Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference 0:00 - Introduction 1. 1:04 {The Gospel of Thomas} Do you have any thoughts about the "Gospel of Thomas"? 2. 9:55 {Can Denominations Substitute Baptism?} Is it within biblical "freedom" for a denomination like the Salvation Army to replace water baptisms with wearing a uniform instead, and to not practice communion regularly, as well? 3. 12:29 {Is God Truly Impartial?} How is God impartial when He makes some people with disabilities and some normal, when some people are born into abject poverty while some are born into riches, and gives some people a relatively easy life and others a miserable life? 4. 18:10 {How Should we Define “Fruit”?} How do we practically use Matthew 7: 15-20 to discern? People often define fruit as whatever they’d like. Some call being “drunk in the Spirit” good fruit, some say telling people to repent is judgey and bad fruit. 5. 25:55 {About being Born Again & Indwelling} Jesus said unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God." Does Luke 13: 28 imply that “born again” doesn't mean “indwelt by the Spirit” since that wasn't possible until Jesus came? 6. 30:20 {Psalm 51 - Were Sacrifices Optional?} In Psalm 51: 16-17, it talks about God not wanting sacrifices/burnt offerings. Does this mean those were optional, or is it just talking about the person’s heart in giving? 7. 36:56 {Bible Contradiction about Demon Possession?} In Luke 9:1, Jesus gives the twelve "power and authority over all the demons." And in Luke 9: 40, a man tells Jesus the disciples could not cast out the demon possessing his son. Is this a contradiction? 8. 40:17 {About the Book of Ezekiel} What are your thoughts and opinions on Ezekiel 38- 39, as well as what it may mean for us? 9. 44:26 {Overcoming Alcoholism Biblically} How do you help a fellow Christian (including your spouse) deal and overcome alcoholism biblically? 10. 50:48 {Why are Bystanders Sometimes Killed in Scripture?} Why were the families of people who broke the law like Achan killed with their families? Why were they not killed alone? 11. 52:45 {Why Wasn’t Daniel w/Shad./Mesh./&Abed.?} Where was Daniel when the 3 Hebrew young men were thrown into the fire? 12. 55:06 {How to Think Biblically about Exorcisms} I was wondering about how a modern Christian would deal with demonic activity. You only see in movies priests doing exorcisms, but what would a pastor do if this was happening today? 13. 57:04 AND 1:20:59 {About William Webb’s Hermeneutics} What do you think of William Webb's "Redemptive Movement" model for hermeneutics? My pastor is embracing it, but it seems almost heretical to me. 14. 57:42 {About Intercessory Prayer} Is intercessory prayer a spiritual gift, possibly within the spiritual gift of faith that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:9)? Any knowledge you have on intercessory prayer is appreciated! 15. 1:01:23 {About Church Membership Classes} What are your thoughts on churches that require classes and interviews before becoming a member? I think we should be actively involved in a church, but it seems like steps that aren’t biblical. 16. 1:04:33 {Witnessing to LDS Members} What's the best way to respond to LDS friends who say "in the beginning" means only the beginning of "OUR world," and say then it's possible that Jesus was created before He created all things "here"? 17. 1:08:41 {Overcoming Pornography / Accountability} I’m getting married in 2 weeks and am hit with doubts and worries that my struggle with porn will lead into my marriage. My fiancé knows about it. Do you have any advice? 18. 1:12:10 {Would Jesus have Died of Old Age?} Since Jesus never sinned, would he NOT have died of old age eventually (if he hadn’t been crucified), or would he have? 19. 1:14:34 {About the Mosaic Law} How would you explain 1 John 3:4 (sin is transgression of the law) to someone trying to convince you to follow the Mosaic Law? I have watched your Hebrew Roots videos and didn't see this addressed. 20. 1:19:42 {Building Spiritual Intimacy} Do you have any tips on building spiritual intimacy with your spouse?
Saved & sober since 5/16. Trust & believe I don't know HOW 15yrs of HARD addiction glorified God, but I thank Him everyday for my new life...even tho sober is confusing & hard sometimes.
Not sure it's the addiction that glorifying to God but maybe that God can save someone from 15 years of addiction is something I will for sure glorify home for! Only God can do something like that, his power is made perfect in our weakness
I spent 20+ years in the new age holding myself responsible for my disability and chronic illnesses…It was Karma, I did something in a past life, I don’t have the right mindset, I just needed to try yet another modality…and on and on self-blaming and believing myself a failure for not ‘fixing’ myself. Being saved recently has changed nothing about any of my physical health but I am completely changed. Just the sheer surrendering of my suffering and knowing the Lord, is healing me on levels not visible. To an outside observer I don’t look ‘better’ physically and still have the same chronic illnesses. I’m so thankful for being called to God. There is so much in modern thinking that has drip-fed from the new age into conning us that we can all be healthy, wealthy and wise.
