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Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 3: Take a good long look at yourself — evaluate what you have done, not what has been done to you

Third of seven tips. Mike distinguishes victim-oriented thinking from personal accountability.

Revelation 2-3 calling self-examination Revelation 2-3
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

The seven churches in Revelation were shocked by Jesus's assessment of their spiritual condition

Illustration within Tip 3 about distorted self-perception.

Revelation 3:17 Laodicea self-deception spiritual blindness
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Restaurant rescue shows as an illustration of blind spots to one's own problems

Illustrative analogy within Tip 3 about honest self-assessment.

self-deception self-examination blind spots
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

God repeatedly commands self-examination in Scripture; Isaiah as an example of God calling people to see themselves clearly

Biblical grounding for Tip 3's call to honest self-assessment.

Isaiah 1 Haggai 1:7 self-examination Isaiah 1 consider your ways
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Ephesians 5:15-17 — 'Walk circumspectly' as a call to wise, 360-degree self-awareness and time stewardship

Scriptural support for Tip 3. Mike quotes and exegetes Ephesians 5:15-17.

Ephesians 5:15-17 wisdom Ephesians 5:15-17 circumspectly
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Thought experiment: imagine a Christlike observer watching your life for a week — what would they say?

Practical exercise for Tip 3 self-examination.

accountability self-examination practical discipleship
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 4: Three specific areas to evaluate — godliness, relationships, and responsibilities

Fourth of seven tips. Mike defines the domains of life to assess in annual review.

self-examination responsibility godliness
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Matthew 6:33 — 'Seek first the kingdom of God' as the foundation for prioritizing godliness above all else

Biblical grounding for making godliness the top priority in annual evaluation.

Matthew 6:33 godliness priorities Matthew 6:33
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Relationships area: evaluate whether you are fulfilling your calling — not whether others are fulfilling theirs

Elaboration on the 'relationships' area within Tip 4.

calling personal responsibility accountability
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Responsibilities area: the question is whether you are 'just getting by' or actively pursuing Christ in each area

Elaboration on the 'responsibilities' area within Tip 4.

responsibility pursuing Christ spiritual growth
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 5: Make goals instead of resolutions — goals survive failure; resolutions don't

Fifth of seven tips. Mike argues against the traditional resolution framework.

practical discipleship discouragement goals vs. resolutions
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 6: Go higher — set goals rooted in godly, selfless ambition rather than worldly self-interest

Sixth of seven tips. Mike calls believers to transcend secular motivations for self-improvement.

Romans 12:1 Philippians 2:3 Romans 12:1 Philippians 2:3 living sacrifice
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Tip 7: Take practical steps — lofty goals require specific, actionable commitments

Seventh and final tip. Mike insists that all the prior steps require concrete behavioral change to produce results.

marriage self-control practical discipleship
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Be better at solutions than at excuses — the key to sustained behavior change

Practical advice within Tip 7.

perseverance behavior change excuses
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Stopping the inner monologue of complaint through prayer — personal testimony and Philippians 4:8

Mike shares a personal example of applying Tip 7, and ties it to Philippians 4:8.

Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:8 self-talk Philippians 4:7 Philippians 4:8
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Mike's personal ministry goal: maximize online reach as a form of global gospel stewardship

Q&A/closing section. Mike shares his own goals for the new year as a personal application of the tips.

evangelism apologetics stewardship
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Q&A: Jesus's swords passage — 'have a sword but don't use it' and the principle of Christian self-defense

Live chat question from Ryan White about Luke 22:35-38 and Luke 22:49-51 / John 18:10-11.

Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11 Luke 22:36-38 Luke 22:49-51 John 18:10-11
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Q&A: Scientology is not Christian — it is a dangerous, money-driven cult involving alien mythology

Live chat question from 'Pac-Man' about Scientology.

comparative religion Scientology cult
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Teaser: upcoming livestream critiquing the 'Mother God' cult active in Southern California and worldwide

Closing segment. Mike previews future content.

apologetics cult Mother God
Mike Winger idea 2017-12-27

Church selection advice: evaluate a church by both its statement of faith and whether it actually lives out those beliefs

Q&A response to a viewer in the Bay Area asking how to find a good church.

Calvary Chapel church selection statement of faith
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormons and Christians share vocabulary but use a different dictionary, creating the illusion of agreement.

