Capital City Church International

The Promise Of The Father

Keith Brunken — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:00:59 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Acts 1:1-11

Life…and Death

Rick Martinez — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:20:43 +0000

My wife Kath’s dad is 91 years old. He was born in 1920. He lived through the great depression, served in World War II, raised a family in the 50′s, and watched the world change dramatically through the end of the 20th century. Today, his life is nearing its end as he lives out his length of days with his loving family gathering to surround him during his life’s final moments.

Life is an amazingly beautiful and mysterious thing. It is such a gift, being given by God to experience the world He created for our pleasure and enjoyment. It is filled with such joy, such happiness, and with such sadness and sorrow as well. Sometimes I just stop and think, “What is life?” It is so much more than a biological interaction between organisms on a spinning sphere in the universe. But to define life is almost impossible in some ways, apart from a faith in God, because it is faith in God that gives this life its meaning and context. And more importantly it is the same faith that dispels the fear of death.

You cannot think of life without thinking of death. Well, you can for a little while I guess, but eventually we all have to face the inevitably of death’s existence. The first time a child loses a gold fish or a dog, as a parent we have to try to explain what death is to them. And then when they are old enough to understand the death of a grandparent or other close relative, death suddenly becomes very real and way too final for their young hearts and minds.

I first experienced death’s finality when my grandma passed away when I was 7 years old. She died in our home after a short illness. I remember coming home from school to a house filled with grief and tears. I remember the funeral…I had to leave because I became sick from the overwhelming sense of sadness in the atmosphere. And I remember being haunted by the unknown of what death was as a child, until I was old enough to bury my fear of it in the haze of marijuana smoke and LSD.

But it wasn’t until I came to faith in Jesus at age 25 that I was finally able to face the enemy death head on. I understood then through my new found faith, that unknown to me death had already been at work in me. And I understood for the first time, that through faith in Jesus’ death for me, and His resurrection from that death, I had passed from death to life eternally and I would never have to fear death’s grip again! There is no greater comfort or joy than knowing that those you love are passing on into eternity secure in God’s love.

As these bodies groan under the weight of sin’s consequence, our souls live on, stronger and stronger each passing day. The Bible says this life is like a mere breath, like the grass in a field…so fleeting in light of eternity. The Psalmist asked, “What is man that your are mindful of him?” Of course later the same Psalmist gave the answer to his own question. It is that man is “fearfully and wonderfully made”, created in the image of God Himself.

Yet, this thing called life remains mostly a mystery, and for the true believer, the passage from this life to the next will forever be holy ground.

The death of one that belongs to the Lord is precious in his sight.
Psalm 116:15

The Reason For It All

Keith Brunken — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 01:00:15 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 8:15-17

A Heart Postured For Action

Keith Brunken — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 01:00:10 +0000

Speaker: Todd Roome

Scripture: Acts 20:31-38

Sin Conscious Or Life Conscious

Keith Brunken — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:00:37 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 7:1 – 8:5

What Will You Do With Christ?

Keith Brunken — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:00:22 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Acts 2:22-41

The Power Of The Tomb

Rick Martinez — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:25:21 +0000

Saturday of the Passion Week

I am writing this week on events that took place each day of the week prior to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Please read the highlighted text, as it will serve as the basis for what I have written as the devotional. God bless you as you meditate on the grace of God poured out for you!

Matthew 27:62-66

That’s all there are in the Bible. Five verses to cover the whole day of Saturday, the day Jesus lay in the tomb dead from crucifixion. John in his gospel tells us it was also a Sabbath. On the Sabbath, Father God rested from His works. On a Sabbath the Lord Jesus rested from His as well. It was also the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was the second of three consecutive feasts on three consecutive days that the Jews celebrated. The first was the Passover, the second Unleavened Bread, and the third First Fruits.
Jesus was crucified on the Passover, He lay in the tomb on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and He rose on the day of the Feast of First Fruits. God’s plans and ways are so perfect.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread celebrated and reminded the Jews of God’s deliverance from Egypt. On the night the Passover was inaugurated, God commanded the nation to eat the Passover meal with their cloaks on, with their sandals on, with their staffs in their hands and to only eat unleavened bread, because they were to eat the meal in haste. Literally they wouldn’t have time to let the bread rise, so they must eat it unleavened. Passover represents God’s judgment on Egypt and foreshadowed the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. The Feast of Unleavened Bread represents God’s deliverance from the power of sin and its oppression on mankind. If the cross dealt with sins I committed, the tomb deals with the sin tendency in me. I sin because I am sinful. The cross and the tomb. Friday and Saturday. Passover and Unleavened Bread. Forgiveness and deliverance. Thank God for both.