Oh my gosh you have shared so much more than perhaps you even imagine! Or maybe you do, sorry. Lol! But yes, so much of that "you are not healed because you lack faith" is Gnostic, it is New age, and false teaching. God does NOT in His sovereignty wish that ALL be healed! Not in the way that the world identifies healing. Sometimes our healing comes when God calls us home. Before then, God often uses our suffering in this world to Glorify Himself; in that we KEEP our faith in Him in spite of that suffering. Paul spoke of the "thorn" in his side. His answer was that "My grace us sufficient for you." In my own case, I have had to accept that HIS grace is sufficient. And my faith is most certainly tested from one day to the next. A particular brother in Christ, who I can identify with, is tested daily. Only Jesus can sustain us, ultimately. I look forward to seeing Him face to face!
I have a friend that has been in a bad car reck trying to figure out how to help him I sure some of his problems are bigger that I know how to deal with any suggestions ..
@@kennethphillips6362 Isaiah 61:3 [3]To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
"I am so thankful for being called to God" - Thank you Sir for this statement. We have so many wonderful reasons to be thankful and joyful and this is one of them.
Pastor Mike hits every topic I have been studying for the last 40 years in a refreshing and no nonsense way. He opens up the gospel and makes me feel like I'm reading it for the first time. May God truly bless this ministry and keep him humble
15:40 my sister was born with physical and mental disabilities. She's turning 38 this year. She has the mind of a young child but she has blessed so many people in her lifetime for the glory of God! Part of me would love to see her healed but part of me also loves the way God made her. She's full innocence and an amazing memory. She's memorized more scripture than I have😅
Thank you for your comment. I have ADHD which is classified classified as a mental illness in the DSM5. Thank you for your comment it gave me peace. I’ve been told by other believers that I can’t be used for the kingdom of God. I served as a Sunday school teacher until COVID began. It’s also been suggested by some believers that because I have a disability I don’t know God. These false teachings have damaged me spiritually and I’m trying to recover from it. Questions: 1. Does your sister take medicine? 2. Can your sister serve the church, if so, how?
@@doraashby I'm so sorry you have had to deal with that. I'll never understand why Christians believe this way. My sister's disabilities are pretty severe. She isn't able to serve in ways that we would normally think however I believe God uses her daily in ways to touch individual lives. She was in the hospital a couple of years ago. We thought we were going to lose her but thank God he allowed us to keep her! (Praying for many years with her). While she was in the hospital she quoted "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" as she said this the cleaning lady had just walked in and she told my mom in tears how much she needs that reminder. It's those little things that are used for God's glory! ❤
@@robbinsnest6163 Some Christians believe those false teachings because they believe word of faith teachings, or have created there own false theology about sickness and disease. My disability is moderately severe if I don’t take my medicine every day. I’m socially awkward which isn’t common in ADHD patients. The story you shared about your sister reminding her nurse about the importance of trusting Christ in every situation. I’m learning to trust him in every situation, but it’s hard for me to turn everything to Christ.
@@doraashby I understand that struggle! There are certain things I've tried dealing with in my own way and I've fallen flat on my face. Recently I've been trying to not try so hard. I still struggle with anger😔but I'm learning to find rest in Jesus and not dwell on every slip up. We all have our struggles and it's not easy giving those to Jesus but I'll be thinking and praying for you sweet sister! 🙏🏻
@@doraashby I'm autistic and although I'm extremely quirky and some people take issue with these quirks, most of them don't deny that I'm capable of not only knowing God, but of actively doing the Lord's work.
@Mike Winger As a person who was raised by Salvation Army officers (my own parents), let me assure you that the Salvation Army is a church, with origins not unlike those of Calvary Chapel. It is a vibrant Christian community currently in over 127 countries across the earth! I grew up in the Salvation Army and attend one now. In my early adulthood I attended a Calvary Chapel for over a decade, so I can definitely speak to both. The founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth, was a Methodist minister preaching to the poor of London's East Side. He did open air meetings, converted many people, but then found they were unwelcome in his upper-class home church and others like it. In desperation he started his own church services for these enthusiastic ex-drunkard converts. They did not do Communion because, at the time, that would have re-introduced alcohol to these recently sobered baby Christians. (Grape juice for communion was not a thing yet.) They did not do baptisms for similar historical reasons. You should read up on this before you judge. The Salvation Army's current position statement is that they do not administer either communion or baptism themselves, but they have no objection to members participating in either, say when visiting another church or the Jordan River or what not. Even today, the Salvation Army's mission is to get in the thick of reaching the homeless and addicts and such -- "the least and the lost" -- and their attitude is that a changed life is the best proof you are saved, not any rituals or formulas. (I have not in my whole life heard any Salvationist say that the uniforms substitute for baptism.)
My brother in law was raised in the Salvation Army church and this is a good explanation. He ended up being baptized as an adult. I do think they should amend their teachings to include baptism and communion, as those are two important acts within Christianity and you never go wrong doing what Jesus clearly tells you to do or does himself.
I’ve always supported the Salvation Army, & I love their serving hearts & mission. It seems like they should either decide to be a parachurch organization or include the most basic symbols/remembrances that Christ instituted. I hope they reconsider.
