Principles From Andrew's Life Could Be a Benefit to Everyone No Matter Where We Work and Serve!

As has been happening in so many nations in the Western world, there have been marches and demonstrations and protests following some very tight and stringent financial limitations and restrictions. This is definitely a time when we need reliable leaders and sound solid positive leadership.

Did anything strange strike you as reports came in last Wednesday of disruption, delays, and inconvenience?

It was what is called, St Andrew's Day.

Had the lessons from Andrew's life been taken seriously, the events taking place might have produced positive experiences. Why?

Andrew was always bringing people to Jesus Christ and seeking to introduce people to Jesus.

He brought a little boy with his packed lunch to Jesus, and Jesus took his piece and fed five thousand men, plus women and children.

In Jerusalem, Andrew introduced some Greeks to Jesus.

He was very much a businessman working in partnership with brother Peter, and alongside his close fishing friends James and John.

It appeared to be a normal working day, until Jesus appeared on the scene by the lakeside, but as soon as Jesus called Andrew, he, along with the others who were called, arose and followed Jesus Christ right away.

Andrew heard John the Baptist speak about Jesus, holding Jesus in such high regard. What we say about Jesus can influence others in all kinds of ways.

Andrew was given power over unclean spirits as well as an ability to heal, and he was one of the disciples who quizzed Jesus about the signs surrounding the end of this age. This encouraged Jesus to describe in great detail what it will be like as His coming again draws near.

When Jesus poured out the Holy Spirit in the Temple, at Pentecost, Andrew was present along with all the other disciples.

He was a follower first and then a leader but his example from the very beginning gives us the finest and highest leadership principles, no matter what walk of life we are in and no matter where we work and serve.

Serving is not a word we hear much about these days, and in some places it is not a very popular concept.

Who kept his eyes open to see what was happening in order to describe the scene later to Luke?

If only all these aspects were underlined and emphasised at each St Andrew's gathering.

How different it all could have been if man had followed Andrew who followed Jesus.

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org/ entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column. His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.


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