Running For A Reason | Pastor Steven Furtick | Elevation Church

Elevation Church2 minutes read

The message emphasizes faith in one's calling through stories of David and Paul, urging listeners to run towards their purpose despite challenges and confusion. It highlights the importance of trusting God, seeking companionship, and focusing on what one is running towards rather than away from.

Insights

  • David's story showcases the importance of running towards challenges and trusting God without hesitation, even when faced with obstacles, emphasizing the value of youthful energy and belligerence in pursuing one's calling.
  • The message urges individuals to embrace their destiny and purpose, highlighting the significance of perseverance and faith in the face of adversity, emphasizing the need to seek support, pray for guidance, and celebrate their journey towards fulfilling their calling.

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Recent questions

  • How did David gather his followers?

    David gathered distressed, indebted, and discontented men.

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Summary

00:00

"Run to Win: Encouraging Faith in Calling"

  • The message is about inspiring and encouraging faith for one's calling.
  • Two Scriptures are read: 1 Samuel 22:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 9:24-26.
  • David gathered distressed, indebted, and discontented men around him.
  • David asked the king of Moab to care for his parents until he knew God's plan.
  • The prophet Gad advised David to leave the stronghold and go to Judah.
  • Paul's metaphor in 1 Corinthians emphasizes running with purpose and training.
  • The speaker urges the congregation to run with a reason and purpose.
  • The speaker recalls a moment when his wife believed in his ministry potential.
  • The speaker's ministry team adopted the theme "Run to Win" despite differing opinions.
  • The speaker shares a story of adapting to a low turnout at a youth camp by promoting the theme "Run to Win."

15:21

"David: Running Towards Destiny Despite Obstacles"

  • David, a young boy of 17, brought lunch to his brothers at the battle lines as charged by his father.
  • Despite not being able to go to war, David ran towards the battle lines where Goliath, a Philistine champion, was intimidating the Israelites.
  • David's spirit and belligerence led him to run towards what others were fleeing from, showing a naivete that some might consider dumb.
  • Being young and dumb sometimes allows one to trust God without hesitation, as seen in David's actions.
  • David's youthful energy and lack of experience led him to run towards challenges, like delivering food to his brothers and facing Goliath.
  • David's story parallels Paul's description of runners in a race, emphasizing the importance of running towards a goal even after experiencing setbacks.
  • David, chosen by God to be king, found himself in a cave despite his destiny, highlighting the conflict between God's calling and one's circumstances.
  • The story of David showcases the struggle of running towards what one is called to be when faced with obstacles and resistance.
  • The oil anointing David symbolized his destiny as a king, despite his current situation in a cave, urging him not to give up on what God has planned.
  • The message is to not let current circumstances or obstacles deter one from fulfilling their destiny and purpose, even when faced with challenges and confusion.

30:50

"David's Prayer in the Cave"

  • Preaching to women in prison, emphasizing God's knowledge of their names
  • Comparing David's situation in 1 Samuel 22 to other biblical figures like Jonah and Elijah
  • Illustrating with a story of a dog chasing deer to explain boldness and fear
  • Encouraging a revelation of one's own strength and power in facing challenges
  • Emphasizing the importance of having valid reasons for making significant decisions
  • Highlighting the need to look to Jesus for strength and endurance in difficult times
  • Describing David's prayer in the cave in Psalm 142, expressing feelings of being unheard and unseen
  • David's plea for rescue and support from those pursuing him
  • The arrival of 400 distressed, indebted, and discontented individuals to support David
  • Linking the support to David's anointing and consistent character, encouraging self-awareness and understanding of one's purpose

46:17

"David's Cave: Anointed Kings Understand Later"

  • Jesus washed the disciples' feet and told them they would understand later.
  • Sometimes understanding comes later, like taking laps around Jericho.
  • David was a king in a cave, running from another king.
  • Kings are developed in caves, where they are announced and anointed.
  • David needed to preach from a young age, free from approval.
  • Caves are part of life, everyone is running from or after something.
  • David's parents visited him in the cave, seeing him as they needed to.
  • David went to Moab, seeking protection for his parents.
  • David lacked clarity but prayed for support.
  • David was anointed before others knew, showing value even in a cave.

01:03:25

"Embrace faith, purpose, companionship, and support"

  • Encourages individuals to pray and celebrate their faith, emphasizing the importance of having a purpose and companionship in their journey, reassuring them that they are chosen and not alone, urging them to focus on what they are running towards rather than what they are running from, and concluding with a call to support the ministry financially.
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