Part 3 The Prosperity Gospel

SUMC-201 Lesson 5 SUMCStan Larimer

SJLarimer@Comcast.net

Harmless Modern Beliefs

Harmless Modern Beliefs

All believers go to Heaven. Heaven. Were all Gods children. We God children. God wants all His children to be rich. rich. A loving God would never send His children to Hell. Hell.

Truth or Consequences?

God wants all His children to be healthy and wealthy.

The Gospel of Joel Osteen

Romanism

Children of Abraham

Accentuate the positive!

Judaism

Islam

Eastern Orthodox

Lutheran

Sunni

Shi'a

Calvinist Presbyterian Baptist

Armenian Methodist Evangelical

Mormon Pentecostal Jehovah Witnesses

Osteenism

Christs Church Christs Church

New Age

Osteens Mega Church in Houston, Texas

Lakewood Church
(former Houston Rockets Stadium)
30,000 members - Largest in the nation

Joel Osteen
Pastor, Televangelist

Osteen's service is an uninhibited celebration that's part rock concert, part spectacular. There are no crosses, no religious symbols whatsoever. It's all taped and broadcast around the world. His service is seen in 100 foreign countries and is the most watched religious broadcast in America.
-- 60 Minutes, June 8, 2008

Joel Osteens Vision

"Were all about building people up. Were all about helping people reach their full potential. We dont push some kind of religion. all we push is joy and peace and victory through Jesus Christ. Our message every single week is through faith in God you can live an overcoming life of victory I believe thats the message this generation needs to hear. Weve heard a lot about the judgment of God and what we cant do and whats going to keep us out of heaven. But its time people start hearing about the goodness of God, about a God that loves them. A God that believes in them. A God that wants to help them. Thats our message here at Lakewood."
-- Joel Osteen

Proposition: God wants to increase you financially, by giving

you promotions, fresh ideas, and creativity.
John 10:10

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Deuteronomy 8:18

Remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth.
James 2:5

Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Romans 8:16-17

we are children of God, and if children, then heirsheirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Heresy? Error? Disputable Matter? Truth?

Definition: Osteenism
Word of Faith (WOF) cult

Osteenism is a generic term for modern mega-churchs that attract large followings by marketing only a selective, feel-good side of the Bible leaving its followers dangerously ill-informed about what God expects of His children.

So which is it?

A simple self-help message uplifting and accessible? Name it and claim it God wants all Christians to prosper? A practical strategy for attracting / retaining weak believers? Cotton candy" theology tastes good but no substance?

2 Timothy 4:3-4

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We will study Joel Osteen as a type!

He represents a large category of apostate pastors in the pulpit today.

What does the Bible say?

John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Revelation 3:15-22 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Larry King Live June 20, 2005

KING: What if you're Jewish or Muslim, you don't accept Christ at all? OSTEEN: You know, I'm very careful about saying who would and wouldn't go to heaven. I don't know ...

KING: If you believe you have to believe in Christ? They're wrong, aren't they? OSTEEN: Well, I don't know if I believe they're wrong. I believe here's what the Bible teaches and from the Christian faith this is what I believe. But I just think that only God will judge a person's heart. I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God. And I don't know. I've seen their sincerity. So I don't know. I know for me, and what the Bible teaches, I want to have a relationship with Jesus.

Larry King Live June 20, 2005

CALLER: Hello, Larry. You're the best, and thank you, Joe -- Joel -- for your positive messages and your book. I'm wondering, though, why you side-stepped Larry's earlier question about how we get to heaven? The Bible clearly tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light and the only way to the father is through him. That's not really a message of condemnation but of truth. OSTEEN: Yes, I would agree with her. I believe that. . . KING: So then a Jew is not going to heaven? OSTEEN: No. Here's my thing, Larry, is I can't judge somebody's heart. You know? Only God can look at somebody's heart, and so -- I don't know. To me, it's not my business to say, you know, this one is or this one isn't. I just say, here's what the Bible teaches and I'm going to put my faith in Christ. And I just I think it's wrong when you go around saying, you're saying you're not going, you're not going, you're not going, because it's not exactly my way. I'm just... KING: But you believe your way. OSTEEN: I believe my way. I believe my way with all my heart.

