Podcast Summary: "Our Authority In Christ"
Podcast: Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Host/Speaker: Nancy Dufresne
Event: Miracle Crusade 2021, Fredonia, NY (Sunday PM)
Date: August 16, 2021
Episode Overview
This episode, led by Pastor Nancy Dufresne, explores the foundational Christian concept of "Our Authority in Christ." Through biblical teaching, personal stories, and testimonies of faith, Pastor Nancy encourages believers to step into their God-given authority and dominion, emphasizing that it is both an inherited right and a daily responsibility. The episode features both practical instruction on exercising authority and a ministry time where healing is released and celebrated.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Confession and the Power of the Word
- Nancy opens by reflecting on a personal moment after her husband's passing and God's reminder:
"He said, ‘Do you know how I help you? When you put my word in your mouth.’" [00:40] - Emphasizes that God's help is accessed by speaking His word, not circumstances.
- Believers are encouraged to "fill up that mouth with his help" and expect God to perform His word.
2. Understanding Dominion and Authority
- Explains from Psalm 8 that humans were made for dominion—not to dominate others, but to dominate circumstances (lack, fear, sickness, etc.).
- “He made man to dominate. He didn’t make us to be dominated. He made us to dominate. Made us. He built us that way.” [05:20]
- Jesus restored the dominion lost by Adam; believers now share in this restored authority.
3. Daily Exercise of Authority
- Authority is not a one-time event but requires daily, consistent exercise.
- "Anything you don't resist has permission to stay." [19:09]
- Uses parenting as an analogy: consistency is essential, just as in spiritual authority.
4. Our Seating with Christ & Shared Authority
- Ephesians 1 & 2: Emphasizes believers’ position “seated with Christ in heavenly places”—a place of joint authority.
- “The head and the body sit in the same chair, the same seat.” [28:05]
- The head (Christ) and body (Church) must cooperate; authority is exercised through the believer.
5. Initiative: Authority Begins with Us
- Matthew 18:18: Whatever you bind or loose on earth is bound or loosed in heaven.
- God backs up believers' exercise of authority; heaven responds to what Christians initiate on earth.
- “Heaven backs us up when we exercise our authority—because it originated from God.” [32:10]
6. Practical Steps to Exercising Authority
- Tells of Kenneth Hagin’s instructions for prosperity:
- Claim what you need
- Tell the devil to take his hands off
- Instruct angels to go cause it to come
- Worship till it arrives [38:40]
- These steps intersect the natural, demonic, and divine realms.
7. Authority Is Not About Personality
- Authority is a spiritual position—not a matter of natural boldness or temperament.
- “If you’re going to obey God…you’re going to have to step over your flesh to do it…this use of authority is not about personality…it’s about what has been authorized on the inside of you.” [44:45]
8. Resisting Challenges to Authority
- The enemy will attempt to intimidate and challenge believers when they begin to exercise authority.
- Testimony: Teaching on authority in healing school often provoked increased attacks to discourage believers [49:25].
9. Skillfulness with Authority
- Authority must be practiced and refined daily, not randomly.
- “Our love for Jesus is no substitute for the lack of skill in the use of our authority.” [56:30]
- Shares stories of Dr. Lester Sumrall and George Müller illustrating the power and impact of skilled spiritual authority.
10. Exercising Authority Impacts More than Ourselves
- The practice of authority uplifts the whole body of Christ and reflects on the kingdom.
- “The skill we bring gains attention for our kingdom, gains attention for our Father, gains attention for his plan.” [78:15]
Notable Testimonies & Illustrations
- Personal testimony of the Lord’s help after loss:
“Just because you’re now a widow, I’m not going to help you any differently. You’re still going to have to put my word in your mouth.” [01:07] - Parenting Analogy for Consistent Authority:
“If you’re not consistent with your parental authority, you’re unfair as a parent…many lives are being treated unfairly by the devil due to not daily exercising themselves in authority.” [16:30] - Story: Dr. Lester Sumrall in the Philippines: Rescuing a demon-possessed girl, leading to national revival, because he was “the only one skilled enough” with spiritual authority [61:10].
- George Müller’s provision for orphanage: A young woman’s donation of her jewelry led to miraculous provision, illustrating God’s foreknowledge and supply through obedient authority [67:35].
- Kenneth Hagin and healing of a diabetic pastor: “As long as you’re with me, you will not register any sugar…” [64:23]
Memorable Quotes
- “Anything you don't resist has permission to stay.” [19:09]
- “We are authorized to live as though we have no enemy.” [34:05]
- “You have to be well aware of that [the blood of Jesus] when you go to exercise your authority, because the devil’s going to try to bring up something of your past…to try to push you back.” [46:30]
- “Skill with authority brought a nation into the move of God.” [63:44]
- “Our love for Jesus is no substitute for the lack of skill in the use of our authority.” [56:30]
- “The skill we bring gains attention for our kingdom.” [78:15]
- “You were made for dominion…Dominating circumstances. Dominating… Cursing with blessing, dominating death with life.” [76:50]
Healing Ministry Segment (Selected Moments and Timestamps)
- Call for those with heart conditions to receive ministry: [61:08]
“...because that healing anointing came into my hand this afternoon. And... it’s here for work, to do a work—not just so we can say we felt something, but so we can receive of it.”
- Various Words of Knowledge and Healings:
- Knees [72:04], Backs [72:50], Eyes [72:04], Elbows [72:24], Internal organs [72:50], Throat and tumor testimonies [73:33], Lower teeth [74:45].
- Encouragement to Receive:
“You say, well, how, Pastor Nancy? Say, ‘I receive it.’ It’s just that easy.” [76:05]
- Many in the congregation testify to healings [77:17]
- Closing encouragement:
“Nothing compares to this—being able to come together as the body of Christ, receive of you, flow with you, respond and yield to you. It’s an honor, Father.” [78:40]
Key Timestamps for Reference
- [00:40] – Personal revelation about speaking God’s word
- [05:20] – Humans made for dominion, not to be dominated
- [16:30] – Parenting analogy for consistent authority
- [28:05] – Seated with Christ, shared authority
- [32:10] – Authority begins on earth; heaven responds
- [38:40] – Kenneth Hagin’s four steps for prosperity
- [44:45] – Authority not about personality
- [49:25] – Enemy challenges increase as you begin to use authority
- [56:30] – Skill is essential; love is not a substitute
- [61:10] – Dr. Sumrall’s story & revival in the Philippines
- [67:35] – George Müller’s miraculous provision
- [72:04] – Words of knowledge and ministry for healing
- [76:05] – Encouragement to simply receive by faith
- [78:15] – Exercising authority reflects the kingdom
Podcast Tone & Style
Pastor Nancy speaks with warmth, humor, and deep conviction—mixing personal stories, scriptural exposition, and faith-filled exhortation. Her tone is pastoral and motherly, with a steady confidence in the power of God and the authority He gives His children.
Summary Takeaway
This message is a stirring call for every believer to recognize, receive, and consistently exercise their spiritual authority in Christ. Rather than leaving life to chance, circumstances, or demonic opposition, Christians are reminded that they are made and authorized by God to be overcomers in every area. Developing skill in spiritual authority—through daily practice, scriptural understanding, and faith—unlocks the fullness of God’s inheritance and enables believers to walk in blessing, health, and victory.
“You were made for dominion. Dominating circumstances. Cursing with blessing, dominating death with life. Amen. It’s a choice—every day, choose this day.” [76:50]