Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference: 0:00 - Intro 1. 0:55 {Greater Works than Jesus?} In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement? 2. 23:42 {Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?} In 2 Samuel 12:8, God says that He gave David his wives (multiple), and if he had asked for more, God would’ve given him more. This sounds to be directly saying that God would be endorsing polygamy. How should we as Christians feel about one man having multiple wives according to the Bible, specifically this passage? 3. 30:21 {Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”} In 2 Timothy 3: 16, was Paul speaking of ONLY OT Scriptures, since that’s all they had at the time? What about the inspiration of the NT? 4. 37:13 {Relearning Proper Theology} One of your videos gave my fiancé a change of heart. He is a former Jehovah’s Witness and feels like he has to start over and unlearn then relearn everything. Where do you suggest we start studying? 5. 43:57 {Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?} How can Christ truly be God and man at the same time, infringing upon the laws of logic? If it’s true, I know I can't understand it fully, but I do expect to be able to demonstrate how it isn't illogical. 6. 48:54 {Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?} What do you tell your kids about Santa? Is there a chance that kids who find out Santa isn't real might think the same about Jesus? Would you spoil Santa for children that aren't yours? 7. 57:18 {Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?} I'm a Calvinist, and recently I have been noticing Semi-Pelagian theology in Arminian churches. Can you distinguish between the two and explain why we should avoid Semi-Pelagianism? 8. 1:06:19 {Can We Give God Too Much Credit?} Is it OK to give credit to God for something He might not have done (like a salary raise, new job, or other material or worldly things)? 9. 1:09:52 {New Command or Old Command?} Why does 1 John 2:7 say that he is not writing a new command, but in the next verse (1 John 2:8) he says that he is writing a new command? What's going on here? 10. 1:14:10 {Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?} Peter said in Acts 2: 36 that God has "made Jesus both Lord and Christ." He was already Lord and Christ, so what does this mean? Same with Jesus being “given all authority” in Matthew 28: 18. 11. 1:24:33 {Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?} In Colossians 1: 24, what is lacking in Christ’s sufferings, and how is Paul contributing to them? 12. 1:30:12 {Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?} My friend doesn't want to have too small of a view of God, so he sees every small event in his life as God speaking to him, even trivial things. Am I being too stingy, or is he "over-spiritualizing"? 13. 1:36:08 {Examples of Serving God Daily} I’m wondering what discipling others, sharing the Gospel, and service to God looks like in your life day-to-day? Anything you’ve learned over the years? 14. 1:39:38 {How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?} In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy? 15. 1:45:24 {Does the Devil Persecute Believers?} Is God giving the Devil permission to persecute the lives of certain Christians today, like in the book of Job? 16. 1:47:02 {Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?} I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit? 17. 1:49:28 {Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law} Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God's Law, and ten different words are used, including: commandments, precepts, law, testimonies, ways, etc. Why? Does each word have a different meaning? 18. 1:51:58 {How to Prepare Large Study Projects} How do you go about a project like the Women in Ministry series? I want to do something similar with Genesis 1-2 but I don't even know where to begin or what tools to use (other than Logos, of course). 19. 1:54:38 {Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?} I would like to know, when we are in Heaven, will we just forget about those we loved on Earth that weren't saved? I can't imagine how there could be no sorrow if we remember them. 20. 2:01:18 {What Was Paul’s Goal?} Can you explain to me what goal Paul hopes to achieve in Philippians 3: 11-12? What does he have to do?
You are a tormented lot. Ok, life is hard and often tragic. But why make things harder? Why explain a mystery with an even bigger mystery? That's counter productive and dangerous. Stop telling each other that organic life is inadequate.
@mikewinger Quick note…. The language here in these texts. “Work” vs “sign” they are not synonymous, and never is a miracle done by Christ called a “work” rather a “sign”.
There is an issue here about what is being included in the works Jesus mentioned his followers would exceed his own. Mike continues to say greater works than Jesus. However, Jesus doesn’t say they would do greater works than ME. He said greater works than THESE. So, the discussion should be about how can we ascertain what works are referred to be Jesus when he says THESE.
I became reborn in January 2022 and you were a big part of that. I often find my self thinking biblically about everything. Thank you for your ministry.
Reborn is remade in the image of God by abiding in the image of God ,to have the image of God abide in you. Made in the image of God has always been misunderstood by liars. 1 john 1:6 Notice I am deliberately not mentioning 2 Cor 4:4 that equates Jesus Christ to the image of God. Even Christ has been misunderstood. The image of God is the cross to take up on the flesh, the cross, the crux, the key, the seed of David. Light is sown like a seed for the righteous. Psalm 97:11. David knew it and David said it. The only explanation we never understood it is that it was sealed until the appointed time. What the deceiver strives to lie about, must be the truth. Jeremiah 8:8
Shout out to Sarah for keeping things running smooth and organized! You are a blessing, too! Pastor Mike- I now you're not doing any of this for "followers" but to help grow followers of Christ. However, I've been watching your followers grow so fast. It's like I refresh the screen and there's 1,000 more. THIS changes so many people's lives. I feel like I'm discipled here. Like I gain tools to go out. Like this Book is the most exciting book. Thank you.
Seconded! Sarah, you rock! Mike, what you're doing for God's kingdom through this ministry can not be overstated. I tell anyone who will listen about your channel. I consider you my #1 mentor, so you're doing something right with regard to discipleship! My wife (this account) has grown a lot from your teaching, too. Dude, she even bought me a po-ta-toes LotR t-shirt like yours (as well as a Mordor Fun Run t-shirt, "one doesn't simply walk"). Oh, and the bible thinker coffee mug (TM) is legit my favorite. ❤
I love ministry and how you really think about scripture in it's context. Thank you. My question is, do you actually preach in a church? Would love to watch your sermons
Hi Tamika! Mike's ministry's website has a super well done search engine where you can search topically on the site (SO many things! All the things!). You'll find new (like the youtube ministry) and older stuff (Mike with his congregation giving great verse by verse teaching). For example, there's verse by verse teachings on 1 Peter that will be Mike with a congregation. Hope that helps! -Meg @@tamikathomas916
Q6 - I believe that you are spot on. I grew up, the son of a Christian pastor, but in a Sabbath and Holy day observing Church. We never participated In Christmas or Easter observances, and we were taught that the holidays of this world were blasphemous. So, I was taught, from my earliest days, that if I partook of these worldly holidays, then I would be excommunicated and I’d go to hell. When I was in my 40’s, I watched the Church (over one million members) split and fall apart. Then I began to truly study Gods Word for myself, while listening to teachers like Dr. Chuck Missler, and God led me to a better understanding of His Holy Word and His Eternal Plan for His Saints. Yes, God re-educated me and gave me a new understanding of what He did for me, on the cross, and a more positive HOPE, for His Redemption, His Purification and His Gift of Eternal Life, with our Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! Come Quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
@@UsesElevatorsI feel like it's time to get rid of the word "cult". In academia this usually means a small a sect or subset of a particular religion. Most major religions today actual began as a cult in the academic sense. Today the word "cult" has very negative connotations. Which is sometimes true of the group described. But there are no real rules to separate what constitutes a cult and what constitutes a sect, denomination, or a new religion. So anyone can call someone's religious beliefs they disagree with a cult.
@@UsesElevatorsit's not a cult to follow the Sabbath, God's holy days, etc. But when you tell people if you partake in any way, any of the world's celebrations, you're not saved, you lose your salvation, that's when it becomes a cult. If a husband, for example, takes his wife out on a lovely date on Valentine's Day, he's going to hell? Find me that in the Bible. In a sense, these people that Believe you lose your salvation if you partake are placing their faith of salvation in their ability to keep God's command themselves. Hebrews & Galatians both get at this. "Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 3:3 "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV The sin talked about here in Hebrews 6, as well as in Galatians, is the sin of no longer relying on Faith Alone for your salvation, but rather on your own works, of which, your ability to keep God's commandments is one. Faith Alone is the reason for our salvation, and to say someone is going to hell based on anything aside from faith, is a sin.
Thank you so much. Years ago, I felt bad because I wasn't doing the "greater works" that preachers were talking about. It made me feel like I either wasn't a Christian or a 2nd class Christian. What a wonderfully wild concept: Behaving like Christ/taking on the mind of Christ, living by the Word of God, and preaching the Gospel being that greater work. That is powerful.....Mike, I may never meet you here on Earth, but when we get to heaven I have a smile and a big hug for you. Thank you for answering God's call on your life, bro. God bless you.
This is a wonderful and sweet comment. I feel the same way! He’s cleared up a few things that my husband and I differed on and it’s been quite a gift. Thanks, Mike!
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. War & Peace written by Leo Tolstoy. It was a good quote, and very relevant to the crazy time we live. So keep up the good work 👍 Blessings from 🇬🇧 UK
Your empathy for JW and others that are confused was refreshing and inspiring That is what Christ wants for us. Not to judge but to have emathy and want to help those not following God's word. Thank you for these videos 💫
As an exJW, thank you. I’m trying to use my own upbringing to help my former brethren, as well as the Mormons. It’s super difficult to do, since they’re well trained in how to reply and rebuff, without listening to a word you say to them. But I’m trying. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
By the look of your choice/selection of videos, perhaps you need to take a harder look in the mirror. Jordan Pet€rson and Rogan are both freem@sons and shills. Are you unable to discern that a video posted with the word "mantra" is not appropriate to watch? Instead of becoming angry, take some time to consider the material you are viewing and/or promoting. Worldliness should not have a place in your life.
@@CarolineJoyAmico Whats even WORSE is myself to WARN you ppl claiming to be christian are under the darkness pf this guy winker and his false prophets associates occult Manichaeism theology-TULIP/OSAS, West minster confession of 1639 sorcery doctrines. YET you ppl are the WORST to say things to or about how deceived you in MASS truly are
@@CarolineJoyAmicoI noticed speaking to a mormon they were good at replying to their belief about Jesus Christ that made me confused they were Mormon and not Christians.
Thank you Mike for helping me connect on my doorstep with a JW. I dontthink people usually challenge them with the Gospel. She used a verse from NT as proof Jesus is not the Son of God. I talked about context as you have said but itfelt like I was doing tit-for-tat and my heart wasn't right.
Hey Brother Mike, it's after 10pm California time. I might say this allot, but you & your ministry has taught me to Think Biblically. using context turned on the light bulb💡 in my brain. it's made a world of difference to help me understand the bible. it's improved my relationship with Jesus so much. Thank you Mike, Sarah & team for all your hard work. praying for you. 20 Questions is Awesome.
Your answer to question #1 brought me to tears.😭 How I could have ever believed the lies and the hype of WOF on this topic and many others still breaks my heart.😭😭 Praise Almighty God for His merciful heart and His abundant grace to forgive my errors and gently lead me to see the truth. As if there could be anything greater than sharing the Gospel that leads to eternal life. How arrogant of us. Your breakdown was so good. Thank you so much for this😭😭🙏
❤ yes I agree it was a greatanswer. What a privilege to have learnt this. I went after these experiences and at back of my mind knew it was empty and experimention.
