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Today’s blog post is inspired by pastor Steven’s sermon from the 14th of March titled “Surprise.” Pastor Steven Furtick (PSF) uses the scripture from the Acts of the apostles 3: 1-16 to explore the different ways we can be surprised. In this scripture, the two disciples Peter and John are walking towards the temple and they meet a lame man who was begging at the temple gate. This man had been born like this, and had endured this for 40 years. So the man asks Peter and John for money but Peter filled with the Holy Spirit (it was shortly after Pentecost) lets the man know that he would not give him money for he didn’t have it (either) but rather he would give him the gift of healing through the name of Jesus Christ. The man gets healed and this miracle (the first from the disciples after Jesus’s ascension) causes so much commotion at the temple and creates an opportunity for Peter to give such a powerful sermon spreading the gospel of Christ.

According to PSF, there are various surprises that we can find in this scripture. He first and foremost points to the surprise of the relationship between Peter and John. Based on their history in the gospels, PSF illustrates how God will use people in your life that are so different from you. Peter and John where total opposites, while Peter was always saying things he shouldn’t (things the others were always afraid to say) (Matthew 17: 4, Luke 9: 33, Mark 9; 5) and making irrational decisions such as cutting off the soldier’s ear (John 18: 10) and getting out of the boat to walk towards Jesus on water (Matthew 14: 29), etc., John was the opposite. First of all, John referred to himself as the most beloved disciple of Jesus (John 13: 23), he was just those people who never really got into trouble. Moreover, these guys seemed to always be in competition with each other. Nevertheless, God chose to use these two opposites to perform the first miracle. PSF believes that it could have been John’s perspective that Peter needed to perform this miracle. He encourages us to be open to who God wants to use in our lives and not to limit God with our expectations of Him to only bring people to us who are a reflection of who we are. Therefore, be open to people who challenge your personality. He also tells us that God wouldn’t want to send us something that we already have in plenty.

Another surprise pointed out by PSF is the interruption of schedules. We should not be so rigid with our routines. PSF points out that if the disciples were not willing to stop and talk to this man on their way to the temple, they would have missed the miracle that God had placed along their way. In a similar way, the lame man probably had his routine which to his surprise was interrupted by God. He was used to either being given money or being ridiculed and or ignored, but on this special day, God decided to give him something he had never thought would be possible. PSF also points out that if this man insisted on only getting money, he would have missed out on something greater. This brings us to the next surprise, this is the surprise of miracles. Pastor Steven encourages us saying, “you are not stuck with what you’re born as, Jesus is bigger than your genetics.” He acknowledges how hard it becomes to expect surprises when we get older but encourages us to always be expectant of more from God. It is also interesting that he pointed that the people at the temple were in shock to see the man walking (like seriously!). What then do we go to church to do if not to receive God’s miracles.

Furthermore, PSF notes that these surprises can come in our marriages, in our churches, in our habits, even in the word of God (the Bible). He believes that it is always good for us to be open to the possibility of change so that we do not miss out on what God is showing us. For instance, he points out how relationships evolve and that we shouldn’t expect people to stay the same. “Life will surprise you, people will sure enough surprise you,” he says, in a negative or positive way. Therefore, he warns us to not be know it all(s). We shouldn’t limit other people’s growth, or our own personal growth. It is possible for you to change that habit, for your partner to become a better person, for your needs to be met even when you don’t see how. All you have to do is to be open, “the real challenge of faith is not to be more certain, but it’s to stay surprisable” he adds. We cannot put God in a box especially when he has a history of pulling off the most ridiculous surprises. Remember the Israelites walking through dry ground in the middle of the Red Sea and the Jordan? well who could have imagined that!

