THE 12 APOSTLES OF JESUS: ANDREW
John 1:29-42
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. The 12 apostles of Jesus were the foundation stones of His church. Several of them wrote books of the Bible. Rev. 21:14 tells us that the 12 foundations of New Jerusalem are called by the names of the 12 apostles. They are foundational and very important to God & His Church.
2. Tonight we’re beginning a series on “The 12 Apostles of Jesus.” As we study these courageous first-century lives, and what discipleship meant in the time of Christ, we hope to glean Spirit-directed twenty-first century principle for discipleship.
3. We’re going to go in chronological order and meet the men who met Jesus & see how they influenced their world. Our first is Andrew, the first disciple of Jesus!
C. TEXT
29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." 32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."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.)
I. EARNEST SEEKER AFTER GOD
A. ANDREW ON THE CUTTING EDGE
1. Remember, there had been no prophet in Israel for 400 years. Then suddenly God raised up John the Baptist, who declared himself to be forerunner to the Messiah.
2. He dressed like Elijah the prophet, ate locusts & wild honey, & preached, not where people were, but out in the desert. His message was uncompromising: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is about to appear.”
3. If such a prophet appeared in our day, the spiritually hungry would gravitate to him. So it was then; the seekers after God dropped their priorities and went to hear what God was saying.
4. Who do we find in the inner circle of John’s disciples? Andrew! He’s taking in every word John is saying, so he sees John point Jesus out as the Messiah/ the Lamb of God.
5. What does Andrew do? He immediately takes to his heels; he doesn’t let Jesus out of his sight. He follows Him. His ‘seeking after God instinct’ tells him: “this is who to follow.”
6. Andrew followed Jesus because he wanted a more intimate knowledge of God. When Jesus saw them following, He invited their inquiry to reveal Himself to them.
7. 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 to fellowship with Him?
B. ANDREW’S DISCOVERY
1. In Jesus’ home, Andrew received the confirmation of the Spirit that Jesus is the Christ. Once he knew it, he couldn’t keep it to himself!
2. He said in John1:41, "We have found the Messiah." The word "found" is “eurakamen,” from which we get our word “Eureka!” as of a wonderful discovery. Andrew had long sought and now found the Messiah!
3. We need to examine ourselves to make sure we’re still seekers after God! If we are, we won’t be content to watch as others seek, but we’ll get out of our comfort zones and upset our routines in order to do what is necessary to get close to God.
II. A GREAT WITNESS
A. WHERE HE STARTED
1. HUMOR.
a. People always want something different. 2 ladies were discussing travel.
b. "Diane, the summer holidays will soon be with us and I was wondering where you’ll be going this time?"
c. "Well, as you know Fay, we took a trip around the world last year. So this year, we’re thinking of going somewhere different.”
2. Many Christians think that they need to go to Europe or Africa to witness before they reach their own neighborhood.
3. But Soul winning should start with those who’re nearest to us in relationship; family, extended family, close friends, acquaintances, neighbors, etc.
4. I want to stir you up to witness, not in India or Russia, but to your own children, and spouses and neighbors.
B. ALWAYS BRINGING SOMEONE TO JESUS
Every time Andrew is mentioned in Scripture, he is introducing someone to Jesus;
1. PETER.
a. "He first found his own brother..." John 1:41. The statement that he “first” found Peter to bring, implies he found others afterward.
b. Dr. Plummer says, "In Church history St. Peter is everything and Andrew is nothing. But would there ever have been an apostle Peter without an Andrew?"
c. Andrew a). Never wrote an Epistle; b). Never founded a Church; c). But was the instrument by whom Peter was led to Christ. Praise God!
2. A BOY WHO’S LUNCH FED 5,000, John 6:8-9. Andrew was the one who brought the boy to Christ who had 5 loaves & 2 fishes which became Jesus’ vehicle for a mighty miracle.
3. 1ST FOREIGN MISSIONARY. In John 12:20-22, Andrew became the first disciple to approach Jesus about speaking His message to Gentiles, Greeks.
4. Andrew is always bringing someone to Jesus!
C. USED THE ABILITY HE HAD
1. Some people think they need to speak before a congregation or they’re not doing anything. There’s a pulpit on every street corner and in every old folks home in America!
2. Use the opportunities you have. If you will become diligent in tract distribution, sharing with your family and friends, attending Sunday school classes and church, God will probably have to make a minister out of you!
D. WHERE HE PREACHED, HOW DIED
1. According to tradition, Andrew is claimed by three countries as their Patron Saint: Russia, Scotland and Greece. Many scholars say that he preached in Scythia, Greece and Asia Minor.