I have gone so many horrible things, from childhood abuse (being raped and beaten) to losing a loved one deadly domestic violence when her estranged husband ran her off the road and shot her to death. I always wondered why I had so many horrible things happen to me or around me until I was able to help people who had been through these things. Sometimes the hard times are preparing you to help someone else. They see that you CAN get through bad times and once you come through the bad times God can use you to help others. That makes it all worthwhile. I have brought people to Jesus by simply praising Him through my troubles. I know that in the end everything will be ok. I think Jesus is waiting to embrace me and thank me for bringing some of His flock back to Him, and that helps me persevere.
He will restore the years that the locusts have eaten!!! I love you so much for praising Him through your troubles, and I pray for many blessings and His perfect will in your life ❤️
Yours has been a life that He has used to bring Him glory. Your indescribable faith has and will bring some to repentance that you won't even be aware of. But He is. Your reward awaits you on the other side of eternity. What a glorious life everlasting it will be, and our narrow human minds cannot even fathom that.
Thank you for this message. I was feeling down about being handicapped, perhaps even ungrateful of which I am truly sorry. Being handicapped is not easy sometimes. I pray God continues to use me to help others despite my faults.
I too was blessed by this answer, I deal with chronic pain and am in bed 90% of my life, but I can use SM platforms to teach God's word and I able to be at home all the time to read the Bible all the time.
@Michele Tinoyan I am retired so it's a blessing to study God's word. I listen to so many pastors etc on You Tube. Ever need to pass sometime we can text etc. I am always on Watchwoman65 Lisa Boyce.
@@SterlingsOpinion I'd love that! Do you have FB messenger at all? I use the platform to post devotionals and education from my studies. We can talk there if you'd like, I use my name there that's this same.
I have a brain cyst that resulted in me having cerebral palsy. I was spared from many hardships my brothers went through. Many people see the joy I have despite my circumstances. Without cerebral palsy I do not believe that I could have accomplished the things that brought r to where I am today. Good does not make mistakes. He knew me in my mother’s womb.
The Salvation Army ran a center in Honolulu in at least the early 80's. I lived in this center from 11 to 13. I think they are a big reason that I am a well adjusted adult. I share this regularly in the hope that one of the counselors sees this and that you can rest assured in the knowledge that your efforts helped save at least one of those kids.
the question about the salvation army surprised me very much. i am part of one of 50 salvation army congregations in switzerland and can confirm that baptism is practised as a matter of course. the uniform is worn by members in full-time service and only when they are serving. Yes, the Salvation Army runs many social ministries and continues to be very committed to helping marginalised people of all kinds, for which it is highly respected and trusted. But the churches have normal Sunday services, run house groups, offer Bible study and prayer groups, give discipleship a very high priority and are extremely involved in pastoral care - even for people who are not part of the church - and of course this is free of charge. The picture the questioner paints is completely alien to me.
@@ivanakardosch8688 Yes. Agreed but as the questioner mentioned, Salvation army does not have water baptism and Holy communion like breaking the bread and wine in their services and that's what is answered by Mike.
As I grew stronger in faith my main thought on the "Gnostic Gospels" is that if God wanted them to be considered part of His word, He is more than powerful enough that no person could remove it from the actual Bible. The fact they are not part of it should say how God views them.
The Roman church decided that. Not God. The same "church" that mass murdered millions. "Inspired by God" is not defined or dictated by man. Or woman. The Gospel of Thomas is wonderful and should tell you something. The true teachings of Christ are not in the Bible and have been mostly hidden and destroyed. Do you believe what he taught in His sermons are the same as what he taught the Apostkes? I truly doubt it. They continued His ministry and had to be taught much more. The Essenes and the Gnostics were destroyed for possessing the true knowledge of the Savior. So were the Apostles. Imo, the Roman church of old and the modern is the Church if Satan. The current Pope alone is evidence. There should be no Pope at all. Free yourself from the chains that bind you. The pieces will then fall in place.
Thank you Mike. I really benefited from your answer to “Is God really impartial?” Made me think of my prolonged singleness in new light. A more thankful light. And also, your answer made me stop trying to understand or reconcile everyone else’s behavior against my own. For years-perhaps my whole life-I have wrestled with anxiety, not understanding how people can have so many different, strongly held opinions about faith or the lack thereof. Your response made me smile and say to God, “You really have it all under control and there is a reason that you are God and I’m not.” I’ve been given rest knowing that I don’t have to constantly understand why people act the way they do, but I just need to find refreshment in Jesus and strive to follow Him. Thank you for your channel.
Im powerless over it after! I take it not before before I DID have a choice ❤❤❤ 6yrs of combined sobriety I have fallen and gotten back up with Jesus Not alone!!!
Question number 3…. I do believe your chronic illnesses and tragedies are for glory of God. It is proven in my life. I recently went to a function where people have not seen me for a very long time since my tragic life has been over, they wondered what the difference was and I told them it was the glory of God that had saved me. Like the blind man that had been healed that was me. You are truly saved by your testimony
I was born into an incredibly poor family, tons of sin related activity all throughout my early childhood. Looking back on all of it, God was building me up through all of that. Even my worst days are a gift from God and at the time I never felt that way, but in hindsight its so so blindingly obvious. I thank God for everything. My sister is an atheist and lived the same life I did, and it is constantly dragging her down. Just because you were born into a worse situation than another isn't an injust against you. God knows you better than you know yourself. What doesn't make sense today will make sense in 6 months, or a year. In all things thank God and glory be to Him. God bless you Mike my walk with Christ only started a few months ago and you are truly a blessing in my life.
