You Can Skip This! | Pastor Steven Furtick | Elevation Church

Main message: The preacher contrasts the Bible’s summary statements of faith (Red Sea, Jericho) with the unseen “wilderness” between them to make the point that while some stages of growth are necessary, you don't have to live in prolonged delay or shame — through faith in Jesus you can “skip” the wilderness that comes from unbelief and disobedience. Trust, obedience, worship, and taking temptations to the cross allow God to shorten what would otherwise take years.

Key points:

• A summary (Hebrews’ Hall of Faith) highlights victories (Red Sea, Jericho) but skips the messy process—don’t judge your story by others’ summaries.
• The Red Sea and Jericho were miraculous, but between them was 40 years of wilderness caused by unbelief and disobedience.
• Some processes (growth, discipline, stages) are unavoidable, but prolonged wilderness due to wrong choices can be avoided.
• Jesus went through the wilderness (Matthew 4) so we don’t have to remain stuck; his work makes by-faith breakthrough possible sooner.
• Practical response: choose obedience, forgive, resist temptation by taking it to the cross, worship, and actively work the faith rather than only observing.

Scriptures mentioned: Hebrews 11:29-30, Hebrews 11:31, Deuteronomy (spies/Kadesh-barnea context), Matthew 4:1-11