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ET was homeless at 16. No bank account. No plan. No way out. So how did he get here? It wasn't hustle. It wasn't talent. It wasn't connections. It was something most people aren't willing to do — and in this message, he breaks down exactly what it cost him, why God required it, and why the same thing is required of you. The formula has been in John 3:16 the whole time. Most people read it for comfort. ET reads it as a blueprint. 📖 SERMON: ET Was Homeless at 16 — Here's What He Had to Give Up to Get Here 🎙️ Speaker: Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher) 🏛️ Church: A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) — Grand Ledge, MI ───────────────────────────── 📲 TAKE THE NEXT STEP ───────────────────────────── 🙏 Give & Support APOC: https://apocministry.org 📖 Sermon Notes: https://apocministry.org 🎧 APOC Podcast: https://apocministry.org ✉️ Join a Growth Group: https://apocministry.org ▶️ Subscribe for weekly messages: https://www.youtube.com/@APOCMinistry?sub_confirmation=1 ───────────────────────────── 🔥 ABOUT ERIC THOMAS — ET THE HIP HOP PREACHER ───────────────────────────── Eric Thomas is a world-renowned motivational speaker, pastor, author, and educator who went from high school dropout and homeless teen to earning his PhD and becoming one of the most sought-after voices in personal development. Known globally as ET The Hip Hop Preacher, he has delivered transformational messages to the NFL, NBA, Nike, the Obama Foundation, Disney, and millions more. With 2.1M Instagram followers, 1.39M YouTube subscribers, 580K on TikTok, and over 15 million podcast downloads, ET's message of sacrifice, discipline, and faith continues to change lives worldwide. He is also the recipient of the President's Lifetime Achievement Award. ───────────────────────────── 🏛️ ABOUT APOC — A PLACE OF CHANGE MINISTRY ───────────────────────────── A Place of Change (APOC) is a Saturday Sabbath church located in Grand Ledge, Michigan, led by Pastors Eric and Dede Thomas and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. APOC exists to help people experience real transformation — spiritually, mentally, and in every area of life. We believe the Word of God is practical, powerful, and meant to be lived, not just heard. Visit us at: https://apocministry.org

There's a moment in the Bible where a group of religious men tried to use Jesus' name as a trick, and the demon looked at them and said, "Jesus I know. Paul I know. But who are YOU?" That's the question this message answers. Not who you say you are. Who you actually ARE, in power. Dr. Eric Thomas, breaks down why so many people have the knowledge of God, the church attendance, the vocabulary, and still keep losing. The problem isn't your faith. It's that you haven't activated what God already gave you. In this message you'll discover: → Why David didn't pray Goliath down — and what he actually did → The difference between a form of godliness and real power → How a single phone call saved $15,000 (and what that has to do with your spiritual authority) → Why "playing small" isn't humility — it's robbing the Kingdom → What it looks like to stop letting people with no authority rule your life The power belongs to you. This message will show you how to pick it back up. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔔 SUBSCRIBE + turn on notifications so you never miss a message: https://www.youtube.com/@APOCMinistry?sub_confirmation=1 📱 JOIN THE APOC COMMUNITY — Download the App: Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🙏 SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST: https://apocministry.org 💸 PARTNER WITH THE MISSION — Give Online: https://apocministry.org/giving 📖 SERMON NOTES + RESOURCES: https://apocministry.org/sermons 🎙️ LISTEN ON PODCAST: https://apocministry.org/podcast 📲 STAY CONNECTED WITH ET: https://www.instagram.com/etthehiphoppreacher https://www.twitter.com/etthehiphoppreacher ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🕐 TIMESTAMPS: ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎤 ABOUT ERIC THOMAS — ET THE HIP HOP PREACHER Eric Thomas is a world-renowned motivational speaker, best-selling author, educator, and pastor. Known for his raw, high-energy delivery, ET has spoken to millions across schools, corporations, sports organizations, and churches worldwide. His message bridges the streets and the sanctuary — and has helped people at every level unlock their next level. ⛪ ABOUT A PLACE OF CHANGE MINISTRY (APOC) APOC is a Saturday Sabbath church located in Grand Ledge, Michigan, led by Pastors Eric & Dede Thomas and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. APOC is more than a church, it's a community actively serving, growing, and reaching people with the transforming power of the gospel. Join us every Saturday at 11AM ET, in person or online. 🌐 apocministry.org

Most people spend their entire life chasing power and never actually get it — because nobody ever showed them what real power looks like. It doesn't look like the loudest person in the room. It doesn't look like the biggest title, the biggest stage, or the most followers. And it definitely doesn't look like domination. In this message, Pastor Eric Thomas breaks down one of the most overlooked moments in scripture, John 13, the foot washing, and reveals that Jesus gave His most powerful lesson not from a pulpit, not in a temple, but at a dinner table. With His enemies sitting right there. The message? There is a POSTURE to power. And until you understand it, you'll keep performing power instead of actually walking in it. ET covers: → Why everything most people were taught about power is backwards → The foot washing — why Jesus did it outside the church and what that means for you → The difference between Meek = Weak, Strong = Pride, and Power Under Purpose → Why real authority shows up in hospital rooms, school districts & neighborhoods, not just pulpits → How Joseph didn't just forgive his brothers — he saw it the way God saw it → Why meekness is not passivity — it's the tool that activates everything → The posture that makes the first last and the last first This message will change how you define power forever. ──────────────────────────────────────────── 🔔 SUBSCRIBE & turn on notifications — new messages every Saturday: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📱 DOWNLOAD THE APOC APP — prayer requests, give, and stay connected: Search "APOC Ministry" in the App Store or Google Play 🙏 SUBMIT A PRAYER REQUEST — our team is praying with