If we are to walk in the fullness of the New Testament revelation as believers, we must be convinced of the delivering power of the three-day period between the crucifixion and the resurrection of our Lord. Forgiveness from sin is wonderful and our redemption is certain because of the cross. But the intended fruitfulness of the resurrection life of Jesus at work in me is founded on the certainty of the delivering power of the grave of Jesus Christ.
“Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death…If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.” Romans 6:4-5

Saints of God, the only time a resurrection is needed is when you are dead! To celebrate the resurrection is to have fully experienced the tomb. The work of the tomb must be complete and when it is fully embraced (which baptism is intended to portray), it will have its perfect work in me. A dead man is free from sin. The power of sin’s hold on me has been broken. This is the power of the tomb. The Feast of Unleavened Bread prophesied a people who had been delivered from sin’s bondage and then the grave’s hold would be broken the next day. Tomorrow we will celebrate that victory, but today, know that you are free. Free from the hold of sin, free from your slavery to pharaoh, free from Satan’s grip on your life. Yes, that Saturday over 2,000 years was a good day for you and me!

Once again Lord, I am amazed at your plan and in awe of your wisdom. The tomb in which Jesus lay was so important for my future. Now through my faith in Your Son, Father, I too have died and been buried with Christ. I am now dead to the law…and dead to sin. Help me through grace to understand the power of the tomb as it broke sin’s power off of my life. Amen!

It Is Finished

Rick Martinez — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 16:50:21 +0000

Friday of the Passion Week

Matthew 27:45-54

The darkness that covered Jerusalem from noon to 3 PM was symbolic of the darkness that enveloped the Lord Jesus as He hung on the cross. The darkness of sin and its consequences meant that for the first time in His humanity, Jesus felt separation from His Father. But it was more than just separation. The Bible tells us that the full wrath of God fell upon Jesus for the sins of all of mankind, both those who had lived and those yet to live. Finally, the ultimate reason He had come was realized. He died and paid the price demanded by the law in order for redemption to be made, and in dying he made atonement for the sin of man. Truly He was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. And as he died, John tells us that He breathed His last and said, “It is finished.”

Matthew records several amazing things that happened immediately after Jesus died. First the curtain that separated the Holy Place (where the priests were able to enter at will) from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom…a sign that no man could have torn it. It was behind that curtain where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, where the High Priest would enter only once a year and make atonement for the nation of Israel, only to have to return again and again each year. But now that would no longer be needed. Access to God was forever made through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus. Atonement had been made once and for all and the torn curtain was a picture that truly it was finished. There was a massive earthquake in the city and the tombs broke open and the bodies of many who had died in faith were raised to life! Can you imagine the shock in the city as they went into the city and were seen by people throughout the city? Truly, the power of not only sin had been broken but now it was clear that the power of death could no longer hold the righteous in the tombs. It was finished!

Satan had been dealt a fatal blow. The prophesy in Genesis 3:15 that God had made concerning the serpent’s coming defeat was fulfilled. The Redeemer’s heel had been bruised, but the serpent’s head had been crushed by that bruised heel. As Jesus had foretold, the strong man had been bound. It was finished. It is finished!

And now, for we who believe, the implications are too numerous to list here. But first, He must face the tomb.

It is finished. Father let those words sink deep into my heart, deep into my spirit. It is finished. Spirit of God speak to me of the meaning of those words, of all the implications of that great truth…it is finished.

