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Creflo Dollar

Creflo Dollar - The Gift

December 23, 2024 | S

Creflo Dollar - The Gift
Join the dynamic leadership and teaching of Dr. Creflo and Taffi Dollar.
#Faith #GiftsoftheHolySpirit #Religion #Law #Christmas #WordofGod #Miracles #Sin #Righteousness #inActive #CrefloDollar #Death #EternalLife #Romans6:23 #Savior

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Creflo Dollar | Creflo Dollar - The Gift | December 23, 2024
  • ...
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  • Male announcer: this program is brought to you, in part, by the
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  • Partners and friends of creflo dollar ministries.
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  • Announcer: coming up next on "changing your world."
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  • Creflo dollar: we don't even know sometimes where we got
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  • Our belief.
  • 00:00:14.294 --> 00:00:15.628
  • We just believe it because we've always believed it.
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  • But i'm telling you right now, today, i want you to receive
  • 00:00:18.565 --> 00:00:22.235
  • This gift of righteousness and i want you walking out of here
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  • Today believing, no matter what, i am the righteousness of god.
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  • I dare you the next time you miss the mark that you boldly
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  • Stand up and say, "i'm still righteous."
  • 00:00:33.513 --> 00:00:37.183
  • Female announcer: download and stay connected with the
  • 00:00:41.321 --> 00:00:43.356
  • "changing your world" podcast with creflo dollar.
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  • Keep the word of god at the forefront of your mind with
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  • These powerful and uplifting messages.
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  • With each message that you download and stream, you gain
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  • Revelation of the fullness of god's grace.
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  • The changing your world podcast brings you life-changing wisdom
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  • Right at your fingertips, no matter where you are.
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  • Subscribe today on apple podcast, spotify, or your
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  • Preferred podcast platform.
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  • ♪ this is your world, ♪
  • 00:01:11.684 --> 00:01:14.254
  • ♪ so let's vow to make it a better place. ♪
  • 00:01:14.254 --> 00:01:19.392
  • ♪ let every heart that needs to know, ♪
  • 00:01:19.392 --> 00:01:24.531
  • ♪ your love is here to stay. ♪
  • 00:01:24.531 --> 00:01:26.966
  • ♪ whoa-oh, it's time we live a new life. ♪
  • 00:01:26.966 --> 00:01:31.004
  • ♪ whoa-oh, let his love shine bright in you. ♪
  • 00:01:31.004 --> 00:01:35.074
  • ♪ whoa-oh, we're saved by his grace, ♪
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  • ♪ so we embrace your love today. ♪
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  • ♪ we are changed. ♪♪
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  • Creflo: i call this word today "the gift."
  • 00:01:47.921 --> 00:01:53.826
  • You know, there are traditional reasons that people celebrate
  • 00:01:53.826 --> 00:01:57.163
  • Christians, and we compare and contrast the real reasons to
  • 00:01:57.163 --> 00:02:01.768
  • Celebrate christmas.
  • 00:02:01.768 --> 00:02:04.604
  • I don't know about you, but after so many christmases, you
  • 00:02:04.604 --> 00:02:09.375
  • Know, if you're not careful, you begin to focus on the trees, and
  • 00:02:09.375 --> 00:02:15.248
  • Nothing's wrong with the trees, and the lights, and nothing's
  • 00:02:15.248 --> 00:02:17.617
  • Wrong with the lights, and you're focused on exchanging
  • 00:02:17.617 --> 00:02:20.653
  • Gifts, and nothing's wrong with that, and you'll focus on some
  • 00:02:20.653 --> 00:02:24.557
  • Of the traditions you've created in your family, and those things
  • 00:02:24.557 --> 00:02:27.293
  • Are cool.
  • 00:02:27.293 --> 00:02:29.362
  • But after so many years, if you're not careful, you'll find
  • 00:02:29.362 --> 00:02:33.700
  • Yourself not feeling what some people say "the
  • 00:02:33.700 --> 00:02:36.202
  • Christmas spirit."
  • 00:02:36.202 --> 00:02:39.172
  • But i got news for you.
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  • If you're born again, you ought to sense the christmas spirit
  • 00:02:40.506 --> 00:02:43.176
  • Every day of your life because he lives on the inside of you.
  • 00:02:43.176 --> 00:02:48.548
  • But what you don't want to happen is you don't want every
  • 00:02:48.548 --> 00:02:50.817
  • Year, you know, you have to go through this thing because, you
  • 00:02:50.817 --> 00:02:54.954
  • Know, you're just losing the excitement for the traditional
  • 00:02:54.954 --> 00:02:58.891
  • Things that you do.
  • 00:02:58.891 --> 00:03:01.527
  • And yet, the real reason to celebrate christmas is the fact
  • 00:03:01.527 --> 00:03:06.099
  • That we were all in bondage, destined to hell.
  • 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:12.705
  • Everybody was.
  • 00:03:12.705 --> 00:03:14.741
  • The law--laws were given and it was inevitable that we were
  • 00:03:14.741 --> 00:03:18.845
  • Eventually not going to be able to keep the laws even if we
  • 00:03:18.845 --> 00:03:21.748
  • Would go 50 days keeping them right, even if we went 5 to
  • 00:03:21.748 --> 00:03:25.084
  • 10 months keeping them.
  • 00:03:25.084 --> 00:03:26.819
  • All of a sudden, there would be a time that we would eventually
  • 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:29.422
  • Break them.
  • 00:03:29.422 --> 00:03:30.757
  • And the deal was, when you chose to break the law, then the wages
  • 00:03:30.757 --> 00:03:35.461
  • Of sin would be death, and we would find ourselves in a
  • 00:03:35.461 --> 00:03:39.565
  • Burning hell, and no one would be able to get out of this.
