The NIV dictionary states that the word evangelism, which comes from the Greek word euangelistes, means "one who announces good news". Now look closely and you will see that evangelism contains the word angel within it. One of the functions of an angel in the Bible was to deliver messages from God. Evangelism is simply delivering a message from God.

The scripture, taken from the NIV Study Bible, that was used as the title of this paper is found in the Gospel of Saint John 1:35-42. " "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour. Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who had heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas (which , when translated, is Peter). "

According to scripture and tradition we know that Andrew was an apostle, preached in Scythia and suffered martyrdom in Achaia. He was crucified on an X-shaped cross which is now called the St. Andrew's Cross. We also know that he was an evangelist. The scripture said the first thing he did was to go and find his brother Peter and tell him about Jesus.

As we can see through this excellent model of evangelism, we don't have to be a revival preacher, or have a huge television ministry, a large congregation or even have to be a preacher at all. All we need to do is just tell our story!

Like the great old hymn by Katherine Hankey and William G. Fischer, "I Love to Tell the Story." Do you remember how it goes?

"I love to tell the story Of unseen thing above, Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love. I love to tell the story, Because I know it's true; It satisfies my longings As nothing else would do. I love to tell the story; I'll sing this theme in glory And tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story How pleasant to repeat What seems, each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet! I love to tell the story, For some have never heard The message of salvation From God's own holy word. I love to tell the story; I'll sing this theme in glory And tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.

I love to tell the story, For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting To hear it like the rest. And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, I'll sing the old, old story That I have loved so long. I love to tell the story; I'll sing this theme in glory And tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love."

Brother and Sisters, where is God in your life? Where have you seen our Lord in your daily lives? Have you witnessed a healing or a miracle? Does Jesus speak to you through a song or a poem? Is there a special prayer or a Psalm that touches your heart? Did you feel God's presence when you were hurting, when there was a loss? Did you find God's arm around you when you thought no one else cared?

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35, NIV

Love is the distinguishing mark of Christian followers. So show the world what it is to be an evangelists of Christ. With humble compassion and a loving heart, go and tell your story. For with words like these you will be able to bring others to meet the living Christ, just a surely as Andrew did.

Let us pray:

O' Lord take this old heart of stone and turn it into a heart of flesh. Help us to share your love and salvation with others. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen