Dharius Daniels - There's More In The Manger

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2, verse 4, Luke says, «So Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David,» referring to the David who slew Goliath. This was important because Joseph belonged to the house of David; he was part of David’s family. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them.

For a few minutes today, I want to talk on this subject: «There’s More in the Manger.» Family, today we will attempt to conclude a series that we have affectionately entitled «Just Do It: The Art of Execution.» This series is devoted to teaching during the Advent season. Everybody say «Advent.» I have said this frequently, and it bears repeating: the word Advent simply means «coming.» The Advent season celebrates the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we anticipate His coming again. This season is worthy of celebration because I don’t know about you, but I’m glad He came because I needed Him. I needed more than someone; I needed Jesus.

I have needs that have a degree and a dimension so specific that Jesus is the only one who meets the criteria to fulfill them. I’m glad Jesus was born not just as a baby, because there was more in the manger than a baby. You see, with no disrespect intended, no shade being thrown, and no condescension being uttered toward people who have different belief systems, I don’t believe you can impact those you insult. Yet at the same time, personally, I need Jesus because there is a degree of exclusivity, a distinctiveness that He offers that nobody else does.

I personally don’t need just another prophet who can simply pontificate principles; I need to know more than what to do—I need power to do it. What distinguishes Jesus from any other religious figure is that He not only gives you principles; He said, «I’ll give you power.» Did you hear me? He said, «I won’t only tell you what to do; I’ll help you do it.» He promised to come in a form that’s different and distinct from the fleshly form He existed in on earth. He introduces you not just to the Messiah, but to the Pneuma Christos; He introduces you to the Spirit of Christ.

He comes out of flesh, gets into spirit form, and then puts Himself in you, empowering you to do what He tells you to do. So when He tells you to forgive, He helps you do it. When He tells you to hold on, He helps you do it. When He tells you to love your enemies, He helps you do it. I need more than a prophet; I need Jesus.

I need somebody who can give me healing so that when my heart is broken, and I’m hurting in places medicine can’t reach—let me say that again—when I’m hurting in places that medicine can’t reach. Because when my body is hurting, medicine helps me; but what do you do when your heart is aching? We know what to do when our body is sick, and we know who to go to, but what do you do when your heart is sick? The Bible says, «Hope deferred makes the heart sick.» What do you do when your hopes are put off, and it seems that what you’re waiting for to come into your reality never arrives? What do you take for that? I need a healer—one who helps me handle what I don’t even understand. When catastrophe hits our life and we don’t get an explanation, I can still find closure even when I lack understanding because I have a healer who helps me piece my broken life back together. Jesus is the only one who offers that; that’s why I need Him.

I need more than a prophet who can just teach me righteousness. I want to see how many of you can handle this degree of transparency and honesty. This being the 12 o’clock service, that should be the authentic crowd. Here it is: I need more than a prophet to teach me righteousness; I need a Savior to help me when I’m not right. I need more than someone to tell me what I ought to do; I need somebody to help me when I know what I ought to do. I need forgiveness, and I need my slate wiped clean.