The Empire Within You - Touré Roberts

3:24 I want to speak for a little bit. Hopefully I can wrap this up this week. If not, there's always next week. The empire within you. The empire within you. Father, I'm yours for this purpose. I'm yours always. But for this purpose, I am your prophet. I am your voice. I am your mouthpiece. Therefore, let the words in my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. God, I thank you. I claim and receive. Hallelujah. The keys to the kingdom. I thank you for the spirit of wisdom and revelation and insight and knowledge and prophecy. I thank you, God, that you will allow me to not only perceive the mysteries of God, but you would allow me to articulate it in a way that even a child would understand.

4:23 I love you, God. Be glorified. Edify your children. Love them through me through this word. In Jesus' name, amen. Amen, amen. Please be seated. Say something kind to someone as you take your seat there. Hallelujah. Let's go to work. That we will do.

4:43 In November of 2000, I had a dream. In July of that same year, God had been dealing with me. I sought the Lord in a very, very deep and real and surrendered way. And I gave my life to God for real, for real. I went from being a Christian to a son. I went from being a churchgoer to a disciple. and that was in July of 2000. In November of 2000, I had a dream that when the dream was finished, I woke up in tears because I knew that God had touched me and not only touched me, I knew that God had called me to preach his word. In the dream, I was carried up into another realm and another dimension. I was moving very quickly beyond the speed of light, just gone. And then I broke through what was like a film, like a clear film. And then I stopped all of a sudden. This is in the dream. And when I stopped all of a sudden, it was like there was no ignorance. There was no, it was like I was perfected in some way. And in this particular dream, and now in this particular realm, I was there with my daughter, Lauren, my firstborn daughter Lauren. And so it was just she and I in this realm. Moments later, hordes of demonic, evil beings begin to encroach upon Lauren, my daughter Wren, and I. And in my

6:54 love for I wasn't worried about me I was concerned about her and I had the ability to see that she could fly but she did not believe that she could fly so I said baby fly baby fly and she said daddy I can't I can't and I said yes you can fly baby fly and while she is vacillating back and forth about whether or not she has the ability to fly. The hosts of hell are closing in on both of us. And so, baby, they're getting close. I said, baby, fly, baby, fly. You can do it. Fly, baby, fly. She said, dad, I can't. But she began to, with the compelling, she began to spread out her wings a little bit. but even though she's spreading out her wings, she is still saying, I can't, but there's something by my exhortation that is giving her a little bit of faith, and she begins to stretch out her wings, and I say, that's it. Fly, baby, fly, and she says, I can't, but while she's saying, I can't, she's doing it, and the next thing you know, we are carried up just in the nick of time before the enemy converges down upon us.

8:06 Stay with me. And so we are carried off to another place and there's peace for a minute. But then, here they come again. And they're coming upon us. These hordes of hell are coming upon us. And I said, baby, fly, baby, fly. Daddy, I can't, I can't. Yes, you can. Fly, baby, fly. Daddy, I can't, I can't. Baby, fly, baby, fly. And once again, she goes up, and she's carrying us both up just in the nick of time. And this happens over and over and over again. And there were a few more details, and then I woke up out of this dream, and I'm sweating. And I knew that God had touched me, and I knew that God was calling me. He was saying something to me. And I said, God, what is this? What does this mean? I'm awake now. I'm sweating. God, what does this mean? I know you've called me, but please explain the dream to me. and God says, well, let's look at it.

9:04 He said, I've given you the ability to see what I've put in every person. Stay with me. And, and, and, and I'm giving you an anointing to unlock what I put there. I said, oh, wow, that makes sense. I said, I said, I said, well, that makes sense. I said, why did you use my daughter in the dream? He said, that doesn't make sense to you?

9:39 He says, in order for your gift to be activated to the degree that it has a type of impact that releases them, you got to love everybody the same way you love your firstborn child. Underneath the call is a fundamental, not only a belief, a knowing of what you carry.

10:16 My passion, people call me intense, I am intense. Because I'm intentional about my calling and I'm intentional about getting out of you. what God has placed in you. And it's one of my greatest passions, my greatest passions, and I'll be honest, sometimes my greatest frustration is to get people to know who they are. And not only to know who they are, but to know what they carry. just turn to your neighbor and say, you've got an empire in you. You've got an empire in you.

11:04 And now, in retrospect, concerning that dream, I realized that the gift that my daughter had that manifest themselves to be wings that allowed her to rise above everything negative and evil and wicked, I mean everything, was really a representation of the keys to the kingdom.

11:33 Oh, we're going to work today. These were the keys, the keys to the kingdom. In other words, in the kingdom, there are keys that will unlock or close. Sometimes some stuff needs to be locked. That's why he talks about binding and loosing. We're excited about the doors that open. But you've got to understand that kingdom citizenship and kingdom maneuvering is not just the power to open doors, but the power to close and to lock doors. He opens doors that no man can shut. He shuts doors that no man can open. So this was about keys, Charles. This was about keys, Pastor Charles. And so today, I want to address three things as it relates to the kingdom, and more specifically, as it relates to the empire within you. You got an empire.

