The Potter's House Podcast: "Come Out of the Tombs!" with Bishop T.D. Jakes
Date: January 1, 2026
Host: The Potter's House
Speaker: Bishop T.D. Jakes
Episode Overview
In this passionate Watch Night/ New Year’s message, Bishop T.D. Jakes delivers a powerful sermon centered on Mark 5—the story of the demon-possessed man dwelling among the tombs in Gadara. Bishop Jakes uses this account as a springboard to address emotional, mental, and spiritual bondage, encouraging listeners to break free from self-imposed and external "tombs" as they enter the new year. With call-and-response exhortations and a signature fervor, he urges the congregation to claim their deliverance, embrace a fresh start, and anticipate breakthrough in 2026.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Tomb as a Symbol of Bondage
Text Context: Mark 5:1–5
- The story of the man dwelling among tombs is a metaphor for living in dead places—emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.
- Bishop Jakes explains that many carry internal chains—words spoken over them, self-inflicted wounds, or private battles.
- Insight: Sometimes we accept places (physical or psychological) not meant for us and make them our home.
"If you accept that as home, then it will become your destiny and you will live there and dwell there."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [03:49]
- The man’s condition is described as both external (chains, isolation) and internal (torment, self-harm), paralleling how people hide pain behind strength and smiles.
"To be strong before people is not what I come to deal with tonight. I come to deal with those of us who are struggling in our private lives… in the counsel of our own mind."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [05:20]
2. The Challenges of 2025—A Difficult Year
- Bishop Jakes references the year just ended, acknowledging hardship, loss, and perseverance.
"If you walked out of here right now, you would have a certain degree of victory, having survived 2025…"
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [04:38]
- There’s recognition of invisible suffering—being envied or misunderstood by others unaware of one’s true struggles.
3. Private Struggles and Self-Sabotage
- Many wounds, Bishop Jakes contends, are self-inflicted: pushing others away, sabotaging opportunities, wrestling with self-worth.
"Half of the trouble that you've gone through are things you did to yourself… You cut yourself."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [15:25]
4. The Biblical Hypocrite and Masks We Wear
- The biblical origin of “hypocrite” (one who speaks from behind a mask) is used to highlight how many live double lives, hiding pain behind appearances.
"…a large part of this room has lived their lives as a hypocrite with a mask over your face."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [13:35]
5. Breakthrough Through Worship
- Worship is not the end of the spiritual journey, but the beginning of true transformation and liberation.
- Deliverance begins when authenticity and vulnerability before God break through religious routine.
"The problem with the church today is that we think worship is the end of the service. That's the goal… The truth of the matter, worship is the starting point. Because when you really start worshiping God, that's when all the dirt comes out…"
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [16:32]
6. Jesus' Determination to Reach Us
- Jesus overcame a supernatural storm to reach the man in the tombs, showing how far God will go for one's deliverance.
"Jesus had to fight a storm off to get to him… The devil knew that Jesus was headed for Gadarenes and he was trying to stop him..."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [21:40]
7. No Demon Can Block Deliverance; The Power of God
- The service reaches a fever-pitch as Bishop Jakes declares repeatedly:
"Jesus is coming. You ain't got to hurt much longer…" — Bishop T.D. Jakes and Congregation [24:10–25:00]
- There’s an emphasis on the strength required to endure, and the miraculous that one remains standing after so much affliction.
"The very fact that you're still standing is a miracle…"
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [34:10]
8. Collective Breakthrough and Generational Impact
Territory & Principalities
- The struggle is not just personal but territorial—affecting families and future generations.
"It's not just you. It's your son, it's your daughter, it's your mama, it's your grandmama… When you get a breakthrough, everything connected to you is going to come out too."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [40:10]
9. Affirming Deliverance—Practical Steps
Calling out from the “tombs”
- The sermon culminates in a call-and-response for everyone to “Come out of that tomb”—an invitation to publicly, vocally renounce their former bondage.
- Bishop Jakes leads the congregation in symbolic gestures: praising, pulling on one another, dancing, leaping for joy to physically express their breakthrough.
10. A New Beginning in 2026
Prophetic Declarations
- The year turns with a countdown and a fervent call to embrace newness, not just in calendar date but in identity, mindset, and freedom.
