We live in a world and society where being “connected,” means something very different than it did just 25 years ago. If you would have asked someone back, then if they were connected, they would have probably looked at you with a puzzled look. Today you and I have the ability to go “live” 24/7 – 365 from our phones, tablets, computers, and cars. This “connectedness” gives most people on the planet access to news, information, and entertainment instantly. But there’s a problem. No one wants to be the supporting cast or supporting team member anymore. Everyone wants to be out front. Everyone wants to be a YouTube star or be known for some great achievement. Like the old saying goes, “there are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” 

There is a man found in Scripture that would not have fit in so well with our modern way of life. His name is Andrew, and he was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ. Andrew lived his life in the shadow of his better-know brother the Apostle Peter. Many of the verses in Scripture that name him add that he was Peter’s brother. But it was Andrew who brought Peter to Christ (John 1:41-42). Andrew’s name only appears nine times in the New Testament, and most of those are just in passing. But almost everything Scripture tells us about Andrew shows that he had the right heart for effective ministry in the background. 

(John 1:40-41) CSB

⁴⁰Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. ⁴¹He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”),

What can we learn from Andrew’s life that we can apply to our own?

1. Andrew saw the value in Individual People

When it came to dealing with people, Andrew fully appreciated the value of a single soul. He was known for bringing individuals, not crowds to Jesus. Almost every time we see him mentioned in the Gospels, he is bringing someone to Jesus. Remember, his first act as a follower of Christ was to go and get his brother Peter. 

At the feeding of the 5000 it was Andrew who brought the boy with the loaves and fishes to Christ (John6:9). In (John 12:20-22) we see the story of some Greeks who wanted to know more about Jesus. Phillip brought them to Andrew and they both took them to meet Jesus. Andrew wasn’t confused when someone wanted to see Jesus. He just brought them to see Him. He understood that Jesus would want to meet anyone who wanted to meet Him (John 6:37). 

Andrew must have been very comfortable introducing people to Christ because he did it so often. He must have known Jesus so well that he had no insecurities about bringing people to Jesus. That’s the way Andrew usually seemed to minister; one on one. There are few people like Andrew who understand the value of befriending just one person and bringing them to Christ. 

2. Andrew saw the value in Insignificant Gifts

When Jesus feed over 5000 people in a single event it was Andrew who found the little boy who had the loaves and fishes (John 6:8-9). There was something that was instilled in him that seemed to understand that no gift is insignificant in the hands of Jesus. It was Jesus who performed the miracle, but it was Andrew that set the stage for the miracle. 

Jesus didn’t need the boy’s lunch to serve the crowd, he could have created food from nothing. That so little could be used to accomplish so much was a testimony to the power of Christ. The way Jesus fed the 5000 illustrates the way God likes to work. He takes the sacrificial and often insignificant gifts of people who give faithfully and multiplies them to accomplish monumental things.  

3. Andrew saw the value of Inconspicuous Service

It takes a special kind of person to be a leader with a servant’s heart. As far as we know, Andrew never preached to multitudes or founded any churches. He never wrote a book of the Bible. The only place he is mentioned in the book of Acts is when the twelve are listed in Chapter One. the Bible doesn’t even record what happened to him after the Day of Pentecost but whatever role he did play in the early Church must have been behind the scenes. 

There are some people who will not play in the band unless they can hit the big drum. James and John tended to do this. Peter, Andrew’s older brother did too. But not Andrew. He is never named in any of the big debates. He wasn’t out in the forefront like Peter, James, and John. Andrew is the picture of all those people who work quietly in humble places. He was more concerned with bringing people to Jesus that about who got the credit or who was in charge. He was willing to take second place and to be in the place of support. He didn’t mind being hidden as long as the work was being done.