Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: July 23, 2006
ONE CONVERTED TO CHRIST
1.) Will serve faithfully unto death (Rev. 2:10).
2.) Will always put God first (Matt. 6:33).
3.) Will worship at all opportunities (Heb. 10:25).
4.) Will be available when needed (I Cor. 3:9).
5.) Will learn more about God each day (Col. 1:9).
6.) Will encourage others instead of discouraging (Heb. 10:24).
7.) Will serve Christ from love (John 14:15).
8.) Will not have to be begged to come to Bible class (Matt.
22:37; Matt. 6:33).
9.) Will not be bitter in serving God (I John 5:3).
10.) Will not hunt for other’s faults for the sake of hurting and
not helping (John 13:34-35).
11.) Will not forget his own faults (I John 1:9).
12.) Will not act like spoiled children (Phil. 2:3-8).
13.) Will not keep others from being converted (Matt. 18:6).
14.) Will not forget to pray for his enemies (Matt. 5:43-45)
15.) Will bring others to Christ (John 1:41-42).
16.) Will be filled with love, righteousness, and faith (Matt.
22:37; 5:20; Heb. 11:6).
17.) Will be found doing good works for God and not for self or
glory (Gal. 6:10).
18.) Will be known for honest daily living (Rom. 12:17).
19.) Will long to be with other Christians (Acts 2:46).
— Adapted
— Via “Minister’s Monthly,” Aug., 1963
WE ALL CAN BE AN ANDREW!
Ben Justice
John the Baptizer said to two of his disciples, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:
36). Of course, John was referring to Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” When John’s
two disciples heard him say this, “they followed Jesus” (John 1:37).
When Jesus turned and saw John’s two disciples following him, he said unto
them, “What seek ye?” They said to Jesus, “Rabbi, (which is to say, being
interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?” (John 1:38). Jesus said to them, “Come
and see.” According to the inspired record, “They came and saw where he dwelt,
and abode with him that day” (John 1:39). In John 1:40, we are finally given one of
the names of these two disciples. His name was Andrew. He was Simon Peter’s
brother. Verses 41-42 state the following about Andrew: “He first findeth his own
brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being
interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him (Simon) to Jesus. And when Jesus
beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is by interpretation, A stone."
We don’t read very much about Andrew in the Bible. In fact, here in John 1 is all
that we read about him. He did become one of the 12 apostles (Matt. 10:2; Luke
6:14). However, Andrew goes down in history as the one who brought Peter to
Jesus. While many may be unfamiliar with Andrew, practically everyone has
heard the name of Peter. Peter, of course, goes down in history as one of the
greatest apostles and servants of God. He penned two inspired epistles (1 & 2
Peter). According to historical accounts, Peter was crucified upside down.
Although all of the apostles preached the gospel in its fullness for the very first
time in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost, inspiration saw fit to leave us with
Peter's words, forever to be read by humanity. There are so many other great
things about Peter, but where would Peter be without Andrew bringing him to
Jesus?
THINK ABOUT IT! WE CAN ALL BE AN ANDREW! The late Gus Nichols baptized
around 12,000 people. But, who was responsible for teaching and baptizing Gus
Nichols? During the War between the States, a young woman learned the truth
and obeyed the gospel. Her sweetheart, J.H. Halbrook was a confederate
soldier. They were married and his wife studied the Bible with him, and as
result he also obeyed the gospel. He in turn began to teach and baptize many of
his friends and neighbors. He also began to preach. He eventually arrived at
Mars Hill Bible School, taught by T.B. Larimore. Upon completing his studies in
the school, they moved to Alabama from Tennessee. One of Halbrook’s many
converts was Charley Alexander Wheeler. C.A. Wheeler soon began preaching to
others. He started more than 100 congregations and baptized more than 6,000
people. One of those 6,000 was Gus Nichols. Only eternity can reveal the total
results of the conversion of that one girl over 150 years ago. This lady was truly
an “Andrew” who brought her husband to the Lord. We never know the good that
we might do if we but invite others to worship services, encourage others to read
sound Bible material, or to ask one if they would be interested in a Bible study.
Every Christian is vitally important. Let us all remember that we are “the light of
the world” (Matt. 5:14). Accordingly, we must let our shine before men, that they
may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
Although we know relatively little about Andrew, we do know that he brought
Peter to Jesus. What about you? Are you doing your part in inviting,
encouraging, and asking? It doesn’t take much, but a little can certainly go a
long, long way for the cause of Christ. WE ALL CAN BE AN ANDREW!
QUOTES
“Most of the criticism directed toward your work come from men
who have had little or no experience in the kind of work you are
doing.”
“Anyone can criticize, but it takes an artist to create.”
“The easiest way out is hardly ever the best way.”
“Everyone has a right to do as he pleases so long as he pleases
to do right.”