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.”
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(Photo: The Christian Post) -
(Photo: The Christian Post) -
(Photo: The Christian Post)
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."
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I just wanted to add that we cannot forget that we need to be on our knees in our hearts, that we are submitting to God in our innermost being, to be always in remembrance of what He has done, so many things, but one very important is the forgiveness of our iniquities, all of them. We have to be in repentance, being ever mindful of the state we would be in without God's unending Grace and mercy. Thanks you all for your comments on the forgiveness that we have through Christ and to remember that crimson stain that was on our hearts that only his blood could wash clean. Praise God! Ket is never grow old or tired to remember what our beautiful Jesus did for us, so much for so little in return. I am ever amazed at the love and acceptance that God has for me though I cannot understand why. Have a great and blessed day:)
what comes to mind is that few will find the narrow path of truth, so is it really surprising that so many follow this false prophet? People don't want to hear the truth, they don't want to change or take a close, really close look at themselves, their hearts and actions. People want to feel good and forget about the other sides of God. Yes, God is love, but He also had expectations of His believers and if one is a true believer and follower of Christ then we should want to change and be convicted. Only through sorrow can the joy come in the morning. Praise God for his uneding love and for His execution if Righteousness and Judgement that we so richly deserve, we deserve hell and He saves us if we would only accept Him. Bless everyone who reads this and I pray that everyone can know the One True God in Heaven. Amen
Doctrine is simply teaching, so he doesn't need to be in the pulpit at all if he is not proclaiming doctrine.That's why he seems more like a motivational speaker than a pastor.Honestly, I have no interest in beating up on the guy, but I (and obviously many of my Christian Brothers on here)have concerns about what he is teaching.
Imagine a pastor in Orissa, India, or Sudan, or Indonesia, or Nigeria preaching in the burned-out church of his congregation mourning the martyrdom of several of their members:
"God has the power to meet your needs. He not only has the power, He has the desire to meet your needs. He wants you to live this abundant life."
Read more here:
"Abundant Life for Christians in Orissa?"
http://www.twoagespilgrims.com/doctrine/?p=53
II Timothy 4:3.
CORRECTED: Christian Post has given the Christian community a fluff job, bias toward Osteen. His father was a big Word-Faith teacher (See charismatic author, D.R. McConnell's "A Different Gospel". Henrdrickson), and Joel is the same way. The only difference, mainly, is his dad preached it more openly & in a concentrated way. Joel O. sprinkles & adds it to his Tony Robbins approach to being a supposed pastor. He couldn't even say if the LDS/Mormon Church was Christian, and he said that Mormon & ex-governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney believes in Jesus as his savior so he believed Romney is a Christian! He also admitted he didn't know much about Mormonism. Well, then he should have passed on answering Larry King's question! He has publicly led many into the error of thinking the Mormon Church is a Christian Church, and/or thinking that if a Mormon can say the same *undefined* words, then he/she passes. The LDS Church officially teaches Father, Jesus & the 'Holy Ghost' are "three Gods" (J Smith, Ensign 3/2008), we can become Gods & be "as great as God" (LDS Melchizedek Priesthood study guide 1985, p 151. See 515-158), saved AFTER all the works we can do (BOM: 2 Nephi 25:23), etc. Titus 1:9 clearly says that elders/pastors should encourage with SOUND doctrine & REFUTE those who CONTRADICT it. Joel fails at this & his idea it isn't his gifting is baseless & anti-biblical. Christian Post & the Christian body needs to get a sound doctrinal & discerning footing. Osteen is doubly dangerous, more than his father, since he is more popular, better known & doesn't come out openly with as much blatant Word-Faith teaching, so others may adopt it without even knowing it & bends over backwards to give people what their tickling ears want to hear, which the Bible denounces. If he wants to be a 'Christian' motivational speaker, then stop being a pastor. A biblical pastor encourages & exposes those who contradict true doctrine, not being ignorant of it, he assumes terms Mormons say mean the same as when Trinitarian Christians use them.
Pastors & others, please get responsible, sound ministries that will expose these things, like Watchman Fellowship & Mormonism Researched Ministry to your church & equip Christians.
