Spread The Word Andrew Told His Brother, Have You Told Yours?

 Spread The Word

Andrew Told His Brother, Have You Told Yours? 

Introduction:

In just a few short weeks, our students will be heading out on the first choir tour that we have had in over 2 years. The COVID-19 pandemic prevented us from being able to travel. Plus, most if not all the venues that we had prepared to sing at closed. This meant that the choir tour that was planned in 2020 had to be put on the shelf. During that time our church focused on local missions. Missions like Second Saturday Stockton became a very popular place to be on mission for Christ. Thankfully, the footprint of COVID-19 seems to be shrinking thus allowing us to travel greater distances. So, our students along with some great adult leaders will be traveling to Dallas at the end of May and they won’t back until the Sunday before our Vacation Bible School. Their homecoming concert will be June 3rd. You will not want to miss that event I promise.

I bring this up because when I was a kid youth choir was a very important part of my life. I participated in youth choir from the time I was a 7th grader at Taylor Road Baptist Church till my college days at First Baptist Church. Both churches are in Montgomery, AL. I love music and youth choir not only gave me the chance to sing which I enjoy but music also became a vehicle to teach me God’s Word. The same is true for the music that Chris has been teaching to our students. These hymns, spiritual songs, and praise choruses are an amazing way to teach us God’s Word. Singing installs Biblical truths deep into our subconscious and souls. That’s why all three of my kids are in choir. Jett is in the Driven Choir led by Marsha Scarborough. Jay and Jack are both in our Youth Choir led by Chris. 

The reason I am talking about choir is because of the sermon title for today’s message. Andrew Told His Brother Have You Told Yours is a song that I sang when I was a junior and senior in high school. The song reminds us of the importance of sharing the Gospel. Sure, we should share the good news with strangers, passerby’s, and people in general. However, we should absolutely and most certainly take the Gospel message to our family. Andrew told his brother Peter, brining Peter to Jesus, and the world has never been the same. The old song from youth choir reminds me that Andrew’s boldness in witnessing to his brother Peter leads to Peter’s blessing. You can fill in the Today’s Thought if you like. Andrew’s blessing leads to Peter’s blessing.  

Today’s Thought:

Andrew’s Boldness Leads To Peter’s Blessing!

Background and Context:

Before we read from John 1 this morning, I would like to give you some background of what’s happening and what we know about Andrew, Peter’s brother. First let’s set the scene. John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, is enjoying a thriving ministry. His mission is located deep within the desert, far removed from the hustle and bustle of Jerusalem. Not to mention, John’s ministry is far from the prying eyes of the Pharisees. John was not one to preach in the synagogues, he preferred the muddy banks of the Jordan River. John was not one to walk around in the priestly robes, no way. He wore camel’s hair with a leather belt. He also had a unique diet. He ate locusts and drank honey. John was not one to mince words either. He would regularly challenge the religious community. John understood his ministry. He was a forerunner to the Messiah, preparing the way for one whose ministry would far surpass his own. Listen to how John described his ministry in John 1:26-27.

John 1:26-27 ESV

26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

John the Baptist had many followers and one of those followers was a fisherman by the name of Andrew. We discover that Andrew was a fisherman in Matthew 18. Andrew was brother to Peter. We find that out in Matthew 4:18 and even lived with Peter until Peter married. We find that out in Mark 1:28-30. This story that we are about to read is very important in the life and ministry of Jesus. This story is captured in all 4 Gospels and is referred to in several places throughout the New Testament. When we read John 1:35-42, the text tells us that John was standing with two of his disciples. We know that these disciples were Andrew and John the Beloved disciple. John the Baptist proclaims that the Messiah has arrived and instantly, without hesitation, Andrew leaves John and follows Jesus. Now that’s bold. After Andrew follows Jesus, he introduces Jesus to Peter. So, let’s read John 1:35-42 from the New Living Translation together this morning. 

Today’s Scripture:

John 1:35-42 NLT

35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

Explanation:

There is perhaps no more classic piece of Scripture that supports the work of evangelism. Andrew tells Peter about Jesus. You know friends, sometimes it is easier to tell a stranger about Jesus than our own family. D.L. Moody, famed preacher, teacher and evangelist once said, “A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian…and most of all, his family ought to know”. So, what can we learn from this encounter with Andrew, Peter, and Jesus?

Today’s Quote:

“A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian…

and most of all, his family ought to know.”

-D.L. Moody 

What Can We Learn From Andrew’s Encounter With Jesus?

I. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Insight vs. 36-37

John 1:36-37 ESV

36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Point:

There are three things to notice about this short exchange between John the Baptist and Andrew. The first thing is that Andrew was a man who followed closely to his master. In the ancient world, the follower of a Rabbi, it was said, that they were to follow so closely that they would be covered in the dust of their master. Andrew was so close to John the Baptist that he was able to hear the statement “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” When you read this passage in the Greek, it is called a present declarative imperative. Meaning that John the Baptist declared something loudly, boldly, and important. Not only did John shout these words, he wanted everyone present to know that this event was taking place in that very moment. Andrew was there, following so closely, that he was able to hear for himself what was happening. He would not have to rely on the reports of others. He would not have to hear what John said from someone else as it was passed from person to person using the telephone game. The same passion for following John the Baptist would be brought into his new relationship with Jesus. 

