Category Archives: Horizon Central

in Christ

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Leading people to Christ is only the beginning.   The next step is to continue a life in Christ – an abiding, lifelong process.  Without this, any decision or commitment we make to Christ will be lifeless, growth-less, fruitless.  So the next phase can be described as:

  • Abiding in Christ so that our lives bear much fruit, as Christ explains in John 15:5.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

Abiding in Christ and encouraging others to do so is the essence of discipleship.  The goal of evangelism is not merely decisions, but disciples.  The Gospel of Matthew ends with these words:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)

A disciple is literally a “learner”.  The disciple is constantly learning.  The disciple-maker must be a disciple first and then a teacher of others – teaching others to “observe all things” that Jesus has commanded – all of which we find in His Word.

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.'” – John 8:31 (NKJV)

to Christ

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Evangelism need not be complicated.  No less a follower of Jesus than Simon Peter was introduced to Christ by someone who was a rank amateur in sharing his faith – his brother Andrew – who had only recently met Jesus himself.  Let’s look at the text:

One … who … followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:40-42 (NKJV)

Andrew told Peter about Jesus the very day he met Him.  To be sure, Andrew still had a lot to learn about his Lord.  That education lasted a lifetime.  Nonetheless, without a shred of understanding of his apostolic gifts or authority, without ever reading or even seeing a gospel tract, and though he didn’t yet know Jesus very well, Andrew led Peter to Christ. 

This simple act is Part One of the to Christ – in Christ – for Christ vision we have for each believer at Horizon Central.

Leading others to Christ, as we see (again) in John 1:40-42:

One … who … followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” – John 1:40-42 (NKJV)

It’s true that no one can come to the Father except through Jesus, but it’s also true that people can come to Jesus from anywhere at all.  People only need someone who knows Him already – someone just like us – to introduce them to Him.

Palmer St. Podcast: John 3

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This Chapter is easily one of the most memorable in the Bible.  It starts with a private conversation that Jesus had with Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.  Then we’ll hear about Jesus from John the Baptist.  Important verses in this chapter are the well-known John 3:16, which explains the gospel in one verse, and John 3:30, which summarizes discipleship in one verse: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Audio: John03.mp3

Study Notes: John03.pdf

Verses for 2008

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At the beginning of each year I pray about some Scripture for that year – something that will particularly resonate with me personally and for Horizon Central as a church.  Sometimes it ends up being a verse or two, sometimes a longer passage.  This year I did that again and here’s what I’ve got.  I really do think it underlines some things I need to focus on and maybe we as a church need to as well. 

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

“But without faith it is imossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)