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Biblical references in Gahanna-Jefferson Church of Christ's nondenominational sermon outlines are linked directly to text of the King James version of the Bible. Bible quotes you hear in the streaming audio may be from the New King James version of the Bible.
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Realize the fact that obedience to God's Word will bring blessings. Text: Luke
5:1-7.
Introduction.
1. Peter is one of my favorite NT characters.
2. He is so much like we are today.
3. He made many mistakes in his life.
4. But he also possessed a good heart and great faith in Christ.
5. What can we learn from Luke
5:1-7?
"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."
Body.
I. Notice their condition without Christ.
A. They had toiled all night and had caught nothing (v.5).
1. They were on the shore cleaning their nets after a night of hard labor (v.2).
2. This was not like the kind of fishing we do today.
3. It was hard work.
4. It was their livelihood.
5. They were undoubtedly:
a. Tired.
b. Discouraged.
c. Angry.
d. A little embarrassed.
e. Worried.
B. Sometimes we are in the same condition.
1. As individuals.
a. With financial matters.
b. With our relationships.
c. With health problems.
d. With spiritual matters:
(1) Not being able to get others to accept the truth.
(2) Feeling like we are not growing like we should.
(3) Having trouble giving up bad habits.
2. As a congregation.
a. With financial problems.
b. With attendance problems.
c. With a lack of growth.
d. With ill feelings toward one another.
II. Notice their obedience to Christ.
A. Jesus made a request of Peter; "Launch out into the deep."
1. Can you imagine what must have been going through Peter's mind.
2. A carpenter was telling him how to fish.
3. How would we feel put in the same position?
B. Peter shows us a wonderful example of faith; "Nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."
1. Even though it made no sense to Peter.
2. Even though everything he had ever been taught told him that it would do no good.
3. Yet, he did what the Lord commanded of him based solely upon His Word.
C. What a wonderful lesson for us today.
1. Do we accept the authority of Christ's Word?
a. John
5:39-40. "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
b. John
6:35. "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
c. Colossians
3:17. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
2. Do we respect the silence of God's Word (Leviticus
10:1-2)? "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD."
3. Just as it did not make sense for Peter to go back out after more fish, the Lord asks us to do some things that may not make sense to us.
c. Some think that it makes better sense to sing with mechanical accompaniment (Ephesians
5:19).
d. Some would like to have solos or choirs (Ephesians
5:19).
e. Some would like to have only one pastor instead of a plurality.
f. Some would like to have woman preachers (1
Timothy 2:12). "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence."
g. The list could go on and on.
4. When you look at all the problems that exist in the religious world today, they stem from not taking Christ at His Word.
III. Notice the result of their obedience to Christ.
A. They took in so many fishes that their nets began to break and their ships started to sink.
B. When we are obedient to Christ's teachings, blessings await us as well.
1. Physical needs will be met (Matthew
6:33).
2. Spiritual needs will be met.
a. All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Ephesians
1:3). "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in
Christ"
b. We can have peace (Philippians
4:6-7). "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
c. We can have hope (Romans
15:4). "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
(Romans
15:13). "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
e. Contentment (1
Timothy 6:6-8). "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."
Conclusion.
1. But we must take Christ at His word.
2. Are you feeling:
a. Tired.
b. Discouraged.
c. Angry.
d. A little embarrassed.
e. Worried.
3. Decide today to obey Christ and launch out into the deep!
-- Ralph Price (Streetsboro
Church of Christ), January 2002 --
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