Get Your But(t) Out of It

Notes: Get Your But(t) Out ofIt

March 6 2014

Levi Lusko

Thursday Night service Harvest

Sorry Not Sorry - message title

James 3:2 (NIV)

We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

How we respond to our failures is one of the most important things about us.

"I'm sorry" is one of the most powerful terms in our language and also one of the most abused.

It fits right in with back handed compliments.

There is a difference between sorry and not sorry.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (NIV)

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

When pop culture recognizes all of the half hearted regrets in the world, then we have a problem.

Relationships can be restored when you truly apologize.

Genesis 3:6-13 (NIV)

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. [8] Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. [9] But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” [10] He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” [11] And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? ” [12] The man said, “The woman you put here with me---she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” [13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:21 (NIV)

The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

3 elements of a proper apology.

1. Responsibility, own it.

2. Regret or repentance.

3. Remedy- how do you fix it.

All sin started with this original sin of Adam. "The Adam Bomb of Sin"

The story of our lives is God draws a line and says don't cross it. But we do anyhow!

This story is a casebook study of how not to apologize.

3 things we need to gets our buts out of:

1. The trees your hiding among.

Adam and Eve used to enjoy being in those trees and now they were hiding in them. They were happy to see God, then they became scared of him.

Unconfessed sin changes what you loved, to things that you dread.

Secret sin will make you irrationally afraid of the God that loves you. That's the devil whispering in your ear.

When you sin, the thing you must do is run to what scares you the most. Hiding never works.

Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)

But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.

You can't hide from God. Sin makes you stupid.

Genesis 3:9 (NKJV)

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?"

God was giving him a chance to come clean.

Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV)

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

2. Out of the excuses you are hiding behind.

Question:

Genesis 3:11 (NKJV)

And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?"

Excuse: from Adam

Genesis 3:12 (NKJV)

Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

From Eve:

Genesis 3:13b (NKJV)

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”]

You always lose when you try to excuse.

Once you fess up, shut up! Anything you say next is just going to cover your excuse.

Never allow the word but in your apology.

When you use the word but in apology, you only mean what comes after the but.

Don't apologize and give an excuse, that is not an apology.

3. Out of those fig leaves you are hiding under.

God can't clothe what you cover up.

Covered up your sin:

Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Loved by God:

Genesis 3:21 (NKJV)

Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

The fig tree is the only tree that Jesus ever cursed.

Mark 11:14 (NKJV)

In response Jesus said to it, "Let no one eat fruit from you ever again." And His disciples heard it.

Mark 11:24 (NKJV)

Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV)

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. [26] But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Jesus knows you can never be helped with a problem that you don't admit.

God clothed them and protected them before they left the garden. The lamb that died to clothe them and protect them, the Lamb of God died to protect us.

When Grace and Sin collide, Grace always wins.

There is nothing you have ever done that God can't and won't forgive if you come clean.

Protected from Anxiety

Notes: Protected from Anxiety

Dec 26 2013 

Levi Lusko Thursday -

Philippians 4 - A message on anxiety.

Anxiety is around us only in the Past, Present and Future!

Philippians 4:1-9 (NKJV)

Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. [2] I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. [3] And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. [4] Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! [5] Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. [6] Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; [7] and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [8] Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. [9] The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

At the end of the day we are just people who will stand before God to be judged.

Worship is a weapon that can be used for you or the person next to you or somewhere else. We don't know who it is helping.

Prevention is better than cure. Early detection is the best prevention.

Destined for Impact

Notes: Destined for Impact 

Pastor Levi Lusko 

August 22, 2013

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 1:18 (NKJV)

knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,

Daniel 12:3 (NKJV)

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

Psalm 102:18 (NKJV)

This will be written for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Psalm 23:1-6 (NKJV)

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. [2] He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. [3] He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. [4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NKJV)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Proverbs 25:27 (NKJV)

It is not good to eat much honey; So to seek one's own glory is not glory.

Acts 17:6 (NKJV)

But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.

Romans 1:8 (NKJV)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

1 Thessalonians 1:8 (NKJV)

For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

2 Samuel 12:14 (NKJV)

However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."

Nehemiah 6:2 (NKJV)

that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono." But they thought to do me harm.

Breaking Camp

Notes: Breaking Camp 

9-12-13 Levi Lusko

Harvest OC Thursday

Isaiah 38:12 (NIV)

Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and he has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.

2 Corinthians 5:1 (NIV)

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

CS Lewis, "you are a soul and you have a body"

Our earthly house gets destroyed.

Old tents are like old bodies. The longer we are in them the more beat up they are.

What goes up must come down.

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Tents are fragile, vulnerable and temporary.

Psalm 39:1-13 (NIV)

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. [5] You have made my days a mere hand breadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. [6] “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. [7] “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. [8] Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools. [9] I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this. [10] Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand. [11] When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin, you consume their wealth like a moth---surely everyone is but a breath. [

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NIV)

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

When you leave the tent you get to go home.

Heaven is "far better"

Psalm 116:15 (NIV)

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

Levi's favorite two word phrase in the bible is "Take Heart"- to take is deliberate.

The house has got what the tent does not.