“What you are surprised by tells me a lot about what you assumed” says PSF. He asks us if our assumptions of God are what are limiting his surprises in our lives. Do you assume that you are a terrible person and will never change? what are your assumptions about your character, your traits, your relationships, your capabilities? PSF says, “you don’t know your own strength, because you always stop at your weaknesses.” Think about it, are you only focusing on the negative parts of your life or are you willing to expect change? It is obvious that when we expect positive change (this is faith), we often find ourselves with positive results. Therefore, change your perspective of life and start to believe that chains can be broken, that you can get that degree you have always wanted, that you can get that job that you have dreamed of, that you are going to stop that habit that you hate about yourself, that your marriage is going to change for the better, etc. God can do it all, you just have to do your part and accept the miracle. To do this you have to trust his process, not yours. PSF says, “we want God to change staff without changing us” this makes so much sense because if you think about it, for Peter to be the bold man in faith that he turned out to be, God had to expose some dark parts in his life which Peter had to deal with. Peter struggled with unbelief which led him to deny Jesus, but the process Jesus took him through turned him into a better man who was perfect to perform the first miracle after Jesus left (not spiritually, of course He is always with us). Peter’s boldness was sometimes a weakness but this time God used it for good. In a similar way, you cannot expect God to give you that job with that terrible attitude, or for him to change your marriage without shifting some things in your life. Accept the challenge and ask God to surprise you with a better attitude. PSF says, “you’ve got to surprise yourself.” Therefore, I say, step out into the unknown and do things that challenge your way of thinking. Talk to people who are different from you, you may learn something that changes your life. PSF also says, “don’t confine people to who they are now, expect them to change.” While you are at it, do not forget to also allow other people to make mistakes, to doubt, because you started out like that as well (low key, this is the hardest thing to remember as a Christian, I sometimes forget where God has brought me from). PSF illustrates this using the sermon and points out that Peter asking the people why they were surprised at the healing of the man indicated that he had forgotten his previous experiences with Jesus where he didn’t believe.

In addition, PSF asks us to “get into the bible with fresh eyes” this means that we shouldn’t read the bible with a feeling that we know it all, God may be speaking to us in different ways using a scripture we have read over and over. I personally have never seen this scripture in this way and yet I have read it a couple of times. He further encourages us to remember to see everyday and everything good in our lives as a blessing. He explains that people often forget how it was when they depended on God for even the least things in their lives. Someone out there is thankful to even take a breath, or to walk, or eat at least one meal a day and yet because we have all these things in plenty, we stop thanking God. He says, “when you have always had provision, you stop being surprised.” He believes that God wants to strategically surprise us, he is so calculative. All things for the glory of God.

Lastly, PSF tells us that we need to keep screaming at the devil, SURPRISE! The devil will tell you that you will not live, you will not get better, you will not make it, you will always struggle. Yes you may be struggling with many things right now but if this scripture teaches you one thing, let it be that all this will come to an end one day. There is a song that goes like this “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” Remember we talked about Joseph telling his brothers that what they meant for evil, God used it for good? Well tell that to your naysayers, to the devil. PSF says, “don’t be surprised when you struggle, don’t let your struggle stop you from accessing your strength.” Fight with all you’ve got. Don’t let the circumstances deceive you, a surprise is coming your way, be open to it. Peter later on wrote in 1 Peter 4: 12-13, “dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” You have to remember that it took Peter a while to get here, God had to first remove some things from his life. Just keep the faith and fight those demons with God, that is what I have decided to do.

I will not lie, I struggle with letting people surprise me. I always want to be in control of every little detail. Yes, this is exhausting and I am working on it. See my assumption is that the people in my life will not do what I want, the way I want it, so I end up missing out on surprises because of this (and complaining because I am not being surprised). I think this is something that can affect our faith. If you are a control freak like me, you may find yourself helping God with his plans for your life. What I am learning is that God will let you struggle and toil until you are tired of doing things your way and until you acknowledge that He already has it all figured out. Allow him to plan your life, do not be so traditional, do not be so rigid. If God brings someone your way that is different from you, even in a negative way, be open to learning from that encounter, terrible people can also change your life positively. It is your perspective that needs to change. Stop judging people and limiting them to who you think they should be, mind your business and focus on becoming a better Christian, we are all sinners. Alternatively, be kind and help them in a godly way. You will be surprised how people can easily change if you change your approach towards them. Jesus spoke to many sinners and He did it in the most humble way, he didn’t come at them with condemnation, let us try to emulate him. I have decided to make this my mission. I say this because I am signing a social contract with you. If you know me personally, I beg you to call me out when I do the opposite, thank you!

Thus said, I pray that God may open your mind to the possibilities of his endless blessings and surprises, that you may remain aware of his beautiful plan for your life. May you remain strong in your weaknesses and be bold when the devil tries to steal your joy. Amen!

With love and prayers,

Resty Kansiime

Here is today’s sermon from PSF Surprise! | Pastor Steven Furtick | Elevation Church – YouTube