Change Church Podcast: Episode Summary – "I Don't Want That"

Release Date: August 11, 2025
Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels
Website: www.lifechange.org

Introduction

In the episode titled "I Don't Want That", Pastor Dharius Daniels explores the profound themes of spiritual discipline, authentic worship, and the critical importance of listening in both human relationships and our relationship with God. Drawing from the Gospel of John, chapter four, Pastor Daniels delves into the transformative journey of true worshipers who engage with God "in spirit and in truth."

1. Spiritual Disciplines and Spiritual Growth

Pastor Daniels begins by emphasizing the significance of spiritual disciplines, likening them to physical exercises in a gym that lead to growth and strength.

• Analogy of Exercise:
  “...exercise, and so this word exercise speaks to a set of spiritual habits or practices that produce growth.” [00:07]

• Discipline vs. Discipleship:
  “The word disciple and the word discipline. Men who are being disciples should be disciplined men.” [00:25]

• Importance of Consistency:
  “You can't just go to the gym, walk around, clap in the gym and leave and think you're going to get your results.” [00:40]

Pastor Daniels highlights that spiritual growth requires intentional and consistent practices, such as prayer and scripture study, to cultivate a deeper relationship with God.

2. The Importance of Listening in Relationships

Transitioning from spiritual disciplines, Pastor Daniels draws parallels between effective communication in relationships and our relationship with God.

• Listening as an Expression of Love:
  “Have you ever had an experience in a relationship where someone claimed to love you greatly, but they listened to you poorly?... Love listens.” [04:50]

• Understanding Needs Through Listening:
  “But you will never understand what the needs are if we don't listen.” [05:30]

• Impact of Proper Listening:
  “When an individual understands the importance of this, then they would have to recognize that when you give a person what they actually need versus what you want them to have, it not only serves them at the highest level, it serves you at the highest level.” [07:15]

Pastor Daniels underscores that active and accurate listening is foundational to meeting the genuine needs of others, fostering deeper and more fulfilling relationships.

3. Genuine Worship: Spirit and Truth (John 4:19-21)

Delving into the scriptural foundation, Pastor Daniels analyzes the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman, emphasizing the shift from location-based worship to worship in spirit and truth.

• Scriptural Reference:
  “John's gospel, chapter four, beginning at verse number 19... 'For a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.'" [01:25]

• Misconceptions About Worship Locations:
  “She is assuming what matters most to God is where you worship.” [12:00]

• True Worshipers Defined:
  “They are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” [19:10]

Pastor Daniels explains that true worship transcends physical locations, focusing instead on the authenticity and sincerity of the worshiper's heart and understanding of God.

4. Correction as an Expression of Love

Addressing the theme of correction, Pastor Daniels illustrates how God's correction is a manifestation of His love and desire for our growth.

• God’s Correcting Love:
  “Whom the Lord loves, He corrects... Love is expressed through correction.” [16:45]

• Impact of Receiving Correction:
  “You can only grow to the degree to which you're willing to be corrected.” [20:30]

• Consequences of Resisting Correction:
  “If God ceases to correct, this means you have demonstrated a degree of abstinence that God in his foreknowledge, knows will never be changed.” [18:50]

Pastor Daniels encourages listeners to embrace God's correction as a vital component of spiritual and personal development, viewing it not as condemnation but as guidance towards greater alignment with God's will.

5. Different Ways of Worship: First, Second, and Third

Pastor Daniels categorizes worship into three distinct "ways," elucidating the progression towards a more authentic and fulfilling worship experience.

a. First Way: Cultural Worship

• Self and Possessions:
  “It is the worship of self and the worship of stuff. It is the placing of personal priorities, possessions and passions above God...” [22:00]

b. Second Way: Selective Worship

• Emotional and Preference-Based:
  “It's when you can only worship if it's a song you like... prioritizing what we like over what God wants.” [24:15]

  • Example of Emotionalism vs. Truth:
    “It is emotion and inquisitive so that you can explore what the actual need is... The difference between a season and a cycle is correction.” [26:40]

c. Third Way: True Worship

• Anchored in Truth and Spirit:
  “It is convinced of his goodness and it is compelled to give him what he actually wants. Worship that is anchored in truth and animated by the spirit.” [30:05]

• Characteristics of Third Way Worship:
  “It's theology in the lyrics, an internal sense of jubilation that rests on the revelation that my welfare and my well being rest securely in the hands of God.” [29:20]

Pastor Daniels advocates for evolving from cultural and selective worship to embracing true worship that reflects a deep understanding and reverence for God, grounded in both knowledge and spirit.

6. Conclusion and Invitation

In wrapping up, Pastor Daniels calls the congregation to self-examination and readiness to embrace true worship. He emphasizes the need for humility, openness to correction, and a wholehearted dedication to authentic spiritual practices.

• Call to Action:
  “Somebody throw your hands up and tell him, here I am. Here I am.” [34:50]

• Final Encouragement:
  “It's an indication of a heart that has been captured by God’s greatness. It is convinced of his goodness and it is compelled to give him what he actually wants.” [33:20]

Pastor Daniels invites listeners to commit to a higher standard of worship and relationship with God, encouraging them to seek a deeper, more meaningful connection that goes beyond superficial practices.

Notable Quotes

• “Love listens. Why? Because in order for love languages to be met, love languages, first of all must be understood.” [05:00]

• “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” [19:10]

• “Whom the Lord loves, He corrects. Love is expressed through correction.” [16:45]

• “You can't just go to the gym, walk around, clap in the gym and leave and think you're going to get your results.” [00:40]

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual Disciplines are essential for growth, much like physical exercise is for the body.
2. Active Listening is crucial in relationships, enabling us to meet genuine needs effectively.
3. Authentic Worship transcends physical locations, focusing on sincere hearts and true understanding.
4. Embracing Correction from God is a sign of His love and our willingness to grow.
5. Moving towards Third Way Worship requires abandoning superficial and preference-based practices in favor of truth-anchored, spirit-filled worship.

Invitation

Pastor Daniels concludes with an invitation for listeners to open their hearts to God’s correction and to pursue a deeper, more authentic form of worship. He encourages the congregation to actively engage in spiritual disciplines, listen attentively in their relationships, and strive for worship that honors God in both spirit and truth.

For more insightful messages and to join the Change Church community, visit www.lifechange.org.