Rev. David Holwick Z
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
July 21, 1991
John 1:35-42
|
I. The importance of "nobodies."
A. Trivia questions:
1. Who visited Dwight L. Moody at a shoe store and spoke to
him about Christ?
2. Who inspired Mother Theresa to become a lifelong servant of
Jesus?
3. Who was the elderly woman who prayed faithfully for Billy
Graham for over twenty years?
4. Who was the young Baptist who gave your pastor his first
Bible? #1526
B. Unknown people who are faithful to Jesus have played a big part
in evangelizing the world.
C. You are a "nobody" too - but think of your opportunities!
II. Andrew was a second-fiddle.
A. Usually noted as Peter's "brother." Mark 1:16, Luke 6:14
1) Always mentioned second.
B. In lists of the apostles, he is in middle.
1) Andrew wasn't in Jesus' inner circle.
a) Healing of Jairus' daughter.
b) Mount of Transfiguration.
c) Gethsemane.
1> Andrew was not included. (Peter, James & John)
2) Yet he was among first two humans to follow Jesus.
C. Andrew never got resentful, but kept following Jesus.
III. Andrew was great at introducing people to Jesus.
A. People came to him, and he brought them to Jesus.
1) His own brother, Simon Peter. John 1:40
2) Young boy with 5 loaves and 2 small fishes. John 6:5-9
B. Others doubted, Andrew also doubted but he did what he could.
1) Greek inquirers and Philip. John 12:21-22
IV. Most Christians are not bold leaders, but all can be Andrews.
A. Importance of sowing seed.
1) Witnessing with 4 Spiritual Laws is great.
a) But many are hesitant.
b) Don't know answers to hard questions.
c) Don't know way around Bible.
2) If you can't witness with confidence, take them to someone
who can.
a) Invite your friends to Sunday School and church.
b) Billy Graham is the greatest Christian evangelist in
history. Bar none.
B. How to bring people to Jesus.
1) Have desire for them to be saved.
2) Pray for them.
a) Andrew prayed in upper room. Acts 1:13-14
3) Invite them to an event where they will hear gospel.
a) This church.
b) The Billy Graham crusade.
V. How churches (and God's Kingdom) grow.
A. Growth is one-by-one.
1) Mass conversions are very rare.
2) Great movements are usually one-by-one.
3) Even with Jesus, they came by ones and twos.
B. Growth comes from personal contact.
1) My personal testimony of Christian friend.
2) Few are saved from telecasts.
3) Most at Graham crusade are invited by a friend or neighbor.
C. Personal work in Billy Graham crusade.
1) Right now, invite your friends to come.
a) Tell them its free.
b) Tell them we will provide transportation.
1> If they're not on the bus, neither will you be!
c) Tell them it will be the event of a lifetime.
2) Pray for your friends to be touched by God.
a) Prayer undergirds this crusade.
b) Prayer can change things.
c) Perhaps prayer will change you!
d) "Prayer Triplets" commitment.
3) Bring your friends to the crusade.
a) Remind them of the date.
b) See that they get on the bus.
4) Follow up on your friends after the crusade.
a) Your love for them is your greatest witness.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
Created with the Freeware Edition of HelpNDoc: Free help authoring environment