I cant judge them, I dont know their heart

Matthew 15:19

But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Matthew 7:1-2 Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:13-23

15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? 23 And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.

Jesus taught us how to discern false prophets!

Larry King Live June 20, 2005

KING: So you make no judgment on anyone? OSTEEN: No. But I... KING: What about atheists? OSTEEN: You know what, I'm going to let someone -I'm going to let God be the judge of who goes to heaven and hell. I just -- again, I present the truth, and I say it every week. You know, I believe it's a relationship with Jesus. But you know what? I'm not going to go around telling everybody else if they don't want to believe that that's going to be their choice. God's got to look at your own heart. God's got to look at your heart, and only God knows that.

What does the Bible say?

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Er, correction
Dear Friend, Many of you have called, written or e-mailed regarding my recent appearance on Larry King Live. I appreciate your comments and value your words of correction and encouragement. It was never my desire or intention to leave any doubt as to what I believe and Whom I serve. I believe with all my heart that it is only through Christ that we have hope in eternal life. I regret and sincerely apologize that I was unclear on the very thing in which I have dedicated my life. Jesus declared in John 14; I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me. I believe that Jesus Christ alone is the only way to salvation. However, it wasnt until I had the opportunity to review the transcript of the interview that I realize I had not clearly stated that having a personal relationship with Jesus is the only way to heaven. Its about the individuals choice to follow Him. God has given me a platform to present the Gospel to a very diverse audience. In my desire not to alienate the people that Jesus came to save, I did not clearly communicate the convictions that I hold so precious. Joel Osteen

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

Truth or Consequences?

A loving God would never send His children to hell.

Hellfire and Brimstone

KING: But you're not fire and brimstone, right? You're not pound the decks and hell and damnation? OSTEEN: No. That's not me. It's never been me. I've always been an encourager at heart. And when I took over from my father he came from the Southern Baptist background and back 40, 50 years ago there was a lot more of that. But, you know, I just -- I don't believe in that. I don't believe -- maybe it was for a time. But I don't have it in my heart to condemn people. I'm there to encourage them. I see myself more as a coach, as a motivator to help them experience the life God has for us.

Jesus Christ took hell very seriously

Mark 9:43-47

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

I believe the Bible literally, but not in Hell

KING: You believe in the Bible literally? OSTEEN: I do, I do.
Matthew 13:49-50

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Revelation 14:10-11

The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night,
Revelation 20:15

And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Would God Really

John 10:27-28

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Matthew 25:31-46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
31 33 34

And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.

Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels
41

And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.
46

Jesus sheep = children of God

Warning is not condemning!

If we believe the Bible it is our duty and decency to warn people about hell. Warning someone of the fires of eternal hell is not condemning them

it is just the opposite

we are trying to save them from being condemned in hell.

So What?
Whats wrong with letting people believe that God wouldnt really condemn His children to Hell? Nothing. God will not send His children to Hell. The problem letting people believe that We are all Gods children Those who are not have no other destination.

So, are these modern beliefs Harmless?

All believers go to Heaven. Heaven. Were all Gods children. We God children. God wants all His children to be rich. rich. A loving God would never send His children to Hell. Hell.

Coming up in two weeks (no class next week)

I dont have to worry about the Great Tribulation because the Church will be raptured first.

A Gods-Eye View of History

Intermediate State First Heaven New Jerusalem Glorious Appearing Judgment Day Millennium Great White Throne
1st Resurrection 2nd Resurrection 2nd Resurrection

Rapture

Believers 1st Death

Eternal State

Eden

O.T. Age

Church Age

Heaven on New Earth

Unbelievers 1st Death

Tribulation

Unbelievers 2nd Death

Intermediate State First Hell

Pre-tribulation rapture is perhaps the most prevalent modern view But it is not the traditional Protestant view!

Lake of Fire Lake of Fire