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CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS

CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS

By: CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS
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At Christ Community Church (C3 Memphis) we are seeking to form followers in the way of Jesus so the fame and deeds of God are repeated in our time. We meet on Sunday mornings at 10:15AM.

For more information you can go to c3memphis.orgCopyright 2017 . All rights reserved. Spirituality
Episodes
  • 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
  • Question & Response Service | Coleton & Rainey Segars

    Question & Response Service | Coleton & Rainey Segars
    Mar 9 2026

    This week Coleton and Rainey offered some response to questions from our church community. Questions engaged the differences between the God of the Old Testament and the loving, forgiving God of the New Testament, to questions about end times theology, and women in ministry. We'd love for you to listen to the rest on the podcast.

    Every question we weren't able to get to in our service will be answered separately on our podcast. Stay tuned!
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    47 mins
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