you this week: Visit apocministry.com or tap Prayer in the app 💛 PARTNER WITH APOC — your generosity fuels our mission to Love, Serve & Grow: Visit apocministry.com/give or tap Giving in the app 📲 SHARE THIS MESSAGE with someone who needs to hear it today 🔑 SCRIPTURES REFERENCED John 13:3-5 — Jesus rises from supper and washes His disciples' feet Acts 1:8 — You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you 2 Timothy 1:7 — God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind Ephesians 6:10 — Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power Luke 10:19 — I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions Matthew 20:16 — The last will be first, and the first will be last Matthew 5:5 — Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth Proverbs 13:22 — A righteous man leaves an inheritance for his children's children ─────────────────────────────────────────── ABOUT ERIC THOMAS — ET THE HIP HOP PREACHER Dr. Eric Thomas, Ph.D. is a New York Times bestselling author, world-renowned motivational speaker, educator, and pastor. Known globally as ET The Hip Hop Preacher, his message has reached tens of millions of people across hundreds of countries. He has spoken in NFL and NBA locker rooms, Fortune 500 boardrooms, and now leads A Place of Change Ministry in Grand Ledge, Michigan alongside his wife, Dede Thomas, and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. ET is the recipient of the President's Lifetime Achievement Award and has partnered with Nike, the NFL, the NBA, Disney, Amazon, and the Obama Foundation, not to be seen, but to serve. ──────────────────────────────────────────── ABOUT A PLACE OF CHANGE MINISTRY (APOC) A Place of Change Ministry is a Saturday Sabbath church in Grand Ledge, Michigan led by Pastor Eric Thomas and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. APOC is more than a church it's a community actively built on a culture of Love, Serve, and Grow. Every Saturday the doors are open to worship, the Word, and the work of God, inside and outside the building. 📍 Grand Ledge, Michigan 📅 Join us every Saturday 🌐 apocministry.com ────────────────────────────────────────────

You have 2 choices this year. And God is waiting to see which one you pick. Pastor Eric Thomas (ET The Hip Hop Preacher) breaks down the only decision that actually matters this year — using the story of Jonah to show why every time you try to handle it in your own strength, your ship starts breaking up. Your relationships. Your finances. Your peace. All of it. But when you operate in divine strength? Alignment. Obedience. Consistency. Long-term fruit. The choice sounds simple. But most of us keep picking the wrong one, and wondering why nothing is working. This sermon will tell you exactly why. And exactly what to do instead. 📖 Scripture: Jonah 1 | 2 Corinthians 12:9 ————————————————— ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS ————————————————— Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:05:30 You Only Have Two Choices This Year 00:09:00 Jonah Chapter 1: When God Gives You a Word 00:15:45 The Formula for Success: Alignment, Obedience, Consistency 00:24:00 The One Shirt Principle: Simplifying Your Decisions 00:30:00 Human Strength vs Divine Strength: The Only Two Choices 00:36:00 The Cost of Running From God's Will 00:42:00 Alignment: The Secret to Unstoppable Blessing 00:48:00 Divine Strength Benefits: Peace, Clarity, and Results 00:54:00 Congruence: When Identity and Action Match God's Design 01:00:00 The Manifesto: Love, Serve, Grow 01:06:00 Let God Cook: Surrendering Control in the Reset Season ————————————————— 💬 WHICH ONE ARE YOU PICKING? ————————————————— Human strength or divine strength? Drop it in the comments. Be honest. 👇 ————————————————— 🔥 IF THIS HIT YOU ————————————————— Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe and hit the 🔔 → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 ————————————————— 👤 ABOUT ERIC THOMAS ————————————————— Eric Thomas — known worldwide as ET The Hip Hop Preacher — is a world-renowned motivational speaker, pastor, author, and educator. From homeless teenager to PhD, ET's story and message have impacted millions across the globe through speaking, books, podcasts, and now his home church, A Place of Change Ministry. His signature line, "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe," has become one of the most quoted motivational phrases in the world. ————————————————— 🏛️ ABOUT A PLACE OF CHANGE (APOC) ————————————————— A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) is a thriving faith community located in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Led by Pastors Eric & Dede Thomas and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus, APOC is more than a church, it's a community built on the mission to Love, Serve, and Grow. Whether you're in the building or joining online, you are family here. 🌐 apocministry.org ————————————————— 🙌 CONNECT WITH APOC ————————————————— 🌐 Website & Giving → https://apocministry.org 📱 App → Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🎙️ Podcast → Apple Podcasts | Spotify Join us LIVE every Saturday at 11AM A Place of Change Ministry | Grand Ledge, Michigan Pastors Eric & Dede Thomas | Associate Pastor TJ Tyus

You've been calling it suffering. You've been calling it surrender. Pastor Eric Thomas says it's neither — and what's actually happening might be the most important thing you hear all year. In Part 3 of the Royal Airlines series, Pastor ET delivers a message that will challenge everything you thought you knew about obedience, people pleasing, and following God's plan. Using the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 15, he exposes the real reason most Christians stay stuck — not confusion, not weakness, but two competing wills. Yours and God's. If you've ever people-pleased your way out of a blessing, let people's voices drown out God's direction, or found yourself wondering why obedience and people pleasing feel identical — this message is for you. The flight plan is already written. The question is whether you'll follow it. In this message you'll discover: Why "surrender" isn't a real problem — and what the real issue actually is The dangerous difference between people pleasing and true obedience to God How to stop people pleasing when it feels like the right thing to do What King Saul's biggest mistake reveals about our own relationship with God A practical tool to help you know whether you're obeying God or just people pleasing Why people pleasing is actually hurting the people