THE ORDINARY MAN’S PRESCRIPTION FOR SUCCESS

John 1

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

Andrew is mentioned by name 13 times in the NT. 8 of those times he is referred to as Simon Peter’s brother, 3 of those times he is mentioned in a group of the disciples, and the other 2 he is named with Philip. There are several things about Andrew that commend him to us and are worthy of being in our own lives. He was an ordinary man like us, but he lived a successful life and so can we.

 

I. HE WAS NOT A SELF-RIGHTEOUS MAN

 

 

1. He Heard of the Person of Christ [Jn. 1:30-36, 40]

 

2. He Heard of the Power of Christ [Jn. 1:29, 33, 36]

 

3. He Hearkened to the Invitation of Christ [Jn. 1:37-40]

 

II. HE WAS WILLING TO PLAY A SMALLER ROLE [Rm. 12:1-16]

 

 

In God’s will there is no such thing as second fiddle. Joshua, Aaron, Elisha, Barnabas, Paul, Silas, Timothy, and John the Baptist himself are all proof of that. R.A. Torrey, D.L. Moody and Dr. James M. Gray illustrate that truth well.

 

1. Be “big” on the inside [John 3:30] as a disciple of John the Baptist he may have heard this before, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

 

2. Be satisfied living in the shadows [Philippians 1:20-21]

 

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

 

III. HE DID GOD’S WORK GOD’S WAY [Phil. 4:13, 19]

 

 

1. He never tried to be anyone but himself. [Gal. 2:20]

 

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

2. He never questioned where God put him [Esther 4:14] -could a man like Peter have led Peter to the Lord?

 

. . . who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

 

IV. HE DIDN’T LET LITTLE THINGS BOTHER HIM [Psalm 119:165]

 

 

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

 

“Some Christians live on the corner of Bitterness Lane and Despondency Blvd.” - Dr. Bob Kelley

 

Andrew was Simon Peter’s brother and co-workers with James & John but they were in the inner circle and Andrew wasn’t. There is no hint that he was offended by it, hurt, or even jealous.

 

V. HE KNEW WHAT WAS REALLY BIG IN LIFE - BRINGING FOLKS TO JESUS!

 

 

-Peter [Jn. 1:41] He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

-boy [Jn. 6:8-9] One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

-Greeks [Jn. 12: 20-22] And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.