The Lakewood Church

[FranC]

Not in to prosperity preaching. personally prefer the pure word of God. I Don't recall sin, punishment of sin, hell, repentance was ever preached there. I tend to stay far away from pastors who tickle peoples ears.

Hi PNY

There's a thin red line here.

I do hear some preachers say that if they give to the ministry, if they sow seeds, God will have a check in the mail and they'll get what they want, etc.

This is not what I hear Osteen saying. I believe what he's saying is that God wants the best for us and that we should try to have the best that we can. I don't think he means in money - although that might be a part of it.

I hear him saying how to have a good family life - he was talking this Sunday about how his wife Always laughs and smiles and is happy in the Lord. Maybe he'll say to do our best on the job.

Jesus did say I have come to give you Life and a life more abundant.
John 10:10b

I believe God's wish for His children is that they have a rich life and as free from worry as possible.
Didn't Jesus tell us not to worry because it would not add one day to our life?
Mathew 6:34

Jesus also said to pick up our cross every day if we wish to follow Him.


While we have suffering, we can also have joy.
If we think of our daily life, our joys outweigh our crosses.
Mathew 16:24


Fran

 

[FranC]

So, those that have spoken against Osteen - that means you have been to his services many times and first hand have heard him say all these things. For example - it's ok to live the homosexual lifestyle?

I hope us "good Christians" know that lying, malice and slander are just as much a work of the flesh as living the homosexual lifestyle is.

Hi Grace,
I've heard Osteen many times and I never heard him say what you mention above.

He doesn't speak about sin and hell, and, personally, I don't care for preachers that do.
It's kind of like telling someone not to think of a pink elephant.

What did you just think of??

I like Philippians 4:8 (let your mind dwell on good things)

Think of Jesus, not sin. (I mean sins or sinning, of course)


Fran

 

[FranC]

I've heard him enough to know he doesn't tell people to get on their knees before God & repent for their sins. But I mean if you enjoy listening to him that's fine ill pass. I'm sure theres alot of new members that go there who know nothing about repentance yet he's not helping in that regard & wants them to "feel good"

Well.

This is a good point.
About new Christians, I mean.

A lot of people go to Church on Sunday an are not really following Jesus.

I agree with Osteen, though...
Only God sees the heart.

 

[FranC]

You do realize that getting on your knees before God and repenting for your sins is not the real gospel. The real gospel - word-for-word accounts given by Peter and Paul in Acts 10 and in Acts 13 - show what the real gospel of the grace of Christ is.

Actually I hardly listen to him. He has an exhorter ministry and that is something I don't need at the moment but if and when I do - I'm sure the Holy Spirit will lead me to listen to whomever He has chosen to exhort. edify and comfort me.

We don't post scripture on these forums???
Acts 10 and 13 --- do you have the verses?

What about Galatians 2:16 where we're told by Paul to follow Jesus.


Fran

 

[FranC]

For AllenW

Does Joel speak about how we're to follow Jesus?
I can't remember.


Fran

 

[FranC]

I didn't say he said homosexuality is not a sin. I said he has homosexuals at his church & he doesn't preach about them repenting from that lifestyle.

You'd like Swaggart.

They say it's a sin just to BE homosexual.

Whether or not you're practicing!


Fran

 

[AllenW]

For AllenW

Does Joel speak about how we're to follow Jesus?
I can't remember.
Of course he does.
Joel is very good on his home court (Pun also).
Listen to him and others in his church and listen to what they do to serve God.
We should be so good.
I could never speak as well of him as does his own church every Sunday morning.
Watch it and get hooked on it.
You'll get excited about church service, look forward to it, and wanting to have someone to talk to about it.
I personally feel the Lakewood Church service is the best!

 

[JosephsDreams]

You'd like Swaggart.

They say it's a sin just to BE homosexual.

Whether or not you're practicing!


Fran

I often struggle with that.
Not homosexuality, I mean when Jesus talks about how thinking of some things is a sin.

So if I think of lets say, punching my younger brother, but never do, and do not even speak to him in a bad manner, am I sinning?