you're trying to help CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:02:23 There's No Such Thing as Suffering or Surrender 00:05:30 Surrender Only Exists When There's Conflict 00:06:55 You Want to Quit, God Says Stay 00:08:38 You Want Revenge, God Says Forgive 00:10:43 You Want Comfort, God Wants You to Grow 00:12:27 Your Will Versus His Will: The Real Battle 00:15:41 God Doesn't Pay You to Think or Feel 00:16:01 First Samuel 15: When You Were Little in Your Own Sight 00:17:26 The Command: Destroy Everything, No Exceptions 00:21:18 The People Made Me Do It: Saul's Excuse 00:22:25 When God Gives, He Also Gives Instructions 00:24:19 Rebellion Is as the Sin of Witchcraft 00:36:56 You Only Destroyed the Bad Stuff 00:41:49 To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice 00:46:07 False Repentance: Honor Me Before the People 00:49:34 What Surrender Really Looks Like 00:51:43 Five Wills That Fight Against God's Will 00:52:09 Prayer for Men: Use Your Influence for God's Will 00:54:21 Prayer for Women: Support the Will of God 00:56:00 Prayer for Children: Stop Following the Internet 00:58:11 Next Steps: Connect, Give, and Share ✅ Subscribe and turn on notifications — new messages every Saturday: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: 👉 https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948 🎧 Stream on Spotify: 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/7MSRcKb31rzblPxPpvM5WF?si=5541166622814a17 💛 Support the Mission If today's message moved you, consider partnering with A Place of Change Ministry. Your generosity fuels our weekly services, community outreach, and our ability to reach people around the world through this channel. Every gift — no matter the size — makes a difference. 👉 Give at: apocministry.org/give About A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) A Place of Change Ministry is a church community in Grand Ledge, Michigan, committed to helping people love God, grow in faith, and serve others. We believe the church isn't just a building — it's a movement. Join us live every Saturday at 11 AM ET, right here on YouTube. 📱 Download the APOC App: Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🌐 Website: apocministry.org

Are you doing all the right things, working hard, staying committed, putting in the effort, but still not getting the results you know you should have? The problem might not be your effort. It might be your need to be in control. In this message, Pastor Eric Thomas delivers one of the most raw and personal sermons of the Royal Airlines series, a message about what's really standing between you and everything God has for you. The formula is simple: surrender. Not weakness, surrender. Because the same way you board a plane and hand your life to a pilot you've never met, God is asking you to trust Him with everything you've been white-knuckling on your own. Pastor Eric shares the real story behind his books, from selling 5,000 copies while fighting for control, to 300,000 copies the moment he surrendered the process. Then going back to control. Then failing again. The full cycle — nothing held back. In this message you'll discover: Why motion without progress is a sign you're in control — not God The real reason control feels safe — and why it's actually destroying you Why control is a spiritual problem, not just a personality trait How the book story reveals a pattern that shows up in your relationships, finances, and family What it actually looks like to surrender — not as a feeling, but as a decision The formula: unless a grain of wheat falls and dies, it remains alone Chapters: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:40 The Formula: Getting on the Same Page With God 00:04:43 The Plane Illustration: Total Surrender at 35,000 Feet 00:10:09 Motion Without Progress: Why You're Stuck 00:15:22 John 12:24 - Unless a Grain of Wheat Dies 00:16:05 We Don't Want Control Because We're Strong, We Want It Because We're Scared 00:18:11 The Book Story: From 5,000 to 300,000 Copies 00:22:00 Control Is Satanic: The Spirit of Lucifer 00:27:09 The Business Lesson: Letting Dede In 00:38:19 The Cross: Complete Surrender 00:40:35 The Huntsville Story: Obedience Over Feelings 00:44:01 How Do You Feel: I Don't Feel Nothing 00:45:19 Altar Call: Time to Die to Control 📖  Scriptures Referenced: Jeremiah 29:11 — For I know the plans I have for you John 12:24 — Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies Proverbs 3:5–6 — Lean not unto your own understanding Joshua 1:3 — Every place the sole of your foot shall tread 👇  Take your next step: 🙏  Give Online → https://www.apocministry.org/give 📺  Watch More Sermons → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 🎧  Listen on Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948 About A Place of Change Ministry Formed in 2008, A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) is built on the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. We are a church for the unchurched — a welcoming home for those outside the mainstream of traditional worship. One thing visitors say time and time again: "Nobody does love like APOC." 📍  Grand Ledge, MI  ·  Virtual Services: Saturdays at 11AM EST 🌐  www.apocministry.org 📧  [email protected] Connect with APOC: ▶️  YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📸  Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 👍  Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/apocministry/

Most people don't quit because God told them to move. They quit because something invisible made them uncomfortable. In this message, Pastor TJ Tyus breaks down the one principle that determines whether you drift through life or stay rooted in what actually matters: Priority over Preference = Stability. When preference wins, you drift. When priority wins, you remain. You'll learn: → Why you keep making the right moves for the wrong reasons → How invisible "music" (pressure, comparison, feelings, culture) pulls you out of your assignment → The real reason you can't stay committed — and it's not willpower → How to decide before the pressure shows up → Why staying seated is not passive, it's the most active thing you can do Rosa Parks didn't stay seated because she was tired physically. She said: "I was tired of giving in." This message will challenge you to stop giving in to preference and start living from priority — in your health, your relationships, your faith, and your future. CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:42 The Goat Milk Story: Hearing vs Listening 00:05:20 Everything Happens Twice: Mind Then Reality 00:07:13 Solving for Stability: Priority Over Preference 00:10:02 Musical Chairs: Stop Playing Games With Your Seat 00:14:21 The One Who Stayed: Remaining in Your Seat 00:09:23 Hebrews 2:1 - We Must Pay Careful Attention 00:32:27 Guard Your Mind: Winning Internally First 00:34:29 Decide Before Pressure Arrives: Standards Over Suggestions 00:25:55 Rosa Parks: Tired of Giving In 00:21:49 Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable 00:23:01 The CPAP Mask Lesson: Choosing Life Over Comfort 00:29:02 Breaking Patterns: From Comfort to Identity 00:47:00 Training My Sons: Leading From the Front 00:52:28 My Greatest Achievement: Choosing Priority 00:54:42 Altar Call: Stop Choosing Preference Over Priority 📲 CONNECT WITH APOC 📍 A Place of Change Ministry 1165 N. Hartel Road, Grand Ledge, MI 48837 📅 Saturdays at 11AM 🌐 www.apocministry.org 📧 [email protected] ▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 👍 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/apocministry/ 📲 Download the APOC App: Open your app store and search “APOC Ministry.” Tap Connect and drop your name and best contact. 🙏 Need Prayer? Don’t carry it alone. In the app, tap Prayer and submit your request — our team will be praying with and for you. 🤝 Partner with the Ministry Help us Love, Grow, and Serve. Give securely at apocministry.org or tap Giving in the app (one-time or recurring). Your generosity fuels outreach, teaching, and support for families around the world. 🎧 Listen to the APOC Podcast Catch messages on the go: search “APOC Ministry” on your favorite podcast platform or listen on Apple Podcasts. 🏛️ ABOUT A PLACE OF CHANGE MINISTRY A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) is a Spirit-filled, Bible-based church located in Grand Ledge, Michigan, founded and led by Pastor Eric Thomas — widely known as ET The Hip Hop Preacher — and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. APOC exists to help people discover purpose, develop discipline, and walk boldly in their God-given assignment. We believe the church is not just a place you attend — it's a community you belong to, a family that serves together, and a launching pad for everything God has called you to become. Every Saturday at 11AM, we gather in person and online to deliver messages that are rooted in Scripture and built for real life — messages that challenge you to grow mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. Whether you're a longtime believer or you're just starting to explore faith, there is a seat here for you.

Are you stressed, stuck, or constantly comparing yourself to everyone else? The problem might not be your circumstances — it might be that you're sitting in a seat that was never assigned to you. In this message, Pastor Eric Thomas delivers a word that will shift how you see your life, your purpose, and your next season. Drawing from his own story — homeless at 16, a high school dropout eating from trash cans — Pastor Eric shows what happened when he stopped chasing everyone else's seat and got into his own. Everything changed. God didn't assign your seat by accident. Before you were born, He factored in your gifts, your history, your capacity, and your calling. He said — this seat. This flight. This moment. Your job isn't to find the best seat in the room. It's to get into the one that already has your name on it. In this message you'll discover: Why your struggle may have nothing to do with your effort — and everything to do with your seat How social media comparison is keeping you out of your assignment What it really means that God chose YOU before you ever chose Him Why some seats are seasonal — and how to trust the transfer The leadership principle: every seat has a function, not everyone is called to the mic The formula for your clearance: Calling + Confirmation + Character 📖 Scriptures Referenced: Ephesians 2:10 · Psalm 139:16 · John 15:16 · Romans 12:4–5 · 1 Corinthians 14:40 · Luke 12:48 · Ecclesiastes 12:13 ✈️ Royal Airlines Declaration: "At Place of Change Ministry, we will not compete for seats. We will not self-promote into instability. We will not abandon our assignment because another seat looks better. We will stay where God placed us — until He moves us." Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:05:27 The Snoring Story: Small Changes, Big Impact 00:11:42 Ephesians 2:10 - You Are God's Handiwork 00:15:37 Psalms 139:16 - All Your Days Were Ordained 00:16:27 Your Seat Was Assigned Before You Boarded 00:17:21 Stop Comparing Yourself to the Whole World 00:19:38 John 15:16 - You Did Not Choose Me, I Chose You 00:27:18 The Journey From Homeless to Handiwork 00:32:24 The Fruit That Lasts: Staying in Your Seat 00:43:15 Jeremy Sochan: Leaving the NBA for Jesus 00:49:06 Romans 12: Different Seats, One Body, One Flight Plan 00:51:34 Seasonal Seats: Joseph's Prison and Your Preparation 00:54:38 The Ages of Assignment: From Samuel to Mary 01:00:08 The APOC Commitment: Stay Where God Placed You 👇 Take your next step: 🙏 Give Online → https://www.apocministry.org/give 📺 Watch More Sermons → https://www.apocministry.org/sermons 🎧 Listen on Podcast → https://www.apocministry.org/podcast-1 📋 Get Sermon Notes → https://www.apocministry.org/notes 🤝 Join a Group → https://apocministry.ccbchurch.com/goto/groups/public About A Place of Change Ministry Formed in 2008, A Place of Change Ministry (APOC) is built on the practical application of spiritual principles in everyday life. We are a church for the unchurched — a welcoming home for those outside the mainstream of traditional worship. One thing visitors say time and time again: "Nobody does love like APOC." We are a cross-section of faiths and worship styles, united by love, friendship, and family. We live to bring honor to the Creator, to worship Him, and to serve one another the way He calls us to. 📍 Grand Ledge, MI · Virtual Services: Saturdays at 11AM EST 🌐 www.apocministry.org 📧 [email protected] Connect with APOC: ▶️ YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA 📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/apocministry_/ 👍 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/apocministry/

