Andrew Series

ANDREW

John 1:35-42, 6:5-10

#John1

INTRODUCTION… THE GUY WE TALK ABOUT TODAY (p)

We are going to talk about a special guy from the Bible today…

If he were a Harlem Globetrotter, he’d be Walter “Toots” Wright.

If he were a Star Wars movie, he’d be “A New Hope.”

If he were a Nintendo game, he’d be Hogan’s Alley.

If he were an astronaut, he’d be John Glenn.

If he were an NHL team, he’d be the Detroit Redwings.

If he were an MLB team, he’d be the Pittsburg Pirates.

If he were an NFL team, he’d be the Green Bay Acme Packers.

If he were a breakfast cereal, he’d be Elijah’s Manna.

What I mean by these silly examples is that this guy is an original. The guy we will focus on today was one of the original followers of Jesus Christ. He’s one of the core 12 followers who became Apostles and he is part of the inner circle. He is brother to the leader of the group. Andrew is one of the first Christians. In fact, in the Orthodox Church Andrew is referred to as “the First-Called.” What a cool nick-name!

We are going to spend time in John 1 this morning and also John 6 a little later.

What do we read about Andrew in the Scriptures?

What does Andrew’s life in Christ teach us?

READ JOHN 1:35-42

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning 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. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42 And 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).

SPEND TIME WITH JESUS THE RABBI

One of the first lessons we learn from the life of Andrew and his interactions with Jesus is that we need to spend time with Jesus the Rabbi. Andrew hears John the Baptist point out that Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” Andrew decides to listen to the prophet and follow the One John the Baptist was pointing out.

Immediately Andrew and the other person with him identify Jesus as “rabbi.”

RABBI... Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, page 1061

“Rabbi” is a word that means “teacher.” In our day, “rabbi” means the ordained spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation. In Jesus’ day, it was not so formal a title and was a term of dignity and respect given to distinguished individuals. The term is usually applied to Jesus in the Gospels, but in John 3:26 we see the followers of John the Baptist also call him “rabbi.” John the Baptist pointed out the greater rabbi and Andrew followed.

They follow.

Jesus notices and asks them politely why they are stalking Him.

They spend time with Jesus the Rabbi. Verse 39 tells us that when Andrew found Jesus; he spent time with Him. This was not a few minutes, but based on the “tenth hour” mentioned in verse 39, we get the sense that these men spent the entire day with Jesus and perhaps even that evening. What were they doing that whole time? Listening. Asking questions. Playing pin the tail on the Roman soldier. Perhaps discussing things John the Baptist had been teaching and getting Jesus’ take on it. They probably ate a meal or two… you know Jesus’ cooking was… as my grandmother might have put it… divine.

Just so you are aware, spending time with Jesus is significant for the people who spend time with Him. Much later in the Book of Acts, the church is beginning to grow and faith in Jesus Christ is being preached. Peter and John were also Apostles and they were ministering and telling people about Jesus. The authorities questioned these men and wanted them to stop. They would not. Acts 4:13 says clearly, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”

Boom! These were ordinary men who spent time with Jesus and they were changed. Spending time with Jesus changes us. Spending time with Jesus makes us more like Him and makes us more loving, full of joy, committed to peace, patient, kind-hearted, seeking the good for people around us, faithful to God, gentle in our attitudes and word, and self-controlled.