If you want to stir up a hornet's nest (which would be a really stupid thing to actually attempt) or cause some mild controversy, just start talking bad about who or what's popular. My last post, I Love Joel Osteen, started several "conversations" on Facebook and (especially) Twitter. This completely reinforces my conviction that I need to further explain the dangers I see in the false gospel that is being preached today and kicking the borders of this conversation out even wider than they already are. So if you didn't read the first post, start there. If you have, let's keep talking.
We know that 2 Timothy is one of - if not THE - last letters that Paul wrote before his death. Near the end of his letter (4:1-4) to his young disciple he writes, "I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus...: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching - will no longer listen to right teaching - but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (ESV) Or as the NLT puts it, they will "look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear." Friends, that time is no longer coming. It's arrived. The reason, plain and simple, that millions of people flock to see and hear Joel Osteen and trip over themselves to get his newest book is because he's telling them what they want to hear. YOU are good. YOU should be happy. You DESERVE to be happy. In fact, GOD wants you to be HAPPY! And if you just believe it, name it, and claim it - if you just make that declaration of what it is you want God to do for you - then for heaven's sake, He's going to do it. Every day can be Friday! (Whatever the heck that means.) And as you've surely heard by now, you can start living "Your Best Life, Now!"
While I know some are deeply struggling with understanding how this can be bad and wrestling with accepting that this is a stone cold lie, I want to spend the next few posts conversing and discussing why this is a FALSE GOSPEL and is leading people further away from the TRUTH.
Let's start simple. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus tells his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will find true life." (NLT) In essence, Jesus says to the withering crowd who have expressed deep interest in following Him, "To be MY follower, you have to put yourself, your interests, your ambitions, your wants - your LIFE - on the cross. If you want to know what real life looks like, you've got to give yours up." Does this in any way, shape, form, or fashion sound like Jesus is saying, "You know, if you would just believe it and claim it, God will make you happy. He wants you to be happy!" I'm not reading that in there anywhere. Not seeing it. And in light of the message being preached at Lakewood and elsewhere - a message that is encouraging people to believe that God wants to "bless you" with all that stuff you really want - Jesus goes further here and says, "For what will a man profit if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (ESV) For those who watch, read, or listen to Joel Osteen, I would submit this question to you: Have you EVER heard anything mentioned about your soul? About denying your wants for the sake of being used for the Kingdom of God? Have you ever heard anything said about "taking up your cross"? [Think about it.] Hold this up to the light against the titles of many of Joel's books:
"YOUR Best Life Now"
"It's YOUR Time!"
"Becoming a Better YOU"
This is the clearest, most compassionate way I know how to state it: When the Gospel I'm believing is not calling me to advance GOD'S Kingdom, it's because somewhere along the road it has led me to become consumed with advancing, protecting, and defending MY kingdom! And MY kingdom is rusting, decaying, and dying a slow but certain death. (Matthew 6:19-24)
If you hold the Prosperity Gospel up to the light of the TRUE Gospel of Jesus Christ, what is it that you see?
There are days I really feel like a hater. So I think I need to clarify something: I love Joel Osteen. And when I say I love him, it's with the same conviction and compelling that is driven through my heart toward every other human being. As a Christ-follower, Jesus teaches me that I'm even supposed to love and pray for my enemies. And no, I don't consider Joel as one of my enemies. In his defense, he doesn't have a clue who I am. (Although, I think Joel would like me. We both have fairly nice teeth.) But here's where our roads wind up diverging and we end up in 2 completely different worlds: Joel is preaching a false Gospel. And as a Christian, pastor, and one who is called to "preach the word", I am also called to point out and expose ANYTHING claiming to be the Gospel that misses the mark. [See Colossians 2:4, 2 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Peter 3:13-17]
Last night I happened to catch Robin Roberts' latest interview with the Houston mega-church pastor. You can watch it HERE. Incredibly, for a few brief moments, Joel was actually sounding a bit orthodox. But of course, that all came crashing down in an instant. When asked about the massive multi-million dollar production that is Lakewood Church, and the well-oiled production that goes into their services, Osteen made this statement: "If Jesus were here today, he'd have the big production; the lights." (Wha....?) While Jesus spent his entire ministry saying things that turned more and more people away - while He repeatedly insisted that people who were healed NOT turn the spotlight on His works - while He got on the floor, wrapped a towel around His waist, and told His disciples that if they truly wanted to lead they had to serve - somehow Joel walks away from that Jesus in those Gospels with the idea that He would welcome the LED's, flashers, and spotlights all being pointed at Him. This is only the latest in a multitude of misguided comments that lead me to wonder if Joel Osteen really knows who Jesus Christ is and what He calls us to as His followers.