What Is A Life Worth?

Rick Martinez — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:15:07 +0000

Thursday of the Passion Week

I am writing this week on events that took place each day of the week prior to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Please read the highlighted text, as it will serve as the basis for what I have written as the devotional. God bless you as you meditate on the grace of God poured out for you!

Matthew 26:6-56

The two days before Jesus was crucified were days of great highs and deep, deep lows. It began with a great act of worship being bestowed upon the Lord Jesus as a woman anointed His head with a very expensive perfume. Her abandoned worship was more than a simple act. She was also symbolically prophesying His immanent death. And beautifully appropriate was that it took place in the home of Simon, a leper who was probably cleansed and healed by Jesus sometime previously during His travels. It’s possible the woman who anointed Him was a woman set free and healed by touching His garment. Or perhaps it was a prostitute or an adulteress, who rather than being condemned by Him was forgiven. All were lives that had been changed powerfully by the love of God. Some of the disciples were indignant at the “waste”. How ironic that anything could be considered too valuable to be poured out upon the One who would be poured out for us.

That same day ended with Judas agreeing to hand Jesus over to the authorities for thirty silver coins. Their value today is not clear, but we know it was enough to buy a field, which the chief priests did after Judas hung himself. They purchased the potter’s field with the same coins they had used to pay Judas to betray the Lord. A field that became a plot for burial for foreigners and strangers; how appropriate. Jesus’ provision and redemption for the estranged and outcast had begun even before His death.

But to Jesus, the question that last night wasn’t what was His life worth? To the Lord the greater question has always been, what is my life worth? There are times I forget the price that was paid for me. The greatest tragedy of my sinful actions is that I take for granted the fact that my life was deemed valuable enough that Jesus would allow His body to pierced, His blood to be poured out for me. How valuable was the life that was given for me? How great was the cost to the Father? Incalculable. Expensive perfume and thirty silver coins are only earthly measurements, earthly treasure. They don’t compare to the price paid for you and me.

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

What is a life worth? Obviously to the Father there was no price too great to pay.
Lord, again I am humbled and reduced by your love. It’s not a love that is just words or ethereal emotions…it is a love that is tangible, concrete, and measurable.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your obedience…for me. You gave your life for me. I now give my life for you.

Many Are Called, Few Are Chosen

Rick Martinez — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 18:22:07 +0000

Wednesday of the Passion Week

Matthew 22:1-14

The last week of the Lord’s life on earth was spent doing two things primarily. During the day He would go into the city of Jerusalem and confront the hypocritical, religious spirit that had enslaved the Jews of His day. And at night He would leave the city with His disciples and pour into them an understanding of what was to come. He spoke to them about the coming Holy Spirit and about the signs of the end of the age. And He warned and encouraged them to be watchful and prepared always.

On one occasion Jesus spoke to the religious leaders a parable comparing the Kingdom of heaven to a wedding feast that a King had planned for his son. He describes the invitations, the preparation, and the anticipation of the upcoming wedding. And then He describes the humiliation and disappointment of the King when none of his invited guests responded to his gracious request. It seems that most were too busy with their affairs. Some not only rejected his invitation but also seized his servants who had delivered the invitations, beating and even killing them. We know the rest of the story. It tells of the fate of those who rejected Him and then amazingly the invitation being sent instead to another group of guests who never had a hope of being invited to the wedding until then.

The application is two-fold. It first addresses the nation of Israel and its rejection of their Messiah. John wrote in his gospel that “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.” It’s hard to believe, but Israel missed their Messiah, though He was in their very midst. They missed Him because He came in a way they did not expect Him to come, and because He did things in ways they would not expect Him to do them…and because He touched and loved people they would not have expected the Messiah to touch or to love. There is a clear lesson in this today for us as well. Jesus is still coming to His own in ways we would not expect, and He is touching and loving people we may have a hard time touching or loving ourselves. I think if we are honest, there is a little bit of Pharisee in all of us; a little bit of prejudice, pride, exclusivism, a little bit of that which Jesus was confronting in Jerusalem that last week. It has been said that Jesus will offend our minds in order to reveal what is in our hearts.

