Podcast Summary: The Power Of Unity, Part 2 | Joel Siegel | Mississauga, Canada | Thursday AM | Miracle Crusade

Dufresne Ministries Podcast
Date: October 2, 2023
Guest Speaker: Joel Siegel
Host: Dufresne Ministries (Nancy Dufresne and team)

Episode Overview

This episode builds on foundational teachings about prayer, unity with God, and the transformative power of righteousness in Christ. Pastor Joel Siegel steers the audience through scriptural principles about boldness in approaching God, shaking off condemnation, and living skillfully as new creations. The message is practical and pastoral, aimed at helping believers walk confidently, leave behind sin-consciousness, and operate in peace and joy—central themes for an effective Christian life and unified corporate prayer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Importance of Effective Prayer & the Right Approach

(00:08 - 08:49)

• Joel reflects on revisiting foundational scriptures, emphasizing "approach in prayer is everything".
  • “If the approach isn’t right, the rest of it won’t be effective.” (01:55, Siegel)
• Draws on Hebrews 4—Jesus as the high priest, understanding our frailties ("infirmities"), yet approaches boldly without inferiority.

2. Overcoming Feelings of Unworthiness & Condemnation

(08:49 - 25:48)

• Recounts how Christians often allow memories of their failures ("I remember what I did") to distance themselves from God, despite God's promise:
  • "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10, paraphrased at 10:15)
• Joel uses relatable humor regarding spouses remembering past failings, then reminds:
  • "Be like God, remember no more." (11:46, Siegel)
• Personal anecdote: Being Brother Hagin’s music director, Siegel describes how a long-lasting “outsider mentality” prevented him from receiving what was available.

3. Confession, Forgiveness, and Appropriating God’s Promises

(25:48 - 45:00)

• Examines 1 John 3—Assuring your heart by acting on God’s word, not just knowing it intellectually.
  • “If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart...” (30:55, Siegel)
• Reviews practical confession (1 John 1:9) and why many believers don't walk fully in forgiveness:
  • "The big reason people don’t get past their sins is not because they don’t know this... they just don’t believe it." (33:54, Siegel)
• Emphasizes that true confession means aligning ("speaking the same") with God, agreeing with Him about our actions and accepting His forgiveness.

4. Living as New Creations—Right Identity

(45:00 - 55:00)

• 2 Corinthians 5:17—All things have become new for those in Christ.
  • “God has reconciled us to Himself... made us match Him.” (47:40, Siegel)
• Joel urges reminding ourselves (and others, including children) of new-creation identity rather than reinforcing negative behavior.

5. Righteousness, Access, and Boldness

(55:00 - 64:15)

• Unpacks “the righteousness of God” (Romans 3); stresses that believers have the same standing as Jesus before the Father:
  • “You are as righteous before God as Jesus is righteous before God… You can’t be any more righteous than you are.” (54:55, Siegel)
• Warns against the ditches of either unworthiness or lack of reverence—advocates balance: come boldly, but also "with reverence and Godly fear." (Hebrews 12)

6. Practical Illustration: The Open Door

(59:33 - 64:15) Nancy Dufresne & Joel Siegel

• Nancy shares a memorable analogy about her dog not realizing an open door:
  • “The door’s open. Just go through the door. If you haven’t been able to forgive yourself, today’s your day. Let it go, go through the door.” (64:00, Nancy Dufresne)
• Joel affirms: "That was the best part of the whole morning."

7. Repentance vs. Sin Consciousness

(76:54 - 91:52) Nancy Dufresne

• Nancy cautions that starting every prayer with repentance can be a sign of sin consciousness, not humility:
  • "The next time you go to talk to Him, that should be over. It’s sin consciousness to start with this ‘what I’m not,’ telling Him where I’ve missed it… That’s a sign... you need to learn to recognize.” (77:00, Nancy Dufresne)
• Shares remarkable story about Ed Dufresne’s vision and how God desires joyful, not sorrowful, reunions.

8. Turning Toward the Spirit—Practical Living

(91:52 - end) Nancy Dufresne

• Teaches the importance of starting each day oriented to the spirit, not the mind:
  • “When you turn toward your spirit, you’re turning toward everything that’s in your spirit. Righteousness, peace, and joy.” (86:10, Nancy Dufresne)
• Reminds that peace and joy are linked to recognizing righteousness, not circumstances.

Notable Quotes

• “We need to erase this whole outsider mentality. If you’re born again, you’re in. God’s in you. You’re in the family. But you have to be part of the family that you’re in.”
  (15:25, Joel Siegel)
• “If you haven’t been able to forgive yourself, today’s your day. Let it go. Go through the door.”
  (64:00, Nancy Dufresne)
• “Joy is not an emotion you work up. It is an outflow of being right with God.”
  (91:47, Nancy Dufresne)
• “You’re authorized to live peaceful and joyful every day for the rest of your life.”
  (91:52, Nancy Dufresne)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:08 – Opening thoughts on the power of basics and prayer
• 08:50 – Hebrews 10 and “remember no more” principle
• 15:25 – Overcoming outsider-mentality in the church
• 25:48 – Assuring our hearts, not being condemned
• 30:55 – God is greater than our hearts
• 33:54 – Why confession/forgiveness doesn’t work for some
• 45:00 – Identity as new creations
• 54:55 – Righteousness: As right with God as Jesus
• 59:33 – Nancy’s “open door” illustration about self-forgiveness
• 76:54 – Nancy: Sin consciousness vs. true humility
• 91:47 – Peace and joy as evidence of walking in righteousness

Memorable Moments

• Joel’s playful and vulnerable stories, such as his time with Brother Hagin and outsider mentality.
• Nancy Dufresne’s practical story about her dog to vividly illustrate the readiness and openness of access to God—“the door’s open”—but how we sometimes miss it due to our own habits.
• Strong emphasis on balance: come boldly (as a beloved child), but always with genuine reverence for God’s greatness.

Takeaways for Listeners

• You’re fully welcomed into God’s presence—don’t let condemnation or the memory of past failings hold you back.
• Living boldly doesn’t mean lacking reverence. Real confidence is balanced with deep respect for God.
• Practically, peace and joy flow naturally from walking conscious of your righteousness in Christ, not from striving.
• Practice turning your attention to your spirit, not your mind, especially when you wake up each day.
• Forgive yourself. Don’t keep the door closed when God has already opened it wide.