True Blood

If I would've been there 

I would've done the same 

I would've been the first one to ridicule 

And put him to shame 

I definitely would've been the one 

That hated Him the most 

So, He did what He had to do... 

 

He killed us both. 

 

And when He got back up 

He brought me along 

To drink from His cup 

And sing a new song 

Truest blood shed from His wounds 

Forever covers my deepest stains 

 

Now I'm alive in Christ -- 

His death. My gain.

 

Isaiah 53:1-12; Galatians 2:20 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Magic

Jesus isn't “magic”...

It doesn't matter what Sarah Silverman says

Resurrection isn't just some neat little trick

It's literally coming back from the dead

Desperately unconscious

Fatally non-responsive

So far removed from breathin' 

Next thing you know,

Reports are comin' in

That everybody's seen him

(Something like five hundred people!)

 

Instinctively, the conclusion

Is most likely mass hysteria or illusion

But answer this:

When's the last time you heard

About that many people

Simultaneously crackin' up

And having the exact same delusion?!

There ain't an institution big enough

To hold that much crazy

So if you believe

That's how it all went down

Your story-tellin' is lazy

 

How hazy would your facts be

If you saw someone murdered right in front of you? 

I bet you could tell that story for the rest of your life

And still recite every single detail

Accurately and on cue

It could be 50 years from now

And there would still be no change in your point of view...

Especially if that person

Now a few days removed

Shows up at a dinner table

Sitting right across from you

Chewin' his food

Doin' all the other things

A dead man don't have the capacity to do

 

No, that ain't magic

It's majestic and it's traumatic

The last great enemy of our humanity

Suddenly movin' backwards

It wasn't a simple trap-door revealed

There was glory being concealed

Underneath a cloak of humility and charity

Taking back what the Strongman tried to steal

 

There's no sleight of hand

When you got holes in 'em, man

And if there's nothing up your sleeves

But Aces and eights

Then you better have a foolproof plan...

 

The Son of God became man

To withstand the wrath of his Dad

As a ransom for many

Remained slain for three days

Only to get up

And give vanishing lessons the business

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

- (1 Corinthians 15:54-58 ESV)

Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Importance of the Resurrection (Week 4 Finale)

We finish up our excellent study on the implications of the resurrection of Christ with a lively in-depth discussion on how the eyewitness account of Thomas can be applied in our own lives and our evangelism, what the implications of the resurrection are in this life and how it gives us hope now in the face of death, and finally, how this changes us forever.

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros and Ones: Importance of the Resurrection (Week 3)

We continue our study and discussion on the implications of the resurrection of Christ...
This week as we go further up and in, we cover the significance of the Last Supper leading up to the resurrection and the validity of the eyewitness accounts. Also, how the resurrection serves as hope for us in our current lives when faced with trials and suffering and how this translates into the hope that we articulate in our evangelism.

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Tired

I’m tired…

Tired of dealing with all of the stress and strife

That comes along with dealing with these daily vices

I’m tired…

Tired of trying to live up to the expectations

And looking at the disappointed faces

Knowing that they’re still waiting

I’m tired…

Tired of the lies that the media’s selling

Salvation at bargain basement prices

Will always end up failing

 

I’m tired of you…

I’m tired of me…

I’m tired of “we”…

And all the times that we fight

About how it’s not supposed to be

 

I’m tired …

Tired of delayed justice

In a world where evil appears to get a free pass

And makes everything disgusting

I’m tired…

Tired of all the raping and the killing

Character assassinations, manipulation and bad feelings

I’m tired…

Tired of pretending that everything’s so copasetic

When my inner state of love and trust

Is absolutely pathetic

 

I’m tired of being alone…

I’m tired of being a drone…

I’m tired of sending out a call for help

And having no one answer the phone

 

I’m tired…

Tired of the unwelcomed favors

Like doing the maximum amount of work

And only receiving minimum wages

I’m tired…

Tired of always having to turn the other cheek

While the rich build empires

On the backs of the lower class

And the mighty devour the weak

I’m tired…

Tired of this illusion of autonomy

That I’m free to do what I want

And that someone out there

Has something they owe me

 

I’m tired of being vexed…

I’m tired of being over-sexed…

I’m tired of always trying to get better

But never giving my best

 

I’m so tired of hearing the best news ever heard

And not remembering what was said

I’m so tired of having all of the information

At my fingertips

But never a damned thing in my head

 

I’m so tired of being tired of everything

And it’s starting to make me sick

There’s only one thing left to hope for…

Maranatha! Lord, come quick!!

 

 

 

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

- (Romans 8:18-30 ESV)

 

 

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

- (Revelation 22:20 ESV)

 

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

 

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Importance of the Resurrection (Week 2)

A look inside our Bible Study discussion as we go further up and in on the reality and implications of the resurrection of Christ. We discuss the misunderstandings of Jesus' contemporaries and the overall cultural expectations of the the resurrection. Also, the coming of the kingdom of God and how this led into up to his crucifixion; even still, this was all providentially governed by God.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Behold the Man

So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”  - (John 19:5 ESV)

Animosity builds to an atrocity

That leads to amnesty for bandits

While exposing religious hypocrisy

A philosophy of demons

Justifying the reason

To ridicule the Creator

And falsely accuse him of treason

 

Covered in humility

Stripped now of his dignity

Unbeknownst to the world

That within him is all divinity

Public enemy No. 1

Blasphemy to blasphemers

Because he came to seek and save the lost

Not self-righteous deceivers

 

Behold the man…

 

Paraded around as a delusional fool

The very King of the world

Used as a political tool

Justifying the guilty

Through an unrighteous execution

So that the accusations of Satan

Would never bring them to ruin

 

The Lamb of God

Who though he was slain

Would resurrect the temple in three days

So it would forever remain

All those he claims

Are now without blemish or stain

So even when brought low

They too shall rise again

 

Numbered with the transgressors

So that we become confessors –

Witnesses to his craft

Escaping the cup of wrath

That he drank on our behalf

 

Behold the feet

Behold the hands

Behold the man

Who gives pardon to the damned

 

Amen.

