Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne

Episode 133 | Discerning Your Part, Part 8
Release Date: January 4, 2023
Host: Nancy Dufresne

Episode Overview

This episode continues Nancy Dufresne’s teaching series on “Discerning Your Part,” focusing particularly on understanding one’s role within the Body of Christ and the importance of actively contributing to the health and function of the Church. Nancy stresses that faith, healing, and fulfilling personal callings are intimately connected to discerning and honoring both Jesus' sacrifice and one's place among fellow believers. The teaching draws heavily on passages from 1 Corinthians 11 & 12, Ephesians 4, and Hebrews 10 to reinforce the message that every believer is essential and their contributions have spiritual repercussions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of God’s Presence for Healing

• [00:10] Nancy opens by encouraging listeners who may be ill:
  • “There’s enough power in every sick room and in every hospital room to raise up that sick one... Power is present right where you’re at.”
  • She stresses that believers don’t have to strive to “get something” but to recognize that healing is already provided through Christ.
  • Leads the audience in a confession: “I receive that power right now from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.”

2. Discerning the Lord’s Body – Twofold Application

• [02:30] Teaching from 1 Corinthians 11 (communion passage):
  • First aspect:
    • Discerning “His physical body”—what Christ suffered for believers (sickness, disease, sin were borne by Jesus).
    • “If we’ll discern that He bore it, then we won’t put up with it. We’ll take our stand against it…”
  • Second aspect:
    • Discerning “His body that’s in the earth”—the collective of believers, the Church.
    • “Every member is to function and bring a supply, bring a part, bring movement, bring increase to the body of Christ.” ([05:10])

Notable Quote

• [05:54] “No member is to be without function. Every member is to function and bring a supply... If it does not function, that part of your body is dead.” — Nancy Dufresne

3. Indifference Toward Your Role is Dangerous

• [07:00] Nancy reads 1 Corinthians 11:30 from Norlie Translation:
  • “Because of this indifference [toward discerning the body], many of you are feeble and sickly and some have died.”
  • Insight: It’s not a minor issue but one that affects spiritual and physical health.

Notable Quote

• [08:18] “It’s important to Jesus how His body functions, because the head can only function... through the body. The head does not act independently of the body.” — Nancy Dufresne

4. God Sets Each Believer in the Body – Not Up for Election

• [09:30] 1 Corinthians 12:18, “But now hath God set the members, every one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased Him.”
  • God assigns roles and positions; believers are expected to embrace where He places them.

5. The Law of Sowing and Reaping in the Body of Christ

• [12:00] Ephesians 4:16 (NLT):
  • “God makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow…so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
  • If we do not bring our part, the health of the Body suffers and so do we, through the law of sowing and reaping—not as punishment, but as spiritual law.
  • “When we do our own part…we’re adding to the health of the body of Christ. If we’re not doing it, we’re subtracting…” ([13:25])

6. Walking in Love is Essential to Health & Blessing

• [16:20] Disengaging from your role is a lack of love for the Body:
  • Disunity, causing strife/conflict, or withholding your supply is not “walking in love.”
  • “When we do our part toward the body of Christ, we’re walking in love. When we don’t, we’re not walking in love. When we’re not walking in love, we’ve stepped into sin…If we step into sin, we get on the devil’s territory, then he has a right to attack us.” ([17:20])
  • Every action should be weighed for its impact on the church, not just self-interest.

Notable Quote

• [18:47] “Who would have ever thought that people not bringing their supply to the Body of Christ is an act of not walking in love? But that's what the Word says.”

7. Valuing Every Role – Visibility Isn’t Vital

• [20:00] Every function matters, visible or not:
  • “The organ of your heart’s not real visible, but how vital it is…”
• Practically, this means attending and contributing to your local church.

8. Assembling Together Cannot Be Neglected

• [22:50] Hebrews 10:24–25 (Amplified):
  • “Let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another…Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together as believers, as is the habit of some people…all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.”
  • Regular, intentional fellowship is not optional.
  • “If you can get out to shop, you can get out and go to church. If you're physically capable, you need to be part of a local church…” ([21:55])

9. The Value and Dignity of Your Life in Christ

• [25:15] Encouraging words on worth and importance:
  • “You are worth the price of Jesus’ blood. Nothing more could be paid for you...You are so important to God. You're important to the Body of Christ.”
  • The devil will attempt to diminish your value in your own eyes—don’t let him.

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• [00:11] “There’s enough power in every sick room...power is present right where you’re at.” — Nancy Dufresne
• [05:54] “No member is to be without function...If it does, that part of the body is dead.” — Nancy Dufresne
• [08:18] “It’s important to Jesus how his body functions, because the head can only function...through the body.” — Nancy Dufresne
• [13:25] “When we do our own part…we’re adding to the health of the body of Christ. If we’re not doing it, we’re subtracting…” — Nancy Dufresne
• [18:47] “Who would have ever thought that people not bringing their supply to the Body of Christ is an act of not walking in love? But that's what the Word says.” — Nancy Dufresne
• [21:55] “If you can get out to shop, you can get out and go to church. If you're physically capable, you need to be part of a local church…” — Nancy Dufresne
• [25:15] “You are worth the price of Jesus' blood. Nothing more could be paid for you...You are so important to God.” — Nancy Dufresne

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:10] — Opening faith confession for healing.
• [02:30] — Explanation of discerning the Lord's body; reading 1 Corinthians 11.
• [07:00] — Discussion of indifference and its dangers.
• [09:30] — God’s placement of members in the body (1 Corinthians 12:18).
• [12:00] — Ephesians 4:16; law of sowing and reaping in church life.
• [16:20] — Walking in love, avoiding strife in the Church.
• [20:00] — Honoring invisible roles in the body.
• [22:50] — The mandate to assemble together (Hebrews 10:24–25).
• [25:15] — Affirmation of personal worth; closing encouragement and prayer of healing.

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne calls listeners to recognize the spiritual and practical consequences of their role in the Body of Christ. She urges believers to discern Christ's sacrifice, value their God-appointed function, and actively participate—especially in the local church—for their own well-being and that of the global Church. The episode ends with affirmations of individual worth and a prayer for healing and wholeness.

For further messages and resources:
Visit dufresneministries.org