Joel: "God wants you to be happy!" (Interview)
Jesus: "God wants you to be holy." (1 Peter 1:14-16)
I do NOT hate Joel Osteen. But I do hate, abhor, and detest anything that presents itself as the Word of God or the Gospel that is not ROOTED in the truth of God's Word or the sin-redeeming, life-changing, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Much more to add to this conversation.
What are your thoughts and views on this?
Here's the deal: I'm a blogger. There, I said it. I blog. I purposefully and intentionally created and write on this site for a reason. I'm constantly compelled to (and love to) challenge and encourage people - particularly Christians - to see the world through the lens of the Kingdom of God. I want to encourage every person who calls themselves a Christ-follower to see the everyday opportunities to Bring the Kingdom of God wherever they go! That's why I blog. So, yes...I'm a blogger. Wow! That felt good.
I don't think I've ever had the courage and wherewithall to actually state those words. Until now. Why? Simple. I just read Bryan Allain's brand new eBook, "31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo". And to put it simply, it's awesome! If you aren't familiar with Bryan, the first thing I'll tell you about him is he's hilarious! Not funny. My hairstyle (or lack of) is funny. Bryan makes me LOL, ROFL, and throw out a few OMG's almost every time I read something he writes. Along with his high score of 9 out of 10 on the Humor Meter, Bryan is a blogger. For 10 years he's been pumping out content that is encouraging, challenging, and most of all...will make you laugh until it hurts! In this eBook he not only gives a ton of insight and wisdom into the world of blogging, he has packed it with 31 days (thus the title) of practical tips, exercises, and plans-of-action to take your blogging skills to the next level.
Now I have to be honest - I shot through this eBook in 2 days, mainly so I could write this review. But I now plan to go back through it with a fine-tooth comb. That said, I have already been reinvigorated and reminded of WHY I blog, been challenged to make sure that I remain focused on WHO I'm writing to and WHY, and get even more specific about the question, "What is it you blog about?" Bryan packs this book with tips on content, audience, writing perspective, staying fresh and creating new ideas, learning to utilize the cosmos-sized resource of the internet, and tons more. And he gives all of this to you in bite-size, daily digestible servings - ALL crammed packed with one-liners that you'll wish you thought of. Like I told you: Hilarious!
If you're a blogger, consider yourself a writer, think your voice needs to be heard, or even if you're just considering an entrance into the world of blogging, "31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo" is a MUST-READ!
You can pick it up on the books website: 31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo
Or grab it on Amazon for your Kindle: Kindle Version
Go get it. NOW!
In reality - if I'm being honest - I don't really think I suck. But it sure feels that way. Sometimes, as a parent, it just feels like you must be the most clueless individual on the face of the planet. You think, "Lord, I discipline my children. I teach them right from wrong. I don't exasperate my kids and try and rule over them, but I'm not trying to just be their buddy either. I'm giving this my everything!" And sometimes - on those days that come for all of us - it just seems like our everything isn't enough. It's like a punch in the gut. Or the face. Or maybe a kick to the gut and a punch to the face. All at the same time. And you put them to bed, sit down at your laptop and think, "Man. Sometimes, I suck." Been there?
We all feel this at some point. At least anyone attempting to raise their children to know the Lord and to walk in obedience and be respectful is going to face this day more than once. Some of us go from having those days to having those years. This is why Solomon said: "Train your child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Prov.22:6) When he's old?! How long do I have to wait on this? That's what we're wondering, those times when we feel like we're giving it our all and our all seems like one quarter of everyone else's all. But this is a lie from the enemy and the pit of hell itself. It's deceit. It's misperception on our part. But it's also evidence that - even if it's just for a brief moment in time - we've started trying to do this on our own strength. It probably wasn't intentional, but most likely, while wallowing in my parental self-pity party (which is a satan-born idea as well) I've started trying to do it myself. I've stopped praying. And I don't mean the pre-dinner acknowledgement that we're still aware that God's there and He's huge and "we thought we'd throw a big shout-out to you for the food, big guy!" I'm talking about begging the Spirit of God to pour out wisdom and discernment and patience and strength on us like we've never known before. "Jesus! Help me! Help me to be the father they need! Help me to have the courage to teach them and discipline them, even when it stabs me in the heart like a dagger! I'm helpless without You!"
