Forward Not Finished

In his sermon “Forward Not Finished,” Pastor Steven Furtick encourages listeners that God is not done with their story yet (2:36). He emphasizes that with God, there’s always a way forward (5:18) and that true faith means continuing to move “forward, not finished,” even when things feel incomplete or challenging (10:09).

Key themes include:

• Accepting change: Furtick discusses the difficulty of accepting that certain seasons or people are no longer coming back (24:09), using the example of Moses’ death (6:52). He stresses that time changes how you see your story (27:30), and it’s crucial not to close the book too soon, as God is still writing it (28:30).
• Beyond situational faith: The sermon challenges the idea of faith that is only present when circumstances are favorable, advocating for a deeper, generational faith that trusts God regardless (29:30).
• Moving on from grief: Furtick addresses the difficulty of grieving losses for which there’s no clear “grave” or understanding (39:51), but reassures that God knows where the grave is (41:13). He highlights that there’s a time when the period of mourning must end, and it’s time to move forward even if you don’t feel like it (44:16).
• New beginnings: Furtick concludes by stating that for every “no more” (like “no more Moses”), God has already prepared a “now Joshua” (47:46), meaning that where you see no way, God says “now” (48:40).

Why was Moses unable to enter the promised land? 

Moses was unable to enter the promised land because he stopped trusting God and did not honor Him enough (8:26). Specifically, he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, which was an act of not having faith (21:37). Although he was still strong and could see (7:42), God declared that he was “done” and couldn’t be brought into what he wouldn’t believe God for (8:48, 37:35).

What does “forward not finished” mean? 

In the sermon, “Forward Not Finished” signifies that God is not done with your story, even if a chapter has closed or you are facing challenges (0:52, 10:09). It’s a message of hope and endurance, emphasizing that even when things seem to be over or unfulfilled, God is still at work and has more for you.

Key aspects of its meaning include:

• God is still writing your story: Even if a part of your life or a promise feels unfulfilled, it doesn’t mean it’s the end of what God has planned (0:52, 28:30).
• Moving on despite an unfinished feeling: It encourages pushing forward even when you haven’t received what you’ve been hoping for, or when you’re grieving a loss (44:24). It’s about having faith that God is enough, regardless of your current circumstances (33:36).
• Trusting God’s timing and plan: The message highlights that God can still work, even when you see “no way” forward, and that your story isn’t over just because a specific person or situation is (47:33, 50:10).

How does situational faith differ from God’s love? 

Situational faith differs from God’s love in that situational faith is dependent on circumstances, while God’s love is unconditional and transcends situations (29:30).

Pastor Steven Furtick explains that:

• Situational faith (29:36) is when faith is only present when everything feels a certain way. Examples given include:
  • Being generous only when you get a better job with better pay (29:45).
  • Being nice to someone only when they start respecting you more (29:53).
• God’s love and spirit, in contrast, are not situational (30:00). God “calls things that be not as though they were” (30:05), meaning His power and love are active even when circumstances seem impossible. He is described as a generational God (30:12, 30:30), whose faithfulness continues through generations and who generates life, being the source of everything (32:33, 32:41). This implies that His love and ability to act are not limited by human conditions or current realities, unlike situational faith.

Why does God hide graves? 

In the sermon, Pastor Steven Furtick states that God sometimes hides graves because the process of grieving is over, and it’s time to move forward into a new season (42:07).

He explains this concept in relation to Moses’ death (42:07), suggesting that God hid Moses’ body so that the Israelites couldn’t dwell on his passing forever. This act ensures that:

• The people can move on: It prevents an endless period of mourning and allows for progress into the future and a new leadership (42:25, 42:36).
• A new chapter can begin: By removing the physical reminder of what was lost, God enables a focus on what is next (42:07, 43:20).

What does “Now Joshua” signify? 

In the sermon, “Now Joshua” signifies God’s provision of a new leader and a new way forward when an old season or leadership has ended (47:46). It represents the idea that when God says “it’s over now” regarding something from the past, He immediately provides a new beginning and a new path.

Specifically:

• Pastor Furtick explains that for every “no more Moses,” God declares “now Joshua” (47:46). This means that God doesn’t leave a void; He always has a “now” for what comes next (48:00).
• It highlights that where you see no way, God says “now” (48:40). Even if you don’t know the specifics of the new path, God has already prepared it.
• “Now Joshua” emphasizes God’s immediate readiness to move you into the next phase, even when you are grieving or feeling stuck (50:10). It’s a call to action and faith in God’s continuous work (50:42).

Be Encouraged

No matter what you’re facing, remember that your story is still being written, and it’s far from over. Just like the sermon says, you are “Forward, Not Finished.” Even when challenges arise, or things don’t go as planned, have faith that there’s always a way with God, and you have the strength to find it. Embrace the changes, trust in the process, and know that every step forward is a step towards the incredible future God is preparing for you. Keep believing, keep moving, and keep shining, because there is so much more to your story!