The Soft-spoken Evangelist

(start with a blank slide)

Jesus gathered 12 disciples around him. Some of those guys we see a lot. Some we know very little about.

It certainly seems like there were sort of concentric rings of followers.

There is the outer circle - the guys that are merely mentioned. This might include Thaddeus, Judas Iscariot, the other Judas, Simon the Zealot.

Then there is a middle circle - a little closer to Jesus and a bit more vocal. This circle has guys that we hear about a bit more - people like Philip, Thomas, Nathanael/Bartholomew, Matthew/Levi

Then there was the inner circle - the four guys who are mentioned most often - these guys are with Jesus almost all the time. These guys are closest to him. This circle seems to include Peter, James, John and Andrew.

Of these four guys, each of them are known for things in different ways.

Peter is known for his boldness and leadership - and his foibles. Tradition tells us he was crucified upside down in the last half of the first century.

James - was the first of the apostles to be martyred. He and his brother John had an ambitious streak to them - wanting to be among the first in the kingdom.

John - likely wrote the gospel of John, the three letters named for him and the book of Revelation. He was likely the longest living of the disciples.

The last of the inner circle is the man that we want to discuss today. He seems the be the least known of the four and seems to be ok with that. That is Andrew - Simon Peter’s brother.

We could call him - the soft-spoken evangelist.

As we reflect on Andrew’s ministry - we’re going to look at three different places in the book of John where we get to see Andrew in action. We’ll make some observations about his outlook and how we might learn from his example.

Let’s begin in John 1. We won’t have the scriptures on the screens. Please use your Bibles or the pew Bibles as we skim through these passages.

We get to see first of all that...

He saw the value of individual people (John 1:40-42)

Sibling rivalries are nothing new. They have been around as long as siblings have been there. Even in scripture, we see the presence of rivalries -

Cain and Abel - Genesis 4 - this was a particularly deadly rivalry

Jacob and Esau - Genesis - lasted for decades

Joseph and 10 of his brothers

Absalom and Amnon - 2 Samuel -

If you have a sibling, you know that there can sometimes be bitter disagreements that are difficult to get through. Some that may become so entrenched that it becomes a new norm.

Now, when it comes to Jesus disciples and the pairs of siblings, we don’t necessarily get a chance to see very much into the dynamic of the siblings, but when it came to Andrew and Peter - we certainly notice that any rivalry that may have been there was not enough to keep Andrew from bringing his brother to Jesus.

John 1:40–42 (ESV)

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which 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 means Peter).

Andrew seemed to understand the value of what he witnessed in Jesus and knew that Peter needed to know the Messiah.

But, imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t reached Peter - recognizing that God may have used other means of getting to Peter.

Peter -

one of the foremost of the apostles

led over 3000 to Christ on Pentecost

one of the leaders of the early church

confirmed the work of the Spirit among the Gentiles

wrote 2 letters of the new testament

The family of God and the Scriptures we study would have been drastically different if Peter hadn’t come to faith - and Peter came because of his brother - Andrew.

As we’re praying this month about the “One” that God is leading us to reach with the gospel - we may feel like - this is not a big deal - but you and I never know. We simply get the joy of being obedient.

Obedient to share the gospel in our homes - among our families - even the siblings or children with whom we have disagreements.

Obedient to witness to that neighbor, classmate, or coworker.

Obedient - even when ignoring the Spirit’s nudge would be easier.

Maybe you (like me) resemble the remark of being a soft-spoken evangelist or even a timid witness. You’re not alone. We are not alone.

Johnny Hunt shared the story of the man who led D.L. Moody to Christ:

“Few have ever heard of Edward Kimball. He was a Sunday School teacher who led D.L. Moody to Christ. Edward went to a Boston shoe store where the 18-year-old Moody was working, cornered him in the stockroom, and introduced him to Christ.

Kimball was anything but bold. He was a timid, soft-spoken man. He went to that shoe store frightened, trembling and unaware of whether he had the courage to confront this young man with the gospel. Moody, on the other hand, was crude and obviously illiterate, and Kimball trembled in his boots as he recalled the incident. Moody had begun to attend his Sunday School class. 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 downtown 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.’

Kimball found Moody in the stockroom and spoke to him with ‘limping words.’ Later, he said, ‘I never could remember what I said, ‘something about Christ and His love, that was all.’ He admitted it was a ‘weak appeal.’ But Moody, then and there, gave his heart to Christ.”

Tens of thousands testified that they came to Christ under Moody’s ministry. Moody led C.T. Studd, the great pioneer missionary and William Chapman, who himself became a well-known evangelist, to Christ. Moody founded the Moody Bible Institute that has trained thousands for ministry. It all began when one was faithful to introduce another to Christ.

Who knows, maybe your one is the next D.L. Moody or Billy Graham or George Whitfield or Marilyn Laslo (who brought the gospel to Papua New Guinea).

Andrew saw the value of individual people - even if the individual was his brother - in whose shadow Andrew would remain for many years. The shadow and the sibling relationship did not prevent him from bringing his brother to Christ.

