Not Here
Pastor Steven Furtick
Sermon Highlights
The renewal of your mind is not a one-time event, it is a moment-by-moment decision.
You can’t always keep the high, but you can look for God in the low.
While you are on your way up, you are always also weighed down. It’s the ascent and the lament.
Just like a heartbeat, both mountains and valleys are necessary for life to be present.
The mountains and the valleys are only moments apart. Think seconds, not seasons.
When the enemy points to something that is “not here,” remind him that God hears you.
The space between “prayed” and “answered” is “heard.”
If you procrastinate your praise until your situation is perfect, you'll never get the peace.
We don’t serve God season by season, we serve Him step by step.
The Lie: Not here
New Loop: He heard, He’s holding, and It’s Him.
The proof that He answered is that He came. He didn’t just give the answer, He is the answer.
It is not when it goes away that you can say He answered you. It’s when He shows up.
God’s got this too.
Scriptures
Psalm 120 ESV – A song of ascent and lament
1 John 5:14-15 – Ask according to His will
John 20:11-17 – Mary Magdalene sees Jesus
Sermon Discussion
Conversation Starter
Pastor Steven talked about new songs our church recorded at our last Night Of Worship. What song is your go-to when you need a pick-me-up?
Discussion Questions
“Just like a heartbeat, both mountains and valleys are necessary for life to be present, and they are only moments apart. Think seconds, not seasons.” Share some of the simultaneous mountains and valleys in your life right now.
“You can’t always keep the high, but you can look for God in the low. And if you look for God in the lows, you can only go so low.” How can you look for God in the low this week?
“The proof that He answered is that He came. He didn’t just give the answer, He is the answer.” How has God shown up in your situation while you are waiting for an answer?
Additional Questions
“If you procrastinate your praise until your situation is perfect, you'll never get the peace.” What can you praise God for right now, while waiting for a situation to change?
Prayer Prompt
Ask this question to your eGroup and include it as part of your closing prayer:
Pastor Steven reminded us, “We don’t serve God season by season, we serve Him step by step.”
Ask your eGroup: What challenge is coming up this week that will require you to trust God “step by step” through it?
Thank God for this week’s message and the time spent in your group. Pray that everyone in your eGroup continues to pursue God day by day, hour by hour, and step by step this week. Pray that each person remembers that between their prayers and God’s answers, there is an opportunity to live out their faith. And as they each continue to serve God step by step, they will be positioned to see Him moving in their lives more and more.