He first found his own brother Simon and said to him,  “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).  John 1:41-42

Recurrent Thought

Your Changed Life is the Testimony that brings people to Jesus

What transforms human life is an encounter with God, the Almighty. Many in the world may articulate some level of transformation based on different forms of experiences. However, the experience one gets when they encounter Jesus is singularly different, for it mends the human brokenness and purges the sin-guilt that was introduced by the sin of our federal parents (Adam & Eve) and imputed to all who are born from that family tree. Therefore, one of the most important task of any Christ-devoted follower, is to  bring people to Jesus so that they may experience his transforming power, 

The Gospels do not tell every story about Jesus and his Disciples, but the ones they tell are always significant. We have various narratives that deal with individuals either coming to faith or outright rejecting the Lord. The Gospels show how Jesus led people to faith. However, we also see how other leaders introduced seekers to Faith in Jesus. 

Today, we capture incidents when Andrew a one-time follower of John the Baptiser played a role in bringing others to Jesus.

Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus (John 1: 39-42); he identified the young man whose lunch fed more than 5000 people (John 6:8-9; he also brought Greeks to Jesus. These admired Jesus and wanted to meet him (John 12:20-22). Andrew is not a very well-known apostle as compared to his brother Peter, but he is the one who introduced him to Jesus. Andrew is an effective bringer and an introducer of people to Jesus Christ.

As an essential note, Peter is introduced to Jesus Three times: (1) When Andrew introduces him to the Jesus for the first time (John 1:39-42); (2) When Jesus uses Peter’s Boat and preaches from it (Luke 5) and finally, when Jesus tells him to follow him (Math. 4:19). 

When Jesus ministered to individuals, he usually did so with a theological bent. He brought a revelation of God’s Grace and Mercy in some form. However, when the Andrew-kind of introduction is done, it does not need to have a full revelation or explanation of the Messiah. The Andrew-kind of witnessing just points to the door of His presence. It is the easiest way of opening access to the transforming power of the Cross. 

Three Obsessions of those who bring others to Christ

1. Compelled by an Urge to Find Others
   • Effective Soul Winners are driven by the priority to Find others 
   • Notice the first thing Andrew did when he met the Messiah: The First thing was to find his brother
   • When he found the Messiah, he was concerned that someone else should find Him. 
   • When we become born again, winning others become Priority One
   • Those who are born again, realize that those around them, those without Christ, are truly lost
   • The lostness of human beings compel us to introduce people to the One who can save them (Acts 4:12)
   • Andrew was compelled to talk to his brother. It is easier to tell the brother of another person other than your brother
   • One who has found the Messiah, is compelled to find others with the sole purpose of introducing them to him
   • One who has found the Messiah, does not contain the joy but share it to others
   • An evangelist is a beggar who is excited to tell others where to find free bread.
   • When God miraculously provided food to a famine-stricken town of Samaria, the lepers were the first to find food left by the fleeing Syrian Army. This is what they said
     2 Kings 7:9 Then they said to one another, “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king’s household.”
2. Anchored by the Certainty of their Testimony 
   • Effective Soul Winners are clear about their transformed life. 
   • Andrew introduced others to Jesus using his testimony.
   • Those who effectively bring others to Christ may not be fully conversant with the theology of the cross, but they are certain of their transformed life.
   • Testimony is an attestation or evidence provided to show the veracity or none thereof an issue or person in question. 
   • For Christians, a testimony means an account of how God rescued one from sin and death through Christ, and changed their life as a result.
   • Andrew just stated that they had found the Messiah; they had evidence of the Messiah; 
   • Although our transformed life must be evidenced by a consistent Christ-life, it is however, amplified by our spoken testimony.
   • Unfortunately, most Christians tend to have the audacity to speak on every subject except about the Lord (Psalm 50:23)
   • Notice the simplicity of the Testimony: We have found the Messiah.
   • This was a sure testimony. Andrew had stayed in the presence of the Messiah; they spent one night at his place and they knew he was a true Messiah. 
3. Captivated by The Transformation of Others
   • An Effective Soul Winner is obsessed with Bringing Many in the presence of God
   • There is always a Goal in Witnessing: ensuring that we bring others to Him
   • Ch.1:42 States that  “And he brought him to Jesus”
   • This is the goal of ministry to bring them to Christ who specializes in transforming lives
   • The truth is that the majority of those who come to the Lord and are converted and brought to Him by someone – look up Matthew 14:34-36.
   • Remember it is always worth it to bring others to Christ. Their results will overwhelm you. The One You bring, may just end up as powerful as

The End Picture

Isaiah 53:11; Heb. 12:2 & Luke 15: 4-6

Altar Time

Lord may I be capture by Heaven’s Joy (Luke 15:4-6)