ONE | A Potter’s House Church
Episode: “New ONE - Charles Gilford”
Date: May 5, 2025
Speaker: Charles Gilford
Host Intro: Touré Roberts
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode centers on the theme of "New One," drawing from Luke 5:1–11 — the story of Jesus entering Simon’s boat, the call to launch into deeper waters, and the monumental catch of fish. Charles Gilford explores the process of stepping into new identity, wrestling with seasons of “little” and God’s transformative power in times of disappointment, inconvenience, and obedience. The teaching also emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s presence and ongoing sensitivity to God’s leading.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Scripture Foundation and “Chosen” Moments
[00:54–02:30]
- Read Luke 5:1–11, emphasizing Jesus unexpectedly stepping into Simon Peter’s boat.
- "Some of you… are about to be chosen for something you did not expect. Jesus is about to step into a situation and into a circumstance that you did not invite him into, but he didn't need an invitation for." — Charles Gilford [01:33]
- Encouragement for listeners who feel uninvited or unqualified in their current season; God intervenes on His own initiative.
2. Obedience in Exhaustion & the Power of “Nevertheless”
[02:30–07:20]
- Simon’s exhaustion after “working and working… and got nothing” mirrors our frustration with fruitless striving.
- “Nevertheless, at your word, I will let down the net.”
- Pressure and beauty of obeying God in disappointment; sometimes “little” things become “big” things.
- “God can hold tension with your disappointment, so long as it's not at the expense of your obedience.” [47:20]
- Blessings often come in ways that require help from others, underscoring the communal nature of God’s surplus.
3. Identity: Nature, Nurture, and Divine Distinction
[09:50–18:20]
- Personal stories on fatherhood, wanting to be a dad, and the nature-vs-nurture debate (referencing his son Charles IV).
- Imprinting from parents/family is context, not the definition, of who we are.
- Discusses the prophet Samuel’s calling, pointing out that a unique God-given identity cannot be contained by upbringing or circumstance.
- Modern philosophical theories: “body theory” (identity by body) and “memory theory” (identity by memory), but both are limited.
- Trauma and forgetfulness: “If you limit your consciousness to what you can remember, the enemy... will use life experiences... to prevent you from being able to receive the true healing.” [18:20]
4. Imago Dei: Image and Likeness of God
[18:20–22:00]
- Every culture and race bears the image of God.
- Likeness (character of Christ) is the more profound challenge — we are called to his likeness as well as his image.
5. Seasons of “Little” and “Launch”
[22:00–36:00]
- “In life, there are littles and there are launches.”
- The inconvenience of God’s timing: God often asks for a “little” when we’re least able or most exhausted.
- Story from his own life: working retail, annoyed a customer came in at closing, only to discover later it was an influential executive — “My inconvenience could have messed up a launch.” [28:30]
- “Some of you are in a space right now where, in order to protect your peace, be careful with that statement, you are shunning things God is sending.” [29:00]
- Stewarding disappointment: sometimes God ordains a season of “nothing” to break old habits or attitudes.
6. Attitude, Alignment, and Availability
[36:00–41:30]
- Emphasis on faithfulness: Staying where you’re supposed to be even when disappointed.
- “Faithfulness is not demonstrated with how you do things with a smile. It’s how you do things, period.” [39:00]
- Warning against settling for mere comfort/disengagement, as misalignment means missing when Jesus steps into your boat.
7. Comparison, Covenant, and Coveting
[41:30–44:30]
- The biblical reality of seeing others prosper — righteous indignation vs. jealousy.
- “Jealousy is as cruel as the grave because it gives death to hope… You’re no longer in covenant, you’re in coveting.”
8. Big Calls with Little Resources
[44:30–47:30]
- God often calls us to “the deep” when we only have “shallow nets.”
- Jesus tells Simon to fish during the day, technically the wrong time — “What do you do when you have shallow preparation but deep obedience that is needed?”
9. The Miraculous and Its Aftermath
[47:30–52:10]
- Simon’s humility: Miracle leads to repentance — “It’s a miracle when your unbelief causes you to repent because you put a limitation on God.” [48:00]
- Caution: The biggest natural blessing still pales compared to the value of knowing Christ.
- “There is nothing more hollow than having, but not holding.” [51:00]
10. The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
[52:10–55:00]
- Following Jesus is only complete when filled with the Holy Spirit: inspiration without revelation is fragile.
- Personal stories of the Spirit’s intervention (accident, close calls) and the critical difference of having one’s own fire, not depending on borrowed faith.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “It’s not that you were necessarily at the church. You were, in fact, at the club... and God said: I have more for you.” [01:20]
- “Have you ever been in a nothing season? ...where nothing is taking place and it’s not for lack of effort.” [33:10]
- “Be careful when you are so close to somebody else who’s on fire that you think their warmth is something you can sustain off of. You have to be on fire for yourself.” [54:10]
- "If you follow an old command in a new season and call it obedience... you're wondering why you didn't get the result." [46:40]
- “Your obedience is what qualifies you for the miracles that I’m going to be doing in this season.” [56:00]
- On the Holy Spirit: "Do not believe the lie… the enemy is both a liar and the accuser… so anything he says, the opposite is true.” [58:10]
Important Segments (Timestamps)
- Scripture reading & theme intro: [00:54–02:30]
- Obedience in exhaustion (“Nevertheless”): [02:30–07:20]
- Fatherhood, identity, and nature vs. nurture: [09:50–18:20]
- Imago Dei reflection: [18:20–22:00]
- “Little” and “Launch” — managing small beginnings: [22:00–36:00]
- Stewarding disappointment and availability: [36:00–41:30]
- Comparison & spiritual jealousy: [41:30–44:30]
- Deep obedience with “shallow” tools: [44:30–47:30]
- The aftermath and meaning of the miracle: [47:30–52:10]
- Necessity of the Holy Spirit (& altar call): [52:10–end]
Conclusion & Altar Call
[56:30–59:19]
- Three groups called forward:
- Those in a “little” season, managing small but hoping for more.
- Those called to launch into something bigger, feeling under-equipped.
- Those not yet filled with the Holy Spirit.
- “The Holy Spirit leads you and guides you into all righteousness. And you are going to need to be sensitive if you’re going to be sensible in this season.” [57:40]
- Practical instructions: Surrender, respond, seek the infilling of the Holy Spirit as essential for ongoing calling and obedience.
- Ends with guided prayers: Salvation and the filling of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the experiential and protective presence of God’s Spirit in daily life.
Summary Takeaways
- God may step into your situation unexpectedly and call you beyond your comfort or qualifications.
- Your “little” season and obedience matter — faithfulness, not feeling, is what God honors.
- Identity is anchored in being both image and likeness of God — and is realized fully when filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Comparison is destructive; steward your lane and trust God’s timing.
- The Holy Spirit is essential for sustaining and discerning your unique calling and walking in sustained victory.
For listeners:
This message powerfully challenges you to embrace inconvenient callings, persevere through “nothing” seasons, and pursue not just the blessings of God but the presence of God Himself — with the Holy Spirit as your constant guide and companion.
Notable closing blessing:
“You are the shift in the line. You are the change in direction. You are the one I have purposed… There are generational blessings attached to you.” [58:20]