Sermon: Andrew
The man behind the scenes leader of the message of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Thesis: Andrew was the behind-the-scenes apostle – the silhouette behind Jesus. He was close to Jesus – one of the 4. He was different, we do not see him get caught up in the drama, the battle for power, or for leadership like Peter, James and John. All three close to Andrew!
Introduction:
He was a quiet reserved leader and content to be the support person for others and especially for Jesus. He surfaces in scripture bringing people to Jesus’ time and again. He is portrayed in a positive light like bringing the young boy with fish and loaves to Jesus. He is never rebuked by Jesus like the other three were.
I had to talk about the other brother – no not to James and John the Sons of Thunder who preached Thunder – God’s Truth- God’s Word and Love but the other brother. He was most likely a lifelong friend and partner with James and John.
Yes, Jesus would call families to serve Him – in the case of the 4 it equaled two families and 4 brothers. The brother of Andrew was Peter’s – yes Peter had a brother who always seemed presented in the background as a leader. He is never shown in Scripture speaking to large crowds or planting a church or even writing an epistle. The brother and friend in the shadows of three very strong personalities is our man of the hour Andrew!
I preached two sermons on Peter a month or so back. We saw his zeal and willingness to defend Jesus with the sword! His boldness to even try to rebuke Jesus from His divine mission (to protect him), his being the first to confess Jesus as Lord and Savior and His fall from grace denying Jesus 3 times as Jesus predicted. But we also witnessed his restoration too by Jesus. We see a lot written about Peter in Acts, the spirit filled leader of the 12.
We discovered a lot about John but not much about James because he was the first of the 12 to be martyred. But you hear even less about Andrew – as a matter-of-fact Andrew is not mentioned in Acts after Pentecost.
But Andrew was one of the first disciples to follow Jesus. He was with John the Baptist when John proclaimed Jesus as "The Lamb of God". Don’t miss this point!
But Andrew was a leader – he was just more reserved, behind the scenes and quieter than the other 3 – could you imagine growing up in their shadows? But do not underestimate Andrew’s relationship with Jesus he too had a strong connection with Jesus!
I. Andrew is seen leading people to Jesus – introducing people to Jesus!
a. I do not want you to underestimate Andrew’s contribution to Jesus’ ministry and most likely to his brother Peter’s ministry.
i. The most important spiritual task we can accomplish in life is bringing people to Jesus! Would you agree?
ii. I have a big question for you today – Bible quiz time: Here is the big question: Do you know who led Peter to Jesus?
1. Let’s read John 1:35-42 now: Jesus’ First Disciples
a. 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 Petera).
i. Did you know spending a day with Jesus will change you!
ii. Who have you introduced to Jesus lately!
iii. I want to tell you that when Andrew spent a day with the Lord he said to himself, “This isn’t right, I’ve got to go tell Peter!”
1. Did you hear that – I am not keeping Jesus to myself – I must share Him with others.
2. Higgins states, “Listen, when you spend some time with the Lord, when you encounter the Jesus of the Bible, you’ll not be able to help but tell somebody what you’ve experienced! I’m telling you that the reason you and I don’t talk about Jesus to the people we know, and meet is because we haven’t been spending time with the Lord. Now I don’t know about you, but I find the fact that for all we know and admire about the apostle Peter, very little is said in the Scriptures about his brother Andrew, especially considering that Andrew brought him to Jesus.”
b. The behind-the-scenes leader:
i. Key Characteristics:
1. Influence, not Authority: They use influence, persuasion, and strategy rather than formal authority to get things done.
2. Unseen Power: Their actions and decisions are often unseen by the public, but their impact is significant.
3. Navigating Complexity: They excel in navigating ambiguous or complex situations where the right path is not always clear.
4. Strong Moral Compass: They are driven by a strong sense of purpose and values, even when working behind the scenes.
5. Self-Awareness: They are deeply aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and they use their skills to achieve greater good.
c. Andrew reminds me of people like:
i. Joshua with Moses
ii. David with Saul
iii. Barnabas and Paul
iv. Barnabas and John Mark
v. Annais and Paul
vi. Priscilla and Aquilla and Apollos
vii. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to Jesus
1. How about others – who were the behind-the-scenes leaders – not looking for limelight but serving the out-front leader:
a. Nash and Finney
i. Daniel Nash 1775-1831 – Prayer Warrior for Charles Finney by J Paul Reno
1. Daniel Nash (1775-1831) served as Charles Finney’s personnel intercessor. He was key to the revival that followed Finney’s ministry. We can all look at the life of Daniel Nash and see an example of how important prayer is to see the kingdom of God revealed. From “Daniel Nash: Prevailing Prince of Prayer” When God would direct where a meeting was to be held, Father Nash would slip quietly into town and seek to get two or three people to enter into a covenant of prayer with him. Sometimes he had with him a man of similar prayer ministry, Abel Clary. Together they would begin to pray fervently for God to move in the community.
