Life of Andrew

Each one of us here, I'm sure, have heard addresses on the life of Simon Peter. We know that story so well of that dear man, but today I want to speak about another man, and his name is Andrew. We don't hear very much about Andrew, do we? At least, we don't hear many addresses about Andrew, but it's really heartwarming to go over the life of that dear servant of God, who was the brother of Simon Peter.

Let's look in John 1 first. This is a wonderful subject, beloved, and one has enjoyed it so much. I just trust the Lord will make you enjoy it too, that our hearts may be encouraged as we hear about Andrew, this man who was far outdone by his brother.

We don't read that Andrew preached in the day of Pentecost. We don't read that Andrew had 3,000 converts. But we read something about Andrew that's really heartwarming.

Let's notice the 35th verse of John 1. Again, the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples, and looking upon Jesus, as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God. And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and said unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, which is being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou? He said unto them, Come and see.

They came and saw where he dwelt. And abode with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which 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 with the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. That's all we read in this particular portion.

What a wonderful portion this is. It's old and yet ever new. We can read this chapter and read it and meditate.

We always find something refreshing and new in the word of God. I like that expression, this 35th verse opens again. The next day after.

I always think when I read those words of the Lord's Day. Because on the Lord's Day you and I, we spend our time with God's people. We get our hearts warmed up.

And then the next day is Monday. We have to go back to school or back to the college or back to the office. And spend our day with ungodly men and ungodly women.

What a comedown that is. And we find, do we not, that in many cases. Our hearts immediately start to get a little bit cold.

But isn't it nice to see that in John the Baptist's case. That the next day after. Or the day before he pronounced that Jesus was the Lamb of God.

Which taketh away the sin of the world. But here in our 35th verse, the day after. John stood.

It seems he was just fixed to the ground. John stood. And looking upon Jesus as he walked.

He said, behold the Lamb of God. I like to think that in the 29th verse. John proclaimed with a loud voice.

The one who was going to take away the sin of the world. But here he probably spoke from his heart. Maybe he spoke very quietly.

He was enjoying Christ. And the enjoyment of Christ is he overflown. It always does.

It overflowed beloved. And it tells us. That the two disciples heard him speak.

And they followed Jesus. Isn't that beautiful. John didn't say anything to these two disciples.

He didn't say anything. He didn't say. I want you two men to follow Jesus.

But the enjoyment of Christ. That he had. In his own soul.

Led those two disciples away. Isn't that nice. We don't have to keep on preaching to people.

You know what we do sometimes. Speak so loud. They can't hear what we say.

And so it is nice. That people can see. What a man or a woman.

Is enjoying Christ. Isn't that true. You know dear brother.

And I speak about myself. When I say this. Now often when we meet.

You'll notice this. Don't you. We don't have John's subject.

John's subject was Christ. He asked that he decrease. And God gave him his desire.

He decreased. He lost his two disciples. That Jesus.

The Christ might increase. That was his prayer. He increased.

But often when we meet. The devil always gets us. On to another subject.

I'll never forget. What Eric Smith told me. In our living room in Montreal.

We were sitting down. Talking about the Lord. And he said brother.

If your eyes and mind could be open. We'd see demons. Floating all around.

The living room. Gave me a kind of a. A strange feeling. But here they are.

They're floating around. And they're watching you. And they're watching me.

And they're saying. What can we do. To get these two men.

Off that subject of Christ. One of them. One of them said.

I know what to do. And so he brings in. Through our.

Through us. Through the intellect. Some brother that may be causing trouble.

Or some brothers. Who may be causing trouble. And all of a sudden.

The subject is switched. Our brother Smith said. Maybe you say.

Or I say to you. Say do you hear about that trouble. That's happening.

Mentioned in a certain assembly. And we're off the track. And the demons say good.

We got them off the subject. Don't talk about Christ. The demons said.

Let's get them off the subject. Of Christ. But you see.

John overflowed here. And the two disciples. Heard him speak.

And they followed Jesus. Now in the 38th verse. The Lord saw them.

