This Time Around… | Steven Furtick | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

This Time Around…

Elevation Church • Sep 20, 2026 • 59 min

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

Summary

In this uplifting message, Pastor Steven Furtick explores the story of Joshua at the walls of Jericho to show how God guides us through long, uncertain seasons. Rather than falling for the illusion that a future season will solve all our problems, we are encouraged to make needed adjustments from past mistakes and embrace God's presence in our current circumstances. True faith is revealed not just when the walls fall, but in consistently showing up day after day, knowing that God provides a strategy for every situation and strength for every season.

Themes

Trusting God's PromisesSpiritual Growth and MaturityMaking AdjustmentsGod's Strategy and PresenceFaithful Endurance and PersistenceOvercoming Arrival Illusion

Key Points

1.
Just because you have not yet stepped into what God promised does not mean He has not already given it to you.
2.
True spiritual maturity comes not from merely making mistakes, but from making the necessary adjustments after those mistakes occur.
3.
God possesses an intentional strategy for every difficult situation you encounter and supernatural strength for every season of life.
4.
The enemy often uses fear, frustration, or the "arrival illusion"—the myth that a future season will be struggle-free—to make believers neglect the present moment.
5.
Spiritual advancement is rarely a continuous straight line; following God often requires advancing while faithfully circling ongoing challenges.
6.
The true miracle of Jericho was not just the shout on the seventh day when the walls collapsed, but the faithful obedience of showing up on the quiet second day when nothing seemed to change.
7.
Believers do not need to wait for circumstances to change or walls to fall to rejoice, because God's presence (represented by the Ark) is with them on every single lap.

Sermon Moments

“Just because you're not in it yet doesn't mean God hasn't given it.”

“Moses made mistakes, but Joshua made adjustments. Growth requires making adjustments after your mistakes.”

“AI stands for arrival illusion—the myth that somewhere in the future lies a version of life that is completely free of frustration.”

“There is no version of your future that is frustration-free, but there can be a stronger you that steps into it.”

“The real miracle of Joshua 6 is not the seventh day when they shouted; it's the second day when they showed up.”

“Stop waiting to get to the good part—get to the God part.”

“The reason I can survive as I circle this issue in my life is not because I'm watching walls fall, but because I have His presence.”

“Our progress doesn't always feel like a straight line with God; it's advance and around, advance and around.”

This Week

Identify an area of persistent struggle in your life and write down one practical adjustment you can make this week instead of repeating past mistakes.

Refuse to succumb to the "arrival illusion" by choosing to give your full attention, devotion, and gratitude to God in your current season today.

Whenever you feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that God already has a strategy and a strength specifically designed for your situation.

Practice silent trust during challenging moments this week, choosing to march forward in faithful action rather than speaking words of frustration or complaint.

Focus on taking the immediate next step of obedience God has shown you, rather than demanding to see the full outcome or timeline.

Base your daily peace and joy on God's abiding presence (His Ark) with you rather than waiting for external walls or difficulties to collapse.

Acknowledge and celebrate the quiet victory of simply showing up faithfully day after day, trusting that God works through consistent endurance.

Remember This

Faithful spiritual endurance is built on recognizing that God's abiding presence is with you on every lap of life, even before you see the walls collapse.

A Challenge for You

Stop waiting to get to the "good part" of life and start recognizing the "God part" right where you are—praising Him for His abiding presence on every lap of your journey.

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