Series: Getting Acquainted With The 12 Apostles [#4]
ANDREW- POWER OF AN ORDINARY LIFE
John 1:35-42
Introduction:
We do not know Andrew very well- His brother, Peter, gets most of the attention; but we ought to know him. We see people like Peter only occasionally in a lifetime; but we see people like Andrew every day. Andrews are at the grocery stores, restaurants, schools, all around. Every church, school, and organization has leaders; but behind the scenes are those who do much of the work and never get the credit. Andrew was an ordinary man. Andrew lived in Bethesaida of Galilee, where he made his living by fishing.
Mark 1:16-18 (NIV)
16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.
Andrew was fishing with his brother. Andrew had heard of the preaching of John the Baptist, so he went to see him. As John pointed to Jesus saying, “Behold the Lamb of God,” Andrew followed Him. It is a great time in anyone’s life when they come to Christ. Andrew was frequently called, 1st called. Andrew was just an ordinary man; but think of what he did for his Lord.
John 1:35-42 (NIV)
35 The 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 they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 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).
Andrew brought…
1. A member of his family to Christ.
I can just imagine an excited Andrew shouting out to his brother on a boat. Andrew could not wait to share his good news with his brother. Andrew brought Peter to Jesus. Peter became a very important Apostle; he was a natural born leader. There would have been no eloquent Peter at Pentecost had there been no humble Andrew in Bethsaida. It takes more courage to witness to your own family than it does to strangers.
Andrew lived a life to follow. Andrew probably never preached a sermon; but he lived a better sermon than most preachers will ever preach. Andrew never wrote an epistle; but he was a living epistle. We need more Andrews who live their faith each day and are concerned for members of their own family.
Andrew brought…
2. A boy to Christ.
In the 2nd picture of Andrew, we see him down by the seashore. Many people had been following Christ. People lost track of time as Jesus spoke. It was becoming late and people were still listening to every word. The children began to stir because they were tired and hungry. It would be several hours before they could buy food. Jesus could not dismiss these people knowing this. Jesus asked about food and one answered, “There is a lad here, who hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes.”
How do you suppose Andrew knew about his boy? Andrew loved people and found the boy. Had there been no Andrew, there might have been no lad with a lunch. Do we know the importance of leading and developing our young children for Christ? We must set the example before young people will believe in us. The boy had confidence in Andrew. You can’t fool young people. They know when our faith is genuine. Andrew was the ordinary man behind the scenes. Behind many great preachers are unknown workers.
Andrew brought…
3. Members of another race to Christ.
Some Greeks came to the Feast of the Passover. These worshipers sought help from Philip to Jesus. Philip introduced them to Andrew who brought them to Jesus. Jesus was stirred with joy as He saw the Greeks coming. Jesus could see all races coming to Him.
Each time we see Andrew in the New Testament, he is introducing someone to Jesus. Andrew was an ordinary man with extraordinary qualities. Andrew was great in humility. He did not care who got the credit. Andrew was great in personal friendships. Andrew was great in missionary zeal.
Conclusion:
Tradition has it that Andrew took the Gospel to Russia, Greece, Asia Minor, and Turkey. He lived to an old age and died a martyr’s death. Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross because he did not feel worthy to be crucified upright as Jesus was.
