Andrew: Bringing Men To Christ

ANDREW: BRINGING MEN TO CHRIST

John 1:35-42

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Jim Dunn was serving as the pastor of the First Baptist Church, and his wife, Gladys, was very friendly and welcoming to people. One particular Sunday when the sermon seemed to go on forever, many in the congregation fell asleep.

2. After the service, to be sociable, she walked up to a very sleepy looking gentleman. In an attempt to revive him from his stupor, she extended her hand in greeting, and said, "Hello, I’m Gladys Dunn."

3. To which the gentleman replied, "You’re not the only one!"

B. THESIS

1. As we look around the world and our nation, we see the multitudes of people who don't have any direction or any idea about God. We sense that the kingdom of God is near and that Christ may come at any time.

2. We’d all like to see another great move of the Spirit sweep America. However, it’s just possible that God may choose a different method to reach the lost.

3. Is it right for us to pray for revival if we neglect to speak up for Jesus to those around us?

4. Today, I want us to look at a disciple named Andrew who, once he met Jesus, immediately went to bring others to Jesus.

C. TEXT & TITLE

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. 40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).

The title of this message is “Andrew: Bringing Men to Christ.”

I. THE MISSIONARY DISCIPLE

A. EARNEST SEEKER AFTER GOD

1. Andrew was an earnest seeker after God. He was already a part of the revival of John the Baptist that swept all Israel. When he said in verse 41, "We have found the Messiah," the word "found" is “eurakamen” and implies that he had long been seeking/waiting for the Consolation of Israel.

2. We must examine ourselves to see if we are still seekers after God! If we are, we won’t be content to watch as others seek, but will get out of our comfort zones and do what is necessary to get close to God.

3. When Andrew overheard John declare that Jesus was the "Lamb of God," he and another disciple (verse 35-39) immediately followed Jesus. They were seeking a more intimate knowledge of this Person, Jesus.

4. When Jesus saw them following, He invited their inquiry to disclose Himself to them when he said, "What do you seek?" They responded, "Where do you live?" And Jesus answered, "Come and see!" Isn't it wonderful that Jesus invites us into his home? Jesus doesn’t draw back from us, but invites us to know Him.

B. A YOUNG BELIEVER

1. The results of their communing with Jesus was that Andrew became convinced that this One was the Son of God. He said, "We have found the Messiah" -- the "Anointed One", the Man who flows with the Spirit of God. Jesus's words and presence gave an inner witness of Who He was.

2. Andrew’s transformation became evident as he had a new desire for others to know Christ. He suddenly wanted his brother to meet Jesus. It’s hard to keep a secret when something wonderful has happened to you!

3. Some Christian teachers have been under the misapprehension that new Christians should wait until they are fully grounded in the Word before they start witnessing. That’s completely wrong; while the fire’s hot, we should let it spread!

C. A COMMONPLACE DISCIPLE

1. Andrew was a commonplace disciple, an average guy. He didn't have the brilliant character his brother Peter had. There are no notable events connected with Andrew. Church history tells us that he died upon an Andrew’s cross and little else. Yet Andrew became a useful disciple, trying to spread the kingdom of God.