When God Goes Quiet | Steven Furtick | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

When God Goes Quiet

Elevation Church • Jun 16, 2026 • 25 min

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

Summary

When God seems quiet or when we lack absolute certainty about the future, biblical faith calls us to step forward anyway. True practical faith operates as a divine partnership where we take obedient steps while trusting God with the ultimate outcome. Even in messy and uncertain "maybe" moments, God is at work, and nothing can hinder Him from saving.

Themes

FaithDecision MakingObedienceUncertaintyDivine PartnershipTrusting God

Key Points

1.
God does not always give immediate, visible signposts for our decisions; sometimes He allows us to sit in moments of uncertainty.
2.
Discerning God's direction involves non-vertical spiritual reflection alongside horizontal communication with trusted, godly people.
3.
Practical walking in faith functions as a 50/50 divine partnership where God provides the strength and we take the necessary action.
4.
Foundational salvation is entirely a gift of grace through Christ, but daily Christian action requires taking steps of obedience.
5.
Experience is a valuable friend of wisdom, but it can become an enemy of faith if past friction keeps us from moving forward.
6.
God often reveals His truth and direction progressively as we move toward it rather than before we take the first step.
7.
Living by faith means holding uncertainty and confidence at the same time, trusting God's character even when the exact outcome is unknown.

Sermon Moments

“Describing the Old Testament Urim and Thummim as decision-making stones and highlighting how we often wish for a clear light-up indicator in our daily lives.”

“Explaining Jonathan stepping out to face the Philistines with only his armor-bearer, saying, 'Maybe the Lord will work for us.'”

“Reflecting on how Holly Furtick spoke faith into Pastor Steven's life to start Elevation Church rather than waiting until age 40.”

“Highlighting the core insight: 'Experience is the friend of wisdom, but it can be the enemy of faith.'”

“Sharing Eugene Peterson's inspiration behind translating The Message Bible simply on the belief that 'maybe God will use this.'”

“Sharing the vulnerable story of moving his sick father to Charlotte and navigating difficult family moments down to sitting by his bedside as he passed.”

This Week

Identify an area in your life where you have been waiting for absolute certainty before acting, and take one obedient step forward this week.

Share a decision or dream you are processing with a trustworthy, godly friend who can offer biblical counsel and encouragement.

Evaluate whether past disappointments or experience are holding you back from stepping out in faith today.

Establish a daily routine of reading God's Word first thing in the morning before engaging with news or social media.

Take initiative to reach out to a family member or friend with whom you have experienced tension or distance.

Reflect on times in your past when God worked through uncertain or messy situations to build your trust in Him.

Pray for the courage to act on a 'maybe' moment, trusting that God's character is faithful regardless of the immediate outcome.

Remember This

Faith does not require absolute certainty to act; it requires trusting God's trustworthy character enough to step forward into life's 'maybe' moments.

A Challenge for You

Father, I pray today for the faith for your people to move forward on a maybe in this moment. Give your people now by your grace the kind of faith that it takes to move forth in a maybe. For we believe that nothing can hinder you from saving whether by many or by few.

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