  • 00:03:39.565 --> 00:03:45.405
  • And so one day, just because he decided to, god got inside of
  • 00:03:45.405 --> 00:03:51.844
  • Flesh, came to do us a favor, and through him we could be set
  • 00:03:51.844 --> 00:03:58.284
  • Free from that horrible destiny of a burning hell.
  • 00:03:58.284 --> 00:04:04.157
  • He presented to us a gift.
  • 00:04:04.157 --> 00:04:08.361
  • And as i said to you before, a gift is not yours until you
  • 00:04:08.361 --> 00:04:15.468
  • Receive it.
  • 00:04:15.468 --> 00:04:17.136
  • Even though it's available, if you don't take it, it's
  • 00:04:17.136 --> 00:04:21.774
  • Not yours.
  • 00:04:21.774 --> 00:04:23.743
  • And so we read in the book of romans chapter 6 and verse 23,
  • 00:04:23.743 --> 00:04:29.916
  • If you allow me to establish this foundation here,
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  • Romans 6:23.
  • 00:04:32.452 --> 00:04:35.121
  • And he says in verse 23, very simply, "for the wages of sin is
  • 00:04:35.121 --> 00:04:41.094
  • Death; but the gift of god is eternal life," and you get that,
  • 00:04:41.094 --> 00:04:50.703
  • "through jesus christ our lord."
  • 00:04:50.703 --> 00:04:52.438
  • Now, he's not talking about the gift of god is living forever,
  • 00:04:52.438 --> 00:04:57.377
  • Although that will happen, but he says the gift of god is
  • 00:04:57.377 --> 00:05:01.280
  • Eternal life, the very life of god.
  • 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:05.184
  • You see, romans chapter 7 says, "for without the law sin
  • 00:05:05.184 --> 00:05:09.689
  • Was dead."
  • 00:05:09.689 --> 00:05:11.791
  • There is no sin without a law.
  • 00:05:11.791 --> 00:05:14.660
  • There's no transgression of a speed limit if there's, first of
  • 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:18.164
  • All, not a law that gives you a limit, a speed limit.
  • 00:05:18.164 --> 00:05:21.801
  • So without the law, there is no sin.
  • 00:05:21.801 --> 00:05:24.704
  • Without the law sin will have no opportunity.
  • 00:05:24.704 --> 00:05:29.041
  • And what many people think, they think satan's trying to get you
  • 00:05:29.041 --> 00:05:31.911
  • To sin, and satan's trying to tempt you to do this or to
  • 00:05:31.911 --> 00:05:34.814
  • Do that.
  • 00:05:34.814 --> 00:05:36.149
  • No, no, all he's trying to get you to do is to keep the law.
  • 00:05:36.149 --> 00:05:40.019
  • And if you'll keep the law, and with your own effort, and with
  • 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:44.390
  • Your own performance try to keep it in your own ability, you'll
  • 00:05:44.390 --> 00:05:49.095
  • Eventually sin because without the law sin has no opportunity
  • 00:05:49.095 --> 00:05:54.367
  • In your life.
  • 00:05:54.367 --> 00:05:56.235
  • And then in 1 corinthians chapter 15 and verse 6, he says
  • 00:05:56.235 --> 00:06:00.973
  • That "the strength of the law, or the strength of sin is
  • 00:06:00.973 --> 00:06:05.344
  • The law."
  • 00:06:05.344 --> 00:06:06.913
  • The strength of sin is the law.
  • 00:06:06.913 --> 00:06:10.616
  • Well, ladies and gentlemen, if the strength of sin is the law,
  • 00:06:10.616 --> 00:06:15.822
  • Then the strength of righteousness is grace.
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  • Amen.
  • 00:06:21.427 --> 00:06:23.796
  • You see, i'm talking about receiving a gift.
  • 00:06:23.796 --> 00:06:29.068
  • And what is that gift, specifically?
  • 00:06:29.068 --> 00:06:31.804
  • Well, he says that the reward of the law is death, but the gift
  • 00:06:31.804 --> 00:06:36.676
  • Of grace is life, but specifically, precisely, what is
  • 00:06:36.676 --> 00:06:41.280
  • This gift?
  • 00:06:41.280 --> 00:06:42.615
  • Go to romans chapter 5, and in romans chapter 5, look at verse
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  • 14 and 17.
  • 00:06:47.854 --> 00:06:50.823
  • Romans chapter 5. now watch this carefully.
  • 00:06:50.823 --> 00:06:56.796
  • "nevertheless death reigned from adam to moses, even over them
  • 00:06:56.796 --> 00:07:03.002
  • That had not sinned after the similitude of adam's
  • 00:07:03.002 --> 00:07:06.472
  • Transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
  • 00:07:06.472 --> 00:07:10.409
  • But not as the offence, so also is the free gift."
  • 00:07:10.409 --> 00:07:13.246
  • Everybody shout, "free gift."
  • 00:07:13.246 --> 00:07:15.681
  • "for if through the offence of one," that'd be adam, "many be
  • 00:07:15.681 --> 00:07:19.919
  • Dead, much more the grace of god, and the gift by grace,
  • 00:07:19.919 --> 00:07:27.126
  • Which is by one man, jesus christ, has increased," or
  • 00:07:27.126 --> 00:07:30.129
  • Abounded, "unto many.
  • 00:07:30.129 --> 00:07:32.098
  • And not as it was by one that sins, so is the gift: for the
  • 00:07:32.098 --> 00:07:36.402
  • Judgment was by one condemnation, but the free gift
  • 00:07:36.402 --> 00:07:39.205
  • Is of many offences unto justification.
