Friday, December 23, 2016

ACTS : week 6

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

A RECIPE FOR A ROCKING CHURCH

Acts 2:42

These who have turned the world upside down, have come here also.

These who bring the message of Christ have turned the world upside down.
We know their humble beginnings.

Their church started out simple.
75-120 people and jumped to over 3,000.

It was simply the Word of God that pierced hearts and caused people to seek the Lord.

It is critical to take care of the "spiritual infant." [new believers]

Establishing good roots so you can grow & produce an abundant harvest.

Showing people how to walk in Christ.

If we want to have a church that connects and is on track, there are certain things we need to put in place.

It's easy to slip into a spiritual cruise control.

In Revelation God says return to your first days as a Christian.

Four things that make the recipe of evangelism :
1. The apostles doctrine
2. Fellowship
3. Breaking of Bread
4. Prayer

You want to see the new believer cultivate a hunger for the word of God.

Seven days outside the word of God makes one weak.

Psalm 19:7-13
"David thinks God's Word is neat."

Four Things That Are Wonderful In God's Word
1. Practical
It gives direction & is simple.
2. Personal
It's God's love letter to us.
3. Prophetic
Speaks the future.
4. Powerful
When we feed on it, we become more powerful.
We grow stronger against the enemies attacks.

It's essential to have unity.
We need the body of Christ.

Breaking of bread isn't just talking about communion.
They used to have the equivalent of potlucks and then at the end of the love feast you would remember what Christ has done and you would break bread and drink wine.

Taking communion sort of resets our priorities.

Put on the armor of God, and then the secret weapon is prayer.

Pray without ceasing.
Having a consciousness of God.
Always aware of Him and shooting up small text message prayers.

Make sure your prayers are not "gimme, gimme, gimme."

A - adoration
C - confession
T - thanksgiving
S - supplication

Warren Wiersbe

Fear of the Lord is more fear of displeasing Him or making Him sad.

God isn't screaming at us...he is guiding, comforting, gracious, kind.
We just don't want to disappoint Him.


ACTS : week 5

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

THE CHURCH'S BIRTHDAY
Acts 2:22

Looking at the beginning of Acts it's an exciting time. The birth of the church!

The first sermon of church history.

Peter

God uses people with issues...there is hope for you.

Jesus of Nazareth is the subject of his sermon.
Simplicity & his subject.
Jesus is center stage.

God chose to bring Jesus from an unlikely beginning.

Peter gives a shoutout from David.

We need to adapt to our audience.
Relate on their terms.
Get on their level.
Get into their heads.

The church often thinks 'they need to come to us' but we need to go to them!

If we don't evangelize, we'll fossilize.

With God, all things are possible.

There are things that are looming that seem impossible.
Getting out of debt, sharing your faith, kicking a bad habit, etc.

Through the Holy Spirit's power, you can supernaturally have victory in what seems to be doomed circumstances.

Peter used the Word of God and it cut their heart.

Repent.

ACTS : week 4

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

A CONTROLLED BURN

Acts 2

The Holy Spirit is now going to show up in a full way.
The Holy Spirit has been compared to fire a number of times :
- in the burning bush
- fire down from Heaven
- led the children through the desert with a pillar of fire

People when mentioning The Spirit either eye-rolling or hand-rubbing.
Don't want anything "wacky" to start taking place.
So ready to start swinging from chandeliers - falling - barking

Finding the balance :
open our hearts and hands to allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and lives.

His ways are above our ways.
He wants to take control of our lives.
He will have His way.

1. THE DELIVERY OF THE SPIRIT
Suddenly a sound from Heaven - as a rushing, mighty wind.
The birth of the first church.

Passover
Feast of Firstfruits
Pentecost - 50 days

A. Obedience
God always keeps His promises.

We should keep up our end of our deals.

2 Peter 1:5
Bearing fruit for the Lord

B. They had Unity
The were in one accord.

Body Identity Integrity Disorder - you want to hurt your own limbs

Spiritually the church "shoots our wounded instead of helping them heal.
Jesus will know us by the love we have for one another.

