2025 Passion Speaker Levi Lusko Challenges Audience to Reject the World’s Empty Promises
Pastor Levi Lusko of Fresh Life Church encouraged young believers at this year's Passion Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, that earthly successes pale in comparison to the eternal treasure found in a life surrendered to Jesus Christ. Lusko, who opened this week's set of messages at Passion 2025, began his sermon with a story on Alexander the Great as an example of how great achievements and successes end in despair and dissatisfaction.
"At the age of 32, at the absolute height of his success, Alexander the Great wept," Lusko said.
Lusko documented Alexander's swift ascent, beginning with his ascension to the throne of Macedon at the age of 20, followed by his conquest of the Persian Empire, where he took on the titles "King of Kings" and "Son of God" before reaching his late 20s. By the time he was 32, he governed an empire that covered 2 million square miles.
Lusko noted how the biblical prophecy ties in with Alexander's life, The Christian Post reported.
"Three hundred years before he was born, the book of Daniel predicted his coming," Lusko remarked, alluding to the visions in Daniel chapters 2, 8, and 11 that certain scholars believe represented Alexander's conquests.
Despite his success, Alexander's Kingdom was ultimately divided, and his heirs were murdered after he died prematurely.
"This is a cautionary tale for all of us," Lusko warned. "You can conquer the world, but if your identity is rooted in anything other than God, it will leave you empty."
He explained that Alexander the Great due to the emptiness he suffered.
He wept because he realized that there were infinite worlds, and he could only rule one. He also wept in remorse after killing a close friend in a fit of rage. Despite having everything, Alexander was deeply dissatisfied."
Lusko also shared his own experience with a midlife crisis in his late 30s and encouraged attendees to view such struggles as opportunities and greater dependence on God.
"I felt like I was coming unglued," he shared, describing sleepless nights, panic attacks, and feeling unmotivated. "I didn't want to call it a midlife crisis because it felt so cliché. But the truth is, I was grappling with the same questions Alexander faced: What's next? What's my purpose? What do I do with the life I have left?"
"Be kind to yourself," he added. "You've never been here before. The wilderness seasons in our lives are often God's way of preparing us for something greater."
Citing the parable in Matthew 13:14, Luski attributed his breakthrough through this passage where Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven to a hidden treasure worth sacrificing everything to obtain.
"This passage became my anchor," he said. "It reminded me that life is not about accumulating achievements or possessions, but about continually surrendering everything to Christ to uncover the treasures of His Kingdom."
He contended that one's identity is ultimately found in Christ, not in anything on earth such as money, possessions, and relationships because it will all fade away.
When you anchor yourself in what can never be taken away — the love of God, the hope of the Gospel — you are unshakable," Lusko said.
Lusko outlined a practical framework for living a life well-lived in 3 phases: building a container, filling it with what matters, and eventually giving it away to the glory of God. He used the story of his father, who passed away from cancer last year, as an example of this practical framework.
"My dad dedicated his life to building a container through his career in radio, filling it with family and service, and finally giving it all away for the glory of God," Lusko said.
"This is the rhythm of a life well-lived," Lusko said. "But the enemy wants to distract you. He'll tempt you to skip the first phase, rushing to fill your life with empty successes. Or he'll convince you to hoard what you've built, never giving it away for the Kingdom."
In closing, the pastor told the audience that life is like a "vapor" and that it should be lived with eternal significance.
"Live today in light of that day when you stand before God. Build your container, fill it with treasure that matters, and be ready to give it all away," he said.
Passion 2025, which began Jan. 2-4, held Jan. 6-8 and featured founder Louie Giglio, Sadie Robertson Huff, Jackie Hill Perry, Jonathan Pokluda and others. This year's conference theme is "For His Renown."
Photo Credit: ©YouTube/passion
Originally published January 08, 2025.