Opening thesis of the video — the core communication problem between Mormons and Christians.

Mormonism Christian-Mormon dialogue vocabulary vs. meaning
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

The 'secret language' of Mormonism is partially hidden even from newer Mormons, who only learn the deeper doctrines as they advance in the faith.

Mike explains that this doctrinal vocabulary gap is not merely an outsider misunderstanding — it is also a mystery to many Mormons themselves until they progress further in the faith.

Mormonism esoteric doctrine milk vs. meat teachings
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormons cannot be called Christians and Christians cannot be called Mormons — this is a claim of integrity, not hate.

Mike frames his comparative analysis as motivated by honesty and genuine concern for truth, not anti-Mormon prejudice.

apologetics Mormonism vs. Christianity interfaith categories
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian definition of God: eternal, unchanging spirit, omnipotent and omniscient from eternity — not a being who became God.

First vocabulary comparison: the word 'God.' Mike lays out the orthodox Christian view before contrasting it with the Mormon view.

doctrine of God divine aseity omnipotence
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon definition of God: 'Heavenly Father,' a being who was once a man, died, was resurrected, and progressively became God — and has a wife.

The Mormon conception of God is radically different from the Christian one, beginning with the claim that God was once a human being.

Mormon theology Heavenly Father God was once a man
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Joseph Smith is the founder and first prophet of Mormonism, and his revelations form the doctrinal basis of the faith.

Background on Joseph Smith before quoting him directly from the King Follett sermon.

Mormonism prophetic authority Joseph Smith
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

The King Follett Sermon: delivered April 7, 1844 at a funeral with ~20,000 present; Joseph Smith claimed to speak under inspiration to 'all ye ends of the earth.'

Mike introduces the King Follett Sermon as the primary documentary source for Mormon theology about the nature of God.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon prophetic inspiration
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

King Follett Sermon quote: 'God himself was once as we are now and is an exalted man' — Joseph Smith teaches that God's pre-divine humanity is the 'great secret.'

Direct quotation from the King Follett Sermon establishing the Mormon doctrine that God was once a mortal man.

Joseph Smith God was once a man King Follett Sermon
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Joseph Smith teaches that God lived on another earth, was born, lived, died, and was resurrected — just like Jesus — before becoming God.

Continuation of the King Follett Sermon quote, extending the doctrine that God was once a man by drawing an explicit parallel with the life of Jesus.

Joseph Smith God was once a man King Follett Sermon
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Joseph Smith misuses a Jesus quote to argue that the Father 'laid down his body' just as Jesus did — Mike identifies this as 'bad Bible study.'

Mike critiques Smith's exegetical method in the King Follett Sermon, where Smith splices two separate Jesus quotes to derive the doctrine of the Father's mortality.

hermeneutics proof-texting Joseph Smith
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian and Mormon concepts of God are mutually exclusive — not just different perspectives but contradictory definitions of what God is.

Mike wraps up the 'God' vocabulary section by emphasizing the incompatibility is categorical, not merely a difference of emphasis.

Mormonism vs. Christianity doctrine of God blasphemy
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian definition of Jesus: the eternal God made flesh, second person of the Trinity, one with the Father in being.

Second vocabulary comparison: the word 'Jesus.' Mike establishes the orthodox Christian Christology before presenting the Mormon alternative.

Trinity Christology incarnation
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon definition of Jesus: born in the pre-existence as a spirit child of Heavenly Father and his wife, one of many spirit children — and Satan's brother.

The Mormon Jesus was not eternally pre-existent as God but was the first spirit-born child of the physical Heavenly Father and Mother.

Mormon Christology pre-existence spirit children
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

In Mormon theology, Jesus became incarnate partly to become a god — Jesus has only been a god for ~2,000 years and is one of three gods in the Mormon Trinity.

Extension of Mormon Christology — Jesus's divinity is recent and earned, not eternal.

eternal progression Mormon Christology Jesus became a god
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian definition of the Trinity: three persons in one being — not three gods in one God. Mike introduces the Shield of the Trinity diagram.

Third vocabulary comparison: the word 'Trinity.' Mike introduces the classic visual diagram used to explain Trinitarian orthodoxy.

Trinity Shield of the Trinity three persons one being
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon definition of the Trinity: three separate, distinct beings who are one only in purpose and doctrine — effectively polytheism.

