Abundant Life Sermons

It’s the Spirit of God that supernaturally empowers every born-again child of God to be a powerful witness for the Son of God. Biblical leaders are filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit. God promised to give us His Spirit so we could be powerful witnesses of His Son. The book of Acts is a historical record of the acts of the Apostles and the early Church fulfilling the Acts 1:8 mandate. WHAT IS THE ACTS 1:8 MANDATE? “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”—Acts 1:8 Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection established how we could be saved. The Holy Spirit’s work is to spread the message of salvation found in Jesus. The mandate is to “be witnesses to” Jesus. The Greek word for witness here is “martys.” It means… A legal or historical spectator who can swear by what has been seen “Martyr,”(it is from this Greek word we get the word martyr) is someone who expresses Jesus’ life and love by being willing to die for what they believe The rapid spread of the gospel to the “ends of the earth” in less than a century cannot be explained in any other way except it was a “supernatural” move of God through the people of God. Every born-again child of God is indwelt by the Spirit. But not all are filled with the Spirit. Join Pastor Phil as he… Explains the difference between being indwelt and being filled by the Holy Spirit Provides understanding about how to be empowered by the Spirit Let’s journey through the book of Acts and discover what biblical leadership looks like and how we can live and lead by the Spirit of God. Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Get the FREE download to go with this series, “Biblical Leadership Principles: Learning from the Book of Acts”: https://livingproof.co/biblical-leadership-principles-acts/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

What are the 3 characteristics of Spirit-led leaders? Using the book of Acts as our guide, we will explore biblical leadership principles that helped the first-century church lead well to impact their communities and families for Jesus. Use these principles to lead well and leave a lasting legacy, making a great impact on those around you. THE FIRST-CENTURY CHURCH WAS A MOVEMENT MARKED BY… The first-century Church was a movement marked by men and women taking their faith seriously and leading others in their communities to follow Jesus. But how did they do this? They were known by how they lived and led, not by the books they read or the buildings they went to. Christianity upset the first-century world and began to reset the way the world operated. The first-century church lived and led in a new way. Here are 3 characteristics of this movement’s leaders… Leaders had clarity for the plan. The plan was to be used by God. Leaders lived with urgency and expectancy. They looked forward to Jesus’ return. Leaders waited desperately. They were desperate for God, prayed earnestly, walked in unity, and waited expectantly. Join us as we journey through the book of Acts and discover what biblical leadership looks like and how we can live and lead by the Spirit of God. Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Get the FREE download to go with this series, “Biblical Leadership Principles: Learning from the Book of Acts”: https://livingproof.co/biblical-leadership-principles-acts/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

