Podcast Summary: "Put On A Bigger Coat" | Richard Roberts | Holy Ghost Meetings 2024 | Sunday PM

Dufresne Ministries Podcast – January 8, 2024
Guest Speaker: Dr. Richard Roberts

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on Dr. Richard Roberts’ teaching, “Put On A Bigger Coat,” delivered at Holy Ghost Meetings 2024. The message is a prophetic encouragement for ministers and believers to step into a greater measure of their calling, enlarge their capacity, take faith risks, and not let challenges or past disappointments hold them back. Drawing from Joseph’s life and personal anecdotes, Dr. Roberts urges the congregation to trust God for “bigger coats” (greater anointing, responsibility, and provision), emphasizing faith over fear regardless of difficult circumstances.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Opening Worship & Words of Knowledge

[00:13 - 05:22]

• Dr. Roberts leads in worship, encouraging the audience to yield to the Holy Spirit and glorify God with their lives.
• He releases words of healing for a left knee, heart condition, psoriasis, and sciatica, instructing people to act on their faith.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “Thank you for healing that heart condition tonight and the skin condition. Thank you that the psoriasis is being healed right now. In Jesus name.” ([01:40])
• Dr. Roberts emphasizes the value of “waiting on the Lord” for direction in ministry.

The Power of Reminiscence: Lessons from the Past

[05:23 - 13:10]

• Shares family anecdotes, including a story about songwriter Vep Ellis, and recounts Oral Roberts’ 1950 tent crusade where a tornado miraculously spared thousands.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “...no one was seriously injured. No one was killed. And the next morning, the Amarillo newspaper titled the headline ‘Saving of 7,000 Called Miracle.’” ([08:13])
• Emphasizes that faith stories and obedience are a heritage and reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Divine Prompting: “Put On a Bigger Coat”

[13:10 - 21:35]

• Dr. Roberts recounts how God told him, unexpectedly, to “put on a bigger coat”—a message he received on his way to the hotel after lunch.
• Reflects on spontaneity in ministry:
  “I enjoy stepping out on nothing and believing that there’ll be something out there when I step on it.” ([17:25])
• Biblical reference: Genesis 41:42 and the story of Joseph, who wore different ‘coats’ throughout his life—each representing a new season or greater responsibility:
  • Coat as a son (favor)
  • Coat as a servant (Potiphar’s house)
  • Coat as a victim (unjustly imprisoned)
  • Final “bigger coat” as ruler of Egypt

Moving from the Past to the New: Isaiah 54 & 43

[21:35 - 29:00]

• Dr. Roberts challenges ministers and believers to enlarge their vision for 2024, referencing Isaiah 54:2:
  “Enlarge the place of thy tent... spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes.”
• Encourages action in the face of troubling world events (wars, economic uncertainty) because “God is still on the throne.”
• Shares personal grief over the loss of his child and how Isaiah 43:18-19 (“Behold, I will do a new thing... I will make a way in the wilderness.”) brought comfort and propelled him forward.
  • Notable Quote:
    “What’s holding you back from doing all that God has put in your heart?” ([26:54])

Faith Risk & Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

[29:01 - 38:07]

• Dr. Roberts asks if people are “playing it safe” in ministry or willing to take faith risks.
• Recounts how Peter was told by Jesus to “launch out into the deep and let down your nets,” despite the unconventional and risky timing.
  • “Are you in a place where your ministry is safe? Or do you want to take a risk?” ([27:50])
• Stresses that everyone has unfinished callings and the clock is ticking.
  • References prophetic word from Charles Capps on financial inversion and end-time wealth transfer for the sake of the Gospel ([35:00]).
• Acknowledges setbacks and failures happen, but quitting is not an option:
  • Humorous Story:
    A man in white clothes falls down an escalator, then says, “Though I fall, I shall arise.” ([36:10])

The Call to Expansion (“Put On A Bigger Coat”)

[38:08 - 43:08]

• Encourages ministers to act despite not knowing “how”—trust that as with Joseph and Oral Roberts, God will make a way.
• Directs specific praise to Pastor Nancy Dufresne for stepping out in TV ministry.
• Reminds listeners:
  “There is no such thing as indecision. You either decide or you decide not to decide.” ([38:50])
• The only thing to do with the past is give it to God—bury it, don’t keep digging it up.