You're working hard. You're showing up. You're doing everything right. So why does it feel like you keep ending up in the same place? Pastor Eric Thomas breaks down the real reason, and it's not your effort, your discipline, or your faith. It's what you keep picking back up every time God tries to free you from it. Not the bad stuff. The good stuff. The comfortable stuff. The stuff that used to work, but is quietly holding you back from what's next. This message will change how you see your season. 📖 KEY SCRIPTURES: Hebrews 12:1-2 — "Let us throw off everything that hinders…" John 15:2 — "Every branch that bears fruit He prunes…" Galatians 5:1 — "It is for freedom that Christ has set you free…" 1 Corinthians 10:23 — "Not everything is beneficial." 💡 WHAT YOU'LL TAKE FROM THIS: — Why 2026 demands a different kind of letting go — The difference between sinful and out of season — Why God prunes what's actually working — How to stop making good things your god — What it really means to fix your eyes Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:01:12 The Strategy: Lay It Down 00:01:59 Stop Dipping and Looking: Trust the Process 00:02:57 2026 Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint 00:05:23 Own the Pain Before the Strategy 00:04:47 Why Some Believers Never Break Through 00:11:11 Hebrews 12:1 - Throw Off Everything That Hinders 00:13:17 Fix Your Eyes on Jesus, Not Everyone Else 00:17:01 God Already Handled the Sin Part 00:17:59 John 15:2 - Every Branch That Bears Fruit He Prunes 00:21:11 Pruning Is Not Punishment, It's Proof You're Producing 00:21:43 The Version of You Right Now Can't Sustain Where You're Going 00:22:00 Simplify Your Life: Three Things Only 00:23:32 Not Everything Is Beneficial 00:24:10 Some Things Aren't Wrong, They're Just Off Course 00:24:29 Everything Is on the Table With God 00:25:37 God Lightens You So You Can Finish the Climb 00:25:46 Closing Prayer: Letting Go and Letting God 📲 CONNECT WITH APOC MINISTRY: 📱 Download the App → Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🙏 Submit a Prayer Request → Tap "Prayer" in the app 💸 Partner With Us → Tap "Giving" in the app 📅 Join Us LIVE: Saturdays @ 11AM 🔔 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a message. ABOUT APOC MINISTRY A Place of Change (APOC) Ministry exists for one reason — transformation. Not just showing up to church, but actually becoming someone different when you leave. Founded by Dr. Eric Thomas — globally recognized speaker, author, and motivational force — APOC is built on the belief that the anointing changes what willpower can't. Pastor E.T. didn't grow up in church. He grew up in the streets of Detroit. And that's exactly why his message cuts through — he's not preaching theory, he's preaching his life. Alongside him is Associate Pastor TJ Tyus, whose leadership and pastoral heart help shape the culture of APOC from the inside out — equipping the church to grow not just in numbers, but in depth. Together they are building a ministry that meets you where you are and refuses to leave you there. Saturdays @ 11AM 📍 In person & streaming live

🔥 Feel like you're behind in life? You're not. You're exactly where God needs you to be. If you've been feeling stuck, lost, or behind schedule in your purpose, this message is for you. Pastor Eric Thomas delivers a powerful word on why identity in Christ must come before destiny—and why God's timing is always perfect. You are not late. You are not behind. You are RIGHT ON TIME. 💎 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ Why your identity must come before your destiny ✅ How to stop chasing validation and start choosing alignment ✅ The TSA checkpoint principle: Identity before movement ✅ Why you're not behind—God's perfect timing explained ✅ How to trust God's process when life feels slow 🔥 POWERFUL QUOTES: 💬 "He's not trying to stop your destiny, He's securing it." 💬 "When you don't know who you are, you chase things. When you know who you are, you choose things. 💬 "Identity confusion produces motion without direction. Identity clarity produces decisions without regrets." 💬 "What concerns you, concerns Him." - Psalm 138:8 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Opening: Royal Airlines Flight 777 06:45 - Valentine's Day & God's Love 18:20 - Eric's Testimony: Homeless to Blessed 25:40 - Psalm 138:8: God Perfects What Concerns You 31:15 - Camille's Testimony: Prayer for a Baby 38:50 - Identity vs. Roles You Occupy 44:20 - TSA Checkpoint: Identity Before Movement 50:10 - Step 1: Identification Before Movement 56:35 - Step 2: Your Boarding Pass & Destination 01:14:30 - Flight 777: Freedom & Alignment 01:20:45 - Closing Prayer 📖 KEY SCRIPTURES: • Psalm 37:23 - "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" • Psalm 138:8 - "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" • Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee" 🎯 YOUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST: You are CHOSEN. CALLED. ANOINTED. APPOINTED. GOD'S WORKMANSHIP. You don't earn this identity—you were born into it. 📱 CONNECT WITH APOC MINISTRY: 🌐 Website: apocministry.org 📱 Download the APOC App (iOS & Android) 📍 In-Person: Saturdays 11AM EST (Grand Ledge, MI) 💬 Instagram/Facebook: @apocministry 👨‍🏫 ABOUT PASTOR ERIC THOMAS: Pastor Eric "ET" Thomas is the founder of APOC Ministry and a renowned speaker whose testimony of transformation has inspired millions. From living homeless in abandoned buildings at age 16 in Detroit to earning a PhD and pastoring a thriving church, Eric's life proves that God perfects what concerns you. Known for his authentic, no-nonsense preaching style, Eric blends street wisdom with biblical truth to help people discover their identity in Christ and walk in their destiny. His message is simple: You are loved by God not because of what you do, but because of whose you are. 📺 ABOUT APOC MINISTRY: APOC Ministry (Awakening People of Color) is a vibrant church community in Lansing, Michigan, founded by Pastor Eric Thomas. Our mission: Reach UP to God, Reach BACK to serve others. We believe identity comes before destiny, love never fails, and community is essential for growth. At APOC, you'll find authentic worship, practical teaching, and a family committed to helping you discover your purpose. Our Values: ❤️ LOVE | 📈 GROW | 🙌 SERVE Join us live or online: apocministry.org 💰 PARTNER WITH US: Your generosity helps us reach up to God and reach back to serve. Give at apocministry.org/give or through the APOC Ministry app. 🔔 NEXT STEPS: ✅ LIKE this video & SUBSCRIBE for weekly messages ✅ SHARE with 3 people who feel behind in life ✅ COMMENT: What did God speak to you through this message? ✅ DOWNLOAD the APOC app and submit prayer requests ✅ JOIN US live: Wednesdays 6PM & Saturdays 11AM EST © 2026 APOC Ministry | Reaching Up to God, Reaching Back to Serve 📺 New messages every Saturday 11AM EST 🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you never miss a word!

