Brother Duane explores some of the reasons people become offended at God and addresses why Christian suffering, the message of grace, and salvation without works can be offensive to people who embrace the law.

Erasing Offense | Episode 8

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In the eighth episode of "Defenses Against Deception," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of hearing God's voice as a defense against deception. God has provided safeguards in Scripture to equip us against being deceived. Satan has a history of questioning God's word, as seen with Eve, and deception can appear harmless but have harmful intentions, as described in Revelation 13. Believers can and should hear God's voice, but many struggle to recognize it. 
 In John 10, Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and know it. However, like Thomas, who said he didn't know the way, we may not consciously recognize what we already know in our spirits. We may dismiss or not discern God's voice without realizing it. 
 God's voice is often a still, small voice within and is not always in English. The language of the Spirit includes dreams, visions, impressions, and a sense of peace. Believers have the capacity to hear God's voice and discern it from the voice of the stranger or the devil. 
 Romans 8 explains that believers are led by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God. Even when we stray, the Holy Spirit leads us to repentance, guiding us back to the intended path, just as a GPS system does.  
 By learning to tune in and heed the Holy Spirit's leading, we can stay on the straight and narrow path. When we stumble, God's voice calls us to repent, change our minds, and get back on track, as He is committed to guiding us to our destination.

Defenses Against Deception | Episode 8 | Hearing His Voice

In the nineteenth and final episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the power of prayer, the different types of prayers, and the principles behind them. He stresses the importance of praying correctly to ensure prayers are not just uttered but answered. Duane highlights that while many Christians pray, not all understand the dynamics of different prayers and their appropriate applications. 
 Learning to pray effectively is crucial and does not come automatically. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, indicating that effective prayer needs to be learned. There are several types of prayers, including the prayer of faith, the prayer of agreement, the prayer of petition, and the prayer of consecration, emphasizing that each type serves specific purposes and is suitable for different situations. This private devotion helps to develop a personal relationship with God and ensures that prayers are heartfelt communications, not just empty words. 
 In Matthew 6, Jesus instructs us to pray in a private setting where personal communication with God can occur without the distractions of public display. This teaching reinforces the concept that prayer is a personal dialogue with God, not a public performance. The essence of prayer is not in the quantity of words but in the quality of faith and sincerity behind them. Jesus' teachings on prayer advocate for simplicity, sincerity, and clarity in communicating with God. 
 To deepen the understanding of effective prayer, Duane explains that Jesus' model prayer, commonly known as the Lord's Prayer, is not just a script to be repeated mindlessly but a guideline on how to structure one's prayers. The Lord's Prayer encompasses adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, which are key components of a well-rounded prayer.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 19 | Teach Me

In the eighteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane emphasizes the vital role of prayer in the spiritual maturation process. Drawing from Acts 2:42, Duane explains the different types of prayers and their significance in a believer's life. He stresses that understanding and practicing various forms of prayer can significantly enhance one's spiritual journey and relationship with God. 
 Duane shares his struggles with prayer during his early spiritual journey with personal anecdotes to illustrate how a lack of proper teaching on prayer led to years of unproductive prayers. This reflection emphasizes the importance of learning to pray effectively, just as Jesus and John the Baptist taught the disciples. 
 Prayer is a particular activity that requires varying approaches depending on the situation. Some believers face difficulty receiving answers to their prayers because they are unaware of the different types of prayers suitable for different circumstances. Having insufficient knowledge about these variations can significantly affect one's prayer life. 
 In Acts 2:42, the early Christians engaged in prayers together. The Lord's Prayer is a model for personal communication with God. This collective approach not only bolstered their faith but also strengthened their community. Modern churches should foster a similar environment where believers can learn and grow together in their prayer lives. 
 Physical nourishment requires different food groups. Spiritual nourishment through prayer is multi-faceted and requires a well-rounded approach. Believers are encouraged to view prayer as more than a ritual and instead as a dynamic interaction with God that involves sincerity, consistency, and understanding.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 18 | Prayer

In the seventeenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane explores the processes that help believers evolve from converts to disciples. He uses the early church model from Acts 2:42 as a foundation. He emphasizes the importance of consistent engagement in four spiritual practices: the Apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. 
 The Apostles' doctrine highlights the essential teaching that grounds believers in their faith. Understanding these doctrines is crucial for preventing doctrinal errors and building a robust spiritual life. The New Testament's transformative power explains and fulfills the Old Testament, providing clarity and direction for contemporary Christian living. 
 Next is fellowship, which is essential for spiritual growth. Fellowship in the Christian context goes beyond mere socializing; it involves creating deep, meaningful relationships that support and enhance one's spiritual journey. This social intimacy, termed "Konania" in Greek, is about developing real connections that are not shallow but rich in spiritual substance. 
 The third practice is the breaking of bread, which includes both communion and shared meals among believers. In the early church and Jewish tradition, meals were not just about eating but were considered mini-covenants that expressed community and unity. These meals, whether part of communion or regular shared dining, hold a significant spiritual and relational meaning, reinforcing the bonds among believers. The role of prayer in personal and community settings should be diverse and adapted to various situations, serving as a critical spiritual tool that supports all other aspects of spiritual life. 
 Throughout this episode, Duane illustrates how these practices are not outdated rituals but essential activities that foster deep spiritual maturity. He encourages believers to participate in these activities and support others in their spiritual journey, helping them transition from new converts to mature disciples. 
 These teachings emphasize the importance of having a balanced spiritual diet to promote growth. Just like physical health requires a variety of nutrients, spiritual health requires various practices. By consistently following the Apostles' doctrine, participating in fellowship, breaking bread together, and praying, believers ensure their personal growth and contribute to the health and growth of the larger Christian community. This session encourages believers to adopt these foundational practices and promote individual and communal spiritual development.

Nurturing Spiritual Growth | Episode 17 | Four Food Groups

In the sixteenth episode of "Nurturing Spiritual Growth," Duane discusses the process of spiritual growth and the essential steps and practices that guide believers from early stages to mature discipleship. He highlights the deliberate nature of spiritual growth, which requires intentional efforts and practices similar to physical, mental, and social development. 
 Spiritual maturity, like physical growth, does not happen by accident but requires a balanced diet of spiritual practices that are encapsulated in Acts 2:42. These practices are as follows: 
 1. Apostles' Doctrine: Understanding the New Testament's revelation of grace, which sheds light on the Old Testament law, is crucial for preventing doctrinal errors and building a solid faith. 
 2. Fellowship: Engaging in meaningful relationships with other believers is essential for personal, social, and spiritual development. 
 3. Breaking of Bread: This practice, including both communion and shared meals, symbolizes unity and shared life among believers. It is vital for building community and strengthening bonds within the church, similar to family meals fostering closeness in a household. 
 4. Prayers: In its various forms, prayer is crucial for personal communication with God and corporate spiritual engagement. It supports all other aspects of spiritual life, anchoring the believer's relationship with God and their effectiveness in spiritual warfare. 
 These practices are not about legalism but about establishing a growth track, a structured pathway that facilitates steady spiritual development. Believers engage in these practices and actively support others in their spiritual journey, helping them transition from new converts to disciplined followers of Christ. 
 Duane addresses the challenge of spiritual growth in a world that often opposes biblical values, emphasizing the uphill nature of the spiritual journey in a culture that is metaphorically going downhill. He warns against passivity that leads to stagnation and challenges believers to adopt a proactive stance in their spiritual development.

Erasing Offense | Episode 8

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