Contrast between the Christian Trinity and the Mormon 'Godhead' — the Mormon version is tritheism, not Trinitarianism.

LDS.org tritheism Mormon Trinity / Godhead
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian monotheism: 'there is only one God' — meant literally. Mormon missionaries and teachers claim to affirm this, but use a different definition.

Fourth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'only one God.' Mike recounts personal conversations with Mormon missionaries and seminary teachers in Utah.

Christian-Mormon dialogue monotheism Mormon polytheism
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon theology contains more gods than any other religion in history — an infinite, eternal regression of gods with no beginning.

Mike stresses the full scope of Mormon polytheism: not just three gods but an infinite cosmological chain of deities.

eternal progression Mormon polytheism infinite regression of gods
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon hymn 'If You Could Hie to Kolob' (hymn #284) teaches the doctrine of infinite regression of gods.

Mike cites an official Mormon hymn as further evidence for the polytheistic infinite regression doctrine, making it liturgically embedded in the faith.

infinite regression of gods If You Could Hie to Kolob Kolob
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Book of Abraham (Pearl of Great Price), chapter 4: creation is described as 'the gods' organizing matter — explicitly polytheistic and not ex nihilo.

Mike reads from official Mormon scripture to demonstrate the polytheistic view of creation embedded in LDS canonical texts.

Joseph Smith Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Recent LDS leader McConkie argued Mormons should not worship Jesus, only the Father — revealing internal tension over polytheistic implications.

Mike notes an internal LDS controversy where a leader tried to resolve the polytheism problem by restricting worship to the Father alone.

polytheism McConkie Mormon worship practices
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian view: God created all things ex nihilo — out of nothing. God created not just objects but matter, space, energy, and time themselves.

Fifth vocabulary comparison: the phrase 'God created all things.' Mike explains the Christian doctrine of creation ex nihilo before contrasting it with the Mormon view.

creation ex nihilo doctrine of creation Christian cosmology
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon view: matter is eternal; God only organized pre-existing matter. The Book of Abraham uses 'organized' rather than 'created.'

The Mormon doctrine of creation directly contradicts ex nihilo — in LDS theology, God is not the source of matter itself.

Book of Abraham creation by organization ex nihilo creation
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

King Follett Sermon quote: Joseph Smith mocks orthodox scholars for teaching creation ex nihilo, claiming special knowledge via the Holy Ghost.

Direct quotation from the King Follett Sermon on creation, where Smith attacks the ex nihilo doctrine and claims superior knowledge.

Joseph Smith King Follett Sermon creation ex nihilo
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Joseph Smith's claim that 'bara' means 'organize' is inaccurate; traditional Jewish and Christian scholarship has consistently supported ex nihilo creation.

Mike briefly rebuts Smith's Hebrew argument, pointing to the scholarly consensus and encouraging viewers to research it themselves.

hermeneutics Joseph Smith creation ex nihilo
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian view of heaven: dwelling in God's presence. Mormon view: one of three tiered kingdoms — telestial, terrestrial, celestial.

Sixth vocabulary comparison: 'going to heaven.' The Mormon afterlife is a complex tiered system rather than a simple presence with God.

Mormon afterlife three degrees of glory telestial kingdom
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon telestial kingdom: lowest level, for the wicked who may burn off sin in hell before arriving; no access to God the Father or Jesus, only the Holy Spirit visits.

Details of the lowest tier of the Mormon afterlife.

Mormon afterlife telestial kingdom LDS soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon terrestrial kingdom: middle level for 'lukewarm Mormons'; Jesus and Holy Spirit present, but no access to God the Father.

Details of the middle tier of the Mormon afterlife.

Mormon afterlife terrestrial kingdom LDS soteriology
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Mormon celestial kingdom: highest level, where one may become a god. Leads into the concept of Mormon exaltation.

Overview of the highest tier of the Mormon afterlife, previewing the exaltation concept discussed in more detail later.

celestial kingdom LDS soteriology Mormon exaltation
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian view of salvation by grace: entirely unearned, covering forgiveness, reception into heaven, and future glorification — all purely by grace.

Seventh vocabulary comparison: 'saved by grace.' Mike articulates the Christian doctrine of grace as entirely free, unearned, and unkeepable by human effort.

salvation by grace sola gratia Christian soteriology
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