The Lottery Ticket You're Holding | Why You Won't Scratch Off What God Already Gave You

You were born a winner. But if that's true, why aren't you living like one? In this powerful message, Dr. Eric Thomas delivers one of the most convicting sermons of the year using Ephesians 2:10, Psalm 34, and the story of Nehemiah to expose the real reason you're stuck. It's not that you don't have what it takes. It's that you're asking God to make you something He already made you. You're holding a winning lottery ticket, but you refuse to scratch it off. Stop asking God to make you a winner and start scratching off everything He already put inside of you. You were not randomly made. You were intentionally designed for an assignment. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Before your mother knew you were in her womb, God designed you to win. But you're letting the world tell you who you are instead of letting God remind you whose you are. Before Nehemiah rebuilt the wall in 52 days, God spent four months searching his heart. Four months of sitting, weeping, mourning, fasting, and praying. Because God doesn't start with the bricks. He starts with the heart. You can't build something new on the outside until God builds something new on the inside. This message is a divine wake up call. You're comparing yourself to others, asking them if you're a winner, when God already gave you a winning ticket. You're walking into rooms dressed in someone else's anointing, wearing someone else's spirit, trying to be someone else's version of success. Demons recognize demons. And when you walk in your authentic self, anointed by God, people don't just hear your words. They feel your authority. God is calling you to do three things: Search your heart. Try your ways. Turn again to God. Stop examining everyone else and start examining yourself. IN THIS MESSAGE YOU'LL DISCOVER: → Why you're asking God to make you a winner when He already made you one → The lottery ticket revelation: stop waiting for validation and scratch off what God gave you → How God rebuked the devourer on ET's birthday during a traffic stop → Why the four months before the 52 days is where the real work happens → What it means to be God's workmanship, intentionally designed for an assignment → The most expensive loss in college football history and what it teaches us about wasted potential → Why demons recognize demons and how to walk in your authentic anointing → The three things God told Nehemiah: search your heart, try your ways, turn again to God → Why you can't build something new on the outside until God builds something new on the inside → How to stop doing the right things in the wrong spirit 📖 KEY SCRIPTURES Ephesians 2:10 Psalm 34:1 Nehemiah 1:4 Nehemiah 6:15 Isaiah 43:1–4 Philippians 2:3–4 John 3:16–17 Malachi 3:10–11 Lamentations 3:40 Matthew 6:33 CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome: The Gift of Being God's Workmanship 00:01:35 Bless the Lord at All Times: Levels of Praise 00:06:37 The Benefits of Putting God First 00:13:02 The Birthday Traffic Stop: When God Rebukes the Devourer 00:18:19 The Lottery Ticket Lesson: You Are His Workmanship 00:22:19 Stop Asking God to Make You a Winner 00:22:41 The Four Months Before the 52 Days 00:33:58 You Were Not Randomly Made: Intentional Design 00:44:08 The Most Expensive Loss in College Football History 00:47:18 Demons Recognize Demons: Walking in Your Authentic Self 00:51:48 Search Your Heart: The First of Three Things 00:58:37 Wrestling With God: When You Won't Accept Who You Are 01:04:36 The Spirit You Wear: Doing Right Things the Wrong Way 01:07:36 Altar Call: Search, Try, and Turn Again to God 01:11:19 Prayer Over the Book, Mason, and Dallas 🔥 IF THIS HIT YOU Share it with someone who's been standing in the rubble too long. Subscribe and turn on notifications → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRzMQFmplNd4-H1X5bj1jA?sub_confirmation=1 📲 CONNECT WITH APOC 📱 Download the App → Search "APOC Ministry" in your app store 🙏 Submit a Prayer Request → Tap "Prayer" in the app 💸 Partner With Us → apocministry.org/give 📅 Join Us LIVE: Saturdays @ 11AM EST ABOUT ERIC THOMAS — ET THE HIP HOP PREACHER Dr. Eric Thomas is a world-renowned motivational speaker, pastor, author, and educator. From homeless high school dropout to PhD, ET's story has inspired millions across the globe. He has spoken to the NFL, NBA, Fortune 500 companies, and now leads A Place of Change Ministry in Grand Ledge, Michigan alongside his wife, Dede Thomas, and Associate Pastor TJ Tyus. ET's message of faith, sacrifice, and accountability continues to transform lives worldwide. He is also the recipient of the President's Lifetime Achievement Award. ABOUT APOC MINISTRY 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 exists to help people experience real transformation through the Word of God, not just hear it, but live it.