Duane Sheriff Ministries - Feed

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?

In the fourth episode of "Children As Arrows," Duane Sheriff discusses the biblical approach to disciplining children, emphasizing the importance of using " the rod" of correction with love and wisdom. According to the book of Proverbs, discipline is an act of love, not hate, essential for a child's growth and future success. Discipline is not punishment, but when applied with love and consistency, it is a crucial act of care that shapes a child's character and future. Proverbs 22:15 reminds us that "foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away."