The Potter’s House Podcast
Episode: The Empire Within You | Touré Roberts
Date: December 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this inspiring and transformative sermon, Pastor Touré Roberts explores the profound concept of “The Empire Within You.” Drawing from Luke 1:31-38 and Luke 17:21, Roberts challenges listeners to tap into the kingdom of God residing within, likening it not merely to a presence or condition but to a royal, generational realm—a spiritual empire inside every believer. The message urges spiritual awakening, the embracing of godly identity, and the manifestation of one's divine purpose, especially in seasons of barrenness or doubt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Challenge: Sermons That Push (03:00)

• Roberts opens with intent to “push” rather than simply inspire, emphasizing that true growth requires discomfort and challenge.
• “If you don’t have words that push you, you are not being potentialized.” (03:15, C)

2. Foundational Scriptures: The Birth and Nature of the Kingdom (04:00)

• Reads from Luke 1:31-38 (Mary’s conception of Jesus) and Luke 17:21 (“the kingdom of God is within you”).
• Focuses on the parallel that God places something holy and powerful within—be it the Savior, a purpose, a calling.

3. Personal Dream Illustrating Spiritual Gifts (09:00)

• Shares a vivid dream from 2000 involving his daughter, Lauren, surrounded by demonic forces. Despite her disbelief, Roberts encourages her to “fly, baby, fly,” ultimately helping her to access hidden gifts.
• Interpretation: Each of us harbors gifts (or “keys to the kingdom”) we may not believe are present. True spiritual leaders are called to love everyone and help them realize their potential.
• “In order for your gift to be activated to release others, you gotta love everybody the same way you love your firstborn child.” (13:00, C)

4. What is the Kingdom? (16:00)

• Delves into the Greek words for “within” and “kingdom,” explaining the kingdom is an internal realm (not merely a condition), a royal presence ready to reign inside all believers.
• “When the Lord says the kingdom is within you, he’s saying that which is in you is royal. It’s a realm. It rules and it reigns.” (22:40, C)

5. Steps to Owning the Empire Within (24:00)

Roberts lays out three practical dimensions to realizing the empire within:

• What It Is: The kingdom is divine royalty, realm, rule, reign inside you.
• How to Own It: Using Mary as an example, he emphasizes moving from conception (hearing the promise) to reception (embracing it) to manifestation (bringing it forth).
• What to Do With It: Manifest it; let it transform your environment and the lives around you.

The Mary Principle:

• Mary didn’t have to manufacture God’s gift—she only needed to receive and birth it.
• “Just because you got it doesn’t mean you own it.” (23:30, C)
• The process: Prophecy comes, conception happens, but manifestation requires faith and partnership with God (28:40).

6. Overcoming Doubt through Divine Perspective (29:30)

• The angel helps Mary shift from a limited, earthly perspective (“How can this be, since I do not know a man?”) to a heavenly one.
• Emphasizes need for spiritual environments, meditating on God’s word, and high-level conversations.
• “Stay in the company and the environment of the word. When you hear a word, write it down. Meditate on it day and night.” (31:51, D)

7. Hope for the Barren and Overlooked (36:00)

• Mary receives affirmation through Elizabeth’s pregnancy—a miracle for the barren and a lesson that what seems least likely can be most favored for God’s breakthrough.
• “You are the most likely candidate. The barren woman is the most likely candidate for the power of God.” (36:15, D)
• Encouragement for those going through barren seasons in life—lack, delay, brokenness.

8. Identity Shift: From Human-Made to God-Made (43:00)

• Mary’s shift: from focusing on human limitations (“I do not know a man”) to embracing divine identity (“Behold, the maidservant of the Lord”).
• “It ain’t nothing like being God made. She goes from identifying with man to identifying with God.” (44:02, C)

9. Practical Application & Altar Call (47:00)

• Invites listeners—whether new or returning to faith—to embrace God’s kingdom inside.
• Urges all to surrender limitations, receive God’s covering, and accept their role as a vessel for God’s empire.
• “Everything you need is not out there. It's in here.” (49:00, C)

10. Empowering Prayer & Declarations (61:08)

• Leads a powerful prayer acknowledging personal shortcomings, affirming the finished work of Jesus, and commissioning listeners to live as royal heirs.
• “[God,] I thank you that just as Jesus was raised up… I’m raised up, too. …Because I receive God, I receive the kingdom within me. Now Holy Spirit, fill me to the overflow…” (61:08, C)
• “I'm a holy nation. And I have an empire that's within me.” (63:18, D)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If you don’t have words that push you, then you are not being potentialized. …You can have peace but not potential.” (03:15, C)
• “I am intense because I’m intentional about my calling and about getting out of you what God has placed in you.” (13:12, C)
• “Just turn to your neighbor and say, you’ve got an empire in you.” (13:35, C)
• “You’re not a prime candidate when you’re in abundance. Blessed are those who are poor in spirit.” (40:40, C)
• “It ain’t nothing like being God made. …She shifts. She says, Behold. …Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is the Handmaid of the Lord.” (44:02, C)
• “Everything you need is not out there. It’s in here.” (49:00, C)
• "[God,] I thank you for your love. …I am a sheep in your pasture. I’m a royal priesthood. I’m a holy nation. And I have an empire that’s within me." (63:18, D)

Key Timestamps

• 03:00 — Challenge to listeners: “If I push us just a little bit…”
• 09:00 — Touré’s dream about his daughter and releasing spiritual gifts
• 13:12 — Passion for helping others recognize the empire within
• 16:00 — Teaching on the Greek word for “within”
• 22:40 — Definition and implications of the kingdom (royalty, realm, rule, reign)
• 23:30 — “Just because you got it doesn’t mean you own it.”
• 28:50 — Announcement: “You got a whole empire in you.”
• 31:51 — The necessity of the word and high spiritual environments
• 36:02 — The lesson from Elizabeth’s barrenness and breakthrough
• 44:02 — Identity shift: Mary becomes “the handmaid of the Lord”
• 49:00 — “Everything you need is not out there. It’s in here.”
• 61:08–63:48 — Empowering closing prayer and declarations

Closing

Touré Roberts leaves listeners with a stirring reminder: the kingdom of God is not something external to chase, but an empire within every believer, waiting to be received, owned, and manifested. This message urges believers to exchange earthly limitations for divine calling, shift from barrenness to fruitfulness, and courageously allow God’s kingdom to be birthed from within.

Final Charge:
“I'm a holy nation. …I have an empire that's within me. …I will stir up my gifts and call out your name. …I will be everything you say I am in Jesus’ name.” (63:18–63:48, D/C)

Listeners are encouraged to reflect on this reality, press into God's presence, and prepare to walk out their divine calling.