Episode Overview

Title: Growing Up Spiritually | Nancy Dufresne | Holy Ghost Meetings 2024 | Wednesday PM
Date: January 11, 2024
Host/Speaker: Pastor Nancy Dufresne

In this episode from the Holy Ghost Meetings 2024, Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the theme of spiritual growth and maturity in the body of Christ. Drawing on personal testimony, biblical examples, and practical instruction, she urges believers to move beyond spiritual babyhood, embrace their responsibilities, and position themselves as part of the generation that carries God’s message and power into these last days. The session is direct, sometimes humorous, and deeply practical—providing a roadmap for spiritual development and church life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Spirit and Power of Elijah for Our Generation

• Introduction & Context ([00:00–03:30])

  • Pastor Nancy references a prior sermon and introduces Luke 1:17 from the Amplified translation. She explains the dual impartation of the "spirit and power of Elijah," both for John the Baptist’s ministry and for today’s church—preparing a people for Jesus’ return.
  • Quote:
    “It was not just for a man to pick it [the message] up. It's for a generation to pick it up.” — Nancy Dufresne [01:55]

• Spiritual readiness involves loving God's will, not treating it as optional.

• Characteristics of a Ready People ([04:20–10:00])

  • Spiritual preparation involves being:
    • Perfectly prepared in spirit
    • Adjusted (making needed changes)
    • Disposed (proper order in life)
    • Placed in the right moral state

The Necessity of Spiritual and Moral Order

• Real-life Application & Transition Lessons ([10:00–23:00])

  • Pastor Nancy shares stories from her marriage to Ed Dufresne, discussing the spiritual battles she faced and the importance of being "bolted down" during life transitions.

  • Quote:
    "You don't take something to yourself you're not graced to and decide, ‘I'm going to walk in an office you're not called to.’” — Nancy Dufresne [13:32]

  • The importance of community, mentorship, and receiving help when needed—primarily in a local church context.

• Illustration of Preparedness:

  • Using airplane takeoff as a metaphor, she notes: “At takeoff, there’s no time to put anything back that’s not where it ought to be.” ([19:00])

Living Morally Excellent Lives—The Foundation for Faith

• Moral Excellence and Faith ([23:00–40:00])

  • Reading from 2 Peter 1:2–7, Nancy stresses that faith must be accompanied by virtue (moral excellence), knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.

  • Quote:
    “Just because the world’s confused doesn’t mean you get to be confused... The only way [the world’s standards] can get in is if you drop down on moral excellence.” — Nancy Dufresne [39:05]

  • The standard is Jesus. Dropping moral standards opens the door to trouble and loss, even of blessings like healing (1 Peter 2:24).

The Role of the Local Church and Importance of Growing Up

• Doers of the Word—Not Just Hearers ([40:00–47:00])

  • Live as “doers of the Word” to safeguard the blessings of God.

  • The local church must foster an expectation of spiritual growth.

  • Quote:
    “If people stay the same, you’re not doing it right. People need to grow up spiritually... Your church needs to be a growing place.”— Nancy Dufresne [46:30]

• Pastors & Accountability:

  • Pastors should set and communicate expectations for their congregation, paralleling how parents set standards at home ([46:50]).

Five Hindrances to Spiritual Growth (Adapted from Kenneth Hagin)

• The Five L's:
  • Lightness: Lack of substance/purpose; prioritizing comfort over responsibility ([51:00])
  • Looseness: Lack of discipline; unrestrained in behavior or thought ([01:04:00])
  • Laziness: No effort towards spiritual growth or service ([01:12:10])
  • Loquacity: Talking too much, especially with complaint or opinion ([01:16:00])
  • Like Other People: Comparing yourself or conforming to others, rather than following God’s unique plan for you ([01:21:00])

Expanded Insights:

• Lightness ([51:40])

  • Believers must be sober about their responsibilities—serving the church, guarding their minds, and aligning with the purpose God gives.

  • The danger of feeding on worldly entertainment/social media, and not “feeding your spirit.”

