Podcast Summary: Elevation with Steven Furtick

Episode: I’m Going Under (Chet Pete)
Date: April 12, 2026
Host: Pastor Steven Furtick
Length: ~50 min (excluding ads, intro/outro)

Episode Overview

In this “bonus week” message from the See King Jesus series, Pastor Steven Furtick explores the theme of spiritual authority—specifically, what it means to live “under” the authority, cover, and construction of Jesus. Drawing from the story of the Roman centurion in Luke 7:1-10, Pastor Steven challenges listeners to move beyond mere belief to active obedience, emphasizing that true surrender means letting Jesus both save and lead you. Inspirational stories, vivid illustrations, and engaging moments drive home the practical and spiritual power of living under God’s direction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Setting the Theme

[03:01 – 05:00]

• Scripture Focus: Luke 7:1-10 (The Faith of the Centurion)
  • The centurion, a Roman outsider, seeks Jesus’ help for his servant.
  • Despite his Gentile background, Jesus responds immediately—no hesitation.
  • Furtick frames the story as an example for anyone who doubts if God cares for them because of their background or lack of religious upbringing.
• Quote:
  • “If you felt like you grew up on the wrong side of tracks and didn’t know whether or not God would come for you…I want you to know that’s why He came.” (Steven Furtick, 05:19)

2. Illustrating Authority with Personal Stories

[08:38 – 12:00]

• Vacation/Boating Analogy:
  • Furtick describes a snorkeling trip where his non-swimming wife bravely attempts to snorkel and nearly goes under the water—only to be “snatched” to safety by the boat captain.
  • Spiritual parallel: There are moments in life when we’re “going under pressure, under attack, overwhelmed,” and it’s Jesus’ authority and love that rescues us.
  • “There’s nothing that I could ever go under that He isn’t over.” (Furtick, 11:00)

3. The Authority of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel

[12:00 – 14:16]

• Authority Demonstrated Through Jesus:
  • He commands demons, heals the sick, calms storms, and raises the dead—showcasing “all authority in heaven and on earth”.
  • “Jesus speaks and death obeys. Because he rose with all power and authority…” (Furtick, 14:11)

4. The Tension: Demons Obey, but We Struggle

[14:16 – 17:23]

• The “Sucker Punch”:
  • “Why is it that demons obey God, and you and I, we struggle with disobedience?” (Furtick, 14:42)
• Examples of Human Hesitation:
  • Adam, Eve, Moses, Jonah—all heard God but struggled or refused to obey.
  • We long for God’s love “but reject his wisdom.”
• Call to Action:
  • “Go under the authority of God…He didn’t just want to save you. He wants to lead you.” (Furtick, 16:43)

5. Hearing God’s Voice

[17:37 – 19:55]

• How God Speaks:
  1. Scripture/Bible—“When I open up my Bible, I am interacting with God the Father.”
  2. Through Others—“God will use Jesus in the flesh with someone around you to speak to you.”
  3. Holy Spirit—“There’s sometimes that the Holy Spirit gives me just a supernatural peace that I know I’m where I’m supposed to be.”
• Practical Application:
  • Cultivate sensitivity through time in God’s presence, Scripture, community, and silence.

6. Going “Under” – The Three Parts

[20:17 – 32:50]

a) Under Control

• Definition: Allowing Jesus to direct your life’s course, not just believing but yielding to His commands.
• Quote:
  • “When you made a decision to give your life to Jesus, your life became His jurisdiction.” (Furtick, 21:08)
• Illustration: Teaching his sons to drive, “I’m God. What I say do, do it…He was driving the vehicle, but what you heard was my voice.”
• Insight: Many need to “renew your relationship with authority,” learning to see correction as love, not anger or abuse.

b) Under Cover

• Definition: Trusting in God’s protection as you walk in obedience.
• Illustration:
  • Imagining church leader Che driving her Jeep in a hailstorm with the top down—“that’s what some of our lives look like…when we had opportunity to be covered.” (Furtick, 31:31)
• Quote:
  • “I’m covered by the blood of God…Thank you, Jesus, for covering me.” (Furtick, 32:50)
• Insight: The protection we want (“covering”) is tied to the obedience we often resist (“commands”).

c) Under Construction

• Definition: Submitting to God’s ongoing work of building, repairing, and transforming your life.
• Scripture Tie-in:
  • Luke 6:46-49 – Building house on the rock (obedience) or sand (disregarding God’s word).
• Quote:
  • “I want a life that’s well built…I want a marriage that’s well built…I want a ministry that’s well built.” (Furtick, 35:28)
• Insight: Even if your “house” (life) has suffered damage, the master carpenter (Jesus) can rebuild it when you put yourself under His authority.

7. A Call to Obedience and Surrender

[37:37 – 42:46]

• Immediate Steps:
  • Baptism, apologies, reconciliation, joining community, or any next step the Lord has put on your heart.
  • “There’s a step of obedience that God has spoken. You know you need to take this step.” (Furtick, 39:23)
• Salvation Invitation:
  • Leads the congregation in a prayer to surrender and receive Christ.

8. Worship Response & Visual Illustration

[44:27 – 46:27]

• Elevation Worship – “So Be It”
  • Explains the meaning behind the signet ring on the new worship album cover—a symbol of royal authority.
  • “When the king’s ring was stamped on that proclamation, it meant, so be it…You have the name of Jesus with all power and authority.” (Furtick, 45:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There’s nothing that I could ever go under that He isn’t over.”
  (Steven Furtick, 11:00)
• “Why is it that demons obey God, and you and I, we struggle with disobedience?”
  (Furtick, 14:42)
• “We want His love, but we reject His wisdom.”
  (Furtick, 30:00)
• “You can’t have His covering without His commands. The protection that you needed was in you being obedient to what God told you to do.”
  (Furtick, 30:00-30:40)
• “I want a life that’s well built…Built on a foundation that would last.”
  (Furtick, 35:28; 37:37)
• “You have the name of Jesus with all power and authority saying, ‘So be it.’ Signed, sealed, delivered.”
  (Furtick, 45:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:01] – Message Intro: Bonus “See King Jesus” week
• [05:19] – God comes for outsiders/centurion
• [08:38] – Snorkeling story: “going under” as illustration
• [11:00] – “There’s nothing I could ever go under that He isn’t over.”
• [12:00] – Luke’s focus on Jesus’ authority
• [14:42] – Demons obey, we struggle: the heart of the message
• [17:37] – How to hear God’s voice
• [21:08] – “Your life became His jurisdiction”
• [25:31] – Driving lesson illustration: “I was in control”
• [31:31] – Che's Jeep in a hailstorm: covering illustration
• [35:28] – House on the rock: life “well built”
• [39:23] – Prayer for obedience and response
• [44:27] – Album cover/signet ring: “So be it”
• [46:27] – Worship: “So Be It” performed

Structure for Going “Under” the Authority of God

1. Under Control - Decide to let Jesus direct your steps and decisions, not just your beliefs.
2. Under Cover - Live within God’s protection through obedience and trust.
3. Under Construction - Embrace the ongoing, sometimes messy process of being (re)built by God.

Closing Reflection

Pastor Steven masterfully weaves biblical insight with personal stories and practical instruction, calling believers not only to trust in Jesus but to place their whole lives under Him. The episode crescendos in a communal worship moment, reminding us that when King Jesus speaks, “so be it”—His word and authority are final.

For Listeners:
This episode is a charge to move from passive faith to active, obedient surrender—going “under” Jesus in every area so that you can be “covered,” constructed, and sustained for whatever life brings.