But there was one more important point to His parable. Somehow a man had entered the wedding feast and was not dressed appropriately. The Bible says that he “was not wearing wedding clothes”. He wasn’t “clothed” properly. He hadn’t “put on” that which was necessary to enter the great wedding feast. This has great importance today because we are living in a day where syncretism runs rampant. We are being asked to “live in harmony with all other beliefs”, to “co-exist”, as though they were all equal. Now more than ever before, “true” spirituality is seen as the ability to blend all belief systems into one. Though the invitation has been sent out to all regardless of nationality, age, gender, and to all regardless of the sins committed, and to all regardless of prior beliefs, there is only one way to gain entrance into the feast. If you hope to come in and eat and drink in that glorious day, you must be clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. There are not many ways to heaven. All paths are not the same. Truth is not relative.

Though the door to the wedding feast is wide open, be aware, the wedding feast of the Lamb has a dress code.

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

We Would Like To See Jesus

Rick Martinez — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:53:48 +0000

Tuesday of the Passion Week

John 12:20-28

John tells us this story that none of the other gospel writers record. It is the story of some Greeks who had converted to Judaism and had come to Jerusalem to worship during the Feast. I imagine a group of young successful businessmen who heard about this powerful teacher who was also doing many miraculous healings. Being curious and probably feeling they should be acknowledged, they asked to “see Jesus”. I’m sure they thought meeting Him might enhance their careers. His response is so “Jesus-like”. Most men today would be flattered to hear that someone had asked to meet them, welcoming the chance to make a connection or network with a potential follower (read “supporter”). But not our Lord. He doesn’t really even answer Andrew and Philip who had come to Him on behalf of the men. Instead, He begins to talk about the upcoming crucifixion. But not very specifically…just about the principle of life coming from death.

“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

Not what you would expect from an influential, highly visible leader seeking to build his following. But that was not His goal. He wasn’t ever interested in just gathering a crowd. He had come for those who had ears to hear, hearts to receive, yes and eyes to see. But the time of speaking to the masses was now over. Now the only “seeing of Jesus” would be what they would see on the following Friday as He was paraded before them half dead from being beaten, nearly naked, humiliated and bleeding with thorns pushed into His head and scalp, staggering under the weight of a cross that He was about to be nailed to, a cross that would provide salvation for all of mankind. He was answering them, but not how they expected. He was saying, “You will see me, but not how you anticipated. On that day, I hope you will see me!”

Men come to Jesus today, to “see Him” for all different reasons. Only God knows the real motives of men’s hearts. Ultimately it doesn’t matter why we’ve come to Him, it only matters that we’ve come. But what follows is of greater importance. Having come, will we see Him? Will we understand His heart, His ways, His purposes that are eternal, or will our eyes be closed to Him, offended by the cross and its shame?

We are in need today of a redefinition of life. Our society has believed the great lie, that this life is found in the abundance of possessions, experiences, and successes that bring us self-fulfillment. But it is not. Jesus said that the way to finding fulfillment in this life was the same as for Him. A man seeking what is best only for himself does not find true life. It is found in giving up all for the sake of another. True life comes through a death, death to the lie of self-promotion, gratification and ultimately self-preservation. In God, it is only through death that we find life. Pray that we may have eyes to “see” this truth in Him.

Lord Jesus, you were not interested in fame or power, only in obedience to your Father’s will. May it be so with me Lord. I embrace again today your cross as it confronts my self-life. Give me grace to stay there, in that place of submission to you and your will for my life. Amen

The False Religious Self

Rick Martinez — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:25:07 +0000

Monday of the Passion Week

I am writing this week on events that took place each day of the week prior to the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Please read the highlighted text as it will serve as the basis for what I have written as the devotional. God bless you as you meditate on the grace of God poured out for you!

Matthew 21:18-22; 28-32

After entering Jerusalem in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy and with righteous indignation cleansing the temple of its compromise and defilement, he retired that Sunday night prior to His crucifixion in the town of Bethany.

