Through the Eyes of a Lion: Part 1 - "Turn Off the Dark" with Levi Lusko - Life.Church

Turn Off the Dark

Scripture References

Primary text

• 2 Timothy 1:10

Other references

• Luke 16
• Hebrews 2:14
• Hebrews 6
• John 11:35

Overview

Jesus has already “destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” so light will always push back the darkness. Levi Lusko traces that truth through his family’s own grief and through Scripture, showing that hurting with hope still hurts, yet hope holds. Until the day Christ finally extinguishes death, we can learn to “turn off the dark” in our everyday Saturdays—the long in-between where loss and longing both live.

Context

Levi shares his deep gratitude for Pastor Craig, Amy, and the entire Life.Church family before opening to 2 Timothy 1. The key verse became the Lusko family Christmas card in November 2012—only weeks before their five-year-old daughter, Linda, died from a sudden asthma attack. That same verse is now engraved on her tombstone and has anchored their faith ever since.

Main Points

Jesus turned off the darkness of death

• Paul reminds Timothy that Jesus “has destroyed death,” turning on the light of eternal life.
• Because darkness is merely the absence of light, it must flee wherever Christ’s light shines.
• Christmas exists so that Easter could happen; Easter happened so we could face death unafraid.

• “Christ Jesus has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

Grief is wave after wave—“sorrow upon sorrow”

• Paul (Philippians) feared experiencing “sorrow upon sorrow” if Epaphroditus had died.
• Grief behaves like relentless surf: just when you surface, another set rolls in.
• Even believers feel the sting; knowing heaven is real doesn’t cancel the pain now.

• “It hurts like hell even when you know they went to heaven.”

• Story: Levi recounts Linda’s fatal asthma attack, frantic CPR, and the hospital’s pronouncement, then worshiping through tears: “God, You give and You take away; blessed be Your name.”

Hurting with hope still hurts—and God hurts too

• Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, yet “Jesus wept” and “groaned” (snorted with rage) at death’s ugliness.
• God is not indifferent; He is angry enough to defeat death through the cross (Hebrews 2:14).
• Physical miracles matter, but the greater miracle is eternal salvation.

Making it through Saturday—the long in-between

1. Remember heaven is nearer than it seems
   • Heaven is more solid than earth; the Spirit anchors us to it (Hebrews 6).
2. Stick together
   • Join a LifeGroup, serve on a team; isolated lions fall, but a pride stands strong.
3. Run toward the roar
   • Face what scares you—grief work, hard conversations, acts of faith—before fear can rule.
   • Illustration: Levi re-entered the ER the night Linda died to invite staff to church; several met Christ at Christmas Eve.
4. Cue the eagle
   • Isaiah’s promise: those who wait on the Lord “mount up with wings like eagles.”
   • Call on Jesus moment by moment for the fresh strength only He can supply.

Key Truths

• Jesus permanently broke the power of death; darkness cannot coexist with His light.
• Real faith makes room for real sorrow; tears and trust can occupy the same heart.
• Heaven is close and connected to us through the Holy Spirit—an anchor for the soul.
• Community is God’s design for resilience; isolation magnifies pain.
• Courage grows when we confront, not avoid, the places that frighten us.

Response

• Receive Jesus’ victory over death and trust Him with your eternity.
• Invite the Holy Spirit into today’s “Saturday” moments, asking Him to turn on the light.
• Join or start a LifeGroup and serve with others; refuse to grieve alone.
• Identify one fear or painful task you’ve avoided and, in prayer, move toward it this week.
• When weakness returns, “cue the eagle”: speak Scripture and ask God for renewed strength.

Closing

Levi urged every listener still living in Saturday to cling to Jesus, the Light who already canceled death’s darkness and will one day banish it forever. Pastor Craig then invited all experiencing loss to trust God’s timing and, for those far from God, to call on Jesus for new life.

“Nobody prays alone—death is gone because Jesus is alive.”

Prayer

Pastor Craig thanked God for speaking hope into hurting hearts, asked for the Spirit’s comfort for all who grieve, and led seekers in a surrender prayer, trusting Christ for forgiveness and new life.

Resources

• YouVersion Bible App
• Samaritan’s Purse (mobile field hospital relief mentioned in Mission Minute)