking in of goodness that changes everything.” A catastrophe is an unexpected disaster that alters life for the worse; a eucatastrophe is the opposite—unexpected goodness that permanently alters reality for the better. That, Coleton says, is exactly what the angels are announcing. Christmas is not sentimental nostalgia—it is the declaration that something has happened that changes everything. And the angel insists this news is meant to produce great joy. Coleton then asks the central question of the message: Why should the birth of Jesus cause great joy? He gives three reasons. 1. Jesus Came to Rescue Us from Sin “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you.” (Luke 2:11) The first word the angel uses to describe Jesus is Savior. Coleton emphasizes that this is not accidental—this is the core announcement of Christmas: a rescuer has come to you. Matthew clarifies what kind of rescue Jesus brings: “He will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Coleton explains that many in Israel expected a rescuer from Roman oppression, but God identified a deeper enemy. From God’s perspective, sin is a greater threat than any external circumstance. Sin is not just rule-breaking; it is a destructive power that poisons life from the inside out. Scripture says: “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) Sin always pays out in destruction—relationally, emotionally, spiritually. Coleton illustrates this with a personal story from a home renovation: exposed live wires in the wall when his son Teddy was three years old. He wanted Teddy to obey him—but not simply because “I said so.” The deeper reason was that touching the wire would cause serious harm or even death. In the same way, God’s commands are not arbitrary. Sin is dangerous. God forbids it because it kills us. The problem is not just that sin is harmful—it’s that we are drawn to it. Coleton traces this reality through Scripture: Adam and Eve fixated on the one forbidden tree. Genesis 6:5 describes humanity’s hearts as bent toward evil. Romans 7 shows Paul describing sin like an addiction he wants to resist but can’t. “Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24) Coleton names experiences we all recognize: Wanting to stop being angry but feeling trapped Wanting to forgive but being unable Wanting to stop fearing, lusting, worrying, or discontentment He quotes John Piper: “Sin is the suicidal abandonment of joy.” This is why Christmas is good news: Jesus has come to rescue us from the addictive desire to do what destroys us. Paul answers his own question: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) Through the cross, sin’s power is broken. “Our old self was crucified with him… that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6) Coleton quotes Jackie Hill Perry: “When Jesus died and rose, He gave you power to defeat sin… You are not a slave. You are free. You just have to believe that and walk in it.” — Jackie Hill Per

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING Mark 12:41–44 Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus: Jesus sees value where the world sees insignificance. The God who notices a poor widow’s two pennies is the same God who sees you and knows you. SERMON SUMMARY Jesus sits in the temple, watching people give their offerings. In a surprising move, He draws His disciples’ attention—not to the wealthy, powerful, or impressive, but to a poor widow who drops in two tiny coins. Her gift, seemingly worthless, becomes one of the most famous moments of worship in all of Scripture. Coleton teaches that Jesus uses this woman as an object lesson to form His disciples—and us. The heart of the message is this: Jesus highlights this woman because He wants His followers to live with her kind of obedience, sacrifice, and trust. Coleton explores three reasons Jesus focuses our attention on this woman’s life. 1. Be Obedient With the Seemingly Insignificant Stuff Mark 12:41–42 “Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.” Jesus watches people give. Many contribute large sums, but a poor widow drops in two lepta—the smallest coins in circulation. Mark Strauss writes: “Two lepta could almost purchase a handful of flour… less than one penny today.” In other words, her gift can’t pay for anything. If we watched her give, most of us would be tempted to say, “Ma’am, please keep it. It won’t help.” But she gives anyway. She does not give based on outcomes or impact—she gives out of obedience. This is the first lesson: Obedience is not about impact. It’s about faithfulness. Christians often fall into disobedience because we think: What difference will forgiving them make? What difference will praying make? What difference will reading my Bible make? What difference does kindness make? But Coleton reminds us: Nearly everything God calls His people to do looks insignificant in the moment—but God loves to use small acts to unleash enormous outcomes. Examples from Scripture: Moses: “Raise your staff over the sea.” Joshua: “March around Jericho.” Samuel: “Anoint the youngest son, the shepherd boy.” And the results? A sea split, walls fell, and David became Israel’s greatest king. Examples from Jesus’ ministry: “Fill the jars with water.” “Bring me what bread you have.” “Go show yourself to the priest.” Again and again, God works through small acts of obedience. Coleton then shares the story of David Wilkerson, the small-town pastor who obeyed a tiny, strange prompting: stop watching TV at night and pray instead. That insignificant act eventually led him to New York City, to ministry among gang members, to founding Teen Challenge, and to beginning Times Square Church—now influencing 140 nations. What began with giving up TV changed lives worldwide. Coleton also shares from his own life: A simple prayer to surrender his life to Jesus Reading Scripture daily Going to counseling Turning the other cheek Fasting and praying None of these felt dramatic in the moment. All of them changed his life. Point: God delights to work through the small things. Jesus points to this woman because she obeys God even in the places that seem insignificant. 2. Be Obedient Even When It Costs You Mark 12:44 “They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” The widow’s obedience isn’t just small—it’s costly. She gives all she has. Literally, she “lays down her whole life.” James R. Edwards paraphrases the Greek: “She lay down her whole life.” This is the second reason Jesus points to her: Jesus wants followers who obey even when obedience costs them something. Coleton notes that Western Christians often prefer convenient obedience. But true discipleship requires sacrifice. C.S. Lewis wrote: “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give… The only safe rule is to give more than we can spare… If our chariti

