The Potter’s House Podcast

Episode: The Rumble in the Jungle | Pastor Don Johnson

Date: November 16, 2025
Speaker: Pastor Don Johnson
Key Text: Matthew 4:1-11
Theme: Understanding and overcoming spiritual battles, drawing parallels from Jesus’ wilderness temptation and the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match.

Episode Overview

In this dynamic message, Pastor Don Johnson draws parallels between the biblical account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4) and the historic boxing match known as "The Rumble in the Jungle" between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Pastor Johnson uses this illustration to encourage listeners to recognize the battles in their own lives as necessary steps towards spiritual growth and victory. He challenges the congregation to see the wilderness as a place of preparation, to embrace discomfort, discern authentic opportunities, and surround themselves with the right support for life’s spiritual fights.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Rumble in the Jungle Analogy

(03:00 - 09:20)

• Pastor Johnson introduces the title and sets the tone with the Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman fight in Zaire (now the DRC).
• He highlights the odds stacked against Ali and his unwavering confidence in victory despite the apparent disadvantages.
• Spiritual Parallels: Just as Ali was being prepared for a public fight, God often prepares us in private for public battles.

Quote:
“Please don’t get it confused. Just because you can’t see me does not mean I can’t fight.” – Pastor Don Johnson (05:25)

2. The Setup: Jesus’ Baptism and Wilderness

(09:20 - 18:20)

• Connects Matthew 3 (Jesus’ baptism and God’s public declaration) to Matthew 4 (temptation in the wilderness).
• Key Insight: God’s declaration (“This is my beloved son...”) is often followed by a season of silence. This silence is not abandonment, but promotion and affirmation that you are equipped.
• Transition from public validation to private testing—moving from the comfort of the spotlight to the discomfort of the wilderness.

Quote:
“Is it possible that God’s silence is a sign of promotion?” – Pastor Don Johnson (15:28)

3. The Role of the Wilderness

(18:20 - 24:00)

• The wilderness—a place of barrenness and discomfort—is orchestrated by God.
• The purpose is to strip away comfort so that true spiritual strength emerges.
• You can’t negotiate the necessary: The battles you face are not optional but essential.

Quote:
“Sometimes the blessing that God gives you is a battle.” – Pastor Don Johnson (22:40)

4. The Fight Between Who You Are and Who You’re Becoming

(24:00 - 29:00)

• The space between your current self and your future self is called a “fight.”
• The enemy has little issue with your comfort; he attacks your becoming.

Quote:
“The space between who you are and who you are becoming is called a fight.” – Pastor Don Johnson (25:45)

5. Satan’s Temptation: Legitimate Needs, Illegitimate Ways

(29:00 - 33:30)

• Satan tempts Jesus to meet a legitimate need (hunger) in an illegitimate way (turning stones to bread).
• Insight: The temptation isn’t the need, but how you fill it. Don’t settle for shortcuts or compromise your integrity to satisfy real needs.

Quote:
“You’re trying to get me to supply a legitimate need, an illegitimate way.” – Pastor Don Johnson (33:10)

6. Identity and Assurance of God’s Provision

(33:30 - 40:00)

• The devil questions Jesus’ identity: “If you are the Son of God...”
• Jesus responds by quoting scripture, showing the importance of knowing and standing on God’s Word.
• Divine provision isn’t always logical or easily explained.

Quote:
“If you can’t see what God is doing, I ain’t got time to explain it to you.” – Pastor Don Johnson (38:50)

7. Discernment in Opportunities and Imitation

(40:00 - 45:30)

• Not every opportunity, or invitation, is right for you.
• Be careful of others putting their "armor" or expectations on you.
• Know your own equipment; your journey and methods are unique.

