The Pressure Is Not The Problem | Pioneers, Part 10 | Pastor Levi Lusko

The Test of Pioneers

In this section, the speaker talks about how true pioneers are often ahead of their time and not accepted or celebrated in their day. He encourages listeners to not pull back their greatness to the level of those around them and to navigate the tension that comes with being ahead of one's time.

True Pioneers

• True pioneers are often ahead of their time.

• Henry Ford was ridiculed for giving people what they didn't know they needed.

• We must believe that if we're demonized for following God, it's okay because there will be lionizing that happens in God's hands.

Dealing with Agony

• Those mentioned in Hebrews 11 dealt with extraordinary pain, brutality, torture, and suffering.

• Physical persecution for following Jesus is still happening on Earth today.

• We must suffer with those who are suffering and do what we can to help through prayer, giving, finding non-profits, and sending scripture into parts of the world that do not have God's word in their own tongue.

Anonymity

• Anonymity is a difficult test for Christians today.

• Perhaps the better question is would you live for Jesus?

• The speaker shares a personal story about turbulence on an airplane and whether he would keep writing even if no one read his book.

The Alchemist: A Story of Persistence and Success

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience with publishing his book, The Alchemist, and how it initially failed to sell well. He also shares the story of Paulo Coelho, the author of The Alchemist, and how he persisted in writing despite facing rejection.

Publishing Struggles

• The speaker's book was published by a small publisher but only sold 900 copies.

• This was disappointing for the publisher who had put a lot of time and energy into it.

• When given the opportunity to reprint the book, they declined.

• However, years later, The Alchemist became an international bestseller.

Paulo Coelho's Persistence

• Paulo Coelho faced rejection when trying to publish his second book.

• Despite this setback, he continued writing and eventually wrote The Alchemist.

• The success of The Alchemist exceeded all expectations and inspired many people.

Lessons Learned

• We often have the wrong motivation in our creative pursuits - we should focus on serving others rather than seeking success or fame.

• It is important to persist in pursuing our passions even when faced with rejection or failure.

Recognition and Faith

In this section, the speaker talks about how people crave recognition for their work and achievements. She also emphasizes the importance of having faith in God.

Craving Recognition

• The speaker mentions that people often crave recognition for their work and achievements.

• She talks about how some people get recognized while others don't, which can be frustrating.

• The speaker shares a personal story about feeling overlooked and buried despite her hard work.

Importance of Faith

• The speaker emphasizes that having faith is important, as it allows us to obtain a good testimony through our actions.

• She reminds listeners that no one on Earth has the trophy to give us for our accomplishments, but having faith in God can fulfill our soul's desires.

Overall, this section highlights the tension between craving recognition for our work and achievements while also emphasizing the importance of having faith in God.

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Acknowledging Weakness and Finding Strength

The speaker talks about how weakness can be turned into strength through faith, and mentions various biblical figures who demonstrated this.

Examples of Turning Weakness into Strength

• Esther was afraid to go into the throne room at first, but then became strong.

• Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets were all willing to give their lives for God's work.

• Hezekiah prayed and God added more time to his life.

• Through faith, people subdued kingdoms and worked righteousness.

Rewards for Faith

• God rewards those who have faith in Him.

• All things are naked and open to God's eyes.

• Even if our motives are bad, God can still use us for His work.

Examples of Faithful Endurance

• Some people endured trials of mockings and scourgings because they believed in Heaven.

• Others were imprisoned or stoned for their faith.

• Some wandered in deserts or lived in caves because of their beliefs.

Conclusion

• We should be grateful that we have been provided with something better than what we deserve.

Uncertainty and Faith

In this section, the speaker talks about how uncertainty and faith are related. He explains that God calls us to do things that may seem uncertain or difficult, but we must have faith in Him to accomplish them.

The Foolishness of the Gospel

• The author of Hebrews makes the point that following Jesus is greater than anything you can do because none of us can trip if we just get that seventh walk on.

