The Potter's House Podcast
Episode: The Power to Change | Pastor Touré Roberts
Date: September 14, 2025
Overview
In this episode, Pastor Touré Roberts explores "The Power to Change"—a deep dive into how breakthrough and transformation are possible through spiritual participation, healthy hearts, and honoring the power of creativity and decision. The sermon is situated in a moment of collective fasting within the church and addresses listeners feeling "stuck" or in a season of tension, offering encouragement that these seasons are the fertile ground in which God works profound change.
Key Points & Insights
1. The Nature of Breakthrough (03:10–08:15)
- Breakthrough Season: Pastor Touré opens by declaring that the congregation is on the cusp of a breakthrough—greater than possessions or personal advancement—one that ushers believers into a "whole new realm of existence."
- "This breakthrough...is bigger than you getting a new house. It’s going to bring you into a whole new realm of existence, a whole new level." (04:35)
- Active Participation Required: Breakthrough is not passive; believers must participate and create space for God’s movement (referencing Isaiah 54 and the story of David).
2. Fasting as Preparation (08:15–15:00)
- Purpose of Fasting:
- Creating capacity for what God is doing.
- Not just a religious act—"You're going to need the oil that this fast produces."
- Five prayer points during the fast: wisdom, clarity, strength, faith, and alignment with God.
- Intentional Diligence: Emphasizes Proverbs 27:23–27—knowing the state of your resources spiritually and materially—to be able to bring your whole self to this moment.
3. The Challenge of Deferred Hope (16:15–36:00)
- Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick: (Proverbs 13:12)
- Describes the spiritual reality when expectations are delayed: "When our heart is worn down, we will not be sensitive to the awareness of God." (27:35)
- Difference between God's schedule and our own. What seems delayed to us is "scheduled" by God.
- Symptoms of a Sick Heart:
- Feeling stuck, unclear, overwhelmed, or less visionary.
- The danger is subtle: "When you lose your belief in change, it takes you to your worst state." (36:15)
4. The Tension Before Transformation (36:00–43:15)
- Tension as Transition: The sense of being "stuck" or in a tight space is actually transition—a precursor to transformation.
- "Tension is the precursor to transformation." (36:40)
- Scientific/Practical Illustrations:
- Boiling water: Nothing changes until a critical point, then change is sudden.
- Seeds and neurology: Breaking through takes internal, often invisible, pressure and repetition.
5. Maintaining a Healthy Heart (43:15–49:35)
- Critical to See God:
- "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (28:45)
- The state of your heart influences your capacity to perceive and respond to God's leading.
- How to Guard Your Heart:
- Walk circumspectly, especially in transition; be careful whose voices and influences you allow.
6. The Power to Change (49:36–01:04:00)
- Ephesians 3:20 – The Power in Us:
- The extraordinary things God will do are "according to the power that works in us." (54:22)
- Creativity as the Agent of Change:
- The Holy Spirit’s first biblical appearance is in creation—creativity brings change.
- "To create in a context changes the whole context." (57:47)
- Humans are "little seed creators"—born to create and exercise dominion.
- Practical Examples:
- Health, finances, and stewardship: Sometimes the change needed is discipline, not miraculous intervention.
7. Change Starts with Words and Decisions (01:04:05–01:08:00)
- Power of the Tongue:
- "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." (Proverbs 18:21)
- Are you complaining or creating with your words?
- Power of Decision:
- The word "decision" means "to cut off"—a decisive act is itself an act of change and creation.
- "Every decision you make shapes your environment, your relationships, and your future." (01:07:30)
8. Pain and Lack as Catalysts (01:08:01–01:11:55)
- Pain as Predecessor to Progress:
- "Pain is the predecessor of progress and lack is the launching pad to abundance." (01:08:55)
- God Uses Lack to Spark Creativity:
- "If you have a healthy heart, the discomfort of pain and the presence or the perception of lack begets questions and initiates a quest that births answers and new solutions." (01:09:45)
- Examples from Childhood / Culture:
- Innovation often emerges from necessity and lack—embrace it as potential, not defeat.
9. The Gospel and Transformation (01:11:56–01:16:30)
- Salvation is Change:
- "I’m not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." (Romans 1:16) (01:12:35)
- The kingdom of God is about transformation, both personal and global.
- Persevering in Prophecy and Faith:
- The call is to never relent in believing and speaking change, even if it takes a lifetime to see fulfillment.
Memorable Quotes
- "Tension is the precursor to transformation." — Pastor Touré Roberts, (36:40)
- "Hope deferred makes the heart sick. And when any of us... lose our belief for change, it takes us to our worst state." — Pastor Touré, (36:15)
- "You got the power to change." — Pastor Touré, (58:15)
- "Are you complaining or creating? Your words have to align with what you are manifesting and creating in the earth." — Pastor Touré, (01:04:22)
- "Every decision you make shapes your environment, your relationships, and your future." — Pastor Touré, (01:07:30)
- "Pain is the predecessor of progress and lack is the launching pad to abundance." — Pastor Touré, (01:08:55)
Key Timestamps
- 03:10 - Breakthrough isn't about material gain, but a new existence.
- 08:40 - Purpose of the church fast and what the community is seeking.
- 16:25 - Challenge of "hope deferred" and the impact of sick hearts.
- 27:35 - Connection between heart integrity and spiritual awareness.
- 36:40 - Tension as the necessary stage before breakthrough.
- 54:22 - The power for God to do more is already within us (Ephesians 3:20).
- 57:47 - Creativity as an act of change, modeled after the Holy Spirit in Genesis.
- 01:04:22 - Every word spoken creates an atmosphere.
- 01:07:30 - Decision as a creative, transformative act.
- 01:08:55 - Pain and lack as catalysts for progress and abundance.
- 01:12:35 - The gospel as the ultimate message of transformation.
Tone and Style
Pastor Touré’s language is pastoral yet practical, often humorous and relatable ("It’s going to get cray cray" (19:20)), encouraging, and emphatic. He interweaves scriptural exposition, personal anecdotes, cultural observation, and motivational instruction, always looping back to the central theme: never stop believing in the power God has placed in you to transform your circumstances and environment, no matter how deferred hope may feel.
Conclusion & Calls to Action
- Guard your heart in seasons of deferred hope—seek to keep it healthy, pure, and sensitive to God.
- Embrace creative power and agency, understanding the Spirit within equips us to bring change.
- Speak words of faith and make decisive, intentional choices that align with the life and change you’re seeking.
- View pain and lack as the grounds from which creativity, innovation, and spiritual abundance grow.
- Never stop believing, prophesying, and working toward the change God has scheduled for your life.
"Never stop believing in the power of change. Keep on speaking it. Keep on prophesying it." — Pastor Touré Roberts, (01:15:30)
For those seeking specific prayer, spiritual guidance, or church connection, Pastor Touré offers a welcoming invitation and affirms The Potter’s House as a supportive spiritual home.
Episode end. For more inspiration, tune in for the next service and join the ongoing fast at The Potter’s House.