Dharius Daniels - I Did Not Say That

Well, listen, how many of you are ready for the word today? This is the last lesson in this series we’ve been in called «I Said So,» and I want to ask: can we finish strong today? That’s my question—can we finish strong? Well, listen, let’s see what God has to say to us. The Gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 44. These are the words of Jesus. If you’re reading in a Bible that shows certain portions of the passage as read, that indicates that Jesus is speaking. All right? So, John 8:44 says this: Jesus says, «Sounds kind of mean, but listen to what he says: You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.» I want to stop reading right there, and with your prayers—hopefully, y’all are praying for me—I’m praying for you. Pray for me because I want everybody to get everything that God has for them today. I’m telling you! So, I want to talk from this subject: here it is, very simply, «I Did Not Say That.»

Family, as I was preparing for today’s preaching presentation, I came across a story that I think is very relevant for today’s sermon. The story tells of a little girl who came home from school one day and told her mother, «Mom, my stomach is hurting.» The mother, knowing that her daughter was somewhat of a picky and finicky eater, replied, «Baby, that may be because nothing’s in it. Let me get you something to eat.» So, the mother proceeds to fix something for her daughter. She eats, and after a while, when the food has digested, she goes back to her mom and says, «Mom, you were right! My stomach feels better now.» The mom proceeds to stay in the other room, not realizing her phone is on the other side of the house when her cell phone happens to ring. Her little daughter picks it up and says, «Hello?» A voice on the other end says, «Hello, this is Pastor Johnson. How are you?» She replies, «I’m fine, Pastor Johnson. How are you?» He says, «I’m doing okay, I’ve got a little headache, but I’ll be all right.» She responds, «Well, that’s probably because there’s nothing in it.»

Now, ladies and gentlemen, you may be wondering what in the world is the relevance of that story for the revelation you want to share with us, Dr. Darius, from God’s word. I want to tell you that what the little girl did with the preacher is very often what adults do in their own lives: they repeat what they’ve heard from trusted sources. So, some of the things we say and some of the things we speak—some of the colloquialisms that are more cultural than Christian but we treat them like Christian and not culture—are simply repetitions of what we’ve heard people say, people we trusted and loved. It’s acceptable behavior when it comes from earthly parents, but it is not okay when there is a misrepresentation of our heavenly parent. It’s one thing to misinterpret, mismanage, or misuse what Mama said; it’s another thing to misinterpret, mismanage, and misuse what God says. I am telling you there are, very often, things that are regularly spoken and consistently communicated, and God is saying, «I did not say that.»

I’m not sure—maybe you’re repeating that because that’s what you heard in Sunday service, but I didn’t say that. Or perhaps you read something and interpreted it in a way that is inconsistent with my intention, but I did not say that. What I’m telling you, family, is this: one of the ways—listen to me—one of the ways the enemy tries to disrupt what’s coming out of our mouths is by confusing us with what’s going into our minds, because I can’t speak it right if I’m understanding it wrong. Are y’all hearing what I’m saying? You see, remember now, I’ve told you this before, and I actually considered using one of Jesus’s narratives in the Gospels where Jesus healed someone who couldn’t hear, but I felt like this passage in John 8 would drive the point home more clearly. But see, this is what Spurgeon says: every miracle in the Bible—listen to me—every miracle in the Bible that deals with a physical condition is a reflection of what Jesus can do not just with that physical condition but with that spiritual condition. So, when someone has a hearing issue physically, they can’t hear at all or they can’t hear well—Spurgeon would probably say that represents someone who has a hearing condition spiritually, and that person can’t hear right. Did y’all hear that? If you’re following me, say «preach» in the chat. Why? Because it’s one thing not to be able to hear well; it’s another thing to be able to hear well but not hear right. I am telling you that the enemy is often at work in determining what is right. If he can’t stop you from hearing well, he wants to stop…