Isn't that nice. The Lord saw them. And if you and I follow Christ.

The Lord is going to see us. The Lord saw them following. And he challenges them.

Doesn't he. He says unto them. What seek ye.

What seek ye. This is the first chapter. Of John's gospel.

In the 20th chapter. Of John. The Lord asked a similar question.

To Mary Magdalene. She said. He said.

Whom seek ye. Whom seek ye. But here he says.

What seek ye. The Lord didn't have to ask. Mary what she was seeking.

He knew she was seeking. Himself. But he says here.

What seek ye. And they said. Master.

Where dwellest thou. Isn't that wonderful. Where dwellest thou.

Well the first chapter tells us. That he ever dwells. In the bosom of his father.

Did you ever notice. That the man. Who wrote this gospel.

He dwelled in the bosom of a son. In the 13th chapter. Of this very gospel.

We find John. The beloved apostle. And he's laying in Jesus bosom.

And he presents this gospel. Did you ever notice Luke's gospel. A doctor wrote that.

Doctor Luke. He presented. By the power of the spirit of God.

The only man that ever lived. That didn't need a doctor. The only man who ever lived.

Who didn't need a doctor. Luke presents. The perfect man to us.

Such are the wonderful ways. Of our blessed God. And he says.

Come and see. Isn't that different. Than the night of Acts.

Where Ananias. Is told. That Saul of Tarsus.

Was in a house. On a street that is called straight. There's no mention of a street here.

The Lord said come. And see. And if we want to learn the truth.

That's exactly what we have to do. We have to come. Nobody can tell us.

Away from a place. We have to go there. Where the truth is held.

Where God's word is held. The Lord said come and see. And they came and saw where he dwelt.

And it says. They abode with him. They abode with him.

That day was about the tenth hour. Now the margin says. That was two hours.

Before night. What a wonderful time of the day. That was two hours.

Before night. And that's exactly the time. In which you and I are living today.

Are we spending. Those two hours. With Jesus.

These two men spent. Those last two hours of that day. In company.

With the Lord Jesus. What a wonderful time they must have had. Now you'll notice.

That only one of the men is mentioned. We're not told who the other man is. And I believe that's of God.

That we're not told. I believe that in these two men. We have the two priesthoods.

You know Andrew. Would represent to us. The royal priest.

You've noticed probably. In the prison. In Philippi in Acts 16.

We have the two priesthoods. Seen there. Paul and Silas.

They sang praises to God. They sang praises to God. Well that would remind us.

Would it not? That would remind us. Would it not? Of the holy priests. But then.

They went to the jailer. And they said. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

And thou shalt be saved in thy house. That would bring before us. The royal priest.

But I believe here. That this holy priest. May have been John himself.

The writer of the gospel. Nevertheless his name is not mentioned. Because when we worship the Lord.

Beloved. Nobody can really. See it can they? I suppose there were some in this room.

This morning. Many sisters. Who were enjoying the Lord.

We didn't hear their voices. We didn't hear what they said. We certainly couldn't read their hearts.

But the Lord did. The Lord saw that his ears. And his eye.

Heard and saw. Exactly what took place. And so the spirit of God.

Doesn't tell us about this first man. But it tells us about the other man. Notice now.

It tells us in the verse. 40. One of the two.

Which heard John speak. And followed him. Was Andrew.

Simon Peter's brother. Now the 41st verse. Isn't this wonderful? He first find us.

Oh it took energy to find them. It takes energy to find souls. Somebody said.

I was reading a book. In our brother's home yesterday. This writer said.

Souls don't come to us. We have to go to them. And so this man.

He first find us. His own brother. What a wonderful testimony this was.

It's hard to go to your home. Easier to come to Phoenix. And talk to people about Christ.

Than it is to talk to them in Montreal. Easier to talk. To preach the gospel on the street corner.

Of that great city of Montreal. Than it is to speak. In some little town where everybody knows you.

But he first found his own brother. And what does it tell us he did? He brought him to Jesus. He didn't send him.

