Nevertheless: Sermon Recap

(Full Sermon Presented at Miller Evangelical on Sunday, August 28, 2022)

Scripture Focus:
Luke 5:5 — “Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” (KJV)

Today’s Thought

Faith is often revealed in one word: Nevertheless.

It’s the word you speak when you’re tired.
When you’ve tried already.
When nothing has worked.
When logic says, “Stop.”

Nevertheless, says, “God, because You said so… I will try again.”

Reflection

Simon Peter had already done everything right.

He was a fisherman by trade.
He knew the waters.
He knew the timing.
He had worked all night and caught nothing.

By the time Jesus stepped onto his boat, Peter was finished. Nets washed. Day over. Effort exhausted.

Then Jesus tells him to go back out.

Can you imagine what Peter must have felt?
Lord… I already did this.
I already tried.
I already failed.

But instead of arguing, Peter responds with one of the most powerful statements of faith recorded in Scripture:

“Nevertheless… at Thy word.”

Peter’s miracle did not begin with the fish.
It began with his obedience.

Nevertheless, Is Not About Feelings

Peter didn’t obey because he felt inspired.
He obeyed because he recognized who was speaking.

Nevertheless means:

• Despite my experience
• Despite my disappointment
• Despite my exhaustion
• Despite what I see

I trust God more than I trust my results.

So many times, we stop right before a breakthrough, not because God said stop, but because we got discouraged.

But obedience is not based on outcomes.
It’s based on trust.

When Jesus Gets Involved, Everything Changes

Peter had fished all night without Jesus.

This time, Jesus was in the boat.

And the same nets…
The same water…
The same fisherman…

Produced a completely different result because God was now at the center.

We often think that doing something again is pointless.

But here’s the truth:

Doing the same thing without God results in frustration.
Doing it with God is faith.

When Peter obeyed, the catch was so large that he had to call others to help.

His obedience blessed:

• His partners
• His community
• His future ministry

Your obedience is never just about you.

Sometimes the miracle God releases through your “nevertheless” is meant to impact everyone connected to you.

God Often Asks Us to Shift Before He Blesses

Peter thought he was ending a workday.
Jesus was beginning a calling.

That single act of obedience led to a life shift:
From fisherman → to disciple
From catching fish → to reaching people
From routine → to purpose

Your nevertheless moment may not just solve a problem.
It may be positioning you for transformation.

Ask Yourself Today

Where is God asking me to trust Him again?

• Try again
• Pray again
• Forgive again
• Serve again
• Step out again

Not because it makes sense.
But because He said so.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the strength to say “nevertheless” when I feel discouraged. Help me to obey You even when I don’t understand what You’re doing. Teach me to trust Your voice over my experience, Your direction over my doubts, and Your promise over my fear. I surrender my logic, my timing, and my outcomes to You. Nevertheless, Lord, I will follow.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Journal Prompt:

What area of my life have I stopped trusting God in because it didn’t work the first time? What would it look like to respond with “Nevertheless… at Your word”?