Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

God loves us so much that He is changing us into His image. In part eight of "Unconditional Love," Brother Duane teaches the transformative power of beholding God's glory by exploring eight ways God changes us to be more Christlike. Like metamorphosis, this process of change happens from the inside out. Holiness is not achieved through our efforts but by focusing on Christ and His finished work. 2 Corinthians 3:18 reveals that we are gradually transformed into His image as we look upon God's glory. It's not about striving or willpower but allowing God to change us from within.

In part two of "Fatherhood," Duane Sherff explores the metaphor of fathers as spiritual "blacksmiths" who play a vital role in shaping their children's lives and faith. He emphasizes the importance of godly masculinity, consistent discipline, and clear boundaries, which should be guided by the Holy Spirit. Discipline should be controlled by the Holy Spirit, not as punishment, but as a loving act to prepare children for the realities of life and accountability to God. True fatherhood isn't about domination but about forging, shaping, and tempering our children for spiritual warfare and success in life. 

Are you aware that you are in a war? In today's culture, there is an assault against men and their role as fathers. In the message "Fatherhood," Duane Sheriff draws unique parallels between a blacksmith and a father who prepares his home for spiritual warfare. In 1 Samuel 13:19-22, the Philistines removed Israelite blacksmiths before the battle. Israel needed their blacksmiths to make swords and other weapons to fight in the war. Likewise, fathers are the blacksmiths in their homes. Men forge, shape, and temper their children to prepare them for life's battles, protecting them from the world's negative influences. Fathers equip children with the moral clarity, character, and strong work ethic necessary for success. This world seeks to remove or feminize the blacksmith, thereby weakening our families. Fathers must reclaim their role, not suppress their masculinity. Under God's guidance, fathers have a crucial role in ensuring their children are ready to face challenges and not become susceptible to the decepti

In the seventh and final episode of "Who Am I?", Duane Sheriff teaches that Satan's primary strategy to derail our God-given purpose and destiny is to assault our identity, just as he did with Jesus. Jesus faced attacks on His identity both at the beginning and the end of His ministry. In Matthew 4, Satan repeatedly tempts Jesus with the phrase, "If you are the Son of God..." This reveals an important truth: our opponent knows that if he can confuse our identity, he can disrupt our future.Jesus countered these attacks with Scripture. The parallels drawn between Jesus' temptations and our own struggles encourage us to stand firm in who God says we are, even in the face of doubt or opposition. 

In the sixth episode of "Who Am I?" Duane Sheriff teaches that understanding our true identity in Christ is crucial for spiritual growth and fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. Jesus discovered His identity through the Scriptures. In Luke 2:41-52, we see the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple, already aware of His divine sonship. Jesus is our model for searching the Scriptures to discover our identity as new creations in Christ.As we immerse ourselves in God's Word, the Holy Spirit brings to light passages that define who we are in Christ. This revelation transforms how we see ourselves and empowers us to live out our destiny.

Your thumbprint identifies WHO you are, and your spirit bears God's image! In the fifth episode of "Who Am I?", Duane Sheriff teaches about the transformation that occurs when we become new creations in Christ and explains the difference between our flesh and spirit. When we accept Jesus, our spirit becomes a new creation, which is our true self. Our spirit is made righteous and holy, while our flesh represents our old self.To live in accordance with this new identity, we must renew our minds by connecting with the Word of God to strengthen our spirit rather than relying on our flesh and its desires. As we renew our minds with this truth, we're empowered to fulfill our God-given purpose and fully realize our identity in Christ.

In the fourth episode of "Who Am I?", Duane Sheriff teaches that our true identity is found in Christ. He contrasts our "old self," which is tied to our sinful nature, with the "new creation" we become through faith in Jesus. This transformation happens when we embrace our authentic selves as defined by God rather than by the world's standards or our limited understanding.We are made up of spirit, soul, and body, with our spirit being born again and perfect in Christ. This triune nature provides a profound insight into our existence as beings created in God's image. It's important to view ourselves from God's perspective and to recognize that we are righteous, holy, and united with Christ in spirit. Ephesians 4:22-24 encourages us to put off the old self and put on the new self.

In the third episode of "Who Am I?", Duane Sheriff teaches that our true identity is found through our relationship with Jesus. To illustrate this, he introduces the concept of three families that influence who we are.The first family is our immediate family, which consists of our parents and grandparents. They give us certain physical traits, like the color of our skin or our hair. These traits can influence how we see ourselves but don't define our true selves. In Christ, we can overcome any negative influence from our immediate family.The second family is the family of man, which includes every human born into this world. We are all part of this family because of Adam, the first man who brought sin into the world. This connection can bring feelings of guilt or judgment, but through Jesus, we can break free from this old identity.The third family is the family of God. When we believe in Jesus and are "born again," we join this new family. Jesus is like the father of this new creation, bringing life, righteo

In the second episode of "Who Am I?", Duane Sheriff teaches how our identity in Christ is connected to our divine purpose and why it is important to recognize our identity in Christ. As new creations in Christ, we are made by God, shaped in His image, likeness, and knowledge. He contrasts this new identity with the fallen identity found in Adam, emphasizing the radical transformation that occurs when we embrace our new identity in Christ. Satan seeks to confuse our sense of identity, which can result in an identity crisis that prevents us from fulfilling our true destiny.

