Change Church Podcast: "What's Love Got To Do With It"
Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels
Release Date: February 17, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "What's Love Got To Do With It," Pastor Dharius Daniels delves deep into the essence of love within the Christian faith. Drawing inspiration from Tina Turner's iconic song and intertwining it with biblical teachings, Pastor Daniels challenges listeners to evaluate the authenticity of their faith through the lens of love and action.
Scripture Reading and Interpretation
The sermon commences with a collaborative scripture reading from Luke 10:25-37:
“On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus... You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
[00:02]
Pastor Daniels pauses after the reading to emphasize the day's theme: "What's love got to do with it?" This rhetorical question sets the stage for an exploration of love's pivotal role in Christianity.
The Paramount Importance of Love in Christianity
Pastor Daniels underscores that love is not merely a component of the Christian faith but its very foundation. Referencing John 3:16, he states:
"The motivation for God becoming a man was love."
[02:49]
Further, he highlights John 13:34, where Jesus commands:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples."
[03:21]
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, Pastor Daniels emphasizes that spiritual gifts are rendered meaningless without love:
"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge... but I do not have love, I am nothing."
[07:30]
He concludes that love is the evidence of spiritual maturity, asserting:
"It takes more maturity to love God's people than it does to prophesy to them."
[08:51]
Critique of “Second Way” Christianity
Pastor Daniels introduces the concept of "Second Way Christianity," a form of faith that professes devotion to God but fails to demonstrate love in action. He critiques this iteration for prioritizing:
- Appearance over Authenticity
- Doctrine over Duty
- Ritual over Relationships
Using the parable of the Good Samaritan, he contrasts Second Way Christianity with genuine Christian action:
"This is a faith that prioritizes appearance over authenticity, doctrine over duty, and ritual over relationships."
[21:40]
He warns against a theology that stops at mere belief, leaving believers spiritually immature and relationally bankrupt.
The Good Samaritan Parable: A Model of Authentic Love
Pastor Daniels revisits the parable from Luke 10, highlighting the Good Samaritan as the exemplar of true Christian love:
“He observed the man's wounds, bandaged them, and ensured his care.”
[16:01]
He contrasts this with the priest and Levite, who passed by without offering help, symbolizing the prevalent hypocrisy in modern Christianity.
"The priest and the Levite walking past this man is a picture of second way Christianity."
[21:44]
By choosing a Samaritan, known historically for animosity towards Jews, Jesus underscores that authentic love transcends ethnic and doctrinal boundaries.
Identifying the "Thieves" in Religious Spaces
Pastor Daniels identifies three primary "thieves" that undermine true Christian love within religious communities:
-
Classism
- Definition: Viewing poverty as a personal failure, leading to indifference towards those in need.
- Scriptural Reference:
“Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
[27:17] - Impact: Ignoring systemic issues and perpetuating socioeconomic disparities.
-
Sexism
- Definition: Objectifying, exploiting, and abusing women within church settings.
- Consequences: Limiting women's roles, questioning their authority, and subjecting them to harassment and abuse.
- Scriptural Counterpoint:
"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar."
[34:15]
-
Racism
- Definition: Holding biased beliefs that devalue individuals based on race, leading to injustice.
- Impact: Institutionalizing discrimination and undermining the image of God in every person.
- Scriptural Guidance:
“I am also to love my neighbor as myself.”
[24:07]
Through these "thieves," Second Way Christianity perpetuates an incomplete faith, focusing solely on right relationship with God while neglecting right relationships with people.
Call to Action: Living Out Authentic Love
Pastor Daniels urges listeners to embody the teachings of the Good Samaritan by:
-
Engagement: Actively participating and assessing the needs of others rather than remaining passive.
“Engagement, empathy.”
[39:36] -
Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of those in need, fostering genuine connections.
“Get off your horse and get close enough to see.”
[40:03] -
Advocacy: Speaking up and taking tangible steps to address injustices such as poverty, sexism, and racism.
“We're not just going to pray for those kids in Haiti. We're going to feed them every day.”
[43:22]
He emphasizes that practical actions—like feeding the hungry, supporting education, and fostering inclusive communities—are essential manifestations of true Christian love.
Conclusion
Pastor Dharius Daniels concludes by reiterating the indispensable role of love in Christianity. He challenges the congregation to reject Second Way Christianity and strive towards a faith that is transformative and authentic, marked by compassionate action and genuine relationships.
“If your theology stops you from loving people, you do not have real theology. You have hypocrisy.”
[22:19]
In closing, Pastor Daniels invites listeners to embody the love of Christ, ensuring that their actions reflect their professed faith, thereby truly living out the Great Commandment.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
"Love has everything to do with everything for the third way believer."
[02:41] -
"If I have all the gifts but no love, I am nothing."
[07:30] -
"Second Way Christianity is a faith that prioritizes appearance over authenticity, doctrine over duty, and ritual over relationships."
[21:40] -
"Classism sees the poor as invisible, unimportant, and undeserving of attention."
[25:06] -
"Sexism in the church is robbing women of opportunities, dignity, and full participation."
[29:17] -
"Racism devalues the image of God in another person and results in the sin of ethnic partiality."
[35:42] -
"We are called to embody love through engagement, empathy, and advocacy."
[42:36]
Final Thoughts
"What's Love Got To Do With It" is a compelling exploration of the Christian mandate to love, challenging believers to examine the sincerity of their faith through their actions. Pastor Dharius Daniels effectively bridges scripture with contemporary issues, urging a return to a love-driven, action-oriented Christianity that genuinely reflects the teachings of Jesus.