“A One-Talent Man”
Jn. 1:35-42, Jn. 6:5-9, Jn. 12:20-22
By: Mark Engler, Mt. Vernon Christian Church, Mt. Vernon, MO. Revised from original author Rodney Brown of Sedalia, MO. Thank you Rodney!
· When was the last time you heard a really inspiring, motivating sermon? (I hope it wasn’t too long ago.)
· Or when was the last time you heard a particularly stirring song service? (Once again, I hope it wasn’t very long ago.)
Perhaps it was a Bible lesson, or an organ/piano recital, or even a prayer that had special meaning for you and touched you deeply. Whatever it was (and whenever it was), chances are you may have thought at the time, “Man, I wish I could do something like that for Christ’s kingdom!” How many of you have ever thought something like that?
Well, let me tell you something. You can do something like that. You may not feel like you have a lot of outstanding talents to draw on. Maybe you’re not even sure you have one talent. But let me assure you that it is well within the abilities of every person here today to do something truly outstanding for Christ’s kingdom.
This morning I’d like to present to you the life of one man in the Bible who seems not to have had many talents. In fact, I doubt he thought he had any talents, and, to be truthful, I can only see one talent. But oh what a talent! It is a talent that you too possess, whether you realize it or not.
Very little is known of this man from the scriptures although he was one of the original 12 disciples. At every turn he seems to have been over-shadowed by his more outgoing and multi-talented brother. Anybody know about whom I’m talking? It’s Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother—“A One Talent Man”!
Andrew, like his more famous brother, Peter, was a fisherman from Capernaum in Galilee. But he must have taken some time off from the fishing business from time to time to pursue his interest in spiritual matters. For, when we first meet Andrew in the Bible, he is already a disciple of John the Baptist. Andrew is in the crowd one day when John points to Jesus passing by and says, “Look, the Lamb of God!” And so, interested and intrigued, Andrew follows Jesus to find out more about him.
Let me read it to you from Jn. 1:35-40.
Now, I don’t know what discussions took place that evening in the home where Jesus was staying, but it must have been some talk, because later on those two disciples even remembered the very hour that it took place. “It was about the tenth hour,” (or about 4:00 P.M. by our method of counting time.) It was a very significant hour for Andrew—an hour of decision, an hour of opportunity, and an hour that was to change his life forever. Whatever it was that was said, Andrew came away with the conviction that he had found the Messiah he had been looking for!
And I want you to notice that, because of that conviction on the part of Andrew, every time we meet him in the Scripture he is bringing someone to meet his Messiah. That is Andrew’s one talent, and that is the talent within the ability of everyone present today—the ability to introduce people to Jesus!
First, I want you to note…
I. Andrew brought himself to Jesus, and as such, he became one of the first disciples.
You know, Jesus personally called some to be his disciples. Matthew, the tax collector, was sitting in his booth one day when Jesus walked up and said, “Follow me.” And Matthew got up, left everything, and followed. (Mt. 9:9, Lk. 5:27-28).
Others were brought to Jesus by someone else. Nathanael was sitting under a fig tree one day when Phillip came to him and said, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. … Come and see.” (Jn.1:45-46).
But all John the Baptist had to do was point Jesus out, and Andrew had to find out for himself.
Now, there may be some in this area, and some even in this congregation who need to do some personal investigating of the claims of Christ, and some searching of their own hearts and minds. It may not be as easy for some to come to the same point of acceptance and obedience as Andrew, but it is equally necessary for all.
It’s easier for some to become a Christian, than for others. Those who were raised in a Christian home for instance. But what about a Jewish man or woman, what about someone who is a Mormon, or Islamic, or Muslim, it’s very hard for them to become a Christian. Family members who are still of their giving religion will deter them with all their heart, and many of those who come to Christ anyway feel like they are betraying their family. But, praise God that many go ahead and make that decision for Christ even though it is tremendously hard for them.
It’s easier for some to become a Christian than for others, because they have no particular fear of water. There are many who have real fears about being immersed down into water; Maria is one of those people and others here are probably as well. Hydrophobia is one of the most common fears. For many it takes a long time to drum up the courage to allow themselves to be baptized and when they do drum up the courage the preacher better be ready and waiting or the chance may not be given again.
It’s easier for some to become a Christian than for others because they are baptized at a fairly young age. When most people are young their not too concerned about how they look soaking wet or what others think. But for some that is an issue and an obstacle. You know, it is a little undignified to be dipped in water and come up with your hair all wet. But then, the cross was rather “undignified” as well, but oh, so necessary for our salvation. There is no shame in doing what God requires.