• God picked the foolishness of the Gospel to make his point. He intentionally accomplished it by picking something that would impress people and tempt them to go back to the Old Testament system of sacrifice and priesthood.

• God picked something better than religion. Following Jesus delivers where it counts most.

Uncertainty and Faith

• Uncertainty tests our faith, but they fought so that we might be blessed.

• A lot of times God calls us to things that aren't going to seem like they're working because it's not a good battle strategy.

• Uncertainty and faith is only good if you have an object.

Summary

The speaker emphasizes how uncertainty tests our faith, but we must trust in God's plan even when it seems difficult or uncertain. He also highlights how following Jesus is greater than any other pursuit in life, as it delivers where it counts most.

The Pressure of Uncertainty

In this section, the speaker talks about how uncertainty can create pressure and doubt in our lives. He uses examples from the Bible to show how people dealt with uncertainty and how faith can help us overcome it.

Dealing with Uncertainty

• Uncertainty can create pressure and doubt in our lives.

• People in the Bible, like Jeremiah and Abraham, also struggled with uncertainty.

• We need to let the fire of faith burn on the inside of us to give us strength to deal with uncertainty.

Faith vs. Doubt

• The opposite of faith is not doubt, but certainty.

• Doubt can be used as a noun to describe something that irritates us or creates pressure.

• Faith shines when we use our doubts as nouns and turn them into opportunities for growth.

Using Our Doubts as Nouns

In this section, the speaker talks more about using our doubts as nouns and how we can turn them into opportunities for growth.

Opportunities for Growth

• We need to use our doubts as nouns to create opportunities for growth.

• When we face uncertainty, we should focus on doing what God has called us to do instead of worrying about whether we heard Him correctly.

• By focusing on what God has called us to do, we can overcome doubt and grow in our faith.

Conclusion

• Uncertainty and doubt are a natural part of life, but we can use them as opportunities for growth.

• By focusing on our faith and doing what God has called us to do, we can overcome uncertainty and doubt.

Doubt as a Pressure and Privilege

Levi Lusko talks about how doubt can be a natural human right, but it can also cause financial pressure. He explains that doubt can be a noun or a verb, and that it is important to choose faith over doubt.

Doubt as a Noun or Verb

• Doubt can be a natural human right, but it can also cause financial pressure.

• Doubt can be a noun or verb.

• Choosing to doubt can play a part in our own suffering.

Faith Over Doubt

• Choose faith over doubt.

• Doubts are not necessarily bad, they can be the springboard and catalyst of faith.

Pressure as External and Internal

• Some pressure we feel is external while some of it is internal.

• There's pressure for the future, which causes us to feel doubtful at times.

Take Care of Your Family

Levi Lusko talks about how there's pressure that comes from being married and having children. He emphasizes the importance of taking care of your family.

The Pressure That Comes with Marriage

• There's pressure that comes from being married and having children.

• If you don't take care of your family, you're worse than an unbeliever according to the Bible.

Taking Care of Your Family

• Taking care of your family is an act of faith that shines through in the midst of doubts and pressures.

• It's important to prioritize your family over other things.

Pressure is a Privilege

In this section, the speaker talks about how pressure is a privilege and an opportunity to prepare for what God has called us to do.

Pressure is a Privilege

• Pressure is often complained about but it's a privilege.

• Without pressure, we wouldn't be able to see or drive.

• Pressure in our lives prepares us for what God has called us to do.

• We should reframe things and remind ourselves of what we get made fun of for.

Opportunity to Prepare

• Pressure is an opportunity to prepare for what God has called us to do.

• Building a boat before it rained was preparation.

• We should embrace the opportunity that pressure provides.

Enduring Trials

In this section, the speaker talks about enduring trials and how they can help us grow.

Enduring Trials

• Nelson Mandela endured 27 years of prison by relying on Jesus.

• Trials are opportunities for growth and endurance.

• When we endure trials, we become more like Christ.

Trusting in God

• Trusting in God during trials helps us endure them better.

