ONE | A Potter’s House Church

Podcast Summary: “Powerful ONE - Charles Gilford”
Date: June 9, 2025
Guest Speaker: Charles Gilford
Host: ONE | A Potter’s House Church (Pastors Touré Roberts & Sarah Jakes Roberts)

Episode Overview

In this stirring episode titled “Powerful ONE,” guest speaker Charles Gilford delivers a passionate message about the accelerated, intentional work of the Holy Spirit, drawing on the narrative of Pentecost in Acts 2. Through vivid analogies from nature, personal stories, and biblical exposition, Gilford explores how times of spiritual “cutting,” isolation, and change are not just seasons of loss, but stages where God multiplies, roots, and empowers believers for their next assignment. He challenges listeners to embrace divine processes—even when uncomfortable—as necessary for growth, connection, and global impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Dynamics of Divine Acceleration

• Scripture Foundation: Acts 2:1–4 (Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit)
• Nature Analogy: Air Layering in horticulture—a centuries-old process where a branch is cut, wrapped, and fostered to produce a second tree much faster than starting from seed. Used as a metaphor for God’s ability to multiply and accelerate growth through “cutting” and change.
• Acceleration Through Suffering: The spiritual “cutting” often feels wounding, isolating, and even dirty—a necessary part of multiplication.
  • “Sometimes we are so focused on a season of growth that we don’t recognize the season of multiplication.” (08:10)

2. The Pain and Purpose of Cutting

• Personal and Collective Wounding: Drawing parallels between the biblical story and personal losses (such as the passing of the speaker’s own father).
• Seasons of Isolation: Like branches in air layering, periods of being “wrapped up” or “sealed” in darkness are times for new roots to form.
  • “Have you ever been stuck in a season that God wants you to be stuck in?” (18:09)
• Theological Reflection: Even Jesus underwent baptism (public celebration), then 40 days of wilderness (private coronation/testing) before launching into ministry.
  • “Celebration is what happened when he was baptized. Coronation is what took place in the wilderness.” (26:51)

3. Layers vs. Levels in Spiritual Growth

• Levels (Video Game Analogy): In games, die and respawn at a checkpoint—implies linear progression.
• Layers (God’s Approach): Life, like lasagna or air layering, builds in layers—old experiences, new cuts, overlapping seasons.
  • “With God, that’s not how God moves… He works in layers.” (36:13)
  • Being “in process” is often to be between states—no longer a caterpillar, not yet fully a butterfly.

4. Holding On Through Transitional Seasons

• The In-Between: Listeners are encouraged to endure the uncertainty—God is orchestrating deeper transformation.
• The Danger of Vacant Spaces: Using Matthew 12, Gilford warns about the risk of being ‘unfilled’ or spiritually vacant, and the importance of closing off spiritual vulnerabilities.
  • “If you are not filled, you are vacant. And if you’re vacant, you’re available [to the wrong things].” (48:07)

5. Connection, Community, and the Holy Spirit’s Filling

• Move from Obedience to Outpouring: Like the disciples who followed Jesus’ instructions to wait, the greatest blessings follow collective unity and patience.
• Wind, Fire, Filling: The Spirit is first sensed, then seen, then spoken—each believer’s process.
  • “You’ll have a peace that surpasses all understanding… you’re going to walk into rooms, and God is going to speak to you in real time.” (45:55)

6. Embracing the Global Call

• Pentecost as Globalization of the Mission: God’s work isn’t just local—He empowers for impact across nations and cultures.
• Divided Tongues: The miracle of languages at Pentecost was to make people from every nation feel seen and included by God.
  • “It wasn’t necessarily the presence of God that got them. It was the fact that they heard their language and they were able to see themselves reflected in the heart of God.” (1:00:15)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Purpose of Spiritual Cutting:
  • “Have you ever been in a moment where God raises a knife where you would rather Him water you?” (14:42)
• On Transformation vs Conformation:
  • “Be careful when you begin to allow the enemy to use God Auto-Tune on his voice… because you’re not checking the way it sounds, the way it lands, the way it hits your heart.” (44:13)
• On Being Filled, Not Just Occupied:
  • “Your house may be nice, but it’s vacant. Your house may look good, but it’s vacant, and it’s time for it to be filled.” (1:03:26)
• On Purpose in the Present Moment:
  • Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:
    “If God gave him the opportunity… he would still choose the period of time he was born in. Despite all… he said, ‘I want to live right here, right now.’” (56:27)
• On the Call for the Holy Spirit:
  • “I receive you, Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name. Amen.” (1:07:04)

Important Timestamps

• [00:54] — Opening Scripture (Acts 2:1–4) and theme introduction
• [07:10] — Air layering analogy: nature, acceleration, and spiritual growth
• [14:42] — The pain of divine “cutting” in personal experience
• [26:51] — The difference between celebration and coronation in spiritual journeys
• [36:13] — “Levels vs. Layers” and the non-linearity of God’s process
• [45:55] — Wind, fire, and filling—the stages of the Holy Spirit’s manifestation
• [48:07] — Warning about spiritual vacancy and the need for true spiritual filling
• [56:27] — Dr. King’s Mountaintop analogy: finding purpose now
• [1:00:15] — Pentecost, universality, and the language of God’s love
• [1:03:26] — The call to receive and be filled by the Holy Spirit

Action and Reflection Points

• Acknowledge
  • Recognize and honor your seasons of loss, pain, or being “cut.”
• Embrace
  • Accept that new growth requires discomfort, change, and sometimes isolation.
• Shut the Door
  • Don’t remain spiritually vacant—intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to fill every area of your life.
• Answer the Call
  • Understand your calling is global in impact and intimately connected to the Spirit’s empowerment.

Final Prayer & Altar Call Highlights

The episode concludes with an altar call and a communal prayer for those:

• Experiencing spiritual “cuts” or losses
• Feeling caught between old roots and new growth
• Ready to be filled with or re-invite the Holy Spirit

Gilford’s personal transparency about recent loss, his call for honest self-reflection, and the assurance that God is moving—often in ways we didn’t expect, but always with purpose—offer heart and hope for listeners in all seasons of faith.

Listen if…
You’re in a transitional season, feeling “cut off,” waiting for clarity, or desiring a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. This message will assure you that your process is both sacred and strategic in God’s grand design.