“AT THY WORD...”

TEXT: LUKE 5:1-9

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

-         The Word of God works

-         All we need to triumph in life is contained in God’s WORD

-         To neglect God’s WORD is to drown in the storms of life

The fishermen at the Sea of Galilee that day were washing their nets after a fruitless night’s work. Jesus arrived, and because of the press of the crowd, asked Simon to let Him use his boat to push out a little way while He taught. Then, when Jesus finished speaking, He said to Simon (v.4), “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Simon’s despair was evident, as he stated the facts: “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing.” But then Simon put his faith in the Lord: “Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” The result? “They inclosed a great multitude of fishes” (v.6).

Much later in Acts 10, Simon Peter, transformed by the Holy Spirit, saw a vision and heard God’s voice commanding him to kill and eat “common and unclean” animals. This led him to accept an invitation to the house of Cornelius, the Gentile. “Nevertheless at thy word,” must have been on his heart as he “let down the net” to Cornelius.

Also in  Matt. 14:24-31, the same Peter had another encounter with God's WORD.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Peter did not walk on water; he walked on the “WORD” – Come.

It is no wonder that one of the most beautiful passages regarding the word of God is found in Peter’s first epistle: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever” (I Peter 1:23–25).

There may be times in our own lives when we are tempted to regard so-called facts and traditions above the word of God. Our response, without hesitation, should be “Master . . . nevertheless at thy word I will. . . . ”

-         Stop looking at your mess, start looking at the answers in God’s Word.

Characteristics of the Word of GOD

·        The Word of God is powerful Heb. 4:12

The Word of God is so potent, it can deliver anything – Isa. 55:10-11

·        The Word of God is prophetic Ezek. 37:1-10

-         Even dry bones hear God’s Word

-         The prophetic Word is a quickening Word – Lazarus raised from the dead (John 11:38-44)

-         The prophetic Word brings out life out of death – Widow’s son back to life by the quickening WORD (Luke 7:13-16)

·        The Word of God is creative Genesis 1:1-3, 31

-         If your case is not repairable, it is replaceable

-         God’s Word carries creative capabilities.

-         Mary conceived by the Word – Luke 1:28-38

·        The Word of God is illuminative Ps 119:130, John 1:5

-         Nothing shatters the power of darkness like light

·        The Word of God is curative i.e. medicinal Prov 4:20-22

-         Anytime God’s Word is released, healing accompanies it – Ps 107:20

-         Centurion servant healed by the WORD – Matt. 8:5-13

·        The Word of God is surgical Genesis 2:21-22; Heb. 4:12b

How do we get blessed (profit) in God’s Word?

a)     Have a relationship with God – John 1:1-3

Until you know the living WORD, you can’t benefit from the written word.

b)    Have faith – Heb. 4:2

-         Faith is committing the integrity of GOD to perform

-         Never doubt the ability of HIS Word

-         We often fail because we do not trust Him!

c)     Release your heart – Luke 3:3 Peter released his boat to give way for the WORD to come in

d)    Obey HIS WORD – Luke 5:5, 1:38

-         Just do it, act on it, don’t ask questions

-         Learn to develop the same mindset that Peter displayed. It is a mindset that does what the Lord says, regardless of how we feel about it on a personal level.

-         What made the difference? Obedience to Jesus, even when Peter did not want to do what the Lord asked him to do!

-         There are times when the Lord asks us to do certain things that we may not want to do, however, we must come to the same place Peter came. We need to decide that regardless of how we feel about a certain matter, if the Lord has commanded it, then we will do it!

-         There are many areas of our lives where the Lord requires obedience from His children. Often, we do not want to surrender in these areas, but if we are going to be right with the Lord, then we have to do what Peter did and let down our nets. If we want the blessing of God, then we must do the will of God!

-         Because obedience ruled the day, they witnessed the immediate reward of a vast catch of fish.

CONCLUSION:

When the Lord told Peter to let down his net, he didn't want to. However, he did want the Lord said to do in spite of his own wants and wishes. The results were far better than he could have ever imagined!

Friends, the same blessings wait for you if you will do what Peter did. Jesus has spoken in His Word! Now, I ask you, will you let down your nets at the Word of the Lord?

As Christians, we trust God anyway. Where God is taking us, the Devil doesn't want us to go. The Devil wants us to think it's over, but it's not over until God says it's over! For it is written:

- "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" - (Numbers 23:19)

- "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - (Isaiah 55:11)

- "Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever." - (Psalm 119:160)

When you're waiting on God, you don't pay attention to what other people say, you don't care what it looks like or what it feels like.

The protocol has changed... the rules are different now. It's a walk according to the WORD!

God wants you to have a nevertheless mentality. Do as Simon did... look at your current problem, issue, adversity, financial situation, and say..."NEVERTHELESS!"

Before you make your move, listen to what God has to say to you. No matter what your past may be, get into position, and stand firmly on God's Word. Break loose, walk by faith, hold on, and trust God!

-         God’s Word is the carrier of God’s power