I tend to think yes.
I will never forget when my first pastor said when is a thief reformed.
Most said when he is not stealing. But the real key is when he is not even thinking that way anymore.

 

[oldethennew]

lie-down with the dogs, you WILL get-up with it's fleas!

 

[Willie-T]

I didn't say he said homosexuality is not a sin. I said he has homosexuals at his church & he doesn't preach about them repenting from that lifestyle.

I would leave any church where the preacher was so arrogant as to abuse the pulpit that way. The pulpit was not built higher like that so preachers could take better shots at the individuals in the congregation. No pulpit is for public humiliation of the people. There is a whole week between Sundays to speak independently and privately to Gays, and gossipers, and overweight people, and adulterers, and bad husbands and wives, insolent children, and haters, and the dozens of other sinners sitting out there.

 

[AllenW]

Hi everyone, want to remind you, tomorrow morning is Sunday.
Be sure to tune in to Lakewood.com at either 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM for live services featuring everybody's favorite, Joel Osteen!

 

[Willie-T]

Hi everyone, want to remind you, tomorrow morning is Sunday.
Be sure to tune in to Lakewood.com at either 8:30 AM or 11:00 AM for live services featuring everybody's favorite, Joel Osteen!

Good reminder. Thanks.

 

[FranC]

For AllenW

Does Joel speak about how we're to follow Jesus?
I can't remember.
Of course he does.
Joel is very good on his home court (Pun also).
Listen to him and others in his church and listen to what they do to serve God.
We should be so good.
I could never speak as well of him as does his own church every Sunday morning.
Watch it and get hooked on it.
You'll get excited about church service, look forward to it, and wanting to have someone to talk to about it.
I personally feel the Lakewood Church service is the best!

Yes. I do know that it's a very active church.
They have different ministries for different needs.
They have comedy date nights and other activities. They
Don't just save people, they follow up and provide support so that
They aren't left to the "world".

I don't know of too many churches that do this.

Fran

 

[Willie-T]

I think THIS is actually the webcast.

 

[FranC]

I often struggle with that.

Not homosexuality, I mean when Jesus talks about how thinking of some things is a sin.

So if I think of lets say, punching my younger brother, but never do, and do not even speak to him in a bad manner, am I sinning?

I tend to think yes.
I will never forget when my first pastor said when is a thief reformed.
Most said when he is not stealing. But the real key is when he is not even thinking that way anymore.

Hi josephsdreams

I hesitate answering you because I truly believe we each have a personal relationship with Jesus and so, while we share many same beliefs, some are just for us on a personal level.

If you tend to believe that thinking about punching your brother is a sin, how can I go against what God's
Spirit has told you?

I can only tell you what I've learned from experienced Christians that have done a lot of counselling to troubled persons. I'm not saying that you're one...Just to say that this is not my opinion but what I've been taught. I do agree with it however.

How could just thinking about something be a sin?
We think all the time. We have difficulty controlling our thoughts because we're fragile humans.

So what did Jesus mean in Mathew 5?
If one Lusts after a woman, he has already committed adultery. So one is not allowed to Think of a woman?
No. A thought is not sinful it's normal. Dwelling on a thought and building upon it could lead to sin.
Thou shalt not covet. Are you thinking of coveting? And what if you are coveting? At what point is it sin?
I trust Jesus to save me. He knows my heart. Is it living in darkness? God knows our heart. If we're sincere and living in the Light, I would not worry. How could we experience the joy of knowing God if we even worry about our thoughts?

We should do our best and rest in the Lord.
HE is our Sabbath rest.

Anyway, I'd rather you thought of punching me than really punching me!

We're on a road...

Fran

 

[JosephsDreams]

I was listening to the radio today on the way back from Montreal.
Tony Evans said he has weekly Wed. night meetings that include junior pastors, elders, and spiritual lay people on a group that will actually advise or even out right tell people about their situations if they either ask them to, or the clamor among other church members calls for a situation to be addressed, or if they see something that need to be discussed.
He said it s known in his church that when people are looking to get divorced that they are strongly encouraged to see him and/or the team I mentioned above. If after doing their due diligence they find no grounds for divorce, they will tell the couple straight out. Of course they also offer counseling, etc.
But the focus here is that to many churches are to cozy with the world now, to worldly, and are afraid to criticize fellow members, or may be afraid of losing membership and dollars.
That is one of the reasons why divorce rates among Christians are about the same as none Christians and why Christian men are probably watching porn at the rate as non Christian men. Which BTW, makes us a joke to the outside world.
I personally think we Christians do not give the church enough authority over us.
Now of course I understand the complications with that if the pastor or leadership is questionable, but then again, if that is the case why are you in that kind of church?