As for the “I think it’s unbiblical to have classes/interviews required for membership” question, I wanted to chime in and say that I support it for moderately sized to large churches and personally found these things very helpful when I joined my church. You have to make sure your church members are actually Christians who believe the essentials, which you can only do with an interview. An interview also assures you don’t have unbaptized church members who are content in remaining unbaptized. New classes can also explain basics like communion to new believers who don’t fully understand them or value them properly. It’s an easier way to set up discipleship relationships and connect new members with others and get new people to learn how the church operates. I met other new church members in my class and I got involved in my church in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. Honestly, I would have probably remained anonymous in my church if not for the new member requirements.
Thank you for this video. I did not expect to hear more than a few answers to other people's questions and got more of an answer for my own problem. And it surely helps to know that I am not struggling alone.
Thanks pastor Mike! I enjoy how you walk through these questions :) I always learn something new or feel encouraged! I'm watching from the Netherlands where it is currently 11.36 pm. So cool to be able to watch you live from such a different timezone!
I totally agree with Dr. Michael Brown and his stance on tongues! I believe all believers have the potential to speak in tongues but I believe that those haven’t, are not necessarily not spirit filled. When I first I spoke in tongues, I was not asking for tongues but was just crying out God and asking him to give me everything He had for I me and the next minute as I was praying, suddenly an unknown language began flowing fluently from my innermost being! I describe it as when someone uncorks a champagne bottle and it begins bubbling out! It was so awesome because no one touched me… it was just me and the Lord! From that point on I never doubted my salvation and my walk with the Lord was radically changed and that was 50 years and I will soon be 68!
On the topic of "God's Partiality" and differing circumstances in which people find themselves, I don't think Mr Winger mentioned the fallen present age as a factor in those circumstances ... and that we suffer from what would not have been God's ideal for our lives.
This is an idea that I agree with, but I've also gone to churches where this kind of idea is itself a clever device used to de-legitimize disagreeing points. If we fully examine this idea, there's a problem we run into, which is that our own brains are full of clever devices of man. We are full of ideas and views that make our understanding of scripture very difficult without the help of others. For example, we live in a consumer capitalist society; therefore, when we hear the story of the prodigal son we are often most disgusted by his wasting of the Father's property. Jesus, however, is from a family-centric patriarchal culture where his leaving the household in the first place is an unimaginable insult to the Father. Growing up and moving away is par for the course to us and unthinkable to Jesus hearers. This becomes especially dramatic when we think of Abram leaving his father's house. In our culture, who hasn't left their Father's house, but in that culture no one did that. The clever devices of man that are in my own head make it so I can't understand scripture if I am not doing it with others who are able to recognize those devices. This is why community and diverse voices are important. If I only listen to people from a similar perspective to mine, we will all have the same clever devices in our heads.
Thinking about God's "impartiality," in my own experience I have a physical affliction which is typically genetic, but that no one in my family has ever had. Because of that it seems that the only answer is that I have been stricken by God, which was difficult to wrestle with for years. Now I believe that he almost certainly did give me this affliction, and I think it was not only to ultimately exhibit God's glory, but for the effect of my salvation. Just as Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming too prideful, I believe I was given one for the same reason. If I didn't have a physical ailment to keep my ego in check and remind me of my need for God, it's possible that my pride would eventually drive me away from God. In His mercy, he gave me a sickness that preempted that occurrence.
Mine I believe is very much the same as yours. I actually HAD drifted from God. God does not let His own move away from Him. Most days I thank Him for that. Some days my faith waivers. But none of the strength I have comes from myself. It comes from Jesus Himself. He hung on that Cross, so He knows how I feel. And this infirmity, is the Cross I take up daily to follow Him. For others, their cross is unimaginable grief, or poverty, or abuse, or loss. God is partial to none and those who persevere in faith bring Him glory.
As a recovering alcoholic, I want to share my personal experience and that is this: I rejected the very idea that I was powerless over alcohol for years, and I could not manage or control the mental obsession which led me to drink daily. It was not until I admitted to myself, and to God, that I was indeed powerless over it, and cried out for His help, that I was able to recover. What isn’t considered in Pastor Mike’s analysis is that a person who is struggling with alcohol addiction generally cannot get out of the cycle long enough to have the clarity of mind to address this as a sin issue that “simply” needs to be overcome like any other temptation out there. If the Lord had not intervened for me, I would still be drinking or I would be dead. It is by his grace alone that I am sober today. There was nothing in me that could overcome it. Never will I be able to have one drink and “overcome the temptation” for the second drink, or the rest of the bottle, plus three more. I know this because I know what happens to me both physically and mentally when I have alcohol in my system. I will add that I do believe there was a time when I could have controlled it. But somewhere along the way that changed, and I believe God handed me over to my sin - my CHOICE. All bets were off after that. If your loved one has crossed that blurry line, then they need to admit that they are powerless to control their drinking and they need to surrender it to God.
