Podcast Summary

Elevation with Steven Furtick
Episode: Not Something, But Someone (Still In It)
Date: February 22, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Pastor Steven Furtick explores the difference between seeking “something” from God and seeking “someone”—the presence and person of God Himself. Drawing from Isaiah 43:1-2 and Acts 3:5-6, Furtick encourages listeners to shift their faith and prayers from a focus on outcomes or solutions (“the thing”) to intimacy with God (“the someone”), specifically highlighting that God accompanies us through trials. Using the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, the message emphasizes that while challenges and suffering are inevitable, we are never alone—Jesus is "still in it." Furtick blends biblical exposition, personal anecdotes, and congregation interaction (with moments of humor and vulnerability) to offer a faith-building word for those “still in it.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Scriptural Foundations — Isaiah 43 & Acts 3

• [02:19-05:12]
  • Furtick introduces Isaiah 43:1-2, a scripture promising God’s presence through water and fire, and ties it to Acts 3:5-6 (“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have, I give you…”).
  • The core idea: the real gift is not a “thing” but a “person”—God Himself.
  • “God gives you influence in life not for something, but for someone.” (10:11, Furtick)

2. Birthday Anecdote & Personal Growth

• [05:15-06:13]
  • The congregation briefly interrupts with a birthday song for Furtick (he turns 46), which he humorously connects to his ongoing journey of learning and spiritual growth:
    • “46 and still not fixed.”
    • He candidly shares his struggles with sermon preparation, perfectionism, and the shift in his prayers: “The Lord spoke…‘I didn’t die for pretty. I died for people…If you’ll pray about what I care about, I’ll give you what you need.’” (08:36)

3. The “But Now” and “By Name” Principle

• [12:23-17:26]
  • “But now”: God’s intervention in the present. Furtick urges listeners to claim the “now” of God’s work, regardless of past circumstances or shame.
    • “The ‘but’ lets me know something came before that was going to cancel it out. The ‘now’ lets me know it's not over and it's not too late.” (13:11)
  • “By name”: God’s intimate, personalized call. He references how God calls Jacob/Israel, acknowledging all parts of our story—the broken and the blessed.
    • “God knew you when he named you…One [name] speaks to all you have been, one speaks to all that you will be. And God calls both to come forth.” (19:56)

4. Demonstration: The Difference Between “Something” and “Someone”

• [21:55-26:19]
  • Furtick illustrates by asking for water—first generally, then specifically summoning his wife Holly by name. The point: when you call by name, you get intimacy and relationship (“someone”), not just the provision (“something”).
  • “When I just asked for the thing, when I called for something, I got the thing. But when I summoned by name...I got someone.” (25:52)
  • He links it to prayer and faith: do we want God for His gifts, or for Himself?

5. Walking Through the Fire – Faith Is About Who Not What

• [28:08-34:33]
  • Refers back to Isaiah 43:2: “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.”
  • God never promises absence of trouble, but presence in trouble.
  • Furtick examines why scripture says “walk” (slow down, trust), not “run,” through fire.
    • “The fire represents something you’re going through. The walk represents someone you’re doing it with.” (32:16)
  • Faith involves trusting God’s presence—even if the outcome isn’t as hoped.

6. Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego: Someone in the Fire

• [34:33-51:43]
  • Retells the story from Daniel 3: the three men refuse to bow to the idol, are thrown into the furnace, and God joins them (“a fourth man in the fire”).
    • “He said, but now when you walk through the fire, I have summoned you by name, and you will not be burned.” (34:34)
  • Key point: The miracle isn’t just survival; it’s the presence of Jesus in the midst of suffering.
  • “If I was confident there would be no fire, my faith would fail me now. If I was confident, confident that there would be no water, my faith would stop short. But my faith is not in something, but someone.” (47:51)
  • The congregation is repeatedly invited to declare “still in it,” affirming God’s ongoing presence.
  • “Three went in, four walked around, three came out. That means there’s someone...still in it.” (50:18)
  • The “fourth man” is revealed as Jesus, always present in trials.

7. Application and Encouragement for Listeners

• [51:43-56:09]
  • Furtick urges listeners not to expect instant deliverance but to recognize God’s faithful companionship.
  • The message ends with pastoral encouragement and prayer:
    • “If there is something you thought God was going to do in your life and it is not happening...your confidence is not something, it’s someone.” (51:43)
    • “Jesus never left that fire. He’s still in it so that whatever fire you face today, he is your fourth man…” (53:20)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

1. On Shifting Focus in Prayer:

   “You keep praying, Lord, give me my points…If you’ll pray for the people, I’ll give you the points, because the points are what you care about and the people are what I care about.” (08:36, Furtick)

2. On Identity and Being Known by God:

   “God knew you when he named you…One [name] speaks to all you have been, one speaks to all that you will be. And God calls both to come forth.” (19:56, Furtick)

3. On the Power of ‘But Now’:

   “The ‘but’ lets me know something came before that was going to cancel it out. The ‘now’ lets me know it’s not over and it’s not too late.” (13:11, Furtick)

4. Demonstration on “Someone vs Something”:

   “When I just asked for the thing…But when I summoned by name, I didn’t just get the thing. I got someone.” (25:52, Furtick)

5. On the Purpose of Trials:

   “God will use a fire to set you free…The fire did not kill them. It only took off what was holding them.” (47:41, Furtick)

6. Faith Even If God Doesn’t Deliver as Expected:

   “He will deliver us from your majesty’s hand. But even if he doesn’t…Even if the feeling stays, I have faith to walk through it. Even if they walk away, God walks with me.” (38:21, Furtick)

7. The Fourth Man Still in the Fire:

   “Three went in, four walked around, three came out. That means there’s someone still in it.” (50:18, Furtick)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:19 – Introduction of scriptures and message title
• 05:15 – Birthday moment and the transition to the main message
• 08:36 – Revelation about preaching for people, not just points
• 12:25 – “But now” – first key phrase explained
• 17:26 – “By name” – the depth of being personally called by God
• 21:55 – “Someone vs Something” illustration (water and summoning Holly)
• 28:08 – God’s presence in both our past (Jacob) and our future (Israel)
• 32:16 – Walking through the fire, not running
• 34:33 – The word “not”—God’s promises through fire
• 38:21 – Faith declarations: “Even if…”
• 47:17 – The revelation: Four in the fire (Jesus as the fourth)
• 50:18 – Summation: “Still in it” and congregation affirmation
• 51:43 – Final exhortation and prayer

Final Thoughts

This episode challenges listeners to move beyond seeking “things” from God and to anchor their confidence in the abiding presence of “someone”—Jesus—especially in times of difficulty. Drawing powerfully from scripture, personal testimony, and the story of the fiery furnace, Furtick offers practical comfort and spiritual encouragement for all who feel like they’re “still in it.” The episode affirms: your confidence is not in something but in someone, and He never leaves you.

Key Message:
You may still be "in it"—the fire, the trial, the struggle—but you are not alone. Seek not the something, but the Someone who summons you by name and walks with you always.