  • Quote:
    “We have a purpose. Let’s not live like we don’t have a worthy purpose... Don’t be light toward the responsibilities in that local church.” — Nancy Dufresne [52:40]

• Looseness ([01:04:00])

  • Sin starts in the mind; a disciplined thought life is crucial.

  • Guard your household and relationships—do not tolerate speech or influence that undermines godly order.

  • Memorable line:
    “The ministry’s done nothing but bless my family. It’s people with unrenewed minds who have caused the problems, not the ministry.” ([01:06:43])

• Laziness ([01:12:10])

  • Spiritual maturity requires effort—don’t be too lazy to pray, study, serve, and develop.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:27 (“I keep under my body...”) to illustrate personal responsibility.

• Loquacity ([01:16:00])

  • Over-talking, complaining, and giving opinions signal carnality. Faith and complaint cannot coexist.

  • Quote:
    “When we got redeemed, we got redeemed from having to have an opinion. You know what an opinion is? It’s evident you have no authority.”— Nancy Dufresne [01:17:55]

  • Encourage people to have authority in decision, not just endless opinion.

• Like Other People ([01:21:00])

  • Don’t pattern your life after others’ callings and liberties—focus on God’s expectation for your destiny.
  • Story: Kathryn Kuhlman’s self-discipline as an example (“I can’t live my life like other women...”) and Joseph’s faithfulness despite hardship.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

Notable Quotes

• On spiritual legacy:
  “It was not just for a man to pick it up. It’s for a generation to pick it up.” ([01:55])
• On pursuing your calling:
  “You don’t take something to yourself you’re not graced to...That’s why you don’t marry into something you’re not anointed to marry into.” ([13:32])
• On spiritual diet:
  “Do not get on the Internet and click on people who preach against what God has put you in...Feed on your pastor’s materials.” ([56:30])
• On discipline:
  “A body left unchecked is a life off course.” ([01:13:41])
• On spiritual speech:
  “God said something to me a long time ago: Rid your life of all complaint. You can’t have faith and complaint in your mouth at the same time.” ([01:17:09])
• On church loyalty:
  “Don’t ever sit and listen to someone criticize your pastor. You know God put you there; don’t you ever.” ([57:30])
• On growth:
  “If your marriage isn’t getting better, you need to say, ‘I need help.’ And how do I need help? I need to quit just saying amen to the Word and do it.” ([45:40])

Illustrative Stories

• Nancy’s early marriage:
  Encountering severe spiritual attack after marrying into ministry and how God sent help through the body of Christ (Norvel Hayes).
• Labor story:
  Humorous retelling of childbirth and how under pressure, she goes silent rather than making noise, linking to how she handles other hardships. ([16:30])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:00–03:30] — Opening, introduction of main scripture (Luke 1:17), purpose for the message
• [10:00–20:00] — Life transitions, facing spiritual attack, story of marriage to Ed Dufresne
• [23:00–40:00] — 2 Peter 1:2–7, importance of moral excellence and lifestyle on faith
• [40:00–47:00] — Growing in grace, local church’s role, expectation of growth
• [51:00–01:25:00] — The Five Hindrances (lightness, looseness, laziness, loquacity, like other people)
• [01:10:00–01:20:00] — Discipline, speech, and church loyalty
• [01:25:00–01:35:00] — Final encouragements, call to prepare for Jesus’ return, prayer

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Spiritual growth is not automatic—believers must actively pursue maturity through personal discipline, church life, and relational accountability.
• The “spirit and power of Elijah” assignment is corporate—today’s church is called to prepare the way for Jesus by living morally upright, spiritually zealous, and purpose-driven lives.
• Five common hindrances (lightness, looseness, laziness, loquacity, and the pressure to be like others) must be identified and overcome.

Final Exhortation:
“We are wanting to see Jesus come back. God’s preparing us...We have to let him do that preparation work. Cooperate with him.” — Nancy Dufresne ([01:27:15])

The episode closes with thanksgiving for the body of Christ, encouragement for continued spiritual development, and a prayer of commitment from Pastor Nancy to the congregation.