Podcast Summary: Faith: Fact or Theory?
Speaker: Debra Simons
Event: Ladies & Men‘s Conference 2021, Murrieta, CA
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Date: October 6, 2021
Overview
This episode features Debra Simons’ sermon at the Dufresne Ministries Conference, focusing on the practical application of faith and the life of "ministry of helps." The message urges listeners to move from theoretical faith into action, honor their assignments, recognize and respond to seasons of spiritual transition, and resist discouragement. Drawing from the stories of the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4) and Joshua (Joshua 3), Simons emphasizes faithfulness, obedience, and the importance of perceiving spiritual shifts. The tone is inspirational, candid, and down-to-earth, with personal anecdotes, practical advice, and encouragement for those serving in support roles in ministry.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Staying in the Flow of God's Season
- Simons opens by stressing the importance of recognizing spiritual seasons and staying attuned to where God is leading. She revisits her own motivation:
- "One thing that is in my heart always... is to help the man or woman that has a vision... and to help the assistants be the best that they could be." (01:00)
- The need to support visionary leaders—often pastors—by being effective assistants and helpers.
2. From Theory to Action: Living Word and Spirit
- She challenges the congregation:
- “Are we word and Spirit, in theory only?” (05:25)
- Points out that true faith must be lived, not just spoken or conceptualized:
- "We gotta make a decision that we’re just not holding onto a concept... without putting it into practice and actually seeing the results." (05:30)
- Notes that trials reveal the depth of people's faith:
- "People that say they’re word people... when struggle came, they didn’t stay on the word like they should have." (06:20)
3. Perceiving and Responding to Divine Opportunities (2 Kings 4)
- Simons draws from the encounter of Elisha and the Shunammite woman:
- “In every season, you better be perceiving the right thing.” (08:10)
- The woman's perception led to action; so must ours.
- Missteps occur when people fail to discern what God is offering or don't value their assignment:
- "When the devil tries to tell you what you're doing is unimportant... you have to resist that sense of the mundane." (11:45)
- Importance of faithfulness in small tasks:
- “God is counting on you to do it. It’s not unimportant to God.” (12:30)
- Service in every capacity matters equally to God:
- “If I am called to clean the bathroom, I will receive the reward for being in the place that I’m in.” (14:09)
4. Staying Hooked Up: Persistence Despite Opposition
- Encourages not to “unhook” from where God has called you prematurely:
- "If that’s where God called you to hook up... the next step would have put them in a different place by just sticking with what God had them to do." (16:40)
- Rarely is it God prompting departure from assignment for material or natural gains.
5. Attitude and Honoring Assignments
- Quotes from the story:
- “‘You have been most painstakingly and reverently considerate, concerned for us.’” (2 Kings 4:13, 18:40)
- The right attitude—doing with excellence and reverence—leads to blessing.
- Service should not be manipulated for gain:
- “You’re not doing to get. Not from people. God will reward.” (20:55)
6. When the Promise is Attacked: The Shunammite Woman’s Faith
- The miraculous birth is followed by a test; her son falls gravely ill.
- Simons underscores: In crisis, run to the source—cling to the word and spiritual authority:
- “When you get under attack, it’s not the time to leave.” (28:00)
- “She clung to his feet. You cling to the Word. You cling to the truth and you cling to the place where God had performed it.” (35:50)
- Highlights the Shunammite woman’s persistence:
- “She is initiating a miracle. I will not be denied.” (36:45)
7. Practical Obedience: Following God’s Instructions (Joshua 3)
- God leads Israel into the Promised Land; Simons parallels this with a new season for the church:
- “As we move on into an accelerated season... we've got to follow instructions.” (41:15)
- When leadership moves under the anointing, the body should follow:
- “When you see the anointing on the leadership... that's the time for you to get up and follow them.” (43:45)
- Importance of not being distracted by natural or political circumstances; focus is required.
8. Consecration and Preparation for Greater Things
- Joshua’s instruction: "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you." (47:20)
- Application to today:
- “Prepare yourself for the wonders he’s going to do.” (48:05)
- "Don’t be a hearer only, be a doer of the word... Faith without works is dead. It matters what we do, it matters what we believe, but it matters what we do with what we believe." (51:50)
9. Faithfulness and Longevity
- Personal anecdotes about waiting decades for God’s plan to unfold:
- "I'm gonna see it. I don't care how long it takes... I'd rather be classified as one of them. Stay in my place. Even if, like, the next generation got it, than to unhook before God gets done what he needs to get done." (31:30)
- Encouragement to resist complacency in long periods of service; staying in place matters.
10. Embracing Adventure and the Unexpected
- On the life of faith:
- “The life of faith, the manifestation of the will of God is a big adventure.” (34:55)
11. Humility in Service—No Task is Too Small
- All roles are dignified:
- “Ministry of Helps is not a five-fold ministry office, but it is a ministry office and it’s a dignified office. Why would you want to leave that?” (38:00)
- “If Dr. Dufresne started cleaning toilets... what's our problem? Why can't we vacuum the rug with painstakingly care doing it the best that we can do?” (57:15)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Are we Word and Spirit in theory only? We got to make a decision that we’re not just holding onto a concept of ideas... without putting it into practice and seeing the results.”
— Debra Simons (05:25) - “God is counting on you to do it. It’s not unimportant to God.”
— Debra Simons (12:30) - “If I am called to clean the bathroom, I will receive the reward for being in the place that I’m in.”
— Debra Simons (14:09) - “She perceived he was a holy man of God... now however she perceived, moved into action.”
— Debra Simons (08:50) - “When you get under attack, it’s not the time to leave. When you get under attack, it’s not the time to believe something different.”
— Debra Simons (28:00) - “This is not the time to put it in neutral... Now is the time to step it up.”
— Debra Simons (33:10) - “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”
— Joshua 3:5, quoted by Debra Simons (47:20) - “Follow the spirit. Recognize the hour that we’re in. Don’t get casual about anything you’ve been doing.”
— Debra Simons (55:30)
Important Timestamps
- 01:00 – The motivation for teaching on honor and being an effective assistant.
- 05:25 – The challenge: Are we Word and Spirit in theory or in action?
- 11:45 – Resisting the lie that small acts of service are insignificant.
- 16:40 – The danger of unhooking prematurely from God-given assignments.
- 18:40 – Doing assignments reverently, not for personal gain.
- 28:00 – Responding to spiritual attack with persistent faith.
- 35:50 – Clinging to God’s promise; initiating faith for miracles.
- 41:15 – The need for following instructions as God’s people move forward.
- 47:20 – Consecration as preparation for God’s wonders.
- 51:50 – Importance of acting on the Word, not just hearing it.
- 57:15 – No small task—magnifying service.
Conclusion
Debra Simons calls listeners to translate faith from theory into action, honor every assignment no matter how humble, and remain steadfast through seasons of waiting, opposition, or discouragement. She urges practical obedience, humble service, and spiritual alertness—reminding all that God rewards faithfulness and prepares wonders for those who stay the course and embrace the adventure of following His leading.