Early Monday morning as Jesus was on His way back into the city with His disciples, He was hungry and stopped to eat the fruit of a fig tree. Matthew records however, that when He looked for fruit He didn’t find any. He found only leaves. The Lord immediately cursed the fig tree saying, “May you never bear fruit again.” At first glance this seems rather harsh, but we know from the rest of Scripture that the fig tree represented the nation of Israel. It was an indictment on a people who had an appearance of life, but in reality were without fruit. As it was then, so it can be today unfortunately.

It’s amazing that our God is never put off by our honesty. When we are honest about how we really feel, what we really think, about where our hearts really are, we are closer to Him than when we are living out of a false religious identity that is void of reality and life. The religious spirit is so deceptive. It can cause a man to live his whole life pretending to be someone he can never be, because long ago he turned from his life source. The false religious self is not real. It is only who we think we are, or want to be…or worse yet, pretend to be. But God knows who we truly are, and yet loves us.

Jesus then told a parable of a man who had two sons. It is revealing in that it gives us a glimpse into the heart of God as it relates to this false life that we so often find ourselves living. He would rather we say “no way” and then eventually obey and do what is right, than say “yes Lord” immediately but never obey. So many compliant children, yet often unfortunately, so little fruit.

This week as we look toward what is commonly known as Easter Sunday, let’s ask the Lord to give us the freedom and ability to be absolutely honest and vulnerable before Him. No pretense, no wishful thinking, no vows or resolutions. Just bare, honest openness before our loving Father. And we can thank God that this week leads to the cross on Friday, because the cross broke the curse of sin, and even more because the ultimate power of the cross is a reconciliation that always allows me to be just who I am before God.

Lord Jesus, as I remember your sacrifice this week, I purpose to open my heart to you completely. No pretending, no false identities, no imaginings of who I had hoped to be. I am who I am, and I stand vulnerably exposed before you. Thank you Lord, that my life is now hidden in you. Amen

The Goal Of The Cross

Keith Brunken — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 01:00:54 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17

A New Man For A New Age

Keith Brunken — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 01:00:20 +0000

Speaker: Matt Martinez

Scripture: Colossians 2:16 – 3:17

Christendumb – Part 1

Rick Martinez — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:49:07 +0000

I know, you’re thinking the title isn’t very nice. Well, if that’s the case, you won’t like what follows. I think that I’m viewed overall as a “nice guy”, but you see, I have this raging prophet that also lives inside of me and every once in a while I have to let him out. Today must be one of those days.

I don’t like taking potshots at the church…for a couple of reasons. First, it’s just too easy, and secondly, I don’t want to be perceived as a cynical critic. But because I do love the church, there are some areas that we have to address in the American/western church if we hope to advance the kingdom and the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here are just a few (of many) that are on my mind. I must also say that the basis of all I will say is the fact that they clearly contradict Scripture, which is after all, the most important criteria regarding truth. I’m also aware that to most of the church, these are non-issues. Most of my Reformed friends have either never heard of some of what I want to talk about, or don’t give it the time of day. They are too busy thinking about the impassibility of God. These things are really only pertinent to the “Spirit filled”, Charismatic/Pentecostal evangelical church, of which I consider myself a part.

The Prosperity “Gospel”
My first exposure to this was a pastor friend of mine who drove around his Cadillac with the license plate MATT 6:33. This is a gospel that could only be preached in the U.S., that basically says God wants all His people wealthy and healthy. Of course this is ridiculous for many reasons and on many levels, and for most it’s easy to ignore as extreme. But its danger is that it clearly and dangerously denies the work of the cross, and appeals to the base, carnal desires that are in our humanity. The cross was and is about self-denial, not self-fulfillment. Its inference is that believers would walk and live in deep humility always aware of our weakness in ourselves. The blessings it promises are spiritual, and all are in Christ. This world and all that is in it is passing away, and to put our hope in it is, as Jesus said, “foolish.” Interestingly, though many would easily reject the money side of this gospel, they embrace the health side readily, in spite of the fact the NT clearly teaches that these bodies will be the last part of us to be “saved”, and then only at the resurrection. Oh, and in case you are wondering, yes I do believe in praying for the sick and in healing, and I do believe in God’s provision for me and my family. It’s called daily bread.

