Sermons From The New Testament - Nevertheless At Your Word I Will

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                   "NEVERTHELESS AT YOUR WORD I WILL"

                              Luke 5:1-11

INTRODUCTION

1. Jesus charged His apostles to make disciples of all the nations..
   a. Baptizing them upon His authority - Mt 28:18-19
   b. Teaching them to observe what He commanded - Mt 28:20
   -- Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?

2. The mindset of a disciple was displayed when Jesus called Peter...
   a. When Jesus was teaching at the Sea of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee)
      - Lk 5:1-3
   b. When Jesus called on Peter to let down the net - Lk 5:4-5
   c. When Jesus called on Peter to lay down his net - Lk 5:10-11
   -- Did you notice the mindset of a disciple of Jesus?

[We see the mindset of a disciple as we note...]

I. PETER'S WILLINGNESS TO DO THE LORD'S WORD

   A. IN LETTING DOWN THE NET...
      1. Jesus instructed Peter to let down his net - Lk 5:4
      2. Peter did not think it would do any good - Lk 5:5a
         a. They had been fishing all night, they had caught nothing
         b. Wouldn't a fisherman know more about fishing than a
            carpenter?
      3. Yet Peter said, "Nevertheless at Your word I will led down the
         net." - Lk 5:5b
         a. Though he did not think it would work
         b. Though it defied common sense
      4. The result of doing the Lord's word - Lk 5:6-8
         a. The catch was overwhelming for one net, even for two boats
         b. Peter was made aware of his own sinfulness
      -- Here we see the mindset of a disciple:  "Nevertheless at Your
         word I will..."

   B. IN LAYING DOWN THE NET...
      1. He and his coworkers were astonished at their success - Lk 5:
         9-10a
      2. Jesus reassured Peter, and then called him and his partners to
         follow Him - Lk 5:10b-11
         a. Though he did not think he could be any good ("I am a sinful
            man, O Lord!")
         b. Though it meant leaving behind a successful business and
            family
            1) Peter left his wife (for the time being) - cf. Lk 4:38;
               Lk 18:28; 1Co 9:5
            2) James and John left their father - cf. Mt 4:21-22
         c. Yet they left all and followed Him!
      3. The result of doing the Lord's word
         a. The Lord called them to even greater service - cf. Lk 6:
            13-14
         b. They would receive even greater rewards - cf. Lk 22:28-30
      -- Such is the mindset of a disciple:  "Nevertheless at Your word
         I will..."

[Peter, together with James and John, illustrate the attitude that must
characterize a disciple of Jesus:  a willingness to do whatever the Lord
says, no matter the cost, even when we don't understand why...]

II. OUR WILLINGNESS TO DO THE LORD'S WORD

   A. IN BECOMING HIS DISCIPLE...
      1. We may not think we can do any good
         a. We might think we are too sinful, but Jesus calls sinners
            - cf. Lk 5:8,32
         b. Even the rankest of sinners can serve Him - cf. 1Co 6:9-11
      2. We are to follow Him above all (family, work, self)
         a. Jesus must come before family, even self - Lk 14:26; cf. Mt
            10:37; Lk 9:23-26
         b. Jesus must come before work as well - Lk 14:16-24
      3. For those willing to follow Him, the rewards are great
         a. In this present time, much more! - Lk 18:28-30a
         b. In the age to come, eternal life! - Lk 18:30b
      -- Do we have the mindset to become a disciple ("Nevertheless at
         Your word I will")?

   B. IN BEING HIS DISCIPLE...
      1. The Lord may ask us to do things we don't think will work
         a. Such as laying up treasure in heaven, instead of for self
            - Lk 12:15-21
         b. Such as seeking first the kingdom of God - Lk 12:22-34; cf.
            Mt 6:33
      2. The Lord may ask us to do things we don't yet understand
         a. Why be baptized for the remission of our sins? - Mk 16:16;
            Ac 2:38
         b. Why observe the Lord's Supper on the first day of the week?
            - Ac 20:7
         c. Why not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together?
            - He 10:25
         d. Why singing is commanded, and not playing instruments? - Ep
            5:19; Col 3:16
         e. Why women are not permitted public roles in worship? - 1Co
            14:34-37
         f. Why churches are not to be burdened by familial
            responsibilities? - 1Ti 5:16
      3. For those willing to obey Him, the rewards are great
         a. Our labor is not in vain - 1Co 15:58
         b. We can look forward great reward ("inherit the kingdom")
            - cf. Mt 25:34; 2Pe 1:11
      -- Is our mindset that of being a disciple ("Nevertheless at Your
         word I will")?

CONCLUSION

1. Are you willing to become a disciple of Jesus...?
   a. Heeding His call to follow Him?
   b. Putting Him before family, work, self?

2. Are you willing to adopt the mindset of a disciple...?
   a. Obeying the Word of the Lord?
   b. Even when it may seem futile or unreasonable?

Though it may defy common sense, may we ever say "Nevertheless at Your
word I will"...
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