C. Receptivity
Willing to receive with open hands.

There are radio waves constantly going, but you're not going to hear what it's putting out unless you are TUNED IN! Tune out the static.

Is your life characterized by the Holy Spirit?
Is Jesus glorified in your home?

2. THE DEMONSTRATION
They began to speak in other tongues.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:29
Are we all the same?
No.

We all have a diversity of gifts.
Gifts may manifest themselves for a season, and then might not ever happen again.
Pray for a gift you don't have.

Speaking in tongues is meant for speaking to God & not to men.
Prayer or praise.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40
Never supposed to be out of control.

The Spirit groaning in you that cannot be uttered.
Groaning to God in prayer.

There were mockers.

Anytime we step out and allow God to work in our lives we should anticipate the mockers.

3. THE DEFENSE

Paul stands up and says, "men of Judea - listen to me and I'll tell you what this means."
There was confusion about the church & Jesus. 

Urban legend - folklore, often thought to be true by those who spread it.

We're trying to straighten out Christian urban legends.

Busting the myths & misconceptions.

Paul in Ephesians 6:19
Make known the mystery of the Gospel.

Christian evangelism - you're solving the mysteries for them.

The Bible has everything to do with your current life. The guidebook that is relevant throughout every generation.


Vs 21 it shall come to pass that whomever shall call upon the Lord will be saved.

There is nothing stopping us from delivering the good news.
The only thing stopping us is our pride or laziness.





ACTS : week 3

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Floating, Exploding & Voting

Acts 1:9

Jesus had just given the promise that the Holy Spirit would come.
You will be my witnesses.
You don't need to know the time of My return.

When Jesus spoke "these things" He was taken up to Heaven...

1. Jesus in gravity.
Jesus was standing on the Mount of Olives - 400ft tall

God seated & in-control.

Acts 7:55 Stephen was the first martyr and Jesus chose to stand.

When a saint is received into Heaven God chooses to stand - the ultimate gentleman.

Why did Jesus leave?
A. His mission was accomplished.
B. The Helper would come - the Holy Spirit
C. He went to make intercession for us.  He's praying for us!

2. Angels & Prophecy
"Straining their eyes" to get one last glimpse of Jesus.
They saw Jesus perform so many miracles and yet they were awestruck at the sight of Him ascending to Heaven.

The two angels were inspiring them to get to work and live for Jesus' return.

Jesus is the same
He will come again
He will come again in like manner

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus is the same yesterday, today & tomorrow.
Grace & Judgement

3. The Disciples & Unity
You can't be a solo, lone-ranger Christian.
Jesus taught the disciples to pray.
It's the only thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to do.

We hate silence or dead air.

Taking time to talk to God keeps you close to the Father
1. Prayer is not optional - it is vital.
2. We all can stand to grow in our prayer lives.
3. Conversation - we should also listen.
4. Prayer is not just for ourselves - it's for others.
5. Not for getting what we want done in Heaven, but praying His will for earth.
6. Prayer can happen any time, any where.
7. We can pray God's word back to Him.

4. Judas & Iniquity
Psalm 41:9 it was prophesied
Luke : the doctor : gave vivid description of what happened to Judas.
*this is the exploding part of the title*
Judas hung himself.
Judas never imagined that that one sin would have ended his life this way.
We don't consider the end result of a seemingly "small" sin.

Psalm 109:8 They would need to fill Judas' place
They formed a committee and voted on who would fulfill his place.

They said, God show us which of these two men you want us to replace Judas.

Is there a Mathias that you're keeping in your life, that you need to see that God has a Paul for you instead.
Praying I'll go anywhere for you God as long as it's one of these two places.
I'll take any position of work as long as it's one of these two jobs.

How did a one-time disciple [Judas] end up so badly?
Small compromises.






Saturday, December 10, 2016

Blood & Thunder : Week 4

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

How to have the spirit of giving...

THUNDERSTRUCK

Definition : to be so astonished that you're rendered speechless!
Astonished : in Latin - to be struck by thunder

John 12
A perfect illustration so overcome by the Power that was happening.

Are you welcoming and inviting Jesus in?
Wherever He feels welcome, He shows up.