So first, Andrew was a man who followed closely to his master. Second, he was a man who was a listener. Andrew was the type of man who soaked in the words of his spiritual mentors. Andrew was like a dry sponge and the words of John the Baptist were like wet words pouring over his spirit. Everything John said, Andrew stored in his mind and heart. Andrew reminds me of Proverbs 19:20. 

Proverbs 19:20 ESV

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

John was a close follower, a consummate listener, and an obedient disciple. Look John said, the Lamb of God. Those words might as well have been a gun at the starting block of Andrew race. As soon as he heard those words, Andrew turned His gaze towards Jesus. In fact, Andrew was the very first follower of Jesus. You know, when we talk about disciples, there are other men who seem to get more credit. Peter is always mentioned as a great. Then there is John who we refer to as the beloved disciple. Matthew was a tex collector who followed Jesus and then there is Judas. We all know about Judas. I say all that but there is only one first follower and that moniker belongs to Andrew. Andrew was the first who left everything to follow Jesus. He left his job, his home, his security, and comfort, and he left his little “m” master to follow the big “m” master…Jesus. 

Andrew was a man of deep spiritual insight. He knew instantly what other’s failed to see. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Chosen One of Israel who would set His people free. His spiritual insight led him to trade everything that he held dear for the joy of knowing Jesus. You see friends, Andrew was not seeking John the Baptist, he was seeking Jesus. He didn’t know Jesus’ name, didn’t know where Jesus was from, or even where Jesus was going, but he possessed enough following skills, listening prowess, and spiritual observation to know Jesus when he saw Him. You see brothers and sisters, Jesus is everywhere if we are follow closely God’s Word, listen to the Holy Spirit, and are brave enough to look for Him. I will tell you, the first step in being able to sharing Jesus is having an encounter with Jesus. Andrew was walking in the footsteps of a new master now. It reminds me of I Peter 2:21, 

I Peter 2:21 ESV

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

What Can We Learn From Andrew’s Encounter With Jesus?

I. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Insight vs. 36-37

II. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Instinct vs. 39

John 1:39 ESV

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Point:

Andrew is Andreas in Greek, coming from the root word aner or andros, meaning “man.” The name is related to andreia, meaning “courage,” and it’s most often defined as “manly.” That’s a strange way to describe a baby, if you ask me. Peter and Andrew’s daddy must have been quite the fella. He named his first boy Simon which was a classic Greek name deriving from an adjective meaning “flat nosed”. Jonah, Peter’s Dad expected his first son to be a flat nosed fighter and he named his second boy “manly”. Old Jonah must have been a real character. 

Andrew’s Dad may have wanted his son to be a man’s man, but he had more than just physical gifts to offer this world. Andrew was a man of spiritual insight and he was a man of spiritual instinct. When he leaves John the Baptist to follow Jesus, he asks a very important question. Jesus where are you going, where are you staying? Andrew knew that the only way to get to know Jesus was if he stayed with him. Again, if you read between the lines, Andrew is actually asking Jesus where he would be eating. He wanted to dine with Jesus, share a meal with Christ. This was a common occurrence in the ministry of Christ. Eating! In fact the New Testament mentions Jesus eating some 109 times. No wonder Jesus’ cousin was a Baptist. Why did Andrew want to eat with Jesus? It is pretty obvious, when people eat together barriers drop, people get real, conversation happens, and you get to really know someone. Andrew might as well have asked Jesus the following, “Jesus will you open you heart to me, I want to know you”!

Did you know that Andrew is mentioned 12 times in the Bible? It’s true. The name of Andrew is only mentioned 12 times. 4 of those 12 times he is numbered with the other disciples of Christ. There is one particular time that Andrew is mentioned that I want to share with you today. This story really places on display the spiritual instinct that Andrew possessed in following Jesus and telling others about His master. The story takes place in John 6:1-10. Let me read it for you and while I am reading see if you can figure out the insight and instinct that Andrew possessed. 

John 6:1-10 NLV

After this Jesus went over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. It is sometimes called Tiberias. 2 Many people followed Him. They saw the powerful works He did on those who were sick. 3 Jesus went up on a mountain and sat down with His followers. 4 The special religious supper to remember how the Jews left Egypt was soon.

5 Jesus looked up and saw many people coming to Him. He said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” 6 He said this to see what Philip would say. Jesus knew what He would do. 7 Philip said to Him, “The money we have is not enough to buy bread to give each one a little.”

8 One of His followers was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He said to Jesus, 9 “There is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two small fish. What is that for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was much grass in that place. About five thousand men sat down.