Second grade, I listened to convo with older students about Santa. Came home with confidence that my older brother would tell me the truth. "There is no Santa, and btw you're not really my sister. Mom and Dad aren't really you're Mom and Dad." I was adopted and I no longer cared about Santa. Funny how that moment pops up in my head now and then. God bless you, Sir.
That last question’s answer almost had me in tears. That has been me, moving away from my relationship with Jesus. This and some other podcasts that I have listened to recently have really been a gut punch. I have been lacking in all my relationships and Christ has been calling me back to himself. It’s time to listen.
Mr. Winger, I am so happy to have found your channel and your 20 questions segments I listen to repeatedly and look forward to hearing while at work. It has helped me so much in my walk, it actually in a sense brought me back. God used to be… sort of in the back burner, I prayed and had strong faith, but I never focused on Him. Your segment helped me to realize that I was in error, not anyone else, that I needed to stop acting like I know everything and rely on God in all things. It’s had such a positive impact on my family and myself. I was never a good person, I struggled with a lot of vices, and I put all that down and instead of just telling myself what is true I began to think it and act on it. I began to actually take an active walk of faith instead of some passive affirmation every now and again. In short, listening to you and the questions so many people have has really pulled my head out of the sand. Thank you so much for your ministry. It shown a light on what I believed I had figured out after walking away from God the first time 15 years ago.
About Santa: when I was rebelling as a 12 year old, my thought was, "God is probably just like Santa, something parents tell children to get them to behave." It was a stumbling block for me. You're right, Mike, lying to kids is bad, no matter what.
Everyone lies to their kids, most often for their protection. We want our kids to trust the police in case they are in trouble, but our police aren't all trustworthy but we say they are. We tell them that everything is alright, when money is tight and we don't know how we are getting food this week. We tell them that grandma is in heaven, even when we aren't confident that she was right with God before she passed. Or that the dog ran away, when it needed put down for bitting them repeatedly...
@@fiffer13 Is the fact that in your experience parents lie to their children regularly, something that makes it good? Indeed does the intention of protecting children justify the means? Shouldn't we rather see regularly deception ad something that should be addressed or avoided?
@@samuelbarns118 I'm trying to aid my young children in maintaining their innocence, they slowly loose that and i slowly stop applying the veneer. My children shouldn't need to worry about where their next meal is coming from if I can help it. I knew kids like that, they all, as in 100% of them, became overly anxious teens and adults, most of them are medicated for that now. If I can equip my children for life maybe they won't need that, but It's hard to run a marathon when you can't complete one lap on the track, so I expose them more slowly to the facts of life and which means hiding some of them if only temporarily
@@fiffer13not everybody lies to their kids. Some of us understand that allowing disappointments at a young age equips them emotionally in their later years. Each of the examples you gave robs the child of an opportunity to lean into God/learn about God/trust God/etc. not all of us parents lie. Some of us were lied to so brutally that the lack of trust motivated us to be the most transparent and thorough we can be.
@@Manzanita1890 my 8 year old gets much less veiled from him now, intentionally because he isn't worrying himself into tears anymore about social things. My autistic 6 year old has far too much difficulty understanding practical applications, it's impossible to keep the truth from him, and has taken us several years to get him to stop hiding food in his room to rot and eat anyway because he was afraid he wouldn't get a food he liked in several days or a week... I'm not replacing teaching them about God, or that he provides everything we need, but when they were 5 and 3 all they understood was they weren't getting McDonald's all the time or whatever other food they desired. Their mother (my wife) tried to commit suicide two year ago, you're saying i should tell them more than she was sick and needed to go to the hospital to feel better? That was a lie by omission of the truth, but what else can your tell a 6 year old who crys when he went out on a baseball field due to social anxiety, or an autistic 4 year old? It is my burden as a father to protect my children from as much as I can both physically and mentally, and to equip them when it is appropriate to face the challenges of life. It's not that they don't get equipped, it's that not every trial in my walk or my wifes walk needs to be their trial too.
I just want to say that your quality level of project and uncompromising dedication to the Word, wherever it takes our theology, is deeply meaningful! The way you show the research and logic, the value placed on actually seeking real answers from scripture and not adding to it or trying to make scripture back a point you just prefer to believe is EXTREMELY VALUABLE AND MUCH NEEDED in the church of today’s society. It’s what drew me in to your ministry. The fact that it takes so much research and work, but you’re willing to actually do it, shows how important it is to get our teaching from scripture, and not just fly off the cuff, make stuff up, or say whatever feels good. I believe it is very important to practice your methods in daily life-and the thinking biblically starts to happen automatically, it’s a renewing of the mind that transforms us. This is, I believe, your discipleship. Helping others to seek out biblical truth in logical and honest reading of the word is unfortunately rare in the modern church. Even if the particular subject is not important to someone, it’s still excellent practice for learning to deal with the facts of is it what the Bible says, and where else we might be getting our ideas, etc. This is why I will sit and carefully listen to over 6 hours on head coverings! Excellence in teaching, my friend! Keep up the good work! You are doing a massive service to the body of Christ! Don’t be discouraged! I can’t wait for the next WIM installment!
I am 67 years old and my daughters are now 42 and 40. When my firstborn was 4, in the months leading up to the Christmas season, I asked her, "What if Santa isn't real?" Her response, "What if Jesus isn't real?" 😯 So from then on, the "main" gifts on Christmas morning were from Jesus, to celebrate His Birthday. Deception gone!
Question #14. 1:39:38 {How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?} In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy? This sure hit the spot, very timely. I felt God speaking to me through this. Thank you for this video. God bless you, brother Mike.
You got it right about the greater works issue brother Mike. There's no way we can do more quality works than CHRIST ( GOD HIMSELF ) did or will do . The amout of souls the body of CHRIST brings salvation to in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is the greater works . GOD bless you brother Mike.
Blessings Pastor Winger. I’m a broken Believer in The Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my King of Kings, my Lord of Lords, my Good Shepherd. I’ve reluctantly walked with Him for most of my life…while being a double-minded prodigal. I sin less, today, I believe, but I am no where near pure. I’m of the opinion that I cannot be pure until Jesus takes me to be with Him, and purges all iniquity from my soul, at the Bema Seat Judgement. I know how badly I desire to be free of sin, I pray and ask God to Create in me a clean heart and to renew a right Spirit within me. Help me better understand, if I’m wrong. Blessings and thanks for your Blessed content.
Sounds like you're struggling with your mental health, so please keep your thoughts positive. Unconditionally love does not care if you are pure or perfect.
Your videos are my church. I heard that an anonymous poll said 70% of pastors watch porň. I grew up thinking church (Baptist) was a social function. Very dry. Donuts and coffee. Nearly every church I’ve been to has triggered my instincts in a way that has caused my discernment gift to be on full alert. So, thank you. You have such a gift. I’m sitting here in my car listening to this with my mother. I know that where two or more are gathered together, the Lord is in their midst. God bless you! You’ve led me to tears of joy, tears of happiness that the Lord has such love and mercy for us. Overwhelmed with tears that God is orchestrating this world to his design. He orders my steps. Amen.
My son was told as soon as he could understand(he was about 3 or 4) about the santa ruse. I told him that he could NOT tell other kids though or their parents would freak out. Later, my son thanked me for not lying to him about it(or anything else) because he knew he could believe me when I told him about Jesus!
❤ I want my kids to believe me when I tell them bedtime is important! That's my biggest issue with Santa, and so many other "white" lies parents come up with.
Pastor Mike, I was reading John last night and felt confused when Jesus mentioned they will do even greater things. Thank you to whoever asked the question and for your biblical answer.
@@HaleStorm49I found his answer to be sufficient and backed by the scripture. Nothing but peace in my heart. Thank you for looking out though. Peace be with you my friend.
Regarding Q19: I’m very, very burdened for the souls of my unsaved loved ones, and at times I break down and sob 😭 when praying for them. I can’t help it. 😭 I don’t know what the solution is, other than to trust that God will wipe every tear from my eyes. This brings me peace, and hope it helps others.
I believe God has shared with you His heart for your family. He loves them so much, and we should have faith that our intercessory prayer will bear fruit. We can't see what effects our prayer has in the Spirit realm, but we can believe.
I am burdened by this, too. 😢I keep praying God will send someone to water the seeds we planted so early in our son's life, while I keep reminding him of all the blessings God continues to give him.
Hey God bless you brother Mike. Praying for your family, ministry and whatever your struggle might be right now. May you be strengthened and encouraged in Christ. Glory be to God.
I hope you see this and get some encouragement. I was introduced to you many years ago by a trusted friend and mentor as a new believer. I have grown tremendously in the Lord through your e-discipleship lol! You have taught me much and imparted me with many gifts. You’ve impacted my teaching and vision in ministry and helped me be more effective for the cause of Christ and His bride. As my own ministry grows by Gods grace, I still am so edified by your style and approach that bleeds out into my own work. Thank you forever brother. Don’t ever forget that WE are reaching the lost and edifying the body together- you just don’t always know it. Grace and Peace❤️
Kudos, M8ke Winger. I just heard the former Jehovah Witness turned because God opened his eyes through your message. Personally, I think the Gospels are where someone start out because all cults, false teachers and such has a twisted view of Jesus Christ. He must know who Jesus was, is and always will be.💪 Great job, Mike
Thank you for your kind and gracious approach to teaching the truth. Even when you point out error or deceptive teachings you do it in a way that I am trying to improve on myself. Thanks Mike!
Speaking of error, M|k£ advocates watching movies that promote bl@ck m@g|k, e.g., "Lord of the Rings." I literally just provided cogent evidence on why you should reconsider and reevaluate why you are watching him. One day you will have to provide an account for the action to ignore the truth, so remember that someone tried to get your attention. Will you listen? The expressed information is factual; it's not personal or emotional. [He] is passive, and quite clearly, could be characterized as a $hill or other, based on the review of 100+ episodes. (Not that a Biblical Scholar would know the difference. 😉) I'm shocked at how many people cannot, or simply choose not to discern what is right in front of them most of the time. MW may be likeable and say some good things, but that's not the issue. (One day...an account... remember.)
As always Ps Mike, you are a great blessing and a great encourager in helping believers to think Biblically. May Your gift in helps and in teaching and pointing to the Word and the resurrected Christ, may the Wisdom God has imparted and that you have grown and nurtured and grown and fed by all the amount of time you spend in the Word, in prayer, in reading and research to gain insight wisdom, knowledge and understanding continue to thrive and grow stronger and. May your gently, yet firm, kind humble manner always open doors, that He so willed , for you to reach more and more people to want to hear and be helped with that which you share. I bless God for you and thank God for your ministry & obedience, depite challenges you face, to continue, by the grace of God to get this word, help and teaching to think biblically out accros your country and other nations across the world. Sending fondest greetings and many blessings and God's grace and peace and health and good sleep to you as your portion, from South Africa, blessings & Grace - Nikki & Garry Wantenaar
I love your response about Santa. I personally know of kids who were so devastated when they learned the truth and were so hurt their parents had been lying to them. We downplayed it with our kids but looking back I wish we’d skipped it altogether. My kids figured it out quite young and I remember being relieved.
