004-Who is Your One
Who is Your One? • Sermon • Submitted
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The Importance of one!
Who has heard the name Mordecai Ham? How many books has he written? What was the huge accomplishment of his life?
Now who has heard the name of Billy Graham?
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“The numbers speak of greatness and complexity. He has preached in person to more people than any human being who has ever lived. While his pulpit started in white-frame churches, trailer parks, and circus tents it rapidly moved to cathedrals, stadiums, and other arenas which are among the world’s largest public gathering places.
He’s been called “America’s Pastor” and has ministered personally to several American presidents. Over 100 million people have listened to his sermons. Almost 3 million of those people have responded to his famous “invitations.” But when all is said and done, Billy Graham is just a simple man with a simple message.
this morning we will study Andrew’s story.
Peter’s brother, Andrew, is the least known of the four disciples in the inner circle. Andrew ordinarily is left very much in the background.
Peter’s brother, Andrew, is the least known of the four disciples in the inner circle. Andrew ordinarily is left very much in the background.
We will learn, too, he was used by our Lord to touch one who touched thousands. Homer Lindsey referred to Andrew as the inviter, or I see him as the bringer or introducer.
96% of the people that will ever sit in that empty seat will do because someone invited them.
We will learn, too, he was used by our Lord to touch one who touched thousands. Homer Lindsey referred to Andrew as the inviter, or I see him as the bringer or introducer.
Had Andrew never been born, the New Testament could have changed significantly. Peter may have never been saved. Someone else would have preached the famous Pentecost sermon. We would have to eliminate two books of the New Testament, 1 and 2 Peter. Only heaven knows what else would have been left out of the Bible and church history.
96% of the people that will ever sit in that empty seat will do because someone invited them.
o Had Andrew never been born, the New Testament could have changed significantly. Peter may have never been saved. Someone else would have preached the famous Pentecost sermon. We would have to eliminate two books of the New Testament, 1 and 2 Peter. Only heaven knows what else would have been left out of the Bible and church history.
Andrew was the first of all the disciples to be called (). His eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal for introducing others to Christ, fairly typifies Andrew’s character.
Andrew was the first of all the disciples to be called (). His eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal for introducing others to Christ, fairly typifies Andrew’s character.
o Think: Peter, James, John and Andrew. Certainly, Andrew was the least conspicuous. Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about him. He appears in the New Testament only nine times and most references simply mention him in passing. Andrew lived his life in the shadows of his better-known brother, Peter. He is even mentioned in the text as Simon Peter’s brother. However, lest we forget,
Think: Peter, James, John and Andrew. Certainly, Andrew was the least conspicuous. Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about him. He appears in the New Testament only nine times and most references simply mention him in passing. Andrew lived his life in the shadows of his better-known brother, Peter. He is even mentioned in the text as Simon Peter’s brother. However, lest we forget,
o Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus. Andrew shows that he had the right heart for effective ministry in the background.
Andrew and John became Jesus’ first disciples. The news Andrew heard was too good to keep to himself, so he went and found the one person in the world he most loved, whom he most wanted to know Jesus, and led him to Christ.
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 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).”
Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus. Andrew shows that he had the right heart for effective ministry in the background.
Andrew and John became Jesus’ first disciples. The news Andrew heard was too good to keep to himself, so he went and found the one person in the world he most loved, whom he most wanted to know Jesus, and led him to Christ.
25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?” 26 “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. 27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).
I. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE .
I. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE .
o “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew,
• Aim: God can use us to reach one who will reach many
Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We
• Points:
have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to
o He saw the value of individual people
Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You
o He saw the value of insignificant gifts
shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).”
o He saw the value of inconspicuous service
41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter”).
• Aim: God can use us to reach one who will reach many
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
• Points:
Andrew’s name means manly. He was a strong fisherman. His life proved him to be bold, decisive and deliberate. He was driven by a hearty passion for the truth, and he was willing to subject himself to the most extreme kinds of hardship. Andrew’s personal encounter with Jesus took place a few months after Jesus’ baptism (). Andrew and John were standing next to John the Baptist when Jesus walked by, and John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
o He saw the value of individual people
We will learn, too, he was used by our Lord to touch one who touched thousands. Homer Lindsey referred to Andrew as the inviter, or I see him as the bringer or introducer.
o He saw the value of insignificant gifts
o Had Andrew never been born, the New Testament could have changed significantly. Peter may have never been saved. Someone else would have preached the famous Pentecost sermon. We would have to eliminate two books of the New Testament, 1 and 2 Peter. Only heaven knows what else would have been left out of the Bible and church history. Andrew was the first of all the disciples to be called (). His eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal for introducing others to Christ, fairly typifies Andrew’s character.
o Think: Peter, James, John and Andrew. Certainly, Andrew was the least conspicuous. Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about him. He appears in the New Testament only nine times and most references simply mention him in passing. Andrew lived his life in the shadows of his better-known brother, Peter. He is even mentioned in the text as Simon Peter’s brother. However, lest we forget,
o He saw the value of inconspicuous service
Andrew appreciated the value of a single soul. He was known for bringing individuals, not crowds, to Jesus. Almost every time we see him in the gospel accounts, he is bringing someone to Jesus.
o Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus. Andrew shows that he had the right heart for effective ministry in the background. Andrew’s name means manly. He was a strong fisherman. His life proved him to be bold, decisive and deliberate. He was driven by a hearty passion for the truth, and he was willing to subject himself to the most extreme kinds of hardship. Andrew’s personal encounter with Jesus took place a few months after Jesus’ baptism (). Andrew and John were standing next to John the Baptist when Jesus walked by, and John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”
• HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
o Peter’s brother, Andrew, is the least known of the four disciples in the inner circle.
