The Great Personalities in God's Amazing Plan

John 1:40-42

John 1:40–42 NKJV

One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

You know something, not everyone can be first. In fact, God’s Word states :

Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.””

We know Andrew as Peter’s brother. In fact, of the twelve times He is mentioned, four times he is referred to as “Simon’s brother or Peter’s brother. We could refer to Andrew as an in the shadows saint. was within the dominant four disciples mentioned, but rarely were the four addressed. We see numerous accounts of Peter, James, & John. We do not read that Andrew was at the Mt. Of Transfiguration, Matthew 17:1. We do not see him included in attending the room of Jairus’ daughter that the other three attended Mark 5:37. At the climactic time of retreating to pray, Andrew did not advance forward with Jesus to pray as Peter, James, & John did. Mark 14:32. Yet, at other times he was front and center with the group. Andrew was right in the thick of things when Peter’s mother in law was sick. He was there with Peter, himself, James & John. IN Mark 13:1-4, Andrew was there with the group of four to gain clarification to the things Jesus was teaching. Andrew was rarely first, but he was totally comfortable to his place of service in the kingdom.

Be Comfortable with Your Calling

By all measures, Andrew was close with Jesus because we read time and again of him bringing people to Jesus. As we read initially, he brought his brother to Jesus.

Who has heard of a Mr. Kimball?

compiled by Hy. PickeringConversion of D. L. Moody: The Prince of Evangelists

📷D. L. Moody, the famous Evangelist, when eighteen years of age, was a boot salesman in his uncle's store in Boston. His Sunday School teacher was a Mr. Kimball, and he had set his heart on winning the young man for Christ. After praying about the matter, he arranged to visit him at the boot store. "I was determined," to use his own words, "to speak to him about Christ and about his soul, and started down to Holton's boot store. When I was nearly there I began to wonder whether I ought to go in just then during business hours. I thought my call might embarrass the boy, and that when I went away the other clerks would ask who I was, and taunt him with my efforts in trying to make him a good boy. In the meantime I had passed the store, and, discovering this, I determined to make a dash for it, and have it over at once. I found him in the back part of the building wrapping up shoes. I went up to him at once, and putting my hand on his shoulder, I made what I felt afterwards was a very weak plea for Christ. I don't know just what words I used, nor could Mr. Moody tell. I simply told him of Christ's love for him, and the love Christ wanted in return. That was all there was. It seemed the young man was just ready for the light that then broke upon him, and there in the back of that store in Boston, D. L. Moody gave himself and his life to Christ."

Maybe Andrew was not first, but was He key to the work of Christ? He led Peter to Jesus. Need I say more.

INterestingly, Andrew was the first of the disciples to be called by Jesus. John 1:35-40.

Capitalize on your Calling

We discussed this Sunday. There are things you are good at for the Kingdom. Have you heard the statement, stay in your lane? Work in the areas that you excel.