There's A Catch
Elevation with Steven Furtick
Deep Dive
Why does Pastor Stephen Furtick compare faith to obedience in the context of Luke 5?
Pastor Stephen Furtick uses the story of Peter and Jesus in Luke 5 to illustrate that faith is demonstrated through obedience. Despite Peter's initial skepticism and frustration, his act of obedience in letting down the nets at Jesus' command led to a miraculous catch of fish. This shows that God's blessings often follow acts of faith and obedience, even in the face of doubt or difficulty.
Why does Pastor Furtick say there's a catch to God's blessings?
Pastor Furtick explains that the catch to God's blessings is that they often come after a period of frustration or struggle. He uses the example of Peter, who fished all night and caught nothing, but when he obeyed Jesus, he experienced a miraculous catch. The catch is that God often uses our lowest points to reveal his greatest glory and to build our faith.
Why does Pastor Furtick believe God often performs miracles during our lowest points?
Pastor Furtick believes that God often performs miracles during our lowest points to show us that the blessing comes from him and not from our own efforts. This helps us recognize and acknowledge God's role in our lives and builds our faith and dependence on him.
Why did Jesus choose Peter's boat to preach from, according to Pastor Furtick?
Pastor Furtick suggests that Jesus chose Peter's boat not because he needed it, but to partner with Peter and use his resources. This demonstrates that God often uses our gifts and resources to accomplish his purposes, even when we feel inadequate or unworthy.
Why does Pastor Furtick emphasize the importance of giving and obedience in the context of the church's offerings?
Pastor Furtick emphasizes that giving and obedience are not about supporting the church financially but about demonstrating faith and surrender to God. He believes that when we give, we are acknowledging that everything we have is from God and that he can use our resources to bless others and further his kingdom. This act of obedience is what brings true blessings and builds our faith.
Why does Pastor Furtick use the story of the Bless Back Project to illustrate the concept of connected blessings?
Pastor Furtick uses the Bless Back Project to show that God's blessings are often connected to our obedience and willingness to bless others. In this project, he gave money to church members with the condition that they use it to bless someone else. This demonstrated that when we obey God and use our resources to bless others, we experience a greater blessing in return.
- Faith is the way God blesses.
- God can bless obedience even with a bad attitude.
- The edge of a blessing is often where frustration is greatest.
Shownotes Transcript