• We should pray and ask God for strength during difficult times.

Navigating Pressure

In this section, the speaker talks about how pressure is a part of life and how we can navigate it. He shares stories of people who have gone through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side.

Understanding Pressure

• The speaker talks about how pressure is a part of life.

• He shares a story of someone who spent 18 years in prison and came out stronger because he had faith in God's plan for his life.

• Another person shared that Jesus touched him at a summer camp and that's how he survived prison.

• The speaker emphasizes that pressure is a part of the process to become more like Christ.

Preparing for Pressure

• The speaker talks about having thick skin to handle mockery when navigating pressure.

• Perseverance is key when navigating pressure, according to Jeremiah 29 11.

Trusting God's Plan

• We need to trust God's plan even if it doesn't make sense at the time.

• The goal of life is to become more like Christ, and sometimes that means going through difficult times.

• Michelangelo said he simply had to remove everything that was not David from the block of marble. Similarly, God needs to chisel away what doesn't belong in our lives so we can become who He knows we can be.

Overall, this section discusses how pressure is a part of life and how we can navigate it by trusting God's plan, preparing for pressure, and persevering through difficult times. The speaker shares stories of people who have gone through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side.

Learning to Walk Again

In this section, Jeremy Renner shares a story about how he learned to walk again and the importance of taking things one step at a time. He also talks about the power of gratitude and having faith in God's plan.

Taking Things One Step at a Time

• Jeremy Renner learned to walk again by taking things one step at a time.

• He was inspired by Jeremiah 29:11, which says that God has plans for us.

• Renner believes that we can become stronger and better by taking things one step at a time.

The Power of Gratitude

• Renner is grateful to be alive after experiencing many challenges.

• He believes that having gratitude is important, even in difficult times.

• Renner says that his life has been refilled with love and titanium.

Having Faith in God's Plan

• Renner believes that God has a plan for everyone, even when things are difficult.

• He references Jeremiah 29:11 as an example of this belief.

• Despite facing challenges, Renner encourages others to have faith in God's plan.

Enduring Mockery

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of perspective when facing mockery or criticism. He uses the example of Jeremiah from the Bible who endured mockery but remained faithful to his calling.

The Importance of Perspective

• The speaker believes that perspective is key to not being crushed by pressure.

• He encourages people to believe in themselves and their calling, even when facing criticism or mockery.

The Example of Jeremiah

• Jeremiah was a prophet who faced mockery and ridicule for his ministry.

• Despite this, he remained faithful to his calling and was called the "weeping prophet."

• The speaker uses Jeremiah as an example of someone who endured mockery but remained strong in his faith.

Navigating Pressure

In this section, the speaker discusses how to navigate pressure when pursuing one's calling. He encourages people to stay true to themselves and not be swayed by external pressures.

Staying True to Yourself

• The speaker believes that it's important to stay true to oneself when pursuing a calling.

• He references Henry Ford's quote about giving people what they need instead of what they want.

• The speaker encourages people not to be swayed by external pressures or opinions.

Facing Pressure

• The speaker acknowledges that many people will face pressure when pursuing their calling.

• He encourages people to have faith in God's plan and remain steadfast in their beliefs.

Conclusion

In this section, the speaker concludes the talk by summarizing the main points and encouraging people to stay true to themselves.

• The speaker summarizes the main points of the talk, including taking things one step at a time, having gratitude, enduring mockery, and staying true to oneself.

• He encourages people to pursue their calling with faith and determination.

Enduring Suffering for Christ

In this section, the speaker talks about how Christians in the past have endured suffering and persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that they were able to endure because of their hope in a better resurrection and encourages believers today to follow their example.

Enduring Suffering

• Hebrews 11 dealt with extraordinary perspective on pain.

• The text tells us clearly we don't have to wonder like how brutality torture suffering and across did they make it through this.

• We must suffer with those who are suffering and do what we can to send a do what we can Columbine Cassie Bernal I believe in God to help.