  • 00:07:39.205 --> 00:07:42.708
  • For if by one man's offence death reigned by one," that's
  • 00:07:42.708 --> 00:07:47.580
  • Adam, "much more they which receive," watch this, "the
  • 00:07:47.580 --> 00:07:52.018
  • Abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in
  • 00:07:52.018 --> 00:07:58.190
  • Life by jesus christ."
  • 00:07:58.190 --> 00:08:01.093
  • The abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness.
  • 00:08:01.093 --> 00:08:05.932
  • Well, what is a gift?
  • 00:08:05.932 --> 00:08:07.300
  • I'm sure you understand it, but let me explain it to you again.
  • 00:08:07.300 --> 00:08:10.703
  • When you--when he used the word "gift" here in the book of
  • 00:08:10.703 --> 00:08:13.406
  • Romans, it's translated in the greek "free gift."
  • 00:08:13.406 --> 00:08:17.209
  • And this word "gift" stresses that it's unmerited.
  • 00:08:17.209 --> 00:08:21.814
  • It stresses that it's undeserved.
  • 00:08:21.814 --> 00:08:25.051
  • I mean, just by the character of the word, it says you don't
  • 00:08:25.051 --> 00:08:28.454
  • Earn it.
  • 00:08:28.454 --> 00:08:30.022
  • By the character of the word, it says you don't deserve it.
  • 00:08:30.022 --> 00:08:34.193
  • You see, if we deserve this gift, then it would be a reward.
  • 00:08:34.193 --> 00:08:41.934
  • If we pay for this gift, then it would be no longer a gift.
  • 00:08:41.934 --> 00:08:48.240
  • He has given us the gift of righteousness.
  • 00:08:48.240 --> 00:08:52.712
  • Not something that we worked for, didn't give us
  • 00:08:52.712 --> 00:08:55.514
  • Righteousness because we deserved it.
  • 00:08:55.514 --> 00:08:57.783
  • Didn't give us this gift of righteousness because we
  • 00:08:57.783 --> 00:09:00.119
  • Were--we earned it.
  • 00:09:00.119 --> 00:09:02.989
  • He gave us a gift, was free, unmerited, undeserved.
  • 00:09:02.989 --> 00:09:09.328
  • And this gift of righteousness, it's something that has to
  • 00:09:09.328 --> 00:09:13.833
  • Be received.
  • 00:09:13.833 --> 00:09:15.167
  • In fact, you cannot even relate to god without receiving this
  • 00:09:15.167 --> 00:09:19.772
  • Gift of righteousness.
  • 00:09:19.772 --> 00:09:22.074
  • Until you receive the gift of righteousness, there's this gap
  • 00:09:22.074 --> 00:09:25.011
  • Between you and god.
  • 00:09:25.011 --> 00:09:26.612
  • You'll be talking to god as an unrighteous, no
  • 00:09:26.612 --> 00:09:29.215
  • Good-for-nothing, trying to do your best to get it
  • 00:09:29.215 --> 00:09:31.417
  • Together person.
  • 00:09:31.417 --> 00:09:33.185
  • And god's like, "i don't understand why you're carrying
  • 00:09:33.185 --> 00:09:35.421
  • On like that when i gave you the gift to come to me as you ought
  • 00:09:35.421 --> 00:09:39.358
  • To be."
  • 00:09:39.358 --> 00:09:41.527
  • So don't insult the giver of the gift.
  • 00:09:41.527 --> 00:09:47.833
  • He gave you the gift of righteousness.
  • 00:09:47.833 --> 00:09:49.969
  • Don't insult him by not receiving it.
  • 00:09:49.969 --> 00:09:53.873
  • Don't insult him by trying to earn something that he gave you
  • 00:09:53.873 --> 00:09:57.777
  • For free.
  • 00:09:57.777 --> 00:09:59.145
  • Don't insult him by trying to do something to deserve it.
  • 00:09:59.145 --> 00:10:04.250
  • So the gift of righteousness, what is this gift?
  • 00:10:04.250 --> 00:10:06.552
  • The gift of being acceptable to god was free to us.
  • 00:10:06.552 --> 00:10:12.258
  • You don't have to earn the right to be accepted by god.
  • 00:10:12.258 --> 00:10:16.462
  • You don't have to work real hard and religious to be accepted
  • 00:10:16.462 --> 00:10:20.132
  • By god.
  • 00:10:20.132 --> 00:10:21.567
  • The gift of being acceptable to god is a free gift, and
  • 00:10:21.567 --> 00:10:28.140
  • Everybody in here can receive it.
  • 00:10:28.140 --> 00:10:30.309
  • You don't have to go around and say, "i got to go to church
  • 00:10:30.309 --> 00:10:32.344
  • For--20 times in order to be acceptable to god."
  • 00:10:32.344 --> 00:10:34.880
  • If you'll just receive it--it's a gift.
  • 00:10:34.880 --> 00:10:37.149
  • God will accept you if you'll receive it.
  • 00:10:37.149 --> 00:10:39.785
  • Somebody asked me one time, "well, how do you get this thing
  • 00:10:39.785 --> 00:10:41.921
  • To work?"
  • 00:10:41.921 --> 00:10:43.255
  • First of all, you got to become aware of what has been made
  • 00:10:43.255 --> 00:10:46.158
  • Available, then you gotta get it on your mind.
  • 00:10:46.158 --> 00:10:49.361
  • I'm aware that being acceptable to god is a free gift.
  • 00:10:49.361 --> 00:10:53.399
  • Now that i'm aware of that, let me go ahead and get it on my
  • 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:56.035
  • Mind and accept it.
