Time Is Running Out | Levi Lusko | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Time Is Running Out

Fresh Life Church • Sep 1, 2025 • 55 min

Start a Devotional

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

Summary

In this message on 1 John 2:28–3:10, Pastor Levi Lusko emphasizes the urgent truth that Jesus Christ is returning and that time is running out. Believers are declared children of God through His overwhelming love, not human effort, which inspires them to live pure lives and reflect a clear family resemblance to Jesus. Rather than striving against sin through sheer willpower, Christians overcome temptation by actively abiding in Christ and running into the Father's welcoming arms.

Themes

The Second Coming of ChristAdoption and SonshipAbiding in ChristResurrection HopeHoliness and RighteousnessOvercoming Temptation

Pastor's Points

1.

Jesus is coming back

2.

We are going forward

3.

There is great motivation to be gleaned from anticipation

4.

There can't be confidence without family resemblance

5.

Pro tip: It's impossible to worship and to sin at the same time

6.

We are children of the King

Key Points

1.
Jesus is coming back for His church and will return with His saints to rule and reign.
2.
We are going forward, anticipating the day we see Jesus as He is and receive a glorified resurrection body.
3.
There is great spiritual motivation to be gleaned from live anticipation of Christ's return.
4.
There cannot be confidence without a family resemblance that shows we are truly born of God.
5.
It is impossible to worship God and commit willful sin at the exact same time.
6.
We are children of the King, declared righteous through God's unconditional love rather than earned perfection.
7.
Just like a phone display model shows what the actual phone is like, Jesus' resurrection body is the prototype for our future resurrected bodies.
8.
Believers do not overcome sin by mere willpower, but by abiding in Christ, walking in the Spirit, and letting God's seed produce new life within them.

Sermon Moments

“Jesus is coming back, and every grain of sand dropping down the hourglass brings us closer to seeing Him as He is.”

“Just like a display model in a phone store, Jesus' post-resurrection body is the prototype of the glorified body every believer will receive.”

“I love what my beloved loves. If you don't hate sin and love righteousness, you don't yet understand the heart of Jesus.”

“C.S. Lewis reminded us that currently we are on the wrong side of the door, but the leaves of the New Testament rustle with the rumor that someday we shall get in.”

“It's impossible to worship and sin at the same time. Don't focus on sinning less; focus on walking in the Spirit more.”

“In our world, we say practice makes perfect, but in God's kingdom, perfect makes practice—we practice righteousness because Christ declared us righteous.”

“God sees you with all your flaws and hang-ups, longing for you to drop your backpack of shame and run into His loving arms.”

This Week

Set aside time daily to meditate on Christ's return, using the promise of eternity as motivation to honor God in your present choices.

Shift your focus from trying to stop sinning in human strength to actively filling your mind and heart with worship and prayer.

Reflect on your identity as an adopted child of God, remembering that your status as His son or daughter is based on His love, not your performance.

Examine your daily habits to see if your lifestyle reflects a clear "family resemblance" to Jesus Christ in righteousness and love.

When facing grief or physical hardship, fix your eyes on the hope of the resurrection and your promised glorified body.

When you stumble or fall into temptation, immediately run into the Father's loving arms rather than hiding in shame.

Align your desires with Christ's heart by learning to love what He loves and hate what He hates.

Remember This

Because believers are already fully loved children of God through Christ, they can live with urgency, holiness, and hope as they anticipate His returning glory.

A Challenge for You

Commit your heart to living for heaven and the Father's love today, laying down every weight, hindrance, and habit to run straight into the arms of the King.

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