Dharius Daniels - It's On Me

I’m not going to read my scripture today because I’m going to discuss it throughout the message, but I will be teaching from Mark chapter 6, verses 45 through 56. As I teach from that passage today, I want to give you my subject and leap into this lesson. The subject is simple; I’m eager to see how many receive this. The subject is: it’s on me. I thought I was at the 12 o’clock service; it’s the only side, so are you talking to me today? Are we engaged, or are we quiet? I just forgot what mood you’re in. We good? Okay, good. I like to ease into this introduction with a question: Have you ever seen something in someone that they couldn’t see in themselves? Have you perceived potential in others that they could not recognize within themselves? Have you felt frustrated by others' inability to see their own abilities, leaving you feeling unwell because they settle when they don’t have to? Watch this: they don’t have to. I want to see how many amen that!

Some people have personality types that allow them to observe instances and individuals like this without engaging, but others of you are wired differently. You have a bit of Peter’s personality in you; you have to catch yourself before you wreck yourself because you might say things inadvertently, impulsively, and find yourself giving insight where there’s no invitation. I want to honestly admit that whatever relationship I have with you—a preacher, a pastor, or your pastor—I know there are multiple levels of relationship here and watching online, but whatever I am to you, I just need you to know who I am: I’m that dude who has to say something. I hope you’re ready for this because I’m itching to say it. I am aching to say it. I am anticipating the opportunity to say it. When I walked in here, I saw something on you. It’s on you. It may be unrecognizable, but it’s on you. It may be unrealized, but it’s on you. It may be underdeveloped, but it’s on you. It may be in latent form, but it’s on you. It is on you—it can be seen, sensed, and felt. It’s in the environment; it’s in the atmosphere. This is no ordinary, mundane atmosphere; I feel it! What do you feel? I feel it! I sense greatness—it’s on you! That is not religious rhetoric or some empty catchphrase; it’s not a Christian colloquialism. I can say this not just inspirationally but theologically. I can come to that conclusion exegetically because no creator creates anything they want to malfunction. Whoever created this intended for it to work; whoever created the chairs you’re sitting on intended for them to function. Whoever created the device you’re watching me on intended for it to work. If that is the case with imperfect beings we call humans, how much more does your Creator desire the highest expression of His creation—you, the human species—to function and reach your potential?

I came to tell you: it’s on you. And when it’s on you, it can’t be removed. You can run from it, but it is stained on you; it is tattooed on the recesses of your soul. You can run, but you can’t hide. You can come now or you can come later, but when it’s on you, you must come. You can come before the way of Jonah or after, but if it’s on you, you have to come. You will be unfulfilled until you come. You will be unhappy until you come. Your bank account may be full, your schedule may be busy, and your calendar may be filled to the brim, but you will still not be satisfied. Why? Because when God creates a thirst in you, He creates a thirst only He can quench. You will not find satisfaction until you are satisfied in Him, and He will agitate you until you step into the fullness of His best for your life.

And you know what that is? That’s real greatness! What is greatness? It is nothing more, nothing less than God’s best for you. Nothing more, nothing less than God’s best for you. That’s not selfish or self-centered theology; it’s good stewardship of the potential that God has placed inside of you. I want nothing more and nothing less than God’s best for me. I’m after it; I want it! I’m hungry for it! I’m hunting for it! I’m reading for it! I’m praying for it! I want nothing less than God’s best for my church. I want nothing less than God’s best for my mind. I want nothing less than God’s best for my body. I want nothing less than God’s best for my marriage. I want nothing less than God’s best for my life! How many want it? Listen to me! That’s true greatness—not God’s best for you—that’s comparison; that’s kryptonite. But God’s best for me, and your greatness we learned last week, is tied to your uniqueness. It is only when someone embraces their uniqueness that they can experience greatness because you can never be a better version of anyone else but you. Are you all here?