Elevation with Steven Furtick

Episode: "All In" (Guest: Larry Brey)

Date: October 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, featuring Pastor Larry Brey and hosted by Pastor Steven Furtick, explores what it means to be "All In"—fully committed to Jesus in every area of life. Drawing on Matthew Chapter 8 and Peter’s origin story, the message challenges listeners to examine the “rooms” of their lives where they may not have allowed Jesus access, and encourages deep trust, surrender, and purposeful action rooted in faith. Larry shares personal church stories, biblical insights, and engaging challenges to help believers move from passive spectators to active, all-in disciples.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Celebrating Ministry, Volunteers, and Gratitude

• 20-Year Anniversary of Elevation Church (02:07)

  • Pastor Furtick thanks the original families and foundation volunteers, emphasizing volunteer commitment as the “secret sauce” for the church’s impact.

• The Heart of Volunteer Service (02:36)

  • "All those heroes...[online and in-person]...we didn’t know if anybody would want to jump on board, but they did." – Pastor Steven, 02:36
  • Story of John & Rondi Mullin serving on the First Impressions Team—showing the power of saying “I’m all in” and following through.

• Pastor Appreciation Month (03:52)

  • Brey honors Steven and Holly Furtick, sharing how their leadership has been significant both in celebration and in sorrow.

Scripture Foundation & Central Message: Matthew 8:14-16

• The Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law (05:00–06:29)

  • Jesus comes into Peter’s house, sees Peter's mother-in-law sick, and touches her, bringing healing.

• Personalizing the Story

  • Brey names the woman “Rachel” for relatability, exploring how people approach Jesus either as a first option or a last resort (07:04–07:35).

    • “Sometimes Jesus is a first option. Other people, like me, often Jesus is a last resort.” – Larry Brey, 07:04

  • The deeper message: Many are living “laid out” by problems until Jesus is invited in.

Posture Shift: From Laying Down to Serving

• Response to Healing (09:14–09:18)
  • “She gets up and she illustrates the sermon. She begins to serve him.”
  • Reflects on active response: If you say Jesus healed you, where are you now serving Him?

Opening the Doors of Your Life to Jesus

• Ownership and Access (09:52–10:51)

  • "The owner determines the access. Who owns your home: you or God?"
  • Challenge: Most welcome Jesus into presentable areas but hide dysfunction.
    • “Jesus cannot touch something He’s not been invited into.” – Larry Brey, 10:38

• Barriers & Disappointment (11:23–12:28)

  • Illustrates how disappointment causes us to “nail shut” the doors of our hearts—prefer this over repeated hope and pain.

• The Need for Openness and Vulnerability

  • “Holy Spirit, show me the rooms I’ve not let You in.” (13:02)
  • Jesus is a gentleman; He knocks, He doesn't force entry (Revelation 3:20 referenced).

The Ripple Effect of Going “All In”

• Miracle as a Spark for Community Change (14:07–15:39)

  • After the mother-in-law is healed, the house (and Peter) open up to even more: the demon-possessed and marginalized.
  • “In our faith journey...every step we take in following Jesus, it will test our ‘all in.’” – Larry Brey, 15:56

• Practical Application

  • The story explores faith’s daily surrender, not a one-time act.
  • Using the marriage vow analogy: “I do—that’s easy. But ‘I will’—that’s harder.” (16:03)

Peter’s Origin Story: From “A Little” to “The Deep”

• Reading from Luke 5 (18:00–22:53)

  • Furtick and Brey recount how Peter (Simon) was first called, emphasizing the journey from small, hesitant steps (“push out a little from the shore”) to deep, risky faith (“put out into the deep”).

  • “Don’t confuse proximity [to Jesus] with intimacy.” – Larry Brey, 21:47

• Obedience Beyond Understanding

  • Peter obeys even when tired and spent:
    • “‘Because you say so, I will.’ That’s your next tattoo.” – Larry Brey, 22:52
  • Highlights the tension between trusting what’s familiar and taking faith-driven plunge.