In part six of "Unconditional Love," Duane Sheriff continues his teaching on God's unconditional love and lists the reasons for the connection to holiness. Christians should live holy lives, not out of fear or to earn God's love, because they are already holy through their faith in Jesus. They don't need to be holy to make God love them more or to avoid punishment. Instead, holiness is about living according to their spiritual identity in Christ.When Christians sin, they should repent not to earn forgiveness—which they already have—but to close the door to Satan and keep their hearts sensitive to God. Sin doesn't just give Satan a place in areas of our lives where God displaced him; it gradually hardens our hearts, dulling our ability to hear God's voice and recognize His guidance. Living holy isn't about avoiding God's wrath but experiencing the fullness of a relationship with Him.

When we accept Christ, we become a new creation and experience a radical transformation of our spiritual DNA. As stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away. Behold, all things are or have become new." Brother Duane teaches that we are no longer defined by our past or sins but by our union with Christ. This new identity impacts every aspect of our lives - our purpose, eternity, and essence.Our identity is shaped by what we identify with and is more than just a label – it's understanding who you are at your core. Many people today suffer from an "identity crisis" when they let external influences like family, culture, or past experiences define them. By renewing our minds to our true identity in Christ, we can break free and live victoriously to fulfill God's perfect will for our lives.

In part five of "Unconditional Love," Duane Sheriff explores God's unconditional love and its connection to holiness. Holiness isn't about following strict rules to earn God's love but rather the fruit of having a close relationship with God. This shift in perspective can free us from legalism and condemnation, allowing us to embrace the beauty of God's holiness. Romans 6 explains that when we accept Christ, we are no longer controlled by sin. This means that we don’t have to work hard to be holy to please God. Instead, holiness comes naturally when we understand how much God loves us. When we truly understand God's love for us, we often choose not to sin, not because we have to but because we want to. Our actions come from our love for God, not from trying to earn His love.

God is Love. His love is given without conditions, limits, or expectations, not based on our actions or worthiness but on His boundless grace and mercy. In part 4 of "Unconditional Love," Brother Duane explores unconditional love and teaches the what, why, and how of being Holy.  Holiness results from our relationship with God. As we experience an inner transformation through His Spirit, it becomes evident in our actions, reflecting a Christ-like character. The beauty of God's Spirit shines through when we demonstrate kindness, patience, and goodness.The reason for living a holy life is explained in John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commandments." Holiness arises from our love for Jesus, not a desire to earn His love or approval.

God loves you unconditionally and has forgiven all your sins. So, does that mean sin doesn't matter? Does God ignore sin? Duane Sheriff teaches that Christ's eternal sacrifice covers our past, present, and future sins. However, this does not mean we can ignore sin, as God desires and expects His children to pursue holiness. God's chastening and correction are expressions of His love, not His wrath, aimed at helping believers partake in His holiness. Instead, we are loved, forgiven, and invited into a life of holiness. Examining the parallels of the Israelites' journey from Egypt as an analogy for the Christian journey, Duane connects God's unconditional love with His desire for our sanctification. Holiness is not about earning God's love but becoming more like His image. 

In the tenth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff concludes his series by focusing on the final five principles necessary to lay a strong foundation. Parents should teach children about God's love, the importance of developing a healthy work ethic and understanding financial stewardship. He also emphasizes helping children develop a strong identity in Christ.The parallels between child-rearing and archery highlight the intentionality and precision required to guide children into adulthood. Among his many compelling points, Duane encourages parents to make prayer simple and engaging by suggesting short, faith-filled prayers that connect children with God's heart and learn to say, "I'm sorry." Extending grace to others is essential for healthy relationships and personal growth.

In the ninth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the importance of teaching foundational Christian principles to their children before they leave home. These foundational truths include God's love, His support, the fear of the Lord, the authority of Scripture, and a healthy self-esteem rooted in understanding their identity in Christ.Our role as spiritual mentors is to communicate God's love, help our children understand their need for salvation, and guide them in embracing Jesus as Lord. Knowing God is for them, not against them, will dramatically impact how they view challenges and setbacks in life (Romans 8:31).

In the eighth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the important role parents play in guiding their children's friendships and social interactions. He emphasizes the dangers of peer pressure and the necessity of parents to actively monitor and guide their children's social circles, particularly during their formative years.According to 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Bad company corrupts good character." Children are highly susceptible to peer pressure, which can lead to destructive paths. Parents have a responsibility to monitor their children's social interactions, especially social media. Teach children to be friendly while helping them discern between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Reinforce their relationship with God and family remains constant even when friendships change.

In the seventh episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the challenges of raising children in today's sexualized culture, emphasizing the importance of teaching children about sexuality within the context of God's design for marriage. In the teaching stage, we must help our children understand their identity in Christ and that God loves and accepts them. This foundation will help them resist constant peer pressure. As we prepare our children to be "arrows" launched into a dark world, it can be challenging to protect their moral innocence. 

In the sixth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff explains the teaching stage from ages 8 to 20. This stage equips children with essential life skills and establishes God's Word. Hosea 4:6 warns that God's people perish for lack of knowledge. This applies to parents and mentors, not just to our children. We must instill a strong sense of God's love and acceptance, enabling our children to withstand rejection and maintain their faith and integrity despite peer and societal pressures.Love isn't a fleeting emotion but a constant, defined by God's nature, according to Titus 2. By understanding and teaching our children divine love, we prepare our children to face life's challenges with strength, wisdom, and the confidence to seek God's approval rather than man's.

Psalm 127 likens our children to arrows in the hands of a mighty warrior. In the fifth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff explains how parents are responsible for teaching their children about boundaries and consequences while avoiding provoking their children to anger. Our children are not our own but a heritage from the Lord. We are called to be watchmen, diligently shaping and guiding these precious gifts from God. We should view parenting as a divine calling rather than a mere duty. As we nurture our children, we're not just equipping them for success in life, marriage, and careers but equipping them to be a spiritual warrior. Are we aiming them toward their destiny and God's purposes?