My parents were honest from the get-go, and I never believed in Santa (though I did find the historical St. Nicholas quite interesting when I learned about him) and thus never went through the trauma of finding out he wasn't real. I enjoyed Christmas just as much as any other kid; the only real difference was that I knew the actual source of the presents I was getting.
@@DamonNomad82this exactly. The argument is always "you're going to take the fun and magic out of Christmas" and I'm just thinking no I literally am not. I have no memory of ever believing in Santa Claus and I always was so excited for Christmas.
THANK-YOU Mike..As a new Christian I had false expectations based on SOME things I heard about healing. Experience made me doubt the claims but I doubted my doubt! You have cleared this up finally 30 years later. I learn so much from yout videos and grow in my assurance about God's reality. May God bless you and yours and preserve your ability to follow the Spirit...
Love this. Needed it so much. I believe in the work of the Holy Spirit and the gifts for today but have been involved with people like this the past few years and it really damaged me. I went to a tent revival event in the UK in the summer put on by people that used to really passionately and closely follow Jesus. I am still processing what it was like. There was a constant pressure to be at the 2 services a day, 2-3 hours in the morning and about 5 hours at night. I WAS TOLD I saw miracles that I did not and mass deliverances that my spirit didn't agree with either. I believe God heals and delivers people today but I will not be told someone has had a medically verifiable healing before they have seen a doctor. I have never experienced such hype or experienced such pressure in a Christian service, and I connected with God in spite of and not because of this atmosphere.
The Holy Spirit showed me this sometime back. It's so good to get confirmation that the greater works He is talking about is salvation with the indwelling Holy Spirit! We raise the dead (spiritually) every time someone is born again... yes its Him actually doing it but He is using us.... Hallalujah Praise God
I agree, I believe we will be so sanctified and filled with God's presence and in His perfection, that we will realize that those who rejected His saving grace through His Son, Christ Jesus, and remained in their sin, are being perfectly & justly condemned, no matter who they are, though it is so hard to try and reconcile with while we are in our current state
I started praying for greater things than these two years ago. I have grown, been defeated, grown a little more then failed at levels I never have before. I repulse myself and wish I could just give my life in some act to save others before my failures are seen and shame my Lord in any way.
I will confess that I have a hard time listening to a sermon, let alone a theological explanation, but two hours listening to Mike, and reading and learning, is a walk in the park. THANK YOU MIKE!
"The height of Christianity is facing death with the confidence of Christ's resurrection." (1:35:54) That is one of the best quotes, outside of scripture itself, that I've ever heard in my life. Thank you so much for what you do!
On Q17 about the the Psalms, I've observed this as well, having memorized a handful of psalms, one being Psalm 19 which has a very similar pattern to Psalm 119. In my memorization process I found if I shifted my mindset more towards memorizing song lyrics rather than systematic doctrinal flow like I would when memorizing James or Ephesians, it became a little easier-- and remember, the Psalms WERE songs. I'm not a scholar so I haven't done an in-depth study of this but I've come to the understanding that those repetitions and synonyms found in a given psalm are like word play, a product of the literature being composed as a song. Likewise this is a familiar phenomenon to modern songs as well. It may not be obvious since we don't read them in ancient Hebrew, nor do we know HOW they were sung, but I reckon that to be a satisfactory answer for myself as to why they're written the way they are. I would recommend reading Psalm 19 or 145 particularly with this in mind, and I think you will see how "song-like" the words are!
I was healed by GOD because of the prayers of my mother and my aunts. They prayed fervently for my healing. It was no laying on of hands trick. It was not instantaneous. It took about six weeks, and doctors were working as well, but the doctors all said they had no idea if what they were doing would even work. I was healed from disseminated vascular coagulation, several strokes, renal and liver damage. I returned to college and earned a bachelor’s degree four years later. GOD answered the prayers of faithful people!
This is the best answer I have ever heard on John 14: 12 when Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. The whole context definitely shows this is what Jesus is really saying. Thank you Mike. 👍
THANK YOU for the Santa question….. I’ve been feeling very convicted for several months about flat out lying to my kids about it. But at the same time I selfishly want to continue on with the Santa thing. 🤷🏼♀️ Thank you for answering the way you did.
Hey I have that same shirt! We did santa because I remembered the magic and wonder it instilled in me as a child, and I wanted my children to have that wonder in their lives. It was part of how I could see joy and wonder underneath the facade both before and after I found out it wasn't real. The joy it brought me was great as a child, and i wanted my kids to have a chance to experience that too (although it was a lot of extra work on us, the only convenience it brought is we could use him to help threaten good behavior since we weren't all knowing like santa "was", although we only really used it to stem off fits in the store of them wanting things). My water shed was when i figured out santa, i realized that the tooth fairy, leprechauns, elves, easter bunny, and all the other magical creatures were fake too. Jesus wasn't in question for me, because he was taught as a historical figure to me as well, or else I'd have stopped believing in George Washington too. My wife didn't grow up with it, as her parents thought the same way you do about it. Christmas wasn't magical at all to her, and she didn't really feel any more joy at that time of year than every sunday at church. It just wasn't as special to her. So we talked about it, and since our motivation wasn't the deception but rather to make the time of year something extra for the kids she participated in it as well. We of course would read the nativity story every year, and the kids would learn about the story behind St Nicholas from us when they were young as well, although that didn't break the illusion for them. We would always remind them that Jesus was the reason we celebrated this time of year. Tldr, We did santa for the enjoyment of our children, not for my own or my wifes enjoyment.
I love your quick wit your astute thinking and your ability to laugh .. even at yourself. You truly are equipped by God to do this ministry and it’s a blessing to many. Don’t ever wonder if you are doing a good enough job. You have an amazing gift. Thank you Mike!
Santa We haven't taught our kids Santa is real. It's a game that people play for fun and some kids don't know and it's not for our kids to tell them. Our kids have not been damaged by this. They understand that we tell truths and what we say about Jesus is not a game, it's real life. And we can still have fun.
THANK YOU! I have been called a horrible Christian and "if I wasn't already a Christian I wouldn't be one because of people like you" about Santa stuff. I was told I was a ruiner of joy. I stated that Santa is fun pretend and it's not real but it can be fun but it's lying no matter how good the intentions. People get sooooooo mad. It is wild.
You should apply that logic across the entire "christian" religion. jesus birthday is wrong. He was not born in Bethlehem, not in the reign of Herod, there was no 'return home' census and there was no flight into Egypt. Virgin birth contradicts jesus as son of David, and water walking, crowd feeding, wine making, blind curing, demon casting, resurrection and ascension are all fairy tales. Most of em including the triangular god of "christianity" were invented long after jesus death. So, what are the good intention of this nonsense?
So weird that people get so weirded out over a fairy tale. I only had my sister-in-law give me a bit of a hard time about no Santa, but I couldn’t do otherwise.
@@bethl This is the reason I HATE Christmas movies. All year long every producer of every movie not made by a religious organization works hard at mocking and debasing and defaming all that is true and right. The "Fire and Brimstone preacher" is a rapist and murderer. The "Good church girl" is secretly a prostitute or is being abused at home and forced to deny her "true self." "Church people" are judgmental, inbred, and clannish. People who believe in God are "anti-science and ignorant." *But* from November to January the whole attitude shifts. Suddenly they tell us the failure to believe makes one the lowest, meanest, most evil of "scrooges." BUT, it is *never* belief in God that they demand. It is belief in Santa.
Thank you, Mike! You provide biblical clarity about areas the Holy Spirit is showing me in discernment. May God protect you and your family as you expose the twisted lies in “religious” cults. May He keep you wise and humble as you faithfully help shepherd His flock.
My parents raised me to not believe in Santa from the start. They told me not to tell other kids that, but at age 4 I had a very "black and white" view of the world and thought it was horribly immoral of other kids' parents to lie to them like that. Fortunately or unfortunately, I never did succeed in convincing other kids that their parents were lying to them about Santa, and gave up discussing the topic around the time I started elementary school.
Awesome like always, I enjoy listening to you, I became a Christian through TV evangelism, I thank God he used this form to be able to reach my heart, I agree with you, regarding those people that are not doing the work of God, however I do believe the gifts of the holy spirit are active and to be used by the church this day, keep doing what you are doing, God has raised you to speak to people, that are confused. You brother are awesome keep it up , love you in Christ.
Totally agree about Santa. I'm grateful my parents didn't lie to me, my husband's parents didn't lie to him. We have beautifully meaningful Christmas traditions and I'm grateful to pass this legacy to our kids. Anybody out there who's concerned their kids will miss out without Santa, our children express that they are grateful we didn't lie to them! Give it a try
Mike I really appreciate your ministry. I find your voice really soothing and your doctrine sound, Biblical and charitable. I tried to listen to you as I fall asleep at night but your content is more interesting than your voice soothing lol God bless you brother!
"Chasing Footnotes" ... sounds like a great book title... when you write your book, Mike! Thanks for your comments on Santa Claus. I raised my kids celebrating Jesus at Christmas and told them the truth about Santa. I still get a lot of flack for this, but I don't care. How is it OK to lie to your kids about something they will believe in so deeply?
my son flat out told me that he wouldn't have believed me regarding God if I had lied to him about Santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc. My son just would sell his baby teeth to me. No fairy needed.
When I first started watching this channel it who's the video about Jeremiah. When he kept saying and he will rise till that day I subscribe to this channel and I'm so glad that I did because each video in here has made me grow spiritually and this is where the true Bible word of God has spoken and I want to thank you and everyone else in here for making that happen thank you so much God bless you and I hope to see more and bless everyone else that is tuned in here❤🙏
Your explanation on the scripture of greater works was phenomenal. Thank you for putting in the hard work of digesting so much of the Bible and being able to articulate that back to us. God bless you Mike.❤❤❤
John 14 continues after verse 12 to speak of asking in prayer for things in Jesus' name. That's what he was speaking of, not that we ourselves would do things greater than Jesus, but that through prayer we can ask God for greater things, and by asking, these things would be done. Context of the verse gives the answer.
But we ask 'in Jesus' name' *not* by chanting the "tag line" at the end of every prayer, "In Jesus' name, amen." NO! THAT is the definition of spell casting! You ask something in the name of Jesus the same way I (an RN) order treatments and medications which, by law, require an MD, DO, PA, or NP order. When I get a call from a lab tech stating, for instance, that my patient's potassium level is critically low, I immediately call pharmacy and ask them to send X milliequivalents of oral or IV Potassium. I then write the order and sign the attending physician's name in the "ordered by" spot, and sign below that as the RN receiving the order. Since what I ordered in his (or her) name was exactly what he/she would have ordered, had I chosen to awaken them at 0200, it is a totally legal order, and the doctor officially gave the order. BUT, if lab called to say that the patient's potassium was too high, if I made the same phone call to pharmacy, and wrote the same order, signing the signature of the same physician I would lose my license, be subject to a lawsuit, and even possible criminal prosecution. Why.... IN HIS NAME means, ACCORDING TO HIS WILL!