  • 00:10:56.035 --> 00:10:57.403
  • And every time the devil comes to you and tell you that god's
  • 00:10:57.403 --> 00:11:00.506
  • Mad at you, that he doesn't accept you, that he rejects you,
  • 00:11:00.506 --> 00:11:03.609
  • That he's upset because of what you did, i want you to remind
  • 00:11:03.609 --> 00:11:06.879
  • Yourself, wait a minute, i am aware that to be acceptable to
  • 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:11.250
  • God is a free gift.
  • 00:11:11.250 --> 00:11:12.918
  • I receive it, don't have to earn it.
  • 00:11:12.918 --> 00:11:15.888
  • Maybe made a bad decision or do something stupid, but god still
  • 00:11:15.888 --> 00:11:20.159
  • Accepts me.
  • 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.895
  • If you're working to be acceptable to god, you're
  • 00:11:22.895 --> 00:11:26.132
  • Sinning, because you're insulting the giver of the gift.
  • 00:11:26.132 --> 00:11:35.608
  • Look what he said in romans chapter 8 and verse 32.
  • 00:11:35.608 --> 00:11:39.311
  • This is awesome.
  • 00:11:39.311 --> 00:11:41.447
  • The gift of being acceptable to god.
  • 00:11:41.447 --> 00:11:43.849
  • Say out loud, "i'm acceptable to god."
  • 00:11:43.849 --> 00:11:49.188
  • It was free to us.
  • 00:11:49.188 --> 00:11:51.223
  • Think about it.
  • 00:11:51.223 --> 00:11:52.625
  • It was free to us, but it cost him his son.
  • 00:11:52.625 --> 00:11:58.931
  • What we got for free cost god.
  • 00:11:58.931 --> 00:12:03.469
  • I am righteous for free.
  • 00:12:03.469 --> 00:12:06.872
  • You gotta understand something.
  • 00:12:06.872 --> 00:12:08.207
  • I didn't have to sing in the choir to be righteous.
  • 00:12:08.207 --> 00:12:09.708
  • I didn't have to usher to be righteous.
  • 00:12:09.708 --> 00:12:11.343
  • I didn't have to come to church on christmas to be righteous.
  • 00:12:11.343 --> 00:12:13.445
  • I was righteous for free.
  • 00:12:13.445 --> 00:12:16.982
  • And like any gift, if you accept it, hallelujah, you can now live
  • 00:12:16.982 --> 00:12:21.854
  • The life of benefit.
  • 00:12:21.854 --> 00:12:23.222
  • But it costs god to give us something for free.
  • 00:12:23.222 --> 00:12:27.092
  • Listen to me carefully, the most gratifying response that you can
  • 00:12:27.092 --> 00:12:32.832
  • Give to god for this gift of righteousness is to reach out
  • 00:12:32.832 --> 00:12:37.203
  • With your hands, take the gift as somebody that now owns it in
  • 00:12:37.203 --> 00:12:43.275
  • Possession, and you possess it in ownership, and then just say
  • 00:12:43.275 --> 00:12:46.545
  • Thank you.
  • 00:12:46.545 --> 00:12:48.380
  • As the symbol of this, i want you to reach your hands out like
  • 00:12:48.380 --> 00:12:50.983
  • This and i want you to say out loud, "lord, i receive this gift
  • 00:12:50.983 --> 00:12:54.220
  • Of righteousness.
  • 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:56.889
  • I receive it in ownership.
  • 00:12:56.889 --> 00:12:59.925
  • I possess it now.
  • 00:12:59.925 --> 00:13:02.494
  • I am righteous.
  • 00:13:02.494 --> 00:13:04.830
  • Thank you."
  • 00:13:04.830 --> 00:13:08.767
  • Now, as i see it this morning, not only do i have the gift of
  • 00:13:13.005 --> 00:13:18.210
  • Righteousness, but i got his grace.
  • 00:13:18.210 --> 00:13:24.283
  • I couldn't work for it, i couldn't earn it.
  • 00:13:24.283 --> 00:13:27.953
  • Somebody asked me, "what do i have to do to get this grace to
  • 00:13:27.953 --> 00:13:30.122
  • Work for me?"
  • 00:13:30.122 --> 00:13:31.490
  • Be aware that it exists and get it on your mind.
  • 00:13:31.490 --> 00:13:35.995
  • "but--yeah, yeah, but what do i have to do to get the grace to
  • 00:13:35.995 --> 00:13:37.997
  • Work for me?"
  • 00:13:37.997 --> 00:13:39.365
  • Be aware that it exists and get it on your mind.
  • 00:13:39.365 --> 00:13:42.601
  • "yeah, i know that, but how many times i got to pray in order to
  • 00:13:42.601 --> 00:13:45.404
  • Be righteous?"
  • 00:13:45.404 --> 00:13:46.739
  • No, no, no.
  • 00:13:46.739 --> 00:13:48.073
  • Be aware of the free gift and get it on your mind.
  • 00:13:48.073 --> 00:13:50.976
  • And if the devil comes and try to put something else on your
  • 00:13:50.976 --> 00:13:53.545
  • Mind, use the power of your words.
  • 00:13:53.545 --> 00:13:56.382
  • Use your authority and cast those words down.
  • 00:13:56.382 --> 00:13:58.951
  • Use your authority and change your thoughts.
  • 00:13:58.951 --> 00:14:01.287
  • Use your authority and rest in what jesus has already finished.
  • 00:14:01.287 --> 00:14:04.723
  • And when you don't even feel righteous, open your mouth up
  • 00:14:04.723 --> 00:14:08.193
  • And say, "the gift of righteousness has
  • 00:14:08.193 --> 00:14:10.963
  • Been presented.