Story Progression: The Three Kinds of Followers

Based on Matthew 8:18-34

1. All Talk (Theoretical Commitment)

• Teacher of the Law (26:24–27:31)
  • Says, “I will follow you wherever you go,” but Jesus exposes his lack of depth.
  • “He wanted everybody to be impressed with his language, but he didn’t have the lifestyle.” – Larry Brey, 26:38
  • Analogy: Christians with the gear but “no game.”

2. All Excuse (Conditional Commitment)

• Disciple With an Excuse (28:03–29:07)
  • Wants to delay obedience for a legitimate (but secondary) concern.
  • “Let me pray about it” as a spiritualized excuse.
  • "Are you aware of where the excuses are that are keeping you from getting in the boat?" – Larry Brey, 29:04

3. All In (Immediate Obedience)

• The Committed (31:20–32:17)
  • Upon Jesus’ command, these are the ones who bring a boat and follow—no conditions, just response.
  • “To the committed, [God’s instruction is] a command... Are the orders of God optional?” – Larry Brey, 31:28
  • Faith often means acting without full understanding or comfort—“battleship, not cruise ship” analogy (32:10).

Bringing Your Whole Story—Even the “Unpresentable” Parts

• Three Scenes, Not One (30:13–30:40)

  • Brey stresses not to get stuck in one season or scene of pain or regret; God’s purpose unfolds across multiple chapters.

• Turning Shame into Empathy and Ministry (34:17–36:17)

  • As the story continues, those who know shame and struggle become best placed to welcome and serve others with empathy.

  • Modern parable: A girl named Rachel, wrestling with shame and isolated by her choices, finds hope and belonging through someone who’s “been there.”

    • “That part of you that you want to hide...is the very thing that Jesus needs in the boat.” – Larry Brey, 36:17
    • “Healing comes with a touch, but purpose is found through trust. And healing isn’t the absence of pain, it’s the presence of purpose.” – Larry Brey, 35:09

• Purpose Flows from Surrender

  • The invitation: Let Jesus into every “room.” Bringing your wounds turns pain into ministry—what disqualified you may be the very thing He needs.

Final Invitation and Call to Response

(39:20–42:42)

• Two Invitations:

  1. Surrender a “room”/area of your life you haven’t let Jesus into.
  2. Begin a relationship with Jesus—move from routine or religion to authentic faith.
  • “An unnamed enemy will never be defeated.”
  • “He’ll come in and He’ll touch you. It doesn’t mean the pain goes away, but it does mean you can find purpose in it.”
  • “If you just placed your faith in Jesus or you’re coming back, boldly shoot your hand into the air.” – Larry Brey, 42:24

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Jesus cannot touch something He’s not been invited into." (10:38)
• "Don’t confuse proximity with intimacy. Just because I’m sitting in a seat doesn’t mean I’m in the boat with Him." (21:47)
• "Because you say so, I will… Not Simon says, because Jesus said." (23:07)
• "All talk: You’ve got the T-shirt and the blingity bling. You’re all talk." (27:03)
• "Let me pray about it—you know you’re not going to pray about it. You’re blaming God for your disobedience." (28:46)
• "Healing comes with a touch, but purpose is found through trust." (35:09)
• "That part of you that you want to hide...is the very thing that Jesus needs in the boat." (36:17)

Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• 20th Anniversary and Volunteer Celebration: 02:07–04:47
• Scripture Reading and Sermon Theme Intro: 05:00–05:49
• The Power of Invitation and Openness: 09:52–13:02
• Faith Journey—Peter’s Origin Story: 18:00–23:07
• Three Types of Followers (All talk, All excuse, All in): 26:24–32:17
• Pain Turned to Purpose: Story Application & Call: 34:17–36:17
• Response & Prayer: 39:20–42:42

Summary Statement and Takeaways

"All In" challenges you to move beyond surface-level Christianity, to invite Jesus into every area—especially the hidden, hurting "rooms" of your story. Healing comes from a touch, but purpose is found when you trust, surrender, and bring your whole self—flaws, mistakes, and all—to the mission of God. The invitation for every listener: Go from spectator to participant. Let faith transform your pain into purpose by going all in.