Testimonies & Responses from Other Pastors

[43:09 - 49:24]

• Dr. Roberts invites several pastors to share what God is prompting them to do:
  • Pastor J ([43:09]): Testifies about stepping out to plant a second church; “Every single thing has fallen into place. The next thing’s just as easy, but I gotta take this step.”
  • Pastor Debbie ([44:11]): Shares about faith for property acquisition: “Doesn’t matter how long it’s been, God’s still in it.”
  • Pastor Ike ([44:49]): Called to hold faith seminars across Nigeria.
  • Pastor Craig ([45:15]): Insights about international ministry expansion—not harming the church but helping it grow; “He’s not going to tell you stuff until you obey the first thing He told you to do.”
  • Pastor Cody ([46:39]): Encouraged to expand and not allow self-doubt to stop him: “Now I know that I can do it.”
  • Pastor Chris ([47:19]): Led to restart a large conference in faith; God’s confirmation emboldens him to act.
  • Pastor Jeff ([48:47]): Acknowledges need to step out of comfort zone and travel more.

Key Teaching: Out of Comfort Zone, Into the Sweet Spot

[49:24 - 54:07]

• Dr. Roberts admonishes,
  “Out of the comfort zone, into the sweet spot.” ([49:35])
• Uses mountain climber analogy to emphasize endurance, not panicking in darkness but trusting to be there in the morning.
• Obedience, more than sacrifice, is what God desires.
  “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” ([53:32])
• God expects us to do our part and then does His; “divine reciprocity.”
• Encourages everyone to make a fresh commitment—step out, enlarge, and let God make the way.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “You can do it. You can go beyond where you think you can go. You can do more.” ([53:20])

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Speaker & Timestamp)

• Dr. Richard Roberts (Opening Prayer):
  “We were bought with a price. That price is the shed blood of Jesus and Father. We will glorify you in every area of our lives. In Jesus mighty name.” — [00:16]

• On Obedience:
  “It’s not because of what I am. It’s not because of what I’ve done, but instead, it’s because of whose I am.” — [05:00]

• On Faith & Risk:
  “It’s risky to take a risk. It’s dangerous to step out there on nothing and believe that God’s gonna put something under your feet when you do.” — [27:50]

• On Launching Out:
  “And we have a bright future. It may look dark in the natural, but in the supernatural realm, it’s bright. It’s bright.” — [33:39]

• On Decision:
  “There is no such thing as indecision. You either decide or you decide not to decide. There’s indigestion, but not indecision.” — [38:50]

• On Past Mistakes:
  “The past is the past. The only thing you can do with the past is give it to God. Bury the ghost and stop digging it up.” — [41:30]

• Pastor Craig:
  “Until people obey that first instruction, there was no... I didn’t know certain other things... When I obeyed the instruction, then he started talking...” — [45:42]

• Dr. Roberts' Encouragement:
  “Out of the comfort zone into the sweet spot. Are you hearing me?” — [49:35]

Structure and Tone

The tone throughout is deeply encouraging, faith-filled, and honest, with Dr. Roberts blending humor, vulnerability, and passionate challenge. The session is interactive, concluding with various pastors reflecting on the teaching and sharing practical steps of stepping out in faith.

Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:13] – Opening worship, prophetic healing ministry
• [05:23] – Reminiscing about ministry legacy and miracles
• [13:10] – Call to “put on a bigger coat” and exegesis of Joseph’s journey
• [21:35] – Expanding vision: Isaiah 54, faith for 2024
• [26:54] – Comfort and new beginnings: Isaiah 43
• [27:50] – Risks in ministry & launching into the deep
• [38:08] – Encouragement to decide, not look back
• [43:09] – Pastoral testimonies: practical faith steps
• [49:24] – Comfort zone vs. sweet spot, mountain climber analogy
• [53:32] – Final call to obedience and commitment

Conclusion/Call to Action

[53:32 - 54:07]
Dr. Roberts closes by encouraging everyone in the room—ministers and laity alike—to step into the “bigger coat” God has for them, fearlessly and obediently, trusting God to make a way.

“Lift your hands unto Him tonight and say, Father, tonight I make a fresh commitment. What you’ve told me to do, when I heard you speak in my heart, I’m going to do. I don’t know exactly how, but as I take one step at a time, you will show me and you will pave the way. ...The future is mine. In Jesus name. Hallelujah.” ([54:03])

For listeners:
If you’re seeking encouragement to step into your next season, confront fear or stagnation, or need to be reminded that obedience and faith unlock God’s provision and guidance, this message is an empowering charge delivered with warmth, humor, and spiritual authority.