  • 00:14:10.963 --> 00:14:12.331
  • I'm aware of it.
  • 00:14:12.331 --> 00:14:13.666
  • I put it on my mind, and as i see it, i am the righteousness
  • 00:14:13.666 --> 00:14:17.736
  • Of god without having to do nothing that's right."
  • 00:14:17.736 --> 00:14:21.540
  • Now, immediately that shocked you because you assumed i said
  • 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:24.743
  • You can do what's wrong.
  • 00:14:24.743 --> 00:14:26.779
  • But what you don't understand is the day that you receive the
  • 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:29.248
  • Gift, the gift will change your character and you ain't gonna
  • 00:14:29.248 --> 00:14:32.418
  • Want to do what's wrong.
  • 00:14:32.418 --> 00:14:36.522
  • That's why it's a gift.
  • 00:14:36.522 --> 00:14:37.856
  • Once it's received, it's gonna do something on the inside of
  • 00:14:37.856 --> 00:14:41.360
  • You, praise god.
  • 00:14:41.360 --> 00:14:42.895
  • Are you listening to me?
  • 00:14:42.895 --> 00:14:45.164
  • Satan tells us that we're not righteous when we fail.
  • 00:14:45.164 --> 00:14:50.536
  • How many of you know that you can feel righteous today, and
  • 00:14:50.536 --> 00:14:53.372
  • Then tomorrow you don't feel righteous, because you keep
  • 00:14:53.372 --> 00:14:56.175
  • Allowing your behavior to tell you whether you're righteous or
  • 00:14:56.175 --> 00:15:00.479
  • Not and you keep forgetting it's a gift?
  • 00:15:00.479 --> 00:15:03.615
  • It's a gift.
  • 00:15:03.615 --> 00:15:05.451
  • If this gift was based on what you do, it wouldn't be a gift.
  • 00:15:05.451 --> 00:15:09.455
  • If this gift based on--listen, if this gift was based on all
  • 00:15:09.455 --> 00:15:12.925
  • The goody-goody things you did, it wouldn't be a gift.
  • 00:15:12.925 --> 00:15:15.494
  • If this was based on all the bad things you did, it wouldn't be
  • 00:15:15.494 --> 00:15:17.997
  • A gift.
  • 00:15:17.997 --> 00:15:19.331
  • If this was based on all the church stuff you did, it
  • 00:15:19.331 --> 00:15:21.100
  • Wouldn't be a gift.
  • 00:15:21.100 --> 00:15:22.835
  • You must understand me, it's not a gift if you got to do
  • 00:15:22.835 --> 00:15:25.938
  • Something to deserve it.
  • 00:15:25.938 --> 00:15:29.041
  • So when i fail, am i still righteous?
  • 00:15:29.041 --> 00:15:35.881
  • Some said yes, some said, "i don't know, that's why
  • 00:15:35.881 --> 00:15:37.850
  • I'm here."
  • 00:15:37.850 --> 00:15:41.620
  • When you fail--well, let me ask you this.
  • 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:43.889
  • When you were a sinner before you accepted the gift and you
  • 00:15:43.889 --> 00:15:48.327
  • Did something good, were you still a sinner?
  • 00:15:48.327 --> 00:15:52.798
  • Yeah.
  • 00:15:52.798 --> 00:15:54.433
  • If you was a sinner, on your way to the club, sipping and
  • 00:15:54.433 --> 00:15:57.436
  • Dipping, wining and dining, getting high and doing all the
  • 00:15:57.436 --> 00:15:59.671
  • Things you did as a sinner, and you stopped and did something
  • 00:15:59.671 --> 00:16:03.709
  • Good, the good deed did not change your status as a sinner.
  • 00:16:03.709 --> 00:16:09.381
  • So likewise, once you've received the gift of
  • 00:16:09.381 --> 00:16:13.519
  • Righteousness, if you fail, it didn't change who you are.
  • 00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:20.592
  • And if you'll keep the gift, it'll change what you do.
  • 00:16:20.592 --> 00:16:26.632
  • See, some want to see this as a license to sin.
  • 00:16:30.636 --> 00:16:34.206
  • "well, brother dollar, you giving us the license to sin."
  • 00:16:34.206 --> 00:16:36.642
  • Uh-uh, i'm giving you a license not to sin.
  • 00:16:36.642 --> 00:16:39.478
  • Because once you receive the gift, glory be to god, you ain't
  • 00:16:39.478 --> 00:16:43.816
  • Gonna want to do what you used to do.
  • 00:16:43.816 --> 00:16:46.852
  • It's hard to keep sinning realizing that he loved you so
  • 00:16:46.852 --> 00:16:51.390
  • Much he gave you something that was gonna make you better
  • 00:16:51.390 --> 00:16:54.726
  • Without you having to do anything to deserve it.
  • 00:16:54.726 --> 00:16:57.396
  • Once you realize how much you've been forgiven of and how much
  • 00:16:57.396 --> 00:17:00.933
  • You are greatly loved, then you ain't trying to sin no more.
  • 00:17:00.933 --> 00:17:04.503
  • When you look and see that he died for you and went to hell
  • 00:17:04.503 --> 00:17:08.273
  • For you just to get a gift to you, then it's gonna blow your
  • 00:17:08.273 --> 00:17:11.844
  • Mind to say, "how could somebody treat me like this when i don't
  • 00:17:11.844 --> 00:17:16.048
  • Even use their name, when i don't even do nothing to deserve
  • 00:17:16.048 --> 00:17:19.384
  • It," because he loves you.
  • 00:17:19.384 --> 00:17:21.220
  • Something on the inside of you changes.