He brought him to Jesus. He gave a little short gospel message. We have found the Messiah.

Which has been interpreted. The Christ. That was Andrew's little message.

We have found the Messiah. Which has been interpreted. The Christ.

And he brought him to Jesus. How lovely this is. These are the first two brothers.

Mentioned in the New Testament. The first two brothers. In the Old Testament.

Where Cain and Abel. Remember the story well. Cain killed Abel.

That's how that first story ends. Cain killed his brother. But here in the New Testament.

The first two brothers. Andrew brings. Peter to Jesus.

Wasn't that wonderful. He brought him to Jesus. And beloved friends.

In the word of God. The Spirit of God. Is recorded that act.

The Lord will never forget. What. Andrew did.

Oh Peter outshadows him. We know that Peter outshadows him. He was a great servant of God.

The Apostle Peter. But here stands the record. Of a man who.

Found Christ. And he went to his house. And he brought.

His brother to Jesus. Cain. The history ends with death.

Andrew. And Peter. It ends with life.

And oh how the Lord must have. Looked down the road. As he saw.

Andrew bringing this. Beloved Apostle Peter. Who became the Lord's.

Great Apostle. Oh beloved let me say this. Before we turn to the next scripture.

People say poor Peter. I just wish. I had about one percent.

Of Peter's zeal. What a love he had for Christ. Let us never forget.

That while he denied the Lord. Somebody has said. He never denied the Lord.

After the day of Pentecost. Never. Oh Peter loved the Lord.

Devotedly loved Christ. And he had. A real heart for Christ.

I wish I had. Just a little small portion. Of Peter's devotion.

For the blessed Lord. Now if we turn to Mark 1. We read about Andrew again. There is.

Seven scriptures. We will try to bring before us. This afternoon.

I wish we find Andrew's name mentioned. This is the second. Verse 16.

Of Mark 1. Now as he walked. By the sea of Galilee. He saw.

Simon and Andrew his brother. Casting a net. Into the sea.

For they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them. Come ye after me.

And I will. Make you to become. Fishers of men.

Then straightway. They took their nets. And followed him.

Here we have Andrew's name mentioned. Again his name you know. Means manly.

That's what Andrew's name. Means manly. Oh it takes a real man.

To follow Christ doesn't it. A real man. To follow Christ.

In this poor world. And here we have the Lord. He sees them.

These two men were in business. They were fishermen. And they were casting a net.

Into the sea. Now the sea reminds us. Of the Gentile nations.

And the casting. Reminds us of energy. Energy.

Three times we find the nets mentioned. I believe in the Bible. At least three times.

This time they're casting. And later on. They were mending their nets.

And in Luke chapter 5. They were washing their nets. What a wonderful. Outline of truth.

We have on those three things. I believe that the casting. Would speak to us of the energy required.

And casting is a word of gospel. Of the grace of God. Into the nations.

And then we have. The mending the nets. Well after.

The gospel goes forth. How nice it is. To go back to the Lord's presence.

And there in his presence. Judge ourselves. Judge ourselves.

Oh beloved friends. We've sometimes said. There was only one great man.

In this world. Only one. There never was one before him.

And there has never been one since. There's one great man. There's no great man.

Isn't it strange that we. Each one of us. We talk about great men.

But there's no great man. There's one great man. Just one.

Here he is. His name is the son of God. He's the Lord Jesus.

He's the exalted one. And notice what he says to these men. He says.

Come ye after me. That's the first thing. Come ye.

He doesn't say come ye beside me. In connection with the service here. He says come ye after me.

What's the result? And I will make you. Fishers of men. Sometimes you see books.

You know. It tells you how to become a soul winner. Well you can read this verse.

And here you'll find out. Without reading a lot of pages. You'll find out.

How to become a soul winner. Just in these few words of the Lord Jesus. Come ye after me.

First. And I will. This is one of God's I wills.

I will make you. To become fishers of men. In a straight way.

Right away these two men. They left their business. In the chapter Luke we know.

The greatest day of business. They ever had. That was the day the net broke.