I've always interpreted it as everyone Jesus physically healed, still died. But all who direct souls to the saving grace of our Lord, they live forever.
I'm glad I found you. I was ready to get out of the whole charismatic insanity. But you reminded me there are still. Biblically based charismatic churches around. I knew this because my old church was solid. Buy since moving. It's been very hard to find any.
Speaking of enlightening, M|k£ advocates watching movies that promote bl@ck m@g|k, e.g., "Lord of the Rings." I literally just provided cogent evidence on why you should reconsider and reevaluate why you are watching him. One day you will have to provide an account for the action to ignore the truth, so remember that someone tried to get your attention. Will you listen? The expressed information is factual; it's not personal or emotional. [He] is passive, and quite clearly, could be characterized as a $hill or other, based on the review of 100+ episodes. (Not that a Biblical Scholar would know the difference. 😉) I'm shocked at how many people cannot, or simply choose not to discern what is right in front of them most of the time. MW may be likeable and say some good things, but that's not the issue. (One day...an account... remember.)
I went to a Benny Hinn conference in the Tacoma Dome about 20 years ago. Everyone was worshipping God in unison, and Benny Hinn said something powerful was going to happen. We are in the bleacher seats on the right side. He threw his arm towards the center, and everyone in the front middle section fell back into their seats. It was like human dominos. Then he did the same thing towards the right, and we all fell back into our seats. I felt the power of God. It was literal. It was tangible. I have never seen such a mass display of power affecting so many people at once. Sure you can claim shenanigans for 1 on 1 ministry, but I saw with my own eyes thousands of people be impacted by the Holy Spirit all at once. I felt it with my own body. It was amazing. I'll never forget it. I praise God for that experience.
I went to a Benny Hinn service on Good Friday at the Old Honda center in 2006 I was skeptical but like you said its real ! Mike hasn't had the experience yet !
But was it God. Many things that happen in hyper charismatic churches are attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit...but without scripture to confirm we are left wondering. Been there..
Q. 5 re. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. Phil. 2:5-6: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not something to be seized to be equal with God. “Let this mind be in you!!” This passage blew my mind when I first started to meditate on it, that this is where we want to be, and then spend the rest of our lives learning it, while unlearning the image we had learned to create for ourselves. After all, God started us out by creating us in his image. Praise his holy name with thanksgiving for these wonderful and enlightening words!
I don't think I ever believed in Santa Claus. As far as I can remember I always knew it was a fairytale, and that we all just pretend because it's a fun tradition, but Christmas is really about Jesus. I don't remember ever understanding Santa Claus any differently than that.
I completely agree with Mike regarding Santa. My husband and I didn't want to lie to our kids about anything, including Santa, so we told them that at Christmas time adults and kids like to play a big game of imagination. We PRETEND that there is a big, jolly guy in a red suit, riding in a sleigh of flying reindeer. Kids are smart. They knew that it wasn't real but it was fun to pretend. We also told them that some kids didn't know that it is a pretend game yet and that it was up to their parents to tell them - not us. (To avoid ruining it for other kids) It worked for our kids. They are now all adults and enjoy remembering "believing in Santa," as a fun, magical time. And no, it didn't confuse them when it came to believing in God.
Mike, fyi the quote you referenced in Q. 9 ("it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.") Isn't the opening of (Tolstoy's) War and Peace, it's from Dicken's 'Tale of Two Cities'.
Thank you for taking the question about our unsaved loved ones. I have a son that I pray for constantly as he used to be so active in church but has now decided it's all a fairy tale & the Bible was written by a bunch of men who had wild dreams. My heart breaks for him & I am talking to our Lord about it constantly, looking for any sign of change. 😢
I teach my kids about the actual Saint Nicholas, King Wenceslas, and Saint Boniface, and how the "Santa Claus" mythos is loosely based on the three of them and how they worshipped and loved Jesus.
Hot dang! Don't think I've ever seen Mike more passionate about anything than how much he dislikes Santa! lol All jokes aside Mike, I respect your view about this topic and it gave me a lot to think about even though both my kids are older and neither believe in Santa anymore.
Your explanation of what and who we remember when we ge to heaven is helpful. I have wondered for many years how we can be joyful when we know certain people we love won't be there. Just being in the presence of God and all His glory will give us an understanding of him that will allow us to have the joy and peace he promises.
I tried to do the right thing by my daughter with Santa Claus 🧑🎄 I did what my mom did for me and told her the story of St. Nicolas. I paired it with some of Grimms Fairy tales and explained that it was fun to pretend that it's real. I showed her Peter Pan (the play) where the children all clap to believe in fairies and explained it was a game. Some children don't learn it is a game until they are older... but once we say "123 go" we pretend it's real, like playing house. 😅 we started that from when she turned 2 years old and I think it worked out okay.
We did the same thing. We told them it was make believe and about saint Nicholas. Jesus has always been the center of Christmas for our family. We also told them other kids are pretending so don't spoil their fun. But the gifts read from mom and dad.
... so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. And increasingly believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed. -excerpt Acts 5 These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire. -excerpt Revelation 11
One of the most vile and disingenuous men I've seen online in his lies about what Calvinism entails, slander, support of men like Ken Wilson, openness to the abject heresy of Open Theism, and arrogant embrace of Pelagianism whereby man can be saved without the inner working of the Holy Spirit, as has been confessed by all Christians throughout history, from Rome to the Arminians, to Calvin. I say this with all seriousness: before I encountered Flowers, I was an Arminian. He made me a Calvinist.
@@reimannsum9077 I say this with all due respect. I've listened to a vast majority of his podcasts in order. And by your statement, I know you definitely have not. I'm guessing you've seen a Calvinist or two critique him and possibly take his clips out of context. Idk who Ken Wilson is, but everything else you just admitted here is untrue about Leighton. I don't think you've thoroughly vetted his view. Also you call him slanderous yet you have essentially called him one of the most offensive thing to a Bible believing Christian, i.e. A heretic. This is why Calvinism worries me, I know because I also like Leighton, was a Calvinist. (for 25 years of my life, now 31 years old). What worries me is the vitriolic nature of a lot of them (Calvinists). We can and should work together to find out the truth of the scriptures. Blessings to you brother! I hope I didn't come off rude or anything.
Hey Pastor! Love the show...just one hiccup that as a lover of English literature I need to point out. You quoted Dickens' Tale of Two Cities, not Tolstoy's War and Peace 😊
56:49 Mike I have been convinced by your thoughts on Santa. I have 2 young children both under the age of 3 what you have said is so true. I don't want my children when asked why we celebrate Christmas to answer with Santa brings us presents. I have same reservations about Easter and it being about baskets of candy and a rabbit rather than the resurrection of Jesus. I am a new Christian as of 2022 so I am questions everything I do and why. Thank you for your ministry!
Yes Jesus Christ is 200% lmbo! He is far above us. He is probably more like infinitely more than us. Let me share that I was a devout athiest about a year ago or so. A true denier my entire life, a Saul, now turned to Paul.
1:11:15 Tale of 2 Cities- not War and Peace. :) Both good books. One of which I've read, one of which I've tried to read, haha. 😅 Maybe someday I'll finish War and Peace.
I am guessing you read the better of the two books. I did not enjoy anything Tolstoy wrote. But Dickens was at his very best (IMO) with A Tale of Two Cities.
Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
1. 0:55 {Greater Works than Jesus?} In John 14: 12, Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. That’s a tough pill to swallow since He died for our sins and created everything. How do I process Jesus’ statement?
2. 23:42 {Did God Endorse Polygamy in the OT?} In 2 Samuel 12:8, God says that He gave David his wives (multiple), and if he had asked for more, God would’ve given him more. This sounds to be directly saying that God would be endorsing polygamy. How should we as Christians feel about one man having multiple wives according to the Bible, specifically this passage?
3. 30:21 {Is Only OT Scripture “God-Breathed?”} In 2 Timothy 3: 16, was Paul speaking of ONLY OT Scriptures, since that’s all they had at the time? What about the inspiration of the NT?
4. 37:13 {Relearning Proper Theology} One of your videos gave my fiancé a change of heart. He is a former Jehovah’s Witness and feels like he has to start over and unlearn then relearn everything. Where do you suggest we start studying?
5. 43:57 {Is the Hypostatic Union Illogical?} How can Christ truly be God and man at the same time, infringing upon the laws of logic? If it’s true, I know I can't understand it fully, but I do expect to be able to demonstrate how it isn't illogical.
6. 48:54 {Is it Wrong to Teach Kids About Santa?} What do you tell your kids about Santa? Is there a chance that kids who find out Santa isn't real might think the same about Jesus? Would you spoil Santa for children that aren't yours?
7. 57:18 {Should We Avoid Semi-Pelagianism?} I'm a Calvinist, and recently I have been noticing Semi-Pelagian theology in Arminian churches. Can you distinguish between the two and explain why we should avoid Semi-Pelagianism?
8. 1:06:19 {Can We Give God Too Much Credit?} Is it OK to give credit to God for something He might not have done (like a salary raise, new job, or other material or worldly things)?
9. 1:09:52 {New Command or Old Command?} Why does 1 John 2:7 say that he is not writing a new command, but in the next verse (1 John 2:8) he says that he is writing a new command? What's going on here?
10. 1:14:10 {Hasn’t Jesus Always Been Lord?} Peter said in Acts 2: 36 that God has "made Jesus both Lord and Christ." He was already Lord and Christ, so what does this mean? Same with Jesus being “given all authority” in Matthew 28: 18.
11. 1:24:33 {Were Christ’s Sufferings Lacking Something?} In Colossians 1: 24, what is lacking in Christ’s sufferings, and how is Paul contributing to them?
12. 1:30:12 {Is God Constantly Speaking to Us?} My friend doesn't want to have too small of a view of God, so he sees every small event in his life as God speaking to him, even trivial things. Am I being too stingy, or is he "over-spiritualizing"?
13. 1:36:08 {Examples of Serving God Daily} I’m wondering what discipling others, sharing the Gospel, and service to God looks like in your life day-to-day? Anything you’ve learned over the years?
14. 1:39:38 {How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?} In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy?
15. 1:45:24 {Does the Devil Persecute Believers?} Is God giving the Devil permission to persecute the lives of certain Christians today, like in the book of Job?
16. 1:47:02 {Does Praising Jesus Exclude the Father & Spirit?} I've been struggling with phrases or lyrics such as "All glory be to Christ" and "All Heaven sings to Christ alone.” Do these incorrectly exclude the Father and Holy Spirit?
17. 1:49:28 {Exploring the Different Words for God’s Law} Every verse in Psalm 119 refers to God's Law, and ten different words are used, including: commandments, precepts, law, testimonies, ways, etc. Why? Does each word have a different meaning?
18. 1:51:58 {How to Prepare Large Study Projects} How do you go about a project like the Women in Ministry series? I want to do something similar with Genesis 1-2 but I don't even know where to begin or what tools to use (other than Logos, of course).
