Dharius Daniels - The Third Way

So from now until Easter, every day I’ve given you the Scriptures you’re supposed to read. The only thing we’re focusing on is the Gospels because that’s how you learn about the Goat. The Goat is in the Gospels. Don’t just tell me what the Bible says; tell me what the Goat says, right? Okay, you can go to lifechange.org, and you can download it. It’s set to start tomorrow, or if you want it to come directly to your phone, you can text the word «goated» to the number on the screen. It’ll come to your phone, and you’ll see this Goated Bible reading plan that we’re going to follow until Easter.

I want to draw our attention to the Book of Matthew, chapter 11, beginning at verse 28. Listen to the words of Jesus here. He says, «Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.» Somebody say, «I want that! I want that!» «Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest not for your body but for your soul.» How many know what it feels like for your soul to be tired? That’s when, no matter how much sleep you get, you don’t find rest. «For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.» I want to stop the reading of Scripture there and talk from this subject during our time together.

I want to talk from the subject, «The Third Way.» Do we have any more chairs in this building? We have no more chairs anywhere. Are any of the men in here willing to stand up so that some of the sisters can sit down? We have people standing up for three services on New Year’s Eve. My soul can’t take it! I’m just a Baptist preacher with the Holy Ghost, and I just… y’all, let’s let some of these sisters sit down. Is it okay if it’s a little organized chaos for a minute? All y’all don’t have to get up, brothers. Not everyone has to get up; I just don’t want people standing. Unless the brothers want to, we can sit on the floor if we want to in this style. Amen? Let’s straighten it out! Clap your hands for these brothers who are willing to help us here. Amen!

I want to talk from this subject today. Y’all are going to have to lean in all month. Did you hear what I just said? I’m not gassing you from now until Easter—no gas, only maps. I want to talk from this subject, «The Third Way.» The Third Way! Clap your hands in anticipation that God’s going to speak to us through His Word—The Third Way.

This past week, NBA superstar LeBron James surpassed Michael Jordan in the number of 30-point games in an NBA career. This accomplishment reignited the argument of who is the Goat. For some people, it is the six-time NBA champion, six-time NBA Finals MVP, former Defensive Player of the Year, perennial All-Star Michael Jordan. For others, it is the four-time NBA champion, the most versatile player to ever play the game of basketball, the inimitable LeBron James. Let me hear who believes this: LeBron, in the building! Let me hear who believes MJ is in the building! Regardless of where you stand in this argument, both of these men’s careers are evidence of an axiom that they would articulate if you ask them. They would tell you that you can’t be your best self by yourself.

I say, if you were to have the privilege of engaging in a conversation with these two men, who both have legitimate arguments to be dubbed the greatest basketball players of all time, as great as they are, as accomplished as they are, with the expertise they have demonstrated in professional basketball, these men, who are arguably Goats, would tell you that you can’t be your best self by yourself. They will tell you that there come times when someone other than you has to help you bring out the best in you, that there will be seasons and situations where you have the ability but lack the experience, or you have the experience but lack the ability, or you have the willpower but lack the wisdom, or you have the energy but lack the expertise, or you have the desire but lack the development.

In these situations and circumstances, we need God, by His grace, to send us a gift on two legs that helps pull out of us what He put on the inside of us. Our ability to recognize these relationships, see our need for this relationship, and manage these relationships properly will determine whether you progress into purpose or remain stuck at a level that is less than God’s best. LeBron would tell you; Mike would tell you; Kobe would tell you; Tiger would tell you; Serena would tell you; Venus would tell you; Tom Brady would tell you; Jerry Rice would tell you; Wayne Gretzky would tell you: you can’t be your best self by yourself. God puts it in, but very often, He will use others to pull it out.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is true—not just for the game of basketball, but also for the game of life. You cannot be your best self by yourself. And if you were having a conversation with MJ, who’s my Goat, MJ would tell you that if you want to be MJ, you need to get yourself a Tim Grover.