Red Rocks Church: "Crack Back" (October 25, 2025)

Series: Kiss the Fire
Speaker: Sean (assumed from context)

Episode Overview

This episode closes out the "Kiss the Fire" teaching series—a deeply personal and motivational message centered on perseverance during life’s hardships. Sean unpacks lessons from his ongoing journey with a degenerative brain disease, urging listeners not just to endure, but to fight back with faith, community, and purpose. The main themes are resilience, the power of spiritual and personal support structures, and transforming personal pain into redemptive action for others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Series Recap and Episode Context

• What is “Kiss the Fire”?

  • The phrase was coined by Sean’s friend and coach, Mark Montoya, after Sean’s diagnosis. It’s about not running from life’s difficulties (“the fire”) but facing them head-on, refusing to lose joy, peace, or faith.
  • “We don’t run from fires in life. We face them and we refuse to give up.” (05:40)

• Foundational Scripture:

  • Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (06:38)

2. The Power of Testimony

• Personal Vulnerability:
  • Sean shares his emotional and spiritual struggles post-diagnosis, including feeling isolated and wanting to give up.
  • The episode highlights that testimonies (“the word of our testimony”) are God’s tool against darkness—Revelation 12.

3. Three Key Encouragements

I. Get Yourself a Fight Club (Community)

• Story:

  • After shutting himself off post-diagnosis, Sean’s friends and small group (“Fight Club”) showed up at his house—praying, crying, and supporting him in authentic, sometimes unconventional ways (“there were some cuss words in those prayers…” 20:11).
  • Coach Mark initiated weekly boxing sessions, supporting Sean physically and emotionally (33:10).

• Point:

  • Don’t try to fight life’s battles alone. Authentic, persistent community is essential.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other's burdens…” (41:04)

• Quote:

  • “You deserve that. When you go through something really tough, that you got some people who come over to your house uninvited who say, no, I just heard you fell, and I’m here to pick you up.” (33:54)
  • Action Step: Get in a group or team—don’t isolate.

II. Decide to Crack Back (Spiritual Offense)

• Definition (from Coach Mark):

  • “To crack back means to immediately return fire after being hit or pressured. A fast, decisive counter designed to reclaim rhythm, score points, and mentally reset the exchange in your favor.” (47:21)

• Spiritual Application:

  • When attacked—by disease, depression, or discouragement—don’t just survive; respond by helping others, sharing your story, and serving.
  • Drawing from Genesis 50:20 (“what the enemy intended for harm, God intended for good…”), Sean stresses that you can turn your story, pain, and weakness into weapons against the enemy.

• Example:

  • Using personal pain as testimony and comfort for others, just as Paul did (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 55:10).
  • Sean recounts how even his son saw purpose in Sean’s suffering, “Cause my dad will just use it to tell people about Jesus.” (1:03:09)

• Practical Challenge:

  • Don’t waste your pain: ask God who you can help because of what you’ve endured.
  • Prayer shared for screenshot:
    • “God, show me one person I can help because of what I’ve been through and give me the courage to do it.” (1:19:18)

• Memorable Moment:

  • Sean recounts a fireman who doubted his ability to help after his own suicide attempt. Sean replies:
    • “You’re going to be the best kind of counselor. Because you’re not going to talk to them in theory. You’re going to be able to say, I’ve been there, but God got me through it.” (1:14:37)

III. Remember You’re Not Just Fighting for You

• Self-Disclosure:

  • Shares about checking into an anxiety treatment center while pastoring a large church, feeling crippled by shame and self-centered struggle.
  • Over time, realized his perseverance was not just for himself but to model faith for his family and others.

• Memorable Quote:

  • “Somebody needs to see you fight.” (1:27:19)

• Reflection Moment:

  • Watching his sons serve in the church, Sean realizes his fight made generational impact:
    • “Aren't you glad you didn't give up?” (1:34:11)

• Scripture Tie-In:

  • Jesus to his disciples (paraphrased):
    • “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but someday you will.” (John 13:7, 1:37:49)

• Perspective Shift:

  • You don’t know who’s watching. Your endurance might be the faith foundation for your children, family, or unseen others.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.” (16:25)
• “Don't fight through this stuff alone. Whatever you're going through, we need to chase down the plans God has for us with his people.” (41:22)
• “When an opponent lands, you don't freeze or retreat. You crack back to reestablish dominance…” (47:56)
• “God doesn't use us… in spite of our brokenness. He uses us because of the way we're broken.” (1:12:20)
• “What you find out over time is those aren't lists of reasons why God can't use you. That becomes a resume of all the reasons how he can use you.” (1:18:27)
• Dedication to his sons (read aloud):
  • “To my three boys… I don’t know what this world will throw at you, but I know that the power of God is enough to get you through it no matter what. Don’t stop trusting God… Don’t you ever give up…” (1:41:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Series Context: 00:02-08:14
• Testimony Power & Vulnerability: 08:15-18:47
• Fight Club & Community: 18:48-41:45
• Crack Back—Spiritual Offense: 41:46-1:19:59
• Making Your Pain a Platform for Others: 1:12:20-1:19:59
• Fighting for Others & Legacy: 1:20:00-1:40:40
• Dedication to His Sons: 1:41:40-1:43:20
• Closing Prayer & Challenge: 1:43:21-END

Takeaways & Action Steps

• Get yourself a “fight club”: Build a trustworthy, challenging, supportive community.
• Don’t just absorb hardship—crack back: Use your pain to serve and point others to Jesus.
• Remember, your perseverance is generational: Someone needs to witness your fight.
• Ask God to show you who needs your story: Take a step to encourage and help, even when you’re still in the storm.

Ending Note/Tone

Sean’s closing is warm, defiant, and vulnerable. He reiterates God’s faithfulness in suffering, encourages prayer for miracles, and celebrates every decision for Christ.

“No matter what fire we go through, you are with us, and we will not be afraid.” (1:46:19)

Listeners walk away emboldened to face their own “fire,” step into community, and let God redeem even their darkest seasons for the good of others.