12:28 I cannot wait to unpack it. You got an empire in you. You're not just you and by yourself. There's an empire. Jesus, he said the kingdom is in you, but I'm getting ahead of myself. I want to unpack, first of all, what it is. Let's talk about it. Because we talk about the kingdom, but sometimes there are levels of understanding as it relates to the kingdom that we have to lean into and grow into. That's why he says, seek the kingdom. He doesn't say, master the kingdom. He doesn't say be an expert on the kingdom. He says seek it because it's exceedingly abundantly far above what you can ask for or imagine. So we have to stay in the posture of always seeking the kingdom because there are keys in the kingdom that you don't know anything about yet, but you have them. And some things he won't reveal until you need them. Are we tracking?

13:23 So, we're going to talk about what it is, two, how to own it. Because just because you have received it does not mean that you know how to possess it. Oh, we're going to have some fun today. And then lastly, what to do with it. What it is, how to own it, and what to do with it. So let's start with what is it. maybe a better place or a better angle of approach should be not simply what it is, but let's start with what it's not. That's what takes us to Luke chapter 17, 21. Now, when he was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, the kingdom of God does not come with observation. In other words, it's not something that you're going to look for. It's not going to be over there, over there, you know, they're looking for the kingdom. You know, even when he ascended, they were just standing there looking. No, it's not going to come like that.

14:20 So the kingdom is not something that is perceived or laid hold of by seeing or watching. He says, uh-uh, that's not it. He says the kingdom is actually in you. So it's not outside of you. The kingdom is within you. There's an empire within you. And that word that was translated within is a very unique Greek word because it is only used in the whole Bible in one other place. Jesus is the only one who uses this particular word within, and he only uses it twice in the Bible. Anytime you see a very rare word, pay attention to it. The other place that it's used is in Matthew chapter 23, verse 25 to 26.

15:18 Can I just teach a little bit today? You know, let me teach. Matthew 23 and 25, it says, Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! He says, For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish that the outside of them may be clean also. Now, what's interesting is he uses the word inside two times in that passage, but only one of those times is he using the one that is the same Greek word for within you. That's important. So there are two Greek words that are used. The first Greek word, when it says, when he talks about how they were clean on the outside, but on the inside they were full of a bunch of junk, that word is not the word in Luke 17.

16:19 That word is the Greek word esothen, and it speaks to inside as a condition, right? So it means from within, internally, inward, you know, inwardly, so to speak. and hold on real quick and the other word speaks to got my notes flipped but that's okay god is good the other word speaks to inside as a place so the first word track with me the first word is talking about it's more about within it's speaking to a condition in in condition in that place they are liars and adulterers and all that kind of stuff right out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, it's that sort of piece. But when he says in Matthew 23 and 26, when he says first, then when he switches and says first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, when he tells us to cleanse it, he's talking about a place. So one is a condition, the other is a location.

17:26 And that word is the same word that is used when he says the kingdom of God is within. Now, Why is that important? It's important because he is trying to help us to understand that there is an internal space within us where the kingdom fits. This is not about condition, although what I'm learning is we got to clean up that space. Come on, somebody. We got to clean up that space so that he, the kingdom, he, God, the king of the kingdom, can dwell. Are we tracking? Stay with me. Stay with me. And so this is important because any place in us has to be entered, accessed, and governed. The word describes an internal realm.

18:28 You have a realm in you. I feel that thing right there. That's why the Bible calls us the temple of the Holy Ghost. that means that inside of us there is an internal realm inside of us that the king wants to occupy and dominate and when he occupies and dominates powerful things begin to happen in and through our lives are you tracking stay with me and so that's what the kingdom is that word kingdom you know this is the greek word basalia and here are some words associated with that royalty rule a realm a kingdom a reign The most pronounced words are for royalty, realm, rule, and reign.

19:27 So when the Lord says that the kingdom is within you, he's saying that that which is in you is royal. Come on. It's a realm. It rules and it reigns. And the root word that leads to that word, basalia, literally means king. So you've got a king on the inside of you that is royal and there's a realm. that rules and reigns. Just turn to your neighbor and say, you're about to figure out who you are.

20:08 About to figure out who you are. So, so, so, that's what it is. Now let's talk about how to own it. Because here's the thing. Once you're a believer, you got it. But just because you got it doesn't mean you own it. Are you hearing me? This is where Mary becomes our teacher. So Mary becomes our teacher for this lesson because she showed us how to own it. Now, listen, Mary did not produce the kingdom. It's not your job or my job to manufacture the kingdom. We can't do that.

21:01 It doesn't start with us. It's not our job to produce the kingdom, but it is our job to receive it. Now, look at this. Let's go back to the text in Luke 1. And behold, you will receive, you will, watch this, and behold, you will conceive, oh God, you will conceive in your womb, oh God.

21:29 You will conceive. prophecy word is coming to you word is coming to you because heaven always speaks before it forms everything that god's going to do is going to start with the word that's why you ought to get excited when the word of god is preached that's when you ought to come alive because before god does something in my life there's going to be a word that comes my way and I got to be good at receiving the word. Mm-hmm. Watch this. Watch this. See, in that first verse, something is happening.

