Dharius Daniels - Give Him What He Wants

John chapter 12, verse one says, six days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus raised from the dead. Here, a dinner was being given in Jesus’s honor. Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Jesus. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’s feet and wiped his feet with her hair, and the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected. «Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It is worth a year’s wages.» He did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as the keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. «Leave her alone,» Jesus replied. «It was intended that she save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.» I want to talk from this subject during our time together, family: «Give Him What He Wants. Give Him What He Wants.»

This past weekend, many people all over celebrated a day that we designated as Valentine’s Day. Somebody say «Valentine.» For those of us who are exposed to social media platforms, we were inundated with images, pictures, posts, and captions about amazing experiences that people had receiving and expressing adoration and appreciation for someone significant in their lives. I think it’s important, and I think it’s appropriate: God is love, and He allows us some time to experience love from people on two legs. However, being real, I do have to flip the coin and give you the other side, reminding you that everything that glitters isn’t gold. While some people had amazing experiences this weekend, others did not have a victorious Valentine’s Day. Somebody wanted to go out but stayed in. Someone desired a quiet evening with the object of their affection and the focus of their attention but ended up in a crowd with people they didn’t know and didn’t like. Somebody wanted a necklace but got a bracelet; someone got a bracelet when they wanted a ring. While you’re all oohing and aahing, I’m just making a point. The point is that everyone did not have an amazing experience on Valentine’s Day. There are times when we are deeply disappointed, and some people’s disappointment does not mean they are unappreciative. It just means they are in a relationship with someone who is unaware of what their love language truly is. Did you hear what I just said? It may just be they are in a relationship with someone who is unaware of what their love language really is.

That person has the right motive but the wrong motion, has the right intention but the wrong execution because they are giving the person they’re with what they want them to have, not what they truly want. If any relationship is going to be wholesome, healthy, and sustainable, the partners involved must learn how to speak each other’s love language. What’s a love language, Pastor Darius? A love language is a way to express and experience love. It’s a way to express and experience love, and many people can be in relationships and be frustrated because someone is speaking a language that does not scratch the itch of their heart. They’re giving you what they like but not what you want. Somebody’s scared to say «Amen» this morning! I know, preacher! Are you hearing what I’m saying? This means people in relationships must be willing to pause for the cause. Listen to me, y’all! Pause for the cause and teach your partner how to love you. Teach me how to love you. Teach me how to love you.

Just as it is in our relationships with people, so it is in our relationship with God. God has a love language, and we are spending a few weeks attempting to unpack one of those love languages. It is His most important love language; it is His primary love language. It’s a love language He loves more than any other love language, and this love language I’m referring to is what the Bible calls worship. Somebody say «worship.» What is worship, Pastor Darius? Worship simply means to express worth. It means to express worth. It doesn’t mean to feel gratitude; it means to express worth because people do not benefit from the love we feel; people only benefit from the love we show. If you love me, show some signs. All throughout Scripture, God consistently communicates to His people: «I need you to worship me. I want you to worship me.» The question is, does God have an insecurity problem where He needs to be frequently reminded by me of how good He is? Does God have an amnesia issue where He’s forgotten who He is and needs me to remind Him? No, no, no, no! All of God’s instruction is for my benefit. Whenever God tells me to do anything, it is not because He needs me to do it; it’s because I need to do it. So, when He tells me to forgive my enemies, it’s not because He needs me to do it; it’s because I need to do it. I heard one quote that said the unwillingness to forgive is like drinking poison.