CT has given the Christian community a fluff job, bias toward Osteen. His father was a big Word-Faith teacher, and Joel is the same way. The only difference, mainly, is his dad preached it more openly & in a concentrated way. Joel O. sprinkles & adds it to his Tony Robbins approach to being a supposed pastor. He couldn't even say if the LDS/Mormon Church was Christian, and he said that Mormon & ex-governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney believes in Jesus as his savior so he believed Romney is a Christian! He also admitted he didn't know much about Mormonism. Well, then he should have passed on answering Larry King's question! He has publicly led many into the error of thinking the Mormon Church is a Christian Church, and/or thinking that if a Mormon can say the same *undefined* words, then he/she passes. The LDS Church officially teaches Father, Jesus & the 'Holy Ghost' are "three Gods" (J Smith, Ensign 3/2008), we can become Gods & be "as great as God" (LDS Melchizedek Priesthood study guide 1985, p 151. See 515-158), saved AFTER all the works we can do (BOM: 2 Nephi 25:23), etc. Titus 1:9 clearly says that elders/pastors should encourage with SOUND doctrine & REFUTE those who CONTRADICT it. Joel fails at this & his idea it isn't his gifting is baseless & anti-biblical. Christianity Today needs to get a sound doctrinal & discerning footing. Osteen is doubly dangerous, more than his father, since he is more popular, better known & doesn't come out openly with as much blatant Word-Faith teaching, so others may adopt it without even knowing it & bends over backwards to give people what their tickling ears want to hear, which the Bible denounces. If he wants to be a 'Christian' motivational speaker, then stop being a pastor. A biblical pastor encourages & exposes those who contradict true doctrine, not being ignorant of it, he assumes terms Mormons say mean the same as when Trinitarian Christians mean by them.
Pastors & others, please get responsible, sound ministries that will expose these things, like Watchman Fellowship & Mormonism Researched Ministry to your church & equip Christians.
When I see the Lakwood Church filled to capicity and those many thousands of people, I wonder how and why. Then I remember the great feeling their ears must have. The people are fed a gospel, but not the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
In Matthew 24 Jesus said that even the elect can be drawn away, thats what we see in the Lakewood Church. How would this message of hope fly in Africa where many will die every day because the kind of hope "pastor?" Osteen preaches is false hope.
The only real hope is that we ask for us to be in the center of Gods will. Knowing I am in the center of Gods will, I can face anything anytime and any place, even starvation, and even a painful death, that is real HOPE. Jesus will never give us more than we can endure. No matter what happens we all will surely die. Christians know we are going to be with Jesus Christ that's more than hope it's assurance! Those who reject Jesus Christ have no hope no matter how good "pastor?" Osteen can motivate people to think there is hope. There is no real hope in Osteens talks. With out Jesus the message is a false hope.
I think the words of Paul in Philippians 4 says it all...
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Interesting. "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
Do you think anyone will ever take a lesson from that little phrase? Or will we be consumed by our lust and greed, using God as our sugardaddy?
amber,
But what is "blessed". Will we all have millions of dollars in our bank account? Will be be blessed as we see fit, or as God sees fit? The person making only $25K a year could be called blessed....just as the person who makes $150K a year.
I agree that we need to seek God first. And let God determine how much He chooses to bless a person.
It says in Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. If you seek God and not stuff, if you seek God and not just your own thing, you will be blessed. Its great to want hope, but our hope is found in Jesus Himself and having a personal relationship with Him. It says in Rom. 3:23 All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Without confessing our sin, and coming before our Heavenly Father in humility, we cannot have a personal relationship with Him. He is so good, full of mercy, compassion, and of course love. Rom. 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. If Jesus is not being lifted up then people cannot be drawn to Him for their hope. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. The cross needs to be preached for true deliverance. Hope is good but it doesn't save, Jesus Saves.
Amen, Chris...Amen!
In one sermon I watched Pastor(motivational speaker) Osteen used the word Hope 38 times.
A motivational speaker who uses scripture is at least better than a motivational speaker who doesn't use scripture. I'm not a big fan of Osteen. I do think that he should refrain from being called a Pastor though and Lakewood should not be called a Church either. How about Lakewood Motivational Center or Lakewood Center for living the good life, etc.
I think you can be motivational as a Preacher, but it MUST and I repeat MUST be grounded in Scripture. If you don't stand for something, Joel, you will fall for everthing. Doctrine is important, or otherwise you just motivate and don't disciple them. Discipleship is key as a Pastor and it must be grounded in Holy Scripture!
My apologies for misspelling pablum.God is good, but He is also just.We need to remember the importance of repenting in terms of being right with God.I haven't heard anything about sin or repentance the few times I have listened to Joel speak.If I am mistaken, I apologize.If I am not mistaken, then it is further evidence that we are living in a time when people do not want to hear the harsh reality that people are sinners in need of a savior.It isn't popular, but it is the truth.
Won't this guy take a stand on anything?Wow!I have to agree with Prophet on this one.He is more of a motivational speaker than a preacher.I have his first book, and the only reason I haven't thrown it away is out of respect for the person who gave it to me.It is so full of pablam that there is no meat or substance to it.