Dharius Daniels - I'm Applying Pressure

And so I’m excited that we launched this last week at the church anniversary. I’m eager to move into part two of this today, and if you’re ready for the word, I just want you to put «ready» in the chat. Come on, put «ready» in the chat, say «ready» in the room! Ready, ready, ready, ready! All right, class is in session, y’all.

Mark chapter 10, verse 46, says this: «Then they came to Jericho, and Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city. A blind man, Bartimaeus (which means 'son of Timaeus'), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 'Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me! ' Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me! ' Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.' So they called the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet, he’s calling you! ' Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. 'What do you want me to do for you? ' Jesus asked. The blind man said, 'Rabbi, I want to see.' 'Go, ' Jesus said, 'your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.»

I want to pause for this cause to tag a title to this text, on top of this subject, in our time together today: «I’m Applying Pressure.» Somebody put that in the chat: «I’m Applying Pressure.» For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this cultural colloquialism I just used as the subject of this sermon, allow me to offer some insight. «Applying pressure» is simply a cultural phrase that suggests a number of different meanings. The first of which is simply to make something known. In other words, if a person really wants something and they passionately pursue it, exerting an extraordinary amount of effort to get it, they are said to be «applying pressure.» Another connotation, which is probably one of the most popular, relates to the ability to overcome obstacles and excel with finesse at any given task, this ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. I’m applying pressure!

Last but not least, the reference or statement that is most salient for this sermon is this: applying pressure means to dynamically demand what is just, what is due, and what is rightfully yours. It means you dynamically demand what is just, what is due, and what is rightfully yours. And if you allow me some pastoral privilege, I want to pause for the cause and communicate very candidly to those of you watching: it’s time to apply some pressure. I’m going to say it one more time because I want to make sure you heard me: I said it is your time; it is your season; it is your moment; it is your hour. This is your opportunity for you to apply some pressure. You’ve been desiring some things, you’ve been declaring some things, and now it’s time for you to possess some of those things. But you will not apprehend what you want if you do not apply some pressure.

As your instructor here at Faith University, I want to aid and assist you in applying some pressure. I want you to be properly prepared to possess every promise that’s been preordained from the foundation of the world. I want you to be prepared to live through those who will leave you when you make the decision to better yourself. Yes, I want you to be prepared to handle those who will not be able to manage what’s getting ready to come in and through you as a result of you preparing to apply pressure.

Watch this: when you look at your life, many of you, if you honestly assess it, can say, «I got to where I am, and I know I’m not even operating in my potential.» Yes, you can say, «I am where I am, and I know there’s more in me. I know I could have been applying more pressure!» So if God did this with me while I was half doing my life, what is God getting ready to do now that I’m about to put some pressure behind my pursuit of my promise?

As your instructor this month, I want to give you some insight. I want to offer you an example, a case study, if you will, of an individual who is an amazing example of what it looks like to apply pressure. It’s seen here in Mark chapter 10. Mark 10 exposes us to an interesting encounter between Jesus and a man named Bartimaeus. I want you to catch this: our initial introduction to the context of this story offers some valuable insight. See, when you look at verse 46, you’ll see Mark gets very detailed and specific about things that may seem inconsequential. Verse 46 says right there in the text that Mark gives us the location of the miracle; he says it took place in Jericho. I’m not even going to delve into the historical implications and ramifications of what happened with Joshua in Jericho, but Jericho is a place physically that represents a place spiritually or emotionally where walls come down. Did you hear what I said? See, you’ve got to remember that the walls in Jericho were set up like a fortress to prohibit and inhibit enemies and adversaries from getting in. It’s a way of the enemy attempting to prevent you from inhabiting what belongs to you. See, there is some stuff that belongs to you.