God never took your crown. So why do you keep taking it off? Many people leave church inspired, motivated, and convinced they’re called to live royal— but within days, the mindset fades and old patterns return. In this message, we confront the real issue: you’re not losing your royalty… you’re struggling with unhealed wounds. This sermon will help you: Understand why “royal living” doesn’t last Identify the unhealed wounds affecting your identity Learn the difference between freedom and healing Stop repeating thoughts that sabotage your calling Walk in royalty without depending on hype or emotion Royal living isn’t about what’s on your head. It’s about what’s been healed in your heart. 00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:40 Solving for Healing: The Formula Revealed 02:41 The Water Cup Demonstration: How Truth Transforms 04:48 Has Truth Changed You or Just Made You Feel Good? 06:21 The Bronson Shirt Story: Never Leaving, Never Forsaking 09:01 Truth Plus Attention Times Repetition: The Activation Process 11:18 Core Principle: Truth Revealed Inspires, Truth Repeated Rewires 11:39 Filtering Through Pain vs. Filtering Through Identity 12:54 The Five Unhealed Wounds: Rejection 15:40 Failure and Shame Wounds: I Am What I Did Wrong 17:02 Trauma Wounds: I'm Not Safe 18:15 Leading From Panic vs. Leading From Peace 20:30 Comparison Wounds: I'm Behind 21:45 The ChatGPT Revelation: Too Many Lanes at Once 25:26 Royal People Don't Race, They Rule Their Lane 25:39 Betrayal and Trust Wounds: Building Alliances Not Walls 26:55 As a Man Thinks in His Heart, So Is He 27:37 The Uniform Story: Wanting Reward Without the Work 29:39 Healing Doesn't Erase Your Story, It Changes Your Filter 30:34 Your Reticular Activation System: What You Look For, You'll Find 34:10 Scripture Breakdown: Truth, Attention, Repetition, Activation 38:19 Xavier's Q Bible Study: Impressing Truth on the Next Generation 40:07 Royal Living Formula: Identity Minus Unhealed Wounds Plus Repetition 40:45 The Law of Replacement: Stop, Swap, Sell 45:36 Hurt People Can Heal People 45:56 Altar Call: Starting the Healing Process Today 46:33 Closing Prayer: Healing Across the Room 48:52 Next Steps: Connect, Prayer, and Giving 👉 NEXT STEPS ✅ Subscribe for weekly messages on healing, identity, and spiritual growth 👉 Like this video if it spoke to you 💬 Comment: What area of your life do you struggle to “keep the crown on”? 📲 Share this with someone who’s been trying to live healed but keeps falling back into old patterns. 🙏 NEED PRAYER OR HEALING? If this message stirred something in you, you’re not alone. Visit APOC Ministry or connect with our community to take your next step toward healing and freedom. 🔔 STAY CONNECTED Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future messages on healing, purpose, and living fully in who God called you to be. Healing isn’t optional for royalty—it’s required.Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:40 Solving for Healing: The Formula Revealed 00:02:41 The Water Cup Demonstration: How Truth Transforms 00:04:48 Has Truth Changed You or Just Made You Feel Good? 00:06:21 The Bronson Shirt Story: Never Leaving, Never Forsaking 00:09:01 Truth Plus Attention Times Repetition: The Activation Process 00:11:18 Core Principle: Truth Revealed Inspires, Truth Repeated Rewires 00:11:39 Filtering Through Pain vs. Filtering Through Identity 00:12:54 The Five Unhealed Wounds: Rejection 00:15:40 Failure and Shame Wounds: I Am What I Did Wrong 00:17:02 Trauma Wounds: I'm Not Safe 00:18:15 Leading From Panic vs. Leading From Peace 00:20:30 Comparison Wounds: I'm Behind 00:21:45 The ChatGPT Revelation: Too Many Lanes at Once 00:25:26 Royal People Don't Race, They Rule Their Lane 00:25:39 Betrayal and Trust Wounds: Building Alliances Not Walls 00:26:55 As a Man Thinks in His Heart, So Is He 00:27:37 The Uniform Story: Wanting Reward Without the Work 00:29:39 Healing Doesn't Erase Your Story, It Changes Your Filter 00:30:34 Your Reticular Activation System: What You Look For, You'll Find 00:34:10 Scripture Breakdown: Truth, Attention, Repetition, Activation 00:38:19 Xavier's Q Bible Study: Impressing Truth on the Next Generation 00:40:07 Royal Living Formula: Identity Minus Unhealed Wounds Plus Repetition 00:40:45 The Law of Replacement: Stop, Swap, Sell 00:45:36 Hurt People Can Heal People 00:45:56 Altar Call: Starting the Healing Process Today 00:46:33 Closing Prayer: Healing Across the Room 00:48:52 Next Steps: Connect, Prayer, and Giving