The Salvation Army are a real church. My parents used to be pasters. They have the Gospel but have left out some biblical instructions aka baptism and communion. They have starting to head in a progressive direction recently but it will very from congregation to congratulate.
@@a.N..... They are one of the very few institutions that take alcoholics/drug addicts/homeless off the street and house them for ZERO dollars, but yeah they're all about the money.
@@frontdeskstaff9359 Not only house them, but rehabilitate them! Half the upstanding members of my corps (Salvation Army church) are ex-addicts. Maybe more.
@@frontdeskstaff9359 I really know nothing if the Salvation Army or their theology. If their works primarily revolve around addiction, there can be little doubt God would honor that service. I would hope that Baptism and Communion, as service to Himself, would be observed as well.
On Q.9 - There is an important clause in 1 Cor 10:13: “But” when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out…" By definition, temptation is appealing on some level and my problem is that I get so focused on my temptation, that I don’t turn my mind to look for “a way out”. Just the act turning my mind to this verse helps 😊
Thank you, Pastor Mike! I’m so glad I found this old video of yours today. Your answer to “Is God really impartial?” was very helpful. My older brother was in a car accident that left him a paraplegic when we were kids (he was 16, I was 8). We were christians then and I’d say 22 years later we are even stronger christians now. The family all remained positive and supportive, and my brother is now living a great life with his wife and two kids. But I realized that even today we still kind of struggle with the question “why?” My mom brought it up to me the other day when we were talking about how God is always in control. She struggled to understand how he’s in control when tragic events occur. She said she doesn’t believe that God caused the accident intentionally, but she still doesn’t understand why it happened. I didn’t have an answer for her at the time. But she enjoys your videos as well, so I will be showing her your answer to that question today :)
Great answers as always Mike! This has become a regular watch for me in addition to my online sermons I watch. I especially love your comparison between Baptism and Marriage. Great way to describe it! One of my favorite sayings is "Offense is the first defense of pride." Pride hides truth. It blinds you to the answers you seek. you cannot grow in God's grace with pride in the way.
I don’t view baptism as the “living together” part of a marriage, but rather as the wedding ceremony. I believe we are married to Christ through baptism. That’s why baptism is commanded, because it’s the essential first step to “living together” in a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Kind of like the difference between being legally married and actually having the wedding ceremony? Where both marriages are legal, but one began with more honor? (I spent a full minute trying to think of a word, and honor was as close as I could come to my meaning.)
Our church does membership classes mostly to teach about our church fellowship, what our stance is on certain issues, and what the responsibility of a member is. It’s a few months of classes, like a Sunday school class.
I walked into the my comparative religions class the first day we were talking Christianity we started by reading the "infancy gospel of thomas" I openly challenged the professor on what the heck we were doing. Got compliments from other Christians in the class praising me for challenging him on it. Wanna know the worst part? The professor is a pastor. When asked why he said "so we can look at the controversy around who Jesus was."
Thanks! I was behind in the live chat. Perhaps it wouldn't be bad to remove chatters who aren't in ANY way "Christian" (ie, angry Black Hebrew Israelites who came in just to junk up the chat.) There were people whose spouses/parents were drunks and so on who needed prayer, and it got lost in the chat with all the weird non-Christian stuff. They go after the mods, too. Just a thought.
One last thing. In Isaiah chapter 2 it says that the Messiah will teach Torah on Mount Zion in the next world. Why would God give instructions to mankind, Jesus comes and follows them and commands all around him to follow the law of Moshe, dyes and ascends then gives up the Torah for 2,000 years and then when he comes back reinstitutes it. Isaiah 66 tells us that there will be the Feast of Tabernacles, Rosh Hodesh - or new moon and Shabbat. Whoever does not come to worship God in these will not get rain on their land. We are telling everyone not to follow these things anymore but Messiah will come and teach us that we will. I love what you're doing Mike. Keep it up. It is clear your heart is full of the love of God towards people. No question. All I'm saying is for 30 years I believed exactly what you're teaching and would love to tell you about the experience I had and how God brought me into a new understanding that the Torah was never meant to be thrown away. Constantine took a good chunk and throughout the Jewishness and Martin Luther brought us back out of the hypocrisy of the terrible church age but also was anti-Semitic in the end and wanted to take out everything Jewish including the book of James. Read his writings He hated the book of James because it spoke too closely of Jewish law. Oh I pray that you will search this out with all of your heart and God will lead you to an understanding. I'm a 60-year-old man and it took me until 55 to get it.
I would have loved to hear your comments on the Gospel of Thomas when it was first introduced to me in the early to mid seventies. Glad you can speak to it.
During the last answer (aka #13 - thanks a lot counter for doing your job so well), I decided to check out the live chat. I see, “Doritos harm the body; is that a sin?” I proceed to leave the live chat. Haha. In all seriousness, shout out to the mods. Your efforts are necessary, and you’re appreciated!
