Podcast Summary: Healing School #22 | The Centurion's Servant

Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Date: August 5, 2021
Series: Jesus the Healer Broadcast

Overview

This episode of "Healing School" focuses on the story of the Centurion's Servant from Luke 7:1-10. Pastor Nancy Dufresne explores the principles of faith, authority, and reverence as demonstrated by the centurion, drawing crucial lessons for listeners about initiating miracles, believing God's Word, and exercising spiritual authority in their own lives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Context and Story (00:40–02:10)

• Nancy reads Luke 7:1-10, setting up the narrative of the centurion whose servant is near death.
• The centurion, having heard of Jesus' healing ministry, sends Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant.
• Even as Jesus approaches the house, the centurion sends word that Jesus need not come in person: "But say in a word, and my servant shall be healed." (01:30)

2. Nothing is Too Far Gone for God (02:15–04:05)

• The servant is at the point of death, yet faith initiates a miracle.
• Nancy: "Nothing's too far gone for God... God's power is for things that look like they're too late." (03:02)
• Listeners are encouraged not to dismiss their need as hopeless or too late for God’s intervention.

3. The Importance of What You Hear about Jesus (04:10–07:50)

• Emphasizes the centurion must have heard Jesus was a healer, as this faith led to action.
• Addresses misconceptions, debunking doctrines that suggest healing isn’t for everyone or miracles ceased.
• Nancy: "If you hear the wrong thing about Jesus... you could end up believing the wrong thing. So it's important that we hear the right thing so that we will believe the right thing." (05:00)
• Emphasizes that both healing and salvation are available to everyone, regardless of others' outcomes.

4. Authority in the Household (07:55–10:00)

• The centurion’s faith and position benefit his household; his servant is healed because of his faith.
• Believers are reminded to exercise their God-given authority over their households:
• Nancy: "You have something to say about what goes on in that household. Take your authority... this is what this military man did." (09:35)
• Using biblical authority to bind and loose things in one’s own life and family.

5. Initiating Miracles by Faith (10:05–13:20)

• Miracles often begin with the believer’s action, not passivity.
• The centurion didn’t wait for God to act; he initiated by sending for Jesus.
• Nancy: "95% of what you receive from God is initiated by you, not initiated by God... Now he's waiting for you to initiate it in your own life." (11:45)
• Encourages listeners to act and put a demand on what God has already provided.
• “Faith doesn’t just sit back and hope something happens...Take action.” (12:35)

6. The Centurion’s Regard for God and Spiritual Things (13:21–16:00)

• The centurion, a Gentile, has favor with the Jewish elders, having built a synagogue for them.
• His respect, generosity, and funding of spiritual work reflect his deep reverence for God.
• Nancy: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. So obviously this man's heart was toward God because he had put his treasure towards God's people." (15:10)

7. Reverence and the Proper Approach (16:01–19:30)

• The centurion’s humility is not low self-esteem, but genuine respect for spiritual authority.
• Proper approach to Jesus, rooted in understanding of honor and protocol, is highlighted:
• Nancy: "He has such a regard for God and such a regard for who he has sent to come and minister. And so he demonstrates his humility. He demonstrates his reverence." (17:15)
• Life lessons: Respect for authority in the natural (parents, employers) prepares us for spiritual respect.

8. The Centurion’s Understanding of Authority and Faith (19:31–23:30)

• Military training gave the centurion insight into spiritual authority—he knows words carry power if spoken with authority.
• Nancy: "He understood that authority was exercised by through words... God has given us that same authority, divine authority over the devil." (21:50)
• Faith is released through spoken words; believers should command, declare, and expect results.

9. What Made the Centurion’s Faith “Great”? (23:31–27:20)

• Jesus marvels at the centurion’s faith—one of only two times Jesus “marveled” (the other for Israel’s unbelief).
• The centurion asked for one thing: “The word.” He didn’t need Jesus to come physically, just to speak.
• Nancy: "Great faith is only interested in one thing: the word. Great faith is not interested in what the doctors are saying... Great faith is interested in one thing. What's God say about this?" (25:35)
• Faith is demonstrated by prioritizing God’s Word over all external circumstances, even in life-or-death situations.

10. Choosing How You Receive (27:21–29:00)

• Sometimes, God allows us to choose the mode by which we receive—personal faith or ministry by others—so long as it’s in line with His Word.
• The centurion never sees Jesus, only believes the Word.
• Nancy: "You don't have to see Jesus show up, just believe what he says." (28:30)

11. The Outcome: The Power of Spoken Faith (29:00–31:05)

• The elders return to find the servant completely healed; distance was no barrier to God’s Word.
• Nancy urges: “No matter how bad the situation, no matter how far something has advanced, it's never too late for his power.” (30:20)
• The message closes with a prayer for listeners to use their authority in Christ to bind sickness, pain, and lack, affirming their receipt of God’s power.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On hearing and believing: “It matters what you hear about Jesus.” (Nancy, 05:00)
• On authority at home: “When the devil tries to trouble your household, you stand up and say, no you don’t.” (Nancy, 09:35)
• On faith and action: “95% of what you receive from God is initiated by you, not initiated by God.” (Nancy, 11:45)
• On reverence: “He has such a regard for God that he doesn’t handle things lightly... there was a proper approach.” (Nancy, 17:02)
• On authority: “He understood that authority was exercised by through words... God has given us that same authority, divine authority over the devil.” (Nancy, 21:50)
• On great faith: “Great faith is only interested in one thing: the word.” (Nancy, 25:35)
• On seeing versus believing: “You don’t have to see Jesus show up, just believe what he says.” (Nancy, 28:30)
• On the power of God’s word in dire situations: “No matter how bad the situation... if we will just lay God’s word on our need... it’s never too late for his power.” (Nancy, 30:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:40–02:10: Reading the Centurion’s story from Luke 7
• 03:02: “Nothing’s too far gone for God.”
• 05:00: On the importance of what one hears about Jesus
• 09:35: Exercising authority over one's household
• 11:45: Initiating miracles by faith (not passivity)
• 15:10: Reverence for God reflected in generosity
• 17:15: The importance of proper approach and reverence
• 21:50: Authority is exercised by words
• 25:35: The essence of great faith: “What’s God say about this?”
• 28:30: Believing without seeing Jesus
• 30:20: It’s never too late for God’s power

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s teaching on the centurion’s faith underscores critical spiritual principles: the importance of hearing correctly, choosing faith over reason, acting with spiritual authority, and valuing God’s Word above all else. Her passionate message calls believers to active faith that takes initiative, honors God with reverence, and expects miracles—no matter how hopeless a situation may appear.

For more episodes, testimonies, and resources, visit DufresneMinistries.org.