Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

Our culture has become permeated with lies and deception. The Bible contains over 50 warnings about deception in the last days. Jesus cautions us, "Take heed that no one deceives you" (Matthew 24:4). In the new series "Safeguards Against Deception," Duane Sheriff explores how vulnerable we are to deception and how the church is not exempt, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a wake-up call to prepare for future deceptions.In the first episode, titled "Guard Our Hearts," Duane emphasizes the importance of partnering with Jesus, who acts as the gardener that nurtures, protects, and teaches how to guard our hearts and remain steadfast against deception.https://pastorduane.com/safeguards-against-deception/

Every aspect of life has its own authority structures, including our homes, churches, schools, and society as a whole. When we fail to understand these levels of authority, we often end up frustrated, confused, and even rebellious. In part two of "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff teaches God’s divine order of authority and emphasizes why this understanding is crucial for every individual, especially our young people.God’s government stands as the highest authority, and all other forms—self-government, family, church, and civil—flow from Him. When a lower authority attempts to overrule a higher one, corruption follows, leading to disorder and instability. Understanding authority not only provides protection but also empowers us to live with confidence and order in a culture filled with confusion.

To have great faith, you must understand authority. In "Levels of Authority," Duane Sheriff explores the concept of authority in God's kingdom and its relationship to our levels of government. Romans 13:1 reminds us that all authority comes from God. All authority is delegated and should always be accompanied by accountability.Understanding the five levels of authority helps us navigate our roles and responsibilities, along with the limits within each sphere: God's government, self-government, family government, church authority, and civil government. The story of the Roman centurion in Matthew 8 beautifully illustrates how great faith is connected to understanding authority. When we grasp this concept, we can make a real difference in our world. By integrating our faith into civic life, we can be salt and light, contributing to the transformation of our culture while adhering to scriptural truths.

In the tenth and final episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that transformation into holiness occurs progressively as we continually behold God's glory instead of focusing on our sins or the sins of others. This holiness is not achieved through self-effort or willpower but through the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. We are gradually transformed into Christ's image when we shift our focus from our failures and past struggles to God's goodness and love.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the ninth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that godly fear is the key to true wisdom and understanding, helping us discern beyond our physical senses and emotions. True holiness is achieved through a reverent fear of God, which is different from worldly fear. Godly fear leads to worship, wisdom, and a departure from evil. According to 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are encouraged to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. This fear is not one of torment but rather a reverent awe that leads to worship. Cultivating a healthy fear of the Lord leads to a holy life and encourages spiritual growth.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the eighth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of maintaining a heart sensitive to God's voice. Sin can harden the heart, making hearing and responding to God's guidance difficult. Pursuing holiness helps believers stay attuned to God's guidance and prevents spiritual deafness. Duane draws parallels between the Israelites' rebellion in the wilderness and modern Christians' struggles with sin. We can learn from biblical examples and strive for a holy life. Like the Israelites in the wilderness, we face daily choices whether to heed God's voice or allow our hearts to harden through unbelief and rebellion. https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

What is repentance? It is believing God for "crop failure" when we've sown bad seeds. In the seventh episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches the unchanging law of sowing and reaping, explaining how our actions are like seeds that produce either good or bad harvests in our lives. This spiritual principle demonstrates how our actions are like seeds, yielding corruption or eternal life. This episode explores the interesting parallel between this spiritual law and natural laws, such as gravity and changing seasons, emphasizing its consistency and relevance in our daily lives. https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

Why is it important to live a holy life? In the sixth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff challenges common misconceptions about holiness and presents a grace-based perspective on righteous living. Holiness is not about earning God's love or salvation but rather about living out our new nature in Christ, loving God and others, and preventing Satan from gaining influence in our lives. This episode connects love and holiness, referencing Romans 6, which teaches that we are dead to sin and alive in Christ. Our new identity encourages us to live differently—not out of obligation but as a natural expression of our transformed selves. Holiness becomes a natural outflow of God's love in our lives rather than a burdensome list of dos and don'ts.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the fifth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff explores the reasons why Christians are called to lead holy lives. John 14:15 states, "If you love me, keep my commandments." Holiness is not a burden or about earning God's love or salvation. Instead, it is a response to God's love and a reflection of our love for God and others. Duane addresses common misconceptions about holiness and provides a biblical perspective on why we should strive for holiness in our daily lives.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In the fourth episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that a transformation occurs when you accept Jesus. Your past sinful nature (old man) is crucified and buried, and you become a new creation. You receive a new identity that is righteous and truly holy. When you realize that your old self died with Jesus, you can overcome temptation and truly live in holiness. You are no longer a slave to sin but free to live in the newness of life! https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

Why live holy? It's not so that God will love us, bless us, or that we will go to heaven. In the third episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches a grace-based understanding of why believers should pursue holiness. Holiness is a response to God's grace and a reflection of our new nature in Christ. This radical shift in identity encourages us to live righteously, not out of obligation, but as a reflection of who we are in Christ. Live a holy life out of gratitude and love as we eagerly anticipate Christ's return.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