When God touches your life the only right reaction is to extravagantly do something in response.

Your worship is revelation of what God has done for you!

Mary of Bethany - 3 appearances - every one she's at the feet of Jesus.
*I want to be more like Mary!*

Mary was so wise because she didn't just say thank you, she showed her appreciation.

Where your treasure is, there your heart is.

The Good Samaritan

“No-one would remember the Good Samaritan if he'd only had good intentions; he had money as well.” Margaret Thatcher


Mark 14:8

1. She gave what SHE could.

God wants you to be blessed so you can be a blessing.

The key isn't equal sized giving, it's equal sized sacrifice!

2. She gave while she could.

What He had done.
What He would do.

When it's personal your giving grows.

This was her moment, her window.
This was her opportunity to thank Jesus.
Had she snoozed, she would have losed.

When God saw lavish giving he asked Solomon, "what do you want?"

A. She got to be included in a story bigger than just her life.
Mathew 26:13
B. She actually got back the same thing she gave.
She poured out her perfume and then wiped His feet with her hair. She got to keep what she gave.
Luke 6:38
C. She got to walk away with a new memory as well.
Smells are connected to memories. 
Now every time she smelt that perfume she would remember that moment.
The potential is for God to rewrite horrible memories in your life.

Luke 7:38
God can write over old memories with new ones!

Blood & Thunder : Week 3

GUEST SPEAKER : Darren Kitto

WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING BUT WE MUST DO SOMETHING!!

Have the spirit to pay for what you pray for.


Ever felt out of your depths? Over your head?

Luke 10:25
Story of the Good Samaritan

Allow your heart of compassion to flow even when you've had a jaded experience.

We often rush in order to wait...quit doing that.
Allow "inconveniences" to happen.
Open yourself up to stopping & helping & doing something.

*Doing something even if it means getting dirty.

Can't wait for something to fall into our laps.
"He bandaged his wounds."
A naked guy, covered in blood - first inclination is not to help him.
Helping people beyond just monetary gifts.

James 2:14-19

1 John 3:18

*Sometimes doing something means personally sacrificing.

Not equal giving, but equal sacrifice!

*Doing something isn't just a feel-good action it's a future minded help.
Sowing into the future.
Take more ground.
Thinking forward with our finances & resources.

We have an opportunity to leave a legacy.

Sow in faith.
Lay a foundation.

*Doing something is never for the 'thank you', show or accolades.

We need to become those who CAN.



Blood & Thunder : Week 2

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

FIRST BLOOD

Proverbs 3: 9-10

Honor God in everything you own, give him your FIRSTFRUITS!!

1. GIVING IS A RESPONSE
We begin with knowing that God is the ultimate sacrifice.
God is the reason we give.
God gave first blood.
God gave us everything.

Tithing
Abraham gave God the first & best.

I *GET* to tithe.
A cheerful heart of giving God the first & best.

"You'll never come in 2nd by putting God first." Brian Houston

2. REWARD OF GIVING
What do we receive when we give?
The law of sowing & reaping .

A farmer puts seeds into the ground that produces trees, that produce fruit, that produce seeds and so on...
A farmer gets back not what he plants but more than what he plants.

Tithing unlocks God's blessing!

Malachi 3:8
You've robbed me because you're not letting me bless you the way I want to.
He's not sad that He has less, He's sad that WE have less!

The more you give, the more you receive!

Mathew 6:33
Proverbs 3:10

3. REACH OF GIVING
As you give you start to sense, God is using you to reach more people.
It takes place when we use what we're giving and together can do more, and make a huge impact.

Doing things together often has greater impact than doing it by yourself.
Great strength in unity!

Our reach gets longer.

Get in a regular rhythm of giving!!

Friday, December 2, 2016

ACTS : week 2

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Don't Leave Home Without It

Acts 1:1 -8
Even the best plans can go awry
unforeseen variables can exist

The strength comes from the struggle.
As we struggle, we grow.
We avoid failure at all costs.
Failure can be a good thing.