• PASSAGE OUTLINE:
Andrew ordinarily is left very much in the background.
o We will learn, too, he was used by our Lord to touch one who touched thousands.
o I. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE .
John 1:
Homer Lindsey referred to Andrew as the inviter, or I see him as the bringer or
▪ Andrew appreciated the value of a single soul. He was known for bringing individuals, not crowds, to Jesus. Almost every time we see him in the gospel accounts, he is bringing someone to Jesus.
• He brought Peter to Jesus: Just one
introducer.
• He brought the boy with his lunch to Jesus: Just one
o Had Andrew never been born, the New Testament could have changed significantly.
He told Peter (about Jesus) and brought him to Jesus. He didn’t send them to church went with them.
Peter may have never been saved. Someone else would have preached the famous
Most people do not come to Christ as an immediate response to a sermon they hear in a crowded setting.
Pentecost sermon. We would have to eliminate two books of the New Testament, 1 and
They come to Christ because of the influence of an individual.
Andrew brought one —Peter. Peter then brought thousands. All the fruit of Peter ’s ministry is ultimately also the fruit of Andrew’s faithful individual witness.
2 Peter. Only heaven knows what else would have been left out of the Bible and church
Not many know Mordecai Ham. But his faithfulness lead to Billy Graham. Graham lead millions. Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
history. Andrew was the first of all the disciples to be called (). His
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.
eagerness to follow Christ, combined with his zeal for introducing others to Christ, fairly
typifies Andrew’s character.
II. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INSIGNIFICANT GIFTS.
II. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INSIGNIFICANT GIFTS.
Some people see the big picture more clearly just because they appreciate the value of small things. In the feeding of the 5,000 story, Philip’s vision was overwhelmed by the size of the need.
o Think: Peter, James, John and Andrew. Certainly, Andrew was the least conspicuous.
7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.”
“There ’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish —but what are they for so many?”
Scripture doesn’t tell us a lot about him. He appears in the New Testament only nine
▪ “There ’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish —but what are they for so many?”
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?”
, CSB)
I love the comparison. Right??? Philip says it would take a fortune to do it. 1 denarius= a days wage. 200 days or 200 people. It’s impossible!!!
Andrew: There is a boy with 5 loaves and 2 sardines. Right after saying that he probably catches himself… but that is not enough right???
times and most references simply mention him in passing. Andrew lived his life in the
▪ No gift is insignificant in the hands of Jesus.
Andrew saw something but as soon as he saw it he questions as well. Have you ever been there?
I could use my gift here!!! I see should say something to that person!!! But what difference will that make?
No gift is insignificant in the hands of Jesus.
No gift is insignificant in the hands of Jesus.
▪ He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on”
shadows of his better-known brother, Peter. He is even mentioned in the text as Simon
1 He looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all of them. 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
, CSB).
God’s ability to use a gift is in no way hindered or enhanced by the size of that gift.
Peter’s brother. However, lest we forget,
▪ God’s ability to use a gift is in no way hindered or enhanced by the size of that gift. It is the sacrificial faithfulness of the giver, not the size of the gift, that is the true measure of the gift’s significance. It’s not the greatness of the gift that counts, but rather the greatness of the God to whom it is given. The miracle of feeding the 5,000 illustrates the way God works. He takes the sacrificial and often seemingly insignificant gifts of people who give faithfully, and He multiplies them to accomplish monumental things.
It is the sacrificial faithfulness of the giver, not the size of the gift, that is the true measure of the gift’s significance.
It is the sacrificial faithfulness of the giver, not the size of the gift, that is the true measure of the gift’s significance.
It’s not the greatness of the gift that counts, but rather the greatness of the God to whom it is given.
It’s not the greatness of the gift that counts, but rather the greatness of the God to whom it is given.
The miracle of feeding the 5,000 illustrates the way God works. He takes the sacrificial and often seemingly insignificant gifts of people who give faithfully, and He multiplies them to accomplish monumental things.
III. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INCONSPICUOUS SERVICE.
III. HE SAW THE VALUE OF INCONSPICUOUS SERVICE.
Andrew is the picture of all those who labor quietly in humble places.
There are may books written on the great missionaries. Many volumes on the disciples but not much on Andrew. His name is mentioned only 12 times in scripture. Andrew embodied what Paul said in:
There are may books written on the great missionaries. Many volumes on the disciples but not much on Andrew. His name is mentioned only 12 times in scripture. Andrew embodied what Paul said in:
6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.
,CSB).
He did not mind being hidden as long as the work was being done.
▪ He did not mind being hidden as long as the work was being done. He was a leader with a servant’s heart. Andrew never preached to multitudes or founded any churches.
He was a leader with a servant’s heart. Andrew never preached to multitudes or founded any churches. But his impact was profound.
• CONCLUSION:
o Tradition has it that Andrew took the gospel north into Russia, possibly Scotland. He was ultimately crucified in Achaia, which is in southern Greece, near Athens. One account says he led a wife of a provincial Roman governor to Christ and that it infuriated her husband. He demanded that his wife recant her devotion to Jesus Christ, and she refused. So the governor had Andrew crucified. He was lashed to the cross instead of nailed, in order to prolong his suffering. Tradition says it was an X-shaped cross. Most accounts say he hung on the cross for two days, exhorting passersby to turn to Christ for salvation.
27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence.
, CSB).
As you pray for your one, don’t discount it as insignificant. Don’t buy into the lie that what difference will that person make. Or worst what difference will I make. I’ll never preach to the masses, I’ll never start a church.
God may use you or your one to change the world. To start a new revival in our nation and throughout the world.
Will you allow God to use you?
Will you allow God to use you?