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He Is Good | Jesus is Better | Mark 12:35-40 | Coleton Segars
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:
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. McKenna):
“Scribes served as consultants in estate planning for widows… They convinced lonely and susceptible women that their money should be given to the scribe… There is no better way to assure the confidence of widows than by a show of spirituality….”
What Jesus is condemning:
Religious leaders using spiritual authority to exploit and financially drain vulnerable people — particularly widows.
Modern Examples (summarized):
Coleton cites a heartbreaking list:
Coleton notes how reading these cases was “brutal.”
Comments under these articles echoed the same cry:
“This is why I want nothing to do with God or the church.”
Main Idea:
Spiritual abuse is real. It is evil. And Jesus does not tolerate it.
Jesus says those who do this will receive greater condemnation — a warning stronger than any critique we could offer.
A Turning Point: Why These Failings Should Draw You Closer to Jesus
Coleton makes a stunning and deeply pastoral turn:
If church corruption disgusts you, you have more in common with Jesus than you think.
Jesus agrees with you.
Jesus condemns what you condemn — and even more strongly.
He uses the opening verses of the text (Mark 12:35–37) to show that Jesus distance Himself from corrupt religious leaders by proving they don’t truly understand Scripture nor the identity of the Messiah.
“David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” — Mark 12:37
Jesus is saying:
“They don’t know Me. So don’t confuse them with Me.”
Their failures do not represent Him.
What This Means for Us — Applications
1. Fight the Temptation to Look Good on the Outside
We all want to hide flaws, curate an image, and appear righteous.
But image-based faith is like Banksy’s graffiti-cleaner artwork — adding paint on top of paint, looking busy but doing nothing real.
2. Watch Out — Guard Your Heart
Church hurt is real, but Jesus warns:
“Watch out.”
Don’t let the sins of others lead you to cynicism, bitterness, or disobedience.
Be discerning — not hardened.
3. Know Jesus So Well You Can Spot Counterfeits
Coleton shares an Anne Graham Lotz story:
A Scotland Yard expert studied real money so intensely that counterfeits were obvious.
Likewise:
Know the real Jesus deeply, so when someone distorts Him, you can see it — and not walk away from Him because of someone else’s misrepresentation.
Closing Gospel Picture — Jesus Is Not Like Them
Coleton ends with three contrasts showing why Jesus is worth drawing near to:
Jesus is nothing like the corrupt leaders who misuse His name.
So draw near to Him.
View all episodes
By CHRIST COMMUNITY CHURCH MEMPHIS
5
88 ratings
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:
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. McKenna):
“Scribes served as consultants in estate planning for widows… They convinced lonely and susceptible women that their money should be given to the scribe… There is no better way to assure the confidence of widows than by a show of spirituality….”
What Jesus is condemning:
Religious leaders using spiritual authority to exploit and financially drain vulnerable people — particularly widows.
Modern Examples (summarized):
Coleton cites a heartbreaking list:
Coleton notes how reading these cases was “brutal.”
Comments under these articles echoed the same cry:
“This is why I want nothing to do with God or the church.”
Main Idea:
Spiritual abuse is real. It is evil. And Jesus does not tolerate it.
Jesus says those who do this will receive greater condemnation — a warning stronger than any critique we could offer.
A Turning Point: Why These Failings Should Draw You Closer to Jesus
Coleton makes a stunning and deeply pastoral turn:
If church corruption disgusts you, you have more in common with Jesus than you think.
Jesus agrees with you.
Jesus condemns what you condemn — and even more strongly.
He uses the opening verses of the text (Mark 12:35–37) to show that Jesus distance Himself from corrupt religious leaders by proving they don’t truly understand Scripture nor the identity of the Messiah.
“David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?” — Mark 12:37
Jesus is saying:
“They don’t know Me. So don’t confuse them with Me.”
Their failures do not represent Him.
What This Means for Us — Applications
1. Fight the Temptation to Look Good on the Outside
We all want to hide flaws, curate an image, and appear righteous.
But image-based faith is like Banksy’s graffiti-cleaner artwork — adding paint on top of paint, looking busy but doing nothing real.
2. Watch Out — Guard Your Heart
Church hurt is real, but Jesus warns:
“Watch out.”
Don’t let the sins of others lead you to cynicism, bitterness, or disobedience.
Be discerning — not hardened.
3. Know Jesus So Well You Can Spot Counterfeits
Coleton shares an Anne Graham Lotz story:
A Scotland Yard expert studied real money so intensely that counterfeits were obvious.
Likewise:
Know the real Jesus deeply, so when someone distorts Him, you can see it — and not walk away from Him because of someone else’s misrepresentation.
Closing Gospel Picture — Jesus Is Not Like Them
Coleton ends with three contrasts showing why Jesus is worth drawing near to:
Jesus is nothing like the corrupt leaders who misuse His name.
So draw near to Him.
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