Welcome to the third installment of our Ordinary Heroes of the Bible Series. Today, we will read about Andrew. This post is a summary of part of a series of sermons delivered by my pastor at my church. You are invited to watch, listen and worship with us here.
Our Scripture text for today is John 1:35-42.
God isn't looking for clout, influence, and power. He is looking for ordinary people like you and me. Prominence doesn't mean significance. In Scripture, Andrew is always bringing people to Jesus. If you are a person of significance with money and power, this doesn't mean that God will not use you. It just means that He is not looking for those things. He is looking at your heart. It is believed that Andrew preached the gospel from the cross for two days. He was apparently stoned and crucified.
Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What do you seek?” They said to Him, “Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?” He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter). - John 1:35-42
Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. Why bring people to Jesus?
1. You want what is best for them.
The devil wants you to think that your family and friends don't want you to talk to them about Jesus. Compare that to what God wants for them. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Jesus comes so that you can have life more abundantly.
One of the names for Jesus is Lamb of God.
The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29
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And he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” - John 1:36We need to be more like Andrew. We should want the best for our loved ones. They need forgiveness just like you and me.
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. - Romans 3:23
They need a Savior. Sin separates us, destroys us, and locks us up.
Another name for Jesus is Messiah.
He found first his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which translated means Christ). - John 1:41
We need a relationship with God. Everyone you know needs forgiveness and freedom.
2. You care about them.
Sadly, we generally lack a care and concern for people.
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:35
We need to pray for God to give us a genuine love for people.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. - Romans 1:16
We need to get past ourselves and take the gospel to people.
Do you have a hurting loved one? They need to hear the gospel of Jesus. They also need prayer. Tell them you will pray for them and make sure you do pray for them. Ask God to work in his or her heart.
Divine appointments await you. When a person's heart is prepared, God will place a willing messenger in his or her path. The more you ask God to give you a love for people, the more He will give you a love for people.
3. Jesus cares about them.
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, “How do You know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” - John 1:47-48
Jesus saw Nathaniel before Philip saw him. The Lord wants you to come to Him. He wants others to come to Him. He wants to heal your marriage, set you free from addiction, etc. He doesn't want your past to define you. He wants your past to refine you.
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