A bit later, when some were scoffing at the cost of feeding so many people, Andrew...

He saw the potential of insignificant gifts (John 6:8-9)

Turn in your Bible’s to John 6. This is a familiar passage, but I want you to understand Andrew’s role.

Let me back up a moment to give us a little context.

John 6:1–3 ESV

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

then look down in verse 5

John 6:5–6 ESV

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

John 6:7 ESV

Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”

Even though Jesus addressed the initial question to Philip, Andrew observes the potential of a small gift that might be able to make a small difference and he speaks up...

John 6:8–9 ESV

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”

Just as there are times when we may be tempted to overlook the one person that Jesus may be calling us to reach, so too we may be tempted to feel like our gift or ability may be too small or insignificant to make a difference for the Kingdom of God.

God is the God of making miraculous things happen out of insignificant things.

You may not feel like you have gifts of teaching or musical abilities or leadership skills, but God has given you gifts and abilities that he can do profound things with, if you’ll let Him.

assisting with a class - sitting with a student, - Jackie K sitting with Ishmael

greeting people and making them feel welcome

using your math prowess as a teller

or your sense of style and organizational skills in the thrift shop

Your love for the outdoors and camping on a trip to the Middle East.

It’s not so much about the size or strength of the gift as much as it is about trusting to God to use the gift as he wills.

A boy presented his small gift and Andrew made it available to Jesus - who then fed over 5000 people with it!

There is one final observation that we can make of Andrew and that is that he...

He understood that the grace of God for outsiders also (John 12:20-26)

Let’s turn a few more chapters to the right in your Bibles - to John 12.

About a week before Jesus went to the cross, he entered into Jerusalem with a throng of people. Religious leaders and common Jews were clamoring to get Jesus attention and pepper him with questions. While Jesus came to save “his people from their sin” (Mt. 1:21), there were some Greeks or some Gentiles - non Jewish people - who wanted an audience with Jesus.

John 12:20–22 ESV

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

Rather than running interference and pushing them away - Andrew, along with Philip, told Jesus about their desire, their interest in him.

Jesus’ response may seem a bit odd - and might be worth some further reflection this afternoon -

John 12:23–26 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

It almost seems as though Jesus ignores their introduction - but notice what he says:

“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

Although Jesus initial followers were Jewish - He may be revealing that His salvation is not limited to those people. His death will bear fruit in a variety of ways - including to outsiders.

So many people today feel that the message of the Gospel is only for Americans or Caucasians or people who come from a Christian tradition.

I’ve actually heard recently that if we were to use one person to illustrate what the average Christian around the world looks like - it would be a 30-something African woman.

If you come from a tradition of Buddhism or Hinduism, Islam or Judaism, Secular Humanism or Atheism - the message of the Gospel is for you. Jesus came to bring you salvation.

If you come from North or South America, Europe or Australia, Asia or Africa or the Islands - the message of the Gospel is for you!

The point is that when Jesus went to the cross, he did so in order to atone for the sins of all those who would believe. Will you believe? Will you repent of your sin? Will you trust in him?

I would guess that if you and I were standing on the outside of the circle of Jesus’ initial followers, Andrew would bring us to Jesus too!

Closing thoughts

Over the last month, we’ve been considering the question

Who’s Your One?

We’ve been asking God to work in the life of this One person in our lives - drawing them out of their sin and into salvation. We’ve been reflecting on ways that we can be God’s herald, His ambassador to this One person.

We’ve been doing this because, as we saw in the first week, we are called to be Jesus’ Disciples - who begin to emulate him - to talk, walk and think like Him - as we share the good news of the Kingdom of God with others. Ultimately as his disciples we are called to make disciples.

We’ve reflected on the importance of bringing people - not just inviting them.

We’ve considered the importance of reaching even one.

And finally today, we’ve considered the example of Andrew - who, even though he may have been in the background, made a big difference in the Kingdom of God.

We are at then end of this series, but not at the end of the mission - to pray, to reach, to bring, to share. Keep praying for the One that God has laid on your heart.

Jesus went to the cross so that your “one” could come to salvation.

Earlier this year, Matthew West released a song entitled “Me On Your Mind.”

The first portion of the song reads like this:

I've read the words in red How You leave the 99 To find the one missing Feels like that was written With me on Your mind

And the prodigal son who ran, leaving his home behind The part where the father came running to meet him Did You say that with me on Your mind?

Who am I that the King of the world Would give one single thought about my broken heart? Who am I that the God of all grace Wipes the tears from my face and says, "Come as you are"? You paid the price, You took the cross You gave Your life and You did it all with me on Your mind

Frankly, there is a part of the song that is a bit to human-centric. I don’t think Jesus was thinking about each of us individually on the cross - but I do think we have to recognize that the message of the Gospel, the ramifications of the cross - is fit for you and me, for your one and my one. Jesus went to the cross so that you and I could repent of our sin and turn to trust in him. So that we could be like him in how we act. So that we could represent him well here, in anticipation of when he will return.

Who’s your one that doesn’t yet know that the Gospel is for him or her?

Let’s pray

lords supper

benediction

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”