That's the kind of prayer I'm talking about.
That's the kind of prayer I'm praying right now.
[And now a special word to a group of people I love with all my heart.]
Teenagers: I love you. And it's out of that love that I say this to you: GROW UP! Respect your parents. Their love for you is so HUGE that it sometimes makes their heart want to explode! They can't explain it or describe it to you if they tried. And even if they did, you wouldn't believe them. Give them a break. Stop adding more drama to your life than a crappy daytime soap opera. Enjoy life! And do it while being obedient and respectful to these human beings who are humbly trying their best to prepare you for life! One day - and I hate even hearing or seeing these words come out of my mouth - you're going to understand. The lightbulb will go off. And you will humbly and painfully realize, "OMG! They were right!" (Cue laughter)
So, coming back to the point, being a parent is hard work. It's the hardest job on the planet! And sometimes we feel like we're so lousy at it that we might get fired. If that's possible. But thankfully, God's grace and love and power are so much greater than our inadequacies and our failures. Thank You, Jesus!
Been here lately? Feeling this way now?
I'd love to pray for you!
If you frequent my blog and have wondered or thought, "Brian sure isn't saying much lately", people who are closest to me would probably retort, "Call it a miracle and count your blessings!" Truth is, the last few days and weeks I've just felt overloaded and - at times - even overwhelmed. Not with things to do, but with ideas, thoughts, and issues running through my mind. Trying to take the Proverbs to heart, I've considered it wisest to keep my words to myself as I'm trying to even process what they are. All that to say, I've been doing quite a bit of thinking and praying.
Earlier this week, (as I've attempted to resurface from my internal think tank) at the recommendation of Tony Morgan I've started reading the latest book from Dr. Henry Cloud, Necessary Endings. Only a little over 1/3 of the way through the book, I can already tell you that it is affirming much of what I have already believed and practiced, challenging me with several new ideas and viewpoints, and will be a tool I use with our staff in the coming weeks and months. While I will go into more detail in future posts, I wanted to simply throw a very general (yet life-changing) idea out to you as this new season is approaching:
What is there in your life right now - what relationship, circumstance, habit, routine, practice, misuse of time, method (you get the picture) - that if it came to an end...would be a benefit to you?
So many things in life come to an end. My son finished preschool a year and a half ago. He initially didn't want to go to Kindergarten. But (call us crazy!) believing it was in his best interest - and the law - we sent him on to school. Now he LOVES school! (Which I'm planning to get him to testify to on video so I can show it to him a few years from now.) Preschool had to end so school could begin. Often, a not-so-bad habit has to begin so that a great one can take root. Many times, a relationship that has become toxic in your life has to come to a (painful) close so that healing can take place and new - BETTER - relationships can grow.
In a few weeks I will cut back several of the bushes in my yard. To the non-gardner it will possibly look like I just went crazy, whacking them to pieces. But what I'll be doing is trimming off the dead weight, getting rid of every bit of mediocre growth. The result: When Spring arrives, only the best, choicest limbs and vines will be the recipient of what the roots have to offer. And those bushes and flowers will come back even stronger and more beautiful than ever before.
So here's the thought or question: What necessary ending could take place in your life RIGHT NOW to begin the healing, restoration, or growth that you desperately need?
We kicked off our fall season at The Brook with a brand new sermon series called nothingwrong. We've had several people ask, "What in the world is this about?" I wanted to give some insight into the purpose and meaning behind this series, share a little about what we've experienced so far, and see if it resonates with you.
I'd like to tell you that every sermon series I preach is inspired by a weeklong journey out into the desert with nothing more than a Camelbak and my Bible. That would be a bit of a stretch. Sometimes I am fully inspired by very lengthy times alone in God's Word. This is especially evident when doing a series like Nehemiah or Numbers. But with this series, it all hit me in the gym with my headphones blaring in my ears. Truth be told, I owe this one to the Holy Spirit and Jimmy Eat World. The lyrics of their song, "Nothingwrong" hit me right in the gut: "We've done nothing wrong, but we've done nothing. We can't look away, but we're just looking. It's second nature to say, we've done nothing wrong!" As I'm lifting weights, this idea and conviction becomes pretty clear to me - this is our default nature. So many times we're so subconsciously hung up on doing nothing wrong that we don't do anything at all. And as a Christ-follower, I have this deep reaching conviction that at the end of my life I would rather be counting the risks I took and the sacrifices I made rather than being pridefully disillusioned by my (false) innocence.
