I’ve gathered five inspiring sermons that changed how I viewed my career, relationship, and friendship situation. Even though there are a lot of videos that touched my heart and made me yell Hallelujah and Amen, these five focuses on self-evaluation and self-identity in every aspect of our lives. I’ve included two bonus (Non-sermon) videos at the bottom that “checked” with my emotions as well.
1) Don’t Reply on People
“If you rely on people, you’ll be disappointed.”
Joel Osteen gives a great sermon called, Don’t Rely On People, and it blessed my heart tremendously. I went through a period that I constantly asked people their thoughts about my work, ideas, stories, friendships, and a lot more. It was like I couldn’t decide for myself without sharing it with someone and getting their opinion about it. Well, I noticed this about myself and I felt spiritually convicted for running into a problem, and picking up the phone to call my mom or a close friend rather than asking God for His opinion. I searched for a sermon, and this popped up. Joel Osteen tells it like it is. He shares that people will let you down, but it is up to us to not place all of our hope in people but in God. Question: Do you rely on people? If so, why?
2) It’s Time To UPGRADE! – DeVon Franklin
Ascend Bible Movement has blessed me excessively throughout my journey in Hollywood. It’s a safe place to let go of doubt, fears, and insecurities in a room filled with young entrepreneurs, artist, and mature spirits. Usually, Devon Franklin headlines most of the monthly bible studies, but if he’s busy with work, other great speakers would step in. However, let’s chat about It’s Time To Upgrade. In this 2018 sermon, Devon Franklin let the holy spirit loose as he gave it to us raw. Goals, preparations, eliminating toxic friendships and relationships, while asking us where is God in our life? Question: Are you ready for the next step? Are you prepared for God’s promise? Can you answer Devon’s questions?
As I watched this sermon to refresh my memory to write this post, I went to Starbucks, got me Chai Tea Latte at 7PM, because Devon Franklin said be prepared! So I'm pulling an all-nighter to finish two feature scripts and 5 blog posts that I've been putting off 🙂
3) “Collaborative Creativity” – Bishop T. D. Jakes
When you need it, Bishop T.D. Jakes will bring it. Bishop T.D. Jakes guest spoke at One Church LA (Now Called The Potter’s House at OneLA) a few years ago. He spoke about spiritual gifts and being creative and collaborating with like-minded people. This sermon will get your creative juice flowing. Question: Do you have an innovative idea? If so, are you connecting with like-minded people?
4) Purpose and The Process by Bishop TD. Jakes
There are so many Bishop T.D. Jakes sermons that I can list, but since we are focusing on a theme, I’m dropping a purpose-filled sermon that touched my heart. A year ago, I went through a spiritual battle with depression (It came out of nowhere). It felt like everything was falling apart in my living situation, family, friends, and relationship. I was mentally drained, and I didn’t know why until I watched this sermon about entering the transition phase of life. They heard the scripture, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things” many times before. I never applied it to my life until I asked God, Am I Ready For The Next Level? Question: Are you in transition? If so, how do you know?
5) It’s in the Formula Robert Madu
I sat in the audience for this sermon and Pastor Madu brought the funny and the lesson. He preached about cleaning out the chaos in our life, and how the scripture is a Formula to bring order to our life. It doesn’t matter what mess you have to clean up, from a dirty car’s backseat to a toxic relationship, it’s time to make a change. Watch this and be forever blessed by the message. Question: Do you need to bring order to chaos in your life? If so, what is it and how will you bring order?
BONUS: 2 Chats That will spiritually Get You Going
6) Surviving Loss – Red Table Talk
Let me tell you something. During the last leg of my depression. I listened to Bishop T.D. Jakes’s sermon listed above called, Purpose and The Process. Then I watched The Red Table Talk episode of Loss right after. These two videos combined gave me so much hope that it forever changed my life in two seconds. I felt like I was reborn a Christian again after I observed both of their views! I realized that I was holding on to my past self. The superstar, the promised one, the winner, the track star, but those old things didn’t reflect my current situation. This episode taught me to separate my past accomplishments from my present and future self. I learned to mourn my past friendships and past opportunities that no longer exist in my life. And most importantly, I learned how to move forward without holding on to past guilt, shame, or the old me. Question: Have you learned to let go lost opportunities?
7) Ava DuVernay’s Keynote Address
Ava shared her story of becoming a well-known director in 3 years. In her keynote speech at Film Independent, she shared that she stopped searching for and asking for validation from people and started putting the same networking energy into her craft. One of the many profound things she mentioned was asking can come off as needy or desperate. Question: Therefore, are you working on your craft?
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