The Victorious End-Time Church Theory
I used to teach this. The problem is it’s nowhere to be found in the NT. Other than a couple of texts in Revelation 12 that are allegorized to the hilt, or the infamous Joel’s army text in Joel 2 which has to be badly ripped from its context and tied up like a pretzel to come up with anything relating to the church in the last days, there is nothing that hints that the church will be this great mighty force on the earth in the last days. Actually the opposite is one of Jesus’ dominant and primary teachings in the gospels. The church will be persecuted and there will be a great apostasy and falling away. What is needed, He said, is the need to persevere, and to “endure to the end”. Meanwhile the kingdom will be spreading, like leaven in a loaf of dough, as the gospel is preached and believed. It will appear insignificant and small, but it will permeate the hearts of those who believe. One of the dangers of the highly visible, victorious church teaching is that it can lead to a blurring of kingdom life and politics, with the church’s hope in Jesus being replaced by a hope in America…which can be very dangerous. Oh and in case you are wondering, I do vote as a citizen of this great country. But first I’m a citizen of heaven.

Strange Fire and Manifestations
“Tokin the Ghost”, fire tunnels and all sorts of different “spiritual experiences” and manifestations are now not only tolerated, but promoted as normal to the Christian faith. They are viewed as spiritual experiences that somehow enhance a person’s walk and intimacy with Jesus. But again…they are nowhere to be found in the Bible. For those of you reading this who enjoy these experiences, you probably don’t care they aren’t in the Bible…but you should. Because if God doesn’t encourage them and talk about them, you should ask yourself, what is their source? You are probably expecting me to give you an emotional retort to them, but that is exactly the problem…they are not truth or Word based, but experiential and emotional. The danger is the slow erosion of the Triune Godhead, with the “activity of the Spirit” being elevated above the rest of the Godhead, separating the actions of the persons (identities) of the Godhead, disjoining the unity of Being by emphasis on the activity of one apart from another. More simply put, it leads to deception, which ends in heresy. I also have a theory that it leads to the slow emasculation of men, because by nature men tend (generally speaking) to be less emotional…less “touchy/feely”, tending to be logic based. Because the overtly subjective, experiential Christian life leaves men feeling inadequate, it makes them believe they are not as spiritual as their wives. And so they may withdraw and abdicate, allowing their wives to take the lead because “she hears God better than me.” Men, immerse yourself in the Word of God and you will again begin to be the man God created you to be. Oh and in case you are wondering, I am “Spirit filled”, speak in tongues, and prophesy. I am also a man of the Word.

Part 2 tomorrow…God willing.

Two Men, Two Acts, Two Destinies

Keith Brunken — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 01:00:04 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 5:12-21

Saved By His Life

Keith Brunken — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 5:10

When Christians Suffer

Keith Brunken — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:00:27 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Treasure Or Flotsam?

Rick Martinez — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:57:53 +0000

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20

When I was about 20 years old, living with a buddy of mine in Santa Barbara, someone broke into our home and stole my stereo system. I couldn’t believe someone would do that to me…especially since I didn’t have any insurance. Since then I’ve had the usual minor incidences…a couple of break-ins with my car, but thankfully nothing serious. Last week my fairly expensive Japanese made car blew a head gasket…I don’t want to tell you what that will cost for repairs. This summer I need a new roof on my home…more major expenses.

All week I’ve been thinking about this verse from Matthew’s gospel and realizing how much time, energy, and money, “stuff” takes out of my life. There doesn’t seem any way to avoid it, living in the wealthiest country in the world, and in California to boot. So I was asking the Lord, “How do I disentangle myself from all this stuff?” I sensed the Holy Spirit simply saying to me, “Quit accumulating stuff”. I thought, “That’s easier said than done, Lord!”