When there were so many fishers. They caught the net broke. That was the very day that Peter and Andrew.

Resigned from their business. To follow Jesus. Now the third.

Scripture we have. In the same chapter. Verse 29.

Mark 1. Report with. When they were come out of the synagogue. They entered into the house.

Of Simon. And Andrew. With James and John.

That was a nice group of men. Wasn't it? Simon and Andrew. James and John.

But Simon's wife's mother. Lay sick of a fever. And anon they tell him of her.

And he came and took her by the hand. And lifted her up. And immediately the fever left her.

And she ministered unto them. Now here we have the Andrew. Had a house for Christ.

Andrew we might say. In the first instance. He had a heart for Christ.

And then he had a desire. To follow Christ. But now he has a house for Christ.

And in that house. There was a woman with a fever. Now the fever in the Bible.

Thinks of restlessness. And how often in our homes. We have people who are restless.

They never find peace. They never find real happiness. They're always restless.

But you know what they did? They told Jesus about her. Isn't that nice? They told Jesus. About this restless woman.

And what does he do? Why it says that he. Took her by the hand. And lifted her up.

This is exactly what. Our restless ones need. Some of us have got children.

That are inclined to be restless. I don't mean little children. But grown up children.

Who are restless in this world. The world attracts them. They become restless.

They find the meetings very dead. They find the meetings very slow. And they find outside activities.

Very interesting. Isn't that nice? To be able to pray for them. To tell Jesus about them.

He might take his great hand of power. And lift them up. What happened? Not only did the fever leave her nose.

But she ministered unto them. She ministered unto them. The minute the fever left her.

She came in contact with Christ. The fever left her. And she ministered unto them.

And so that's what happens. When we bring our loved ones. To Christ.

We could get discouraged couldn't we? We could get discouraged. If we see loved ones. Going here and going there.

Getting away from the Lord. But isn't it nice to take a lesson here. And be able to tell the Lord Jesus.

About our loved ones. And just leave it with him. That he might touch them.

And give them that desire. To get away from that restless spirit. That's all around the world.

While we were driving down. One of the freeways. And the cars were going so fast.

This brother said. Look at they're all rushing. They're all rushing.

And I said to him. And they're going no place. They were all hurrying to get there.

They're all going some place. Everybody's rushing today. You can't have any peace or rest.

You can't read your Bible. You know the time. And the work days.

Are getting less. They tell me now. They're going to make it a four day week.

I suppose when it gets to be a three day week. There'll be no time to read or pray. The pace is so terrific.

Everybody is so restless. You just can't sit down. You can't rest.

People say you just can't rest. That's why they're having nervous breakdowns. That's why there's so many people having nervous breakdowns.

Because they can't rest. They just can't relax and sit down. They got to keep moving all the time.

But the Christian. Has got Christ. To take away this restless spirit.

And give us that quietness. In his presence. That we might sit there.

And then rise up under his mighty power. And minister to the people of God. Now let's turn to the 6th of John.

To find the fourth place. In connection with Andrew. John chapter 6. And verse 8. This is in connection with.

The feeding of the 5,000. We want to read a couple of verses. Verse 8 of John 6. One of his disciples.

Andrew. Simon Peter's brother said. Unto him.

There is a lad. Here. Which hath five barley loaves.

And two small fishes. But what are they. Among so many.

Now notice this. Isn't it nice to notice this. One of his disciples.

Andrew. Simon Peter's brother. The Lord links the two of them together.

Simon Peter and Andrew. Are linked together. And what does Andrew say.

In this message. There is a lad here. Now there's some young.

Younger people here today. This is just a lad. But notice what he had.

He had five barley loaves. And two small fishes. Now this.

Figure 5 speaks of weakness. And the figure 2. Speak of a testimony. So here was a lad.

A young man. Small and significant. A lad.

But he had. He was weak. But he had a testimony.

Isn't that nice. Now today. You know we may say.

What can I do for the Lord. I'm just weak. I'm just a boy.