Why do you feel strong in one moment… and small in the next? Why do you get encouraged, confident, clear then shrink in familiar places, around familiar people, or under familiar pressure? This message exposes the real reason many of us don’t live fully in who God called us to be every day. It’s not a lack of information. It’s not motivation. It’s not effort. It’s unhealed wounds shaping how we think, react, and repeat patterns we swore we were done with. In this message, you’ll discover: Why confidence fades in certain environments The difference between freedom and true royalty How unhealed wounds distort identity Why repetition shapes belief more than truth How to stop shrinking without pretending or performing This isn’t about wearing a crown at church or when you feel good, It’s about understanding why you take it off in specific moments — and how healing restores what was already yours. You don’t earn royalty. You remember it. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:39 Stop Coming for a Smile—Come for a Solution 00:02:00 The Real Problem: Why Don't We Live Royal Every Day? 00:02:48 The Formula: Royal Download Minus Unhealed Wounds Plus Repetition 00:03:50 Taking Off Your Crown: Where We Lose Our Royalty 00:10:16 From Chosen to Crowned: Understanding Your Royal Identity 00:10:51 The Black Sheep Story: Unhealed Wounds From Childhood 00:14:06 God Calls You Out of Darkness: The Black Sheep Gets Special Attention 00:16:15 You Don't Get Over It—You Get Through It 00:18:49 The Fisher Price Phone Incident: Recognizing Your Triggers 00:17:55 Scars vs. Wounds: You Can't Help Others While You're Still Bleeding 00:27:26 From Slavery to Royalty: The Three Levels of Identity 00:29:46 Slave, Free, or Royal: Where Are You Right Now? 00:35:38 You Don't Earn Royalty—You Remember It 00:36:08 It's Already Mine: Standing in Your Royal Identity 00:38:00 Do Not Conform: Be Transformed by Renewing Your Mind 00:38:38 Identity Determines Behavior: The Royal Mindset Formula 00:41:30 What Do You Remember Most: Pain or Promise? 00:43:22 The Five F's Audit: Faith, Family, Fitness, Finance, Fruit 00:44:26 Prayer for Healing: Stop Bleeding on People You're Called to Protect ✅ Subscribe to this channel for weekly sermons, motivation, and faith-based leadership content. https://www.youtube.com/@ApocMinistry?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Download the App for exclusive messages, devotionals, and on-the-go access to sermons: Apple - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apoc-ministry/id6744073299 Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.apocministry&hl=en_US 🎧 Listen on the go — available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948

Most people don’t lose their power overnight—they slowly forget who they are. This message reveals what happens when identity is stolen… and how it gets restored. Most people don’t lose their power in a dramatic moment. They adapt. They adjust. They survive. And over time, they forget who they were always meant to be. In this message, Eric Thomas exposes what happens when people forget they’re royalty—how identity gets robbed quietly, how survival replaces authority, and why remembering who you are changes everything. This isn’t about hype. It’s about identity, responsibility, and living from who God intended you to be—not beneath it. If you’ve ever felt like you’re living below your potential, shrinking to fit environments, or settling for less than what you know you’re capable of… this message is for you. CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:39 Exodus 12:35 - Following Instructions Without Question 00:01:46 It's Gonna Be Big: The Power of Obedience 00:03:10 Ask the Egyptians for Gold and Silver: When God's Instructions Don't Make Sense 00:04:58 Stop Asking Why: Moving From Questions to Obedience 00:06:32 Preparation Is the Process of Being Ready Before Arrival 00:10:18 Fix Your Eyes on the Unseen: What Is Seen Is Temporary 00:11:50 Through Faith We Understand: The Worlds Were Framed by God's Word 00:14:37 For In This Hope We Are Saved: Hope That Is Seen Is No Hope 00:16:07 God Doesn't Ask You Where You're Going: Pre-Gentle Parenting 00:18:50 The Church vs The World: When Habits Are Stronger Than the Word 00:19:15 Every Instruction You Keep, Big Happens 00:19:30 The GED Story: When a Person Gives You Instruction, They Already Have the Vision 00:21:07 You Must Be Used to Food: The Danger of Getting Comfortable 00:23:01 Now Faith Is the Substance of Things Hoped For 00:35:06 It Can't Be Two Supporters: The Revelation About Leadership 00:25:51 God Wasn't Releasing Them From Slavery - He Was Restoring Them to Royalty 00:26:35 They Didn't Leave Egypt With Slave Clothes: The Emancipation Proclamation vs God's Freedom 00:31:07 The Tina Turner Principle: I Just Want My Name 00:28:38 You're Leading From Trauma, Not Royalty 00:42:35 Slaves Move in Panic, Royalty Moves in Purpose 00:44:50 1 Peter 2:9 - You Are Chosen People, A Royal Priesthood 00:49:43 Proclaim Without Apology: Public, Authoritative, Intentional, Unashamed 00:50:09 Royalty Is Responsibility: No Crown Without Character 00:51:38 Exodus 19:5 - If You Obey Me Fully and Keep My Covenant 00:52:30 Insecurity Is Not Your Personality: You Were Interrupted 00:53:12 What You've Gone Through Should Equip You, Not Devalue You 00:53:48 Bondage Trains You to Doubt, Freedom Trains You to Decide 00:54:27 Don't Get Stuck in the Season: Prepare for What's Coming 00:56:48 You Are Royal No Matter What You've Been Through 00:48:21 The Crowning Ceremony: Stepping Into Your Royal Identity 00:58:19 Closing Prayer and Next Steps ✅ Subscribe to this channel for weekly sermons, motivation, and faith-based leadership content. https://www.youtube.com/@ApocMinistry?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Download the App for exclusive messages, devotionals, and on-the-go access to sermons: Apple - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apoc-ministry/id6744073299 Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.apocministry&hl=en_US 🎧 Listen on the go — available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948