Jesus drilled this point home in the Parable of the Talents. The guy who stuck his head in the sand and buried the Master's money was rebuked and kicked out of the Kingdom. That's SERIOUS! And what he'd been given was taken away and given to the faithful servant - the one who risked and sacrificed. Which servant do you want to be?
So far in our series we've looked at Peter's willingness to step out of the boat (Matthew 14) and walk on water. Peter wasn't paralyzed by the possibility of sinking, but captivated by the idea of getting to Jesus no matter the risk. James and John nearly got punched out by the other disciples because of their audacity to ask Jesus for something ridiculous like "sitting at his right hand" in heaven. Sure, we know it was arrogant and misguided, but they didn't. At least they had the guts to ask! (James 4:2-3). Last week we looked at Thomas - you know, "Doubting Thomas" - and his honesty - and saw that while he struggled with doubt, he never stopped seeking Jesus. Our doubts don't disqualify our faith, they actually strengthen it! (And I need to interject here that I've been overwhelmed by the feedback from this sermon and the response this past Sunday as a result. It was awesome!)
If you'd like to listen to any of these messages, you can go to our website, download the Sermon.net App for your smartphone, or grab the podcasts off iTunes. They're ALL available right HERE!
In the following weeks we'll be looking at Anger & Confronting, Wisdom & Understanding, and the call of Reputation Risking. I'm wondering, what areas of life do you most wrestle with apathy or complacency? When and where do you find yourself paralyzed in fear rather than empowered with courage...ready to sacrifice for the sake of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom? After all, if we get to the end of our life, look back and think, "I've really done nothingwrong", then most likely, we've just done nothing!
Being used BY God FOR His Kingdom is an amazing thing! To see the God of all creation - who created you just as He wanted you, with His own purposes in mind - take your life and use it for the sake of His glory is mind-blowing. And yesterday I wrote about the way He faithfully fills us and equips us with just the right tools to accomplish whatever it is He is calling us to say or do. But today I want to put a WARNING label on that idea and call your attention to something that we must guard our hearts against as God is working THROUGH us. There's a story in Luke that brings it all to light.
In Luke 10 there's a story of Jesus sending out 72 disciples - appointed messengers. They were sent out to preach the Gospel and announce the coming of the Kingdom of God. When they return, they are awestruck and dumbfounded. Some of them even tell Jesus, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!" They were like little kids who just learned how to ride their bikes - only they could ride a wheelie the first day. "Jesus, this is AWESOME! We were healing people and telling demons to 'Go to hell'! Thanks for the powers!" Remember when Peter Parker first figures out that he can jump, swing, and fly? He goes a bit overboard. He forgets about the "responsibility" part because he is so captivated by the "power". Some of these disciples came back the same way. Knowing their hearts and sensing the potential danger, Jesus cautions them. He essentially says, "Yes, I've given you authority over the earth and even the enemy. And I've given it to you for the sake of MY NAME!" But then He goes on and says to them, "Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Jesus wasn't trying to burst their bubble. But He wanted to make sure that they weren't losing sight of the most amazing part of it all. Jesus brought their eyes back to the big picture. He was saying, "Don't you dare miss the most amazing thing about all of this!"
Ultimately what Jesus was communicating to these messengers was this: While it's amazing to be used BY God - to see Him work THROUGH your life by the power of the Holy Spirit - this pales in comparison to the fact that your names are now written in the Book of Life. Seeing the Lord use your life for His Kingdom doesn't even touch the fact that because of what Christ has done, we are now actually part of His Kingdom. We are sons and daughters of the living God! He has called us His own! We are a treasured prize! And while we may be residents of this decaying earth, we are now citizens of Heaven! What God desires to do THROUGH your life is undoubtedly indescribable. But what He does IN our lives to take us from death to life - from sinful and depraved to sanctified and victorious - is the greatest news to ever touch our ears. (There's a reason we call it the "Good News"!)
I hope and pray that the Lord uses you (and I) for great things - to change the world around us for the sake of His Name and His Kingdom. But more than that, I pray we live daily in awe of the miracle of redemption in our lives - that Jesus has purchased us with His life, His body, and His blood. The payment was enough. It was made in full. And because of Him, I'm now a citizen of Heaven. AMAZING!
