Elevation with Steven Furtick: "NO MORE NAILS"
Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Pastor Steven Furtick
Podcast: Elevation with Steven Furtick, iHeartPodcasts
Episode Overview
In "NO MORE NAILS," Pastor Steven Furtick continues his exploration of the events following Jesus' resurrection, focusing on the journey to Emmaus and the profound significance of scars left from suffering. The episode dives deep into the biblical accounts of Jesus appearing to His followers, not only revealing His wounds but using them as proof of power, healing, and forgiveness. Central themes include embracing vulnerability, understanding the difference between wounds and scars, and declaring freedom from the things that once held us captive—captured in the rallying cry, "No More Nails."
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Where Do We Find Jesus After the Resurrection?
Timestamps: [03:08]–[09:15]
- Unexpected Places: Instead of staying in Jerusalem post-resurrection, Jesus chooses to walk along the road to Emmaus, meeting with two discouraged disciples.
- Message: "God doesn’t just show up in big places and important people. He might show up and speak to somebody in the back of the room, in a hospital bed..." (08:10)
- Invitation: The series theme encourages listeners to "walk with" Jesus, representing ongoing, real relationship over ritual or superstition.
2. The Emmaus Road – Walking with the Disappointed
Timestamps: [09:16]–[17:48]
- Journey with Cleopas: Jesus approaches Cleopas and an unnamed companion (possibly his wife) who are leaving Jerusalem in discouragement after Jesus’ crucifixion.
- God’s Approach: "He walks with those who are disappointed and discouraged... because God doesn’t need you to be happy to do a work in your heart." (11:50)
- Women at the Tomb: Recognition of women’s faith and their pivotal role in discovering the empty tomb.
3. Revelation through Scars, Not Explanations
Timestamps: [17:49]–[27:30]
- Powerful Moment at Table: When Jesus breaks bread, the disciples finally recognize Him—not by His words but through seeing His wounds.
- "Sometimes the power of an example is greater than the power of an explanation. What his words could not show them, they saw in his wounds." (22:11)
- The transformation from curiosity (“interested in who he is”) to understanding (“their eyes were opened... they recognized him”).
4. Returning for Restoration
Timestamps: [27:31]–[32:50]
- Going Back to Jerusalem: Once Cleopas and the companion recognize Jesus, they return the seven miles back. The journey, first marked by disappointment, becomes one of testimony and witness to the other disciples.
- "They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem... This is your comeback." (29:49)
- Restoration’s Message: God’s work is not finished; the resurrection reroutes their lives.
5. Locked Doors and Fear
Timestamps: [32:51]–[38:42]
- Disciples’ Fear: The eleven disciples are gathered behind locked doors, afraid. Jesus appears among them, signaling His presence breaks through fear and barriers:
- "They weren’t locked out—they were locked in. We lock ourselves in because of fear." (34:59)
- Humor and Humanity: Pastor Furtick injects humor ("A little crossfit, pushing the stone out of the way... elite level preacher humor" (36:18)) to make biblical events relatable.
6. The Proof: Scars, Not Successes
Timestamps: [38:43]–[45:50]
- Jesus Shows His Wounds: When Jesus appears, He shows the disciples His hands and side—the five wounds representing grace.
- “See my hands? See where the nails were... It killed me, but I didn’t stay dead. It broke me. But I am now whole.” (40:30)
- Difference Between Wounded and Scarred: "Christianity is not cosmetic surgery so you can hide what you’ve been through to try to get people to think you’re perfect. Jesus Christ didn’t come to conceal the pain—He came to reveal His glory, and he showed it in His scars." (41:55)
7. Doubting (Honest) Thomas & the Process of Faith
Timestamps: [45:51]–[52:00]
- Thomas’ Reputation: Often known as "Doubting Thomas," Furtick reframes him as "Honest Thomas" for his desire to see for himself.
- Waiting Seven Days: Jesus waits a week before appearing to Thomas, demonstrating faith grows in waiting and uncertainty.
- "God will leave you in a space where you don’t understand to create faith in your heart." (47:43)
- No More Nails Declaration:
- “Look, Thomas, no more nails. In other words, what held me, doesn’t hold me anymore. I came to declare today is a day of freedom.” (50:10)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
Recognition Through Wounds
"When they saw where he suffered, they realized who he was. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him... his words made their hearts burn, but it was his wounds that opened their eyes."
— Steven Furtick [24:40]
The Role of Scars
"I'm glad he didn't stay dead. But I'm also glad he came out scarred because that gives me hope... I don't want to preach wounded... I want to show the church some of the scars, because that gives them hope that what wounded me doesn't have to hold me forever."
— Steven Furtick [43:35]
On Forgiveness
"Forgiveness doesn't mean it didn't happen—the scar shows it happened. It's not denial when I say forgiveness... If I've really healed, why am I still so touchy?"
— Steven Furtick [44:11]
Self-Forgiveness and Freedom
"The hardest person you'll ever forgive is yourself... But I want the devil to know when he comes to hammer at me with accusation: he doesn't have no more nails. All my nails are in that cross. All my shame is on that cross."
— Steven Furtick [49:20]
The “No More Nails” Declaration
“No more nails! In other words, what held me doesn’t hold me anymore... The devil might have a hammer, but he doesn’t have any nails.”
— Steven Furtick [50:10]
Important Segments & Timestamps
- Finding Jesus on the Road, Not in the Temple: [03:08]–[10:01]
- Walking with Disappointed Disciples: [10:02]–[16:15]
- Recognition Through Broken Bread and Scars: [22:00]–[27:00]
- Return for Restoration: [27:31]–[30:29]
- Locked Doors, Fear, and Breakthrough: [33:00]–[35:15]
- Jesus Shows His Scars: [39:00]–[42:30]
- Thomas’ Honest Doubt and the Seven-Day Wait: [46:20]–[49:15]
- No More Nails & The Move Toward Freedom: [50:10]–[52:00]
Tone & Style
The message balances energetic preaching, vulnerability, humor, and direct calls to transformation. Furtick’s language is rich with metaphors (“the cross as an operating system” [15:08]), direct challenges, and memorable rallying cries that connect biblical truth to everyday struggles.
Takeaways for Listeners
- Jesus meets us in our pain and doubt, not just our victories.
- He invites us to bring our disappointments, hurts, and even doubts to Him.
- The scars we carry—spiritually, emotionally, physically—mark where healing has taken place; they are not signs of failure but of God’s sustaining power.
- True forgiveness is faith-based, not feeling-based, and begins with self-forgiveness.
- We are called to freedom: “What held me doesn’t hold me anymore. No more nails.”