 

[JosephsDreams]

Hi josephsdreams

I hesitate answering you because I truly believe we each have a personal relationship with Jesus and so, while we share many same beliefs, some are just for us on a personal level.

If you tend to believe that thinking about punching your brother is a sin, how can I go against what God's
Spirit has told you?

I can only tell you what I've learned from experienced Christians that have done a lot of counselling to troubled persons. I'm not saying that you're one...Just to say that this is not my opinion but what I've been taught. I do agree with it however.

How could just thinking about something be a sin?
We think all the time. We have difficulty controlling our thoughts because we're fragile humans.

So what did Jesus mean in Mathew 5?
If one Lusts after a woman, he has already committed adultery. So one is not allowed to Think of a woman?
No. A thought is not sinful it's normal. Dwelling on a thought and building upon it could lead to sin.
Thou shalt not covet. Are you thinking of coveting? And what if you are coveting? At what point is it sin?
I trust Jesus to save me. He knows my heart. Is it living in darkness? God knows our heart. If we're sincere and living in the Light, I would not worry. How could we experience the joy of knowing God if we even worry about our thoughts?

We should do our best and rest in the Lord.
HE is our Sabbath rest.

Anyway, I'd rather you thought of punching me than really punching me!

We're on a road...

Fran

I guess the best way to simplify it is to say the first thought or maybe two thoughts are not sinful. Sometimes things just pop into our heads. But if we allow it to run with us, and get captivated by it, it's a sin.
Sometimes I allow dark thoughts to go to far, like I said, beating up my brother. I do not want to give the wrong impression, this rarely happens. I don't go around thinking this every day, week, or even every month.

If I avail Jesus, he never fails me.
The good news is I have learned for the most part to stop it quickly and get on my knees and pray and let it go. Not become preoccupied with it.

I am not trying to excuse away my less then heavenly thoughts, But I am trying to keep it real and I think at least a fair number of us sometimes get frustrated or angry about certain injustices.

Like I always say though, if the world can do what they did to Jesus, then who am I?

 

[Willie-T]

Well, did anyone bother to go to the site tonight, and watch?

 

[FranC]

Well, did anyone bother to go to the site tonight, and watch?

Hi Willie

I watch the service on Sundays now.

I used to see Joel on Daystar, but I don't have that channel anymore.
I miss other pastors too. I never thought to look on the internet.
The O.P. has given me the idea to watch Joel on the net, which I do now.
I like teaching ministries more, but Joel almost sounds unchristian according to some here.
I don't ever hear him saying incorrect biblical concepts. He's very positive, but sometimes
we need that. Learning without praise becomes just a classroom...


Fran

 

[FranC]

I guess the best way to simplify it is to say the first thought or maybe two thoughts are not sinful. Sometimes things just pop into our heads. But if we allow it to run with us, and get captivated by it, it's a sin.
Sometimes I allow dark thoughts to go to far, like I said, beating up my brother. I do not want to give the wrong impression, this rarely happens. I don't go around thinking this every day, week, or even every month.

If I avail Jesus, he never fails me.
The good news is I have learned for the most part to stop it quickly and get on my knees and pray and let it go. Not become preoccupied with it.

I am not trying to excuse away my less then heavenly thoughts, But I am trying to keep it real and I think at least a fair number of us sometimes get frustrated or angry about certain injustices.

Like I always say though, if the world can do what they did to Jesus, then who am I?

I liked your post no. 96. It made me wonder what Church you attend.

We agree re thoughts.
I guess what we could say is that we shouldn't wallow in the mire.

I don't know if it's right to ask what Church one goes to.

Fran