Change Church Podcast: "I'm Not Going That Way" Hosted by Pastor Dharius Daniels | Released on January 13, 2025
Introduction
In the "I'm Not Going That Way" episode of the Change Church Podcast, Pastor Dharius Daniels delves deep into the transformative power of choosing a life that defies the conventional norms of society and even traditional religious practices. Drawing inspiration from Matthew 7:13, Pastor Daniels challenges listeners to embrace a path that leads to true life, contrasting it with what he terms the "world's way" and the "church's way." This episode offers a profound exploration of spiritual growth, character development, and the courage required to pursue an extraordinary life aligned with divine principles.
Scriptural Foundation: Matthew 7:13
Pastor Daniels begins by anchoring his message in Matthew 7:13:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
[00:01]
He underscores the urgency of choosing the narrow path, urging listeners to consider whether they are content with the "regular" way or if they are ready to pursue a life of intentional and spiritual excellence.
Rejecting the "Regular" Way
Pastor Daniels emphasizes that to achieve a unique and fulfilling life, one must be willing to diverge from societal norms:
"If you want to live like no one else, you must be willing to live like no one else."
[00:08]
He asserts that reaching one's redemptive potential often requires stepping away from the crowd and rejecting what is considered "regular." This rejection is not rooted in arrogance but in self-awareness and discernment.
Examples of "Regular" Life Failures:
- Marriage: Toleration instead of celebration.
- Employment: Financial gain without personal fulfillment.
- Friendships: Superficial connections lacking depth.
- Faith: Safe beliefs over supernatural trust.
- Mindset: Settling for existing rather than striving to excel.
"A regular mindset is settling and not stretching. A regular life is existing but not excelling."
[00:15]
God’s Nature: The God of the Irregular
Pastor Daniels highlights the extraordinary nature of biblical events as evidence that God operates beyond the ordinary:
"Nothing regular about the Red Sea parting, Jericho walls falling, Daniel surviving the lion's den, or Jesus' resurrection."
[00:21]
He asserts that since God Himself embodies the irregular, believers are called to mirror this in their lives.
The Narrow Gate Metaphor
Using the Mount metaphor, Pastor Daniels explains that just as mountains are places of significant divine encounters in the Bible, pursuing the narrow path requires elevation and a deeper connection with God:
"There are times where we have to go higher if we want to see him better and hear him clearer."
[00:30]
He emphasizes that God sometimes reduces clarity to push believers towards higher spiritual frequencies, promoting growth and deeper relationships.
Introducing the Third Way: The King's Way
Pastor Daniels introduces a pivotal concept—the "Third Way" or "King's Way"—as an alternative to the world's way and the church's way.
The Three Ways to Live:
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Culture's Way (World's Way):
- Definition: Guided by cultural trends, often rebellious against God's design in the name of freedom.
- Outcome: Leads to bondage despite the illusion of abundance.
- Quote:
"Culture's way says, I know me better than the one who created me."
[00:45]
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Church's Way (Religion's Way):
- Definition: Institutional practices that prioritize rules over relationships, leading to moralism without true life improvement.
- Outcome: Sanctifies bondage rather than setting people free.
- Quote:
"Church's way is almost like how much scripture do you know? Not how much scripture are you doing."
[00:50]
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The King's Way (Third Way):
- Definition: Guided by the person, principles, and power of Jesus as both Redeemer and Rabbi.
- Principles: Prioritizes relationship over rules, transformation over tradition, and integrates biblical truth with practical application.
- Outcome: Leads to life as God designed and intended.
- Quote:
"It is grace and truth. This is the third way."
[00:55]
Qualifications for the Third Way
Pastor Daniels outlines four essential qualities required to pursue the Third Way effectively:
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Character to Be Developed:
- Description: Possessing inherent character qualities that allow for personal growth and receptiveness to divine teaching.
- Quote:
"You cannot teach the unteachable."
[01:05]
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Conviction to Be Different:
- Description: A strong spiritual conviction that sustains one through rejection, loneliness, and relational loss.
- Example: The Daniel Fast—choosing spiritual discipline over societal norms leads to better nourishment and spiritual health.
- Quote:
"The third way is not just right. It's better."
[01:10]
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Courage to Be Disliked:
- Description: The bravery to stand firm in one's convictions despite potential misunderstandings and rejection from others.
- Quote:
"If you belong to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world."
[01:15]
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Capacity to Handle Discomfort:
- Description: Willingness to endure temporary discomfort for long-term spiritual and personal growth.
- Quote:
"Discomfort is better than destruction."
[01:20]
Application and Transformation
Pastor Daniels stresses that adopting the Third Way is not merely an intellectual pursuit but a transformative journey that involves practical application of biblical principles. He criticizes approaches that focus solely on knowledge without implementation, emphasizing that true faith manifests in actions.
"It's not just can you retain information, it's can you engage in application."
[01:25]
He uses the example of prayer, distinguishing between knowing the Lord's Prayer and truly embodying its relational essence.
Conclusion: Embracing the Narrow Path
Wrapping up, Pastor Daniels reiterates the significance of choosing the narrow path despite its challenges. He encourages listeners to see discomfort as a necessary part of growth and to trust in God's promise of a better life beyond immediate struggles.
"If you're willing to endure the cross on Friday, you can experience a resurrection on Sunday."
[01:30]
He calls for a communal affirmation of faith and commitment to the Third Way, urging listeners to actively participate in their spiritual journey.
"Raise your voice and say, Sunday's coming."
[01:35]
Key Takeaways
- Choose the Narrow Path: Embrace a life that seeks deeper spiritual fulfillment over societal norms.
- Reject the "Regular": Recognize the limitations of a conventional life and pursue God's extraordinary plans.
- Adopt the Third Way: Integrate grace and truth, prioritize relationships, and apply biblical principles practically.
- Develop Essential Qualities: Cultivate character, conviction, courage, and resilience to navigate the challenges of the narrow path.
- Trust in Transformation: View discomfort as a stepping stone to a more abundant and purposeful life.
Final Reflection
Pastor Dharius Daniels' message in "I'm Not Going That Way" serves as a compelling call to action for believers to transcend mediocrity and engage in a transformative journey that aligns with God's divine design. By embracing the Third Way, listeners are invited to experience a life that is not only spiritually enriching but also distinctively impactful in a world that often values conformity over authenticity.
Notable Quotes:
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"If you want to live like no one else, you must be willing to live like no one else."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [00:08] -
"Discomfort is better than destruction."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [01:20] -
"The third way is not just right. It's better."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [01:10] -
"Raise your voice and say, Sunday's coming."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [01:35]
For more insights and resources, visit www.lifechange.org.