Podcast Summary: Fresh Life Church – “Life at the Pace of the Holy Spirit”

Podcast: Fresh Life Church
Host: Pastor Levi Lusko
Episode: Life at the Pace of the Holy Spirit
Date: September 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this sermon from Fresh Life Church, Pastor Levi Lusko dives into 1 John 3, exploring the spiritual realities of living “at the pace of the Holy Spirit.” He unpacks what true salvation looks like, how it expresses itself in Christian community, and how the Holy Spirit transforms an individual’s life. The teaching emphasizes discernment between true and counterfeit faith, the communal nature of Christianity, and practical signs of spiritual life aligned with the Spirit’s movement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grounding Truth in a Confusing World

• Theme: The Book of 1 John acts as “spiritual grounding” (00:35), helping believers discern what is real versus artificial—not only in media but within faith itself.
• Main Point: Salvation isn’t about appearances. “Not everyone who seems to be saved is actually saved... you are either a child of God or a child of the devil. There’s no Switzerland.” (01:00-02:00)
• Discernment: Jesus and John teach that there are only two spiritual conditions: saved or unsaved—with no neutral ground.

2. Evidence of Spiritual Life: There Will Be Signs

• Using a lottery analogy, Levi illustrates: when transformation has occurred, it will show.

  • Quote: “If the Holy Spirit of God... takes up residence inside of your heart, there will be signs. You can't say God changed your life if your life doesn't change.” (08:27)

• Incremental Change: Transformation may be gradual ("fits and starts"), but over time, love and light will become visible in a believer’s life.

3. Marks of Life at the Pace of the Holy Spirit

Pastor Levi outlines several “signs” that accompany genuine faith:

A. Huge Family: Love for the People of God

Timestamps: [23:30–34:00]

• Spiritual rebirth brings an instinctive love for fellow believers (“the brethren”).
  • Scripture Reference: “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14)
• The Christian life is both personal and corporate: "You can come to Christ for yourself, but you cannot walk with Christ by yourself.” (28:00)
• Cautions against isolating from the body, referencing Gnostic secessionists as a warning.

B. Thick Skin: Expecting Difficulty and Persecution

Timestamps: [46:30–55:00]

• Following Christ brings opposition. “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13)
• Encouragement: “You are indestructible in the will of God... If He lets it come your way, learn from it.” (53:30)
• Uses the story of Cain and Abel, and Joseph, to illustrate how suffering is often evidence of godly living.

C. Open Hands: Life of Generosity

Timestamps: [55:00–1:03:00]

• Real faith is visible in financial and practical generosity.
  • Quote: “Money flies to whatever you’re passionate about. So tell me how you could love Jesus but get real angry every time someone talks about giving in church?” (1:00:45)
• Raises the difference between Cain and Abel: Abel gave his first and best in faith, while Cain gave secondarily.

D. Tender Heart: Sensitivity & Compassion

Timestamps: [1:08:00–1:15:30]

• The Christian’s emotional compass is part of how the Spirit leads (see Greek ‘splanknizomai’ – gut compassion).
• Stories of being moved by compassion and practical promptings to action.
• Assurance: Sensitivity to failing or feeling far from God is itself a sign of spiritual life.
  • Quote: “If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.” (1:12:45, referencing 1 John 3:20)

E. Bent Knees: Praying & Reliance on God

Timestamps: [1:16:00–1:21:30]

• Confession and reliance on God lead to confidence in prayer.
• “The person who is in greatest danger is the one who thinks he’s not in danger, but the person whose heart’s condemning them… even that’s a sign you’re on the right track.” (1:13:30)
• Prayer shifts from self-focus to God’s mission; a praying church is “scary” for the enemy.

F. Bright Eyes: Living Radiantly in Christ

Timestamps: [1:24:00–end]

• True, spirit-led living results in “radiant” faces and hopeful hearts (see Psalm 34:5).
• God sees beyond our “dirt” and mess, seeing homes for His Spirit.

Memorable Quotes & Notable Moments

• On Salvation & Change
  • “You can't say God changed your life if your life doesn't change...” (08:35)
• On Corporate vs. Individual Faith
  • “You can come to Christ for yourself, but you cannot walk with Christ by yourself.” (28:00)
• On Generosity
  • “Tell me how you could love Jesus but get real angry every time someone talks about giving in church?” (1:00:45)
• On Spiritual Assurance
  • “If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts.” (1:12:45)
• On Suffering and Confidence
  • “You are indestructible in the will of God... If he lets it come your way, learn from it.” (53:30)
• On God’s Perspective
  • “When God looks at you... He doesn’t see the dirt, He sees a home for His breath.” (1:25:30)

Important Timestamps

• Grounding in Truth & Introduction: 00:00–07:00
• Lottery Analogy & Spiritual Evidence: 08:00–23:00
• Huge Family/Church Community: 23:00–46:30
• Thick Skin/Endurance: 46:30–55:00
• Open Hands/Generosity: 55:00–1:03:00
• Tender Heart/Assurance: 1:08:00–1:15:30
• Bent Knees/Prayer: 1:16:00–1:21:30
• Bright Eyes/Radiant Living: 1:24:00–end

Conclusions & Takeaways

• Christian living at the “pace of the Spirit” is tangible: There will be external evidence—changed attitudes, deep involvement in community, generosity, resilience, compassion, humility, and joy.
• The Christian journey is communal: Withdrawal from the church is a step away from God’s design, not towards it.
• Spiritual assurance: Feelings of inadequacy can be a sign of a tender heart; God’s grace is bigger than our self-condemnation.
• Action steps: Continue in open-hearted community, embrace sacrificial generosity, pray with confidence, and pursue a bright, hope-filled outlook—rooted in daily, Spirit-led living.

Closing Prayer & Invitation

The episode concludes with a call for spiritual response:

“If you need to give your life to Jesus... confess, believe, receive salvation in Jesus’ name.” (end)

Tone: Engaging, pastoral, direct yet compassionate; filled with imagery, analogy, and humor aligning with Pastor Levi Lusko’s style.