Change Church Podcast: Goat Talk Part 3
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels
Introduction to the Series: The Greatness of Jesus
Pastor Dharius Daniels continues the "Goat Talk" series, emphasizing Jesus as "the greatest of all time" in embodying God's original design for humanity. This third installment delves deeper into understanding Jesus not just as a performer of miracles but as a model for how we should live and pray.
Christianity: A New Way of Being Human
Timestamp [00:01]
Pastor Daniels cites Maximus the Confessor, highlighting that “Christianity is an entirely new way of being human” ([00:15]). He explains that God's intention was for humans to be like Him, not to become God. This perspective shifts our understanding from viewing humanity as inherently flawed to seeing it as a reflection of God's intended design.
Key Points:
- Restoration of Humanity: Referencing Dr. Leonard Sweet, Pastor Daniels discusses how Jesus' miracles were acts of restoring humanity. Healing, liberation, and protection are seen as ways Jesus rehumanizes individuals (e.g., healing the blind, rescuing the oppressed).
- Revolutionary Self-Perception: Believers are encouraged to reject the notion that being human equates to dysfunction. Instead, being human should signify imperfection without stagnation or imprisonment.
Notable Quote: “Christianity is an entirely new way of being human.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([00:15])
Walking and Talking Like the Greatest of All Time (GOAT)
Timestamp [15:30]
Pastor Daniels emphasizes that to emulate Jesus ("the GOAT"), one must adopt both His walk and His way of talking. He illustrates this with the metaphor of Jesus walking on water—demonstrating that living like Jesus enables believers to navigate challenges effectively.
Key Points:
- Walk on Water: Symbolizes overcoming life's metaphorical drownings by living in alignment with Jesus' teachings.
- Non-Bitter Betrayal: Jesus' response to betrayal (e.g., Judas) serves as a model for handling personal grievances without bitterness.
- Second vs. Third Way Christians: Distinguishes between those who admire Jesus’ actions and those who strive to embody His methods in their own lives.
Notable Quote: “God the Father sent Jesus the Son not just to show us what He could do, but to show us what we could do if we live life His way.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([15:45])
The Power of Personal Initiation in Prayer
Timestamp [30:20]
A significant portion of the sermon focuses on the role of personal initiation in experiencing divine intervention. Pastor Daniels uses biblical examples to illustrate that improvement and miracles often follow personal action.
Key Points:
- Lord’s Prayer as a Framework: Explains how the Lord’s Prayer serves not just as a set prayer but as a model for how to engage in prayer relationally, reverently, and dependently.
- Personal Responsibility: Encourages believers to take initiative in their spiritual lives, drawing parallels to biblical figures like the woman with the issue of blood and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar.
- Overcoming Enemy Tactics: Discusses how the enemy targets personal initiative to hinder spiritual growth, emphasizing the need for persistent and initiated prayer.
Notable Quote: “Divine intervention is on the other side of personal initiation.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([30:45])
Understanding the Components of Prayer
Timestamp [45:10]
Pastor Daniels breaks down the Lord’s Prayer into its fundamental components, explaining each part's significance and how it contributes to effective prayer.
Breakdown:
- Our Father: Praying relationally ([45:25])
- Who Art in Heaven: Praying locationally ([45:40])
- Hallowed Be Your Name: Praying reverently ([46:00])
- Your Kingdom Come and Your Will Be Done: Praying corporately and submissively ([46:20])
- Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread: Praying dependently, acknowledging limitations ([46:40])
- Forgive Us Our Debts as We Forgive Our Debtors: Praying soberly, free from unforgiveness ([47:00])
- Lead Us Not into Temptation, But Deliver Us from Evil: Praying with awareness of vulnerability ([47:20])
- For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory Forever: Praying confidently ([47:40])
Notable Quote: “This is praying with a revelation of our limitations, this prayer for daily bread.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([46:40])
Praying Confidently and Soberly
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Pastor Daniels emphasizes the importance of confidence and sobriety in prayer. He explains that recognizing God’s sovereignty and maintaining a heart free from unforgiveness enhances the effectiveness of prayers.
Key Points:
- Confidence in Prayer: Trusting in God's authority leads to prayers that can move mountains and transform relationships.
- Sober Prayer: Letting go of grudges and unforgiveness is crucial, as holding onto bitterness can undermine prayers.
- Protection and Provision: Drawing from biblical narratives like David sending Joab or Job’s faith, Pastor Daniels illustrates how prayers aligned with God’s will lead to divine protection and provision.
Notable Quote: “If you ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we've asked of Him confidently.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([50:30])
Closing Prayer and Call to Action
Timestamp [60:00]
Pastor Daniels concludes with a heartfelt prayer, urging the congregation to adopt the "Goat Talk"—a prayer life that reflects the greatness of Jesus. He calls for a revival of prayer that aligns with God’s intentions, encouraging believers to persistently seek spiritual growth and transformation.
Key Points:
- Revival of Prayer: A collective movement towards deeper, more intentional prayer practices.
- Embodiment of Jesus’ Teachings: Striving to align personal lives with the principles demonstrated by Jesus.
- Community Engagement: Encouraging the church community to support one another in this spiritual journey.
Notable Quote: “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.” – Pastor Dharius Daniels ([60:15])
Conclusion
In "Goat Talk Part 3," Pastor Dharius Daniels passionately instructs listeners on evolving their prayer life from mere recitation to embodying the principles Jesus demonstrated. By emphasizing personal initiation, recognizing limitations, and fostering a heart free from unforgiveness, believers are guided to experience a transformative relationship with God. This episode serves as a powerful reminder that to walk like Jesus, one must first communicate like Him, integrating His teachings deeply into daily life.
For more inspirational messages and to explore further, visit www.lifechange.org.