Or I'm just a young man. Or a young lady. What can I do for the Lord.

Isn't it nice. To know our weakness. Isn't it nice to know.

That he is our strength. And we can be. In spite of the fact we're small.

Or young. We can be a testimony. For Christ.

You know gospel tracts. Don't cost very much. And if people can't afford to buy them.

As a rule you'll find a Christian. Will supply them for nothing. And every time.

You place. A gospel tract. In a telephone booth.

On the seat of a bus or a train. Or a plane. Who knows what's going to happen to that tract.

Who knows. Whether somebody may read that tract. And be instantly saved.

And become another Simon Peter. And be used of God. To lead many many to Christ.

And so whether you're a sister. A young sister. Or an older sister.

You can serve the Lord. By these tracts. Often you know.

We can take the telephone book. And we can mail tracts. To the names of the people in the telephone book.

Oh how wonderful. I know a dear old brother. His name was Perry.

In Pleasantville Nova Scotia. He's with the Lord now. When we visited him.

Many years ago. He had a list. He got from the post office.

Of every person in his area. Every year he told me. He used to mail a tract.

To every single person. On this mailing list. That he got from the government.

Isn't it nice. Maybe we can't do much. We all can't be preachers.

The Lord doesn't make everybody a preacher. He doesn't make everybody a Bible teacher. He doesn't make everybody a pastor.

But everybody can serve the Lord. Everybody. Every Christian.

Whether you're a young boy. 13 or 14 or 15. Or whether you're an old man.

Or an old lady. We all can leave a tract. Some place.

Or give a tract. People are hungry. All around us they're sad.

The world is deceiving them. And the world is disillusioning them. And they know that something has to happen.

Very very soon. The world can't go on like this. It mustn't.

It just can't go on. Something is going to happen. And that is the Lord is coming.

It's going to end a lot of problems. For this poor world. There's going to be lots of open jobs.

We know they're going to be lost. Those who have rejected Christ. And they're going to come under the judgment of God.

But in the meantime. There'll be lots of jobs open. Lots of automobiles with no owners.

Lots of homes vacant. The Lord is coming. And people know that.

They know there's something that's going to happen. Beloved. It's later than we think.

The Lord is coming. Now let's notice. That the Lord fed 5,000 with this boy's lunch.

I like to think of this boy's lunch. I like to think of him asking his mother. To make him a lunch.

And she gave him just 5 loaves. And 2 fishes. And thinking about this.

I've often thought. If he hadn't met the Lord that day. He might well have said.

You know I'm still hungry. This boy is a ruler of good appetites. He might have said.

I wish my mother had made me 6 loaves. And 3 fishes. But wasn't it nice when Jesus fed him.

He had as much as he wanted. They all had as much as they would. You know the Lord is a giver.

Isn't it wonderful. He's a giving God. And when God gives.

He gives largely. Each one of us. We like to give don't we.

But we always like to keep back. But the Lord's a gracious giver. He's a large giver.

He gives with his heart. He's a giving God. So when this multitude of 5,000 and more.

Were all fed. They picked up 12 baskets. That were left over.

It's very lovely to see. That Andrew was the one. Who introduced this lad.

To the Lord Jesus. Now the 12th chapter. The 12th chapter of John.

In verse. 21. The same came.

Therefore to Peter. I'll read the 20th verse. And there were certain Greeks.

Among them that came up to worship. At the feast. The same came therefore to Philip.

Which was a Bethsaida. Of Galilee and desired him. Saying sir.

We would see Jesus. Philip cometh and tell of Andrew. And again Andrew and Philip.

Tell Jesus. And so on. Here we have Andrew mentioned.

I think it's the 4th or 5th time. Philip cometh. And tell of Andrew.

Isn't that nice. Here we have this. Little subject of fellowship.

These Greeks came up. And they made that statement. Sir.

We would see Jesus. Isn't that a wonderful statement. Sir.

We would see Jesus. I remember reading. About a preacher who stood up one time.

And he preached. A sermon. It was kind of empty.