Dear Mike, I may be wrong, but it seems as though in answering the question on alcoholism, you took issue with Step 1 of Alcoholics Anonymous, “we admitted we were powerless over alcohol.” As you said “powerless to control,” and took issue with this claim. I would like to offer a bridge of reconciliation between the 1st Step and your thoughts on overcoming alcoholism. Alcoholism is the formation of a brain dysfunction in which a person’s physiological makeup is wired by behavior to recognize alcohol as necessary for survival. This, in respect to addiction philosophy, is what is recognized as being a “disease.” Although I’m not a true fan of the term, creating a binary in which addiction is only choice or disease, not both, fails to view addiction as the multifaceted issue that it truly is. In saying “we were powerless over alcohol,” we claim true alcoholics have no choice of returning to moderation. Not that we are powerless to quit. If we made the second claim, then AA would truly be hopeless. However, in saying that we realize that no matter how hard we try, alcohol will always persuade us into a destructive pattern, we realize that the only true solution is sobriety, which is what you’ve said, in essence. When telling alcoholics they have the ability to control their behavior, it must be explicitly stated that this does not mean they have the ability to moderate, but rather they have the ability to quit.
High mike just to clarify the salvation army is a church.they normally have regular sunday services.but inuk services have been online in pandemic.they do not drink alcohol as part of ministry historically has been helping alcoholics stop drinking .hence they have avoided communion
being born rich or healthy doesn't mean your better off than someone who is born poor or not healthy. People who never struggle can be spiritually corrupt because they are full of pride and can't follow Jesus because of that pride. Having great struggle in life can cause you to be able to follow Jesus better because when you suffer it tends to cause you to be humble and search for God. People on both sides of those situations both go astray and search for salvation. being born as one or the other doesn't guarantee anything which is why spiritually we are all at an equal level.
Some people: "Mike! Do a video where you walk through your study process, like how you study the Bible." Mike: "People don't realize how boring that would be for them." I think you're underestimating us.
Salvation Army is a “denomination”. It has it’s own church buildings - that are called “citadels”. They have worship services, etc, etc. They just tend to use military terms such as “general”, ‘Major” etc insted of using traditional ecclesiastical terms.
Hi Mike, I used to go to Salvation Army regularly for church. It originally was a inter-denominational movement which organically came to be a denomination.
I love your teaching and approach to scripture. Refreshing. Please note that alcoholism and drug addiction are unlike other sins in that there is a brain altering chemical issue to overcome.
"Nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God..." Romans 8:39 God loves you so much! Look to the cross to be reminded of that. And NOTHING could ever separate us from His perfect love. Hopefully this inspired and encouraged you today. God bless.
answer 5- once Jesus paid the price for our sins, He was released from Temporal Chains and was able to exist outside of time, visiting Jacob, Moses, and the rest of those who He appeared to in the OT.
The things Pastor Mike says "Jesus" says in the Gospel of Thomas is totally not what Jesus would've said. He's not merely some teacher of "wise" random things. He is indeed a wise teacher, but He's there to teach with a purpose, not there to simply teach random things. (And certainly not things that contradicts the OT or that OT has not touched upon). So, He's teachings also have a direction to them. Just like as He was dying He said "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?" is not simply a cry, but to teach us that the prophecy in Psalms is being fulfilled. Not stuff like lions and humans (which doesn't even make any biblical sense.) God bless
Yes it's a false gospel. Paul and Peter have warned against this sort of stuff in their letters. I think when the council of nicea compiled the gospels and letters, they knew what they were doing.
@@ronnychristenjoyer6778 Exactly, and God being sovereign gave them the wisdom in this matter and preserved His Book as a whole for all these time as well. God bless
(1) “If those who lead you say to you: ‘Look, the kingdom is in the sky!’ then the birds of the sky will precede you. (2) If they say to you: ‘It is in the sea,’ then the fishes will precede you. (3) Rather, the kingdom is inside of you and outside of you.” (4) “When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the children of the living Father. (5) But if you do not come to know yourselves, then you exist in poverty, and you are poverty.” Easy to see why "christians" have a problem with the gospel of thomas, you still believe that heaven is some place in the sky and that you're separate from God.
@@bradfaulkner9597 Jesus was not a misunderstood yogi preaching oneness with God as a form of enlightenment. He was way better than that. He was what the gospels say he was.
@@ronnychristenjoyer6778 Sure, if you say so. Have you met this jesus you since you know him so well? Every religious fanatic thinks they are the ultimate authority on god you're no different.
