Jeff Mikels
@jeffmikels.bsky.social
Author of Evangelical Idolatry, former church planting pastor, just trying to point people back to the Jesus of the Bible.
Is Jesus trying to confuse people? Is he telling cryptic stories and because he's hiding something from us?
Yes, yes he is. But he doesn't want you to stay confused. He wants to give you the answers, but he wants you to stick with him through the confusion.
open.spotify.com/episode/2SgE...
Yes, yes he is. But he doesn't want you to stay confused. He wants to give you the answers, but he wants you to stick with him through the confusion.
open.spotify.com/episode/2SgE...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Is Jesus trying to confuse people? Is he telling cryptic stories and because he's hiding something from us?
Yes, yes he is. But he doesn't want you to stay confused. He wants to give you the answers, but he wants you to stick with him through the confusion.
open.spotify.com/episode/2SgE...
Yes, yes he is. But he doesn't want you to stay confused. He wants to give you the answers, but he wants you to stick with him through the confusion.
open.spotify.com/episode/2SgE...
This week, I’m taking a small break from Matthew to bring you a quick sermon out of Hebrews 7. Matthew tells us that Jesus is the King, but the writer of Hebrews takes that conclusion so much further. The Kingship of Jesus means that EVERYTHING has changed.
open.spotify.com/episode/5b3Q...
open.spotify.com/episode/5b3Q...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 27, 2025 at 3:09 AM
This week, I’m taking a small break from Matthew to bring you a quick sermon out of Hebrews 7. Matthew tells us that Jesus is the King, but the writer of Hebrews takes that conclusion so much further. The Kingship of Jesus means that EVERYTHING has changed.
open.spotify.com/episode/5b3Q...
open.spotify.com/episode/5b3Q...
Matthew 11 - The King of Disappointment
Why did Jesus let John die in prison? What if I told you that Jesus is the kind of king who will disappoint you today because he has something bigger in mind for the future. Would you still follow a king like that?
open.spotify.com/episode/01SY...
Why did Jesus let John die in prison? What if I told you that Jesus is the kind of king who will disappoint you today because he has something bigger in mind for the future. Would you still follow a king like that?
open.spotify.com/episode/01SY...
Matthew 11 - The King of Disappointment
open.spotify.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Matthew 11 - The King of Disappointment
Why did Jesus let John die in prison? What if I told you that Jesus is the kind of king who will disappoint you today because he has something bigger in mind for the future. Would you still follow a king like that?
open.spotify.com/episode/01SY...
Why did Jesus let John die in prison? What if I told you that Jesus is the kind of king who will disappoint you today because he has something bigger in mind for the future. Would you still follow a king like that?
open.spotify.com/episode/01SY...
When Jesus sent his disciples out as workers in his harvest field, he gave them a clear message and a clear method. And neither had anything to do with salesmanship or culture-warring.
open.spotify.com/episode/46Tg...
open.spotify.com/episode/46Tg...
Matthew 10 - True Missionaries
open.spotify.com
October 13, 2025 at 6:19 AM
When Jesus sent his disciples out as workers in his harvest field, he gave them a clear message and a clear method. And neither had anything to do with salesmanship or culture-warring.
open.spotify.com/episode/46Tg...
open.spotify.com/episode/46Tg...
Jesus went through all the towns and villages... proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
open.spotify.com/episode/3BsV...
open.spotify.com/episode/3BsV...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
October 6, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Jesus went through all the towns and villages... proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
open.spotify.com/episode/3BsV...
open.spotify.com/episode/3BsV...
Don't build your house on the sandy sand. Don't build your house on the shore. Well, it might be kinda nice, but you'll have to build it twice. Oh, you'll have to build your house once more.
open.spotify.com/episode/2TH6...
open.spotify.com/episode/2TH6...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
September 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Don't build your house on the sandy sand. Don't build your house on the shore. Well, it might be kinda nice, but you'll have to build it twice. Oh, you'll have to build your house once more.
open.spotify.com/episode/2TH6...
open.spotify.com/episode/2TH6...
There was a memorial service today, and my heart was broken for the lack of proper judgment in the difference between good fruit and the abundance of fruit demonstrated by false prophets.
open.spotify.com/episode/0LSN...
open.spotify.com/episode/0LSN...
Matthew 7:1-23 - By Their Fruits: Specks, Logs, Pearls and Pigs
open.spotify.com
September 22, 2025 at 3:11 AM
There was a memorial service today, and my heart was broken for the lack of proper judgment in the difference between good fruit and the abundance of fruit demonstrated by false prophets.
open.spotify.com/episode/0LSN...
open.spotify.com/episode/0LSN...
