Joel Osteen’s church “confession”

The cross of Christ, wake up church, we are a backslid den bride. WE are as bad off as the old testament Jews with the Pharaoh. God is still saying ,"let my people go"and He did everything to let us be victorious, but we the church have left our first love.  Yes we have or we would have no need for Olsteen and Prince and seeker sensitive institutions . Yes God is love but also a Holy God and when we water down His word we are left with stuff for itchy ears. Do we take sin so lightly that we have to be sensitive to talk about it? This is unscriptural and damning . Jesus died for our sin. Preach the cross of Christ or all you who do not will answer to God for all you have led astray. Yes hell is real, Jesus spoke more about hell then He did about Heaven. PREACH THE CROSS OF CHRIST, NOT THE WOOD BUT WHAT JESUS ACCOMPLISHED ON IT. SALVATION OF COURSE, BUT ALSO, JUSTIFICATION,SANCTIFICATION, VICTORY THROUGH US DYING WITH HIM THERE. IT IS ALL IN THE CROSS. NOT IN NEW TYPE OF PREACHING, HEY LISTEN TO THIS, THE UNBELIEVERS IN THE 1st CHURCHES WERE HATED AND KILLED FOR THEIR BELIEF IN CHRIST, Would Joel and JOSEPH be killed or hated, no, they would probably been invited to the feasts, because there is no conviction in their preaching, no conviction means NO Holy Spirit. I can honestly say they are false teachers, just doing what the flesh wants to hear. IF you don't like what I'm saying you are deceived too. Get back to the cross. 

In Jesus name,

Ray ( Prison minister)

Hi mark,

Just got finished listening to one of his messages about repentance and forgiveness. He used a lot of scripture and things form the bible. The hole message was about repenting that jesus had take our sins on himself when he died on the cross and that we are forgive and not to focus on our past sins. He told a

story about a dream that someone had about being in a room with filing cabinets and in the filing cabinets is all of the Mans sins he try's to destroy them but they will not tear as he sat in the room sad Jesus walks in and the man dose not want to see Jesus but Jesus starts taking each card out one by one and crosses every sin out writing Jesus and paid in full. The man says you don't have to do that but Jesus say it is finished. Joel then give people a chance to come to Jesus and be forgiven. To me this is the gospel is it not. Mark are we to always be told we are sinners and Jesus is our saviour every Sunday. Is positive thinking bad? If we are not just focusing on ourselves but on others as well, is it not ok to think that our dad loves us and want good thinks for us. We are living in a mental issues society is it a good thing to always remind people you are bad and a sinner and have failed but Jesus forgives you but don't forget you are a sinner.

I like this affirmation. Your words are critical. Scripture says your tongue is like the rudder of a ship or the bit in a horses mouth that directs, James 3:3-5. What I say directs my life in the same way a rudder steers a ship. Why quibble with a confession that directs me toward greater reverence and obedience of the Word of God? That's just silly and counter-productive. Osteen reaches a different audience than most Bible teachers exactly because he teaches in short stories and parables with little pieces of scripture woven in––a bit like a daily devotional format. If you think you can do better, great, get out there and do it––but don't be critical of someone else's ministry on such absurdly trivial terms.

You all criticizing and condemning Joel Osteen are RIGHT NOW agents of Satan (Lucifer). You are allowing the devil to use you.

Simple.

The man gets up there and encourages YOU to focus on Jesus EVERY DAY and you are only looking for the negative, because he does it differently. Your comments are driven by fear.

I AM NOT HERE to defend Joel. I see your points that JOEL DOES NOT read as much Bible passages as we expect.

How many times was Jesus dropping scriptures everytime he spoke? He referred to the Old Testament to highlight what He was fulfilling.

The WORD is Jesus. He is the BREAD OF LIFE.

The Spirit is Life.

Did Paul always quote the Old Testatment (the then "scriptures") everytime he wrote??

What scripture did Abraham quote???

We have the Holy Spirit NOW. He quickens the WORD - Who DOES NOT ONLY MANIFEST HIMSELF when you quote written scripture.

When the Spirit quickens the word, the "Saying Word" of God is what is in action.

God can you what you say in encouraging one another or when you stand before the Sanhedrin to reach out to people.

I am way overdue to sleep, so will not give scriptures now that support Joel's approach, but will return and show you desenters that you should support the brother, NOT CRITICIZE HIM!!!!!

The devil wins when we cast aspersions on one another. One body of Christ!

Shalom and God's grace.

