Episode Overview

Podcast: Change Church Podcast
Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels
Episode Title: The Cry Behind The Crumbs
Date: September 8, 2025

Main Theme:
Pastor Dharius Daniels explores the story of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-28, delving into the deeper spiritual principles behind persistent faith, the power of worshipful words, and the idea that God’s love languages—especially worship—unlock His manifest presence. The sermon challenges listeners to examine their responses to divine silence, disappointment, and redirection, and emphasizes the transformative impact of communicating rightly with God.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Relational Love: Function Over Feeling

(00:02 – 04:06)

• Relationships aren't just about feelings; they're about fulfilling responsibilities.
• Love in any relationship (with people or God) requires discovering and meeting the other’s “love language.”
• Quote:

  “Love is not just a feeling. It's a function... It is my responsibility to listen for and then learn to give them what only I can give in the context of a human relationship.” (03:12 – Dharius Daniels)

2. God’s Presence: Omnipresence vs. Manifest Presence

(04:08 – 07:19)

• Omnipresence: God is everywhere, but sometimes we don’t notice Him.
• Manifest presence: When God’s existence becomes undeniable and transformative.
• Illustrative examples:
  • At the Red Sea: God sent a wind to part the waters.
  • At Pentecost: The Spirit arrived like a mighty rushing wind.
  • With Paul and Silas: Praise led to an earthquake and their liberation.
• Quote:

  “Omnipresence is air. Manifest presence is wind... Manifest presence is when God shows up differently.” (06:46 – Dharius Daniels)

3. Worship as God’s Primary Love Language

(07:19 – 08:46)

• God desires worship above all else.
• The first commandment centers on worship: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”
• Meeting God’s worship “love language” brings His manifest presence.

4. The Power of Words in Worship

(08:46 – 11:53)

• Previous sermons discussed worship with hands; this episode focuses on words.
• Expressing love, faith, and worship with words matters deeply to God.

5. Jesus’ Pivot: Learning to Help Those Who Want Help

(11:53 – 14:51)

• Jesus leaves a contentious group (the Pharisees) to minister to someone (the Canaanite woman) who desires His help.
• Listeners are cautioned not to waste energy on those who don’t value their gifts.
• Quote:

  “Purpose will often require you making a pivot from those you want to help toward those who want your help.” (12:01 – Dharius Daniels)

6. Discernment: Pearls, Dogs, and Pigs Metaphor

(14:51 – 18:08)

• Jesus’ teaching on not giving “what is sacred to dogs” is about discerning who can appreciate true value.
• Pearls symbolize wisdom and life lessons gained through adversity (agitation in an oyster).
• Value your experiences and recognize not everyone will appreciate them.

7. The Canaanite Woman: Persistent, Humble Faith

(18:08 – 20:52)

• Despite her outsider status, she recognizes and worships Jesus (“Lord, Son of David”).
• She worships before making her request, reversing the common order.
• Quote:

  “The request comes after the worship. She knew what to put first. And some people only worship after the request is answered.” (19:46 – Dharius Daniels)

8. Divine Silence: Surviving the Waiting Period

(20:52 – 24:21)

• Despite her worship, Jesus at first says nothing (verse 23).
• The challenge: Don't give up during God’s silence—endure through verses 24–27 for the breakthrough in verse 28.
• Quote:

  “Some of you can't get to verse 28 because you don't survive verse 23... But if you can survive verse 24, 25, 26, 27, there's a verse 28 with your name on it.” (22:10 – Dharius Daniels)

9. Overcoming Offense and Rejection in Pursuit of God

(24:21 – 29:26)

• The disciples dismiss the woman; Jesus appears to deny her, yet she persists.
• Listeners are urged not to let disappointment or rejection become offense.
• Her response to “no” is to draw nearer and worship more deeply.
• Quote:

  “The spiritual discipline of worship cannot be contingent on yeses.” (28:38 – Dharius Daniels)

10. Faith That Accepts 'Crumbs'—Belief in God's Abundance

(29:26 – 30:39)

• The woman responds ingeniously: she doesn’t ask for bread (what belonged to the Israelites), only crumbs.
• She trusts in the abundance of God—He doesn’t have to subtract from others to bless her.
• Quote:

  “I believe you're a God of abundance. And I don't believe you gotta starve them to feed me. Give them their bread. Give me my crumbs.” (30:20 – Dharius Daniels)

11. Communication in Worship: Moving From Proximity to Manifestation

(30:39 – 32:52)

• The difference between being near Jesus (proximity) and experiencing His miraculous intervention (manifestation) is often how one communicates in worship.
• Love listens, learns, and acts—even if uncomfortable.
• Quote:

  “God doesn’t mince words when it comes to the way he wants us to use our words in worship... The issue isn’t even competence. The issue is comfort.” (32:30 – Dharius Daniels)

12. Three Ways to Offer Verbal Worship

(32:52 – 35:15)

• Shouting (an exuberant vocal expression) is scriptural and reflects victory before the outcome is seen.
• Personal story: Pastor Daniels shares a football game experience to illustrate how victory elicits spontaneous, communal praise.
• Quote:

  “Victory has a sound... If you're on Team Jesus, he got victory. And victory has a sound.” (35:15 – Dharius Daniels)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God shows up differently when his love languages are met properly.” (07:17 – Dharius Daniels)
• “Manifest presence is when the omnipresent God becomes perceivable and undeniable.” (05:18 – Dharius Daniels)
• “You need to discern who has discernment before you keep making investment.” (14:51 – Dharius Daniels)
• “It cost you to be where you are. You went through some pain to get that. And Jesus said, don't give that to those who don't have discernment.” (16:03 – Dharius Daniels)
• “Don’t judge me from where I come from, because I'm strong enough to stand on my own two feet.” (18:24 – paraphrasing the Canaanite woman)
• “God's silence is never neglectful. It's strategic.” (23:20 – Dharius Daniels)
• “Even when it doesn't go my way, my response will be to come closer, to kneel and to worship.” (29:13 – Dharius Daniels)
• “Give them their bread. Give me my crumbs.” (30:20 – Dharius Daniels)
• “We win. Wait a minute. We won. We won. We won. I'm not waiting until the battle's over. We're shouting right now.” (35:15 – Dharius Daniels)

Important Timestamps

• 00:02–04:06: Relationship responsibilities and love’s function
• 04:08–07:19: God’s manifest presence vs. omnipresence
• 07:19–08:46: Worship as God’s love language
• 11:53–14:51: Jesus pivots to those ready to receive
• 18:08–20:52: The Canaanite woman's persistent, prioritized worship
• 20:52–24:21: Navigating God’s silence—surviving the wait
• 24:21–29:26: Offense, rejection, and the discipline of worship
• 29:26–30:39: Great faith and asking for crumbs
• 32:52–35:15: Shouting and the sound of victory

Summary Takeaways

• Worship is more than songs or feelings—it is intentional, functional, and includes both hands and words.
• God’s manifest presence shows up when His love language (worship) is genuinely expressed.
• True worship persists even through silence, disappointment, and denial.
• Discern who values your gifts and don't be discouraged by rejection—there is an audience for your anointing.
• Victory in Christ should invoke spontaneous, collective praise—“Victory has a sound.”
• Sometimes, all you need are the “crumbs”—because God's abundance is always enough.