Jesus is preparing these disciples...
3 areas for the apostles to be knowledgeable in :
1. understand the proof of the Son
2. the promise of the Father
3. power of the holy Spirit

People believe God was a historical figure but they'll use a lot of theories to explain away the resurrection.
1. Fabrication - blatantly lied
2. Dreamed the resurrection up
3. Misdirection - the woman went to the wrong tomb
4. Jesus didn't die all the way...

God had predicted His death and resurrection.

Vs 4 : Proof of the Son / Promise of the Father
It's important to use the correct tools to finish a job.


It's possible to miss out on the benefits of the relationship with the Holy Spirit.
"ignore your teeth and they'll go away"
"ignore the Spirit and He'll go away"

How much room are you making in your life for God to move?

Full hands can't receive a gift.

Phase 3 : the plan of the Spirit
it's not for you to know times or seasons...just get busy


ACTS : week 1

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church
What We Should Know Before We Go :

Acts is :
The history of the Christian Church.
Has been referred to as the 5th gospel.
Happened just as Jesus "disappeared" - ascended into heaven.

Judas committed suicide so now there are only 11 disciples.
They have taken on the task of spreading the gospel around the world.

From Jerusalem to Rome, Italy.

The Author//
God - God breathed the book of Acts
We believe Luke penned this.


His Aim//
LUKE : To record everything Jesus said and did physically on the earth
ACTS : To record everything Jesus continued to do spiritually

His Approach//
The path he took to land where he wanted to land.
There is a possibility there is a mistake in this book.
The Holy Spirit is responsible for everything
Vs 8
Jerusalem Chapters 1-8:3
Judeah & Samaria Chapters 8:4-12:25
All the ends of the earth Chapters13:1-28:31

Paul gets to Rome and there's no ending. No good-bye, no formal end.


1. Through it we can see how anyone can be saved.
2. We see how God can use hardships to further His plan.
3. We'll see how God can use humble means, simple people
4. Our role in the continuing saga as the acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles - it's still ongoing
Still building the church.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Blood & Thunder : Week 1

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Bleed For This
Esther 4:8-17

Thunder is attributed to the hand of God.
-Revelation 4:5
Blood stands for life.
-Philippians 2:17

***The responsibility of the reached is to reach!
We aren't called to simply hold ground, but to double down and take some ground.***

1. Don't pray for what you won't pay for!

2. What has come to you is meant to flow through you!
"Any blessing has the potential to turn into an idol."
"God can bring good out of good!"

3. If you don't feel scared you're not doing it right!
"If I perish, I perish." Esther

4. When you are willing to risk, you open yourself up for reward!
God will get it done, but will you allow Him to work through you?

Esther 5:1-3
on the THIRD day
Luke 12:32 Luke 9:24

Friday, October 21, 2016

In Other Words

Preached by Levi Lusko

Luke 9:44-56

Let "these words" sink into your ears.
The Gospel.

1. Self-Exaltation
The Gospel is the ultimate humiliation.
They were living in the opposite way of the Gospel.

Grace to the humble.

A few paragraphs ahead "The Mount of Transfiguration."
Friction comes when we think God's giving 'them' something bigger or better.

We have all been called to be faithful.

Never more susceptible to pride than after a huge success.

2. Division
As long as we have the same core beliefs we should know we're all working toward the same goal. Quit splitting hairs over inconsequential things.
Preaching the gospel with the wrong motive.
Philippians 1:8

3. Retribution
a.k.a. getting even

Your words are of the wrong spirit.
The Son of Man did not come to destroy.

God didn't give us our power to torch people, but to touch people!!!

Acts 8:25
Get yourself a piece of humble pie.

The goal isn't getting even, it's getting people to Heaven!!!

Start giving out the Grace that you've been given!

How?
Set your face.
Come hell or high water - you're set!

SMILE MORE OFTEN!!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Honey I Shrunk The Church

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church


WEEK 1

Growth
Small in size but exceedingly wise
Get big by thinking small
Giant things we can learn from the little stuff.

