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Listen "He Is Good | Jesus the Cornerstone | Mark 12:10-11 | Coleton Segars"
Episode Synopsis
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 their cornerstone while not doing what He says—and then wondering why their life is falling apart. It’s not the cornerstone’s fault.”
He illustrated this with his son Teddy’s LEGO set. Without following the instructions, the pieces might form something, but not what it was designed to be. Likewise, our lives can “look like something” without being what God designed.
To make Jesus your cornerstone:
Put His words into practice.
Don’t just listen—live them.
Spend more time with Him.
“You become like who you’re around.” The more time you spend with Jesus—in Scripture, prayer, and reflection—the more you’ll begin to resemble Him.
Make alignment adjustments.
When the Spirit convicts you of areas where Jesus isn’t shaping you, repent. Realignment isn’t punishment—it’s protection.
He ended with a simple call: Make Jesus your cornerstone—because only He can carry the weight of your life.
Discussion Questions
What are some “cornerstones” that have shaped your decisions, emotions, or identity besides Jesus?
How does Jesus being the first and strongest stone reshape your understanding of what it means to follow Him daily?
When was the last time your life felt like it was “shaking”? What did that reveal about your foundation?
What’s one area of your life where you need to realign with Jesus’ words this week?
What habits or practices could help you spend more time with Jesus so that your life increasingly reflects His image?
Key Takeaway:
Your life will be shaped by whatever your cornerstone is. Only Jesus can bear that weight and make your life stand firm.
“‘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 their cornerstone while not doing what He says—and then wondering why their life is falling apart. It’s not the cornerstone’s fault.”
He illustrated this with his son Teddy’s LEGO set. Without following the instructions, the pieces might form something, but not what it was designed to be. Likewise, our lives can “look like something” without being what God designed.
To make Jesus your cornerstone:
Put His words into practice.
Don’t just listen—live them.
Spend more time with Him.
“You become like who you’re around.” The more time you spend with Jesus—in Scripture, prayer, and reflection—the more you’ll begin to resemble Him.
Make alignment adjustments.
When the Spirit convicts you of areas where Jesus isn’t shaping you, repent. Realignment isn’t punishment—it’s protection.
He ended with a simple call: Make Jesus your cornerstone—because only He can carry the weight of your life.
Discussion Questions
What are some “cornerstones” that have shaped your decisions, emotions, or identity besides Jesus?
How does Jesus being the first and strongest stone reshape your understanding of what it means to follow Him daily?
When was the last time your life felt like it was “shaking”? What did that reveal about your foundation?
What’s one area of your life where you need to realign with Jesus’ words this week?
What habits or practices could help you spend more time with Jesus so that your life increasingly reflects His image?
Key Takeaway:
Your life will be shaped by whatever your cornerstone is. Only Jesus can bear that weight and make your life stand firm.
In God we trust