Let me take this moment to add my voice to the many people reflecting on Charlie Kirk's murder. It comes down to this. If you are a Christian, you are not allowed the freedom to rejoice or retaliate at this moment. Your King told you to love your enemies.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Love Your Enemies - Reflections on Charlie Kirk's Death by Jesus First
On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk, a MAGA political activist, founder of Turning Point, USA, husband and father, was killed in what most people are calling a politically-motivated act.At ...
creators.spotify.com
September 14, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Let me take this moment to add my voice to the many people reflecting on Charlie Kirk's murder. It comes down to this. If you are a Christian, you are not allowed the freedom to rejoice or retaliate at this moment. Your King told you to love your enemies.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Jesus promises that our Heavenly Father will meet our needs. Have I ever believed that? What would my life be like if I did really trust that? Would I be more generous? Would you?
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Matthew 6:19-34 - The King's Promise of Provision by Jesus First
Do you have enough faith to trust that God will take care of you? Actually, how would it change you if you had that much faith? How would it change your relationship to money? In Matthew 6, King Jesus...
creators.spotify.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Jesus promises that our Heavenly Father will meet our needs. Have I ever believed that? What would my life be like if I did really trust that? Would I be more generous? Would you?
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly tells us to take action... let them see your good deeds, give them your cloak also, whoever hears and obeys is like a wise man. Following Jesus involves the effort of obedience in addition to the acceptance of his grace.
bookshop.org/p/books/evan...
bookshop.org/p/books/evan...
September 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly tells us to take action... let them see your good deeds, give them your cloak also, whoever hears and obeys is like a wise man. Following Jesus involves the effort of obedience in addition to the acceptance of his grace.
bookshop.org/p/books/evan...
bookshop.org/p/books/evan...
The Lord's Prayer reveals a secret that supports everything else Jesus asks us to do. As citizens of the kingdom, we can bless others even to the point of our own loss, because someone else is promising to fill us back up.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Matthew 6:1-18 - True Faith by Jesus First
Have you ever realized that giving to the poor or forgiving someone who hurt you are both acts of faith? Both of them will cause you to lose out on something that was rightfully yours, and if you keep...
creators.spotify.com
September 1, 2025 at 2:54 AM
The Lord's Prayer reveals a secret that supports everything else Jesus asks us to do. As citizens of the kingdom, we can bless others even to the point of our own loss, because someone else is promising to fill us back up.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
People read Matthew 5 and think Jesus is condemning lust, swearing and divorce, but they are missing the bigger picture. What he's really saying is that in your heart, you need to view others as a target for your blessing not a tool for your benefit.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Matthew 5:27-48 - True Law Part 2 by Jesus First
What is the heart of the Law of Christ? If you think the rules of the Sermon on the Mount are all about avoiding lust or avoiding divorce, you might have missed what's really going on. It's so much de...
creators.spotify.com
August 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
People read Matthew 5 and think Jesus is condemning lust, swearing and divorce, but they are missing the bigger picture. What he's really saying is that in your heart, you need to view others as a target for your blessing not a tool for your benefit.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
If you think of Jesus primarily as your Savior, then you will see him as someone who gets you out of things you don’t want to do. But if you think of Jesus primarily as your King, you will expect him to demand something of you.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Matthew 5:17-26 - The King's Law Part 1 by Jesus First
If you think of Jesus primarily as a Savior, he's the one that gets you out of the things you don't want to do. But if you think of him mainly as your King, you should expect him to demand something o...
creators.spotify.com
August 17, 2025 at 10:35 PM
If you think of Jesus primarily as your Savior, then you will see him as someone who gets you out of things you don’t want to do. But if you think of Jesus primarily as your King, you will expect him to demand something of you.
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Why does the world understand "Salt of the Earth" better than Christians do? Is it because we have lost the plotline? Is it because we have forgotten the first command of the new kingdom given us by our True and Final King?
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
Matthew 5:13-16 - A Salt and Light Kingdom by Jesus First
Citizens of the new kingdom of Jesus are salt and light to the people of the old kingdom, but what does that mean? Here's a hint. It doesn't mean to be a restraining force and it doesn't mean to shine...
creators.spotify.com
August 11, 2025 at 5:08 AM
Why does the world understand "Salt of the Earth" better than Christians do? Is it because we have lost the plotline? Is it because we have forgotten the first command of the new kingdom given us by our True and Final King?
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...
