Andrew! The Evangelist Apostle – Sermon 25 November, 2012

Andrew! The Evangelist Apostle

John 1:35-42

St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated each year on the 30^th of November and is Scotland’s national day.

St. Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, as well as several other countries including Greece, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.

As we celebrate St. Andrew’s Day today it is appropriate to look at the Apostle himself. He is rarely mentioned in the Bible in the order of the disciples. He does not have a primary state in the accounts of the gospels. He has not written a gospel or an epistle and he has not done any big act in our human standards. He is mentioned as the brother of Peter. Two brothers of totally different personalities and characters. Peter was known as the impulsive and fiery disciple, while Andrew was more practical. Peter was easily tempered, while Andrew was cautious and reserved. Peter was always in a leading act, while Andrew was more of a follower. We don’t see Andrew restless or agitated. He did not step down from the boat and attempt to walk on the water, he did not rebuke his teacher, and he did not cut the ear of the temples guard and did not cause three thousand people to repent with his sermon.

But it is worthwhile to note that every time we hear about him in the gospels, we see that he leads someone to Jesus. First he brings his brother Simon/Peter to Jesus. Then he brings a young boy to Jesus who had five loaves and two fish, which were the food to be fed to the five thousand, and also with Phillip he leads a group of Greeks to Jesus.

Therefore Andrew was a great apostle. Without him, we would not have heard about Peter, the first preacher after the Ascension and the Pentecost and the author of epistles. The five thousand would have been left hungry and the group of the Greeks would have never seen Jesus.

Legend tells us that the northern part of the Black Sea had been his missionary field, for that he had been declared to be Russia’s national saint. And as we have said earlier, the patron saint of Scotland.

Andrew did not have any special talent. But within his capacity, he did his duty for the work of God. He worked silently and led people to Christ. He, with a humble, calm and modest spirit, being loyal to his call became an obedient and courageous witness for Christ. Andrew was like the humble preachers who do not serve in luxurious temples with the intention to be glorified, but they preach the salvation gospel to those who are outcasts and to those who are thirsty for the light of the truth and those who need love and care.

One of the most basic duties of a Christian is to present Christ to others. The Apostle Paul in his letter written to the Romans says: “How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:14 and 17).

Who is going to present Christ to the world? The unbelievers, the followers of cults, the atheist? Or we, the church and its members. The Church is the body of Christ and we are its members. Being the members of His body we have a holy duty to present Him to the entire world.

We may not be well known theologians, writers and preachers, but we can still silently lead one or few to Christ with a spirit of servant hood, humbleness and with loving words. The church, with all its members should be witnessing disciples, knowing their duty and leading people to Christ.

To do the work of God it is not necessary to be talented like Paul or Peter; it is enough to be like Andrew. One who knows his duty well.

Today we need Andrews.

During the centuries many believers faithfully have followed the example of Andrew and they have not considered the Gospel shameful. They have left their comfort zone; their home and have gone out to lead the lost to the glorious light. Paul says: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes”.

Those Andrews have served as preachers, evangelists, teachers, educators and faithful servants of the Lord Jesus.

Come let us testify as a faithful disciples.

It is good to celebrate St. Andrew’s Day today with a special service and a luncheon to follow. But it’s not what we only ought to do. We should lift our cross and follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and learning from the good example of St. Andrew, let us be like him and do our part for God’s glory.

When Jesus ascended to heaven after his mission on earth, the angels asked him: “Did you accomplish your task?”

“Yes, all is finished”, the Lord replied.

“We have a second question”, said the angels. “Has the whole world heard of you?”

“No”, said Jesus.

The angels next asked, “Then what is your plan?”

Jesus said, “I have left twelve men and some other followers to carry the message to the whole world”.

The angels looked at him and asked: “What is your Plan B?”

Friends, there is no Plan B. Jesus desires to reach the world through men and women like Andrew, you and me.

I pray that we learn from the example of St. Andrew and be ready to serve faithfully our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with a humble spirit.

Krikor Youmshajekian