• We must continue to do as she could have lived that day but she giving and that's finding non-profits chose not deny the name of her savior.

Worthy To Suffer For His Name

• They rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

• Our eyes on worthy to suffer for King Jesus who suffered for us.

• Can we joyfully pick up our cross follow him or are we fair weather too worshipers will we throw up our hands his adversaries including a king of Israel in Manasseh put him inside a hollowed-out tree.

Challenging Questions

• These three are what I wrote down as a way to respond to this all the antagonism the hostility the penetrating questions because the text tells us they did not accept Deliverance they could have made it stop.

• His church hurts hollowed-out tree and brought over a.

Giving Your Best Contribution

In this section, the speaker talks about how to give your best contribution and points out that it is important to stop preaching and start doing what God has called you to do. He also mentions the story of Isaiah in chapter six and how he continued to point people towards God despite seeing Him seated on the throne.

Doing What God Has Called You To Do

• To give your best contribution, stop preaching and start doing what God has called you to do.

• Follow your journey following God inspired by Isaiah chapter six.

• Continue doing what you've been called to do no matter whether or not anyone else ever sees it.

The Exploits of Glory

• The seraphim cried out "holy, holy, holy" when they saw the Lord Seated on the throne in a train of his robe filled the temple with glory.

• Following God inspires others for generations.

The Bible in Miniature

• The book of Isaiah lines up beautifully with the 66 books of the Bible.

• It is like a miniature version of the Bible.

A Big Gospel Story

• Will it be a small story or a big gospel?

• Turn from what God called into things that are sins if you want to avoid such a fate.

Enduring Agony for Jesus' Name

In this section, the speaker talks about how the body of Christ will have to endure agony and mockery. He mentions Hebrews 12 and encourages listeners to run the race of faith, surrounded by those who have gone before us.

Enduring Agony

• The body of Christ will have to endure agony and mockery.

• Hebrews 12 comes after Hebrews 11 and deals with mockery.

• Run the race of faith knowing that we are surrounded by those who have gone before us.

Letting Go of Sin

• There may be good things you need to let go of that are holding you back from a race of faith.

• Drop those sins where no one would know what I did or didn't do.

Don't Take Your Eyes Off Jesus

• Whatever you do, don't take your eyes off Jesus.

Writing for Success

In this section, the speaker talks about how an author wrote a book that very few people read and how he was disappointed with its reception. He then goes on to talk about how the author's second book resonated with people and became an international bestseller.

The Alchemist

• The first book written by the author only sold 900 copies.

• The second book written by the author is called "The Alchemist" and has sold over 65 million copies worldwide.

• The success of "The Alchemist" did not come until after the author had written his second book.

• People resonated with the message in "The Alchemist" which was about accepting brokenness and finding love anyway.

Motivation for Writing

• Many people have the wrong motivation for writing or serving in ministry, such as wanting to be seen or have influence.

• It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus and run our race looking unto Him, rather than seeking success or a big platform.

Overall, this section discusses how success can come unexpectedly and that it is important to focus on serving God rather than seeking personal gain.

Recognition and Honorable Mentions

In this section, the speaker talks about recognizing people who have done great things and mentions some honorable mentions from the Old Testament.

Recognizing Great People

• The speaker talks about recognizing people who have done great things.

• He mentions that God will say "well done good and faithful servant" to those who have used their energy wisely.

• The speaker lists some examples of people who will be recognized by God, including Enoch, Abraham, Rahab, and others.

Honorable Mentions from the Old Testament

• The speaker mentions that there were other people in the Old Testament who did great things but are not as well-known as David and Samuel.

• He lists some examples of these lesser-known figures, including Jephthah and Samson.

• The speaker acknowledges that there were also people with addictions, grudges, wounds, etc. in the Old Testament who need recognition too.

• He prays for healing for those with physical or emotional pain.

Conclusion

This section is a brief conclusion to the talk.

• The speaker concludes by saying that something (which is not mentioned in this transcript due to music playing at that time), did not get talked about or reported.