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SERMON SUMMARY – 18 Jan 2020 – Chris Khoury

 

THE STORY OF ANDREW – THE DISCIPLE OF JESUS

Andrew is accredited with becoming the first disciple of Jesus. He was the only one who Jesus did not call to follow him. I wish today to review the story of the disciple Andrew. His was a remarkable life.

 

Andrew, we learn from the gospel account was a disciple of John the Baptist.

John 1:35 – 42 John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. ³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

 

The first thing Andrew does after this is to introduce his older brother Peter to Jesus. “Come and see, we have found the Messiah!” This event sets the tone for Andrew’s life and ministry. He points people to Jesus.

 

The Gospel stories don’t have much to say about Andrew. There are a few incidents where he is mentioned and a number of activities that infer that he would have been present.

E.g.

When Jesus in his triumphal entry into Jerusalem rides on a colt.

At the last supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.

We can assume that Andrew was among the 12 at events such as this.

 

So, this man of faith who follows Jesus is seemingly always around, always present. Often in the background, and more often than not in the shadow of his own brother, Peter.

There are a few famous scenes where he is mentioned by name.

 

THE HUGE CATCH OF FISH

In Luke 5 Jesus instructs Peter to cast in his net and they bring in a huge catch of fish. Peter did not bring in this huge catch of fish by himself. Fishing was a family business, Andrew would have been there.

FEEDING THE 5 000

John 6:5-9  (NIV)

⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. ⁷ Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” ⁸ Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ⁹ “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?

 

Andrew was the one who found the boy with a pack lunch. Phillip failed the test. It was Andrew who rises to the occasion, even with just a small spark of faith. That was enough for Jesus to work with.

 

ANDREW BRINGS GENTILES TO JESUS

John 12:21-23  (NIV)

²¹ They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” ²² Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

 

BACKGROUND BOY

Andrew was never at front stage in these stories. He was always just around, a man of faith quietly going about the business of being a disciple of Jesus. He is in the corner of the frame, not at centre stage. You have to look a little closer to see him. He is not famous for being a great speaker or performing amazing miracles – but he plays an important role. He was always present, a man of faith going about the business of being a disciple.

Andrew means, ‘brave’ or ‘manly’.

 

LESSONS FOR US

Most of us are not a Peter or a John, most of us tend to be more like Andrew. Not seeking the limelight, men and women of faith and humility doing the work. Quietly getting on with the job in the background, often unnoticed or praised. The church needs these kinds of people. Never think that your role is unimportant. No matter what it is. Whatever you do if it is moving chairs, pouring tea, teaching children, being faithful in your offerings, interceding  on behalf of others in prayer, these are all important activities. Necessary bits and pieces that someone has to do, so thank you for whatever it is that you do.

 

When Andrew was with John the Baptist as one of his disciples, one of the major lessons he would have learnt from John the Baptist, is humility. About Jesus John says, “he must increase and I must decrease.” It seems like Andrew learnt this lesson from his first master and carried that trait throughout his life.

 

ANDREWS STORY

Tradition has it that the Eastern Orthodox church, claims Andrew as their founder.

From Peter’s ministry came the Roman Catholic Church. Out of that came the Protestant churches and out of that came a small bud called GCI. Two very different brothers used by God, among billions of other people, to found his church on earth.

 

PERSONAL TESTAMONY

As you no doubt all know. Our family suffered a major car accident two weeks ago. Being involved in a head on collision. The aftermath was terrible. Our daughters in front were protected to some extent by the airbags. Gill and I in the back from the seatbelt constraining us were badly bruise, but we all survived.

 

SUSTENANCE

Immediately after the accident Gill called Lorna and gave her the message and asked for prayers. Lorna sent the message to Takalani who sent it to the church nationally. We did ask that no one contact us directly as it was not possible to deal with personal calls. Over the next weeks we received a lot of messages from all over the country. Messages of support, encouragement and prayers. It was very gratifying to know that so many were concerned and interceding on our behalf. Your prayers sustained us through a very traumatic experience. For that we are all very grateful. Like I said, never underestimate the impact that your little act of service can have. At a time when we were traumatised, in pain and unable to pray you were able to stand in the gap. To be an Andrew on our behalf.

Quote to ponder:

These are the last reported words of Andrew, after being crucified and hanging on a cross for three days.

 

“O Lord Jesus Christ! suffer not that Thy servant, who hangs here on the tree for Thy name’s sake, be released, to dwell again among men; but receive me. O my Lord, my God! whom I have known, whom I have loved, to whom I cling, whom I desire to see, and in whom I am what I am.”

 

In closing my personal testimony I wish to read a number of verses from

Psalm 34:

 

Psalm 34

3 Glorify the Lord with me;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me;

    he delivered me from all my fears.

6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;

    he saved him out of all his troubles.

8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;

    blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,

    for those who fear him lack nothing.

17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

    he delivers them from all their troubles.

18 The Lord is close to the broken hearted

    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19 The righteous person may have many troubles,

    but the Lord delivers him from them all;

 

I give God the thanks and praise for sustaining our family and bringing us out alive from that ordeal and I thank all of you for your sustaining prayers. You were far away and there was very little you could do practically but your prayers sustained us.

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