I love to hear of Christ loving me and ways to love him more, especially after hearing all my life about the law... I was discouraged because no matter how hard I tried... I failed... Thank God for the Grace of God and I believe this is what he's trying to convey... I personally want to hear more of heaven than of hell... I know how to get there. I want to know more about how to get to heaven and the goodness of God. Not that I don't believe and try to improve on righteousness daily (So please don't go there). This world in which we live is a very trying place... Give me 1/2 hour of hearing about the tenderness and mercy of the one true living God. Thank you very much!

James 1:19-27 - Pray that God makes each of you as worthy as Pastor Olsteen. Bless those of you who came to his defense. For he creates actionable followers of Christ, every day. All you have you done is perpetuate you pharisaic debate. May God have mercy on your soul.

Every knees shall bow every tongues confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen!!!

read John 1:1. The word of God is God Himself...this confession acknowledges God's word being yea and Amen in every believers life and by deductive analysis, every believer who confesses these words confesses God. It's about time Christians stopped this self-righteous attitude and focus on God...do not judge and ye shall not be judged.

Pastors all have their own ways and methods. Yes Joel is a inspirational speaker. you want to break down the bible and its meaning watch Joseph Prince. both are awsome pastors. You must not have not watched to closely because Joel does quote scripture. Religion is a very complicated and personal subject. Some people would not have been saved if it wasn't for joel. i am a pastor and i know that some people that need to be saved, respond to different kinds of pastors, who's to say one is better than the other unless they are phoney and trying to suck money out of the people. What i cant stand is churches that claim to worship Jesus Christ but don't teach about love one another and non-judgment, that's what Jesus was all about. The only one that has the power of judgement is God.That includes downing pastors because you don't care for their technique. pick on someone else and leave the pastors to do there God given job.

Please what is going on in the buildings that are to house the Church today?

The Church Jesus set up was His Bride. The born again believers who have been born again by the Spirit of God Almighty.( Just as Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John chapter 3. These seeker friendly churches are not of God. They just count heads and not souls growing in Christ. I have seen enough dung in the buildings that I hope house the Born again church. Pastors, denomination that what the biggest and the best. I want to find a really Spirit filled Pastor, one who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Who doesn't count heads of who comes to the service. Men who are sold out to God because they have been through the fires and floods that accompany those who are truly following Jesus Christ and pick up their cross every day and follow Jesus. I have been born again now for almost 30 years. I'm not perfect, but I know He who is,that is the author and finisher of my faith, Jesus. It seems to me that Grace and mercy by most ministers today has been replaced with being seeker friendly and not to talk about sin, Satan, and hell. They say we need to get them in here. What dung. Preach the Gospel under the power of the Holy Spirit and He will add to your numbers.Let Jesus build His Church ( the body of Christ).

We all can feel it in our bones ,.we are all headed for some thing horrible coming on the whole world, what will these false prophets and fake shepherds do?

What they preach and believe is false doctrine, doctrines of devils. Worst what will happen to the followers they have? The souls who have been seeking another Jesus, not the one of the Bible. God help these false shepherds and their flocks.

Beware of Joel Olsteen, and all the other faith and prosperity preachers, they are leading you astray.

If you need to be fed by TV Ministers I would ask you to watch

Jimmy Swaggert, Get Terry Law books, David Wilkerson news letters, these men have been turned over, they are crucified with Christ, just like I have been and continually am. They have gone through deep valley's alone with only Jesus. They have come out different men. men of God.

this is just my thought.... what ever happened to starting off with prayer?

It's amazing, somehow everyone is suppose to fit into this nice cookie cutter mold where everything can be explained and fits our paradigm...like God can be fully figured out...how naive. I've yet to hear Joel preach something that is really against scripture. We judge the guy cause he has some money, and yet his Dad owns all the wealth of the world. He serve's who...oh yeah, the creator of the Universe...the King of King's and Lord of Lord's. It's interesting that those that don't have think those that do need to give it all away. He does more than most for the poor, etc...and for the most part more than his critics. God has been using Joel in my life to speak the truth, " As a man thinks in his heart so he is!". I'm reading Your Best Life Now...ok, so there isn't all these little [2] and [3] footnotes , but what he writes is scriptural. Maybe he doesn't reference all the scriptures that are contained in each chapter because he is wanting us to LOOK IT UP OURSELVES. You know, maybe if the critics spent more time loving the lost and less time thinking they know God and can speak for him, this world would be a much different place.

