Capstone Church

Just in case you were not able to be at the Gathering yesterday I wanted to post the SOAP readings for this week.

Day 1: Genesis 1:26-31

· Looking at some verses dealing with the topic of marriage. For the Christian, a happy marriage is NOT the goal. The goal is to have a Christ-centered marriage. We can come to the end of our lives after having a happy marriage and realize that we did not please God. So today we are going to look at the beginning of marriage. From the very beginning God creates marriage. His idea. His plan. His creation. So let us look to him for guidance.

Day 2: Genesis 2:15-25

· We get a detailed description of God creating Adam and Eve. Chapter two just takes the last verses of chapter one and puts a magnifying glass on it. So God brings Adam a helper, a partner. I would encourage you today to give thanks for your partner. If you are single, pray for your future helper. I know things may not be Happily Ever After in your marriage, but lift each other up before the throne.

Day 3: Ephesians 5:25-33

· The next two days we will look at some roles of wives and husbands. Do NOT use this as a weapon on your spouse. Instead examine yourself with the Word (2 Cor 13:5). Husbands love your wives as Christ. What a command! This is huge. We are called to sanctify our wives and to present them to the King. We are RESPONSIBLE.

Day 4: Ephesians 5:22-24; 33

· It is the BIG “S” word. Paul has called the wife to SUBMIT. Please remember this is the same submission that is to be seen in the church submitting to Christ. That is the parallel. Marriage was designed by God to be an illustration of His love for the church. Be that illustration for your family, for your friends, and for the lost.

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 7:29-35

· I said at the beginning of the week that our goal is to have a Christ-centered marriage. Please read what Paul says here. This is not the passage that preachers go to when discussing marriage. Time is SHORT. We are to be about the mission of making Christ known. Please don’t take this as permission to ignore your spouse, but instead remember that our ultimate allegiance is to God and his mission.

Sunday Morning was less about learning about The Splendor, and more about sitting in His splendor consumed by the shadow of the Cross.  We spent much of our time at the Gathering in worship with through song, scripture being poured out, and taking part in Communion together.

We ended Majesty with Communion because we wanted to end with the ultimate expression of thanks to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The sacrament of communion is to be taken with us examining our selves and coming before our Savior in thanksgiving of the sacrifice made so that we may have Life. May be always know and never forget the Majesty of the God we serve!

Here are the Scriptures we read through out the service that will continue to remind of us His Majesty:

Psalm 93:1
Psalm 145:1-5
Psalm 104:1-3
Psalm 96:4-6
1 Chronicles 29:11
Jude 1:24-25

Set List:
Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
Majesty the Charlie Hall Version
Rescue by Jared Anderson
You are Holy by Elevation Band
From the Inside Out by Hillsong United
Let Your Kingdom Reign by Elevation Band
Hungry by Kathryn Scott

The Cross: Matthew 27

Read and Experience what Christ did not only for you but for all of mankind! Today at 3pm say a special prayer thank you for Christ sacrifice on this Good Friday.

The Trial: Matthew 26:47-75

As we read the trial of Jesus we see no justice, just agendas.  Christ - the son of God - sat in this atmosphere of hate and evil already understanding the verdict.  He was belittled, mocked, and beaten.  These religious leaders were threatened and were willing to do what ever it took to rid themselves of this Jesus of Nazareth.  These men said they were protecting God, when in reality they were murdering the very one He sent to save them.  But pride and focus caused them to miss God in the flesh.  Instead they gathered in a room with God himself and sentenced him to death.  

What in our lives do we fight so hard to protect, but pride might be blinding us?  There are many times in life we are a lot like these religious leaders who thought they were doing good - instead of listening to God’s voice.

The Garden: Matthew 26:36-56

Some people question whether Christ felt pain on the cross.  They ask if he stressed or was concerned.  After reading these words I don’t know how anyone could say anything be “YES.”  Three times Christ spends time in prayer with His Father asking if there is any other way for it to be revealed.  And each time he said if this is Your will- may it be done.  The Obedience of one man freed us all.

The cup that Christ is referring to in His prayer is the Cup of Wrath (Psalm 75:8 / Isaiah 51:17)  that God promises to pour out on humanity for its sin. Christ knew to take this cup meant a brutal and agonizing death.  This cup was taken from our hands and placed in Jesus’.  It was us who deserved this cup.  It was us who make choices to fill the cup even higher.  Yet it was Jesus who drank from this cup.  It was Jesus who prayed so hard that he sweat blood.  The next three days were for us, and Christ knew the sacrifice essential for victory. He loves us that much!

Yesterday the disciples said they would never run.  Today we see at the end of verse 56 that all the disciples fled.  These men who said one thing but when it came to crunch time ran.  As Christ followers I pray that we would not say something and then run when we are tested.  May our hearts be strong and brave as we, like the disciples, will face tribulation and trials.  For Christ drank from the Cup of Wrath - may we honor Him with our lives.