Fresh Life Church Podcast

Episode: This Is Going To Be Good
Host: Pastor Levi Lusko
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, led by Pastor Levi Lusko, centers on the power of vision, unity, and generosity in the Christian life, specifically through the lens of Jesus' teaching in Luke 10 and the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pastor Levi challenges listeners to move beyond self-interest, embrace sacrificial stewardship, see their resources as tools for kingdom impact, and take concrete, faith-filled action through their year-end offerings. The episode also highlights practical impacts of generosity—including outreach to survivors of trafficking in the Philippines—making the theological deeply personal.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Vision That Unites and Drives Action

• Pastor Levi underscores the importance of a compelling, shared vision in the church.
• Uses the metaphor of yearning for the "vast and endless sea," referencing a famous leadership quote:

  “If you want men to build a ship, don’t drum up people to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.” (06:21)

• Emphasizes that collective ownership ("our church" vs. "my church") leads to an unstoppable force for good.
• Memorable moment: Connections to JFK’s “moonshot” speech and how big visions make ordinary people rise beyond their limits.

2. The Kingdom Vision: Grace, Risk, and Action

• The Kingdom of God is described as a rescue mission, not a social club.
• All are “5 o’clock hires”—undeserving, saved by grace, and invited to participate ("It's always 5 o'clock somewhere"). (10:54)

  “None of us are big shots in God’s kingdom... God got us at the nick of time.”

• Grace should produce gratitude and a posture of eager service, not entitlement.
• The church should be marked by generosity—even small acts (“cold cups of water”), youth leadership, and care for the oppressed.

3. Money, Faith, and the Acidity Test

• Pastor Levi addresses discomfort around church talking about money, urging transparency.
• Notes Jesus spoke on money more than on heaven, hell, faith, or prayer (13:26).
• Giving is an acid test for what we truly value:

  “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also... Where your money flows, your passion always grows.” (14:50)

• Points out all institutions (church, sports, entertainment) seek resources, but kingdom giving has eternal impact.
• Quotes:

  “You can give without loving, but it’s impossible to love without giving.” (15:12)
  “God so loved the world, he didn’t send a card…he gave.” (15:26)

4. Parable of the Good Samaritan: What True Love Looks Like

• Reads and expounds on Luke 10:25-37, emphasizing how the religious elite miss the point while the Samaritan, despised by Jews, shows true neighborly love through sacrificial action. (02:28–29:16)
• Draws parallel between the Samaritan and Christ—Jesus as the ultimate neighbor/rescuer.
• Quote on grace vs. law:

  “What the law demands of us, the gospel produces in us. The law demands—do, do, do—but is powerless to help us do it. But when we see Jesus’ sacrifice, of course, spoiler alert…Jesus is the Good Samaritan…” (29:42)

5. Four Choices in Handling Money (Based on Characters in the Parable)

• The Robbers: Steal (“What’s yours is mine and I’m going to take it.”)
• The Priest & Levite: Stockpile (“What’s mine is mine and I’m going to keep it.”)
• The Samaritan: Sacrifice (“What’s mine is yours and I’m going to give it.”)
• The Innkeeper: Steward (“What’s mine is not mine and I’m going to manage it.”) (40:53)
• Encourages listeners to move from a dragon-like hoarding to river-like generosity—letting resources flow to bless others.

6. Principles of Christian Stewardship

• Everything we have has been given to us by God (“Who gave you the hands?”).
• We are entrusted with resources for purposeful use, not personal accumulation.
• There will be an examination: “What did you do with what I gave you?” (43:53)
  • References being executor of his father's estate as an analogy for executing God’s wishes with our stewardship.

7. A Roadmap for Generous Living: Mostly Easy, Occasionally Hard, Sometimes Extravagant

• Running analogy: “Mostly easy, occasionally hard, every once in a while go see God.” (49:03)
• Mostly easy: Tithing—returning to God the first 10%. (“If you give the last dollar, it doesn’t take faith and thus becomes a tip.”)
• Occasionally hard: Offerings—generous above-and-beyond giving as prompted by God.
• Extravagant moments (“Go see God”): Radical generosity that stretches faith.

8. Stewardship Data and Dragon Sickness

• Shares sobering stats: Less than 5% of American Christians tithe; average is 3%. Those who make more often give a lower percentage. (54:35)
• Warns against “dragon sickness”—hoarding that enslaves rather than sets free.

“God doesn’t want just the money out of your account. He wants the idols out of your heart.” (57:15)

9. Kingdom Impact: Happy Horizons in the Philippines

• Shares details of Fresh Life’s outreach, notably $85,000 given to Happy Horizons Ranch to rescue and restore girls from human trafficking and exploitation. [59:05–64:59]
• Emotional testimonies from rescued girls illustrate the power of practical generosity.

“How much your Father’s heart swells to know you are fighting for His kids around the world who need it.” (64:59)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• “Where your treasure is, your heart will be also; where your money flows, your passion grows.” — Pastor Levi (14:50)
• “The church isn’t a social club, it’s a rescue mission.” (10:54)
• “What the law demands of us, the gospel produces in us.” (29:42, paraphrasing Spurgeon)
• “You can give without loving, but it’s impossible to love without giving.” (15:12)
• “Everything I have, I have been given. Don’t you dare push back on it—who gave you the hands?” (42:03)
• “You gotta serve somebody...” (Bob Dylan reference, 21:45)
• “God doesn’t want just the money out of your account. He wants the idols out of your heart.” (57:15)
• “Mostly easy, occasionally hard, every once in a while go see God.” — Running and giving analogy (49:03)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Vision and Unity – 06:21–10:09
• Parable of the Good Samaritan – 02:28–29:16
• Choices Regarding Money – 35:53–41:33
• Stewardship Principles – 41:33–43:53
• Giving Roadmap & Running Analogy – 48:57–50:15
• Statistics on Christian Giving – 54:35–57:16
• Happy Horizons Impact Story – 59:05–64:59
• Call to Salvation and Generosity – 66:13–69:19

Final Encouragement and Call to Action

• Pastor Levi ends with an invitation to participate in extravagant generosity, mirroring Mary’s anointing of Jesus’ feet:

  “Thank you that when we break precious things at your feet, you break things off our lives.” (67:25)

• For those far from faith, he offers the hope of new life in Christ (“I’m half-dead. Alive physically, but dead spiritually. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me…” 68:02)

• Everyone is invited not just to give, but to partner in the work—each at the level of faith God calls them to.

Tone throughout:
Challenging, passionate, practical, personal, encouraging—Levi mixes humor, cultural references, personal stories, and biblical exposition to drive home the call to deeper faith and radical stewardship.

For listeners new or seasoned, this episode offers not only practical teaching on generosity and stewardship, but a compelling picture of what it means to live joyfully on mission with God—for His kingdom and the good of the world.