Zeros and Ones: Why Did Jesus Come?

In this discussion, we take a look at the reason that Jesus Christ had to come to us...
To bring us to God.

We discuss the radical nature of sin and how it effects all of us. Putting us in dire need of a savior from the wrath of God for our inherent evilness, Jesus comes not only to call us to repentance, but to satisfy the wrath of God by becoming sin for us.

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." - Mark 2:17

Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Who Is Jesus?

We explore the glorious truth of our faith through the Gospel of Mark. We discover who Jesus REALLY is through the eyewitness accounts of his miracles and what the implications are for us and our belief in Him as the Christ (God's Holy Anointed King)...not just a good moral teacher or merely a prophet.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Sermon on The Mount (Pt. 1) - Broke, Broken, Soft-Spoken, and Easy-Goin'

We begin our latest study on the "Sermon on the Mount". We take an in-depth look at the words of Jesus as he lays out principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, and what it really looks like to be a lover of God and our fellow man. We begin with the counter-cultural notion of the word, "Blessed". In a day and age where the prosperity, health and wealth, word of faith "gospel" is so readily embraced, we see with great illumination from the Scripture how our Lord turns the idea on its head...

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Ground Zero: Modern "Evangelism" v. The Gospel

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.  - (Jude 1:3-4 ESV)




(cf. Judges 21:25; Luke 3:9; 2 Timothy 4:3; 1 John 2:19; Revelation 14:13)


Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Ground Zero: God & Mammon (Economics to the Glory of God)

In this installment, we take time out to address how the ideas of a nation's ecomnomic and political philosophies and policies are deeply rooted in its theological foundations (or lack thereof).

We also share a little bit from our heart about why we do what we do and why we feel the necessity to continue on our mission of the Great Commission...

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."  - 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

 

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: The Spirit of God

This week, we continue our study on the Person of the Holy Spirit. Specifically, we look at the operation of the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of our Lord to grasp a better understanding of how the Spirit operates in our own lives...

 

"Understanding how the Holy Spirit operates in the life of our Lord has more to do with our own lives than we could ever imagine."  - Sinclair Ferguson

 

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Gospel In Life [Week 8] - Eternity (The World That Is to Come)

We wrap up our study on "The Gospel in Life" with a discussion about eternity. We discuss how the hope that is to come in the New Jerusalem changes how we operate in this fallen world. When the veil of this present world is rolled back, we will then see fully the ever-existent glory and light of God. Also, how the future reality helps to give us hope and and against the trials of this world. Seeing that the now is only temporary and that every single day we are moving toward the everlasting peace and communion with God and our fellow man...Live with the end in mind.
"for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection." - (Luke 20:36 ESV)



Isaiah 60:1-22; Revelation 21:9-22





Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Gospel In Life [Week 7] - Justice (A people for others)

Many people get the Gospel wrong when they believe that their salvation is based on their repentance. Your repentance will never make up for your sins. In actuality, true repentance unto life is the acknowledgment of our utter guilt of sin and the justice that was served on Another in our stead...Repentance is the first fruit of good works.

(cf. Proverbs 28:5, 29:26; Isaiah 1:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Shon

Posted via email from THE CENTER (ROOM 116)

Zeros & Ones: Gospel in Life [Week 2] - The Heart (3 Ways to Live)

As we continue on with our discussion on the Gospel in life, we look at the deep implications of our justification in Christ and how this changes our hearts; moving us from works of self-righteousness to understanding our imputed righteousness in the person and work in Jesus. Comprehending the truth about the method of grace in salvation that justifies should lead to repentance and sanctification...Also, we discuss the difference between religion and the gospel.

"Once again, please excuse the sleeveless look...it's very hot down here in Texas." - Shon W.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Zeros & Ones: The Gospel In Life [Week 1] - The City (The World That Is)

This week, we begin our new study by Tim Keller called, Gospel in Life - How Grace Changes Everything. In our first discussion we take an in-depth look at what it means to be a child of God in the city of man. After all we are to be in the world, but not of the world...so, what exactly should that look like? We also discuss God's purpose for the City and how we as followers of Christ can help to recover and restore that intent in the cities where we live through service. Many other interesting things are discussed as well, including a brief discussion on "How Should We Then...Drink?!".
Awesome and insightful time as always. Can't wait to see what happens in the weeks to come...



To read the article/essay that I made reference to writing, here is the link:

Soli Deo Gloria,
Shon

Posted via email from 0's & 1's

Zeros & Ones: The Prodigal God

In this study, we look at the parable known as the "Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:1-3; 11-32). With the help of Tim Keller, we get new perspective on the traditional belief and perception of this teaching of our Lord; discovering the two ways of "lostness", the need for divine initiative in salvation, Who the true Prodigal is in this parable, and Christ's role as the true elder brother (his righteousness v. our self-righteousness)...

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)

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)