God is holy. Whatever is set apart by God is holy. In the second episode of "Holiness," Duane Sheriff teaches that God's holiness is about beauty and its transformative power. Holiness is a beautiful attribute of God that should be celebrated rather than feared. God's holiness is a refining fire that purifies and liberates believers from sin and bondage and is a manifestation of God's love, joy, peace, and kindness. https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In our spiritual journey, we often forget the vital importance of the church. The church is a place of inspiration, revelation, and integration, crucial for fostering faith, community, and spiritual accountability. In "The Purpose Of Church," Duane Sheriff teaches that attending church isn't just a religious obligation, but a divine commandment and offers ten compelling reasons to be actively involved in a local church.The key scripture, Hebrews 10:24-25, reveals that the church is part of God's divine plan and emphasizes the importance of gathering together. Church is a place of inspiration, revelation, and transformation—a spiritual ecosystem where we're nurtured and equipped. Just as a plant needs to be firmly rooted to flourish, we too need to be 'planted' in a church to thrive in our faith. Attending church is not a burden, but as a blessing - a place where we're covered, protected, and prepared for the challenges of life.

What does holiness mean? Holiness isn't about following a set of rules but about reflecting on God's character. In the new series "Holiness," Brother Duane teaches what, why, and how to be holy. We learn holiness is a result of our relationship with Christ. We become transformed from being a slave to sin into a servant of God. This transformation is a byproduct of our new nature in Him, arising from a renewed mind and a heart aligned with God's will.https://pastorduane.com/holiness/

In Genesis 1:26-27, God declares, "Let us make mankind in our image, according to our likeness." In part eight of "Your True Identity," Brother Duane explains that humanity's creation in God's image and likeness defines our true identity. This divine distinction separates humans from angels, animals, and all other forms of creation. Key features of God's image include dominion and authority, the distinction between male and female, sovereignty, creativity, and the concept of work. Two aspects that spark debate are judgment and justice. The ability to judge is a fundamental aspect of God's image in humanity. Jesus instructed in John 7:24 to "judge with righteous judgment" instead of judging based on outward appearance.Sin can damage and distort God's image in humans but it cannot eliminate it. We can either celebrate this image through righteousness in Christ or pervert it through sin. Today, many social movements that seek justice often commit injustices themselves, which distorts the image of God. Embrace "Y

In part seven of "Your True Identity," Brother Duane teaches that we were created in God's image and likeness and that this image is our true identity. Our real identity doesn't come from our feelings or personal views, but from our Creator God. Being made in God's image is what makes us human and gives us our true worth.The attributes of God's image in people encompass several key traits: the ability to rule and have dominion, being created as male and female, having sovereignty and free will, creativity, the power of words, and the capacity to judge. He stresses that while sin can distort and damage God's image in us, it cannot change or eradicate it. The image of Jesus is a perfect example of God manifesting His image in us.

Do you feel like you are crawling through life like a worm when God has created you to soar like a butterfly? Brother Duane teaches the importance of renewing our minds as Christians. The "Spirit of Our Mind" refers to our attitude or mindset, which influences not only what we think but also how we think. This message emphasizes the need to adopt a biblical worldview rather than a secular perspective. Exploring the metaphor of metamorphosis, we discover that transformation works from the inside out, like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly or a tadpole becoming a bullfrog. By aligning our thoughts with God's truth, a metamorphosis occurs within us. This change is not the result of an external effort, but rather through God's Spirit working within us. This inner transformation renews our minds through His Word, leading to true freedom and spiritual growth.

In the tenth and final episode of "The Fundamentals of Prayer," Duane Sheriff explores the various types of prayer and why they are essential to communicating with God effectively. There is the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, and the prayer of petition. Approach prayer with confidence, thanksgiving, and persistence, even when an answer may seem delayed. Effective prayers help us align our hearts with God's will and promises.https://pastorduane.com/fundamentals-of-prayer/

In part five of "Your True Identity," Brother Duane teaches how to discover your true identity through God's Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jesus discovered He was God's Son by studying Scripture at age 12, we can explore God's Word to learn who we are in Christ.Today, too many people allow their parents, friends, society, or past mistakes to define them. But God wants to reveal your real identity through His promises. When you read the truth in Scripture, like being "more than a conqueror" or an "overcomer," the Holy Spirit can speak directly to your heart and affirm, "That's who you are."Your confidence and purpose come from knowing your identity in Christ, not from your struggles or failures. Search God's Word and discover who God says you are through His Word. Your confidence, purpose, and destiny all flow from understanding your true identity in Christ Jesus.

In the ninth episode of "The Fundamentals of Prayer," Brother Duane teaches the importance of understanding the different kinds of prayer. Scripture focuses mainly on the prayer of faith and the prayer of agreement. In Timothy 2:1, the apostle Paul mentions supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks. Knowing how to pray is crucial to the effectiveness of our prayers.https://pastorduane.com/fundamentals-of-prayer/