And the examples could go on and on. It is not always easy for someone to come to Christ, but many do it anyway.
But, Andrew brought himself to Jesus. Be an Andrew! Bring yourself to Jesus. And then, after bringing himself to Jesus, Andrew could only think of one thing—his brother, Peter.
II. Andrew brought his brother to Jesus.
Look at Jn. 1:41-42.
You know, Andrew, Peter, and some others accompanied Jesus periodically for about a year before Jesus called them to permanently leave their fishing nets and follow Him. Shortly afterward, both Peter and Andrew were named among the 12 who were to become apostles. But from this time on in the Scripture, his more-talented brother, Peter, outshines Andrew.
· Although Andrew first followed Jesus, and introduced Peter to Him, Peter is always named first in the list of apostles. Andrew is second or sometimes fourth.
· Andrew is mentioned only 14 times in the entire New Testament. (Four of those times are in listings of the 12.) But Peter is named 176 times!
· Peter and Andrew together with James and John operated a fishing business. But it was Peter, James, and John without Andrew who made up the “inner circle” of disciples that were closest to Jesus accompanying Him up the mount of transfiguration and further into the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus went there to pray.
· And more than once the Bible refers to Andrew as “Simon Peter’s brother.” (Notice vs. 40 of John chapter 1 for example, where Andrew is called Simon Peter’s brother even before we are told who Simon Peter is.
“Simon Peter’s brother.” Don’t you suppose that was kind of the story of Andrew’s life?
· In school—Peter always had the answers.
· In sports—Peter was the star who was chosen first.
· In romance—Peter attracted the girls.
· In business—Peter called the shots.
But with Andrew it was always, “Oh yeah, you’re Simon Peter’s brother aren’t you?” How many of you can identify with that?
Many have older siblings who have been ahead of them in school. If they are very smart or to the other extreme the teacher usually says something like “oh you are so and so’s brother or sister.” And they expect the same thing from you. I never wanted that with my brother, not that he was any smarter or less intelligent than me, I just wanted to be my own person and not be compared with anyone else. Can you imagine how Andrew felt having a brother like Simon Peter.
And now Andrew discovers Jesus Christ. For once, Andrew can be the first! For once, Andrew can be the star! Why, Andrew didn’t even have to tell Peter about Jesus. Let Peter find out for himself. But he did tell Peter. And that’s the point here. Andrew didn’t have a lot of talents, but he knew Peter did. Jesus could sure use a man like Peter. So Peter must meet Jesus.
Andrew wasn’t sour or bitter. He just did the one thing he could do—he brought his brother, to Jesus. And you know something, without Andrew there might never have been an apostle Peter!
We need “Andrews” today!
In the book “13 Men Who Changed the World,” it says this concerning the “Andrews” of this world:
“…They are not those who get the notices, the publicity, the highlights, the praise. They are not the stars, but the extras. They are not the quarterbacks, but the linemen. They are always taken for granted. ‘Now I remember you, you are Simon Peter’s brother.’ They play second fiddle. They are ordinary men. But without them nothing can be accomplished. One-talent men …not five, not ten …only one. But that talent is given to Christ, and not kept for oneself.
“We remember the Peters, but we forget these Andrews. They write no stirring epistles. They preach no great sermons. They do not win three thousand with one message. They work no miracles. But they bring the Peters who write the epistles, who preach the sermons, who win three thousand, who work the miracles in men. …”
Charles Spurgeon was a great and famous preacher of a past generation whose name is recognized by many still today. C.H. Spurgeon is responsible for the conversion of hundreds and perhaps thousands to Christ. But did you know it was a substitute, fill-in preacher who introduced Charles Spurgeon to Christ? No one remembers his name, but without his faithful witness scores of others might never have come to Christ.
Andrew brought himself to Jesus. Andrew brought his brother, Peter, to Jesus.
Be an Andrew!
The next time we meet Andrew in the Scriptures is in Jn. 6:5-9. On that occasion…
III. Andrew brought the boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fishes to Jesus.
[Read Jn. 6:5-9.]
You may remember that on one occasion (Mt. 19:13, Mk. 10:13, Lk. 18:15) the disciples’ rebuked people for bringing their children to Jesus. But Andrew was different. Andrew took the time to be concerned about just one, and brought him to Jesus.
Whom do you know that has been overlooked, snubbed, or even shunned by the rest of the world? Shouldn’t they be introduced to Jesus?
Someone may say, “Well yes, Andrew brought the boy to Jesus, but that was only because he needed the boy’s lunch to feed the 5000.”