God already healed it. God already fixed it. So why does it keep coming back? In this powerful sermon, Pastor Eric Thomas exposes a truth many believers overlook: sometimes the problem isn’t that God didn’t move—it’s that we reintroduced what He already removed. Using a simple but unforgettable illustration, Eric explains how healing can fail to last when the source stays the same. Just like getting sick again because you kept using an old toothbrush, many of us unknowingly return to the habits, mindsets, and environments God already freed us from. The miracle was real. The healing worked. But the mindset didn’t change. This message will challenge you to stop blaming God for what you keep bringing back—and finally experience lasting transformation. 📌 In this message, you’ll learn: Why some breakthroughs don’t last How self-sabotage quietly delays progress The danger of reintroducing old sources The difference between another year and a new year Why you don’t need another miracle—you need change If you’re tired of going in circles, this message is for you. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:00:42 Where Do You Need a Breakthrough Right Now? 00:02:29 God Can Do Exceedingly Abundantly Beyond 00:08:07 Isaiah 43:18-19: Forget the Former Things 00:12:32 The Toothbrush Story: When Medicine Works But Mindset Doesn't 00:17:19 Recontamination: Going Back to What Made You Sick 00:22:45 The Medicine Worked, The Mindset Didn't 00:28:34 From Egypt to Jericho: The 40-Year Journey That Should Have Taken 3 Weeks 00:32:16 How Long Will It Take You? The Children of APOC 00:36:49 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Philippians 3:13: The New Creature Has Come 00:41:31 Name the Source: Homework Assignment One 00:43:42 Replace Bad Habits with the Fruit of the Spirit 00:45:53 Seek Support and Accountability 00:46:29 You Don't Need Another Miracle, You Need a Trash Can 00:47:40 The Altar Moment: Writing It Down and Throwing It Away 00:53:37 Embracing the Incredible Gains God Has in Store 00:58:14 Closing Prayer: Replacing Pain with the Spirit 01:00:06 Next Steps: Connect, Pray, Give, Share ✅ Subscribe to the YouTube channel for weekly sermons, motivation, and faith-based leadership content. https://www.youtube.com/@ApocMinistry?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Download the App for exclusive messages, devotionals, and on-the-go access to sermons: Apple - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apoc-ministry/id6744073299 Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.pushpay.apocministry&hl=en_US 🎧 Listen on the go — available on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/apoc-ministry/id1448489948 🌐 Visit the website for more resources, events, and ways to grow: 👉 www.apocministry.org

Most of us wouldn’t drink from a dirty cup — but we still expect God to pour fresh blessings into unclean vessels. In this message, Eric challenges a hard truth: freedom doesn’t remove contamination — instructions do. God isn’t withholding His presence. He’s protecting it. This sermon unpacks why so many people feel free but still stuck, how impatience, insecurity, overthinking, jealousy, and strife quietly contaminate our lives, and why immediate obedience is often the reset we’re praying for. If you’re asking: “Why am I still stuck?” “Why does it feel like God isn’t answering?” “What am I missing in this season?” This message is for you. 👉 This sermon continues a series on moving from another year to a new year by learning how to prepare for what God wants to pour. Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Today 00:03:14 Exodus 19: God's Instructions for Preparation 00:03:50 God Already Handled It: Trust in His Provision 00:04:45 God Is With You: In Every Season 00:06:17 Don't Do It Alone: Inviting God Into Everything 00:07:37 Wash Your Clothes: Freedom vs. Preparation 00:10:37 The Dirty Cup Illustration: Why God Won't Pour Into Contamination 00:12:47 You Won't Drink Dirty, But You'll Move Forward Dirty 00:17:05 Contamination Inventory: Identifying Your Stains 00:27:23 Teaching Your Kids: Street Wisdom vs. God's Word 00:29:33 Instructions and Warnings: The Tide Pod Challenge Analogy 00:31:00 Exodus 19: Moses Climbs the Mountain 00:35:18 We Will Do Everything: The Full Commitment 00:37:08 The Warning: Don't Touch the Mountain 00:42:14 Permissive Will vs. Perfect Will: Understanding God's Standards 00:45:26 The IRS Analogy: Why We Obey What Has Consequences 00:47:11 Freedom Removes Chains, Instructions Remove Stains 00:56:45 30-Day Homework: Wash Your Glass 01:01:16 Altar Call: Create in Me a Clean Heart 01:04:27 Closing Prayer and Next Steps 📣 CALL TO ACTION (END OF DESCRIPTION) ▶️ Watch with an open heart — and an honest mirror 👍 Like the video if this challenged you 💬 Comment “Clean it first” if this spoke to you 🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages on faith, growth, and alignment