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.
2. 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.
3. The lesson is, if you don't feel you have very many talents, don’t neglect your one talent; instead, use it even more energetically.
II. ANDREW’S GREAT GOAL
A. WHAT HIS GOAL WAS NOT:
1. TO GET PEOPLE TO JOIN A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT, but to come to Jesus!
2. HE WASN’T TRYING TO SWAY PEOPLE from one movement to another, but to reach those who didn't know God!
3. HE WASN’T TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO ACT MORALLY. There’s many good programs to help people live better, but morality never saved anybody. We haven't done our job until we have brought people to Jesus Christ!
B. WHAT HIS GREAT GOAL WAS
1. TO TELL PEOPLE HIS STORY. Andrew's blunt and certain conviction about the identity of Jesus was what must have awakened surprise in Simon. "We have found the Messiah!"
2. The New Testament records of about 40 people (individuals) who were healed by Jesus. In only 6 of 40 cases did the sufferers find the way to Jesus without assistance.
3. A missionary physician in one of China's hospitals cured a man of cataracts. A few weeks later, 48 blind men came to the doctor from one of China's low lands, all holding on to a rope guided by the man who had been cured. He had led all these blind people over 250 miles because he was a living witness that sight was available!
III. ANDREW’S WISE METHODS
A. USED THE ABILITY HE HAD
1. Andrew didn’t think he needed a large audience to speak about Christ. 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 use every means possible -- tracts, music, family connections, neighborhood connections -- God will probably have to make a minister out of you! If we only have one talent, it still can be quadrupled!
B. FOCUSED HIS EFFORTS ON ONE MAN
1. Andrew didn't try to win everyone at once. Instead, he focused on one man, his brother Peter. No mathematician can assess the value of one soul! One soul sets all of heavens bells ringing by its repentance -- the angels rejoice.
2. Don't be discouraged if your small group or Bible study doesn’t have large numbers; the winning of one soul is worth all the world.
C. HE DIDN’T GO FAR TO USE HIS ABILITIES
1. Many Christians think that they have to go to Europe or Africa to witness, but God thinks it's better for us to sweep our own sidewalk before we cross the world to sweep someone else's.
2. Soul winning should begin with those who are nearest to us in relationship; family, extended family, close friends, acquaintances, neighbors, etc.
3. I want to stir you up to witness, not in India or Russia, but to your own children, spouses and neighbors.
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 and accepted Jesus! They preserved that pane of glass for generations as an heirloom. See what the simplest obedience can accomplish?
IV. ANDREW’S GREAT REWARD
A. HE WON A SOUL TO CHRIST
1. "He first found his brother.” 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?” The words, “first found” implies he found others afterward.
2. Andrew a). Never wrote an Epistle; b). Never founded a Church; c). But was the instrument by whom Peter was led to Christ.
3. Every time Andrew is mentioned in Scripture, he is introducing someone to Jesus;
a. John 1:41 -- Peter
b. John 6:8-9 -- the boy with fishes and loaves
c. John 12:20-22 -- introducing the Greeks to Jesus
B. BECAUSE FAITHFUL, CALLED TO BE APOSTLE
1. Jesus chose His apostles for a reason. Undoubtedly, He considered Andrew, "He’s an earnest man. He brought me Simon Peter. He’s always speaking privately to individuals; I will make an apostle of him."
2. If we are faithful in the little God gives us at first, God will give us charge over much more!
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, and simply told him of Christ's love and the way he could respond to Christ’s love – by a decision to surrender.
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 D.L. Moody!
4. This same boy grew up to shake two continents for Jesus Christ! And who was responsible for this breakout of God’s power? A Sunday school teacher!
B. ALTAR CALL
1. We must know Christ if we’re going to make Him known. Let's resolve to be like Andrew and get to know Christ and then tell others about Him!
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!