"It would be one thing if I was celebrating a new year. But the thing that's got me dancing is I'm celebrating a new me. I'm celebrating a new mind. I'm celebrating a new attitude. I'm celebrating a new joy. I'm celebrating a new victory…"
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [48:10]
11. Altar Call—No One is Beyond Reach
- The closing moments extend grace to all—sinners, backsliders, and those carrying shame or feeling unworthy.
"Nothing this man had done was so bad that Jesus wouldn't talk to him..."
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [29:34]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)
-
On Enduring Hardship:
"If you walked out of here right now, we would have to crown you with jewels in the crown that you took everything that you took and made it out alive at all. People don't understand how much strength it took for you to put a smile on your face…" [04:38] -
On Private Pain:
"I'm not just talking about in your marriage or dealing with your sexual issues or emotional issues. I'm talking about in your head. There's a fight and a war going on all the time." [05:30] -
On Self-Inflicted Wounds:
"Half of the trouble that you've gone through are things you did to yourself. I said it and I meant it, and I'm here to represent it. You did it to yourself." [15:25] -
On Worship as Birthplace of Deliverance:
"…when you really start worshiping God, that’s when all the dirt comes out. That’s when all the pain comes out. That’s when all the turmoil comes out. That’s when we strip down religion off of you and strip down your church faith. When you really start worshiping God…" [16:41] -
On God’s Determination:
"Jesus had to face a storm to get through him… This storm is not a natural storm. This is a spiritual storm…" [21:40] -
On Supernatural Breakthrough:
"I feel like God's going to break a yoke in here tonight… I feel like somebody's handcuffs are coming off and shackles are coming off your feet…" [29:51] -
On Collective Destiny:
"All of that's territory that when you get a breakthrough, everything connected to you is going to come out too." [40:25] -
On A New Identity:
"I'm celebrating a new me. I'm celebrating a new mind. I'm celebrating a new attitude. I'm celebrating a new joy. I'm celebrating a new victory…" [48:10]
Key Timestamps by Segment
- Scripture Reading & Setting the Theme: [01:31 – 03:50]
- Dealing With Private Struggles: [05:00 – 10:00]
- Explanation of the "Tomb" as a Place of Bondage: [11:00 – 13:00]
- Self-Sabotage and Internal Warfare: [13:00 – 16:00]
- Worship as Deliverance: [16:30 – 19:00]
- Jesus’ Journey and Determination: [21:35 – 24:00]
- Declarations and Call and Response - "Jesus is coming": [24:00 – 27:00]
- Demons Negotiating, Lessons on Legion: [31:46 – 35:16]
- The Miracle of Endurance: [36:25 – 39:00]
- Deliverance is Territorial/Generational: [39:55 – 41:00]
- Breakthrough and Prophetic Activation: [42:00 – 45:00]
- Seal of Deliverance and Final Prayer: [53:25 – 59:45]
- Altar Call & Call to Salvation: [63:08 – 68:12]
- Final Benediction & Closing Praise: [68:17 – End]
Tone, Language, and Appeal
The episode blends scriptural teaching, personal anecdotes, and prophetic declarations, all in Bishop Jakes’ energetic and empathetic tone. There’s abundant call-and-response, urgency, and raw honesty about emotional, mental, and spiritual struggles. The language is direct, heartfelt, and rooted in both biblical insight and practical experience.
Takeaways for the Listener
- You are not condemned to the tombs of your past or your pain.
- Worship is the starting point for real, lasting breakthrough.
- God has gone to extraordinary lengths for your deliverance, and nothing you've done excludes you from grace.
- Breakthrough is not just for you, but for everyone connected to you—your family, your territory, and your legacy.
- 2026 is not just a new year; it's an opportunity for a new you.
Closing Challenge
- “…Tonight is my night for breakthrough. It happens tonight… Come out of that tomb. You don’t belong with them dead people. You know you’re not one of them. You know in your heart you’re not one of them…”
— Bishop T.D. Jakes [65:28]
For anyone seeking hope, freedom, or a fresh start, Bishop Jakes’ message is a resounding invitation to leave old tombs behind and embrace the life and deliverance found in Christ.