2. One record of such is told by Leonard Ravenhill: “I met an old lady who told me a story about Charles Finney that has challenged me over the years. Finney went to Bolton to minister, but before he began, two men knocked on the door of her humble cottage, wanting lodging. The poor woman looked amazed, for she had no extra accommodations. Finally, for about twenty-five cents a week, the two men, none other than Fathers Nash and Clary, rented a dark and damp cellar for the period of the Finney meetings (at least two weeks), and there in that self-chosen cell, those prayer partners battled the forces of darkness.”
3. Another record tells: “On one occasion when I got to town to start a revival a lady contacted me who ran a boarding house. She said, ‘Brother Finney, do you know a Father Nash? He and two other men have been at my boarding house for the last three days, but they haven’t eaten a bite of food. I opened the door and peeped in at them because I could hear them groaning, and I saw them down on their faces. They have been this way for three days, lying prostrate on the floor and groaning. I thought something awful must have happened to them. I was afraid to go in and I didn’t know what to do. Would you please come see about them?’ “‘No, it isn’t necessary,’ Finney replied. ‘They just have a spirit of travail in prayer.'”
4. Another states: “Charles Finney so realized the need of God’s working in all his service that he was wont to send godly Father Nash on in advance to pray down the power of God into the meetings which he was about to hold.” Not only did Nash prepare the communities for preaching, but he also continued in prayer during the meetings. “Often Nash would not attend meetings, and while Finney was preaching Nash was praying for the Spirit’s outpouring upon him. Finney stated, ‘I did the preaching altogether, and brother Nash gave himself up almost continually to prayer.’ Often while the evangelist preached to the multitudes, Nash in some adjoining house would be upon his face in an agony of prayer, and God answered in the marvels of His grace. With all due credit to Mr. Finney for what was done, it was the praying men who held the ropes. The tears they shed, the groans they uttered are written in the book of the chronicles of the things of God.”
a. Read the story of Daniel Nash – Prevailing Prince of Prayer, by J Paul Reno above from https://www.hopefaithprayer.com/prayer-warrior-charles-finney/
b. Edward Kimball and Moody
i. Illustration: God often works that way raising up behind the scenes leaders to help launch public faces. Few have ever heard of Edward Kimball. His name is a footnote in the annals of church history. But he was the Sunday school teacher who led D. L. Moody to Christ. He went one afternoon to the Boston shoe store where the nineteen-year- old Moody was working, cornered him in the stockroom, and introduced him to Christ. Kimball was the antithesis of the bold evangelist. He was a timid, soft-spoken man. He went to that shoe shop frightened, trembling, and unsure of whether he had enough courage to confront this young man with the gospel. At the time, Moody was crude and obviously illiterate, but the thought of speaking to him about Christ had Kimball trembling in his boots. Kimball recalled the incident years later. Moody had begun to attend his Sunday school class. It was obvious that Moody was totally untaught and ignorant about the Bible. Kimball said, I decided to speak to Moody about Christ and about his soul. I started down town to Holton's shoe store. When I was nearly there I began to wonder whether I ought to go just then during business hours. And I thought maybe my mission might embarrass the boy, that when I went away the other clerks might ask who I was, and when they learned might taunt Moody and ask if I was trying to make a good boy out of him. While I was pondering over it all I passed the store without noticing it. Then, when I found I had gone by the door I determined to make a dash for it and have it over at once.1 Kimball found Moody working in the stockroom, wrapping and shelving shoes. Kimball said he spoke with "limping words." He later said, "I never could remember just what I did say: something about Christ and His love; that was all." He admitted it was "a weak appeal."2 But Moody then and there gave his heart to Christ. Of course, D. L. Moody was used mightily by the Lord as an evangelist both in America and in England.
1. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (pp. 69-70). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
c. Catherine Booth and William Booth
d. Susanna Wesley and Charles Wesley
2. I could go on telling story after story of behind-the-scenes leaders:
a. While prominent leaders like Moses, David, and Paul are often highlighted for their influence, the Bible also reveals individuals who made significant contributions to the success of others. But they choose to remain behind the scenes in support of the public leadership.