 

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  - (John 1:29 ESV)

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Resurrection: Jesus Christ Was Raised From The Dead

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. - Luke 24:1-3 ESV

"Jesus' resurrection, which was a divine act involving all three Persons of the Godhead (John 10:17-18; Acts 13:30-35; Rom. 1:4), was not just a resuscitation of the ruined physical form that was taken down from the cross for burial. It was, rather, a transformation of Jesus' humanity that enabled him to appear, vanish, and move unseen from one location to another (Luke 24:31-36). It was the creative renewing of his original body, the body that is now fully glorified and deathless (Phil. 3:21; Heb 7:16, 24). The Son of God in heaven still lives in and through that body, and will do so forever. In 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Paul envisages that Christians who are alive on earth at the moment of Christ's return will undergo a similar transformation, though in 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 he shows himself aware that Christians who die before the Second Coming will be "clothed" with their new body (the "eternal house in heaven") as a distinct event, at or after the time of the old body's return to the dust (Gen. 3:19).
Christianity rests on the certainty of Jesus' resurrection as a space-time occurrence in history. All four Gospels highlight it, focusing on the empty tomb and resurrection appearances, and Acts insists on it (Acts 1:3; 2:24-35; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30-32; 13:33-37). Paul regarded the Resurrection as indisputable proof that the message about Jesus as Judge and Savior is true (Acts 17::31; 1 Cor. 15:1-11, 20).
Jesus' resurrection demonstrated his victory over death (Acts 2:24; 1 Cor. 15:54-57), vindicated him as righteous (John 16:10), and indicated his divine identity (Rom. 1:4). It led on to his ascension and enthronement (Acts 1:9-11; 2:34; Phil. 2:9-11; cf. Isa. 53:10-12) and his present heavenly reign. It guarantees the believer's present forgiveness and justification (Rom. 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:17) and is the basis of resurrection life in Christ for the believer here and now (John 11:25-26; Rom 6; Eph. 1:18-2:10; Col. 2:9-15; 3:1-4)." - J.I. Packer, Concise Theology, pp. 125-126


2nd Chapter Of Acts - Easter Song

And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” - Luke 24:5-7 ESV

He is risen. He is risen, indeed!!


Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Evangel Lies: Happy Easter from John Dominic Crossan...

Watch. Listen.



This may very well be one of the most bizarre statements that I've heard in a long time. John Dominic Crossan's statement is heretical. There, I said it. Some of you may think that this is a little harsh--that I've crossed the line by passing such a harsh judgement on a man who claims to be of the same faith that I claim as well. But the difference between myself and JDC is where we get our material. Basically, Crossan says, "If he [Jesus] is in fact dead, so what? It doesn't shake my faith at all!". But the statement begs the question: WHAT exactly is it that he would believe in?!

Let's take our current holiday into consideration. The focus of the Easter holiday for the Christian community is the death AND resurrection of our Lord. To be sure, we are celebrating the passion of the Christ and his triumph over the grave which frees all of those who believe in him from death and hell as well. This is the Gospel in shorthand. Now, when we take this into consideration up and against what Crossan says, it makes you wonder how in the world anyone who is a rational, thinking Christian can basically say that they are essentially indifferent about the death and more particularly, the resurrection. This is the culmination of the Good News of the Gospel--if we get to the end of the story and Jesus did everything else, but does not rise after the third day, we are indeed nothing more than dead men walking. This is the same sentiment expressed in the scriptures themselves:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 ESV

So while nothing will change for Crossan, it's pretty clear from the Bible itself that everything changes. There is no salvation for sin without the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Every prophecy of scripture, every orthodox creed and confession gets turned on its head. There would be no good news to tell; we are left with just another Friday and relegating Easter to a day of Egg-laying Bunnies and Cadbury's. Sweet. A guy couldn't ask for more...

I doesn't take long for Crossan's hypothetical to step over into the heretical. The fact that he's willing to go out on a limb and make such a statement means that he doesn't have much faith in the deity of Jesus Christ, which ultimately leaves him with no faith at all. He assumes Christianity based solely on it's moral teachings, but he denies the very thing that makes it viable for the salvation of mankind. That's not what I would call contending for the gospel--it's offending the gospel delivered once for all to the saints.

As you go about your business this Easter weekend, please take the time to meditate not just on the life of Jesus; meditate on our risen Lord and his triumph over the death, sin, and hell. Without this monumental historical event there is no hope for any. I would also urge you to pray for men like Crossan who have a muddled view of the savior. Pray that they come to the knowledge of the truth. And lastly, for those who do believe, don't forget to share this wonderful news with someone over the holiday....

He is risen. He is risen, indeed. Amen.


But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. - 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 ESV


Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon