Abundant Life Sermons

As parents who want to empower and equip according to the Bible in today’s culture, we must know how to develop children spiritually. DEVELOPMENT AND DISCIPLESHIP Developing children spiritually starts with discipling them. Discipleship is not the transfer of knowledge. It’s the transfer of life! God intends for faith to be passed on to the next generation in the home. He’s given parents the primary responsibility for the spiritual development and discipleship of their children. DEVELOPING A HEART FOR GOD The church can teach a child the knowledge of God, but it’s in the home where they develop a heart for God. Unless we take them beyond the knowledge of God to knowing Him, they will never develop a heart for Him! Join Abundant Life as we unpack practical ways and resources that will equip parents to be living proof of a loving God to a watching world—specifically to their children. 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 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/

You might not naturally allow God to change you in difficult circumstances, but there is a great blessing when you do. He wants you to receive peace in the midst of pain. Jesus said that He gives you peace, but not as the world gives. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”—John 14:27 Often, we want peace according to how we think things ought to be. But this is a dangerous place to be. We can’t let our theology of God’s character be built off the floor of our situation. Jesus also tells us that we will face trials and tribulations but can have peace in and through them. “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”—John 16:33 Join Abundant Life this week as we discover the key to health, joy, and peace, no matter our circumstances. JOIN US! Join Pastor Toshaun Avery at Abundant Life as he preaches from the Bible looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, in every situation. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study · Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeems-pain-suffering-scars-bible-study/ · Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermon-series/scars/ 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/

Suffering is never pleasant, but it does come with a promise. In fact, it comes with a number of promises. WHAT ARE THE PROMISES? They can be found in 2 Corinthians 1:2-11. God is the God of comfort and compassion. He wants us to know how to wield the weapons of spiritual warfare He gives us during suffering so we can embrace more of who He is and the promises released during suffering. GOD’S PROMISES… · Supernatural comfort · Healing · Deliverance But how are these promises released by Him and received by us? JOIN US! Join Pastor Phil at Abundant Life as he preaches from the Bible about how these three promises are released and two critical weapons of warfare you need to know in times of suffering. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study · Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeems-pain-suffering-scars-bible-study/ · Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermon-series/scars/ 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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’s pathway to becoming spiritually mature and more Christ-like is through suffering—in other words, “No pain, no gain.” BIBLE VERSE 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” From these verses, we learn that God desires to use pain and suffering in our lives for a greater good. ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PAIN IS A PRIZE. Becoming spiritually mature and being used greatly for God involves suffering deeply. 2 AGENDAS AT WORK WHEN WE SUFFER—GOD’S & SATAN’S God uses suffering for our sanctification. Satan uses suffering for our affliction. God wants to use suffering to… Develop our faith Refine your faith Satan wants to use suffering to… Destroy our faith Ruin our faith Just as a goldsmith puts metal into the fire to get rid of impurities and make it more moldable, so too does God. He tests our faith so that we can be crafted into something useful and beautiful. This is the process of sanctification! Satan will tempt you, but God will test you. God sees pain and suffering as a pathway to make you complete… “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”—James 1:3 The agenda that ultimately influences your life in times of suffering is directly related to how you respond. Satan wants you to respond based on what you see. God wants you to respond based on what He has said. So then, how do you respond to suffering? Becoming spiritually mature is a process. Allow God to guide you through it. JOIN US! Join Pastor Phil at Abundant Life as he preaches about the two agendas at work in our lives during suffering and how we can respond and embrace how God wants to use our situations to refine us so that we become spiritually mature. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study ·         Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeem... ·         Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermon-series/... 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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 marks of following Jesus authentically? The Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 6:17: “From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks [scars] of the Lord Jesus.” The Apostle Paul is teaching that authentic faith in Jesus will leave scars. The scars in our lives are to be visible to a watching world, allowing us to share the message of Jesus’ bearing scars for our sins. THE MARKS OF FOLLOWING JESUS… TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY As a Christian, are you willing to sacrifice and suffer for the cause of Christ? The cross leaves scars. Living as an authentic Jesus follower will leave a mark. VERSE: In Luke 9:23, Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” LIVE CREDIBLY Paul’s credibility as an apostle and follower of Christ came not from what he said but from his scars! The world is watching what comes out of our lives, not merely from our lips, before they decide if they will follow Christ. VERSE: In 2 Corinthians 11:24-26, Paul wrote, “… I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren…” LIVE FOR THE ETERNAL Fools are not people who give their lives for the gospel but people who waste their lives living solely for themselves. The fools trade the eternal for the temporal. They live only for the material instead of the spiritual. VERSE: In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul wrote, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” JOIN US! Join Pastor Phil at Abundant Life as he preaches about the missing element in the Church today—the marks of following Jesus authentically. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study · Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeems-pain-suffering-scars-bible-study/ · Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermon-series/scars/ 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/

Scars (Part 2) | If God Is So Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen? [FULL SERMON] Description: If you’ve ever been through loss, suffering, or seasons of confusion, you’ve likely asked, “If God is so good, why do bad things happen?” HOW SHOULD WE LOOK AT SUFFERING? The Apostle Paul urged us to consider suffering in this life nothing compared to the glory to come. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope…”—Romans 8:18-20 MAKING SENSE OF SUFFERING The Word of God helps us make sense of a world full of nonsense. Join Pastor Phil from Abundant Life as he answers tough questions such as… · Why is there so much suffering in today’s world? · If God knew Adam would sin, why did He give him a choice? · Does pain and suffering mean God’s plan of a perfect world is destroyed? · If God is good and evil exists, does that mean God is not all-powerful? · If God is all-powerful and evil exists, does that mean God is not good? We must remember that our questions do not intimate God. Our questions deconstruct practices and beliefs to determine their truthfulness. Our response is to assimilate the truth in faith and apply it to our lives. Join us as we ask tough questions and make sense of suffering in today’s world. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study · Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeem... · Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/

No more victim mentality, no more blaming others, and no more excuses–it is time to embrace the truth that you are more than a conqueror in Christ (Romans 8:37). Ready to move from victim to victor? Debbie Stiegler shares how she came to embrace a conqueror mentality as Jesus took her pain and suffering and used it for good. Jesus doesn’t always tell us where to talk in the midst of a painful circumstance and reveal our final destination. Instead, He often says, “Walk.” When we take one step of faith toward our breakthrough, God will show us the next. God doesn’t give us a map. Instead, He gives us a compass. He is in control, but He doesn’t always take control. We take a step, and little by little, our path becomes clear. When we start to journey forward, we will have scars. But God wants us to get beyond surviving and move into a conqueror mentality. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”—Romans 8:37 Perhaps you’ve gone through circumstances and wonder how God could ever redeem them. Yes, there is hurt, but you are still here. This is proof that your purpose is still set before you. HOW DO YOU MOVE FORWARD? -Accept the now. No one comes out of suffering and loss without scars. It is time to accept them. -Own your story. Don’t pretend your pain didn’t happen. Owning your story allows you to shut the door on shame and guilt. -Embrace the journey. You can be in charge of the narrative of your life. You may not have intended to go through what you have, but you did end up where God intended you to be. LASTLY… · Don’t spend too much time on the villains. They’ve already stolen too much in your life. · Tell the story of the conflict because that’s what develops your character. · Talk about your hero—Jesus. Who pulls you out of the mud and mire and sets your feet on a rock (Psalm 40:2). · Share your growth. Tell others about how your story changed, giving God the glory and releasing good to others. Join Abundant Life as we discuss how to navigate a world of suffering and loss. You are more than a survivor, and your story is not over yet. You are more than a conqueror in Christ. 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 additional resources for a Scars series study · Get the FREE Scars Bible Study to go with this sermon series: https://livingproof.co/how-god-redeems-pain-suffering-scars-bible-study/ · Get additional teaching to go with sermons: https://livingproof.co/sermons/ 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/

Unforgiveness can hold you hostage. It keeps healing and restoration at bay, and as a result, you can’t walk in the freedom available to you through Jesus. When you know how to forgive, you can live victoriously. WHAT IS FORGIVENESS? Forgiveness is a decision to release the person of the obligation that resulted when they hurt you. This decision to release forgiveness is a process. Satan will try to keep you in bondage to unforgiveness by telling you…. The offense (either yours or others) is too big Time (not God) will heal it You can forgive when the other person says, “I’m sorry” You can’t forgive if you can’t forget If you forgive, they will do it again SO THEN, HOW DO YOU FORGIVE? Join Pastor Chad Glover from Abundant Life as he walks you through 3 steps to forgiveness… Know who you are in Christ. You are an elect of God, holy and beloved (Colossians 3:12). Put on the right stuff. Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). Choose to forgive. Forgiveness is a choice to bear with one another and forgive as you’ve been forgiven (Colossians 3:13) WHAT FORGIVENESS IS NOT Pastor Chad further explains what forgiveness is NOT… Enabling Rescuing Risking Free Easy Jesus has called us to forgive totally, immediately, and unilaterally. Is unforgiveness holding you hostage? Break free and discover the freedom found in forgiveness. Join us at Abundant Life for this powerful message. 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 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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’s the difference between guilt and shame and godly conviction? What do guilt and shame do to you emotionally, mentally, and physically? They are toxic to your soul and to your body! PSALM 38:3-4 says, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Guilt and shame are two things Satan uses to keep us from living an abundant life in Christ. Conviction of sin comes from God. But guilt and shame over past sins already forgiven are never from God. GET SET FREE FROM GUILT AND SHAME The key to removing guilt and shame is understanding forgiveness. You will fully forgive yourself and be free from guilt and shame when you fully believe God forgives you! PSALM 103:11-12 says, “For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Join Pastor Phil from Abundant Life as he explains how Satan accuses you, causing you to operate out of guilt and shame rather than the forgiveness you have received through Christ. Discover the beauty of forgiveness and receive it from God and believe it for yourself. 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 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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 life of Samson gives us a great insight into understanding and identifying spiritual strongholds. Like us, Samson was born for victory. Yet he was led into captivity. Do you feel like you are a slave to sin, living in captivity, and need to be set free to find victory? Take a look at Samson’s life. His story teaches us the high cost of low living. His sinful life mocked God. Eventually, his repeated sin became a spiritual stronghold. Identifying Spiritual Strongholds Can Help You Break Free before You Self-Destruct In this powerful message from Pastor Phil at Abundant Life, he reveals the 6 mistakes Samson made. You don’t have to follow in his footsteps. 6 Steps That Led Samson (and Can Lead You) into Slavery… Living on the border and playing on the fringe Find out how to make “no provision for the flesh” (Romans 13:14). Disobeying God’s command Know the commands of God so that you aren’t tempted “to serve other gods” (Deuteronomy 7:1-4). Breaking repeated commands Discover how repeated sin becomes a habit, then a pattern, and eventually a stronghold. At this point, sin has become your master. (1 Corinthians 6:12) Focusing on your cause over God’s cause Find out how to identify if you want your happiness over God’s holiness. (John 3:30-36) Disregarding God’s counsel Know how to heed God’s warning and receive godly counsel. (Proverbs 12:15) Doubting God’s discipline Discover the danger of getting to the point of having no fear of God. (Proverbs 11:19). You can start living free. You were meant to be a victor, not a victim. 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 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/resources/books/ Learn more about the A-Life Discipleship Journey: https://alife.livingproof.co/   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/