Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne Audio Podcast

Episode 127 | Discerning Your Part, Part 2
Date: December 27, 2022

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nancy Dufresne continues her in-depth teaching on "Discerning Your Part" in the body of Christ, focusing on the connection between discerning (recognizing and valuing) both the sacrifice of Jesus (His body and blood) and the spiritual body of Christ—the community of believers. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11, Nancy explores why many Christians fail to walk in health and wholeness: not understanding or acting purposefully in their God-given place within the Church. She emphasizes that health, healing, and long life are benefits believers must intentionally lay hold of by being mindful of their role and attitudes within the community of faith.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Power of God’s Presence for Healing

• Nancy opens by encouraging listeners that the healing power of God is present everywhere—even in hospitals and sick rooms—and available to those who receive it by faith.
  • Quote:

    "There's enough power in every sick room and in every hospital room to raise up that sick one... Power is present. That power is there to do a work. Believe it's not trying to get something, but notice that He's already made it yours..."
    (00:10–01:10)

2. Understanding Communion Beyond Ritual

• Nancy unpacks 1 Corinthians 11:23–34, underscoring that communion is more than a church tradition—it's about remembering what Jesus' body and blood provided for believers.
  • Jesus instructs to “do this in remembrance of me,” not just as an act of memory but in active recognition of what was purchased—healing, cleansing, and covenant blessings.
  • Communion can be celebrated as often as one desires, even daily, at home, provided it is done reverently.
  • Quote:

    "He doesn't say do this in memory of me, but in remembrance of what was purchased with his body and his blood."
    (03:19)

3. The Danger of Irreverence and Lack of Discernment

• Paul uses “unworthily” (translated as “irreverently”) to caution against treating communion casually or forgetting its significance.
• Examining oneself prior to communion means not only checking for sin but ensuring one is recognizing Jesus' sacrifice and walking in obedience to the Word.
  • Quote:

    "Jesus made you worthy... The manner you do it in—don't do it unworthily. The word is unworthily, or it means irreverently."
    (05:00)

4. Why Weakness, Sickness, and Premature Death Occur in the Church

• Nancy explains Paul's revelation from Christ: Many are weak, sick, or die prematurely "for this cause"—because they do not discern the Lord’s body.

  • This means believers overlook or forget that Jesus took their sickness and sin:

    "For this cause, not discerning that it was already laid on Jesus, people are, if I could say this, not taking their stand of faith against sickness and disease."
    (11:10–12:00)

• Notable Moment:

  "Don't call my pain, my arthritis... my joints... my failing memory—don't call it yours. Jesus took yours. Forbid it. It doesn't belong to you."
  (12:09–12:33)

5. Two Applications of Discerning the Lord’s Body

a) Physical Application:

• Jesus’ physical suffering (the stripes laid on His back) was for our healing; it must be claimed and defended by faith.

b) Spiritual Application—the Body of Christ:

• The “body of Christ” also means the family of believers. Each member has a place and function necessary for the health of the whole.
  • Believers should avoid spiritual “handicaps” by actively fulfilling their role—just as a failing part hinders a physical body.
  • Quote:

    "Because people don't discern that and they aren't doing their part, this is why many are weak, sickly and dying premature—because they're not bringing their part to the body of Christ that's in the earth today."
    (16:20–17:40)

6. The Importance of a “Body-minded” Mentality

• Spiritual growth is marked by moving from a self-centered to a family/Body-centered outlook.
  • Nancy uses the analogy of family life (“pick up your brother’s dishes, don’t complain”) and driving (“don’t drive recklessly without regard for others”) to illustrate spiritual maturity.
  • Quote:

    "When you become part of God's family now it's a unified flow, a unity mentality. We're not trying to be the star of the body. I just want to be the functioning member I'm to be."
    (18:01–19:35)

7. Practical Steps to Maturity and Health

• Begin to think about the wider Body (the Church), not just personal interests.

• Consider how your actions and words affect other believers.

• Pray for others:

  "The Word tells us, pray one for another that you may be healed. Notice that. Pray one for another that you may be healed. The Word is showing us that how interested we are in someone else's health will reflect back in our own health."
  (23:25)

• Failing to care for others or walking out of love opens doors to the enemy and diminishes personal spiritual and physical well-being:

  • Quote (attributing Kenneth Hagin):

    "One step out of love is a step into sin. When we don't walk in love with one another, it's a sin. And sin opens the door to the devil to attack us."
    (26:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Power Is Present for Healing:

  "Say, I receive that power. I receive it right now. From the top of my head to the soles of my feet." (00:13)

• Reverence in Communion:

  "It’s not about where you do it, it’s about how you do it—reverently and remembering." (04:02)

• On Spiritual Responsibility:

  "Every part is necessary, not optional... Some parts are more visible, some are not—but they're all required. It's not just recommended that we function as we ought in the body—it's a requirement for the health of the body." (17:41–18:10)

• On Maturity:

  "We’re a family in the body of Christ. It’s about the family, it’s not just about me anymore." (19:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:10] — The power of God present for healing
• [02:30] — Introduction to communion and its significance
• [05:00] — Warning against irreverence and unworthy participation
• [10:40] — “For this cause”: connection between discernment and health
• [12:09] — Rejecting ownership of sickness
• [14:30] — The body of Christ as God’s family, each with a role
• [16:20–18:10] — The necessity of every member and the effect on the body
• [19:00] — Signs of spiritual maturity: moving from “me-minded” to “body-minded”
• [23:25] — The principle: Praying for others brings healing
• [26:25] — Love as protection; sin as a door to the enemy

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne's teaching highlights that living in health and experiencing the fullness of God’s promises requires more than personal faith—it demands recognizing Christ’s sacrifice, holding a reverent attitude toward communion, and actively fulfilling your role in the community of believers. The health of the Church, as well as the individual, is rooted in a mutual, loving care that mirrors God’s own heart for His family.

Next Steps:
Nancy encourages listeners to reflect on how they treat fellow believers, mature in “body-mindedness,” and expect further teaching in upcoming episodes.

For more teachings and resources, visit dufresneministries.org.