When the Pressure is On with David Moore | 10.19.2025

Today, the invitation is to come boldly into God’s presence, no matter the burdens or pain carried for years. There is no need to be afraid or to believe the lie that you must have it all together before approaching Him. God’s heart is open, and He calls each one to draw near, to release the weight that has been too heavy to bear alone. The past, with all its failures, regrets, and wounds, does not have to define the future. Instead, the call is to let go of what is behind and fasten your heart to what lies ahead, just as Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14. The focus is not on personal strength or ability, but on the strength and anointing of Jesus Christ, who empowers us to press forward.

Life brings pressure—sometimes crushing, sometimes relentless. But pressure is not a sign of defeat; it is often the evidence that destiny is near. Just as diamonds are formed under pressure, so too are God’s people shaped and refined in seasons of trial. The challenge is not to crumble under the weight, but to stand and press on, assuming the position and authority given in Christ. This is not a passive stance, but an act of spiritual warfare: refusing to retreat, refusing to compromise, and standing firm in the identity Christ has given.

Standing and pressing forward is not something to do alone. The body of Christ is essential—each person is vital, each prayer matters, and each act of encouragement strengthens the whole. There is a call to strip off pride, jealousy, and isolation, and to stand together, supporting one another in the journey. When the pressure mounts, the choice is personal: will you crumble, or will you press? With Christ’s strength and the support of His people, it is possible to move forward, to become who God has called you to be, and to experience the beauty that comes from enduring and overcoming.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Draw Near Without Fear God’s invitation is to come as you are, without fear or shame, and to release every burden into His hands. The lie that you must be perfect or have it all figured out before approaching Him is a barrier that needs to be broken. God’s heart is open, and He desires to meet you in your pain and transform it into hope. Let go of preconceived ideas and allow God to take you to the next level in Him. [78:17]
• 2. Let Go of the Past and Fasten to the Future Paul’s example in Philippians is a call to forget what is behind and to fasten your heart to what lies ahead. The past—no matter how painful or disappointing—does not have the power to dictate your destiny unless you allow it. Fix your focus on the heavenly goal, and let the anointing of Jesus empower you to run your race with purpose. The future in Christ is greater than any failure behind you. [81:35]
• 3. Pressure Is Proof of Purpose, Not Defeat Seasons of pressure are not evidence of God’s absence or your failure, but often the sign that you are close to breakthrough. Just as diamonds are formed under intense pressure, God uses these moments to refine and reveal the beauty He has placed within you. Do not let the pressure define you; instead, let it drive you deeper into Christ, who gives strength to endure and overcome. [96:52]
• 4. Standing Is an Act of War Rooted in Identity To stand in Christ is not passive resignation, but a declaration of spiritual warfare. It is assuming your position and authority as a child of God, refusing to retreat or compromise. Your identity in Christ is the foundation for this stand—knowing you are more than a conqueror enables you to face every battle head-on, clothed in the armor of God. [111:35]
• 5. We Need Each Other to Press Forward The journey of faith is not meant to be walked alone. Every member of the body of Christ is vital, and mutual encouragement, prayer, and support are essential for pressing through seasons of pressure. Strip off pride and isolation, and stand together—your presence, prayers, and partnership matter more than you know. [106:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [77:56] - Blessed and Happy in God’s Presence
• [78:17] - God’s Invitation: Release Your Burdens
• [79:43] - Drawing Near and Letting Go of Preconceptions
• [80:59] - Philippians 3: Forgetting the Past, Focusing Forward
• [81:48] - The Strength to Press On Comes from Jesus
• [83:14] - Wrestling with Feelings of Unworthiness
• [84:11] - Pressing On When the Pressure Is On
• [85:29] - Identifying What Holds Us Back
• [88:01] - Putting on the Whole Armor of God
• [89:36] - Assuming Your Position in Christ
• [91:26] - Moving to the Next Level in Christ
• [93:15] - Pressing Toward the Mark
• [96:52] - Pressure Produces Diamonds
• [101:19] - The Pressure Cooker Analogy
• [104:29] - Standing Firm: When You’ve Done All
• [106:29] - Standing Together as the Body
• [110:20] - Standing as Spiritual Warfare
• [111:35] - Standing Rooted in Identity
• [113:47] - Every Person Is Vital
• [114:24] - Praying for Healing and Leaders
• [116:57] - Invitation for Prayer and Ministry

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV) — > Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 6:13-14 (ESV) — > Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.

Romans 8:37 (ESV) — > No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Observation Questions

1. In Philippians 3:13-14, what does Paul say he does with his past, and what is his focus for the future?
2. According to Ephesians 6:13-14, what are believers instructed to do when they have done everything they know to do? What does “stand” mean in this context? [01:44:29]
3. In the sermon, what analogy is used to describe how God uses pressure in our lives? [01:36:52]
4. What does Romans 8:37 say about our identity in Christ, and how does the sermon connect this to standing firm? [01:51:35]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul emphasize “forgetting what lies behind” in Philippians 3:13-14? How might holding onto the past keep someone from moving forward in their faith?
2. The sermon says, “Pressure is the proof that destiny is near. Diamonds are formed under pressure.” How does this perspective change the way someone might view difficult seasons in life? [01:36:52]
3. The pastor said, “Standing is not passive. It is an act of war. Standing is saying, devil, I will not retreat. I will not compromise.” What does it look like for a believer to “stand” as an act of spiritual warfare? [01:50:20]
4. The message highlights the importance of the body of Christ, saying, “We need you. You are vital to this body.” Why is it important to stand together, and what are the dangers of trying to press forward alone? [01:46:29]

Application Questions

1. The sermon invites us to “come boldly into God’s presence, no matter the burdens or pain carried for years.” Is there a specific burden or pain you have been carrying that you need to release to God? What is holding you back from bringing it to Him honestly? [01:18:17]
2. Paul’s example is to “forget what is behind and fasten your heart to what lies ahead.” Is there something from your past—failure, regret, or wound—that you sense is still defining you? What would it look like to let go of it this week? [01:21:35]
3. The sermon says, “Pressure is not a sign of defeat; it is often the evidence that destiny is near.” Think of a current pressure or challenge in your life. How might God be using it to shape you? How can you respond differently in light of this truth? [01:36:52]
4. The pastor challenged the church to “stand and press on, assuming the position and authority given in Christ.” Are there areas in your life where you have been tempted to retreat or compromise? What would it look like to stand firm in your identity as a child of God? [01:51:35]
5. The message says, “Standing and pressing forward is not something to do alone.” Who in your life do you need to reach out to for support, prayer, or encouragement? Is there someone you can encourage this week who might be under pressure? [01:46:29]
6. The sermon calls us to “strip off pride, jealousy, and isolation, and to stand together.” Are there attitudes or habits (like pride or isolation) that are keeping you from deeper connection with others in the body of Christ? What step can you take to break down those barriers? [01:47:47]
7. When the pressure mounts, the choice is personal: “Will you crumble, or will you press?” What practical step can you take this week to press forward in faith, even if it’s just a small one? [01:40:05]