22:13 Conception is taking place, but that does not mean that conception is automatically going to be brought forth through that vessel unless that vessel receives what was conceived. You hear what I'm saying?

22:34 Conception versus bringing something forth are two completely different things. That's why Mary is qualified to teach us how to own what God starts. Okay? And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a son. and watch the symmetry, the connection between this and Luke 17. Look at this. And you will conceive in your womb and bring forth the Son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord will give him the throne of his father David. Watch the kingdom language. And he will, say that word,

23:15 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. Now, stop. This is what God is saying he is going to put in her. We focus, rightfully so, on what he put in her, but sometimes we miss the fact that he put it in her. Are you hearing me? Mary wants to show us how to receive something. Mary wants to show us how to have an empire within us, but not let it stay in us. She wants to show us how to birth what God puts in us so powerful things can happen in the earth.

24:10 Track with me. Track with me. Let me push you a little bit today. Let me push you. And this is a process. Look at the kingdom language. And he will reign over the house of Jacob, and of his kingdom there will be no end. Doesn't that sound like Isaiah chapter 9? Of the increase of his government, and of his kingdom there will be no end. In other words, God is saying, I am putting the kingdom in you. hallelujah but look at her response initially then Mary said to the angel how how Mary says how can this be since I do not know a man which means that at that moment there is conception but not reception.

25:14 Right? At that moment. See, we get all excited at that first verse. But if we don't get down into what she had to do for it to go from conception to reception and then ultimately manifestation, we're not there yet. Oh, I feel it. we're not there yet and there's some stuff in you some words some things that god has placed in you you got a whole empire in you and i'm here today to speak to it i'm here today to announce like the angel that there's an empire on the inside of you and it's coming out oh i cannot wait I cannot wait.

26:12 Just turn to your neighbor and say, Now she bread. And then the angel said to her, okay, I need this to work. So let me give you a little bit more evidence. Because you're trying to figure out, see, you think that this is going to happen in your own strength. I'm speaking in Sheba. I'm speaking to you of divine things, but your mind is trying to process it through a natural and carnal and limited filter. That's why God's got to stretch you. That's why God has to keep you in a high place, in a lofty place. That's why God sometimes has to separate you. That's why God has to pull you to the side and say fast and pray and seek my face because I've got things to show you, baby. And you're not going to get it over there in the corner gossiping.

27:14 You're not going to get it over there in the corner talking about what's wrong with the church. You're not going to get it over there in the corner minding somebody else's business. You are going to have to get into the presence of God. You are gonna have to get into the secret place and seek my face with all your heart He comes from heaven speaking heavenly things and she responds with earthly things.

27:55 We're just getting started. So the angel said, let me help you out because you're wrestling with this thing and I need you to get this so that the prophecy can be realized. So the angel takes her back up. The angel answered and said to her, the Holy Spirit, you're talking about a man. notes ? I bring you back up here again. So let nobody bring you down.

28:42 You're going to get, you've already gotten words. You're going to get words before you leave here. Stay in the atmosphere of the word, of the word. Stay in the company and the environment of the word. When you hear a word, write it down. Meditate on it day and night. For then shall you make your way prosperous and have good success. Are you tracking with me? I wish I had about 100 people in God's house today that say, I'm going to get this word and it's going to change my life because I thought I was barely getting by, but I've got a whole empire inside of me. I got to move through this.

29:24 So the angel said to her, now listen, let's come back up. The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the highest will overshadow you. Will overshadow. In other words, you're thinking too small. And what sent me, who sent me, the realm that sent me is bigger than your thinking, is bigger than your knowledge, is bigger than your family, is bigger than your experience, is bigger than your history. it is going to overshadow everything you came to know. therefore also that holy one is to be born will be called then he goes right back to the conversation i feel that right there she dipped low he said okay let me take a break for a second Let me bring you back high and then he continues on in the conversation Yeah, I feel like that's what's happening somebody in here prophetically God took you high you drop low and God brought you here today to bring you back up so that you can see because some miracles you can't see when you're soaked down When you're down too low when you're down in environments where people don't have any faith Or you're so consumed with the issue and God is saying like he told John in Revelation come up here that I might show you some stuff you know why you can't see the vision you know what you can't see the miracle you're too loud your talk is too low your walk is too low the rooms that you are in are to come back up here so you can see It's not that it isn't there, it's just you need to come up higher.

31:10 and then he goes right back in it he says the holy one who is to be born will be called the son of god and just in case you need some evidence now indeed elizabeth your relative has also conceived in her old age and now this ain't something that's going to happen it's already happening she's six months into this thing and she was barren and i want to speak and prophesy to some barren people in god's house today you've been waiting for a long time and you've got no after no after no after no and the world says it's not going to happen and your ex husband says it's not going to happen and your daddy said it's not going to happen but i'm here declare to you if you are still alive you are still in the game oh i feel the holy ghost in this place