Well, that’s another important aspect of Andrew’s faith. You see Andrew was no dummy. He knew 5 biscuits (for that’s really what they were) and 2 fish weren’t enough to feed all those people, the same as Philip and all the other apostles knew. But while Philip worried over what he lacked, Andrew brought what little he had to be blessed and used by Jesus. And why not? That’s what Andrew did with his own life—he offered the little talent he had to be blessed and used by Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t ask more of us than we are capable of giving or doing. He only asks us for what we have, what we know, and what we can do. Then He blesses it, multiplies it, and uses it for His glory.
There’s an old hymn in our hymnbook – hymn #661 – “Little Is Much When God Is in It”
“In the harvest field now ripened There’s a work for all to do; Hark! The voice of God is calling To the harvest calling you. Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth or fame; There’s a crown, and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ name.”
Andrew brought himself to Jesus. Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Andrew brought this young boy to Jesus. Be an Andrew!
Now, the last time we read about Andrew, other than his name being listed with the apostles in Acts 1:13, is in Jn. 12:20-22. And there Andrew is still doing what he does best:
IV. Andrew brought some Greeks to Jesus.
[Read Jn. 12:20-22.]
I don’t know why these Greeks wanted to see Jesus. The text doesn’t say. Maybe they had a request or maybe they were just curious. But either way, Greeks were outsiders to the Jewish mind. They were heathen, unclean, and a man would become defiled just being in their presence. These men knew the Jews felt that way about Greeks, so they decided their best chance of obtaining an audience with Jesus was to approach Philip—the only apostle with a Greek name.
But Philip didn’t know what to do, so he sought some advice. And it’s noteworthy, I think, of whom he sought that advice—he sought it of Andrew.
· He knew better than to ask James and John. A short time earlier they were ready to call down fire from heaven on a Samaritan village—and Samaritans are at least half Jewish.
· He knew better than to ask Peter. Peter continued having trouble with Gentiles clear up to the time of Cornelius in the book of Acts [chapter 10].
But when Philip consulted Andrew, Andrew knew just what to do. Without hesitation Andrew did what he’d always done—he brought them to Jesus.
In nearly every incident in which he is specifically mentioned, Andrew is bringing someone to Jesus. This was his one ability. This was his talent.
He brought himself.
He brought his brother.
He brought the young boy.
He brought these Greeks.
Andrew evidently considered the privilege of being a follower of Jesus as a gift from God to be shared with others. He is a good example of a basic principle of Christianity—that everyone who comes to Christ should bring others.
Perhaps you cannot preach, or sing, or teach, or play a musical instrument; but you can speak a word about Jesus to a friend or neighbor. Perhaps you can write a letter of comfort or encouragement to one who is in need. You may not be able to do everything, but you can do something.
SOMETHING YOU CAN DO (Poem)
Hark! The voice of Jesus calling,
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are white and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Loud and long the Master calleth,
Rich reward He offers free;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here I am, send me, send me.”
If you cannot cross the ocean
And the heathen lands explore,
You can find the heathen nearer,
You can help them at your door;
If you cannot give your thousands
You can give the widow’s mite;
And the least you give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight
If you cannot speak like angels,
If you cannot preach like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
You can say He died for all
If you cannot rouse the wicked
With the judgments dread alarms,
You can lead the little children
To the Savior’s waiting arms.
Let none hear you idly say,
“There is nothing I can do,”
While the sons of Men are dying,
And the Master calls for you.
Take the task He gives you gladly,
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly, when He calleth,
“Here am I, send me, send me.”
Conclusion:
In my study that I have been doing for upcoming sermons I ran across this sentence it’s something I knew, something I have been thinking about, but when you read it elsewhere it confirms it to you. The sentence it this, “And all with whom we have failed to share the truth are doomed, and we are responsible.” Now, I don’t know if Andrew felt like the people he brought to Jesus were doomed unless he brought them, maybe he did. But I want to make something clear this morning and that is that this sentence is true. All those we fail to share the gospel with are doomed, and we are responsible. That’s not to say that we have to share the gospel with everyone, but it is to say that we have an obligation, a responsibility to bring people to Jesus.
Although the Bible says nothing further about Andrew, there is a tradition about Andrew’s death. Andrew was scourged and tied to an X-shaped cross to prolong his sufferings. He hung there for 2-3 days before he died. But all the while he preached the gospel to the passers-by. He never stopped trying to bring people to Jesus, have you started?
“Andrew, where are you?
“There are people waiting to meet your Jesus.”
Be an Andrew!