The song “Oh, Holy Night” helps us remember the night of Jesus’ birth. The lyrics guide us through how… Jesus taught us to love His law is love and His gospel is peace He breaks chains of slavery He makes all oppression cease “OH, HOLY NIGHT” LYRICS… Truly He taught us to love one another His law is love and His gospel is peace Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother And in His name all oppression shall cease The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Savior's birth! Long lay the world in sin and error pining Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary soul rejoices For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees! ISAIAH 61:1 SAYS… “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Jesus was anointed to PREACH good tidings, HEAL the brokenhearted, and PROCLAIM liberty to the captives. Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he gives an inspirational Christmas sermon about the holy night of Jesus’ birth and walks you through the powerful lyrics of “Oh, Holy Night”… Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Prepare your heart for Christmas with this Christmas devotional video series: https://livingproof.co/preparing-your-heart-for-christmas-a-christmas-devotional-video-series/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” dates back more than a thousand years to the Monastic movement and reflects the prophecy written in Isaiah 7:14. “O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL” LYRICS… “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” “O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free thine own from Satan’s tyranny; from depths of hell thy people save, and give them victory o’er the grave. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” “O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high, and cheer us by Thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.” ISAIAH 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” THE THEOLOGY OF “O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL” The theology of this hymn is almost entirely from the Old Testament Jewish prophecies related to God’s promise of a Savior – Immanuel, which means “God with us.” Christianity is rooted in Judaism because God promised a Savior King that would emerge through the Jews and the nation of Israel. John 4:22 says, “…salvation is of the Jews.” Isaiah 11:1 says, “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots.” God promised Abraham, the father of the Jews, that through his seed all the people of the earth would be blessed. Theologians call this the Abrahamic Covenant found in Genesis 12:1-3, 15:5-21, 17:1-8. Luke 1:78-79 says, “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.” Emmanuel is the Dayspring – when He comes, a new Day will dawn. The night will soon be over! He will chase away death’s dark shadows! Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he reveals… A hidden message in the text of the seven original stanzas of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Prepare your heart for Christmas with this Christmas devotional video series: https://livingproof.co/preparing-your-heart-for-christmas-a-christmas-devotional-video-series/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written in 1739 by John Wesley as a musical celebration of Luke 2:8-14. “HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING” LYRICS… “Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King: peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’ Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with angelic hosts proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’” “Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings, mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die. Born to raise the sons of earth. Born to give them second birth.” LUKE 2:8-14 “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” HARK! LISTEN FOR THE THEOLOGY IN THE SONG Hark means to listen. The first verse of “Hark! The Herald Angel’s Sing” points to God’s promise of the birth of a Savior King. The second verse records the theology of our salvation made possible by His birth. The first birth is physical, and the second birth is spiritual. 1 Peter 1:23 says… “…having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever.” God gave His Son, born of a virgin, to give us all a “second birth” so that we can live forever! (See 1 Corinthians 15:22, John 3:1-7, 16-18) Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he explains how… (See Revelation 20:14) Being born twice leaves you to die only once Being born once leaves you to die twice Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Prepare your heart for Christmas with this Christmas devotional video series: https://livingproof.co/preparing-your-heart-for-christmas-a-christmas-devotional-video-series/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

“Joy to the World” was written in 1719 as a musical interpretation of Psalm 98, a prophecy about the coming King. “JOY TO THE WORLD” LYRICS… “Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns. Let all their songs employ. While field and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy…” “He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove. The glories of His righteousness, and wonders of His love…” PSALM 98 “Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! For He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation; His righteousness He has revealed in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His mercy and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises. Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; 8 let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity.” WHAT IS THE PROPHECY IN “JOY TO THE WORLD” ABOUT? This Psalm is a prophecy related to God’s promise of a King who will usher in a kingdom without end and reverse the curse of sin over all creation. TWO KINGDOMS: OF HEAVEN and OF GOD The lyrics of “Joy to the World” reflect the nature of both the “Kingdom of Heaven” and the “Kingdom of God”. While these are similar in Scripture, they are not exactly synonymous. The chorus goes… “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room and heaven and nature sing.” The “kingdom of heaven” is the rule of heaven on earth. It is a physical kingdom (See Acts 1:5-6, Matthew 3:1-2). The “kingdom of God” is the rule of God in our hearts. It is a spiritual kingdom (See Romans 14:17, Matthew 6:33). So then, how do you enter the “Kingdom of Heaven” and the “Kingdom of God”? You cannot enter the kingdom of heaven until you have FIRST entered the kingdom of God! You must first enter the spiritual kingdom, or you will never know the joy of Christ’s physical kingdom. Join Pastor Phil Hopper as he explains how you can have… A new beginning A new birth Enter into a new kingdom Know true joy Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Prepare your heart for Christmas with this Christmas devotional video series: https://livingproof.co/preparing-your-heart-for-christmas-a-christmas-devotional-video-series/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

