Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

In the thirteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the importance of a balanced spiritual diet that helps believers transition from spiritual infancy to maturity. This diet contains crucial components that help believers evolve from mere converts to disciplined disciples of Christ.The four spiritual food groups based on Acts 2:42, which the early church followed steadfastly to grow spiritually. These groups are the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. The early believers strengthened their faith and deepened their communal bonds by engaging in these practices.The first food group, the apostles' doctrine, pertains to the apostles' teachings, focusing on the New Testament. It explains the significance of Jesus' fulfillment of the Old Testament's types and shadows. Understanding the apostles' doctrine is crucial for believers to correctly interpret biblical principles and avoid confusion that might arise from misinterpreting the Old Testament.Fellowship, the sec

In the twelfth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the critical need for discernment and maturity in the Christian faith. He particularly highlights the dangers of spiritual immaturity in discerning good and evil. These biblical principles and real-world applications are necessary for believers to understand and navigate the complexities of modern society.Every believer must make the essential transition from spiritual infancy, where one is primarily nourished by the 'milk' of basic Christian doctrines, to a more robust and mature faith characterized by the 'meat' of deeper, more complex teachings. While new believers start with fundamental understandings of faith, true spiritual growth involves advancing to a more advanced stage where they can handle and discern more profound truths.A significant part of this growth process involves recognizing the influence of the cultural and spiritual warfare surrounding believers. Society often mimics the biblical account of eating from the Tree of

In the eleventh episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane explores the importance of moving from spiritual immaturity to maturity. He emphasizes the critical role of discernment in articulating how discernment is not only about recognizing what is from God and what isn't but also about understanding deeper spiritual truths and applying them to daily life.Spiritual maturity is characterized by a believer's capacity to move beyond the basic principles of their faith ("milk") and grasp deeper, more complex concepts ("meat"). Milk refers to the basic teachings of Christianity, which are necessary for new believers to build a foundation in their faith. Meanwhile, meat refers to more profound and substantial teachings that challenge and grow a Christian's faith, enabling them to handle complex spiritual and moral issues effectively.A significant aspect of maturity is the ability to discern good from evil. Many believers struggle because they remain at a basic level of spiritual understanding, only consuming mi

In the tenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane highlights the importance of discernment in spiritual maturity. He explains that spiritual growth is more than attending church or gaining knowledge; it also involves the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil—which are the hallmarks of a mature believer.Discernment is an essential element of spiritual development that is frequently disregarded. Many tend to focus on the basics of faith or the mechanics of church life. However, discernment requires a deeper level of wisdom that allows believers to navigate life's complexities effectively. It's a crucial skill because, like young children, immature believers often struggle to make sound judgments, especially in situations that require a nuanced understanding of spirituality and morality.Duane uses examples from daily life to illustrate the need for discernment. Just as parents make decisions for their young children, spiritual leaders, and mature Christians must guide less matur

In episode nine of his series, "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane focuses on the journey that Christians undertake from spiritual infancy to maturity. This journey is transformative and involves much more than gaining knowledge or performing religious duties. Christians are called to become true image bearers of Christ, reflecting His love and grace in every aspect of life.The shift from being a "convert" to becoming a "disciple" is marked by a deepening relationship with God and a commitment to live out Christian values. This involves growing from immaturity to maturity. Entering the Kingdom of God is only the beginning; the real challenge and goal is to grow within the kingdom. This means embracing and embodying the attributes of Christ.The discussion revolves around the concepts of spiritual "milk" and "meat." These terms differentiate between elementary and more complex doctrines of Christianity. Milk represents basic teachings necessary for new believers to understand their faith, while meat involves de

In the eighth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the differences between spiritual maturity and immaturity. He focuses on the biblical analogy of milk and solid food, as described in 1 Corinthians 3. This metaphor explains the journey from basic, foundational teachings (milk) to more profound, actionable insights (solid food) that embody true spiritual maturity.Transitioning from spiritual infancy to maturity is essential for a fulfilling Christian life. The reference to "milk" represents the elementary principles of Christianity, such as fundamental truths about Jesus, God's love, and our identity as believers. These fundamental truths are crucial for new believers to understand and embrace as they lay the groundwork for their faith.While these basics are necessary, they are just the beginning. Actual spiritual growth, or "eating solid food," means applying these foundational truths in real life. Maturity involves moving beyond knowing that God loves us to actively loving God and others

The message speaks to the importance of raising children in a way that prepares them to thrive in adulthood. Duane uses a scriptural analogy from Psalm 127:3-5, comparing children to arrows in the hands of a warrior. Just as an arrow has different components (feathers, shaft, and arrowhead), Duane highlights three stages of parenting and their significance.The feathers (ages 0-10) represent laying the foundational principles of life, such as moral clarity, absolute truth in Jesus, and faith (Psalm 127:4). The shaft (ages 10-20) is the time for teaching wisdom and preparing them for marriage, careers, and handling responsibilities (Proverbs 1:8, Ephesians 6:4). The arrowhead represents the target or purpose of raising children, which is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). Using the example of Abraham (Genesis 18:17-19), Duane emphasizes the need to command children to keep the ways of the Lord, do righteousness and justice, and pass down God's promises generationally. The speaker warns against the