The point is, we have to learn to get by with only what we really need. We live in a society that is driven by a number of false gods, one of the most powerful being materialism. We all like nice things, but unfortunately those nice things can become a major distraction and hindrance to our spiritual life. I’m not proposing a life of asceticism, just a life of simplicity. Can I be content with only what I need to live in this 21st century? Can I appreciate what I do have, rather than always wanting what I don’t have?

Jesus’ point is clear. He is saying, “Begin to place a premium on the eternal treasure of the Kingdom, rather than on this ‘stuff’ that gets stolen, breaks, leaks, and blows gaskets. Make the unseen realm and its realities the priority in your life, because those are the things that are most important and that last.” As usual with the Lord, the issue is our hearts, and He clearly is saying that what we love most will obviously own and hold our hearts. And if what holds and owns my heart slowly rusts or fades away, what will I have left in that Day? It’s interesting how less important stereos are to me now…and how watching my grandkids grow in the knowledge and love of God has become priceless.

So I bite the bullet and get my car fixed, thankful that I’m among the few on the planet who actually have another car in the garage that does work while I wait for the repairs to get done. And meanwhile, floating toward the West coast of the United States is 25 million tons of debris from Japan…a giant flotsam of stereos, TV’s, couches, cars, debris from houses, and possessions that were once treasures to the people of Japan. Jesus didn’t say anything about tsunamis…but He could have.

Faith’s Anchor

Keith Brunken — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 02:00:32 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 4:1-25

Man Is In The Way

Keith Brunken — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:00:35 +0000

Speaker: Dean Miller

Scripture: Mathew 4:1

The Word and Spirit Journey

Rick Martinez — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:05:59 +0000

The Word of God is the truth regarding God’s redemptive plan – The Spirit teaches and leads us into all truth

The Word is the revelation of Jesus Christ – The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Christ

The Word is living and active – The Spirit is the resurrection life of God given to those who believe

The Word of God is an imperishable seed through which we have been born again – It is by the Holy Spirit that we are regenerated; His life is the very seed of God

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit – The sword of the Spirit is the truth of the Word

The Word of God reveals the grace of God – The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of grace

The Word of God reveals the heart of Abba -We have received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry “Abba! Father!”

The Word of God and the Holy Spirit are inseparably involved in the process of the mind being renewed and being transformed into the image of Christ

The Word of God testifies of Christ’s work of salvation – The Spirit confirms that word with power

The Word of God establishes the church – The Spirit of God empowers the church

The Word is preached and believed leading to salvation – The Holy Spirit then seals those who believe for the day of redemption

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

The Heart Of The Matter

Keith Brunken — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:00:35 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 3:21-31

But Now God

Keith Brunken — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 02:00:03 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 3:9-31

Three Ways Of Relating To God

Keith Brunken — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:00:59 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 2

A New Site For CCCI

Rick Martinez — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:41:17 +0000

We’re excited to announce the launch of a new site for Capital City Church in the Folsom/Fair Oaks area. We will be meeting at Tommy T’s Comedy Club in the Nimbus Winery at 10 AM beginning January 15th. We will continue to meet at the Artisan at 4 PM on Sunday’s as well.

CCCI is a gospel centered church, reformed in our theology and teaching, yet with a strong conviction of our great need for the power and work of the Holy Spirit in our church and lives.

Planting gospel communities, encouraging a sincere, genuine following of Jesus, and reaching into the lives of not-yet believers through genuineness and friendship is our mission.

If you interested in learning more about about the Christian faith, or are wandering, hungry, and not connected to a local church join us!

The Hope Of The Gospel

Keith Brunken — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 02:00:46 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 1

Idolatry In The Heart Of Man

Keith Brunken — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:00:26 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: Romans 1

The Work Of The Holy Spirit

Keith Brunken — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:00:19 +0000

Speaker: Darrell Brantingham

Scripture: Luke 3:22

The Goal Of Discipleship

Keith Brunken — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:00:38 +0000

Speaker: Rick Martinez

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3