The Hardest Part Is Behind You
Pastor Steven Furtick
Sermon Highlights
Everything that I know about is “in part”
Even a hard thing is just a thing, that’s part of a thing, that’s part of a thing…
Never judge an incident in isolation, because it may be a bad thing that serves a bigger purpose
The temptation of the enemy is for you to turn something that’s passing into permanent
We can take a passing emotion, give it an external expression, and turn it into permanent damage
Don’t sacrifice what is permanent for what is passing. Pray until it passes.
There are some things God is not going to wave away – you have to wash
When you turn and go back, you can never get better
It’s not what God is calling you to that’s blocking you, it’s what’s behind you and what you thought God was going to do
We take what’s passing and make it permanent; God takes what’s permanent and makes it passing
Don’t let what’s passing stop you from what’s permanent
Scriptures
1 Corinthians 13:8-11 - The difference between permanent and passing
2 Kings 5:4-14 - Naaman: a great man with an “I thought”
Romans 5:7-9 - Christ’s work is permanent
Sermon Discussion
Conversation Starter
Pastor Steven talked about everything that we know is “in part.” If you could know everything there is to know about any subject, what would it be and why?
Discussion Questions
“Don’t sacrifice what is permanent for what is passing.” Where in your life have you been trading what lasts for what doesn’t?
“There are some things God is not going to wave away – you have to wash.” What’s a practical step you can take toward something you’ve been waiting for God to do?
Additional Questions
“Even a hard thing is just a thing, that’s part of a thing, that’s part of a thing…” Share a time you went through a hard thing, but it turned out to be part of something good. What are you thankful for from that experience?
“It’s not what God is calling you to that’s blocking you, it’s what’s behind you and what you thought God was going to do.” What expectations or old mindsets are holding you back from what God is calling you to?
Prayer Prompt
Ask this question to your eGroup and include it as part of your closing prayer:
Pastor Steven reminded us this week: “Everything that I know about is ‘in part.’”
Ask your eGroup: What’s something you’ve been facing – at work, home, or somewhere else – where you need to remember that you only know “in part,” so you can trust that God has a reason for it?
Thank God for the message this week and the reminder that we only know things “in part.” Pray that your eGroup members can keep this reminder and trust that God knows the whole story in every situation they find themselves in. Pray that as each member goes about this week, they can continue to focus on the things of God that are permanent rather than things that will pass away.