3. People like Andrew demonstrate that leadership is not always about being at the forefront or having a title!
a. It’s about serving with no desire for the limelight!
b. Can you understand the importance of behind-the-scenes leaders?
i. The church needs more of these types of leaders!
d. Andrew surfaces in scripture always in a positive light – he is never rebuked by Jesus personally – Like the other 3 were!
i. MacArthur notes: Of all the disciples in the inner circle, Andrew appears the least contentious and the most thoughtful. As we know already, Peter tended to be impetuous, to rush ahead foolishly, and to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. He was often brash, clumsy, hasty, and impulsive. James and John were nicknamed "Sons of Thunder" because of their reckless tendencies. They were also evidently the ones who provoked many of the arguments about who was the greatest. But there's never a hint of that with Andrew. Whenever he speaks, which is rare in Scripture — he always says the right thing, not the wrong thing. Whenever he acts apart from the other disciples, he does what is right. Scripture never attaches any dishonor to Andrews actions when it mentions him by name.
1. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (pp. 63-64). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
e. Andrew was a witness to Jesus' Baptism and Ministry:
i. He was most likely there when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist and when John called him “The Lamb of God!’
1. See Matthew 3:13-17 - The Baptism of Jesus
a. 13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
ii. Matthew 4:18-22 - New International Version
1. Jesus Calls His First Disciples: 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
iii. He was there at the Marriage in Cana: Andrew was present at the wedding in Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle, turning water into wine (John 2:2).
iv. He saw Jesus do miracles and he knew He needed to follow Him even to a greater extent than he had followed John the Baptist.
v. Last Supper: Andrew was present at the Last Supper, where Jesus shared the bread and wine with his disciples (Matthew 26:20-30).
f. My Story Marlo: My own story with Marlo and working with him a year at Urban Coalition – you never know what a one on one could or would produce! He gets saved after a year, wife and family get saved, son is saved on the Battleship New Jersey – back in that day we had just had the building blown up in Lebanon and it killed many marines. When that happened Marlo’s son started a bible study on the battle ship New Jersey and started praying as the battleship for weeks shelled Lebanon.
T.S. – Andrew was the first disciple to come to Jesus thru John the Baptist – most likely he was with John a son of Thunder and they spent a day with Jesus – so afterwards Andrew goes to Peter to introduce him to Jesus – he could not keep Jesus to himself.
II. The second instance when Andrew is mentioned in a positive light is at the feeding of the 5,000.
a. The Feeding of the Five Thousand: A miracle of Jesus which was a fulfillment of the Messiah feeding the people in the wilderness when he returns occurs. Andrew played a role in the miracle where Jesus fed a large crowd with a boy's meager meal of loaves and fish (John 6:5-13).
i. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, “Eight months’ would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
ii. Andrew along with the other disciples are trying to figure out how to fulfill Jesus’ instruction to feed these people.
1. Phillip is like we don’t have enough money to feed all these people!
a. There is a lot of them Jesus!
2. But Andrew discovers the boy with 5 small Barley loaves and fish – he saw a possibility in the little – Note he does say – I am not sure how far they will go with so many people Jesus! But we do have these few things.
a. But that was enough for Jesus!
i. I have a saying on my bulletin board by my computer “Jesus can use your resources the ones you already have to do a miracle!”
b. In ministry you must believe this – you have to have faith because somethings look like there is not enough –We can say and pray, “ Lord I don’t know how we can make it we don’t have enough money or workers” – but God takes what we have and does a miracle!
c. Scripture reveals to us in the different feedings of the multitudes that God can meet and supply food for his people.
i. He can bring money in when needed – like when they had to pay taxes – What does Jesus do he sends Peter – see Matthew 17:24-27, where Jesus instructs Peter to catch a fish, open its mouth, and find a coin inside to pay the Temple tax.
d. Just study the feeding of the millions in the wilderness with Moses for 40 years – God can provide.
i. He provided manna daily and even quail at one point to feed his people.
ii. He did it twice in the Gospels feeding the multitude – he is still doing these types of miracles!
b. But notice it’s Andrew who points out the boy – the fish and the bread to Jesus!
i. Maybe he is thinking back to the miracles of turning water into wine that he had witnessed and thinking maybe he can multiply these too – but man I am not sure, but I will bring the lad to Jesus!
T.S.- Andrew is revealed as one who sees what they have, and he brings that to Jesus who then multiplies the fish and the bread! Andrew behind the scenes brings what he finds to Jesus – an act of faith with some doubt but Jesus does the miracle.