It wasn't much about Christ in the sermon. And somebody went up. During the week.

And they took in front of the table. They put a little notice. And they said.

Sir. We would see Jesus. Well he saw that.

He got what they meant. And the next week he got up. And he preached Christ.

And the next week when he got up to preach. There was another message for him. It said.

Then were the disciples glad. When they saw the Lord. Well.

They said. Sir. We would see Jesus.

I like to think of this. That Philip didn't just run to the Lord. And tell him.

But he went and he told Andrew. I wonder why he told Andrew. Well Andrew was always.

Always bringing somebody to Jesus. In chapter 1. He brought Peter. In chapter 6. He brought the lad.

In chapter 12. He was brought before him. The Greeks wanted to come to Jesus.

He was always bringing somebody. To Jesus. And so.

Philip goes. And tells Andrew. Isn't it nice when.

Maybe some young person. Wants to break bread. Isn't it nice for us to go.

And tell some other brother first. There are brothers. Who seem to like to.

Keep secrets and then. Bring the brothers together. And tell them all at once.

Isn't it nice that Philip. Teaches a good example here. When these men said.

Sir we would see Jesus. He goes. To one of his fellow disciples.

And they discuss it together. And they both went to Jesus. Isn't that nice to see.

That spirit of fellowship. Between the Lord's servants. Now in the.

13th chapter of Mark. We have Andrew. To mention again.

The 13th chapter. Of Mark. And the third verse.

And as he sat. Upon the Mount of Olives. Over against the temple.

Peter and James. And John. And Andrew.

Asked him privately. Tell us. When shall these things be.

And what shall be the sign. When all these things. Shall be fulfilled.

And Jesus answering them. Began to say. Take heed.

Lest any man deceive you. Now here we find Andrew. In connection with prophecy.

One of the great subjects. Of the Bible. I like to say beloved Christians.

How important. The subject of prophecy is. And I don't mean.

That we should give up all other. Subjects in the Bible. To study prophecy.

But there are people who say. Well I never read Revelation. Revelation is a deep book.

And isn't it a wonderful thing. That the Spirit of God. Knew exactly what was going to happen.

About Revelation. And he offers a blessing. He offers a blessing in the first chapter.

And the last chapter. Now he doesn't say. To those who understand.

The book of Revelation. That would be very discouraging. But those who read.

The book of Revelation. Maybe we don't understand. But there's a blessing for those.

That read the book of Revelation. Now for any of us to say well. It principally concerns the world.

And the Jewish people. There's a little bit in the beginning. About the churches.

And a little bit at the end. We're not interested in the glory. We're not interested in anything.

Not that it refers to us. I think that's very unkind. To the God.

Who told us. When the Lord Jesus was here. I don't call you servants.

I call you friends. Where he told us there. John 15 I think it is.

That I've told you all things. The Lord has given us. All his mind.

We should be interested. In everything. To do with the glorification.

Of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so here are these men. They come to Jesus privately.

Isn't it nice. To be able to go. To the Lord Jesus Christ.

Privately. To be able to be in his presence. Here these men were.

Peter and James. And John and Andrew. Why not to be nice men.

Wouldn't it be nice. If you and I could have been here. This little group.

These four dear men of God. And they asked him privately. And I want to draw your attention to this.

Because I think it's very. Important. They were asking him about the future.

Really about prophecy. And isn't it. Remarkable what the Lord says.

In that fifth verse. Take heed. Lest any man deceive you.

Now it seems strange. That the devil. Has deceived more people.

On the subject of prophecy. Than any other subject in the Bible. I really believe that.

Many of these false cults. Around us are deceiving people. On the subject of prophecy.

The Lord knew that. And he said take heed. Lest any man deceive you.

Oh the awful. Deceptions. That are around us today beloved.

People knocking on our doors. And trying to get admittance in. And I like to say to the young people.

I like to warn the young people. That these people. Really tell lies.

They really lie. Right to your face boldly. For instance they come to your door.

And they say. I like to read the Bible to you. Well the average person.