2. It was in Achaia, Greece, in the town of Patra that Andrew died a martyr. The Governor Aepeas' wife was healed and converted to the Christian faith, and shortly after that the Governor's brother became a Christian.
3. Aepeas was enraged. He arrested Andrew and condemned him to die on the cross. Andrew, feeling unworthy to be crucified on the same-shaped cross as his Master, begged that his be different.
4. So, he was crucified on an X-shaped cross, which is still called “Saint Andrew's cross” and which is one of his apostolic symbols.
III. ANDREW’S GREAT ATTITUDE
A. A COMMONPLACE DISCIPLE
1. Andrew was a commonplace disciple, a man of average capacity. He didn't have the brilliant character his brother Peter had.
2. There are no notable incidences connected with Andrew. Church history tells us how he died and little else. Yet Andrew was a faithful minister, endeavoring to extend the boundaries of God's kingdom.
3. If we could blot out of Christian history all the major stars, we would find that it would have progressed just as well, because the bulk of the work was accomplished by common Christians.
4. The lesson is, if you don't feel you have very many talents, do not neglect your one talent; instead, use it even more energetically.
B. DIDN’T MEASURE HIMSELF BY PETER
1. Being Peter’s brother placed him in a position where it would have been easy for him to become jealous and resentful.
2. Undoubtedly people compared him to Peter and saw a big difference. Yet Andrew was optimistic and content in second place. His main purpose in life was to bring others to the master.
C. THE ANDREW DIFFERENCE
1. The New Testament records tell of 40 people who were healed by Jesus. In only six cases out of 40 did the sufferers find the way to Jesus without assistance.
2. A missionary physician in one of China's hospitals cured a man of cataracts. A few weeks later, the healed man brought 48 blind men to the doctor for healing. How’d he get them there?
3. The one seeing man had all 48 men hold onto a rope, and he led them the 250 miles from the China low lands, all the way to the hospital! It must’ve taken a month, but he got them there!
D. GREAT COURAGE NOT NEEDED: ILLUSTRATION.
1. One time George Whitfield stayed for a week at a wealthy home belonging to a Colonel. The Col. and his family were hospitable and charming. So much so, that Whitfield hesitated to spoil the sweet atmosphere by speaking to them about the decision to accept Christ.
2. But, the Holy Spirit would not let him alone, "Do not leave them without warning!" Whitfield finally worked up the courage to write on a diamond-shaped pane of glass the words, "One thing you lack."
3. The family had expected Whitfield to witness to them and was surprised when he left without doing so, but they discovered the pane of glass and after searching their hearts, all knelt on the floor of that bedroom accepted Jesus!
4. They preserved that pane of glass for generations as an heirloom. See what the simplest obedience can accomplish?
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: HOW MOODY GOT SAVED.
1. On April 21, 1855, a Sunday school teacher stood in front of a Boston shoe store, indecision written on his face. He wanted to visit a young member of his class who was a clerk in the store, but he did not want to embarrass the boy in front of his friends. He hesitated, walked past, then determined to make a dash for it and have it over at once.
2. He found him in the back wrapping shoes in paper and putting them on shelves. He went up to him and put his hand on his shoulder, is simply told him of Christ's love and the love of Christ wanted to return.
3. The young man received Christ as his Savior right there in the storeroom of the shoe store. He made application to join a local congregation but was turned down because of a spiritual ignorance. A year later he applied again and was received -- though with some reluctance. His name was DL Moody!
4. This same boy grew up to shake two continents for Jesus Christ!
B. ALTAR CALL
1. We must know Christ if we are to communicate Him. Let's resolve to be like Andrew and tell others about Jesus.
2. Maybe we have some Peters here who haven't been introduced to Jesus but would like to. Jesus can change you from the Simon (reed) to a Cephas (Rock). God wants to do that in your life too!
CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF TEXTS ABOUT ANDREW
1. The 1st disciple to follow Jesus………John 1:35-42.
2. Formal Call of Peter & Andrew……Mk. 1:16; Mt. 4:18.
3. Andrew’s House Capernaum, healed Peter’s Mother-in-law Mk. 1:29.
4. Naming the 12………………Mk. 3:18; Mt. 10:2; Lk. 6:14.
5. Brought boy, lunch to Jesus, was multiplied…John 6:8
6. Wanted to bring Greeks to Jesus…………John 12:22.
7. Questioned Jesus about End Times……………Mk. 13:3.
8. Present in Upper Room……………………………Acts 1:13.
