"Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”)."
John 1:41
We don't hear much more about Andrew after this, but how awesome would it be to actually introduce Peter, or any of the disciples to Jesus. It would be like leading Billy Graham to the Lord. Talk about fruit! The biggest problem with that, is that most of us are either afraid to or simply don't know how to share our faith.
When was the last time you had news worth passing along? You discovered a really great buy or an amazing new restaurant that you just had to tell someone else about. When did you sit someone down by your music system and say, “Listen to this new group I found! They are amazing.”
Andrew couldn’t keep good news to himself. He was the first person identified in the Gospels as a follower of Jesus. As soon as he met Jesus, he rushed to tell his brother Simon. Up to that time, Andrew had been one of John the Baptist’s disciples. But when John pointed out Jesus as the Savior, Andrew became a follower of Christ. Later, when Jesus invited him to become a fisher of men, Andrew dropped his nets without a backward glance.
One glimpse of Andrew’s positive outlook comes from an occasion when Jesus fed a multitude. The Lord asked Philip for a suggestion on where to get food for the people. Speaking for the disciples, Philip was stumped by the problem of funds long before it occurred to him that bread was not immediately available even if they had money. But Andrew, perhaps in jest or in hope, tentatively said, “Here’s a kid with five loaves and two fishes . . . but that’s not much . . .” (see John 6:9). It turned out to be more than enough.
Are you an Andrew kind of person? Do you notice a ray of hope when others seem to only see hopelessness? Do you find yourself holding back the urge to tell others what you have discovered about Jesus? Speak up! The world needs Andrews! When Jesus called Andrew to be his disciple, he undoubtedly wanted him to go on being Andrew.
If you are not an Andrew yourself, try to spot one this week and give him or her a little encouragement. Being a hopeful person can sometimes be a lonely job! If the Good News is worth knowing, it’s worth telling. We may not all be Andrews, but we’ve got something so great to share that it’s worth imitating him from time to time.
Another reason I find that many don't share the gospel is because they feel like a hypocrite. I know what I did today that was contrary to my confession of Christ, just like I'm sure you are also aware of your shortcomings. Jesus said in our weakness he is made strong! Don't allow the enemy to trick you into believing you're not good enough "yet" to share the gospel. If you're saved then you have every right, but also you're commanded by Jesus to carry the message of his life, death & resurrection throughout the world.
Ask the Holy Spirit to open up the opportunity, he will! Ask him for the words to speak. then expect to receive them, you will! After you lead your first person to the Lord, you will never again be able to stop witnessing!
If you would like to know more about Jesus and evangelizing, then click on the frontline church link on this page. For prayer of just someone to talk to, contact me directly rlwhitener@gmail.com Please include "prayer request" in the subject line.
thanks for following along,
God Bless
John 1:41
We don't hear much more about Andrew after this, but how awesome would it be to actually introduce Peter, or any of the disciples to Jesus. It would be like leading Billy Graham to the Lord. Talk about fruit! The biggest problem with that, is that most of us are either afraid to or simply don't know how to share our faith.
When was the last time you had news worth passing along? You discovered a really great buy or an amazing new restaurant that you just had to tell someone else about. When did you sit someone down by your music system and say, “Listen to this new group I found! They are amazing.”
Andrew couldn’t keep good news to himself. He was the first person identified in the Gospels as a follower of Jesus. As soon as he met Jesus, he rushed to tell his brother Simon. Up to that time, Andrew had been one of John the Baptist’s disciples. But when John pointed out Jesus as the Savior, Andrew became a follower of Christ. Later, when Jesus invited him to become a fisher of men, Andrew dropped his nets without a backward glance.
One glimpse of Andrew’s positive outlook comes from an occasion when Jesus fed a multitude. The Lord asked Philip for a suggestion on where to get food for the people. Speaking for the disciples, Philip was stumped by the problem of funds long before it occurred to him that bread was not immediately available even if they had money. But Andrew, perhaps in jest or in hope, tentatively said, “Here’s a kid with five loaves and two fishes . . . but that’s not much . . .” (see John 6:9). It turned out to be more than enough.
Are you an Andrew kind of person? Do you notice a ray of hope when others seem to only see hopelessness? Do you find yourself holding back the urge to tell others what you have discovered about Jesus? Speak up! The world needs Andrews! When Jesus called Andrew to be his disciple, he undoubtedly wanted him to go on being Andrew.
If you are not an Andrew yourself, try to spot one this week and give him or her a little encouragement. Being a hopeful person can sometimes be a lonely job! If the Good News is worth knowing, it’s worth telling. We may not all be Andrews, but we’ve got something so great to share that it’s worth imitating him from time to time.
Another reason I find that many don't share the gospel is because they feel like a hypocrite. I know what I did today that was contrary to my confession of Christ, just like I'm sure you are also aware of your shortcomings. Jesus said in our weakness he is made strong! Don't allow the enemy to trick you into believing you're not good enough "yet" to share the gospel. If you're saved then you have every right, but also you're commanded by Jesus to carry the message of his life, death & resurrection throughout the world.
Ask the Holy Spirit to open up the opportunity, he will! Ask him for the words to speak. then expect to receive them, you will! After you lead your first person to the Lord, you will never again be able to stop witnessing!
If you would like to know more about Jesus and evangelizing, then click on the frontline church link on this page. For prayer of just someone to talk to, contact me directly rlwhitener@gmail.com Please include "prayer request" in the subject line.
thanks for following along,
God Bless
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