Something Came Up | Levi Lusko | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Something Came Up

Fresh Life Church • Apr 7, 2025 • 61 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

When life gets busy, we often intend to pray and worship, but something comes up that delays our communion with God. Through the story of the ten lepers in Luke 17, Pastor Levi Lusko reminds us that genuine gratitude is a crucial aspect of prayer that must be offered first, in every situation, loudly, and from a humble posture. When we praise God low at His feet amidst trials, He lifts us up out of the pit into spiritual wholeness.

Themes

GratitudePrayerObedienceHumilityPraise as Spiritual WarfareFaith in Suffering

Pastor's Points

1.

First, not last

2.

In, not for

3.

Loud, not quiet

4.

Low, not high

Key Points

1.
First, not last: Expressing gratitude should lead our prayers and lives, offered first in faith rather than saved as an afterthought.
2.
In, not for: God does not expect us to be thankful for tragic or cruel circumstances, but commands us to remain thankful in the midst of them.
3.
Loud, not quiet: Praise is intended to be passionate and vocal, releasing spiritual breakthroughs where quiet posture cannot.
4.
Low, not high: True thanksgiving requires humbling ourselves low at Jesus' feet before He can exalt and restore us.
5.
Satan often hinders our prayer lives not through obvious sin, but through busyness and encouraging us to postpone prayer until later.
6.
God's miracles frequently happen in the process of step-by-step obedience as we walk forward, rather than instantaneously.
7.
Gratitude serves as a spiritual safeguard that protects our hearts from idolatry and keeps us connected to the source of life.

Sermon Moments

“Satan does not tell you never to pray; he simply whispers to do it later when things slow down.”

“Many of God's greatest miracles do not happen instantly in one location, but in the process of step-by-step obedience on the way.”

“Kneeling activates us physically and spiritually, jumpstarting dormant areas of our faith and aligning our hearts with God.”

“Giving thanks first requires genuine faith, whereas giving what is left over requires no trust at all.”

“God does not ask you to be thankful for painful circumstances, but to remain thankful in the midst of them.”

“Breakthrough sounds loud; quiet posture will not do when spiritual strongholds need to be broken in praise.”

“Worship that hurts like hell heals like heaven.”

“You cannot rise high until you learn to bow low at the feet of Jesus.”

This Week

Start your day and week by offering God your praise and prayers first, rather than giving Him whatever time is left over.

Practice expressing gratitude in the midst of current trials, choosing to give thanks for God's presence even when circumstances are painful.

Intentionally posture yourself in physical humility during prayer, such as kneeling, to align your body and heart before Christ.

Express uninhibited praise during worship, allowing loud and passionate thanksgiving to break through heavy spiritual battles.

Recognize and resist the temptation to delay prayer due to busyness, choosing immediate communion with God over postponing it until later.

Take steps of active obedience to God's Word today, trusting that transformation and miracles occur as you walk forward in faith.

Keep a weekly journal of God's blessings and gracious acts to cultivate habitual gratitude and guard against spiritual idolatry.

Remember This

True spiritual breakthrough and exaltation come when we bow low in humble, expressive gratitude to God in the midst of every circumstance.

A Challenge for You

If you are going through a trial or feel knocked down, send your song of praise up to God in faith. Trust Him, praise Him in the dark, and watch Him bring you up out of the pit set upon a high rock.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.