Creflo A. Dollar: How God’s Redmption Will Shape Your Thoughts – Sunday Service
How God’s Redemption Renews Your Mind and Transforms Your Thinking
There is a season for wholeness, a season for prosperity, and a season for experiencing the fullness of God’s grace. As we prepare to give, remember that generosity is grace in action. Every gift given from the heart becomes a tangible expression of God’s love working through His people.
Some people question the importance of giving, but generosity makes ministry possible. Through faithful giving, the Gospel reaches communities across the nation and around the world. It helps feed those in need, supports ministry teams, and allows the message of Christ to be shared through every available platform. Giving enables believers to leave a lasting impact that cannot be erased.
The purpose of giving is never manipulation or pressure. God desires cheerful and willing hearts. Scripture teaches us to give as the Holy Spirit leads us. When generosity flows from grace, it becomes an act of worship that honors God and blesses others.
We thank God for every opportunity to sow, plant, and demonstrate grace in action. Through the faithfulness of His people, countless lives have been touched, encouraged, and transformed.
Understanding the Power of Redemption
Today, we want to explore a life-changing truth: how redemption can reshape your thoughts and renew your mind.
Many people desire change but do not know where to begin. True transformation starts in the mind. If change never occurs in your thinking, it will rarely appear in your life.
The Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:22-24:
“Put off your former way of life, the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Put on the new self, created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Notice that Paul does not say, “Renew your mind.” Instead, he says, “Be renewed.”
This is a powerful distinction. Renewal is not merely a human effort. It is the result of embracing who God has already made you to be in Christ.
The old self has been crucified. The sinful nature no longer defines you. Paul instructs believers to put off the old man and put on the new man a new identity already completed in Christ.
Righteousness is finished.
Holiness is finished.
Your new identity is finished.
Just as you put on a coat that has already been made, you are called to put on what Christ has already accomplished. As you embrace your completed righteousness, holiness, and union with God, your mind begins to renew itself according to the truth.
Transformation follows renewal.
You do not transform yourself through striving. Instead, you are renewed by the reality of who you are in Christ, and transformation becomes the natural result.
What Does Redemption Mean?
Redemption means being saved, forgiven, delivered, and restored to your rightful place.
It is God’s act of taking what was broken and making it whole again.
Redemption means:
- Being rescued from sin
- Being forgiven for failure
- Being restored after wrongdoing
- Being delivered from bondage
- Being brought into a better condition than before
Redemption turns negative situations into positive outcomes through God’s grace.
We were sinners, but through Christ, we have become saints.
We were captive, but now we are free.
We were condemned, but now we are accepted.
We were indebted, but the debt has been paid.
Redeemed from the Curse
Galatians 3:13 declares:
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us.”
The curse represented the consequences of humanity’s inability to perfectly obey God’s law.
But Jesus took that curse upon Himself.
As a result:
- You have been redeemed from condemnation.
- You have been redeemed from spiritual separation.
- You have been redeemed from guilt and shame.
- You have been redeemed from the debt of sin.
The price has been paid in full.
That is why Scripture says:
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.”
Believers are called to live with confidence in what Christ has accomplished.
Where Do Thoughts Come From?
To understand mind renewal, we must first understand where thoughts originate.
Thoughts do not simply appear at random.
Your thoughts are influenced by:
- What you focus on
- What you continually expose yourself to
- What you deeply believe
- The identity you embrace
Whatever captures your attention eventually shapes your thinking.
The people you spend time with, the messages you listen to, and the beliefs you hold all influence the thoughts that fill your mind.
According to Scripture, thoughts flow from the heart.
Proverbs 23:7 teaches:
“As a man thinks within himself, so is he.”
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:35:
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things.”
What fills the heart eventually influences the mind.
Your thinking is connected to your deepest beliefs.
If you believe you are a failure, thoughts of failure will continually arise.
If you believe you are righteous through Christ, thoughts consistent with that identity will begin to emerge.
