Andrew, Simon Peter’s Brother

INTRODUCTION

Today we are considering another disciple

He is also found in Mark chapter 3

Please take your Bible and turn with me to Mark chapter 3

Our next disciple is listed in verse 18

He appears first in the verse

His name is Andrew

That’s his Greek name

It means “manly” or “brave”

Andreas was his Hebrew name

It means “manhood” or “valour” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_the_Apostle)

If you remember there were four lists of the disciples

In those four lists there were three groups of four

The first group is what we’re looking at

It consisted of Peter, James and John, and Andrew

Sometimes the names are mixed in the group

But Peter always appears first

This indicates he was the leader of the first group

The same is true of the other two groups

Each group had a leader

Peter was also the leader among all the groups

Peter, James and John, and Andrew names the first group

They were the closest to Jesus

We know more about them than any other group

Even though Andrew is a part of this group, he more recognized by the phrase “Simon Peter’s brother” than his own name

That’s even true in our day

Those who have siblings have often grown up in their shadow

But even though he was recognized as Simon Peter’s brother, he did have an identity of his own

He is mentioned by name 12 times in the NT (LBD)

But Andrew was…

I. Simon Peter’s Brother

He was also born in Bethsaida (John 1:44)

And later moved to Capernaum (Mark 1:29)

His father was Jonas or John (John 1:42)

All four Gospels identify Him as the brother of Simon Peter’s brother (John 1:41)

D. Edmond Hiebert says…

The Gospel of Mark: An Expositional Commentary 7. Appointment of the Twelve (3:13–19a)

Although Andrew personally introduced his brother to Jesus (John 1:40–42), in the Gospel accounts he played “second fiddle” to his brother.

John MacArthur says…

Twelve Ordinary Men Chapter 3: Andrew—The Apostle of Small Things

In such situations, where one brother overshadows another to such a degree, it is common to find resentment, strong sibling rivalry, or even estrangement. But in Andrew’s case, there is no evidence that he begrudged Peter’s dominance.

He was also a fisherman by trade (Mat.4:18)

But He was a disciple of John the Baptist before becoming a follower of Christ

When John introduced him to Jesus, he said in John 1:36, “Behold the Lamb of God!” and he and another unnamed disciple immediately met Him and was able to spend the day with Him

This is also where we learn of…

II. His Call to Follow Jesus

He is first mentioned in John 1:35-39***

After spending the day with Jesus, he tells his brother about Jesus in John 1:40-42***

That is the common response to spending time with Jesus

When He transforms you, you cannot keep silent

After He healed a leper in Mark 1:40-45, Jesus told him in verse 44, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

But, verse 45 says, “he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around.”

He couldn’t keep silent about what Jesus did for Him

But he wasn’t alone

Other’s had the same problem

After healing a deaf man in Mark 7, verse 36 says, “And He gave them orders not to tell anyone; but the more He ordered them, the more widely they continued to proclaim it.”

When you encounter Jesus, you cannot keep it to yourself

That’s why Charles Spurgeon said, “You’re either an imposter or a missionary.”

You’re an imposter if you never say anything to anyone about Jesus

After Andrew became a Christian, he and his brother were later given the call by Jesus to full time ministry in Matthew 4:18-20***

After becoming a disciple of Jesus, He, like the others disciples, was able to see and hear the amazing teachings and miracles of Jesus

Notice…

III. His Witness of Jesus

He was the least-known of the four disciples in the lead group

We find him more in the background rather than a part of the other three

He was not included in several of the important events where we see Peter, James and John together with Jesus

He wasn’t at the Transfiguration in Matthew 17:1.

He wasn’t at the resurrection of the synagogue official’s daughter in Mark 5:37.

He wasn’t with Peter and James and John in Mark 14:33 when Jesus went to pray

But there were other times when he was part of the inner circle

That’s when Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law in Mark 1:29 because it occurred at his house

It was also when he was with Peter, James and John on the Mount of Olives with Jesus in Mark 13:3***

He played a significant role in Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 in John 6:5-9***

He is mentioned at the last Supper in Mark 14:17 with the rest of the disciples

He, like them, witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion

And after Jesus’ resurrection, he was among the disciples who were present in the upper room when Jesus appeared to them in John 20:19-20***

He, like the other disciples, obeyed their call to preach and to take it to the ends of the earth

Their mission is still going on today

The world knew about Andrew and…

IV. His Missionary Activity

In “The apocryphal Acts of Andrew,” which was an early Christian text, it provides stories about his travels to preach the Gospel, his encounters with various rulers and officials, and the miracles he performed in the name of Jesus

Tradition says he traveled extensively to preach the Gospel in Greece, Asia Minor, and Scythia (modern-day Russia and Ukraine)

V. His Martyrdom

According to tradition, Andrew was martyred by crucifixion in the city of Patras in Achaea, Greece

The manner of his crucifixion is said to have been on an X-shaped cross, which is now known as Saint Andrew's Cross

He is celebrated as the patron saint of Scotland and Russia

November 30th is a national holiday known as “St. Andrew’s Day”

The country’s flag, the Scottish Saltire, is based on the shape of Andrew’s cross

Just like the other disciples, there are lessons that we can learn from each of them based on what we know of them in Scripture

Let’s consider…

VI. Lessons We Learn from Andrew

He was Willing to Follow Jesus

He was the first disciple Jesus called to follow Him in salvation (John 1:38-39)

After Jesus’ call to follow Him full time, he left everything (Mat.4:18-21)

After the conversation with the rich-young ruler in Matthew 19, listen to what Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 19:23-26***

Peter responded in verse 27, “…Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”

Notice Jesus’ answer in Matthew 19:28-30***

Leaving everything to follow Jesus is salvation and ministry

Both costs you your life

Notice the second lesson we learn from Andrew…

He Brought Others to Jesus

There are 3 recorded occasions where Andrew brought people to Jesus:

He brought his brother Peter (John 1:41-42)***

He brought the boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fish (John 6:1-15)***

He came and told Jesus there were some Greeks who wanted to see Him (John 12:20-22)***

A third lesson I want to mention is…

He was Humble

He had no problem being in the background to his brother and James and John

There is no evidence that he had any issues with his dominate brother or partners James and John

Regardless he served Jesus faithfully

He learned the meaning of Philippians 2:3-4.

When we die to ourselves we can truly love like this too

Someone once wrote…

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When your good is evil spoken of; when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus endured it … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation; when you can truly love to be unknown … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart … THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

Finally…

He was Faithful

He followed Christ all the way to his death

After Jesus tells Peter he will deny Him three times, Peter said in Matthew 26:35, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.”

And they did

They were all faithful to their death, regardless of how they died

They followed Him to the end of their lives

Regardless of the circumstances, Andrew was faithful

Can that be said about you too?

CONCLUSION

What kind of people does God use?

He uses people like Peter who was outspoken, impulsive, passionate, and a leader

He uses people like James and John who had a thundering personality, zealous, ambitious, and bold

And He uses people like Andrew, who was quiet, humble and faithful

Regardless of what one is when they come to Jesus, He doesn’t leave them like that

It’s not what you are that’s important, the issue is what you are willing to become (MacArthur)

He transforms you into someone else, someone like Christ

But first you have to know Him personally

Has He saved you?

Have you been born again?

I urge you today to come to Christ

Leave your life behind and embrace the new life to come

Let’s pray