Stepping Into Your Future

Ps David Jones

Sunday Morning’s message 20th of July 2025

citywestchurch YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x3Xfe2naew

1 Samuel 14:1-14 "¹ One day Jonathan son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father. ² Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, ³ among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod’s brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the Lord’s priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. ⁴ On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez and the other Seneh. ⁵ One cliff stood to the north toward Mikmash, the other to the south toward Geba. ⁶ Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” ⁷ “Do all that you have in mind,” his armor-bearer said. “Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” ⁸ Jonathan said, “Come on, then; we will cross over toward them and let them see us. ⁹ If they say to us, ‘Wait there until we come to you,’ we will stay where we are and not go up to them. ¹⁰ But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ we will climb up, because that will be our sign that the Lord has given them into our hands.” ¹¹ So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.” ¹² The men of the outpost shouted to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come up to us and we’ll teach you a lesson.” So Jonathan said to his armor-bearer, “Climb up after me; the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel.” ¹³ Jonathan climbed up, using his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer right behind him. The Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and killed behind him. ¹⁴ In that first attack Jonathan and his armor-bearer killed some twenty men in an area of about half an acre."

God Has a Future for You

Jonathan’s story begins with heartbreak—seeing his homeland occupied by the enemy. The Philistines had set up an outpost in Israel’s territory, and Jonathan couldn’t accept it. He knew God had greater things in store for His people. Like Jonathan, we are often faced with the uncomfortable reality that the enemy is trying to stake a claim in areas that rightfully belong to God: our families, our hearts, our churches. We need to respond with holy dissatisfaction and faith, just like Jonathan did, trusting that “nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” (1 Sam 14:6)

Discuss:

• What promises of God encourage you to believe for more?

• How can we move from heartbreak into action, like Jonathan did?

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Have Faith

Matthew 14:28-31 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”"

Peter stepping out of the boat is often remembered for the moment he sank—but the real miracle is that he walked on water at all! His obedience to Jesus’ call got him closer to the Saviour. Peter didn't really fail because he reached out to grab onto Jesus, each time Peter appeared to fail God used the moment to bring him closer in relationship. Like Jonathan, who stepped out with a bold “perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf,” Peter dared to move in faith. Risk is a part of faith. Obedience doesn’t always look like success to the world, but to God it’s the pathway to fruitfulness. If we don’t fail occasionally, we’re likely not risking enough.

Discuss:

• How does Peter’s “failure” actually show us a picture of faith?

• When have you stepped out in obedience and seen God move?

  
  

Obedience Changes the Story

1 Samuel 14:11-13 "So both of them showed themselves to the Philistine outpost. “Look!” said the Philistines. “The Hebrews are crawling out of the holes they were hiding in.”

Obedience is what changed the narrative for Israel. Jonathan and his armour-bearer stepped out of hiding, faced the enemy, and routed them. The courage to move in faith and obedience shifted history. Too many believers today are hiding in “man-made holes”—wounded, hesitant, or afraid. But when we step out again, we reclaim what the enemy tried to occupy. Jonathan and his unnamed armour-bearer changed the story. What might God change through your obedience?

Discuss:

• What might obedience look like in your current season?

• How can we support each other in stepping back out?

  
  

Better Together

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Jonathan didn’t act alone—his armour-bearer was with him. This trusted companion stood behind him, literally covering his back. In the same way, we need one another. Obedience and faith are never meant to be solo journeys. God designed us for community: for encouragement, accountability, courage, and comfort. Together, we can step into all God has for us. Alone, we might hesitate—but better together, we move forward in strength.

Discuss:

• Who are your “armour-bearers” in life and faith?

• How can you be an armour-bearer for someone else this week?

• What does true biblical community look like to you?

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Final Encouragement

God has a future for you—and it requires faith, obedience, courage, and community. Like Jonathan, we must be willing to climb, fight, and believe that the Lord can save. Like Peter, we must dare to step out even if we sometimes sink. And like the early church, we must gather together, stirring one another to good works. Step out. Step up. Step into your future—God is with you.

Challenge Question:

• What is one specific area where God is calling you to step into your future this week?