Quote:
“Why are you putting on something you’ve never fought in before? Why are you trying to fight like somebody else?” – Pastor Don Johnson (42:10)

8. Jumping at Every Opportunity—Beware of “Itching Ears”

(45:30 - 49:19)

• Caution against chasing every new word, trend, or opportunity that sounds spiritual.
• God may lead you into the wilderness, not just to blessings.
• Quote:
  “You shout over silliness and sit on substance.” (50:15)

9. The Vision, The Shortcut, and the Cost of the Anointing

(53:00 - 56:10)

• The devil offers Jesus "everything" without the cross—a shortcut to glory.
• There are no shortcuts to true anointing or the Kingdom; real spiritual authority costs something.
• “Power without process is counterfeit; the oil isn’t cheap.”

10. The Importance of Your “Corner”

(56:10 - 65:00)

• Boxing analogy: What happens in the corner between rounds—a cut man, support, encouragement—is as important as in-ring action.
• In spiritual battles, the people you keep around you matter deeply.
• Pastor Johnson lists how he wants his home/corner to be a place of renewal, not another battleground.

Quote:
“I don’t want to fight in the ring and fight in my corner. The corner is my home.” – Pastor Don Johnson (59:40)

11. The Rumble in the Jungle Strategy: Rope-a-Dope and New Beginnings

(65:00 - 69:40)

• Muhammad Ali’s rope-a-dope: letting the enemy tire himself out while leaning against the ropes.
• Spiritually, the “ropes” are God’s Word—lean into it until your adversary is exhausted.
• Round eight (the round Ali won) is the number of new beginnings; many are in their "eighth round."

12. Practical Takeaways and Activation

(69:40 - End)

• Call to fight for your family, faith, and future—declare that “enough is enough.”
• Encouragement to not close your eyes after getting hit—don’t lose sight of what’s coming next.
• The anointing attracts attack, but God provides “corner men” (support through others and the Holy Spirit).
• Even Jesus needed to be ministered to by angels after the fight (Matthew 4:11).

Quote:
“You will get hit, but whatever you do when you get hit—don’t close your eyes.” – Pastor Don Johnson (70:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “God’s silence is promotion.” (15:28)
• “Sometimes the blessing that God gives you is a battle.” (22:40)
• “The space between who you are and who you are becoming is called a fight.” (25:45)
• “You’re trying to satisfy a legitimate need, an illegitimate way.” (33:10)
• “If you can’t see what God is doing, I ain’t got time to explain it to you.” (38:50)
• “Why are you putting on something you’ve never fought in before?” (42:10)
• “You shout over silliness and sit on substance.” (50:15)
• “I don’t want to fight in the ring and fight in my corner.” (59:40)
• “This cost me something.” (55:30)
• “Don’t close your eyes.” (70:40)

Key Timestamps

• 03:00 – Introduction to "The Rumble in the Jungle" analogy
• 09:20 – Jesus’ baptism, transition to the wilderness
• 15:28 – God’s silence as a sign of promotion
• 22:40 – Blessing as battle
• 25:45 – Fight between who you are and who you’re becoming
• 33:10 – Temptation to meet needs illegitimately
• 38:50 – On unexplainable divine provision
• 42:10 – Putting on someone else’s armor
• 50:15 – Caution against spiritual “itching ears”
• 55:30 – The cost of the anointing
• 59:40 – Spiritual importance of your home/corner
• 65:00 – Rope-a-dope, the eighth round, and new beginnings
• 70:40 – Fight lesson: don’t close your eyes

Conclusion & Final Exhortation (72:50 – End)

• Listeners are challenged to recognize that spiritual battle is a sign of anointing, not failure.
• Pastor Johnson calls the congregation to be not just fighters, but also encouragers and “corner men” for others.
• “I survived it.” becomes a climactic declaration of victory for those who’ve faced and endured hardship.
• Final encouragement: Put faith into action, claim your spiritual victory, and surround yourself with those who build you up.
• Prayer for new believers and affirmation of collective spiritual survival and victory.

For those who haven’t listened:
This sermon is a passionate, relatable, and scripture-rooted encouragement to embrace the wilderness, recognize the purpose of spiritual battles, and fight well—with the right mindset, support, and unwavering faith. Pastor Don Johnson’s energetic analogies and honest confession connect deeply, making this message a timely rallying cry for anyone in the midst of a spiritual fight.