  • 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:23.422
  • All of your atoms begin to crash against all these molecules and
  • 00:17:23.422 --> 00:17:27.826
  • They just can't figure out this kind of love.
  • 00:17:27.826 --> 00:17:30.863
  • This is what will change you.
  • 00:17:30.863 --> 00:17:33.165
  • The bible says the goodness of the lord will change your mind.
  • 00:17:33.165 --> 00:17:40.105
  • Turn to two people and say, "i'm righteous, and it's a gift."
  • 00:17:40.105 --> 00:17:48.847
  • I'm gonna say something radical here.
  • 00:17:48.847 --> 00:17:51.350
  • We never lose this gift once we're born again.
  • 00:17:51.350 --> 00:17:56.088
  • God is not someone that gives you something and takes it back.
  • 00:17:56.088 --> 00:18:00.425
  • You never lose this gift once you're born again.
  • 00:18:00.425 --> 00:18:03.962
  • You know how many years it's taken me to be this bold to say
  • 00:18:03.962 --> 00:18:06.465
  • What i'm saying right now?
  • 00:18:06.465 --> 00:18:08.133
  • Eight--ten years ago, i wouldn't dare stand in the pulpit and
  • 00:18:08.133 --> 00:18:10.202
  • Say this.
  • 00:18:10.202 --> 00:18:11.537
  • You will never lose the gift of righteousness once you are
  • 00:18:11.537 --> 00:18:14.173
  • Born again.
  • 00:18:14.173 --> 00:18:19.344
  • But our lives may not reflect that truth.
  • 00:18:19.344 --> 00:18:23.015
  • Because when we believe the truth, and the truth is grace,
  • 00:18:23.015 --> 00:18:25.918
  • Grace is the truth, when we believe grace, it will set us
  • 00:18:25.918 --> 00:18:31.056
  • Free to receive the benefits of grace.
  • 00:18:31.056 --> 00:18:34.660
  • When you believe you're righteous, it'll set you free to
  • 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:38.497
  • Receive the benefits of righteousness.
  • 00:18:38.497 --> 00:18:40.766
  • If you don't believe you're righteous, you'll never display
  • 00:18:40.766 --> 00:18:46.305
  • In your life the benefits of righteousness.
  • 00:18:46.305 --> 00:18:48.840
  • It's all about right believing.
  • 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:51.510
  • When you believe right, you will live right.
  • 00:18:51.510 --> 00:18:54.079
  • When you believe wrong, you're gonna live wrong.
  • 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:56.682
  • And a lot of us are victims of wrong belief.
  • 00:18:56.682 --> 00:19:01.153
  • We keep believing stuff that somebody said and what
  • 00:19:01.153 --> 00:19:04.890
  • They said.
  • 00:19:04.890 --> 00:19:06.258
  • Who is "they?"
  • 00:19:06.258 --> 00:19:09.494
  • We don't even know sometimes where we got our belief.
  • 00:19:09.494 --> 00:19:12.831
  • We just believe it because we've always believed it.
  • 00:19:12.831 --> 00:19:16.201
  • But i'm telling you right now, today, i want you to receive
  • 00:19:16.201 --> 00:19:19.805
  • This gift of righteousness and i want you walking out of here
  • 00:19:19.805 --> 00:19:22.808
  • Today believing, no matter what, i am the righteousness of god.
  • 00:19:22.808 --> 00:19:27.879
  • I dare you the next time you miss the mark that you boldly
  • 00:19:27.879 --> 00:19:31.049
  • Stand up and say, "i'm still righteous."
  • 00:19:31.049 --> 00:19:34.653
  • I'm still--now, you'll have other people pointing fingers at
  • 00:19:34.653 --> 00:19:37.656
  • You because, "you're a christian.
  • 00:19:37.656 --> 00:19:39.157
  • You ain't supposed to do that."
  • 00:19:39.157 --> 00:19:41.460
  • Where you get that, talking about "supposed to?"
  • 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:43.929
  • How you gonna look at me and tell me what i'm supposed to
  • 00:19:43.929 --> 00:19:45.664
  • Be--what i'm supposed to do is maintain my identity even in the
  • 00:19:45.664 --> 00:19:49.668
  • Midst of bad behavior.
  • 00:19:49.668 --> 00:19:51.103
  • And if i maintain my identity, my behavior will continue to
  • 00:19:51.103 --> 00:19:55.107
  • Change, hallelujah, because i benefit from what i know.
  • 00:19:55.107 --> 00:19:59.444
  • I benefit from what i believe.
  • 00:19:59.444 --> 00:20:05.083
  • Are you listening to me?
  • 00:20:05.083 --> 00:20:08.654
  • A gift is not yours until you receive it.
  • 00:20:08.654 --> 00:20:14.760
  • You know, when our eyes are open to what jesus has done for us,
  • 00:20:14.760 --> 00:20:19.965
  • Then we'll do as we believe, when our eyes are open to what
  • 00:20:19.965 --> 00:20:26.405
  • Jesus has done for us.
  • 00:20:26.405 --> 00:20:29.975
  • Somebody asked me one time, "how do i get this grace to
  • 00:20:29.975 --> 00:20:32.077
  • Work for me?"
  • 00:20:32.077 --> 00:20:33.412
  • You gotta open your eyes to it.
  • 00:20:33.412 --> 00:20:35.747
  • You gotta awake to righteousness.
  • 00:20:35.747 --> 00:20:39.418
  • The bible says when you awake to righteousness, you'll sin
  • 00:20:39.418 --> 00:20:42.354
  • No more.
  • 00:20:42.354 --> 00:20:43.955
  • But when you don't know that, when you think that church and
  • 00:20:43.955 --> 00:20:48.126
  • God is all about you doing this in order for him to do that, you
  • 00:20:48.126 --> 00:20:53.231
  • Have submitted yourself unto the law and eventually you'll sin.