 How to Be Made Whole from AnxietyLuke 17:11-19Luke 17:11-14, Now it happened as He went to Jerusalem that He passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.1) A Serious Sickness.“People who made money and possessions a priority generally experienced more unpleasant emotions, a greater incidence of physical ailments, such as headaches and stomachaches, and less satisfaction with their lives.” (“Materialism expert” Tim Kasser)“Entitlement creates a constant vulnerability to unmet expectations. Unmet expectations then lead to dissatisfaction and other volatile emotions.”  (Joshua Grubbs PhD, Psychological Bulletin)Lizard Brain — (limbic brain) — This is a nickname for the part of your brain that deals with survival and creates your fight or flight response. You may think of it as your own personal freak-out zone.Luke 17:13, And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”There is an indirect correlation between our hiding and our healing.Luke 17:14, So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.Katharizō — Catharsis — emotional release, purified.2) A Satisfactory Healer.Luke 17:15-16, And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan.3) A Suitable Response.a. Recognize your healing.b. Return to the healer.c. Offer a loud song.Psalm 13:1, How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?Psalm 13:6, I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.“Group singing has been scientifically proven to lower stress, relieve anxiety, and elevate endorphins.”d. Fall on your face.e. Give thanks.Gratitude — To show that a kindness received is valued.“Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” (Harvard research)“Higher levels of gratitude were associated with better sleep, and with lower anxiety and depression.” (Alex Korb PhD)Gratitude is the attitude that sets the altitude for life.Luke 17:17-19, So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”Sozo — To be made whole.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught what makes the gospel irresistible is God’s compassion for all people. Those that others find reprehensible God finds irresistible. There is no price too high that God would not pay for any of us. We matter to God. We are priceless to Him! THE CHARACTERS IN THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN… A Certain Man “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.”—Luke 10:30 The certain man represents us in our fallen condition—naked, wounded, and left for dead by sin and Satan. The Jewish Priest “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.”—Luke 10:31 The Jewish priest pictures the Law of God. Keeping the Law—a list of “righteous works” cannot save you. The Levites “Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.”—Luke 10:32 The Levites were keepers of religious rituals in the Jewish temple. “Religious works” cannot save you. The Good Samaritan “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”—Luke 10:33-34 The Good Samaritan represents God’s heart of compassion while we were dead in our sins! Jesus paid a debt He did not owe for a price we could not pay! Though He was the sinless Son of God, He died for the sins of men. Let’s go and show God’s irresistible heart of compassion. Because to God, every person is priceless. Join Pastor Phil Hopper at Abundant Life as he gives an inspiring message that… Reminds us of God’s compassionate heart Encourages us to draw near to God Compels us to show mercy and “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37) Go deeper into understanding the parable of the Good Samaritan and God’s heart of compassion toward you! Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

What does planting the kingdom of God look like today? Jeremiah 29:5-7 tells us… “Build houses and dwell in them, plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” PLANTING THE KINGDOM OF GOD… BUILD houses PLANT gardens BUILD families SEEK peace PRAY always God’s principles for planting His kingdom are the same yesterday, today, and forever. There will be obstacles we come up against, looking to deceive and cause division. But remember God’s promises as you plant His kingdom… THE PROMISE… Peace Future Hope Freedom Jeremiah 29:11-14… “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive. Join Pastor Chad Glover at Abundant Life as he speaks about God’s vision for planting peace in our cities and the obstacles we are up against. Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/ For more information on the Abundant Life Peace Ministry: livingproof.co/peace More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/

God is on the move and doing something new! Abundant Life Church Houses are multiplying the movement of God by gathering in small groups to… Worship together Grow spiritually Find biblical community Live missionally God always intended His temple to be a light to the nations. In the Old Testament, it was a BUILDING, but in the New Testament, it’s a BODY! First Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” The church is not a building with stained glass and a steeple—THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE. Wherever the people gather, the church gathers. Join Pastor Phil Hopper at Abundant Life as he explains… The evolution of the American Church over the last 50 years Reasons not to start an Abundant Life Church House Reasons to start an Abundant Life Church House Don’t forget to click the “bell” to SUBSCRIBE to get more videos like this to grow your faith! Connect with us on Social Media ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abundantlifels/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifels Connect with Pastor Phil ↴ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilHopperKC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/philhopper_kc/ Web: https://livingproof.co/about-us/pastor-phil/ Be a part of the Great Commission: https://livingproof.co/irresistible/ More information on our sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ Do you want to see your life changed by Jesus? Visit our website: https://livingproof.co/