Podcast Summary

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Episode: Holding Back The Darkness In Jesus' Name | Richard Roberts | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Date: July 9, 2019
Speaker: Richard Roberts
Host Location: World Harvest Church, Murrieta, CA

Episode Overview

This episode features evangelist Richard Roberts delivering a passionate message about the believer’s authority in the name of Jesus to “hold back the darkness”—spiritually resisting negative influences, sickness, fear, and any force opposed to God’s will. With personal anecdotes, Scripture teaching, moments of communal prayer, and lively exhortation, Roberts urges listeners to recognize and exercise their God-given authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Understanding Authority in Jesus’ Name (00:00–07:15)

• Roberts opens with a personal story: after months of TV malfunctions, he laid hands on his television and commanded it to be “healed” in Jesus’ name. The TV was instantly restored, leaving him—an evangelist—surprised by the result.

  • Quote:

    “Do we really understand the authority that we have in Jesus’ name? Do we comprehend what we can do by the authority of his name?” (02:46)

• He reads Philippians 2:9 (“God has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name”) and unpacks the meaning of “Jesus”—Yeshua, meaning “to deliver” or “to rescue.”

• Lists life’s challenges (illness, fear, finances) and asserts:

  • “Whatever name you say, the name of Jesus is higher. Cancer? Jesus’ name is higher... Fear, worry, anxiety, depression, discouragement… Whatever you say, Jesus’ name is higher.” (04:30)

• Emphasizes the importance of faith with corresponding action:

  • “Faith without works, which means... corresponding action, is worthless. It’s nothing, it’s null and void unless you act on it.” (06:46)

2. Declare vs. Decree & Exercising Authority (07:15–15:40)

• Roberts discusses the difference between declaring (stating a fact) and decreeing (commanding a thing to happen). He uses Admiral Nimitz’s WWII example:

  • “When you’re in command, command.” (10:12)

• Spiritual parallel: Believers are in command through Jesus’ name; it’s not just for preachers or for crisis moments—authority is constant.

• He uses a marriage analogy: in the same way his wife Lindsay got access to his name (and could use it anywhere, as if he were present), believers get to use the name of Jesus.

  • “No longer was she known as Lindsay Salem, but she became Lindsay Roberts, Mrs. Richard Roberts. And very quickly, she learned how to use my name… No matter where I was in the world, she could use my name.” (13:41)

• Refers to John 16:24—the “power of attorney” transferring authority to use Jesus’ name.

3. Holding Back the Darkness—Spiritual Warfare (15:40–28:00)

• Recalls an old Australian prophet, Frank Holtgren, ascribing Oral Roberts’ longevity to knowing how to “hold back the darkness.”

  • “There is an authority… you have the use of my Son’s name.” (12:19)

• Physical demonstration: Congregation is asked to put their hands out (like Wonder Woman) to symbolize spiritually holding back evil.

  • “‘She’s holding back the darkness… That’s what your father did, and that’s why he lived so long...’” (17:24)

• Defines “darkness” as anything not from God: sin, sickness, demons, poverty, fear.

• Celebrates the faith-filled use of authority:

  • “I have authority over you. The Bible says you are under my foot. How does the bottom of my shoe look to you?” (22:02)

• Example of Pat Robertson praying against a hurricane and prevailing despite media criticism, underscoring authority over nature.

4. Faith, Anointing, and Persistence (28:00–38:30)

• Affirms the everyday believer’s authority and anointing—miracles and faith are not pastors’ exclusive domain.

  • “You don’t have to go and get faith. You got it. Now you may choose not to use it, but you—but you got it.” (32:18)

• Testimony: First time at World Harvest, overwhelmed by God’s tangible presence.

• The real battle is the devil fighting against the anointing, “because he knows the anointing breaks the yoke.”

• Humor and warmth:

  • “Well, Richard, you’re special. Well, I know that my wife says I'm special—but she didn’t mean it in that way.” (36:04)

5. Practical Application—Daily Spiritual Discipline (38:30–43:44)

• Roberts shares that he now actively paces his house, verbally commanding darkness to go:

  • “Every day, walking around like this, saying ‘No, devil, not today. This is my day. You cannot have me, my family, my finances…’” (22:40, 38:55)

• Leads the congregation in confession, affirming their authority over every area of life.

• Warns against passive Christianity:

  • “If you want to be pulverized by the devil all your life, it’s a free country… but that’s not what you want. Take authority. When you’re in command, command.” (44:14)

6. End-Times Perspective and Faith in God’s Provision (43:44–52:05)

• Stresses that Satan is not truly in control despite appearances. God remains sovereign.