19. 1:54:38 {Remembering the Unsaved in Heaven?} I would like to know, when we are in Heaven, will we just forget about those we loved on Earth that weren't saved? I can't imagine how there could be no sorrow if we remember them.
20. 2:01:18 {What Was Paul’s Goal?} Can you explain to me what goal Paul hopes to achieve in Philippians 3: 11-12? What does he have to do?
You are a tormented lot. Ok, life is hard and often tragic. But why make things harder? Why explain a mystery with an even bigger mystery? That's counter productive and dangerous. Stop telling each other that organic life is inadequate.
@mikewinger
Quick note…. The language here in these texts. “Work” vs “sign” they are not synonymous, and never is a miracle done by Christ called a “work” rather a “sign”.
😊
Titus 2;13
“looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ”
There is an issue here about what is being included in the works Jesus mentioned his followers would exceed his own.
Mike continues to say greater works than Jesus.
However, Jesus doesn’t say they would do greater works than ME.
He said greater works than THESE.
So, the discussion should be about how can we ascertain what works are referred to be Jesus when he says THESE.
I became reborn in January 2022 and you were a big part of that. I often find my self thinking biblically about everything. Thank you for your ministry.
Praise God and welcome to the family!!
God bless you, brother or sister
Reborn is remade in the image of God by abiding in the image of God ,to have the image of God abide in you. Made in the image of God has always been misunderstood by liars. 1 john 1:6
Notice I am deliberately not mentioning 2 Cor 4:4 that equates Jesus Christ to the image of God. Even Christ has been misunderstood. The image of God is the cross to take up on the flesh, the cross, the crux, the key, the seed of David.
Light is sown like a seed for the righteous. Psalm 97:11. David knew it and David said it. The only explanation we never understood it is that it was sealed until the appointed time. What the deceiver strives to lie about, must be the truth. Jeremiah 8:8
@@swen6797😂
@@davidhiramreyes6490 the only valid response is to prove it to
show you were lying to yourself and others without knowing it.
As a female senior, am grateful for your clear and devoted teaching. 🎉
Shout out to Sarah for keeping things running smooth and organized! You are a blessing, too!
Pastor Mike- I now you're not doing any of this for "followers" but to help grow followers of Christ. However, I've been watching your followers grow so fast. It's like I refresh the screen and there's 1,000 more. THIS changes so many people's lives.
I feel like I'm discipled here. Like I gain tools to go out. Like this Book is the most exciting book. Thank you.
Thank you so much! All glory to God. Your encouragement means so much to us! God bless you and your family!
Seconded! Sarah, you rock! Mike, what you're doing for God's kingdom through this ministry can not be overstated. I tell anyone who will listen about your channel. I consider you my #1 mentor, so you're doing something right with regard to discipleship! My wife (this account) has grown a lot from your teaching, too. Dude, she even bought me a po-ta-toes LotR t-shirt like yours (as well as a Mordor Fun Run t-shirt, "one doesn't simply walk"). Oh, and the bible thinker coffee mug (TM) is legit my favorite. ❤
I love ministry and how you really think about scripture in it's context. Thank you. My question is, do you actually preach in a church? Would love to watch your sermons
Hi Tamika! Mike's ministry's website has a super well done search engine where you can search topically on the site (SO many things! All the things!). You'll find new (like the youtube ministry) and older stuff (Mike with his congregation giving great verse by verse teaching). For example, there's verse by verse teachings on 1 Peter that will be Mike with a congregation. Hope that helps! -Meg @@tamikathomas916
@@merbecca80 Praise God! Thank you so much!! And that’s amazing about the shirts! 😂 🥔🥔🥔
Q6 - I believe that you are spot on. I grew up, the son of a Christian pastor, but in a Sabbath and Holy day observing Church. We never participated In Christmas or Easter observances, and we were taught that the holidays of this world were blasphemous. So, I was taught, from my earliest days, that if I partook of these worldly holidays, then I would be excommunicated and I’d go to hell. When I was in my 40’s, I watched the Church (over one million members) split and fall apart. Then I began to truly study Gods Word for myself, while listening to teachers like Dr. Chuck Missler, and God led me to a better understanding of His Holy Word and His Eternal Plan for His Saints. Yes, God re-educated me and gave me a new understanding of what He did for me, on the cross, and a more positive HOPE, for His Redemption, His Purification and His Gift of Eternal Life, with our Lord and Savior. Hallelujah! Come Quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.
This kind of sounds like you were in a cult. Which denomination was this? Just curious. Blessings!
I was raised quite similarly. I was a Jehovah’s Witnesses. Daughter of an elder. Isn’t freedom in Christ GRAND?!
And yes. Both sound like a cult.
@@Christos_Kurios imagine following Gods commands and being accused of being in a cult 😂
@@UsesElevatorsI feel like it's time to get rid of the word "cult".
In academia this usually means a small a sect or subset of a particular religion. Most major religions today actual began as a cult in the academic sense. Today the word "cult" has very negative connotations. Which is sometimes true of the group described.
But there are no real rules to separate what constitutes a cult and what constitutes a sect, denomination, or a new religion.
So anyone can call someone's religious beliefs they disagree with a cult.
@@UsesElevatorsit's not a cult to follow the Sabbath, God's holy days, etc. But when you tell people if you partake in any way, any of the world's celebrations, you're not saved, you lose your salvation, that's when it becomes a cult. If a husband, for example, takes his wife out on a lovely date on Valentine's Day, he's going to hell? Find me that in the Bible.
In a sense, these people that Believe you lose your salvation if you partake are placing their faith of salvation in their ability to keep God's command themselves. Hebrews & Galatians both get at this.
"Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
Galatians 3:3
"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."
Hebrews 6:4-6 NKJV
The sin talked about here in Hebrews 6, as well as in Galatians, is the sin of no longer relying on Faith Alone for your salvation, but rather on your own works, of which, your ability to keep God's commandments is one. Faith Alone is the reason for our salvation, and to say someone is going to hell based on anything aside from faith, is a sin.
Thank you so much. Years ago, I felt bad because I wasn't doing the "greater works" that preachers were talking about. It made me feel like I either wasn't a Christian or a 2nd class Christian. What a wonderfully wild concept: Behaving like Christ/taking on the mind of Christ, living by the Word of God, and preaching the Gospel being that greater work. That is powerful.....Mike, I may never meet you here on Earth, but when we get to heaven I have a smile and a big hug for you. Thank you for answering God's call on your life, bro. God bless you.
This is a wonderful and sweet comment. I feel the same way! He’s cleared up a few things that my husband and I differed on and it’s been quite a gift. Thanks, Mike!
I got 1 min into this and all I can think is: Up Up Down Down Left right Left Right B A Start.
Love you Pastor Mike!
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair."
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens.
War & Peace written by Leo Tolstoy.
It was a good quote, and very relevant to the crazy time we live. So keep up the good work 👍
Blessings from 🇬🇧 UK
Haha! Thanks for saying this. I was going to, but now I don't have to!
Same here
@@LoriLev1107 Maranatha! 💜
@@seesee9230 maranatha! 💜
Glad you pointed out this out so I didn’t have to be the nudge. 🤣🤣
Your empathy for JW and others that are confused was refreshing and inspiring
That is what Christ wants for us. Not to judge but to have emathy and want to help those not following God's word. Thank you for these videos 💫
As an exJW, thank you. I’m trying to use my own upbringing to help my former brethren, as well as the Mormons. It’s super difficult to do, since they’re well trained in how to reply and rebuff, without listening to a word you say to them. But I’m trying.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
By the look of your choice/selection of videos, perhaps you need to take a harder look in the mirror. Jordan Pet€rson and Rogan are both freem@sons and shills. Are you unable to discern that a video posted with the word "mantra" is not appropriate to watch? Instead of becoming angry, take some time to consider the material you are viewing and/or promoting. Worldliness should not have a place in your life.
@@CarolineJoyAmico Whats even WORSE is myself to WARN you ppl claiming to be christian are under the darkness pf this guy winker and his false prophets associates occult Manichaeism theology-TULIP/OSAS, West minster confession of 1639 sorcery doctrines. YET you ppl are the WORST to say things to or about how deceived you in MASS truly are
@@CarolineJoyAmicoI noticed speaking to a mormon they were good at replying to their belief about Jesus Christ that made me confused they were Mormon and not Christians.
Thank you Mike for helping me connect on my doorstep with a JW. I dontthink people usually challenge them with the Gospel. She used a verse from NT as proof Jesus is not the Son of God. I talked about context as you have said but itfelt like I was doing tit-for-tat and my heart wasn't right.
Hey Brother Mike, it's after 10pm California time. I might say this allot, but you & your ministry has taught me to Think Biblically. using context turned on the light bulb💡 in my brain. it's made a world of difference to help me understand the bible. it's improved my relationship with Jesus so much. Thank you Mike, Sarah & team for all your hard work. praying for you. 20 Questions is Awesome.
Your answer to question #1 brought me to tears.😭 How I could have ever believed the lies and the hype of WOF on this topic and many others still breaks my heart.😭😭 Praise Almighty God for His merciful heart and His abundant grace to forgive my errors and gently lead me to see the truth. As if there could be anything greater than sharing the Gospel that leads to eternal life. How arrogant of us. Your breakdown was so good. Thank you so much for this😭😭🙏
❤ yes I agree it was a greatanswer. What a privilege to have learnt this. I went after these experiences and at back of my mind knew it was empty and experimention.
Amen. How great is our God, to dwell with us and be our friend? There is no greater in all heaven and earth?
Second grade, I listened to convo with older students about Santa. Came home with confidence that my older brother would tell me the truth. "There is no Santa, and btw you're not really my sister. Mom and Dad aren't really you're Mom and Dad." I was adopted and I no longer cared about Santa. Funny how that moment pops up in my head now and then. God bless you, Sir.
That last question’s answer almost had me in tears. That has been me, moving away from my relationship with Jesus. This and some other podcasts that I have listened to recently have really been a gut punch. I have been lacking in all my relationships and Christ has been calling me back to himself. It’s time to listen.
Mr. Winger, I am so happy to have found your channel and your 20 questions segments I listen to repeatedly and look forward to hearing while at work. It has helped me so much in my walk, it actually in a sense brought me back. God used to be… sort of in the back burner, I prayed and had strong faith, but I never focused on Him. Your segment helped me to realize that I was in error, not anyone else, that I needed to stop acting like I know everything and rely on God in all things. It’s had such a positive impact on my family and myself. I was never a good person, I struggled with a lot of vices, and I put all that down and instead of just telling myself what is true I began to think it and act on it. I began to actually take an active walk of faith instead of some passive affirmation every now and again. In short, listening to you and the questions so many people have has really pulled my head out of the sand.
Thank you so much for your ministry. It shown a light on what I believed I had figured out after walking away from God the first time 15 years ago.