Is immediately taken off guard. Because they feel that a man. Who reads the Bible.

Must be a good man. But a real believer in Christ. Who understands these people.

They ask this question. Let me ask you a question. They say do you believe that.

Jesus Christ is the son of God. Now here is where they lie. They always say yes.

They always say yes. But that's a deliberate lie. They don't believe that at all.

Because if you ask them the second question. Was he eternal. And equal with the father.

They say no. Then you ask them the third question. Do you believe he.

That he is God. No. Do you believe that.

He was created by Jehovah. They say yes. So you see beloved friends.

They're dangerous. And it's sad when people ask them. Into their house.

I was visiting in the home one night. Of a brother and sister. And a very handsome young lady.

Came to the door and rang the bell. And said may I come in and discuss. The Bible with you.

And they let her in. And she just poured out her blasphemy. Against the Christ of God.

How sad that was. And when she left. The wife of this brother.

Who was breaking bread. Said wasn't she handsome. Wasn't she pretty.

Did you ever see a prettier woman. Than that young lady. Oh it's dangerous beloved.

It's dangerous the devil. Has all kinds of people going around. Handsome men.

One came to my house. Handsome man he came. He said can I read the Bible with you.

And I said sir. Is Jesus Christ God. He said no.

I couldn't let you in the house if I tried to. He said why not. I said because.

The word of God forbids it. Where does the word of God forbid it. And I told him in John's epistle.

Not even to say goodbye to him. Oh beloved friend. We live in difficult days.

And dangerous days. And the Lord warns. Andrew here.

Take heed. Lest any man deceive you. Oh the deceivers are around.

They're going to get worse. You dear young Christians here. If the Lord doesn't soon come.

The old brothers. Are not going to be here. They're going to be with the Lord.

You're going to be left. You're going to be left behind. Oh take heed.

Lest any man deceive you. Remember our Lord. Is not popular in this world.

And remember. And I speak reverently. That all the talk.

We see it. If you love Jesus. Blow your horn.

If you know Jesus. Wave your hand and all this kind of thing. You'll notice they never say Lord Jesus.

And I believe beloved. That this expression. Jesus Christ.

The superstar. Is this plain blasphemy. I really believe.

It's a challenge. It's an attack of the devil. And the person of Christ.

The devil is going to do everything he can. He doesn't care. What he does.

As long as Christ is dishonored. And you know Abraham said to his servant. See that ye bring.

Not my son. Thither again. And the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is not going to come back to this world. To join in. With all the pleasures of sin.

Around us. So we all can follow. A popular Christ.

No when the Lord comes back. To the world. He's going to judge the world.

We know he's going to come in the air. To call his saints. I think that's nice isn't it.

Notice when the Lord comes. To call his people away. He's going to come in the air.

Now why is he going to come in the air. Why doesn't he come right to the earth. Because we're not of this world.

We're not of this world. Beloved. And so the Lord Jesus from heaven.

Comes in the air. And we meet him in the air. Not in the earth.

We meet him in the air. Away from the world. In space.

We meet Christ. We read about space men today. They're going to be millions.

Of saints of God. Washed from their sins. In the blood of Christ.

We're going to become in a moment. In the front of an eye. Space men and space women.

Caught up to be with the Lord. We won't need any equipment. We won't need anything to make us breathe.

We'll be there. Here in the presence of Christ. Our bodies.

Gone as it were. These bodies of corruption. With a new body.

A glorified body. Like unto the very body of Christ. Like him physically and like him morally.

What a wonderful thing. Are these things really true? Is it true? Or are we deceived? Are we really waiting for the Lord from heaven? Are we really waiting for a man to come? A man we've never seen. A man who's captured our hearts.

A man who if we gave him up. Now I speak reverently. If we turn away.

We never can be happy. Oh when we meet a man or a woman. Who says I'm a born again Christian.

And they're away from the Lord. And they say I'm happy. There's one of two things.

Either they lie. Or they're not saved at all. For the Lord will never.

Let his people be happy in this world. A born again Christian. Cannot.