  • “Satan is not in control of this world. It just looks like it… There’s a great end time transfer of wealth that’s coming... into the hands of the righteous.” (45:21)

• Tells the Old Testament story (Elisha’s prophecy during famine), illustrating one man who doubted and missed out because of unbelief.

• Critiques excessive news consumption and encourages reliance on God as provider.

  • “I look to Him as the author and finisher of my faith. I’m aware of the news, but I don’t spend my life watching the news…” (49:19)

7. Wave of Healing—Corporate Prayer (52:05–61:35)

• Roberts initiates a healing prayer, calling out words of knowledge for specific physical conditions:

  • Arms, backs, knees, hips, feet, eyes, ears, heart, intestines, lungs, and more.

  • Quote:

    “I take authority over every shoulder pain… come out now, in Jesus’ name… There goes healing...” (53:22)

• Commands fear, worry, depression, suicidal thoughts to go in Jesus’ name, reiterating the importance of holding back the darkness in every form.

• “You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus… It’s not a question of worthiness. It’s a question of God’s goodness. And God is a good God.” (58:43)

8. Testimonies and Mission Update (61:35–66:03)

• Shares about his ministry work in India: gifting resources and training rural pastors, seeing miracles, healings, and church growth.

  • “Those 1700 pastors have already started 350 brand new churches… virtually every day I’m getting testimonies of healings and salvations and miracles.” (63:16)

9. Final Declaration & Encouragement (66:03–End)

• Leads final collective faith declaration—actively refusing darkness in every dimension.

  • “Devil, I have Jesus’ name, and in the authority of that name, I say: Not today, devil. I’m holding back the darkness in the name of Jesus. You can’t have me… you cannot have what God has given to me because it’s mine, and I take authority over you…” (69:26)

• Exuberant praise and renewed commission: go forth in authority, do not fear.

• Encourages practical wisdom (“use common sense... natural precautions”), but insists the supernatural takes precedence.

  • Quote:

    “God has not fallen off the throne. He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (71:49)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Do we really understand the authority that we have in Jesus’ name? Do we comprehend what we can do by the authority of his name?” (02:46)
• “Whatever name you say, the name of Jesus is higher.” (04:30)
• “Faith without works … is worthless. It’s nothing, it’s null and void unless you act on it.” (06:46)
• “When you’re in command, command.” (10:12)
• “No longer was she known as Lindsay Salem, but she became Lindsay Roberts, Mrs. Richard Roberts. And very quickly, she learned how to use my name…” (13:41)
• “There is an authority… you have the use of my Son’s name.” (12:19)
• “You don’t have to go and get faith. You got it… Faith was intended to be released. Faith was intended to be let go.” (32:18)
• “The devil intended to stop Paul, but he couldn’t do it. And he can’t stop you unless you let him.” (72:20)
• “God has given us a name. The name of his son. His name is higher than anything that’s coming against you.” (70:40)

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – Opening, personal anecdote about the TV
• 02:46 – Authority in Jesus’ name—personal application & scripture
• 10:12 – “When you’re in command...” (WWII story)
• 13:41 – Marriage analogy for “taking the name”
• 17:24 – “Holding back the darkness” (Wonder Woman illustration)
• 22:02 – Authority: “How does the bottom of my shoe look to you?”
• 32:18 – Faith is meant to be used, not stored
• 38:55 – Walking through the house, “No devil, not today”
• 44:14 – “When you’re in command, command”
• 53:22 – Wave of healing prayer begins
• 63:16 – Testimony from India ministry
• 69:26 – Final authority declaration
• 71:49 – “God has not fallen off the throne”
• 72:20 – The devil can only stop you if you let him

Tone & Style

• Warm, energetic, humorous, faith-filled, and often anecdotal.
• Uses vivid stories, direct audience participation, and call-and-response affirmation.
• The tone is both encouraging (uplifting wounded/struggling listeners) and exhortative (challenging passivity).

Summary Takeaways

• Christians possess immense authority “in Jesus’ name”—not just for crises, but daily living.
• Faith requires action; authority requires command; to passively accept darkness is to neglect a spiritual birthright.
• Declaring and decreeing are different: decree is to command as one in authority, not merely to state a fact.
• Expect supernatural intervention in all life’s areas—health, finances, family, emotions.
• “Holding back the darkness” is a daily, practical posture; do it with boldness and persistence.

This passionate sermon by Richard Roberts calls every listener to recognize their position and power as believers, take the spiritual offensive, and daily “hold back the darkness”—in Jesus’ name.