About Santa: when I was rebelling as a 12 year old, my thought was, "God is probably just like Santa, something parents tell children to get them to behave." It was a stumbling block for me. You're right, Mike, lying to kids is bad, no matter what.
Everyone lies to their kids, most often for their protection.
We want our kids to trust the police in case they are in trouble, but our police aren't all trustworthy but we say they are. We tell them that everything is alright, when money is tight and we don't know how we are getting food this week. We tell them that grandma is in heaven, even when we aren't confident that she was right with God before she passed. Or that the dog ran away, when it needed put down for bitting them repeatedly...
@@fiffer13 Is the fact that in your experience parents lie to their children regularly, something that makes it good?
Indeed does the intention of protecting children justify the means?
Shouldn't we rather see regularly deception ad something that should be addressed or avoided?
@@samuelbarns118 I'm trying to aid my young children in maintaining their innocence, they slowly loose that and i slowly stop applying the veneer. My children shouldn't need to worry about where their next meal is coming from if I can help it. I knew kids like that, they all, as in 100% of them, became overly anxious teens and adults, most of them are medicated for that now. If I can equip my children for life maybe they won't need that, but It's hard to run a marathon when you can't complete one lap on the track, so I expose them more slowly to the facts of life and which means hiding some of them if only temporarily
@@fiffer13not everybody lies to their kids. Some of us understand that allowing disappointments at a young age equips them emotionally in their later years.
Each of the examples you gave robs the child of an opportunity to lean into God/learn about God/trust God/etc. not all of us parents lie. Some of us were lied to so brutally that the lack of trust motivated us to be the most transparent and thorough we can be.
@@Manzanita1890 my 8 year old gets much less veiled from him now, intentionally because he isn't worrying himself into tears anymore about social things.
My autistic 6 year old has far too much difficulty understanding practical applications, it's impossible to keep the truth from him, and has taken us several years to get him to stop hiding food in his room to rot and eat anyway because he was afraid he wouldn't get a food he liked in several days or a week...
I'm not replacing teaching them about God, or that he provides everything we need, but when they were 5 and 3 all they understood was they weren't getting McDonald's all the time or whatever other food they desired.
Their mother (my wife) tried to commit suicide two year ago, you're saying i should tell them more than she was sick and needed to go to the hospital to feel better? That was a lie by omission of the truth, but what else can your tell a 6 year old who crys when he went out on a baseball field due to social anxiety, or an autistic 4 year old?
It is my burden as a father to protect my children from as much as I can both physically and mentally, and to equip them when it is appropriate to face the challenges of life. It's not that they don't get equipped, it's that not every trial in my walk or my wifes walk needs to be their trial too.
I just want to say that your quality level of project and uncompromising dedication to the Word, wherever it takes our theology, is deeply meaningful! The way you show the research and logic, the value placed on actually seeking real answers from scripture and not adding to it or trying to make scripture back a point you just prefer to believe is EXTREMELY VALUABLE AND MUCH NEEDED in the church of today’s society. It’s what drew me in to your ministry. The fact that it takes so much research and work, but you’re willing to actually do it, shows how important it is to get our teaching from scripture, and not just fly off the cuff, make stuff up, or say whatever feels good. I believe it is very important to practice your methods in daily life-and the thinking biblically starts to happen automatically, it’s a renewing of the mind that transforms us. This is, I believe, your discipleship. Helping others to seek out biblical truth in logical and honest reading of the word is unfortunately rare in the modern church. Even if the particular subject is not important to someone, it’s still excellent practice for learning to deal with the facts of is it what the Bible says, and where else we might be getting our ideas, etc. This is why I will sit and carefully listen to over 6 hours on head coverings! Excellence in teaching, my friend! Keep up the good work! You are doing a massive service to the body of Christ! Don’t be discouraged! I can’t wait for the next WIM installment!
I am 67 years old and my daughters are now 42 and 40. When my firstborn was 4, in the months leading up to the Christmas season, I asked her, "What if Santa isn't real?" Her response, "What if Jesus isn't real?" 😯 So from then on, the "main" gifts on Christmas morning were from Jesus, to celebrate His Birthday. Deception gone!
Love that ❤
Ok, now you have me wondering if the tooth fairy is real or not😂
Good idea🙏🙏
Excellence 😅
A four year old asked that?
Question #14. 1:39:38 {How Do We Find Joy in Our Trials?} In James 1, how do we count our trials as joy?
This sure hit the spot, very timely. I felt God speaking to me through this. Thank you for this video. God bless you, brother Mike.
You got it right about the greater works issue brother Mike. There's no way we can do more quality works than CHRIST ( GOD HIMSELF ) did or will do . The amout of souls the body of CHRIST brings salvation to in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST is the greater works .
GOD bless you brother Mike.
When Christs promise does not fit with your theology, then just change it and say He didn’t actually mean what He said.
Blessings Pastor Winger. I’m a broken Believer in The Lord Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my King of Kings, my Lord of Lords, my Good Shepherd. I’ve reluctantly walked with Him for most of my life…while being a double-minded prodigal. I sin less, today, I believe, but I am no where near pure. I’m of the opinion that I cannot be pure until Jesus takes me to be with Him, and purges all iniquity from my soul, at the Bema Seat Judgement. I know how badly I desire to be free of sin, I pray and ask God to Create in me a clean heart and to renew a right Spirit within me. Help me better understand, if I’m wrong. Blessings and thanks for your Blessed content.
Sounds like you're struggling with your mental health, so please keep your thoughts positive. Unconditionally love does not care if you are pure or perfect.
THE GREATER WORK TO ME IS GETTING THE GOSPEL OUT TO ALL PEOPLE SO THEY MIGHT BE SAVED
As a non-cessationist, I still found this idea of charismania as a 'movement' to be very insightful. You handled this question really well.
Same here.
Can relate.
Same.
Your videos are my church. I heard that an anonymous poll said 70% of pastors watch porň. I grew up thinking church (Baptist) was a social function. Very dry. Donuts and coffee. Nearly every church I’ve been to has triggered my instincts in a way that has caused my discernment gift to be on full alert.
So, thank you. You have such a gift. I’m sitting here in my car listening to this with my mother. I know that where two or more are gathered together, the Lord is in their midst. God bless you!
You’ve led me to tears of joy, tears of happiness that the Lord has such love and mercy for us. Overwhelmed with tears that God is orchestrating this world to his design. He orders my steps. Amen.
The greatest work is helping people be saved because that’s when heaven rejoices
Thanks again, Bro Mike, for these Friday Q & A sessions, and everybody for your questions! Always good! ✌️
My son was told as soon as he could understand(he was about 3 or 4) about the santa ruse. I told him that he could NOT tell other kids though or their parents would freak out. Later, my son thanked me for not lying to him about it(or anything else) because he knew he could believe me when I told him about Jesus!
❤ I want my kids to believe me when I tell them bedtime is important! That's my biggest issue with Santa, and so many other "white" lies parents come up with.
Pastor Mike, I was reading John last night and felt confused when Jesus mentioned they will do even greater things. Thank you to whoever asked the question and for your biblical answer.
Wouldn’t a correct answer have been preferable?
@@HaleStorm49 why do you troll him so hard??
@@shawnahathaway4762 1) Your trolling meter must be defective since the ratio is ~100 to 1 to his favor.
2) That's the wrong question to ask.
@@HaleStorm49I found his answer to be sufficient and backed by the scripture. Nothing but peace in my heart. Thank you for looking out though. Peace be with you my friend.
@@arjk5878 you as well brother.
Regarding Q19: I’m very, very burdened for the souls of my unsaved loved ones, and at times I break down and sob 😭 when praying for them. I can’t help it. 😭 I don’t know what the solution is, other than to trust that God will wipe every tear from my eyes. This brings me peace, and hope it helps others.
I believe God has shared with you His heart for your family. He loves them so much, and we should have faith that our intercessory prayer will bear fruit. We can't see what effects our prayer has in the Spirit realm, but we can believe.
@@TheRyanandKimberly Trust in Jesus is all I have. I’m the only one in my family who is serving God. The burden is so heavy. 😭 I keep praying, though!
I am burdened by this, too. 😢I keep praying God will send someone to water the seeds we planted so early in our son's life, while I keep reminding him of all the blessings God continues to give him.
@@shilohauraablePraying for your son and many others that have YET to see the light. I also ask GOD comfort you.
Claim his promises , believe and pray.
Greater works study so worthy...same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us... hallelujah
Hey God bless you brother Mike. Praying for your family, ministry and whatever your struggle might be right now. May you be strengthened and encouraged in Christ. Glory be to God.
I hope you see this and get some encouragement. I was introduced to you many years ago by a trusted friend and mentor as a new believer. I have grown tremendously in the Lord through your e-discipleship lol! You have taught me much and imparted me with many gifts. You’ve impacted my teaching and vision in ministry and helped me be more effective for the cause of Christ and His bride. As my own ministry grows by Gods grace, I still am so edified by your style and approach that bleeds out into my own work. Thank you forever brother. Don’t ever forget that WE are reaching the lost and edifying the body together- you just don’t always know it. Grace and Peace❤️
Pastor Mike, you ARE disciplining thousands of us, even if you don’t know our names.
@@Brigidamaxini I’m not sure exactly what you mean, but I would say certainly the Spirit works through him.
Kudos, M8ke Winger. I just heard the former Jehovah Witness turned because God opened his eyes through your message. Personally, I think the Gospels are where someone start out because all cults, false teachers and such has a twisted view of Jesus Christ. He must know who Jesus was, is and always will be.💪 Great job, Mike
Thank you for your kind and gracious approach to teaching the truth. Even when you point out error or deceptive teachings you do it in a way that I am trying to improve on myself. Thanks Mike!
Speaking of error, M|k£ advocates watching movies that promote bl@ck m@g|k, e.g., "Lord of the Rings." I literally just provided cogent evidence on why you should reconsider and reevaluate why you are watching him. One day you will have to provide an account for the action to ignore the truth, so remember that someone tried to get your attention. Will you listen? The expressed information is factual; it's not personal or emotional. [He] is passive, and quite clearly, could be characterized as a $hill or other, based on the review of 100+ episodes. (Not that a Biblical Scholar would know the difference. 😉) I'm shocked at how many people cannot, or simply choose not to discern what is right in front of them most of the time. MW may be likeable and say some good things, but that's not the issue.
(One day...an account... remember.)
As always Ps Mike, you are a great blessing and a great encourager in helping believers to think Biblically. May Your gift in helps and in teaching and pointing to the Word and the resurrected Christ, may the Wisdom God has imparted and that you have grown and nurtured and grown and fed by all the amount of time you spend in the Word, in prayer, in reading and research to gain insight wisdom, knowledge and understanding continue to thrive and grow stronger and. May your gently, yet firm, kind humble manner always open doors, that He so willed , for you to reach more and more people to want to hear and be helped with that which you share. I bless God for you and thank God for your ministry & obedience, depite challenges you face, to continue, by the grace of God to get this word, help and teaching to think biblically out accros your country and other nations across the world. Sending fondest greetings and many blessings and God's grace and peace and health and good sleep to you as your portion, from South Africa, blessings & Grace - Nikki & Garry Wantenaar
I love your response about Santa. I personally know of kids who were so devastated when they learned the truth and were so hurt their parents had been lying to them.
