Podcast Title: Elevation with Steven Furtick
Episode Title: The Power Of Pre
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Release Date: January 10, 2025

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of "Elevation with Steven Furtick," Pastor Steven Furtick delves deep into the transformative concept of "The Power of Pre." Drawing from his personal experiences and profound scriptural insights, Furtick emphasizes the critical role of preparation, perseverance, and faith in unlocking one's full potential and achieving divine victories. This episode serves as both an inspirational guide and a practical blueprint for listeners seeking to align their lives with God's purpose.

Scriptural Foundation: Understanding Elisha and King Jehoash

Furtick opens the episode by immersing listeners in a lesser-known passage from the Bible: 2 Kings 13:14-20. This scripture narrates the poignant moment when King Jehoash of Israel visits the prophet Elisha on his deathbed. Elisha, recognizing the impending loss of his prophetic guidance, imparts a strategic yet challenging directive to the king:

Steven Furtick [01:16]: "He gives him a set of marching orders. He gives him something to do. Most of us, if we would do what we already knew, we could see victory in our life."

Elisha's command to Jehoash—"open the east window and shoot"—symbolizes the essence of preparation preceding action. Furtick interprets this as a divine mandate to move beyond mere contemplation and into actionable faith.

Main Themes

1. The Power of Pre: Emphasizing Preparation

At the heart of the episode lies the concept of "Pre," representing the foundational preparation that precedes success. Furtick underscores that victories often stem from meticulous groundwork rather than spontaneous actions. He likens this to athletic training, where consistent preparation determines the outcome of competitions.

Steven Furtick [05:30]: "Preparation is underrated. Preparation is not very celebrated in our culture. We want to post and we need instant validation."

Furtick highlights the cultural tendency to seek immediate recognition ("post") over enduring preparation ("pre"), urging listeners to prioritize the latter for sustained success.

2. Persistence and Commitment: Beyond Compliance

Furtick revisits the biblical narrative where King Jehoash strikes the ground three times instead of the five or six times Elisha had instructed. This partial compliance symbolizes a lack of full commitment, leading to an incomplete victory.

Steven Furtick [10:45]: "Sometimes we do just enough to survive, but not enough to really succeed. So we stay stuck."

The message is clear: true success demands unwavering persistence and wholehearted commitment, surpassing mere obedience.

3. Behind-the-Scenes: The Garage vs. The Track

Drawing an analogy to NASCAR, Furtick illustrates the importance of invisible preparations—the "garage work"—that set the stage for visible triumphs on the track. This metaphor serves to remind listeners that unseen efforts are pivotal in achieving public victories.

Steven Furtick [22:10]: "God is more interested in the garage than he is the track. God is the God of preparation."

4. Trusting the Process: Embracing the Unseen

Furtick encourages listeners to trust in God's preparatory processes, even when they seem mundane or disconnected from immediate goals. By embracing these behind-the-scenes efforts, individuals position themselves to receive divine blessings and fulfill their destinies.

Steven Furtick [38:20]: "Prepare to prevail. If you will keep plowing, He will promote and you can trust Him."

Personal Anecdotes: Relating to Everyday Experiences

Throughout the episode, Furtick interweaves personal stories to illustrate his points, making the theological concepts relatable:

• Marriage and Preparation: Reflecting on his premarital counseling, Furtick emphasizes the significance of preparing for life's major commitments.

  Steven Furtick [16:50]: "We did not have to sign a prenup. We didn't have no pre. Nothing to sign it over. That's what I want to preach about."

• Parenting and Teaching: Sharing moments with his son Elijah, Furtick highlights the value of exposing children to the foundational aspects of faith and community.

  Steven Furtick [45:30]: "I want him to start seeing behind the scenes because I didn't want my kid growing up thinking a church is a green room and a stage."

• Marketing Elevation Church: Recounting the early days of promoting Elevation Church with limited resources, Furtick underscores the importance of humble beginnings and consistent effort.

  Steven Furtick [33:15]: "I started marketing in ministry, if you want to call it marketing. Printing out flyers because Jamie Williams gave me his code to the copying machine at First Baptist Church."

Four P's Framework

Furtick structures his message around four pivotal "P's," each representing a step in the preparation-to-success journey:

1. Pre: The initial phase of preparation, emphasizing the need to set the foundation before any significant action.
2. Point: Gaining clarity and focus on one's goals and divine purpose.
3. Plow: The active phase of persistent effort and overcoming obstacles.
4. Promotion: The culmination of preparation and hard work, leading to victory and recognition.

Steven Furtick [42:00]: "Prepare to prevail. It's the power of prepare to prevail."

This framework serves as a practical guide for listeners to navigate their spiritual and personal growth journeys.

Concluding Insights: Embracing the Journey

Furtick wraps up the episode by reinforcing the central message: Preparation is paramount to achieving divine and personal victories. He encourages listeners to remain steadfast in their preparatory efforts, trusting that God orchestrates every phase of their journey.

Steven Furtick [49:30]: "Nothing you've been through will be wasted. Nothing you've been through was for nothing. Nothing you've been through was for no purpose."

By embracing the "Power of Pre," individuals can position themselves to receive and fulfill their destinies, ensuring that their efforts align with God's overarching plan.

Notable Quotes

• On Preparation:

  "Preparation is underrated. Preparation is not very celebrated in our culture. We want to post and we need instant validation." — Steven Furtick [05:30]

• On Commitment:

  "Sometimes we do just enough to survive, but not enough to really succeed. So we stay stuck." — Steven Furtick [10:45]

• On Trusting the Process:

  "God is the God of preparation. He would not feed the multitudes until they sat down in the grass." — Steven Furtick [25:20]

• On Persistence:

  "Prepare to prevail. If you will keep plowing, He will promote and you can trust Him." — Steven Furtick [38:20]

• On Life's Trials:

  "Nothing you've been through will be wasted. Nothing you've been through was for nothing." — Steven Furtick [49:30]

Final Thoughts

"The Power Of Pre" is a testament to the profound impact of preparation and unwavering faith in one's spiritual and personal endeavors. Pastor Steven Furtick masterfully intertwines scripture, personal anecdotes, and practical frameworks to inspire listeners to prioritize preparation, persist through challenges, and trust in God's divine timing. This episode serves as a beacon for those seeking to align their efforts with their spiritual calling, ensuring that their paths are paved with purpose and destined for victory.