Christ First Forum

Osteen Arms Thousands with Hope, Not Doctrine
By Lillian Kwon
Christian Post Reporter
Sun, Sep. 07 2008 09:20 AM EDT

WASHINGTON – "God has the power to meet your needs," Joel Osteen told some 19,000 people Friday night. “ He not only has the power, He has the desire to meet your needs. He wants you to live this abundant life.”

Pastor of one of the largest churches in the country whose messages are heard by millions around the world, Osteen preached his signature uplifting message at the Verizon Center during his "A Night of Hope" worship event.

His visit comes less than two months before the nation chooses its next president, but the popular Lakewood Church pastor didn't come to the nation's capital to talk politics, let alone rally Christians behind a candidate.

"I try not to weigh in a lot on [politics]," Osteen told The Christian Post. The only political rallying he does is to make sure people vote and do their part. "I always encourage our congregation to search their own heart and vote what they feel God wants them to. I think if we do our part, God will put the right person in office."

Still undecided on his personal pick for the next White House leader, Osteen noted, "There's good and great things in both candidates (Barack Obama and John McCain). They're both great leaders."

He also commended Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., for hosting the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates at his church for a civil forum last month.

"It gave good insight into who they are," Osteen commented. "Nobody more qualified to do [the forum] than Rick Warren, so I think it was great."

Osteen, whose podcast messages consistently rank in the top 10 on iTunes, keeps politics out of his church. He doesn't preach on political issues; he also doesn't teach theological doctrine or try to explain every detail in the Bible.

That's not his calling, he says. And that has drawn critics.

"Just the fact that we're presenting hope, that we present the Gospel as good news, as God being good, some people think that ..." Osteen said as he paused to try to identify what he feels is most misunderstood about him. "I don't know if it's misunderstood. That's what I feel like my calling is."

"I'm just one part of what God wants us to do on the earth so I really feel that I'm running my race and maybe people don't necessarily see that," he continued.

Some pastors and theologians have criticized Osteen's failure to talk about sin, suffering and the message of the cross.

But the Lakewood megachurch pastor stresses, "I'm called to plant a seed of hope in people's hearts," as he wrote in his latest book, Become a Better You.

If congregants want to dig deeper into Scripture and learn core theological doctrines, Osteen says Lakewood Church offers classes during the week.

"I think, again, my gift is to help people to live out the Christian life because you can have a lot of knowledge but if you don't know how to forgive when people hurt you, have a good attitude, expect good things ... I feel like that's my main gifting," he told The Christian Post. "But I do believe we need to know what Jesus did when he died, what it all meant, and we have people that teach that."

Doing what he does best, Osteen reached out to thousands Friday, arming them with hope and positive thoughts.

"Sometimes in my own life when I'm having difficulties I like to just come back to the fact and just say to myself 'God, You created the whole universe ... God, I believe you can give me $4 for a gallon of gas, You can help me pay rent, heal my back.' See what I mean? I'm talking about keeping it all in perspective," he said to a roaring applause.

"I can't say that I understand it all but I can always come back to the fact that God is good."

Visiting 18 cities this year, Osteen hits Dallas, Texas, in October for "A Night of Hope."
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20 ... ctrine.htm

Lakewood Church is a 'feel good' church with a 'feel good' pastor.

His church is the Laodicea Church mention in Revelation 3.

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor not. I could wish you were cold or hot.

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.

Because you say, Im rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing--and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.

Rick Warren is more of a 'one world political church.'

Christ said "we would suffer as He did."

He said, "the world will not like us like they did not like Him."

That's to be 'identified with Christ.'

Jeani, Their is so much wrong with Osteen and his church teachings. Here is another fine example of how deception has taken over in the church and a strong delusion is evident.

How does one who calls themselves a born again Christian not see the error and apostasy of this.

They have no spiritual discernment what so ever or they are ignoring the truth to cover their own short comings or sin.

Sure we all sin and fall short but I believe the devil has used churches like this to cover or hide the true nature and lives for who they really are.

Many years ago after being ordained out of large Southern Baptist church, that was one of the underlying problems of a mega church. So many hidding places for sinners and the church was so large it was easy to be obscure.

Frank,

I personally don't think we're seeing very many churches today like the first church that was establish by the disciples.

We're either seeing 'dead' churches, 'humanistic churches' or 'signs and wonders' churches that are mega rich,but poor inside spiritually.
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Jesus said:

You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

You are the light of the world, A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
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Where are the churches that are glorifying the Lord today?

I personally don't see them anymore so I believe it won't be long before the Lord calls the church to come home.

Thankfully we have this site!

Jeani, You said:

Where are the churches that are glorifying the Lord today?

I personally don't see them anymore so I believe it won't be long before the Lord calls the church to come home.

Thankfully we have this site!

Amen!
They are fewer and fewer and they are usually so obscure where you least likely to find them. Like were we have church. They are often house churches or they meet in small venues and change locations. Often they are just small fellowships here and there and sometime they reside in old run down church building with out any fancy furnishings.

And the closer we get to the return of the Lord, They will often just meet in places like Christ First Forum so that they can assembly in a place of like minded brothers and sister for fellowship.

Kind of like "no child left behind" the churches are afraid to teach "hard sayings" that will inspire ones to leave sin, but will offend others to the point of leaving..... namby-pamby love is what they demand, to be coddled in their weaknesses, walking in Grace VS Victory. There are still many churches out there that won't compromise with the World, but hard to find.

Well, I knew that I wouldn't watch him when in an interview, he said that he was called to preach "Jesus is love only". He refused to admit there is a hell. I have nothing for anyone who won't preach the WHOLE Word of God. Jesus had more to say about hell than anyone, but, I guess that isn't politically correct, so OK to ignore it, right? Sounds like the Laodicean Church Age to me.

I have enough of the 'political correctness' with our government than to have it with our preachers...

Most of them today are 'congregation pleasers' is what I am seeing....

It's the 'feel good' religion...

Just like the scripture says would happen in the Last Days...

Jeani wrote:I have enough of the 'political correctness' with our government than to have it with our preachers...

Most of them today are 'congregation pleasers' is what I am seeing....

It's the 'feel good' religion...

Just like the scripture says would happen in the Last Days...

Exacty, Jeani, they want someone to "tickly their ears", as Timothy said. Are they about to have a wake-up call!!!!