We downplayed it with our kids but looking back I wish we’d skipped it altogether. My kids figured it out quite young and I remember being relieved.
My parents were honest from the get-go, and I never believed in Santa (though I did find the historical St. Nicholas quite interesting when I learned about him) and thus never went through the trauma of finding out he wasn't real. I enjoyed Christmas just as much as any other kid; the only real difference was that I knew the actual source of the presents I was getting.
@@DamonNomad82this exactly. The argument is always "you're going to take the fun and magic out of Christmas" and I'm just thinking no I literally am not. I have no memory of ever believing in Santa Claus and I always was so excited for Christmas.
You gave them a big clue by being uncomfortable with it, I'll bet! Kids are waaay smarter than they let on: I remember.
THANK-YOU Mike..As a new Christian I had false expectations based on SOME things I heard about healing. Experience made me doubt the claims but I doubted my doubt! You have cleared this up finally 30 years later. I learn so much from yout videos and grow in my assurance about God's reality. May God bless you and yours and preserve your ability to follow the Spirit...
Love this. Needed it so much. I believe in the work of the Holy Spirit and the gifts for today but have been involved with people like this the past few years and it really damaged me. I went to a tent revival event in the UK in the summer put on by people that used to really passionately and closely follow Jesus. I am still processing what it was like. There was a constant pressure to be at the 2 services a day, 2-3 hours in the morning and about 5 hours at night. I WAS TOLD I saw miracles that I did not and mass deliverances that my spirit didn't agree with either. I believe God heals and delivers people today but I will not be told someone has had a medically verifiable healing before they have seen a doctor. I have never experienced such hype or experienced such pressure in a Christian service, and I connected with God in spite of and not because of this atmosphere.
Thank you Pastor Mike, I always enjoy hearing your perspective and your thoughtful responses to your viewers.
Your description of Benny Hinn and Kenneth Copeland casually performing Greater Works in the Graveyard™ @ 12:10 made me snortlaugh.
The Holy Spirit showed me this sometime back. It's so good to get confirmation that the greater works He is talking about is salvation with the indwelling Holy Spirit! We raise the dead (spiritually) every time someone is born again... yes its Him actually doing it but He is using us.... Hallalujah Praise God
I agree, I believe we will be so sanctified and filled with God's presence and in His perfection, that we will realize that those who rejected His saving grace through His Son, Christ Jesus, and remained in their sin, are being perfectly & justly condemned, no matter who they are, though it is so hard to try and reconcile with while we are in our current state
I started praying for greater things than these two years ago. I have grown, been defeated, grown a little more then failed at levels I never have before. I repulse myself and wish I could just give my life in some act to save others before my failures are seen and shame my Lord in any way.
The longer the video, the happier I get 🙌🏻
I will confess that I have a hard time listening to a sermon, let alone a theological explanation, but two hours listening to Mike, and reading and learning, is a walk in the park. THANK YOU MIKE!
"The height of Christianity is facing death with the confidence of Christ's resurrection." (1:35:54)
That is one of the best quotes, outside of scripture itself, that I've ever heard in my life. Thank you so much for what you do!
On Q17 about the the Psalms, I've observed this as well, having memorized a handful of psalms, one being Psalm 19 which has a very similar pattern to Psalm 119.
In my memorization process I found if I shifted my mindset more towards memorizing song lyrics rather than systematic doctrinal flow like I would when memorizing James or Ephesians, it became a little easier-- and remember, the Psalms WERE songs.
I'm not a scholar so I haven't done an in-depth study of this but I've come to the understanding that those repetitions and synonyms found in a given psalm are like word play, a product of the literature being composed as a song. Likewise this is a familiar phenomenon to modern songs as well. It may not be obvious since we don't read them in ancient Hebrew, nor do we know HOW they were sung, but I reckon that to be a satisfactory answer for myself as to why they're written the way they are. I would recommend reading Psalm 19 or 145 particularly with this in mind, and I think you will see how "song-like" the words are!
U and ur staff's labor in The Lord is such a blessing. God bless you all.
Thank you Pastor Mike
I was healed by GOD because of the prayers of my mother and my aunts. They prayed fervently for my healing. It was no laying on of hands trick. It was not instantaneous. It took about six weeks, and doctors were working as well, but the doctors all said they had no idea if what they were doing would even work. I was healed from disseminated vascular coagulation, several strokes, renal and liver damage. I returned to college and earned a bachelor’s degree four years later. GOD answered the prayers of faithful people!
Thank you Pastor Mike, enjoy thinking Biblically
This is the best answer I have ever heard on John 14: 12 when Jesus said we would do even greater things than Him. The whole context definitely shows this is what Jesus is really saying. Thank you Mike. 👍
THANK YOU for the Santa question….. I’ve been feeling very convicted for several months about flat out lying to my kids about it. But at the same time I selfishly want to continue on with the Santa thing. 🤷🏼♀️ Thank you for answering the way you did.
Hey Mike Winger. Thank you for spreading the Word of God. You truly are doing the Lord’s work.
Hey I have that same shirt!
We did santa because I remembered the magic and wonder it instilled in me as a child, and I wanted my children to have that wonder in their lives. It was part of how I could see joy and wonder underneath the facade both before and after I found out it wasn't real. The joy it brought me was great as a child, and i wanted my kids to have a chance to experience that too (although it was a lot of extra work on us, the only convenience it brought is we could use him to help threaten good behavior since we weren't all knowing like santa "was", although we only really used it to stem off fits in the store of them wanting things).
My water shed was when i figured out santa, i realized that the tooth fairy, leprechauns, elves, easter bunny, and all the other magical creatures were fake too. Jesus wasn't in question for me, because he was taught as a historical figure to me as well, or else I'd have stopped believing in George Washington too.
My wife didn't grow up with it, as her parents thought the same way you do about it. Christmas wasn't magical at all to her, and she didn't really feel any more joy at that time of year than every sunday at church. It just wasn't as special to her. So we talked about it, and since our motivation wasn't the deception but rather to make the time of year something extra for the kids she participated in it as well.
We of course would read the nativity story every year, and the kids would learn about the story behind St Nicholas from us when they were young as well, although that didn't break the illusion for them. We would always remind them that Jesus was the reason we celebrated this time of year.
Tldr, We did santa for the enjoyment of our children, not for my own or my wifes enjoyment.
I love your quick wit your astute thinking and your ability to laugh .. even at yourself.
You truly are equipped by God to do this ministry and it’s a blessing to many. Don’t ever wonder if you are doing a good enough job. You have an amazing gift.
Thank you Mike!
Santa
We haven't taught our kids Santa is real. It's a game that people play for fun and some kids don't know and it's not for our kids to tell them. Our kids have not been damaged by this. They understand that we tell truths and what we say about Jesus is not a game, it's real life. And we can still have fun.
"walk on air?" man i just love listening to you cause you say such funny things lol
Dude, off topic, but I so love your t-shirt!
I love your work, I believe God is doing great things through you, Mike! God bless!
The importation of the Holy Spirit, the baptism in the Spirit. THAT MAKES SCRIPTURAL SENSE. Good thinking Brother.
And as the church we continue was a great point.
THANK YOU! I have been called a horrible Christian and "if I wasn't already a Christian I wouldn't be one because of people like you" about Santa stuff. I was told I was a ruiner of joy. I stated that Santa is fun pretend and it's not real but it can be fun but it's lying no matter how good the intentions. People get sooooooo mad. It is wild.
You should apply that logic across the entire "christian" religion. jesus birthday is wrong. He was not born in Bethlehem, not in the reign of Herod, there was no 'return home' census and there was no flight into Egypt. Virgin birth contradicts jesus as son of David, and water walking, crowd feeding, wine making, blind curing, demon casting, resurrection and ascension are all fairy tales. Most of em including the triangular god of "christianity" were invented long after jesus death. So, what are the good intention of this nonsense?
You're not alone. They do the same to my family for the same reason. Ignore the trolls my dear sister, do what is right in God's eyes and have peace.
So weird that people get so weirded out over a fairy tale. I only had my sister-in-law give me a bit of a hard time about no Santa, but I couldn’t do otherwise.
@@bethl This is the reason I HATE Christmas movies. All year long every producer of every movie not made by a religious organization works hard at mocking and debasing and defaming all that is true and right.
The "Fire and Brimstone preacher" is a rapist and murderer. The "Good church girl" is secretly a prostitute or is being abused at home and forced to deny her "true self." "Church people" are judgmental, inbred, and clannish. People who believe in God are "anti-science and ignorant."
*But* from November to January the whole attitude shifts. Suddenly they tell us the failure to believe makes one the lowest, meanest, most evil of "scrooges." BUT, it is *never* belief in God that they demand. It is belief in Santa.
Thank you, Mike! You provide biblical clarity about areas the Holy Spirit is showing me in discernment. May God protect you and your family as you expose the twisted lies in “religious” cults. May He keep you wise and humble as you faithfully help shepherd His flock.
My parents raised me to not believe in Santa from the start. They told me not to tell other kids that, but at age 4 I had a very "black and white" view of the world and thought it was horribly immoral of other kids' parents to lie to them like that. Fortunately or unfortunately, I never did succeed in convincing other kids that their parents were lying to them about Santa, and gave up discussing the topic around the time I started elementary school.
Kinda like trying to tell someone the pretrib rapture isn't in the Bible. Nobody wants to hear that what they want to believe isn't true.
Awesome like always, I enjoy listening to you, I became a Christian through TV evangelism, I thank God he used this form to be able to reach my heart, I agree with you, regarding those people that are not doing the work of God, however I do believe the gifts of the holy spirit are active and to be used by the church this day, keep doing what you are doing, God has raised you to speak to people, that are confused. You brother are awesome keep it up , love you in Christ.
Totally agree about Santa. I'm grateful my parents didn't lie to me, my husband's parents didn't lie to him. We have beautifully meaningful Christmas traditions and I'm grateful to pass this legacy to our kids. Anybody out there who's concerned their kids will miss out without Santa, our children express that they are grateful we didn't lie to them! Give it a try
Mike I really appreciate your ministry. I find your voice really soothing and your doctrine sound, Biblical and charitable. I tried to listen to you as I fall asleep at night but your content is more interesting than your voice soothing lol God bless you brother!
"Chasing Footnotes" ... sounds like a great book title... when you write your book, Mike! Thanks for your comments on Santa Claus. I raised my kids celebrating Jesus at Christmas and told them the truth about Santa. I still get a lot of flack for this, but I don't care. How is it OK to lie to your kids about something they will believe in so deeply?
my son flat out told me that he wouldn't have believed me regarding God if I had lied to him about Santa, easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc. My son just would sell his baby teeth to me. No fairy needed.
