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Famous “patients zero.” Mary Mallon, Typhoid Mary. Gaëtan Dugas: AIDS. Emile Ouamouno: Ebola (current outbreak). Charles D. Campion.

You can change the world!

John 1:35-42

Andrew had a way of bringing people to Jesus. He found the boy with five loaves and two fish (Jn 6:8-9). The Greeks who wished to see Jesus (Jn 12:20-26).

Andrew changed the history of the world by bringing Peter to Jesus. Because of Andrew Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt 16:16). Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom (Matt 16:19). Pentecost. Cornelius’ home.

You can change the world!

Step One: You infect yourself. Andrew was “infected” with Jesus. He and the other disciple “stayed with [Jesus] that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (v 39). When Andrew found Peter, he said, “‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ)” (v 41).

We get “infected” with Jesus by spending time in His Word. “The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (Jn 6:63). “The word that I have spoken will judge [you] on the last day” (Jn 12:48). The entire New Testament contains the words of Jesus (Jn 16:12- 15).

“I don’t know enough to teach someone the Gospel.” Two very serious problems. One: You have identified a sin in your life. Two: You imply that you intend to do nothing about it. Is it a sin not to know enough to bring someone to Jesus? “Go . . . and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:19-20). We must be growing. Heb 6:1-3. “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation” (1 Pet 2:2).

Are you spending time with Jesus? Read the Gospel of John (Jn 20:30-31). Acts. In Acts, the inspired physician tells us over and over how to come to Jesus.

Step Two: You invite others. Andrew “first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus” (vv 41-42). When you are sufficiently infected, you bring others to Jesus. “Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in [Jesus’] name to all nations” (Lk 24:47). “Those who were scattered went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

Go home and make a list of five people you want to see in heaven. Do two things with that list: Pray for those souls by name. “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Rom 10:1). Invite them to come to Jesus. Inviting people to come and hear the Word of God is as biblical as it can be. Andrew is doing that. “Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find” (Matt 22:9). Whom will you invite?

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30)

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