On the Salvation Army/baptism/communion issue. First, yes, the SA are a church, they have weekly worship services, etc. Second, while I've never attended a SA church, I grew up in the Friends Church (better known as the Quakers; we tend to avoid that term because it makes you think of the man on your oatmeal box) in southern CA. That denomination began in the early 17th Century as pretty much the extreme extent of the Reformation, and they similarly do not baptize in water or take the elements of communion, believing in both cases (as does the SA) that these are symbols which have become confused with the reality they represent, and therefore have become unhelpful. The baptism that matters, they teach, is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which a Christian receives when he is born again; and they practice "communion in the manner of Friends," which is kind of hard to distinguish from fellowship. On baptism--Mike, you said the apostles were baptized. On what basis do you say that? Scripture doesn't record this, and the best the Roman Catholics can say is that they "were undoubtedly baptized" (IOW, they can't point to any evidence either). But it's certain that Christ told the apostles to baptize disciples, and that they told converts (or prospective converts) to be baptized. The Friends' working around this is, IMO, a little iffy, though there are certainly NT usages of baptism that don't involve water (e.g., Acts 1:5). And it's certainly the case the the first-century church practiced baptism with water, even if the particular mode is unclear or inconsistent. On communion, I think their position is a bit stronger, as there's no biblical command to take it at all. At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Twelve, "*when* you do this, do it in remembrance of me." There's an assumption there that they will do it (do what? Take Passover, most likely--they were all Jews, after all) in the future, and the command that, whenever they did, they should assign new meaning to it. But there's no command to do it at all, much less to do it with any particular frequency--though again, it's clear that the first-century church practiced it frequently. IMO, they aren't completely wrong--as a Protestant, I'd agree (and Mike, I'm sure you would as well) that Rome has confused both of these symbols with the reality they represent. Thus, to abandon the symbols in order to more accurately teach the underlying reality doesn't necessarily seem like a bad thing. OTOH, Christ specifically gave these symbols to his Church (and despite other usages of "baptism", it's clear that baptism with water was in view and was taken as such by the Church in the 1st century). If it's the case that they're being misused (as they were and are), perhaps it's better to reform them than to abandon them.
Hi Dan......John 6 v 53.....the words of Jesus....seems like a command to me. I Corinthians v 23 - 34......the words of Paul Grace and peace Gilly wife of Mark
@@markmooney5662 First, grammatically, John 6:53 isn't a command, though it is a statement of necessity. But second, and much more importantly, it has nothing to do with the Lord's Supper, which wouldn't be instituted until several chapters later. As to 1 Corinthians, you don't cite a chapter, but I assume you mean chapter 11, vv 23-34. Again, there's no command there, no instruction to do it, much less with any particular frequency--but an assumption that it was being done regularly.
Question 14 on this podcast I also had a strong sense that I would not be a paraplegic and I wasn’t with a lot of hard work I got my legs back many many years ago
The Spirit entered him or the Spirit left Him is a common scripture on the OT, we see it when Saul lost his anointing. The Holy Spirit didn't dwell in us until Jesus left, it says "He will not come until I leave".
Hello Pastor Mike. Yes The Salvatiin Army practices as a Religious Church... with a lot of Heresy just like the Roman Catholic. They also have Worshio Structyres what we call a Church. I know peoole who turned away from the Salvation Army and got saved, water baptized and went to Bible School. They share their Testimony all the time. I really like your sound Biblical teaching
Another interesting thing about tge Salvation Army apart from the "walking under a flag baptism* is their Titles.... They have titles like Sergeant, Sergeant Major....etc (in place of Deacons, Elders, Pastors...). They also wear a very distinct uniform reaembling some Armies. They march and play drums and Tambourines (is that what those noisy round things are called?).
John Winthrop tackled the impartiality question in his “model of a Christian charity.” If you can understand the English, it may help you understand the question even if you don’t fully agree with him. It’s a helpful read.
Your answer to the second question hits the equality versus equity nail right in the head. The progressive left that's ruining our country needs to hear this.
With all due respect, Mike, Jesus did not say that the man was born blind for the glory of God, but "...that the works of God should be made manifest in him." He further explained, "I must work the works of him that sent me." And, "[w]hen He had thus spoken," what did Jesus do? He HEALED the man. Likewise, when Lazarus died, Jesus said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" namely, by resurrecting him. What does James say? "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord..." Some soldiers die in war. That doesn't mean they failed. It certainly doesn't mean they should not resist evil.
The Salvation Army are not anti-sacramental but are non-sacramental. If you would like to know more there is a small book called 'The Sacraments and the Bible' by Phil Layton. Love feasts (peace meal) are permissible, but are not practiced for some reason. There uniforms have noting to do with sacraments, not sure where this idea came from.
Regarding #3, I always think it's hysterical (in the saddest way) that the same people who think the rich are the worst people on the planet will turn around and complain that God isn't making *them* rich. Maybe one reason God doesn't make everyone rich is to spare the majority from the temptation to become the type of rich people you hate. 🤷♂️
The Salvation Army is a church and its own denomination. They have corps or citadel which are their "church" locations. Their members wear uniforms. They do not practice water baptism or communion because they never intended to become a church. The original plan was to provide the lost and the least with soup, soap, salvation and send them to a local church. The local church at the time rejected the people they were reaching because they didn't fit the image of Christians during that time. If you look at their uniforms, you will notice the epaulets on their shoulders have different colors and symbols. If they have red epaulets, then they are an ordained minister of The Salvation Army. They are moved regularly just like in the regular army and do not get to decide where they will move. All members sign a soldiers covenant and if they are "called" and commissioned to become Salvation Army officers, they will sign the officers covenant as well as submit to the undertakings, and orders and regulations of officership. I would really love the opportunity to dialog with Mike more on this topic one day. Thanks for answering my question in today's Q&A time, it was helpful and validating for me.