I attended Joel Olsteen's Night of Hope last night in Raleigh, NC. Before we even entered the RBC Center, I sensed that something great was already happening in the Spirit. I've never watched any of his TV programs or heard him preach until last night. Joel didn't point to Himself at all. His message to people is to love God, love others, read your Bible and believe and apply what it says to your life. Why do you think God wrote the Bible? It was to point us to Jesus. And why would God want us to be pointed to Jesus if not to save us, redeem us, purify us, bless us, and make us whole, so that we can share His great salvation with somebody else. God says we can't just be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. Joel teaches people to be hearers and doers of the Word. Joel's message help me put my focus on the truth of God's Word for my life to help me take hold of what God has promised me and get my mind off my troubles and on God.

I just read the comments on Joel Olsteen. The amazing thing is how we all differ in our opinions on what is sound Gospel preaching and what is not. I have heard several sermons by Olsteen and see where a lot of people feel "inspired" by what "he" says and how "he" draws others to God. The issue is not that he is a bad person, i dont know the man, but rather the intent of the message. As you read other comments about Olsteen please pay attention to the pattern of how those who are "inspired" or have been given hope, all leads to what Olsteen has done. That is contrary to the Gospel. For Christ stated that He is the one who draws men, not other men. We are to lift Him up, not ourselves. Second to be inspired by another is also dangerous, for the Word of God is to be our inspiration; for 2 Timothy states that, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God." Jesus also told Satan in Matthew 4 that " Man will not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God." NOt man. John 1 teaches that the Word is Christ. So to sum this all up, if you are not "inspired" by the true and sound teachings of the Gospel ( which is the Good News of Jesus Christ; His life, death and bodily resurrection). Then I pray that you go to the Scripture and see it for yourself. Once again, I have nothing against Olsteen or any other preacher who wants to teach and preach the Word of God, but not teaching the Truth
(GOSPEL), is just wrong. That's for anyone standing behind that pulpit.

IT' NOT A CONFESSION.lol it is what every non denominational church starts our services with this statement. we are ready to receive instruction. Our church has started every service with this since I can remember. These are not his words.

Friends,

When I get to Heaven, maybe Jesus will tell me who is right. Is it the Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, non- denominationals, Joel, and the list goes on?
Joel preaches about God's love. He tries to let people know of their worth to Jesus and he tries to help people have hope in their lives. He encourages people to find a Bible based chuch in their community to attend and become part of their family, and learn about Jesus. He is good at inspiring those of us that could use a little inspiration and he always points people to God. Jesus uses so many kinds of people to lead all of his different kinds of sheep. Joel is leading millions to Jesus. I am a teacher and I can tell you that the majority of children in public school do not go to church, they do not know Jesus, and they ARE living in an upheaveled world at home. If I took them to my traditional Lutheran church and threw them in Sunday school, they would probably be lost and confused. There has to be someone who can relate to people at all stages in their walk with God and Joel is a leader in encouraging people who are spiritually inexperienced as well as those farther along in their journey. Do we really need criticize someone who is trying to spread the "Good news?" We are all on the same team! :-)

IT IS AMAZING TO ME HOW WE AS CHRISTIANS ALLOW TRADITIONS, PERSONAL FEELINGS, ENVY AND THE LIKE TO OVERCOME OR CLOUD FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD THE TRUE POINT BEHIND THE WORKS AND TEACHINGS OF GOD.

I HAVE LISTENED TO PASTOR OSTEEN AND I FIND THAT ALL THE SERMONS IN WHICH HE HAS THUS THIS FAR PREACHED ON HAS BEEN BASED ON THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST. IT IS APPAULING TO ME THAT FELLOW CHRISTIANS WOULD ALLOW THE DEVIL TO CAUSE SUCH A RUCKOUS THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE POINT BEHIND EVERY PASTOR/EVANGELIST/PRIEST/OR OTHER STANDING BEFORE A CONGREGATION AND ENCOURAGING HIS/HER MEMBERS TO WALK BOLDLY THROUGH LIFE KNOWING THAT THE ARMOUR OF CHRIST IS BEFORE THEM, ABOVE THEM, BEHIND THEM.

