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Who Are You Following? Series
Contributed by Eric Grenier on May 1, 2018 (message contributor)
Summary: We learn from Andrew that we all can point people to Jesus.
Who Are You Following?
John 1:37–42 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus. 38Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” He asked them. They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?” 39“Come and see,” He said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with Him to the place where He was staying, and they remained with Him the rest of the day. 40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”). 42Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas.” (which translates to “Peter”).
I. Who was Andrew?
A. The New Testament (NT) shows little interest in Andrew.
B. His name only occurs twelve times, and four of those times are in the list of the apostles.
C. In the NT, it seems that Andrew is simply living in Peter’s shadow.
D. His name originates from the NT word for courage.
What can we learn from Andrew, a man that so little is known about?
II. How should we be like Andrew?
A. The first thing that Andrew did after he met Jesus was tell his brother.
1. Have you told your family what God is doing in your life?
2. Would you tell them if you won a car?
B. It is hard to witness to family members.
1. Share what God is doing in your life.
2. Ask open-ended questions:
a. Do you believe in God?
b. What do you think about Jesus?
c. Have you ever thought about what Jesus did for you?
d. What do you think it means?
e. What do you think happens when you die?
III. Andrew believed everyone had a purpose.
A. Age does not matter. John 6:1–14 (Jesus feeds 5,000)
B. Race does not matter.
John 12:20–22 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.” Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
When we bring someone to Christ, there will be change.
Simon ? Peter
Application:
1. God loves people—so must we.
2. We must be reaching out to everyone.
3. We can’t fix anyone.
4. But we know who can.