  • 00:20:53.231 --> 00:20:56.468
  • Haven't you figured out yet everything you try to do on your
  • 00:20:56.468 --> 00:20:59.404
  • Own, you fail at it?
  • 00:20:59.404 --> 00:21:03.608
  • Everything you try to do with your own effort and your own
  • 00:21:03.608 --> 00:21:07.012
  • Performance, you know, pretending like you're doing it
  • 00:21:07.012 --> 00:21:09.014
  • For god, you fail at it.
  • 00:21:09.014 --> 00:21:12.150
  • Why?
  • 00:21:12.150 --> 00:21:13.518
  • Because he never intended for you--
  • 00:21:13.518 --> 00:21:21.326
  • He never intended for you to ever be concerned about good
  • 00:21:21.326 --> 00:21:26.498
  • And evil.
  • 00:21:26.498 --> 00:21:29.067
  • They ate out the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but
  • 00:21:29.067 --> 00:21:35.307
  • He never intended for them to eat that tree.
  • 00:21:35.307 --> 00:21:37.743
  • That tree was not in the center of the garden.
  • 00:21:37.743 --> 00:21:40.412
  • The tree that was in the center of the garden was the tree
  • 00:21:40.412 --> 00:21:43.582
  • Of life.
  • 00:21:43.582 --> 00:21:46.618
  • The law represents the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
  • 00:21:46.618 --> 00:21:51.289
  • Jesus in his grace represents the tree of life.
  • 00:21:51.289 --> 00:21:55.994
  • He never intended for you to be concerned about evil and good.
  • 00:21:55.994 --> 00:22:03.201
  • He just wanted you to know--just know love.
  • 00:22:03.201 --> 00:22:07.406
  • And instead of us just knowing love, we're busy being concerned
  • 00:22:07.406 --> 00:22:11.743
  • About what's good and what's evil.
  • 00:22:11.743 --> 00:22:15.280
  • That was never supposed to be your concern.
  • 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:17.849
  • The greatest bondage of men is this.
  • 00:22:17.849 --> 00:22:22.654
  • You trying to become like god, independent of god.
  • 00:22:22.654 --> 00:22:29.194
  • And then, having the knowledge of good and evil, and choosing
  • 00:22:29.194 --> 00:22:34.466
  • To be good through your own performance.
  • 00:22:34.466 --> 00:22:38.804
  • That's bondage. that's bondage.
  • 00:22:38.804 --> 00:22:43.875
  • When all god wants is a people who will depend on him
  • 00:22:43.875 --> 00:22:48.547
  • For everything.
  • 00:22:48.547 --> 00:22:51.149
  • All he wants is somebody who will eat from the tree of life
  • 00:22:51.149 --> 00:22:56.755
  • And let him impart eternal life.
  • 00:22:56.755 --> 00:22:59.591
  • Somebody that'll eat from jesus and say, "i don't know how to
  • 00:22:59.591 --> 00:23:02.594
  • Pay this bill, lord, but i trust you do.
  • 00:23:02.594 --> 00:23:05.163
  • I'm the righteousness of god.
  • 00:23:05.163 --> 00:23:06.832
  • I am as i ought to be.
  • 00:23:06.832 --> 00:23:08.767
  • Now go ahead and take care of it, lord.
  • 00:23:08.767 --> 00:23:10.469
  • I receive your gift of righteousness.
  • 00:23:10.469 --> 00:23:12.671
  • I don't know how to get healed, but you do."
  • 00:23:12.671 --> 00:23:15.173
  • He's looking for somebody to come to him and say, "lord, i
  • 00:23:15.173 --> 00:23:19.411
  • Trust you."
  • 00:23:19.411 --> 00:23:20.745
  • And jesus has come to you, he's put an apron around his waist,
  • 00:23:20.745 --> 00:23:23.682
  • And he says, "i'm here to serve you.
  • 00:23:23.682 --> 00:23:25.717
  • In the old testament you served me, but under this covenant of
  • 00:23:25.717 --> 00:23:28.920
  • Grace i am here to serve you with everything you'll ever
  • 00:23:28.920 --> 00:23:32.924
  • Need, if you receive this gift."
  • 00:23:32.924 --> 00:23:38.096
  • We can't get started if you keep walking around acting like
  • 00:23:38.096 --> 00:23:41.733
  • You're a sinner saved by grace.
  • 00:23:41.733 --> 00:23:44.202
  • I need you to take the gift "i'm the righteousness of god," and
  • 00:23:44.202 --> 00:23:48.507
  • Based on that righteousness, i'll now be able to do
  • 00:23:48.507 --> 00:23:52.277
  • Everything that i need to do.
  • 00:23:52.277 --> 00:23:53.745
  • Because with this gift of righteousness, you will reign in
  • 00:23:53.745 --> 00:23:56.982
  • Life as a king.
  • 00:23:56.982 --> 00:23:58.316
  • And what does the king do?
  • 00:23:58.316 --> 00:23:59.684
  • He makes decrees.
  • 00:23:59.684 --> 00:24:01.019
  • And what the bible say?
  • 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:02.387
  • Whenever you decree a thing, it shall come to pass.
  • 00:24:02.387 --> 00:24:06.091
  • God's just looking for somebody to stand up like kings and
  • 00:24:06.091 --> 00:24:10.228
  • Priests and decree a thing and eat from the tree of life and
  • 00:24:10.228 --> 00:24:15.166
  • Let him take care of you.
  • 00:24:15.166 --> 00:24:18.537
  • Turn to two people and tell them, "receive the gift."