In the seventh episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of Christian maturity and urges believers to grow into the likeness of Christ in every aspect of their lives. Spiritual maturity is not only about obtaining salvation and securing a place in heaven but also about living out heavenly principles here on earth. This means demonstrating behaviors that align with being citizens of heaven rather than reflecting our old, sinful natures.In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul speaks about putting away childish things when becoming a man. This metaphor describes the journey from spiritual childhood to adulthood, highlighting that maturity involves more than aging or having spiritual gifts. Possessing spiritual gifts does not necessarily equate to maturity, as gifts can be misused if character and love do not accompany them.The true measure of spiritual maturity is characterized by love and the correct use of God's gifts. It's possible for believers to operate in gifts of the Spirit a

In the sixth episode, "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of personal growth and helping others. Spiritual maturity is not just about an individual's growth but also involves creating an environment where everyone can mature, particularly within the church community.Many believers who think they have achieved maturity still show signs of immaturity, such as judging or looking down on less mature individuals. True maturity involves recognizing these immature tendencies and actively working to overcome them.In 1 Corinthians, Paul draws a distinction between spiritual and carnal believers. Paul characterizes carnal believers as those who are still like "babes in Christ," lacking the ability to grasp more profound spiritual teachings. On the other hand, mature Christians can adapt their messages based on the spiritual readiness of their audience, which helps to prevent unnecessary conflict and division.One key sign of immaturity is the tendency to create divisions within the church based

In the fifth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the concepts of wisdom, spiritual immaturity, and maturity. He focuses on how believers can grow from simple converts to mature disciples of Christ by providing a roadmap for their spiritual development based on biblical teachings.Wisdom is crucial for personal growth in the life of a believer. It involves knowledge and applying God's word in everyday situations. Wisdom is necessary to discern right from wrong and make decisions that align with God's will.Duane describes spiritual immaturity as a stage in which believers are learning the basic principles of faith. He likens new believers to children who are just beginning to understand the world around them. In this stage, individuals may struggle with fundamental concepts such as faith, grace, and redemption. Spiritual immaturity is not a negative phase but a necessary step in growth. However, staying in this phase for too long can lead to stagnation and vulnerability to false doctrines.Ma

In the fourth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses how to nurture our spiritual development individually and within the community of believers. As Christians, our ultimate goal is to become more like Jesus Christ, reflecting His character and virtues in our everyday lives.Romans Chapter 8 focuses on God's plan for believers to become more like Christ. This transformation is not only for personal growth but also to reflect Christ's virtues in our relationships with others. God wants all of us to embody His attributes and carry His glory, which was His original intention in creation but was disrupted by sin. However, Christ can reconcile and restore us to our intended purpose.Duane also talks about the process of spiritual maturation using the metaphor of newborn babies who must desire the pure milk of the Word to grow (1 Peter 2:2). This growth involves more than just increasing in knowledge; it's about transforming our mindsets and behaviors to align more closely with God's will. The 'rene

In the third episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane Sheriff discusses spiritual growth from a Christian perspective. He emphasizes that spiritual growth is more about internal transformation than external conformity. Duane also discusses the importance of believers being image-bearers of Christ and explores the concepts of predestination and God's will in Christians' lives.Christians often have questions about God's will for their lives, such as career choices or personal decisions. While these decisions are essential, they are secondary compared to God's primary will, which is for believers to be transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation involves how believers reflect Christ's image in every aspect of their lives.The concept of predestination is often misunderstood. Predestination in the biblical context refers not to a predetermined fate of salvation or condemnation but to God's plan for believers to conform to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This idea is foundational to understa

This message speaks to the importance of raising children according to biblical principles and the challenges parents face in a culture that is increasingly hostile towards Biblical values. Children are a gift from God, and the Bible compares them to arrows in the hands of a warrior (Psalm 127:3-5), suggesting that parents are warriors engaged in a spiritual battle for their children. This message outlines three stages of parenting: the training stage (0-10 years), the teaching stage (10-20 years), and the transition stage (20+ years), and how parents are meant to relate to their children during each of these phases of life. Using the parables of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son from Luke 15, Duane encourages parents to remain steadfast in their faith and values, even when their children go astray. The father in the parable of the prodigal son stayed true to his principles while waiting for his son to "come to his senses" (Luke 15:17). Some of our children may rebel against their upbringing

In the second episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the importance of spiritual maturity in a believer's life and how every Christian needs to transition from spiritual infancy to maturity, as it is God's will. This transition is a growth process that involves a deeper understanding and application of God's Word, aiming to mold believers into true image-bearers of Christ.When believers enter the kingdom of God, they are spiritually reborn, possessing a fully mature, righteous, and holy spirit due to the sanctifying work of Christ. However, new believers often lack knowledge and practical application of the Bible, similar to newborn babies who are entirely dependent on milk for nourishment.To address this gap, Duane discusses the necessity for believers to be nurtured with the "milk" of basic biblical teachings before they can handle the "meat" of more profound doctrines. This spiritual nourishment is crucial for their growth, enabling them to gradually develop the capacity to apply God's W

