Case Study 3: Andrew: The Personal Evangelist Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

ANDREW BRINGIONG PEOPLE TO JESUS:

• First (John 1:39-42),

• Second (John 6:8-9),

• Third (John 12:20-22).

THE CHRISTIAN’S TASK:

• key word #1: “first”

• key word #2: “find”

• key words #3: “his brother”

THE CHRISTIAN’S TESTIMONY:

• spoken witness

• simple witness

• sure witness

• sanctified witness

THE CHRISTIAN’S TRIUMPH:

• “and he brought him to Jesus”

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin is unknown to most of us,

• But he has saved countless lives due to his 1959 invention,

• He came up with the idea of the V-type three-point seat/safety belt.

• The Swedish car company could have made millions,

• By licensing the design to their competitors,

• But they decided to gift the design to the world,

• Instead of patenting it for themselves.

• Likewise, the car company Mercedes Benz,

• A number of years ago, produced a very clever advert.

• It showed a Mercedes Car being rammed into a wall,

• In order to reveal how the car’s frame,

• Was designed to protect the passengers in case of accident.

• In the commercial,

• An observer of this crash test asks the Mercedes spokesperson,

“Why have you not secured a patent on this crash-absorbing design?

Obviously, you’ve given your research to other carmakers, and they are copying you. Why did you do that?”

• The Mercedes spokesperson responded,

• And this is the line that has stuck with me,

• “Some things in life are too important not to share.”

• TRANSITION: When it comes to evangelism.

• We are called to share the gospel because,

• “Some things in life are too important not to share.”

• TRANSITION:

• Now we know very little about Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin.

• Likewise know we know so very little about Andrew the disciple.

• Our case study this morning.

• Andrew is only mentioned 12 times in the entire New Testament,

• And four of those times are simply lists of the 12 apostles.

• He is not one of the prominent disciples (Peter, James, and John).

• And in the book of Acts,

• He does not appear to be a “pillar of the church”

• Andrew, has been called “The Unnoticed Disciple,”

• He did some very important service for Jesus.

• And we will see that as we look at his life.

The key feature in the life of Andrew is,

• On a few of the occasions, we read about him,

• We see him introducing others to Jesus.

• i.e. First (John 1:39-42),

• We see him introducing his brother Peter to Jesus.

• Andrew’s bringing his brother to Jesus,

• Is a reminder that often the most effective results of evangelism,

• Takes place with friends and families.

ill:

• A young boy who asked his rabbi,

• “What’s the difference between Jews and other people?”

• The rabbi replied,

• “Oh, Jews are just like everyone else . . . only more so.”

• TRANSITION:

• Witnessing to family & close friends,

• Is just like witnessing to everyone else…only more so!

Quote:

• Author Randy Newman in his book

• “Bringing The Gospel Home”.

“Witnessing to family takes TLC.” I hope they catch my reference to “Tender, Loving Care” but then I tell them I mean something else. “T” stands for time, “L” stands for love, and “C” stands for comprehensiveness. These three were the common denominators I heard in the stories people told me. You need a longer-term perspective when it comes to family. You need a deeper reservoir of love. And you probably need to come in the side door by presenting the gospel as comprehensive in its effects, not just as a ticket into heaven.”

• I like that, “T.L.C.”

• “Time, Love & Comprehensiveness”.

• So, first we see Andrew introducing his brother Peter to Jesus.

• Then second…

• i.e. Second (John 6:8-9),

• We see him introduced a lad who had five loaves and two fishes,

• To Jesus when Jesus fed over 5,000 plus.

• Andrew bringing the young lad to Jesus is a reminder,

• Of the importance of sharing the good news,

• With the younger generation.

Ill:

• An evangelist announced to his Church,

• That two and a half people had become Christians,

• At a recent mission.

• After the service someone asked him,

• “What do you mean ‘two and a half?'”

• The evangelist replied,

“two were teenagers with a lifetime ahead of them,

and the other was a person in their 50s with only half a lifetime left.”

• So, first we see Andrew introducing his brother Peter to Jesus.

• Then second, we see Andrew introducing the lad to Jesus.