Proverbs 30:24

You shouldn't sweat the small stuff...there is some good to that, but the small stuff matters.
Sophisticated sweat glands. 
When is it time to pay attention.
Crappy trees lead to crappy forests.
Take care of the quality of your minutes, hours, etc.
**Small tactical activity can lead to enormous breakthrough victory!**

Look to the world of critters :: exceedingly wiser = wiser than the wisest.

'Tis the Season
Becoming Ant Man

Ants
Very strong.
1.5 million ants per person
They understand the power of cooperation
They mark their trail with smell
They have ways to tell the queen what ants she needs to produce.

Ants lean into their season.
They are powerful because they know this.
Ants prepare food in summer.
Knowing there are certain things you need to do in "summer" so when it's not summer you can reap the benefit of what you did. 
Proverbs 6 Solomon : go to the ant you sluggard!

Ants have two stomachs : they have social stomachs!
When you see them "kissing" they're actually sharing food. 
Maybe what you hear in church or read isn't even for you...maybe it's being stored for you to share later!!


1. Understand Seasons
Unavoidable & somewhat predictable.
Genesis 8:22
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Seasons all serve a purpose.

2. Diagnose your seasons
So much of our frustration is miss-diagnosing our season.
Insanity is trying the same thing over & over and expecting the same results. 
Being your best when you're needed the most.
People don't care how much you know until you show them how much you care.
Sometimes seasons drag on.
Not every season did God put on you.
God will be with you in all those seasons.
Good news is, no season lasts forever.
Beware of rushing.
Once you're over that season you can't get it back. Seasons are like snowflakes; similar, but not the same. 
Seasonal dissatisfaction disorder. 
***All you see is the upside, not the upkeep**
Resenting transition.
If you get a blessing before its time it will never feel like a blessing, it will always feel like a burden. Steven Furtick pointed to the prodigal son...quarter life crisis. 
***ENJOY THE JOURNEY***

3. Prepare for coming seasons
Anticipate what's coming.
Prepare for but don't worry about.
What do you want your death bed to look like?
Reverse engineer your life for the death bed you want.
We assume when it's good, it is always going to be good.
Make wise investments...not just in earth but in Heaven too.
Luke 16:9

4. Celebrate Your Season
There's beauty in your season.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
There will be seasons that don't seem pleasant. 
Don't grow weary. 
Galatians 6:9
Take nothing for granted.
God is near the broken-hearted.
I have learned...Philippians 4:13

Easter Service 2016

Levi Lusko - Fresh Life Church

Matthew 6:13
To Infinity & Beyond
King Me

Doxology - a declaration of praise

The words are from David 1 Chronicles 29 & Revelation 5:13

Ultimate & Immediate
A
1. What is God doing?
Vs 13 Yours is the Kingdom
Kingdom, Kingdom, Kingdom
John 18:36 my kingdom is not of this world.
Under NEW MANAGEMENT
RETURN OF THE KING
Jesus came as a lamb
Love held Him on the cross.
Revelation 19:16
He is coming back as a LION
Revelation 11:15
God is building His Kingdom
Luke 17:21 The Kingdom is in me.
Embassy of the Kingdom...alien to earth.


2. How will He do it?
Matthew 6:13
He has the Power
A promise is only as good as the one who is making it.
Jeremiah 32:37
Romans 8:11 Your own personal Easter is coming!
Peacock has been the symbol of Christ's resurrection...tail feathers in dirt and then rise.
1 Corinthians 15:42-43
I have access to the same power that is the Holy Spirit!
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!

3. What does that unleash?
Glory
We were created for a person : Jesus and a place : Heaven.
We are separated from our source of Life...Habakkuk :: Hug It Out
Habbukkuk 2:14
Paul :: went to Heaven and said he couldn't even describe it. It's far better than being here. I would love to go back.
Heart is in Heaven but hands are "busy" here on earth.
Immediate : separated from Heaven, but we've been given steps to feel small doses of it.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Dark and dangerous waters we're wading through, but all for the Glory of God!
Grow and Glow for a world that needs to Go!

4. How long will it last?
FOREVER
On into the ages...
Immediate application : we should not stress out over every trial or affliction we deal with in our earthly life. Anything we suffer is a hiccup on our path to eternity.

*******He's working on turning your mess into a message*******