The 12 Apostles Of Jesus: Andrew

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!