In his sermon, Larry explores the central idea that God communicates His most important truths not primarily through words, but through pictures, signs, and especially people. Beginning with the saying “a picture is worth a thousand words,” Larry explains that some realities are simply too deep to express with language alone. This is why God filled Scripture with vivid symbols—trees, rainbows, the Passover, the Red Sea, the tabernacle, baptism, bread, and wine—because these images convey what words often cannot.   He then shows that God’s favorite picture—His clearest sign—has always been people themselves. The lives of biblical figures communicated divine messages more powerfully than their speeches. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea lived out symbolic actions that illustrated God’s heart: Isaiah naming his sons “Destruction is coming” and “The remnant will return”; Jeremiah burying and retrieving a ruined loincloth; Hosea marrying an unfaithful woman to embody God’s relentless love; Ezekiel being commanded not to mourn his wife to display the depth of coming national sorrow.   These people’s lives were the message. Larry emphasizes that Jesus is the ultimate sign and picture of God. Jesus’ life, not only His teachings, reveals what God is like—His compassion, His priorities, His character. Jesus embodied the fullness of the Old Testament and made the invisible God visible, fulfilling humanity’s original calling to be God’s image-bearers. Our first vocation was not gardening, Larry notes, but image-bearing—making visible the invisible qualities of God in everyday life.   Christians today carry that same calling. People around us cannot see God’s patience, forgiveness, mercy, or truthfulness—but they can see those qualities expressed through the lives of God’s people. December, Larry points out, is a uniquely open-hearted season. In conversations, stores, gatherings, and family events, believers have an opportunity not to push opinions on politics or morality but to embody God’s goodness, becoming His “light and salt” in the world.   Larry applies this especially to parenting and grandparenting. The most powerful influence we have on the next generation isn’t nagging, lecturing, or pushing principles—it’s showing a superior, joyful life, one that demonstrates God’s character rather than merely describing it. Children and grandchildren learn less from what we say and more from what we consistently live. To illustrate this, Larry recalls his father’s transformation and the unforgettable picture of obedience he displayed when God called him to reconcile with someone he deeply disliked.   That image shaped Larry more than any speech his father ever gave. Ultimately, Larry calls believers to embrace their identity as God’s image-bearers, empowered by grace to make the invisible God visible wherever they go. Discussion Questions for Putting the Message into Practice Visibility of God:What invisible qualities of God (grace, truth, patience, forgiveness, courage, generosity) do you feel called to “make visible” this month? December Opportunities:Where is God sending you this month—stores, workplaces, gatherings—where you could intentionally embody His character? Influence Through Example:Think of someone in your life who watched your actions more than your words (a child, coworker, friend). What picture are you currently painting for them? Obedience Promptings:When was the last time God nudged you to do something uncomfortable? What might obedience look like now, even if you don’t want to do it? Life as a Symbol:If someone could only see your life—not hear your beliefs—what would they conclude about what God is like?

JESUS IS BETTER Mark 12:35–40 Culture of Gospel Share this with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus If corruption, hypocrisy, and abuse inside the church have ever made you question Jesus, let this sink in: Jesus condemned those things even more fiercely than you do. What you hate about religion is often the very reason you might love Jesus — because He exposes that darkness and stands against it. Sermon Summary In this message, Coleton walks deeply into one of Jesus’ sharpest public confrontations with religious leaders. Drawing from Mark 12:35–40, he exposes three behaviors of the teachers of the law that still plague the church today — behaviors that cause people to lose trust, walk away, or become disgusted with religion altogether. But instead of letting these failings push us from Jesus, Coleton argues they should push us closer to Him, because Jesus Himself condemns these very abuses more clearly, more passionately, and more fiercely than we ever could. What follows is Coleton’s three-point framework, each grounded in Scripture, history, and modern examples, ultimately leading us toward a posture of repentance, discernment, and deeper intimacy with Jesus. 