When I first started watching this channel it who's the video about Jeremiah. When he kept saying and he will rise till that day I subscribe to this channel and I'm so glad that I did because each video in here has made me grow spiritually and this is where the true Bible word of God has spoken and I want to thank you and everyone else in here for making that happen thank you so much God bless you and I hope to see more and bless everyone else that is tuned in here❤🙏
Thank you Pastor Mike. ❤ Australia 🇦🇺
Your explanation on the scripture of greater works was phenomenal. Thank you for putting in the hard work of digesting so much of the Bible and being able to articulate that back to us. God bless you Mike.❤❤❤
Keep up the good work Mike! 🙏🙌🙏💪😎🇺🇲
Salvation is a GIFT and the fruit of your works is the proof you have accepted Christ’s gift.
John 14 continues after verse 12 to speak of asking in prayer for things in Jesus' name. That's what he was speaking of, not that we ourselves would do things greater than Jesus, but that through prayer we can ask God for greater things, and by asking, these things would be done. Context of the verse gives the answer.
But we ask 'in Jesus' name' *not* by chanting the "tag line" at the end of every prayer, "In Jesus' name, amen." NO! THAT is the definition of spell casting!
You ask something in the name of Jesus the same way I (an RN) order treatments and medications which, by law, require an MD, DO, PA, or NP order.
When I get a call from a lab tech stating, for instance, that my patient's potassium level is critically low, I immediately call pharmacy and ask them to send X milliequivalents of oral or IV Potassium. I then write the order and sign the attending physician's name in the "ordered by" spot, and sign below that as the RN receiving the order.
Since what I ordered in his (or her) name was exactly what he/she would have ordered, had I chosen to awaken them at 0200, it is a totally legal order, and the doctor officially gave the order.
BUT, if lab called to say that the patient's potassium was too high, if I made the same phone call to pharmacy, and wrote the same order, signing the signature of the same physician I would lose my license, be subject to a lawsuit, and even possible criminal prosecution. Why....
IN HIS NAME means, ACCORDING TO HIS WILL!
I've always interpreted it as everyone Jesus physically healed, still died. But all who direct souls to the saving grace of our Lord, they live forever.
I'm glad I found you. I was ready to get out of the whole charismatic insanity. But you reminded me there are still. Biblically based charismatic churches around. I knew this because my old church was solid. Buy since moving. It's been very hard to find any.
Same here
Great video! Thanks for sharing knowledge and truth!!!
Sending love,honesty is a commitment to truth,even when it’s difficult or inconvenient,have you seen this gem live??
1:10:39 That's the opening to A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, not War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.
Thanks for the correction.
Thanks pastor Mike your teachings are enlightening the greatest act we can do is to tell people about Chris, salvation🙏
Speaking of enlightening,
M|k£ advocates watching movies that promote bl@ck m@g|k, e.g., "Lord of the Rings." I literally just provided cogent evidence on why you should reconsider and reevaluate why you are watching him. One day you will have to provide an account for the action to ignore the truth, so remember that someone tried to get your attention. Will you listen? The expressed information is factual; it's not personal or emotional. [He] is passive, and quite clearly, could be characterized as a $hill or other, based on the review of 100+ episodes. (Not that a Biblical Scholar would know the difference. 😉) I'm shocked at how many people cannot, or simply choose not to discern what is right in front of them most of the time. MW may be likeable and say some good things, but that's not the issue.
(One day...an account... remember.)
Lots of great questions today.
I'm a member of the "Mormon" church, and I enjoy these Q&A sessions, because each one broadens my perspective. 😊
I went to a Benny Hinn conference in the Tacoma Dome about 20 years ago. Everyone was worshipping God in unison, and Benny Hinn said something powerful was going to happen. We are in the bleacher seats on the right side. He threw his arm towards the center, and everyone in the front middle section fell back into their seats. It was like human dominos. Then he did the same thing towards the right, and we all fell back into our seats. I felt the power of God. It was literal. It was tangible. I have never seen such a mass display of power affecting so many people at once.
Sure you can claim shenanigans for 1 on 1 ministry, but I saw with my own eyes thousands of people be impacted by the Holy Spirit all at once. I felt it with my own body. It was amazing. I'll never forget it. I praise God for that experience.
I went to a Benny Hinn service on Good Friday at the Old Honda center in 2006 I was skeptical but like you said its real ! Mike hasn't had the experience yet !
But was it God. Many things that happen in hyper charismatic churches are attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit...but without scripture to confirm we are left wondering. Been there..
@@mable552100% agree
Matthew 7 22-23 is a good reminder.
@@mable552How can we know it was the Holy Spirit & not a demonic spirit? I don’t adhere to Benny Hinn’s teachings.
Q: Tell us exactly what God did and what happened to you, please?
Q. 5 re. Jesus is 100% God and 100% man. Phil. 2:5-6: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not something to be seized to be equal with God. “Let this mind be in you!!” This passage blew my mind when I first started to meditate on it, that this is where we want to be, and then spend the rest of our lives learning it, while unlearning the image we had learned to create for ourselves. After all, God started us out by creating us in his image. Praise his holy name with thanksgiving for these wonderful and enlightening words!
I don't think I ever believed in Santa Claus. As far as I can remember I always knew it was a fairytale, and that we all just pretend because it's a fun tradition, but Christmas is really about Jesus. I don't remember ever understanding Santa Claus any differently than that.
In 500 years we’re gonna find a way to make Fourth of July about Jesus
@@UsesElevatorseverything is about Jesus, so I’m sure there’s a way. 😉
All things for God’s glory.
Is poopin about Jesus? @@CarolineJoyAmico
wrubg
I completely agree with Mike regarding Santa. My husband and I didn't want to lie to our kids about anything, including Santa, so we told them that at Christmas time adults and kids like to play a big game of imagination. We PRETEND that there is a big, jolly guy in a red suit, riding in a sleigh of flying reindeer. Kids are smart. They knew that it wasn't real but it was fun to pretend. We also told them that some kids didn't know that it is a pretend game yet and that it was up to their parents to tell them - not us. (To avoid ruining it for other kids)
It worked for our kids. They are now all adults and enjoy remembering "believing in Santa," as a fun, magical time. And no, it didn't confuse them when it came to believing in God.
Mike, fyi the quote you referenced in Q. 9 ("it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.") Isn't the opening of (Tolstoy's) War and Peace, it's from Dicken's 'Tale of Two Cities'.
1:36:09 that is an incredible definition of the height of Christianity!!! Thank you for that nugget 🙌🏻
Thanks, Mike and team
Thank you for taking the question about our unsaved loved ones. I have a son that I pray for constantly as he used to be so active in church but has now decided it's all a fairy tale & the Bible was written by a bunch of men who had wild dreams. My heart breaks for him & I am talking to our Lord about it constantly, looking for any sign of change. 😢
I teach my kids about the actual Saint Nicholas, King Wenceslas, and Saint Boniface, and how the "Santa Claus" mythos is loosely based on the three of them and how they worshipped and loved Jesus.
Thank you once again for all you do for Him. Be blessed.
Hot dang! Don't think I've ever seen Mike more passionate about anything than how much he dislikes Santa! lol All jokes aside Mike, I respect your view about this topic and it gave me a lot to think about even though both my kids are older and neither believe in Santa anymore.
Your explanation of what and who we remember when we ge to heaven is helpful. I have wondered for many years how we can be joyful when we know certain people we love won't be there. Just being in the presence of God and all His glory will give us an understanding of him that will allow us to have the joy and peace he promises.
I tried to do the right thing by my daughter with Santa Claus 🧑🎄
I did what my mom did for me and told her the story of St. Nicolas. I paired it with some of Grimms Fairy tales and explained that it was fun to pretend that it's real. I showed her Peter Pan (the play) where the children all clap to believe in fairies and explained it was a game. Some children don't learn it is a game until they are older... but once we say "123 go" we pretend it's real, like playing house. 😅 we started that from when she turned 2 years old and I think it worked out okay.
We did the same thing. We told them it was make believe and about saint Nicholas. Jesus has always been the center of Christmas for our family. We also told them other kids are pretending so don't spoil their fun. But the gifts read from mom and dad.
Your explanation of the greater works has been extremely eye opening! Wow, it makes so much more sense now. Thank you Pastor Mike!
... so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them.
And increasingly believers in the Lord, large numbers of men and women, were being added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any of them. The people from the cities in the vicinity of Jerusalem were coming together as well, bringing people who were sick or tormented with unclean spirits, and they were all being healed.
-excerpt Acts 5
These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
-excerpt Revelation 11
For all Calvinists out there. I strongly recommend Soterialogy 101 Podcast with Leighton Flowers. Blessings!
One of the most vile and disingenuous men I've seen online in his lies about what Calvinism entails, slander, support of men like Ken Wilson, openness to the abject heresy of Open Theism, and arrogant embrace of Pelagianism whereby man can be saved without the inner working of the Holy Spirit, as has been confessed by all Christians throughout history, from Rome to the Arminians, to Calvin.
I say this with all seriousness: before I encountered Flowers, I was an Arminian.
He made me a Calvinist.
@@reimannsum9077 I say this with all due respect. I've listened to a vast majority of his podcasts in order. And by your statement, I know you definitely have not. I'm guessing you've seen a Calvinist or two critique him and possibly take his clips out of context. Idk who Ken Wilson is, but everything else you just admitted here is untrue about Leighton. I don't think you've thoroughly vetted his view. Also you call him slanderous yet you have essentially called him one of the most offensive thing to a Bible believing Christian, i.e. A heretic. This is why Calvinism worries me, I know because I also like Leighton, was a Calvinist. (for 25 years of my life, now 31 years old). What worries me is the vitriolic nature of a lot of them (Calvinists). We can and should work together to find out the truth of the scriptures. Blessings to you brother! I hope I didn't come off rude or anything.
I'm enjoying listening to you more and more. I like your explaining issues that are sometimes difficult and clarifying them for all to understand.
Hey Pastor! Love the show...just one hiccup that as a lover of English literature I need to point out. You quoted Dickens' Tale of Two Cities, not Tolstoy's War and Peace 😊
My bad
Are you also a bardolator?
56:49 Mike I have been convinced by your thoughts on Santa. I have 2 young children both under the age of 3 what you have said is so true. I don't want my children when asked why we celebrate Christmas to answer with Santa brings us presents. I have same reservations about Easter and it being about baskets of candy and a rabbit rather than the resurrection of Jesus. I am a new Christian as of 2022 so I am questions everything I do and why. Thank you for your ministry!
totally agree with #19 in that we will understand the righteousness of God's judgment.
Yes Jesus Christ is 200% lmbo! He is far above us. He is probably more like infinitely more than us.
Let me share that I was a devout athiest about a year ago or so. A true denier my entire life, a Saul, now turned to Paul.
1:11:15 Tale of 2 Cities- not War and Peace. :) Both good books. One of which I've read, one of which I've tried to read, haha. 😅 Maybe someday I'll finish War and Peace.
I am guessing you read the better of the two books. I did not enjoy anything Tolstoy wrote. But Dickens was at his very best (IMO) with A Tale of Two Cities.