Capstone Church

The one and only Chris Barrineau delivered the second part of our Generous series yesterday. I thought he did an excellent job. I am not a numbers person, but I was getting excited about some of the things that were being put on the board. Here are a few numbers that stuck out to me:

• $70,000 - That is how much money we have given away at Capstone Church. You have been so generous. Keep it up.
• 32% - That is percentage of our budget that we have given away. That is just an amazing thought.
• 30 - That is how many people in a year and a half have walked through the waters of baptism. That is a number that must continue to grow. Stay focused on the mission Stoners.

Today we began a new series at the Gathering. Generosity is something that we tend to emphasize around Christmas time. A lot of time, we will be a little more generous during those times, but generosity does not become a trait that marks us.

Walt preached from 2 Corinthians 8. Our generosity is to be based on the Gospel. I know there are many times when we don’t think we have been blessed. We look around at the people that are near to us, and we compare nickels and noses. The problem is we think that all the stuff that God has given us is meant supremely for us. Instead, we are stewards of the gifts and not owners.

Walt said, “Our joy is NOT found in our situation, but in our Savior.” Let that statement sit with you the rest of the day. We we find our contentment in Jesus and not our stuff, then our lives will be more generous.

Set List:

• Happy Day - Tim Hughes
• You Reign - Capstone Band
• Revelation Song - Kari Jobe
• God of this City - Chris Tomlin
• Solution - Hillsong United

Can you tell that Walt is passionate about the Harvest? Man he was on today. Such great truth faithfully taught from the Word. I am extremely grateful for the passion and abilities of Walt and Chris as they long to reach our community with the Gospel.

Today we focused on our connection with Jesus and the fruit that will come from that relationship. I love what Walt said today: “The fruit comes from our relationship with Jesus, we don’t go bear the fruit and then come to Jesus.” That sounds so simple, and yet that seems to be our tendency as we try to come to Jesus. For some reason we believe that we have to clean ourselves before we come to God. Hello, God sent his Son to die while we were still NASTY. So if he is willing to send his Son at that point, why would you try to clean yourself before submitting to him.

I pray that you will continue to grow on the vine. That you would set your hearts and minds on things above and not on earthly things. That you would preach the Gospel to yourself each day. I pray that as you grow in love with Christ that you would grow in your love for the lost.

Just a reminder, you can go to ITunes later this week and check ou the Capstone Podcast if you were not able to join us this morning. I would definitely say that you need to hear this message. Follow the link here.

Here Are the Songs We Sang Together Today:

• The Time Has Come - Hillsong United
• Rise and Sing - Fee
• Salvation is Here - Hillsong United
• I Surrender All - Capstone Version
• You Reign - Capstone Band

I am extremely grateful for freedom. The freedom that we have as a nation has come at a great price. Today we celebrated even more so the ULTIMATE sacrifice that was paid for our freedom. By GRACE and GRACE alone we have been given freedom from sin and slavery. We have been freed from our bondage.

Today Walt spoke passionately about the Harvest. Jesus’ prayer request in Matthew 9:35-38 reveals some characteristics of the Harvest. The harvest is very plentiful even in Fountain Inn. Within 10 square miles around Capstone there are 10,000 people not connected to a local community of faith. People who do NOT know of the FREEDOM that is found in Jesus.

The 3 Characteristics that Walt gave today are:

1. The Harvest has VALUE. Is there value for the lost in your heart?
2. The Harvest is READY. Are you ready to work the harvest?
3. The Harvest has URGENCY.

I don’t know how many know of this, but Capstone Church now has a podcast. We are recording sermons each week and posting them on the internet.  You can follow this link to access it.