This Is Then (God Uses Stupid) | Steven Furtick | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

This Is Then (God Uses Stupid)

Elevation Church • Nov 23, 2025 • 63 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Jacob's journey in Genesis 28 shows us that God often declares supernatural promises over our lives long before we see them fulfilled in the natural. Rather than postponing our joy or waiting for circumstances to change before we trust Him, we can anchor our faith in God's presence, protection, and provision today. True faith shifts our perspective by offering gratitude in the middle of tough seasons, trusting that God regularly uses hard places and surrendered acts of obedience to build His greatest blessings.

Themes

God's Faithful Presence & PromisesSurrender vs. StrategyFaith and Present GratitudeGod's Provision and ProtectionTrusting God in Hard PlacesTithing and Financial Faithfulness

Key Points

1.
God declares supernatural promises over our lives while we are still isolated, asleep on hard ground, and facing messy situations before anything manifests in the natural.
2.
What we later describe as strategy is usually experienced in real time as simple surrender and obedience when we do not know what else to do.
3.
Jacob's "if/then" vow was not an attempt to bargain with God, but an expression that basic daily provision, protection, and God's presence were enough for him to trust Him.
4.
Mature faith changes the sequence of gratitude—instead of waiting until a trial passes to offer thanks, we choose thankfulness in the middle of trouble to receive the strength to endure.
5.
What the world considers foolish or "stupid"—such as anointing a hard rock or giving away savings—God uses strategically to build lasting faith and spiritual foundations.
6.
The hard stone Jacob rested his head on points directly to Jesus Christ, who was rejected by men but chosen by God to become the ultimate cornerstone.
7.
Believers do not need more proof of God's goodness to trust Him; we already have sufficient evidence through His past presence, protection, and provision.
8.
Biblical generosity and tithing are foundational practices that keep our hands open to God and position us to experience His ongoing faithfulness.

Sermon Moments

“"A lot of times what you explain later as strategy you experience as surrender."”

“"Switch it. When you get thankful, you'll get through this."”

“"God frequently takes what the world rejects or considers hard and turns it into the foundation of His greatest blessing."”

“"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."”

“"If experience was going to teach us to trust God, we would have trusted Him by now. He's done enough for you to trust Him."”

“"You don't need more proof to trust Him; you just need more practice."”

“"What the world calls strategic, God calls stupid; and what the world calls stupid, God calls strategic."”

“"This is then. Stop postponing your joy waiting for everything to align—God is already working right now."”

This Week

Identify a "hard rock" or difficult circumstance in your life right now and actively choose to thank God in the middle of it rather than waiting for it to pass.

Incorporate present gratitude into daily moments by explicitly thanking God for His presence, protection, and daily provision.

Embrace surrender over overthinking when facing an uncertain future, taking the next faithful step even if you cannot see the full path ahead.

Reflect on your life history and write down specific instances where God protected you from unseen dangers or provided exactly what you needed.

Practice open-handed stewardship and tithing, trusting that God is the ultimate source of your daily supply and security.

Stop postponing your joy until future conditions are met; choose to rejoice today, recognizing that "this is then" and God is actively working now.

Surrender any area of life you have been withholding from God—whether finances, relationships, or career decisions—and declare Jesus as Lord over it.

Remember This

God has already given you more than enough proof of His presence, protection, and provision to trust Him right where you are today.

A Challenge for You

"Stop running and believe. Stop doubting and have faith. God is here and He loves you so much."

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.