Short answer of sacrifice: God like grateful sacrifice because it shows our honor to Thy love and care to us. God does not like sacrifice for sin or fake offering, because Thy love to see His image in us as clear as possible by following Thy laws. Sin stain God's image in us.
For the thing about baptisms and membership thing we had something really weird happen that shows the need for it. We had a young woman in high school get baptized at thanksgiving service, or more accurately baptized herself. So our church you have to take an hour course on the meaning of baptism and then you have to tell your testimony to a church deacon. Well this young woman when she entered the baptism pool and the pastor asked you "do you believe in Jesus christ, acknowledge him as lord and Savior and intend to follow Him all the days of your life?" She said no. He repeated it and she said no again. When he repeated it she said no again, dunked herself under the water and walked out the front of the church. For membership we have a like 4 hour class where we go through the church statement of faith and beliefs, go through the church constitution for some of the practical parts of church governance, and then are interviewed briefly by a deacon and an elder.
The Salvation Army began as a church - walking the streets. They wanted people to know Jesus. But they all agreed how can they talk in the streets about the love of God while homeless people are hungry or doing without. So they began giving out food and helping hands. Which is how they have become what they are today. They wanted people to know Jesus’s love by giving as Jesus would give.
Personally I had never considered Jesus living to an old age as he was on a fixed determined mission…but if he had i don’t think he would have died but rather would have been Translated like say Enoch thereby not “tasting death”. Wages of sin is death and being sinless he would never earn death…
Prime example of why Christians need to know history. Mike's correct. Gnostics came in to the church in the early history. Their belief that the human body is completely corrupt. Augustine in his early life believed this and never completely abandoned it. Augustines later writings combined Christianity with gnosticism, thus the teaching of Augustin of "total depravity." This then perpetrated all the other beliefs,, i.e., limited attunement, predestination ( determinism). Luther and Calvin picked up on these later teaching of Augustine at the time of the Reformation. Study history. Stick with the scripture we have and what IT teaches.
I’m watching this much later, but I have an example for Q15. My church requires a class before becoming a member called a “Get to Know your Church Class”. And that is just to inform you on this churches doctrines and beliefs so you can really tell if it is where you want to devote your time and energy
Yes, Rangiora New Zealand has a salvation army, they have services on Sunday, I haven't been, but the people are focused on reaching the community practically. I don't know if they call it a church, but it is a regular, well organised gathering of Christians.
The didache 90ad-115ad is around the assumed time it was written. And it warns and expresses that visiting minister's ought to work. I really enjoyed reading it and the epistle of Barnabas. o.o good video once again Mike!
Going back to the question of Jesus potentially dying of old age, whoever asked that. I think yes personally, but obviously not because he has sin in him, because he was sinless. But because he was in a human body and his humanity would still die, just like ours. I loved that question and never thought about it before surprisingly. Great vid as always! ~blessings from Canada
#7,,,if the disciples were unable to get rid demons....i believe that maybe the demon possessed was too strong and they either got scared / timid...or their attitude to it was weak ....much like us humans , we have fear still inside us .
Question 18 about Jesus dying of old age. I think to contemplate that would be to forget the reason Jesus came to earth in the flesh in the first place. He had to die to pay for our sins. On top of that, He had to die according to scripture.(Is 53) If Jesus came down and died of old age, He would not be the Christ. But praise God He died for our sins and rose from the dead and will now never ages!(Hebrews 13:8) To put it another way, if Jesus wasn’t going to die for our sins according to the scriptures, He never would of taken on flesh in the first place. This does say something about His great love and obedience to His Father in coming down in flesh to die in such a brutal way for our sakes.
My grandfather’s family was Salvation Army. It was a regular church with regular services. I have many 2nd & 3rd cousins who are still in SA. As far as communion or baptism, I need to ask my mother. I know gramma left SA and joined the Foursquare Church which is more common on the west coast. This was when my mother was baptized … not while I’m SA.
0:13 "I have some thoughts" Funny enough I read some of the gospel of Thomas earlier this morning before I saw you were going to discuss this and I had many thoughts as I skimmed through it...😑😑😑😑
That Psalms 51 commentary from Pastor Mike was amazing. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but David should've died for his sin, but God said he will not die. But someone did die, didn't the "first born baby" of David and Bathsheba die? Who was totally innocent of the matter? First born? Is what I said a Biblical thing? Disclaimer: I'm not saying God punished the baby for David's sin, but when God choose to take the baby's life away "(to be with Him)" this also acts like a foreshadowing of some sort of the Gospel. (That "David's Son" will come one day and be a sacrifice for sin).
Mike => could you do a podcast of all the groups that are considered part of Christendom and then weed out all the ones you believe are false and why and then tell everyone who you believe will be the 3% that get to go to heaven. Thank you.