1. Hypocritical Lifestyle — Appearing Righteous (vv. 38, 40) Scripture: “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect… and for a show make lengthy prayers.” — Mark 12:38, 40 Historical Note (Mark Strauss): “Teachers of the law wore long white linen robes… These garments imitated the robes worn by priests and so ‘signified’ religious devotion.” Jesus’ critique:  They projected holiness to gain admiration, honor, and spiritual credibility, but inside they were spiritually dead. Coleton highlights Jesus’ words from Matthew where He calls them “whitewashed tombs” — clean and impressive on the outside, but hiding decay beneath. He describes Bryn Gilet’s painting of the Pharisee and tax collector, showing a beautifully posed, self-righteous Pharisee whose “worship” is nothing more than polished emptiness. Modern Example: Coleton shares his disillusionment with a once-admired pastor whose hidden lifestyle contradicted everything he preached. The fallout devastated a church, wounded countless people, and embodied this exact hypocrisy Jesus condemned. Main Idea: Hypocrisy in spiritual leaders makes people question everything — the church, the message, even Jesus Himself.  But Jesus is not soft on hypocrisy. He hates it.  He exposes it, condemns it, and warns His followers to stay alert to it. 2. Using God to Get Better Treatment & Better Stuff (vv. 38–39) Scripture: “They like to… be greeted with respect… and have the most important seats… and the places of honor at banquets.” — Mark 12:38–39 Commentary (David Guzik): “They taught that teachers were to be respected almost as much as God… The greatest act someone could do was to give money to a teacher… Of course, it was the teachers themselves who taught this.” What’s happening here? These leaders used Scripture as a tool to extract honor, wealth, and privilege for themselves. They weren’t shepherds — they were spiritual opportunists. Modern Examples: Coleton highlights real stories we all see far too often: Pastors who demand honorific treatment.  Churches where members must publicly declare their tithes.  Preachers who use the pulpit to justify private jets or lavish lifestyles.  Leaders who shame people into financial giving.  He tells of a man who built a multi-million-dollar home for a pastor and said simply, “This is why I don’t trust the church.”  He didn’t know Scripture — he just knew something felt wrong. Main Idea: When spiritual authority becomes a platform for personal gain, the world sees right through it — and they should.  Jesus Himself calls out this manipulation long before modern critics ever did. 3. Using Power to Prey on the Weak (v. 40) Scripture: “They devour widows’ houses…” — Mark 12:40 Commentary (David L. McKenn

The Greatest Command — Mark 12:28–34 Culture of Gospel One of the things we want as a church is to grow in our ability to share about Jesus with those who don’t know Jesus. Use this summary statement to share with someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus: “Jesus isn’t inviting you into cold religion or a list of demands—He’s inviting you into the kind of love that reshapes your life from the inside out. The God of the universe doesn’t want your performance; He wants your heart. Sermon Summary Introduction Coleton opens by naming the central question every follower of Jesus must answer: What matters most to God? Not: What matters most to Christians, churches, or religious culture… but what matters most to God Himself. Jesus answers that question directly in Mark 12. And Coleton’s goal is simple: To show what God values most. To show why it matters. To show what this means for our church and for each person individually. 1. What Matters Most to God? Mark 12:29–30 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” The most important thing to God is that you love Him. Not that you serve Him. Not that you behave correctly. Not that you meet moral standards. Not that you avoid sin. Love is the highest command. What Most People Think Matters Most to God Coleton names the most common assumptions Christians carry: “God mostly wants me to get saved.” “God mostly wants me to stop sinning.” “God mostly wants me to pray more, read more, go to church more.” “God mostly wants me to serve the poor, give money, volunteer, or be more missional.” All important. But not most important. Jesus’ Rebuke of Ephesus—Proof That Good Works ≠ Love Revelation 2:2–5 “I know your deeds… Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first… Repent.” This church was doctrinally strong. Morally clean. Active in service. Enduring hardship. Doing everything “right.” And Jesus still says: You do not love Me anymore. And failing to love Him is so serious that Jesus warns: “If you do not repent, I will remove your lampstand.” God cares more about your affection for Him than the actions you perform in His name. Key Point Doing things for God is not the same as loving God. 2. Why This Matters: Love for God Shapes Who You Become One of the main reasons this is the greatest command is because love is what transforms you. God wants His people to be: Compassionate Generous Sacrificial Humble Pure Joyful Loving toward neighbor and enemy But these things don’t come from effort or trying harder. They grow naturally out of love. Illustration: Coleton and Rainey’s Early Relationship When they were dating long-distance: He drove 8 hours overnight just to spend a few hours with her. He wrote letters daily. He spent money he didn’t have to buy her meals and gifts. He thought about her constantly. Why? Not because she handed him a list of rules. Because he loved her. Love makes sacrifice a joy. Love makes devotion natural. Love makes obedience a delight. This Is What God Wants With You When you love Him… Spending time with Him becomes natural. Sacrificing for Him becomes joy. Worship becomes expression, not obligation. Caring for the poor flows from His heart in yours. Sin loses its power because your love is captured elsewhere. Spurgeon Quote (used by Coleton) “Jesus loved you when you lived carelessly… when you were hiding your every sin… even when you were at hell’s gate… Think of His great love towards you… and your love will grow.” Why Other Commands Aren’t “Most Important” Because all of them grow out of the soil of love for God. Love is the tree—everything else is fruit. 3. What This Means for Our Church Coleton gives a strong pastoral warning: Churches die not because culture changes or neighborhoods shift. Churches die when they stop loving Jesus. Revelation