TOPIC:“The Man Who Was Always Witnessing”
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother, Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:40-42)
Dr. Henry Clay Trumbull, famous American preacher of the 19th century, was one of God's early pioneer soul-winners. He made his greatest contribution to the service of Christ in the field of personal evangelism. He was never too busy to talk to an individual about becoming a Christian. After years of experience in this eternal work of witnessing he wrote: “From nearly half a century of such practices as I have had opportunity day by day, I can say that I have spoken with thousands upon thousands on the subject of their spiritual welfare.” Then Trumbull goes on to state: “I find that reaching one person at a time is the best way of reaching all the world in time.” How wonderfully true!
Still yet another who stands high among the representatives of this group is the fascinating figure whom we know as Andrew. He was one of the twelve disciples, but is mentioned only a few times in the New Testament. We speak of him as the brother of Simon Peter. Let us examine his life of witnessing for the next few moments.
Consider, to begin with, how Andrew made a discovery that convinced him. Think of the account of this transforming discovery as found in the words of verses 40 and 41: “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his own brother, Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah.” What a discovery!
From the text we find that Andrew and his friend, who no doubt is John, are standing beside the Jordan River with John the Baptist. All at once, this free and fearless prophet, views a stranger in the distance coming towards them. He cries out for all to hear in verse 36: “Behold the lamb of God.” Now this clear, decisive, sweeping message did not fail to awaken the soul and inner conscience of Andrew. He . . .