SO WHAT IF HE DOES IT A LITTLE DIFFERENT EACH CHURCH DOES IT A LITTLE DIFFERENT. IN FACT THE WHOLE BASIS BEHIND RELIGION IS SO THAT EACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING CAN FIND HIS/HER PLACE WHERE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WORSHIPING. THINK ABOUT IT IF EVERY CHURCH DID IT EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, HOW MANY PERSONS DO YOU THINK WOULD STILL ATTEND CHURCH? NOT MANY BECAUSE I MAY NOT LIKE PERSONS SCREAMING OUT THE NAME OF JESUS WHILE I'M WORSHIPING AND SEE IT AS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, BUT THERE ARE MANY WHO WOULD DISAGREE CLAIMING THAT WE SHOULD"MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO
THE LORD" . SO YOU SEE I FIND IT UNFAIR TO PASTOR OSTEEN AND HIS CONGREGATION/LISTENERS TO PLACE HIM IN A BOX WHERE WE DAME HIM AS NONE CHRISTIAN SIMPLY BECAUSE HE HAS DECIDED TO TEACH RATHER THAN PREACH. LETS NOT FORGET THAT JESUS TO WAS A TEACHER NOT A PREACHER!

PLEASE LETS PUT THESE PETTY DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND FOCUS ON THE ULTIMATE GOAL WHICH IS TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF THE ONE TRUE LIVING GOD!

"FOLLOW THE TEACHINGS NOT THE MAN"

SINCERELY,
S.A.K.

Pastor Joel Osteen have done for me what no other Pastor or Reverend have done for me. He has given me hope and delivered me from the bondage of hopelessness and despair. I don’t care if he claims a specific religious doctrine or teaching. One thing that I know for sure is today, I have a better relationship with my God as a result of listening to Pastor Osteen’s positive messages.

THANK YOU PASTOR OSTEEN AND MAY YOU CONTINUE TO PROSPER IN YOUR TV MISNISTRY!

Kathy,

Thanks for stopping by. There are good and not so good parts to this "confession." There is even a hint of name-it, claim-it theology.

Mark

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for talking about the Joel Osteen confession, I used to really enjoy hearing this. I have read your article and I see this confession for what it is.
I have discarded all my bookmarks with this confession on it. You are right, it does not come from the Bible and I would rather read God's word that man's anytime.

this confession is awesome.
its shocking the extent some of you are critisizing it. of course it is focused on the individual- whether we repeat it out loud like this or not, this is an awesome statement we should be vowing to ourselves every time we open our bibles. our bibles are supposed to transform us everytime we read them! how is this method so far off base?
ive writen much more but decided to omit it...but i want to remind each other about love and grace that we do not deserve and jesus has every right to question our motives, but doesnt. lets make sure we give each other this same respect.

I have never been to a Joel Olsteen meeting, nor do I know the man in person, yet I have heard interviews on tv which I base my bias.

I will never attend a church which follows after Joel Olsteens seeker sensitive model.

I served in the Assemblies of God for many years and then the lord removed me. After many more years and the no confidence vote of the-then-pastor, I returned to see if I might want to resume my fellowship in the AoG church where I spent almost 14 years. Upon entering into services the first Sunday back, the new Pastor started services reciting the above confession. I looked around me as the congregation followed along like first grade students following their teacher. ( I did not take part but watched). I thought to myself that it was an odd thing to do and say so I over looked it as a fluke. The next Sunday I returned and the same confession started the services. I looked to my neighbor; and long time friend with a confused expression and she returned my glance. After the service ended I brought up the issue of the "confession" and before I could finish my question she said " don't let the fact that they are copying Joel Olsteen stop you from returning." I told my long time acquaintance that I felt Joel Olsteen was way off base and any church who followed his example was not where I wanted to stay. I did not return.

I do not understand this whole seeker sensitive wave which the church has latched onto. I have always felt that if you preach the Word, people will come. That is why I love Calvary Chapel fellowships. It is the Word which draws men.

T
D

the few sermons I've seen by him I can see your point, but that confession alone is awesome...my youth group does that precise confession right before we start talking and gettin into scripture...the confession isn't wrong, it's the way Jesus and God aren't mentioned but rather good and bad...like you said...-->

I had two people in two days ask me if I watched Joel Osteen. One was someone from church and the other a coworker. They spoke of how after watching him they felt motivated and felt better about themselves. I remember seeing him a few years ago on TBN. I haven't had cable in about five years so I went on the church's website. I would be lying if I told you I didn't come to tears when I finally found Lakewood's statement of faith. It just encouraged me to pray more for the church in America and the Laodicean state she is in. Also, knowing that God is Sovereign gives me great comfort in times like these.

My family loves this guy. I found out who he was and determined the apple doesn't fall far from the Tree. Jr. doesn't hold any significant Bible training but he is Pastoring his dad's church now. It is the same old dreaded Word Faith crap of Kenneth Copeland, E. W. Kenyon, and Kenneth Hagin just repackaged again. These guys think they are also deity like Jesus is. I aint lyin to ya.

This "confession" looks like something from an AA meeting; all about God--but not really.