  • 00:24:18.537 --> 00:24:27.212
  • Male announcer: it's christmas time again.
  • 00:24:31.149 --> 00:24:32.684
  • And though it seems like the world's conflicts try to dampen
  • 00:24:32.684 --> 00:24:35.887
  • Our holiday spirit, the wonder of jesus's birth cannot
  • 00:24:35.887 --> 00:24:39.491
  • Be diminished.
  • 00:24:39.491 --> 00:24:40.825
  • Let creflo dollar's two message series, "the magnificent gift of
  • 00:24:40.825 --> 00:24:44.396
  • Righteousness," guide you on a journey of discovery.
  • 00:24:44.396 --> 00:24:47.499
  • Creflo: today on your journey you're not what you're used to
  • 00:24:47.499 --> 00:24:50.936
  • Be, you're not what you want to be, but the journey continues,
  • 00:24:50.936 --> 00:24:55.206
  • And you did not lose the gift of righteousness.
  • 00:24:55.206 --> 00:24:59.411
  • You are who jesus says you are, and jesus says you are the
  • 00:24:59.411 --> 00:25:03.381
  • Righteousness of god, and the day you believe that, you're
  • 00:25:03.381 --> 00:25:06.251
  • Going to start doing right.
  • 00:25:06.251 --> 00:25:07.619
  • You are righteous in him.
  • 00:25:07.619 --> 00:25:10.255
  • Announcer: get the series today as a digital download for
  • 00:25:10.255 --> 00:25:13.024
  • A love gift of only $6 usd or more by calling the
  • 00:25:13.024 --> 00:25:16.328
  • Number on your screen, scanning the qr code, or visiting
  • 00:25:16.328 --> 00:25:19.631
  • Www.creflodollarministries.org and clicking e-store.
  • 00:25:19.631 --> 00:25:24.502
  • Celebrate christmas with worship and thanks for the redemptive
  • 00:25:24.502 --> 00:25:28.373
  • Power of jesus.
  • 00:25:28.373 --> 00:25:30.075
  • Taffi dollar: "you are crazy."
  • 00:25:31.009 --> 00:25:34.913
  • And so when people say you are crazy, just say, "i'm not crazy,
  • 00:25:34.913 --> 00:25:38.783
  • I'm just first."
  • 00:25:38.783 --> 00:25:41.519
  • Female announcer: real women.
  • 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.921
  • Andrea crayton: lord, however you wanna use me today,
  • 00:25:42.921 --> 00:25:44.689
  • I'm ready.
  • 00:25:44.689 --> 00:25:46.024
  • Announcer: real stories.
  • 00:25:46.024 --> 00:25:47.592
  • Nona jones: some of you have such powerful testimonies of
  • 00:25:47.592 --> 00:25:50.328
  • Things god has brought you out of that you refuse to share
  • 00:25:50.328 --> 00:25:53.898
  • Because you're afraid of what people will think of you.
  • 00:25:53.898 --> 00:25:56.401
  • Announcer: real transformation.
  • 00:25:56.401 --> 00:25:58.036
  • The real women's conference is calling you.
  • 00:25:58.036 --> 00:26:00.972
  • Yes, you.
  • 00:26:00.972 --> 00:26:03.008
  • It's time to shake off the labels, the stereotypes, and the
  • 00:26:03.008 --> 00:26:07.145
  • Expectations society places on us.
  • 00:26:07.145 --> 00:26:09.681
  • Taffi: first to not be in bondage to what you think about
  • 00:26:09.681 --> 00:26:12.384
  • Me, because what you think about me don't stop nothing.
  • 00:26:12.384 --> 00:26:15.720
  • Announcer: this is your moment to embrace your authentic
  • 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.889
  • Self in a world of false standards.
  • 00:26:17.889 --> 00:26:20.358
  • Join us at the real women's conference where your journey to
  • 00:26:20.358 --> 00:26:23.662
  • Self-discovery begins.
  • 00:26:23.662 --> 00:26:25.664
  • Get ready to live in your truth unapologetically.
  • 00:26:25.664 --> 00:26:30.335
  • Creflo: i pray that this broadcast blessed you today.
  • 00:26:31.736 --> 00:26:34.606
  • I want you to pray about sowing a financial seed into
  • 00:26:34.606 --> 00:26:36.941
  • This ministry.
  • 00:26:36.941 --> 00:26:38.276
  • I also want to extend a special thanks to those of you who have
  • 00:26:38.276 --> 00:26:41.680
  • Remained our loyal partners, supporters, and friends.
  • 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:44.983
  • Your financial support goes a long, long way.
  • 00:26:44.983 --> 00:26:48.019
  • Your donations help equip us with what we need to send this
  • 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:52.023
  • Broadcast all over the world, and when you give to this
  • 00:26:52.023 --> 00:26:54.659
  • Ministry, you partner with us to reach people everywhere who are
  • 00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:58.663
  • Hurting and in need of the revelation of god's grace
  • 00:26:58.663 --> 00:27:02.133
  • And love.
  • 00:27:02.133 --> 00:27:03.468
  • Male announcer: if god has placed it on your heart to
  • 00:27:03.468 --> 00:27:05.704
  • Support the vision of this ministry to reach the world with
  • 00:27:05.704 --> 00:27:08.373
  • The gospel of grace, you may call in to make your financial
  • 00:27:08.373 --> 00:27:11.342
  • Donations, or log on to creflodollarministries.org.
  • 00:27:11.342 --> 00:27:15.080
  • God bless you.
  • 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:17.382
  • Announcer: the preceding program was brought to you, in part, by
  • 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.788
  • The partners and friends of creflo dollar ministries.
  • 00:27:23.788 --> 00:27:29.010