Point:

Did you see it? What’s the problem? There are thousands of people, scholars say that there may have been upwards of 20,000 people in attendance. There was no food. None. Jesus asks Phillip, “hey Phillip, how are we going to feed all these people”? Phillip shrugs and says “no idea”. But then Andrew shows up. Andrew suddenly enters the story, out of no where, completely unexpected and he tosses this kid into the mis. “Jesus this is all the food that I can find. I know that this is not enough and I know that no one thinks this kid has anything to offer, but I am brining him to you Jesus”. 

This is now the second person that Andrew brings to Jesus. He brings flat nosed fighting Simon to Jesus and he watches Jesus take His unstable donkey of a brother and transform him into Peter, the Rock. So Andrew knows that Jesus can do miracles. He has seen Jesus take a fishless sea and turn it into nets breaking full of fish. He knew that this was not nearly enough food, but Jesus can take the unstable and make them stable, He can take the empty and turn it into full. Surly He can do something with this nothing amount of food and this nobody of a kid. 

You know the rest of the story. Jesus does a miracle. He feeds thousands upon thousands with a small lunch. 

Again, Jesus eating. This entire relationship and all the subsequent miracles that Andrew experienced with Jesus all started from asking Jesus, “where are you staying, can I share a meal with you”? Brothers and sisters, if you are looking for miracles, if you are looking for hope, mercy, forgiveness, and grace, abide with Jesus. If you want to see your life transformed and the lives of those around you transformed, abide with Jesus. Follow the instinct of Andrew and stay with Jesus. 

John 15:4 ESV

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

What Can We Learn From Andrew’s Encounter With Jesus?

I. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Insight vs. 36-37

II. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Instinct vs. 39

III. Andrew Was A Man of Spiritual Inspiration vs. 40-42

John 1:40-42 ESV

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

Point:

Can you hear the excitement in Andrew’s voice? We have found the Messiah. We have found the Christ. The Savior is here and I know him. Brothers and sisters, who is the most famous person that you have ever met? A few years ago I was cutting my grace. It was a Thursday and boy was it hot. I had a push mower at the time so it was tough work. My next door neighbor had a car in their driveway that was unfamiliar to me but she had just had a baby so I had seen a lot of cars coming and going during the day. I saw a couple exit out of her garage, a man and his wife, They were dressed casually. I did a double take because surly this was not who I thought it was. When I looked again it was Harry Connick Jr. and his wife. Harry is first cousins with my next door neighbor’s wife and they were coming to meet her son. Harry was also playing the Sanger theater that night. That’s right I met Harry Connick Jr. while cutting my grass. Pretty cool. The first thing I did was call my wife. I called my Mom, my Dad, my brother, my co workers. I posted it on Facebook and tweeted it. I knew someone famous and I just new that Harry and I were going to be great friends. 

Now imagine that you just met Jesus! Who would you tell? Andrew met Jesus and literally could not contain himself. He was busting. Andrew reminds me of Jeremiah 20:9, 

Jeremiah 20:9 NLT

But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!

Point:

I want introduce you to a church member and friend of mine. His name is Scooter, Scooter is what I would call an evangelical believer in Christ. He is a true Christ follower. He is a modern day Andrew. He is going to tell you a story about someone that he introduced to Christ. By the way, did you know that every time that Andrew is mentioned in the Bible, he is bringing someone to Christ. Every time. Every time Andrew’s name is mentioned, with the exception of him being counted with the other disciples, he is bringing people to meet Jesus. What a legacy. What an inspiration. Listen to Scooter’s story this morning. 

Play Video. 

Point:

What did Andrew say to Peter when he found him? Verse 41 tells us –- ““We have found the Messiah (that is, the Christ)””. All Andrew did was to give his testimony. 

Andrew’s testimony was a spoken testimony. Imagine if Scooter had never spoken up to Tracey about Jesus. Well, she would still be lost. Andrew spoke up and we should speak up as well. Don’t be afraid to tell others about Christ. Be bold.

It was a simple testimony. A child could have understood what he said; and it is when we speak of the Lord Jesus as naturally as we talk of any earthly friend that God blesses and uses our testimony to the salvation of others –- look up Acts 8:4. Have you found the Lord as your own Savior? Have you proved Him to be a wonderful friend? Has He answered your prayers? Can you not tell others about these things? These are all questions that Scooter was able to answer when talking to Tracey. 

It was a sure testimony. Andrew was absolutely certain of his message, and that is what the world is waiting for today. On every hand there is a lack of certainty, but God, who is faithful, has given sure and certain declarations in His Word upon which we may rest and find absolute assurance. Scooter could be bold about Christ because he was sure of his experience with Christ. 

It was a sanctified testimony. Andrew used what was in Peter’’s mind as a point of contact, for Peter (like every Jew) was looking for the Messiah. Great wisdom is needed in soul-winning work, and the Lord promises to give it. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Scooter used things and talked about people and situations familiar to Tracey to open the door for a bigger conversation about Jesus. Build relationships, understand them, discover their interests, and God will open a natural door for sharing Christ. 

Remember friends, the Word of God is in you, put it to use. Be an Andrew. Be inspired, follow your spiritual instincts that are confirmed in Scripture, and follow Biblical insights while leading people to Christ. 

John 5:24 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Andrew Told His Brother…Will You Tell Yours?