III. Andrew is part of the 4 and in moments they as a 4 would ask Jesus for clarity about His teachings.
a. See the Mount of Olives: Andrew was among the four disciples (Peter, James, John) who asked Jesus privately about the destruction of the temple and the end of the age (Mark 13:3-23).
i. 3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 9 “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 12 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 13 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 “When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. 17 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in winter, 19 because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now—and never to be equaled again. 20 If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect—if that were possible. 23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. 24 “But in those days, following that distress, “ ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’26 “At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens. 28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 29 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. 30 I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
ii. The Day and Hour Unknown: 32 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert (and pray)! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
b. The Apostles – the 4 wanted Jesus to clarify his Mini Apocalyptic teaching on end times which Jesus does. It shows their desire to know the truth and the future and to seek clarity in Jesus teaching!
i. In summary: In Mark 13, Jesus delivers the Olivet Discourse, a prophecy about the future destruction of the Jerusalem temple and the end of the age. He warns his disciples to be vigilant against false teachers, impending wars, and natural disasters. The passage also includes a description of the signs preceding the Second Coming of Christ, including cosmic events and the gathering of his elect.
ii. This is a sermon for another day but I wanted to highlight it because Andrew is involved.
T.S.- Andrew always sought clarity from Jesus on His teachings and a desire to learn and grow under Jesus! We have another scenario of him bringing Greeks to meet Jesus!
IV. Greeks Seeking Jesus: When some Greeks wanted to see Jesus, they initially approached Philip, who then consulted with Andrew then the two brought them to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
a. 20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.
i. Here we have again Andrew introducing people to this time Gentiles – Greeks.
ii. Kevin Higgins stated from sermon central this about Andrew!
1. A genuine encounter with Jesus will produce an attitude of contentment in service. Think about Andrew’s life – what do you know about it? He introduced Peter to Jesus; in John 12 he was one of the disciples that introduced some Greek men to Jesus; and he was one of the disciples who asked Jesus what the signs of His second coming would be. Outside of that – we don’t know much. So what does that tell us? It tells me that Andrew was a man of great inner strength – a man who didn’t have to be in the spotlight, a man who didn’t care if he received any attention or not – he was content just to follow Jesus and serve Him however he could. I want to tell you that that’s an attitude that’s all too often lacking in our churches today. Too many people are ambitious, believing that in our recognition and advancement, in being the leader, the director, or the boss leads to real happiness. There are too many people like Peter who are quick to shoot off at the mouth and want to run things when we need more Andrews.
Conclusion:
His Martyrdom: Tradition states that Andrew was crucified, bound rather than nailed, to an X-shaped cross, known as St. Andrew's Cross.
Tradition says he took the gospel north. Eusebius, the ancient church historian, says Andrew went as far as Scythia. (That's why Andrew is the patron saint of Russia. He is also the patron saint of Scotland.) He was ultimately crucified in Achaia, which is in southern Greece, near Athens. One account says he led the wife of a provincial Roman governor to Christ, and that infuriated her husband. He demanded that his wife recant her devotion to Jesus Christ and she refused. So, the governor had Andrew crucified. By the governor's orders, those who crucified him lashed him to his cross instead of nailing him, in order to prolong his sufferings. (Tradition says it was a saltire, or an X-shaped cross.) By most accounts, he hung on the cross for two days, exhorting passersby to turn to Christ for salvation. After a lifetime of ministry in the shadow of his more famous brother and in the service of His Lord, he met a similar fate as theirs, remaining faithful and still endeavoring to bring people to Christ, right to the end. Was he slighted? No. He was privileged.
MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 74). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
What we need to know from this message:
Andrew is often portrayed as a close follower of Jesus, actively participating in his ministry and witnessing key events. But always in the background! You could say he saw the value in individual people – from what we know of him he never preached to any crowds like his brother Peter. He is the one-on-one evangelist. The behind-the-scenes silhouette helping Jesus to shine and Peter to shine and maybe even Jame sand John to shine for the Kingdom. He has no desire to be in the spotlight but to be a servant leader in the background!
He is seen as a faithful disciple who was instrumental in bringing others to faith. Peter, The Greeks, bringing the boy with a few fish and loaves all to Jesus.
His missionary spirit and concern for others are highlighted in his interactions with Jesus and his subsequent ministry.
MacArthur stated, “He was featured as part of the inner circle (cf. Mark 1:29; 13:3). There is no question that he had a particularly close relationship with Christ, because he was so often how other people were personally introduced to the Master. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 61). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Why do we need to know this truth?
We don’t all need to be in the forefront if God has not wired us that way – Andrew fulfilled his call and served the Lord the way he was gifted to! In the silhouette of his brother Peter and Jesus. He was content with that – could or would you be content with being in the shadows?
What do they need to do?
You need to be you and use the gifts and personality God has given you to introduce people to Jesus – you need to bring what you have to Jesus even if you don’t think it’s enough for a miracle and present it to Jesus! He will use you and it for a miracle!
