As we reflect on the miraculous birth of Jesus, we're reminded of the profound humility of our God. The Christmas story isn't just about a baby in a manger; it's about the Creator of the universe choosing to enter His creation in the most humble way imaginable. Born in a barn, laid in a feeding trough - this is our God, demonstrating a level of humility we can scarcely comprehend. The virgin birth, as prophesied in Isaiah, is the cornerstone of our faith. It's not just a miraculous event but the very means by which God entered the world to redeem us. As we celebrate this first advent, let's also anticipate the second one with equal joy. Just as the remnant in Israel eagerly awaited the Messiah's first coming, we too should be filled with excitement for His return. This Christmas, let's renew our wonder at God's plan of salvation and His incredible love for us. Merry Christmas!

In the tenth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff explains that we must take control of our five physical senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell to combat unbelief.

The disciple Thomas in John 20:24-29 insisted that he felt Jesus' wound before it transformed his unbelief into belief. Even the sound of God's Word can transform doubt into faith. Romans 10:17 states: "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

Christians should not allow their physical senses to dominate their faith. Instead, they should align their sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell with spiritual truths. This practice will cultivate a life filled with faith and the peace of God, remaining steadfast despite the circumstances of the world around us.

In the ninth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff discusses the four types of unbelief: rejection of Jesus, lack of knowledge, wrong knowledge, and carnality. In this episode, he focuses on carnality, which he defines as being influenced by our five physical senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

When we allow our physical senses to dominate our thoughts and actions, we risk falling into the trap of unbelief, preventing us from fully experiencing God's power. Romans 8:6 teaches that "to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." 

Carnality is a common struggle among believers, often leading them to doubt God's word. The only way to overcome this unbelief is by disciplining our senses through fasting and prayer. Shifting our focus from the physical to the spiritual aligns our hearts and minds with God's truth, allowing us to walk by faith and not be swayed by our circumstances or feelings.

In the eighth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches from Mark 9:24, where a father cries out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" All of us, at times, grapple with doubt. While the rejection of Jesus is the most severe form of unbelief, we can struggle from a lack of knowledge or even the wrong knowledge about God. Do we have strongholds hindering our faith or relationship with God?

Strongholds are like mental castles built in our minds through false beliefs and lies. These strongholds provide places where the enemy, Satan, can find refuge, thus preventing us from fully embracing God's truth. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against these strongholds. By embracing truth, we dismantle these strongholds. The truth exposes the lies entrenched within our minds and empowers us to trust God's promises, which leads to freedom.

In the seventh episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches three types of unbelief that can hinder our spiritual growth: the rejection of Jesus, a lack of knowledge, and the wrong knowledge. The rejection of Jesus is described in the Bible as the 'unpardonable sin,' a serious reminder of the importance of accepting Christ's sacrifice.

A lack of knowledge can be overcome through consistent exposure to God's Word, as Romans 10:17 reminds us that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." The most harmful form of unbelief is wrong knowledge. One example of wrong knowledge occurs when we accept worldly philosophies and traditions contradicting Scripture.

Colossians 2:8 warns us to "beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit." As we live out our faith, it is essential to cultivate a love for the truth and stay rooted in Christ by allowing His Word to transform our minds and hearts.

In the sixth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches the importance of overcoming unbelief through faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that "without faith, it is impossible to please God." Unbelief can be a barrier to experiencing God's power and promises. 

Romans 10:17 states, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This means that we must listen to and understand God's Word to grow in our faith. As we meditate on the teachings in the Bible, our faith increases.

Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, "But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Understanding God's promises gives us the confidence to seek Him, as He rewards those who pursue Him.

Do you realize that God's love for us is not based on our performance or behavior but on His character and promises? Duane teaches the unconditional love and complete forgiveness that God made possible through the new covenant established by Jesus Christ. 

In this message, we explore the difference between the old covenant's temporary atonement and the new covenant's eternal redemption through Jesus, whose one-time sacrifice atones for all sins - past, present, and future. Even when we sin or fail, God's attitude towards us is one of mercy, not wrath or displeasure. This foundational truth allows believers to approach God boldly, without fear of condemnation, as Jesus died for us "while we were yet sinners."

In the fifth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches that two critical types of unbelief can hinder our growth and relationship with God. The first is the rejection of Jesus and the cross - a fundamental unbelief that can separate us from God's love. The second challenge many of us struggle with is a lack of knowledge.

We're reminded of the man in Mark 3:23 who cried, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief." This powerful scripture illustrates our struggles and the importance of seeking God's help in overcoming our doubts. The cure for a lack of knowledge is to immerse ourselves in God's Word. 

Romans 10:17 states, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." By deepening our understanding of God's love, promises, and character, we can strengthen our faith to overcome the unbelief that holds us back from experiencing the fullness of God's blessings in our lives.

In the fourth episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches that there are different kinds of unbelief and each has its cure. The most critical form of unbelief is the rejection of Jesus. The Holy Spirit's primary role is to convict the world of this sin of unbelief. 

Examining a little deeper, we see that believing in Jesus is not just about avoiding condemnation but embracing the light He brings into our lives. This light represents the revelation and understanding of Jesus and what He accomplished through His death and resurrection. The parallel between light and darkness is a powerful metaphor for our spiritual journey. Are we moving toward the light of Christ or retreating into the shadows of unbelief? 

In the third episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches the powerful concepts of belief and unbelief. Our faith is often tested in life's challenges, not God's ability or willingness to help. In James 1, a double-minded person who wavers between belief and unbelief is "like the sea tossed to and fro" and should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

We explore the intriguing parallel in Deuteronomy 22 about not mixing different seeds in a field, demonstrating how we should be unified in sowing faith. This imagery challenges us to examine our hearts: are we sowing seeds of faith or mixing in seeds of doubt? By examining our hearts, we consider how to cultivate a singleness of heart in our spiritual lives, trusting in God's promises even when circumstances seem dire.

We often encounter moments where belief and unbelief coexist. Even in our faith, we may struggle with doubt. In the second episode of "Kinds of Unbelief," Duane Sheriff teaches that the key is to "believe only" and stand firm in faith despite circumstances. We sow seeds of faith through our words and actions. Avoid the pitfall of mixing faith with unbelief. 

Just as Deuteronomy 22 warns against mixing different seeds or animals, we're called to cultivate pure faith. This isn't about perfection but about persistently choosing trust over doubt, thanksgiving over complaint. As we face challenges, remember words are powerful seeds. By speaking faith and gratitude, even in difficult times, we can nurture a harvest of miracles in our lives if we only believe.