Change Church Podcast – "World War Me" Host: Pastor Dharius Daniels | Release Date: April 28, 2025
Introduction
In the episode titled "World War Me," Pastor Dharius Daniels of Change Church delves into the pervasive issue of self-sabotage and its impact on our lives. Opening with heartfelt welcomes, Pastor Daniels sets the tone for an engaging and insightful discussion aimed at empowering listeners to overcome internal barriers and live a life aligned with Jesus' teachings.
Welcome and Acknowledgments
Pastor Daniels begins by welcoming both new and returning members, expressing gratitude for the community's presence. He acknowledges special guests, Pastor Rashawn Davis and Pastor DJ Yarbrough, who traveled from New Jersey and Delaware to support the church's mission.
"We want to honor you without embarrassing you. So I want you to receive this thunderous applause as an expression of our gratitude."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [00:02]
Prayer Requests and Community Support
Highlighting the importance of community support, Pastor Daniels shares prayer requests for fellow pastors facing personal challenges and embarking on new endeavors. He urges the congregation to keep Pastor Dudley and his family in prayer following a tragic loss and to support Pastor Todd Galveth as he records his new album.
"Let's keep Pastor Dudley and his family in prayer. They're experiencing some adversity."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [05:30]
Series Introduction: "Goaded Volume 2"
Transitioning into the main teaching segment, Pastor Daniels introduces the ongoing series "Goaded Volume 2," focusing on self-sabotage. He emphasizes the significance of decisions in shaping one's life trajectory, asserting that while DNA may determine traits, decisions ultimately influence destiny.
"DNA may determine our traits, but our decisions determine our trajectory."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [07:15]
Scripture Focus: Mark 4:35-41
Pastor Daniels reads and interprets Mark 4:35-41, where Jesus calms a storm, highlighting the disciples' fear contrasted with Jesus' tranquility. He uses this passage as a foundation to explore how storms—symbolizing periods of pain, pressure, and confusion—can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors if not managed with faith and wisdom.
"You want to learn how to sleep when everybody else is screaming."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [16:45]
Understanding Self-Sabotage
Drawing from scripture, Pastor Daniels illustrates how self-sabotage often stems from external influences, particularly adversarial forces like Satan. He cites biblical figures—Adam and Eve, Cain, Moses, Samson, David, Solomon, and Judas—demonstrating that it was their own decisions, often influenced by temptation or pressure, that led to their downfalls.
"The devil can't destroy you, but your decisions can."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [12:20]
Identifying Life's Storms
Pastor Daniels defines "storms" as unexpected seasons characterized by pain, pressure, and perplexity. These periods can create a desperate need for relief, making individuals susceptible to making unwise decisions that undermine their well-being and spiritual journey.
"Storms make us prone to self-sabotage."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [10:10]
Three Ways to Manage Storms
Comparing cultural, church, and "King's" approaches to handling life's storms, Pastor Daniels advocates for the "King's way," which involves:
- Seeing the Storm: Acknowledging the presence of challenges without denial.
- Facing the Fear: Confronting fears head-on instead of succumbing to panic.
- Submitting to the Savior: Relying on Jesus' guidance and maintaining faith amidst turmoil.
"I'm trying not to run. Hallelujah."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [22:30]
Practical Steps to Overcome Self-Sabotage
Pastor Daniels outlines four actionable steps to navigate storms without self-sabotaging:
-
Anchor Yourself in Scripture: Establish a strong foundation in God's word before facing challenges.
"You must get your word on the shore before you venture into the sea."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [18:45] -
Trust God's Word Amidst Adversity: Maintain faith in God's promises even when circumstances seem bleak.
"The Word isn't weather dependent."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [19:30] -
Conquer Contradictions: Resolve inner conflicts by prioritizing divine guidance over personal doubts or societal pressures.
"Refusing to place periods where God places commas."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [20:50] -
Exercise Restraint and Wisdom: Make deliberate choices to avoid impulsive actions, especially when clarity is lacking.
"Have wisdom for restraint even when you don't have clarity for action."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [21:15]
Encouragement and Invitation
Concluding the sermon, Pastor Daniels encourages listeners to invite Jesus into their lives to effectively combat self-sabotage. He emphasizes that overcoming internal struggles requires divine assistance and calls for a personal commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
"I need you to teach me how to live life your way. Storms are coming. But I need you to teach me how to sleep when everybody else is screaming."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [25:00]
Key Takeaways
- Self-Sabotage Origins: Often rooted in personal decisions influenced by external pressures rather than direct destruction by adversaries.
- Managing Storms: Embrace the "King's way" by acknowledging challenges, confronting fears, and relying on Jesus' guidance.
- Practical Application: Grounding in scripture, maintaining trust in God's word, resolving internal conflicts, and exercising wisdom are essential to prevent self-sabotage.
- Community Support: Encouraging a collective effort in prayer and support to navigate personal and communal storms.
Notable Quotes:
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"Jesus models the third way for storm management because there's three ways to manage storms. Culture's way, church's way, and the third way. The King's way."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [21:30] -
"He didn't sabotage Jesus, didn't sabotage his destiny. Therefore he's qualified to teach us on how to not sabotage ours."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [09:50] -
"You've heard it before. If you attend. Here we are born looking like our parents, but we die looking like our decisions."
— Pastor Dharius Daniels [07:20]
This episode of the Change Church Podcast provides a profound exploration of self-sabotage through the lens of scripture, offering practical steps and spiritual insights to help listeners navigate life's inevitable storms with faith and resilience.