Osteen as heretic?

[rack'm (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Bustem' Down

I used to live minutes away from his church, it's really rather rediculous. A lot of churches are, I'm not just singling him out.

This is why I think going to a church isn't required.......fellowship isn't worth that to me.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by rack'm

This is why I think going to a church isn't required.......fellowship isn't worth that to me.

Uh ...

Hebrews 10:23-25

23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;

24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,

25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

[Kain99]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

Uh ...

But the assembling is for us, right 2A? God doesn't Need to be worshipped.... We Need to worship him.

[Bustem' Down]

Originally Posted by Kain99

But the assembling is for us, right 2A? God doesn't Need to be worshipped.... We Need to worship him.

But the assembling also does not need a muliti-million dollar house with the shepherd arriving before his flock in a 60,000 dollar car paid for by them.

[Kain99]

Originally Posted by Bustem' Down

But the assembling also does not need a muliti-million dollar house with the shepherd arriving before his flock in a 60,000 dollar car paid for by them.

I completely understand your point. I think a lot of other people feel the same way. For me, Ifthe message is great, the rest doesn't matter. But, I do understand.

[Pandora (Premo)]

Originally Posted by 2ndAmendment

Being a motivational speaker and doing the work of God are two different things.

I don't listen to him, so my comments are generalizations about any speaker that may use Biblical references. If the message is primarily about men or things or the attainment of things or worldly happiness, then the message is not doing the work of God in my opinion. A message doing the will of God will be about bringing honor, praise, and glory to God and about the saving grace provided by God.

I understand what you are saying, but you are no good to God if your head isn’t snapped on right. Right now, in the world, far too many are suffering from depression, mental illness, addictions, obesity, the list goes on, and here comes Joel with messages like this…. ( I picked out some of the message titles off my Podcast)

• You Have Been Pre-Programmed For Victory
• You Are God’s Masterpiece
• Be Comfortable With Who You Are
• I am What God Says I am
• Being Grateful For The Gift of Today
• Living the Abundant Life
• How to Handle Criticism
• Your Time in Coming
• Improving Your Relationships
• Developing Better Habits
• Power of Visualization
• Power of Right Associates
• Developing the Right Anchor Thoughts
• The Favor of God
• Going from Believing to Expecting
• Trust God To Do It His Way
• Make Everyday a Masterpiece
• Living a Life Worth Remembering
• You are Somebody’s Miracle
• Being a God Example
• Armed with Strength for the Battle
• Fulfilling the Best Plan for Your Life
• Making Miracles Out of Mistakes
• Stop Listening to those Accusing Voices
• Controlling Your Weaknesses
• Starting Your Day of Right

I’ve talked about “pits” before on this forum and each and every person in existence has gotten themselves stuck in one a time or two, or three, or fifty, so hopefully many can relate to what I am saying here. You don’t feel like going to church and worshipping anyone when you feel you are far less than “a child of the most high God.” Joel motivates one to feel better about themselves and therefore, you will be better in aspects of your life as well, being a parent, worker, friend, etc.


I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit. He set my feet on a rock. He put a new song in my mouth. - Psalm 40

For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
Rom 11:32

When your life changes for the better, there is no mistake what-so-ever that it was the work of God that got you out of your pits.

I came across Joel, like many others, flipping the channel and he talked about something that was real to me. He is just doing the same work as others, just in a different way. I enjoy his uniqueness in his deliverance of his message. I think, just as people learn differently, diversity is needed to spread the word.

[Kain99]

Great point Pandora! Some people need the solemn voice of a Priest. Others need the dynamic uplifting messages of Joel.

It makes no difference what gets you there.

[craberta]

And the things he says about God wantig you to be happy' healthy succesful, is a good thing. It beats "your going to hell" everytime you turn around. We are human beings, and I beleive God understands that we are not perfect, and living in fear of him, well, how can you be any good to anyone else if your not happy-healthy-succesfull. Alot of people have turned away from God, religion, church, because it really can bring you down alot. I was raised catholic, and when I turned 18 I turned away from religion. I enjoy a positive message every now and then. It almost seemed to me as if the preists and nuns were giddy when they saw the look of horror on our faces, we were all going to hell, we were dirty, rotten, and oh by the way you have to pay for these lessons.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Kain99

But the assembling is for us, right 2A? God doesn't Need to be worshipped.... We Need to worship him.

God wants our worship and love.

Exodus 20:3-6

3"You shall have no other gods before Me.

4"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

5"You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

6but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Luke 4:7-9

7"Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours."

8Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'"

9And he led Him to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here;

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Bustem' Down

But the assembling also does not need a muliti-million dollar house with the shepherd arriving before his flock in a 60,000 dollar car paid for by them.

Agreed.

The early assemblies were small and each shared equally.