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

Episode 135 | Discerning Your Part, Part 10

Date: January 6, 2023
Host: Nancy Dufresne (Dufresne Ministries)

Overview

In this episode, Nancy Dufresne continues her deep dive into the theme of "Discerning Your Part" within the Body of Christ, with a particular focus on healing, faith, and actively participating in the local church. The lesson draws from 1 Corinthians 11 and related scriptures to highlight the importance of understanding both what Jesus accomplished through His body and each believer’s role in the church. Nancy shares practical insights on how attendance, faith, fellowship, prayer, talents, and financial support directly contribute to spiritual health and communal growth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power and Presence of Healing (00:10–03:20)

• Nancy opens by emphasizing:

  “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 in what's not. Try to get something, but notice that he's already made it yours.” (00:10)

• Encourages listeners to confess and receive this power, actively participating even while listening.

The Importance of Discernment in Communion (03:21–07:30)

• Nancy references 1 Corinthians 11:23-30 and explains:
  • Paul connects the practice of communion directly with health, strength, and longevity within the Body of Christ.
  • Not properly discerning the Lord’s body leads to “weakness, sickness, and premature death.”
  • There are two applications:
    1. Discern what was laid on Jesus’ physical body (sickness, disease, sin, poverty).
    2. Discern the spiritual body—the interconnectedness of all believers.

  “When people don't discern what Jesus took on him, for this cause, many are weak, sickly, and many die prematurely.” (06:55)

Recognizing Your Place in the Body of Christ (07:31–11:10)

• 1 Corinthians 12:18: God has set each believer in the body “as it hath pleased Him.”
• Ephesians 4:16 (NLT): Every part’s work helps the others grow “so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”
• Nancy urges self-reflection before acting:
  “Before you do anything, ask yourself, how's this gonna affect my brother? How's this gonna affect my local church?” (09:53)
• Emphasizes thinking in terms of the “family” of God, not just individually.

The Danger of Indifference and the Call to Action (11:11–12:40)

• Cites Norlie translation: Indifference toward discerning the body results in weakness and even death among believers.
• Stresses the seriousness:

  “We cannot afford to treat this lightly. We cannot afford to treat this as optional... think about, okay, how is that affecting the body of Christ?” (11:42)

Practical Steps to Bring Your Supply to the Body (12:41–22:26)

1. Attend and Engage in Church (13:00–15:05)

• Simply showing up matters—absence causes a loss in “spiritual momentum.”
• Active, expectant attendance (“bring your faith”) multiplies the effect.
• Luke 4:16: Even Jesus’ habit was to attend synagogue; we should follow His example.

  “If Jesus honored where God's people gathered, we are to honor where God's people gather.” (15:57)

2. Be Planted and Flourish (15:06–16:40)

• Psalm 92:13–14: Those planted in the house of the Lord will flourish and bear fruit, even in old age.
• Commitment and consistency in youth have long-term benefits:

  “How we treat the local church in our younger years is going to show up in our older years.” (16:28)

3. Interactions & Mutual Care (16:41–18:44)

• Hebrews 10:24–25 (AMP): Encourages proactive care and accountability in the church body, urging believers not to neglect assembly.
• The necessity of community increases as we approach Christ’s return.

4. Fellowship with the Faithful (18:45–20:55)

• Spiritual growth is supported by “the fellowship of faith people.”

  “You need the fellowship of faith people... for you to be thriving spiritually, you're going to need what the faith that's in other people that's encouraging you.” (19:10)

• Importance of corporate agreement in prayer and encouragement, especially during trials or when miracles are needed.

5. Prayers for One Another (20:56–22:15)

• James 5:16 principle: “Pray one for another, that you may be healed.”
• Personal well-being is connected to interest and investment in the health and encouragement of others.
• Supporting the God-given vision in the pastor requires shared prayer and faith.

Using Your Talents and Financial Support (22:16–26:30)

Bringing Your Graces, Skills, and Talents (22:16–25:21)

• Every believer has unique abilities, meant for use in the church, not just for secular gain.
• Personal anecdote: Nancy shares her own journey as a volunteer church organist, illustrating sowing talents leads to divine rewards.

  “God does not give us these talents, graces, abilities just so we can earn money on the job. They're for us to bring to the body of Christ...” (23:21)

Financial Giving as Participation (25:22–26:30)

• Malachi 3:10 (AMP): Bringing tithes into the storehouse (local church) ensures provision and is a form of discerning one’s part in the Body.

  “We are funding what God's doing... and when we do, we can expect that we'll be in health, because we're discerning our part in the Body of Christ.” (26:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Jesus went to church to set an example for us also. People will say, ‘Well, I can be just as good a Christian as you and not go to church.’ You can’t be like Jesus and not go to church because Jesus went to church.” (16:02)
• “When we bring our supply to God’s family, our own family will flourish. When we are interested that they are getting the supply they need, I guarantee you God will go to work in behalf of your own personal family.” (24:57)
• “That ability wasn’t just for me to have to study for college, which I did… it was also for anything that church needed, I was to bring that ability.” (24:00)
• “God’s payday isn’t every Friday, but when he pays… I had sowed and sowed, and when it came to my own personal life, then there was a reaping time.” (25:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:10] – Power of healing in every room; call to receive
• [03:21] – Teaching from 1 Corinthians on communion & health
• [07:31] – God set every member in the Body; functioning as a family
• [11:11] – Dangers of indifference toward the Body of Christ
• [13:00] – Importance of attendance and active participation in church
• [15:57] – Jesus’ example of church attendance
• [16:28] – Flourishing where you’re planted (Psalm 92)
• [18:45] – Necessity of faith fellowship for miracles and endurance
• [20:56] – Praying for others brings health and corporate vision
• [22:16] – Using talents and abilities for the Body (personal testimony)
• [25:22] – Giving and tithing as part of discernment

Conclusion

Nancy Dufresne’s teaching in this episode centers on the vital link between one’s spiritual health and their active, discerning contribution to the local church—the Body of Christ. She exhorts listeners to embrace and fulfill their God-appointed part through faithful attendance, expectation, prayer, fellowship, volunteering talents, and financial support.

Main takeaway:

“That’s called discerning our part in the body of Christ... when we do, we can expect that we’ll be in health, because we’re discerning our part in the Body of Christ.” (26:25)