Christ First Forum

by Joseph Farah
Posted: April 16, 2009
1:00 am Eastern
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=P ... geId=95041
© 2009

Sometimes I get confused watching these mega-church preachers.

Are they reading the same Bible I'm reading?

Do they really have an intimate relationship with the same Jesus I know?

Is the Holy Spirit actually working within them – providing the kind of discernment He promises believers?

These questions came to mind while watching Joel Osteen and his lovely wife, Victoria, on CNN's "Larry King Live" last week.

Is this the new face of American Christianity? Is this why Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected? Is this the Good News? Or is this some other religion altogether?

Admittedly, Osteen ticked me off right out of the gate by praising Barack Obama: "Well, I think he's doing a great job. I'm impressed with his skill, his calmness, his just strength under pressure. These are tough times for him."

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Actually, no. These aren't tough times for Obama. He's having the time of his life. He's partying it up and eating $100-a-pound beef in the White House. We should all face such tough times. Maybe that's how the mega-wealthy Osteens define tough times. But I submit to you it is the American people who are suffering – not the Obamas.

But the interview actually went downhill from there.

King pointed out that many Americans are still confused about Obama's religion and asked, "Does it matter?"

"Well, it matters to me," said Osteen. "It matters to me that I know he loves the Lord, and I think it's important that he has convictions from his faith. So to me, it matters when I'm making my personal decisions."

Mrs. Osteen weighed in, too: "It does. It matters to me. … I believe he is a Christian."

Now, let's stop right there for a moment of reflection.

How do we know someone else is a believer? Is someone a Christian simply because they proclaim to be one? The Bible tells us we will know them by their fruits. I wonder what fruits the Osteens are seeing that would suggest to them Obama is a Christian?

In John 14:15, Jesus explains, "If you love Me, keep my commandments."

Now, I won't run through all of the Ten Commandments, but let's stick to just one – the eighth: "Thou shall not steal."

Not only is Obama stealing wealth from Americans today, he is stealing from our grandchildren – and our great-grandchildren!

But maybe that commandment is not in the Joel Osteen New Living Translation of the Bible the Osteens were hawking on the King show.

I don't know about you, but I would like to see some real holy men in America stand up like the prophet Nathan and hold people – and especially our leaders – accountable to the Word of God.

Is that too much to ask?

America is going down the tubes fast, and the new faces of Christianity are playing patty-cake. They're acting like the latest self-help gurus.

We need some wisdom, and we're just not getting it from these lukewarm pretenders.

Now, look, I don't care if Christian pastors want to keep their heads in the sand and protect their precious 501(c)3 corporations by avoiding politics altogether, as most of them do. But when they stand up on national television and proclaim Obama is a Christian and doing a good job, I have a real problem with that.

It's a lie.

Obama is breaking his covenant with the American people every day. That covenant is the Constitution of the United States.

The Osteens cannot even stand up for the institution of marriage without equivocating.

True followers of Jesus win converts when they show people their sin and explain the consequences of sin. They don't soft-pedal it. They're not afraid of offending people. We can pretend to love everyone and watch them go right to hell. That is not the kind of love my messiah showed. And it is not the kind I expect to see from ministers of the Gospel.

januarie wrote:True followers of Jesus win converts when they show people their sin and explain the consequences of sin. They don't soft-pedal it. They're not afraid of offending people. We can pretend to love everyone and watch them go right to hell. That is not the kind of love my messiah showed. And it is not the kind I expect to see from ministers of the Gospel.

We have a lot of "soft-pedalers" among Christian leaders right now.

Osteens are so far removed from the Jesus of the Bible that I don't know what religion they are. God forbid that anyone would call them "Christian".

Januare,

Thanks for the posting~

What helps me is my understanding of 'prophecy.'

Jesus said 'our professing Church' would be this way.

The last church in Revelation is the Laodicea Church with a state of apostasy (cannot stand sound Truth).

Jesus said:

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot,

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

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

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

In the Last Days we would have 'false teachers' 2 Peter 2: 1-2

Depart from faith, giving heed to seducing spirits in 1 Tim. 4:1

Perilous times where men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters~ in 2 Tim 3:1-5

Having 'heaped up treasure' in the Last Days in James 5: 1-6

When Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary with Jesus, the scripture said in Luke 1:41
and it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the HS.

Could it have been the babe (John the Baptist) of Elizabeth leaped at the presence of Jesus in Mary's womb?

That's how I feel our spirit living within us will help us to discern those who are believers of Christ.

Joel Osteen is known by man to be a 'promotional speaker',and 'rich' I might add~

Obama is more for supporting Islam than Christianity which Islam and Christianity is gas and water mixing together.

You will be known by your fruits~

Good post Jeani. I know my post showed my frustration and I suppose it's because I was almost taken in by John Osteen (Joel's father) many years ago.

This is an interesting web page that pretty much sums up the teaching of the Osteens and the Word of Faith movement. http://apprising.org/2008/09/joel-ostee ... hn-osteen/

Joel Osteen is a perfect example of the candy coated Gospel that itching ears want to hear today. That sickening smile of his is going to be suddenly wiped off when he has to face Jesus Christ and account for what he did (and didn't) do for Him. The incredible numbers of people that flock to his "church" is also a perfect example of where lukewarm Christians are going. And what does Jesus say about the lukewarm "Christian". . . "I will spew you out of my mouth"!

Carmela wrote:Joel Osteen is a perfect example of the candy coated Gospel that itching ears want to hear today. That sickening smile of his is going to be suddenly wiped off when he has to face Jesus Christ and account for what he did (and didn't) do for Him. The incredible numbers of people that flock to his "church" is also a perfect example of where lukewarm Christians are going. And what does Jesus say about the lukewarm "Christian". . . "I will spew you out of my mouth"!

Amen! I thought I posted about He now has a line of greeting cards from hallmark. Boy! I can say one thing for sure is he must have a great marketing firm or management group! Sells himself well, but forgets about the Gospel!

There's going to be millions of surprised people when Jesus says, ". . .you never knew me". Very, very sad.

Tragically, it was Joel's own father who led him astray. However, it is up to the individual to seek God for himself. I pray that Joel Osteen will do that - before it's too late.