Podcast Summary: "Lord Make Me A Sign"

Change Church Podcast, Pastor Dharius Daniels
Date: February 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this passionate and insightful sermon, Pastor Dharius Daniels unpacks the notion of becoming a sign – a living testimony of God’s power – inspired by a statement from Pastor William McDowell: “Lord, make me a sign.” Using the Gospel narrative from Luke 1, Pastor Dharius explores the stories of Mary and Elizabeth, drawing out what it means to not just receive a miracle, but to become a visible sign of God’s miraculous work for others. The message revolves around the principle of exposure, the importance of testimony, the danger of comparison, and embracing both process and partnership in God’s miracles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Principle of Exposure

(Starts ~02:07)

• God uses the exposure to someone else's miracle to increase your own expectation.

  “God uses exposure to what he has done with others as an avenue, as an instrument, as an impetus to increase your expectation of what he can do with you.” (Lead Pastor, 02:38)

• Exposure is not to create jealousy, but hunger for what is possible.

  “Jealousy is the consequence of an individual allowing exposure to drive them to comparison, when exposure should produce confirmation of God’s capability.” (Assistant Pastor, 03:09)

2. Testimony: More Powerful than Talent or Time

(Starts ~04:45)

• God desires to use more than just our abilities; He wants to use our testimony.

  “Beyond using my time, my talent and my treasure, use my testimony.” (Lead Pastor, 04:38)

• Testimonies are irrefutable evidence—like Lazarus, whose life became God’s sign to others (05:14–05:25).
• Personal and communal affirmation: “If you don’t believe in miracles, look at the person sitting next to you, because you are so sitting next to one.” (Assistant Pastor, 06:27)

3. Elizabeth: The Overlooked Sign

(Starts ~08:55)

• The text often focuses on Mary’s miracle, but Elizabeth is equally significant as Mary’s sign.

  “Elizabeth is important. Elizabeth is essential. Elizabeth is significant. Elizabeth is necessary. Because Elizabeth stay here is Mary’s sign.” (Lead Pastor & Assistant Pastor, 09:13–09:42)

• Elizabeth’s miraculous pregnancy was evidence for Mary that God's word is possible.
• Sometimes God calls us to be Elizabeth—a sign for someone else—rather than Mary, the center of attention.

4. The Power of Public Process

(Starts ~12:14)

• God waits until Elizabeth’s sixth month—when she’s visibly pregnant—to announce Mary’s conception.

  “He waited until she was showing before he sent a word to Mary…” (Assistant Pastor, 12:30)

• Why? Because others need to see what seemed impossible become reality, confirming the miracle.

5. Miracle in the Person, Process, and Partner

(Starts ~17:58)

A. Miracle in the Person

• God’s sovereignty over time: Elizabeth bore a child "past childbearing age," showing it’s never too late.

  “Elizabeth getting pregnant says to us that God is able to empower you and me to give birth to things in a season where naturally, it's too late.” (Lead Pastor, 20:15)

• Call for faith: Don’t let the enemy torture you with wasted time; God can redeem it.

  “If you don’t get this revelation, the enemy will use time to torture you.” (Assistant Pastor, 20:23)

• Declaration (crowd response):

  "He’s still gonna do it." (Congregation, 21:32–22:51)

B. Miracle in the Process

• Mary conceives as a virgin: Sometimes God lets you skip the process others must endure.

  “Mary’s pregnancy, the Immaculate Conception, is a miracle where God enables a woman to skip some steps.” (Assistant Pastor, 25:45)

• Not every blessing comes through the same process—sometimes God gives you a leap.

  “God is also the God that orchestrates your leaps… in the Kingdom, every year is a leap year.” (Assistant Pastor, 26:15)

• Encouragement for those feeling behind: It is your leap year.

C. Miracle with a Partner: Overcoming Isolation

• Elizabeth was sent to Mary so she wouldn’t feel alone in carrying her miracle.

  “Elizabeth, is Mary’s answer to the issue of isolation. Because sometimes you feel like I'm the only one.” (Lead Pastor, 32:34)

• God often provides partners (Elizabeths) as evidence of shared experience, to make the journey bearable and confirm, “You’re not alone.”

  “Elizabeth represents the person God supernaturally sends to your life. Who is so divinely joined that when you come into proximity, what's in you leap.” (Lead Pastor, 34:53)

6. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Lord, make me a sign. Not just a recipient of miracles, but a reflection of them.” (Lead Pastor, 35:08)
• On comparison:

  “Jealousy is the feeling you get when you mismanage your exposure.” (Assistant Pastor, 03:04)

• “Mary’s need, Elizabeth’s, Mary's need Elizabeths. ... Not so that you can believe God can do it for Elizabeth, but so that you can believe God can do it for you.” (Lead Pastor, 15:27)
• “If people did not observe you in your non childbearing season, they would not be able to diagnose and affirm that your pregnancy is a miracle.” (Assistant Pastor, 16:42)
• “You can feel like a zebra without stripes.” (Lead Pastor, 33:57)
• On leaping/acceleration:

  “How did you get there? ... I leaped here.” (Lead Pastor, 27:18-27:31)

7. Key Takeaways for Listeners

• Sometimes, God uses your story—not just your skills—to encourage and build faith in others.
• Your journey may require embracing public processes, seasons of waiting, and even being the “Elizabeth” in someone else’s story.
• Miracles come in different forms: God can work in you (the person), your method (the process), or through others alongside you (the partner).
• Don’t discount your influence when you’re not “center stage”—sometimes your story is the sign someone else needs.
• Leap when God calls. Acceleration and unconventional processes are possible.
• You may presently endure seasons of isolation or confusion, but the “sixth month”—clarity and joy in partnership—is coming.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Quote | |-----------|--------------| | 02:07 | Principle of Exposure begins | | 04:38 | Priority of Testimony over Talent/Time | | 05:14–05:25 | Lazarus as Example – "They could not argue his resurrection" | | 09:03–09:42 | Elizabeth as Mary's Sign | | 12:14–12:30 | God waits for Elizabeth to “show” | | 16:09–16:57 | God creates an audience for your process | | 20:23–21:51 | God’s sovereignty over time and affirmation “He’s still gonna do it” | | 25:45–27:48 | Miracle in the process, “leap year” concept | | 32:34–35:08 | Elizabeth as the answer to isolation, partnership in miracles |

Conclusion

This sermon is a call to recognize that sometimes the miracle God wants to do in your life isn’t solely for your benefit, but to become a tangible sign to encourage others. Whether you’re positioned as Mary or Elizabeth, your faith journey—publicly lived, patiently endured, boldly testified—may become the confirmation and encouragement someone else needs. And no matter how late the season or how unconventional the process, “He’s still gonna do it.”

Memorable Ending Declaration:

“Lord, make me a sign. Not just a recipient of miracles, but a reflection of them. Not just someone who sees your power, but someone who becomes living proof of it.” (Lead Pastor, 35:08)