He cannot be happy in this world. Maybe. If he gets in with a group of unsaved people.

He can pretend he's happy. But there's an emptiness in his heart. And when he gets alone in his bedroom.

He cannot be happy. The Lord will not allow it. The Lord won't allow it.

And as we told. A dear Christian one day. He was away from the Lord.

If you really belong to Christ. Eventually that mighty arm. Is going to be stretched out.

To bring you back again. Maybe on your death bed. Maybe on your death bed.

Beloved. He's going to bring you back. He's going to bring you back to himself.

There was a man I knew. In fact he really brought me to Christ. He became a drunkard.

Lost his job. And he went down. To the very lowest place.

And on his death bed. A brother went to see him. Took a few days.

Before he died. And he read him the 23rd Psalm. And when he got to that verse.

He restored. My soul. This man.

Who was on this bed. To be with the Lord. In a very few hours or days.

He said. He's restored my soul. He's restored my soul.

The arm. Was stretched out. Beloved.

The arm is going to be stretched out. If you're a Christian today. And you're away from the Lord.

The arm is going to be stretched out. He's going to bring you back. If you really belong to him.

And so. Isn't it good to see. That.

The connection with the prophecy. Of the word of God. Take heed.

Lest any man. Deceive you. Now our last scripture is in the first of Acts.

The seventh scripture. About Andrew. And here we have Andrew at a prayer meeting.

Isn't it nice. To be at the prayer meeting. In the 13th.

Verse of Acts 1. And when they were come in. They went up into an upper room. Where abode.

Both Peter. And James. And John and Andrew.

The same four again. Philip and Thomas. Bartholomew and Matthew.

James the son of Alphaeus. And Simon the Lodis. And Judas the brother of James.

These all continued. With one accord in prayer. And supplication.

With the women. And Mary the mother of Jesus. And with his brother.

Well here we have. Andrew in good company. Again.

Notice that each time we read. We find Andrew. Is in good company.

He started off with John the Baptist. And here he is at the prayer meeting. With these dear saints of God.

Christ had died. And risen. They had seen him go up into heaven.

They had seen the Lord ascend. Into the very heavens. And now they were in prayer.

Notice I think Andrew's name. Is fourth on the list. Peter and James and John and Andrew yes.

But it's noticeable that Mary. The mother of Jesus. Is the last on the list.

Now we know that. She was the mother of our blessed Lord. This wonderful place.

A place of blessing. To which God gave to her. But is not this a rebuke.

To the great system. That puts her at the very top. Oh baby right in this chapter.

It would have probably said. We're a bold Mary. The mother of Jesus.

And then the apostles after. But the spirit of God doesn't do that. Andrew.

Andrew the one we're speaking about today. Is mentioned before Mary. Always mentioned.

Andrew this man. Of prayer. Oh beloved we've traced.

The life of this dear servant of God. Tradition tells us. That when it came time.

For him to die. I believe he was placed on a cross. Sort of from.

Different from the cross which he stand up. And he was stretched out on this cross. The servant of God.

And that's how he died. I believe he was crucified. He lost his life for the Lord.

He loved. Andrew. The man who brought Peter to Jesus.

Oh what a wonderful thing it's going to be. On that soon coming day. When in the presence of Christ.

We see Andrew. At the judgment seat of Christ. Andrew.

Peter will be there. And the other apostles. You and I will probably see.

Andrew. As the blessed son of God. Gives him his reward.

For God will never forget. This dear servant of his. Who brought his brother.

He brought his brother. It's very touching isn't it. He first find of his own brother.

And he brought him. To Jesus. How blessed.

That you and I today. Can be used. In this poor dark world.

To bring men and women. To Jesus. May the Lord help us.

And may he warm our affections. And warm our hearts. In the love.

Of our Lord Jesus Christ. May we sing number 230. I like that fourth verse.

It's very touching. Unmoved by Satan's subtle wiles. Or suffering.

Shame and loss. Thy path uncheered. By earthly smiles.

Led only. To the cross.