But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
How it was applied: Furtick reads this passage as a direct personal address from God to both an individual's broken past (Jacob) and their redeemed identity (Israel), insisting that God's summons by name includes full knowledge of the listener's failures. The 'when not if' language of verse 2 is used to correct false expectations of a pain-free life while anchoring confidence in divine companionship rather than divine extraction from trials.
So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
How it was applied: Though not developed extensively, this reference is implicit in Furtick's recurring distinction between asking for a 'thing' (silver and gold) versus encountering a 'someone' — the name of Jesus Christ — framing Peter's response to the lame man as the paradigm for what God actually offers beyond material outcomes.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
How it was applied: Furtick uses this passage to establish that fiery trials are not anomalies or signs of God's failure but expected and even purposeful tests of what one's life is built on. He moves quickly past it to anchor the sermon in Isaiah 43, using 1 Peter to frame the 'do not be surprised' posture that believers need before entering the more detailed teaching.
Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?” They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
How it was applied: Furtick reads this passage as the historical embodiment of Isaiah 43's promise — specifically that the fire burned the ropes off but did not burn the men, meaning God used the instrument of destruction to produce liberation. The appearance of the fourth man is identified unambiguously as Jesus, and the mathematical impossibility (three went in, four walked around, three came out) is used to declare that Jesus remains in every fire his people face even after they emerge.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide, via the YouVersion Platform.