A new episode of my podcast is live now. You are a conduit of blessing! You receive the blessings of God so the world around you can be blessed. That's the way the Kingdom of God works, and that's what you can participate in!
spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ThCsxBpZxVb
spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ThCsxBpZxVb
Matthew 5:1-12 - How to Really Be Blessed by Jesus First
Last time, we considered one aspect of blessing, but in Matthew 5, Jesus starts really teaching about it. He gives us 8 very specific blessings along with the principles for how you can get in on them...
spotifycreators-web.app.link
August 4, 2025 at 2:52 AM
A new episode of my podcast is live now. You are a conduit of blessing! You receive the blessings of God so the world around you can be blessed. That's the way the Kingdom of God works, and that's what you can participate in!
spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ThCsxBpZxVb
spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ThCsxBpZxVb
I posted a new podcast episode this week on one of my favorite Old Testament prophecy fulfillments!
Matthew 4:12-16 - How to Be Blessed
Jesus First · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 30, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I posted a new podcast episode this week on one of my favorite Old Testament prophecy fulfillments!
Another insightful review of my book. Super honored to be in the same article as @mikecosper.bsky.social ! Thanks for the review @jonmathieu.bsky.social
Books by Mike Cosper and Jeff Mikels critique evangelicalism from within. In a new review, @jonmathieu.bsky.social wonders whether the authors’ continued connection to the tradition makes it impossible for them to go far enough.
www.christiancentury.org/books/evange...
www.christiancentury.org/books/evange...
Evangelical idols and ideologies
In their new books, Mike Cosper and Jeff Mikels critique evangelicalism from within. Do they go far...
www.christiancentury.org
July 24, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Another insightful review of my book. Super honored to be in the same article as @mikecosper.bsky.social ! Thanks for the review @jonmathieu.bsky.social
Had another review of my book!
Review—Evangelical Idolatry: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God by Jeff Mikels, pub. [email protected]. A conservative evangelical addresses corruption of the evangelical movement, especially by #MAGA. www.bobcornwall.com/2025/03/evan...
#books #reviews #evangelicalism
#books #reviews #evangelicalism
Evangelical Idolatry: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God (Jeff Mikels) - A Review.
A blog about Christianity, theology, religion and public life.
www.bobcornwall.com
March 26, 2025 at 5:51 AM
Had another review of my book!
It's true for every worldview: The more "fundamental" your worldview is, the more firmly you can rely on it, and the more aggressively you can judge others by it. Fundamentalism is incredibly comforting.
It's just not Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
It's just not Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
March 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
It's true for every worldview: The more "fundamental" your worldview is, the more firmly you can rely on it, and the more aggressively you can judge others by it. Fundamentalism is incredibly comforting.
It's just not Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
It's just not Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. -- Luke 8:1 NIV
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
March 13, 2025 at 1:10 PM
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. -- Luke 8:1 NIV
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
None of us can call ourselves "biblical" as if we are fully encompassing everything the Bible teaches. At most, we can say we are striving to be biblical, but even better than that, we should strive to be Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
February 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
None of us can call ourselves "biblical" as if we are fully encompassing everything the Bible teaches. At most, we can say we are striving to be biblical, but even better than that, we should strive to be Christlike.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
The temptation toward judgmentalism is one of the fundamental temptations of all who claim to know the truth. Christians are not immune. Watch yourself. And show grace to others. Yes, even with THOSE people (whoever THOSE are to you).
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
February 21, 2025 at 2:30 PM
The temptation toward judgmentalism is one of the fundamental temptations of all who claim to know the truth. Christians are not immune. Watch yourself. And show grace to others. Yes, even with THOSE people (whoever THOSE are to you).
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
Jesus reserved his harshest critiques for those who knew the Scriptures best, because the temptation for any Bible teacher is to put a burden on others without helping them carry it.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
February 20, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Jesus reserved his harshest critiques for those who knew the Scriptures best, because the temptation for any Bible teacher is to put a burden on others without helping them carry it.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
We evangelicals often think that wrong doctrine will keep you out of heaven. However, Jesus, Paul, and the other NT writers all tell us that greed and selfishness will keep you out of heaven.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
February 18, 2025 at 6:47 PM
We evangelicals often think that wrong doctrine will keep you out of heaven. However, Jesus, Paul, and the other NT writers all tell us that greed and selfishness will keep you out of heaven.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
Remember that God is even bigger than you have yet imagined. It's why the angels sing, Holy, Holy, Holy. Translated to our words today, they might as well be singing: Beyond, Beyond, Beyond!
Your idea of God is too small.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
Your idea of God is too small.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
February 17, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Remember that God is even bigger than you have yet imagined. It's why the angels sing, Holy, Holy, Holy. Translated to our words today, they might as well be singing: Beyond, Beyond, Beyond!
Your idea of God is too small.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social
Your idea of God is too small.
amzn.to/40fQ9dG
#evangelicalidolatry @eerdmansbooks.bsky.social