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Men the Master Made Study #3 - Andrew, the Patron Saint of Soul-winners Many of us would love to play a musical instrument but not too many want to play second fiddle. Peter's brother Andrew was not the author of a book nor founder of a famous church. He was not a leader in the band nor was he included in the inner and intimate three disciples who were closest to the Lord. He was just an honest and humble disciple who shines through as one of the loveliest characters of the New Testament. It is not surprising that three countries claim him to be their "Patron Saint" (Scotland, Greece & Russia) whatever virtue there might be in that. However when we come to study the life of this choice servant of God he most certainly is an example to all would be soul winners for the Saviour. Every church needs its Peters and Johns but how much more we need Andrews in our churches. Not everyone can be a Peter or a Paul but everyone can become an Andrew. It is safe to say that Andrew did not have the charismatic personality of his brother Peter. These two were different in so many ways. Peter was a leader Andrew was a follower Peter was explosive Andrew was steady Peter was outspoken Andrew was quiet Peter won thousands after one sermon Andrew won converts one by one Peter was a public figure Andrew was a personal worker Peter preached the gospel to many thousands Andrew brought Peter to Christ Andrew was always referred to as Simon Peter's brother (John 6:8). Humanly speaking had it not been for Andrew behind the scenes, there might never have been an Apostle Peter. It takes a big man to be able to do what Andrew did. He was the first to believe on the Saviour but was content to play second fiddle to his brother Peter. It is never easy to play second fiddle but second fiddle does not mean a lower position in God's sight. You can never measure the potential of one person you win to Jesus Christ. Suzanne Wesley had eighteen children and besides rearing them she saw them as her mission field and won each one for the Saviour. She provided England and the world with two great servants of God. An old deacon gave a text out on a snowy Sunday morning in a little Methodist Chapel. He did not know that the fourteen year-old boy who trusted the Saviour that day would be England’s greatest preacher. There are many apples in an orchard but there could be many orchards in each apple. Dr. Tocher had a mission in Newtownards Baptist Church. He thought no one trusted the Saviour in that mission. A few years later he discovered that Willie Mullen came to Christ as a result of those meetings and led hundreds to the Saviour. Consider these verses: "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" (Daniel 12:3) "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30) "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins". (James 5:21) Andrew’s name means "manly". fisherman by trade. It suggests to us that he might well have been a robust person. His name occurs thirteen times in the New Testament but it is his friend John who tells us most about him. He was a native of Bethsaida and like his brother Peter and other disciples he was a fisherman by trade. It was this background that helped to make Andrew a very practical person. 1. Andrew was brought to faith in the Saviour John 1:35-40 Andrew was an avid follower of that rugged preacher who had emerged in the Judean desert preaching repentance and baptising in the River Jordan. Possibly Andrew and his friend John had been baptised by John the Baptist and were waiting for the coming of the promised Messiah. On the day that John pointed to Christ and preached "The Lamb of God", Andrew, immediately and irresistibility left John and followed Jesus. Andrew is frequently referred to as the "Protokletos" - the first called of the disciples. His conversion can be traced. (a) The Word they heard (John 1:37 cf 5:24) (b) The Lord they sought (John 1:38) (c) The night they spent with Jesus. (v.39). How radical was Andrew’s conversion. It takes a lot of courage to be the first to make a break and do something different. When Andrew stepped to follow the Saviour he did so wholeheartedly and as a result there soon followed a series of conversions. (Peter, Philip & Nathanael.) 2. Andrew brought his family to the Saviour John 1:41,42 "First he findeth his own brother Simon". A little boy was sitting in church with his mother on Sun-day morning. He noticed the tall, stained-glass windows in which were images of people. He asked his mother, "Who are those people in the window" She replied, "They are saints". "Oh", he said. "Now I know what a saint is; it's one who lets the light shine in. Andrew let the light shine through and he answers a few questions about winning others for the Saviour. (a) "When should we begin to win souls" A candle starts giving light as soon as it is lighted. Andrew began to shine immediately and went to bring his brother to Christ. He knew that Peter needed to know the Saviour so he immediately searched for him. What a bold step this was. (b) "Where should we begin to win others for the Saviour" The man who was destined to be a foreign missionary started with those at home. Home is often the hardest place to and Peter might well have been viewed as a hard case. Bethsaida was considered to be a hard place. (John 1:44) (c) How should we begin to win people for the Saviour Andrew began with his testimony – "We have found the Messiah". Moody considered the best soulwinners were the new converts. He said they still have their friends in the world and they still speak the language of the world. He gave them a bundle of tracts and told them to get busy. 3. Andrew brought his friend to the Saviour John 6:1-14 On the day that our Lord did one of the greatest miracles of His ministry Andrew engaged in one of the greatest ministries of his life. He brought a boy to Jesus Christ. This would be a day that boy would never forget and it all happened because of Andrew. Pastor Overholtzer gave up the pastorate to concentrate on bringing children to the Saviour and thus founded CEF. How we need Andrews in our churches to bring in the boys and girls to Jesus Christ. I think the steps that brought this boy to Christ form a pattern for all would be soul winners. (a) Friendliness. Andrew befriended the boy. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother". (Proverbs 18:24) (b) Faithfulness He must have told the boy about the Saviour and the need of the multitude. He then told Jesus about the boy. (c) Fruitfulness Through bringing one boy to Jesus Christ a multitude of people was fed. 4. Andrew brought foreigners to the Saviour - John 12:20-22; Some Greeks came seeking Jesus and spoke to Philip who probably had undoubtedly Greek connections. Philip did not go directly to Jesus. He introduced them to Andrew as if he recognised that Andrew had a way in bringing people to the Saviour. Why did Andrew gain this respect from of other disciples (a) Because Andrew was selfless. He never called attention to himself nor sought the public place. Andrew was always referred to as Simon Peter's brother (John 6:8). (b) Because Andrew was always sure that Jesus was sufficient. It never struck Andrew that his-brother, the lad with his lunch or the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus would ever be refused by the Saviour or disappointed in Him. (c) Because Andrew was soul conscious. Andrew valued souls. Greeks were considered to be gentile dogs by the orthodox Jews but Andrew believed there was a place even for Greeks to meet the Saviour. Andrew was a go getter. He knew what he wanted and went after it. He had a passion for souls and this passion took him to work amongst the Sycithians who were reputed to be more barbarous than the Barbarians. As a result of his endeavours to win these people to Christ Andrew paid the ultimate price and was crucified in Achaia, Greece on an X shaped cross because he refused to be crucified as his Lord. Hence we have the St Andrew’s cross. It is said that he lingered for three days during which time he still pointed others to Jesus Christ. On the cross he cried "Hail precious cross consecrated by the body of my Lord, crowned with his limbs as with jewels. O good cross. Receive me with joy into your arms." A Sunday School teacher I don't know his name, A wonderful preacher who never found fame, So faithful, so earnest, when I was a boy He stuck to his task though I tried to annoy. He never was missing in cold or in heat, A smile his face lighted the moment we'd meet. He taught by example as well as by word, This splendid old teacher who honored his Lord. He helped my young life more than ever he knew; Later years I remembered and tried to be true. I suppose he has gone now to join heaven's ranks May it be my good fortune someday to say, "Thanks".

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