In this episode, Duane discusses spiritual growth, emphasizing the journey from immaturity to maturity in the Christian faith. He explains that this growth is about increasing knowledge, deepening character, and becoming more like Christ. This process involves moving from spiritual immaturity, where believers may be easily swayed by incorrect teachings or worldly influences, to a mature understanding and application of biblical truths.Spiritual immaturity is like being a child in faith. Like young children, new believers need simple, foundational teachings, which he compares to milk. These basics are essential for starting their spiritual journey. However, staying in this stage too long can lead to a lack of depth and susceptibility to being misled. As in the physical world, where children grow and develop, spiritual growth requires moving beyond the basics to tackle more complex and substantial "food," Duane calls meat.Transitioning to spiritual maturity involves embracing and applying deeper biblical teachi

In the final message, Duane teaches that "Our Identity" and worth should not come from our abilities or accomplishments in the flesh but from our relationship with God and who we are in Christ. According to scripture, we can do nothing of value or significance without God. We have no reason to boast or take pride in our flesh, for everything we have and our talent or ability is a gift from God.No one is wise, mighty, or noble in their own strength or by their own merits (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Instead, God has chosen the foolish, weak, and despised things of the world to confound the wise and mighty so that no flesh can boast or glory in His presence. We are nothing without God, and any knowledge, skills, or achievements we possess are ultimately from Him.Our natural, carnal mind is at enmity with God and cannot please Him. Only by abiding in Christ, the true vine, can we bear spiritual fruit and live lives that glorify God. Apart from Him, we can accomplish nothing of lasting value. Even our best efforts an

In this message, Duane teaches the great mystery of Christ and the Church, as illustrated through marriage, to provide a deep understanding of our identity and relationship with Jesus. In Ephesians 5:31-32 Paul compares the marriage relationship between a husband and wife to that of Christ and the Church. This analogy helps believers understand their union with Christ and the depth of His love and commitment to them.Just as a husband and wife become one flesh in marriage, believers become one spirit with Christ. This union is a spiritual reality that reflects the intimate and unbreakable bond between Christ and His followers. The marriage analogy illustrates how believers are to submit to Christ and how Christ, as the husband, loves and cares for the Church.Old Testament prophecies foreshadow this mystery. In Isaiah 9:6, Jesus is called the "Everlasting Father," signifying His role as the progenitor of the new creation. Unlike Adam, who brought sin and death into the world, Jesus, the second Adam, brings righ

In the third session of the "Our Identity Conference," Duane explores the transformative power of understanding one's identity in Christ by contrasting the lives and impacts of two men: Adam and Christ.Adam, the first man, disobeyed God, which led to sin entering the world. In contrast, Jesus Christ, through His ultimate sacrifice, brought salvation and righteousness to humanity. This comparison is foundational to understanding redemption and transformation.Adam's disobedience led to sin and death spreading to all humanity, creating a separation between humanity and God, marking every human as inherently sinful from birth. Jesus, the "second" or "last Adam," signifies a new beginning for humanity. His life, death, and resurrection offer hope and a new nature to those who believe in Him. By His obedience and sacrifice, Jesus reversed Adam's curse, providing a path to righteousness that is not based on human efforts but on grace.Jesus' act was a free gift, bringing justification and life, whereas Adam's act bro

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that those who are in Christ are completely new creations. Their old sinful selves have passed away, and they have been made brand new in their spiritual nature. In this message, Duane teaches that although our physical bodies and minds did not literally become new at salvation, our spirits were recreated and made righteous before God through faith in Jesus.Many believers still view themselves solely based on their physical characteristics and fleshly nature instead of their new spiritual reality. The Bible says we are no longer to regard anyone from a merely human perspective but through the lens of who we have become through the transforming work of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16). Our true identity comes not from our family heritage, ethnic background, or any other natural factors, but from our spiritual rebirth in Christ.Jesus discovered His identity as the Son of God by having the Scriptures revealed to Him through the Holy Spirit. As Jesus read the Old Testament, the Spirit revealed

In this message, Duane teaches that we are all born with a fallen identity because of sin entering the world. Many people struggle with their fallen identity and try to pretend to be something they are not. Others have had false identities imposed on them by family or society. The world also tries to confuse people's identities for its hidden agendas and purposes.However, when we come to faith in Jesus Christ, we receive a brand new identity as God's children. This identity is not based on our physical body or external circumstances but on our reborn spirit. The Bible teaches that when we accept Christ, we are crucified, buried, and raised with Him to new life (Galatians 2:20, Romans 6). Our old sinful self died with Christ, and we are made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).Understanding this new identity in Christ is extremely important because it connects us to our true purpose in life. When we know who we really are in Christ, it gives us a passion to live for Him. Our identity sets the course for h