How one can Acknowledge Motivational Audio system in Pulpits

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However even when we, or an angel from heaven, preach every other gospel to you than what we’ve got preached to you, let him be accursed. — Galatians 1:8

Through the years I’ve watched, with indignation and concern, the proliferation of motivational audio system in pulpits. I’ve watched what number of church buildings and preachers are changing the gospel of Jesus Christ with motivational talking. I’ve watched how a few of these preachers have even constructed mega church buildings and empires with this model of the “gospel.” However even worse, I’ve watched how droves of individuals have been misled into believing that they’re getting fed the Bread of Life; i.e. the unadulterated gospel of Jesus Christ, not figuring out that they’re being served motivational speeches on a platter, spiced with scriptures.

However I’m not as involved about these motivational audio system in pulpits, as I’m involved concerning the religious properly being of the 1000’s of individuals attending their church buildings; and the a number of million worldwide tv viewers whose lives are being impacted by their teachings.

It’s this concern for the spiritually helpless that has led me to show a few of these preachers for who they are surely; to warn you, the followers and would-be followers of those preachers. I write to alert the Physique of Christ about this proliferation within the Church; the hazard of motivational talking packaged because the gospel; and to show you tips on how to acknowledge a motivational speaker within the pulpit whenever you come throughout one; which I say, sadly, that there are numerous on the market.

So, let’s begin by figuring out the 2 main motivational audio system in pulpits or what I name, “motivational preachers.” The 2 main motivational preachers of our time are Pastor Joel Osteen of the New Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas and Bishop T.D. Jakes of the Potter’s Home, Dallas, Texas!

Stunned? Possibly! Possibly not! Nevertheless, in case you are shocked to study that these two are motivational preachers, maybe it’s as a result of they’re your favourite preachers. Maybe, it’s since you’ve at all times thought them to be “O Great Ones.” Or possibly it’s due to their success, recognition, ministry dimension, followership, and so forth. and even due to the nice they’ve accomplished in society. As an example, Jakes’ Lady Thou Artwork Loosed ebook or jail outreach ministry. Or Osteen’s ebook, Your Finest Life Now.

As people, we are likely to attribute worldly success, good works, ministry dimension, recognition, followership, and so forth. with godly success. Due to this fact, the larger a church, the extra fashionable or profitable a preacher, the extra success we predict an individual or group has. We even credit score these successes to God’s blessings. However worldly success, good works, ministry dimension and even giant followership is just not essentially the measure of godly success. An individual can have all these, but not be godly. As an example, Oprah Winfrey has all these attributes, however but she’s not a preacher; neither can her success be thought-about godly; due to what she espouses.

So we can’t go by worldly success, good works, recognition, ministry dimension and even followership. In reality, T.D. Jakes in a CNN/TIME article was described as “Oprah-in-a-pulpit. But for Winfrey’s generic spirituality, Jakes substitutes God.” That’s to say that, if Oprah had been to be a preacher, she’d most likely have one of many largest church buildings on the planet! However fortunately, she has sufficient sense to remain in her lane (a minimum of for now). So, all these attributes don’t have anything to do with godly success!

However simply earlier than we have a look at why Joel Osteen and T.D. Jakes are motivational preachers, let’s first perceive what motivational talking is, the advantages of motivational talking and the hazard of packaging motivational talking because the gospel.

What’s Motivational Talking?

Merely, motivational talking is an encouraging, uplifting speech; meant to encourage the listeners to do higher and be higher in particular areas of their lives. In a way, the motivational speaker is an encourager – i.e. the individuals’s cheer chief. She or he motivates individuals into motion. Motivational talking relies totally on psychological or human energy and never God’s energy. It’s what an individual can do in his or her personal energy, somewhat than what God can do by way of the individual in His energy.

Advantages of Motivational Talking

For sure, motivational talking has its place in society. Don’t get me flawed, there are numerous advantages of motivational talking. As an example, it uplifts individuals; makes them be ok with themselves. It motivates them to see that they’ll do higher and don’t need to accept much less or dwell beneath their means. It makes individuals attempt for excellence, forgetting the previous – previous hurts, bitterness, anger, malice, and so forth. It will probably make individuals attain or attempt for his or her full potentials. It will probably even assist some unforgiving individuals to forgive people who have harm them.

So sure! There are numerous advantages of motivational talking. There’s nothing flawed with motivational talking; IF it’s outdoors the pulpit. And so long as the individuals listening to it know for a incontrovertible fact that that’s what they’re listening to. It’s solely an issue when it’s coming from the pulpit because the gospel, and it’s mistaken for the gospel. We don’t go to church to hearken to motivational talking. Neither can we go to church to be entertained. Reasonably, we go to church to be taught the uncompromised Phrase of God, rightly divided. If motivational talking is what one desires, one can simply go to a Les Brown or Willie Jolley talking engagement, to be motivated.

Now, does that imply that you simply can’t be motivated by the gospel? Completely, you’ll be able to. Nevertheless, there’s a distinction in how the gospel evokes you to change into the Phrase, and the way motivational talking motivates. Motivational talking motivates by way of feel-good messages; which, like euphoria, should not lasting. However the gospel evokes by way of doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Not by way of goody-goody, self empowerment messages.

So, should you depart church feeling good about your self after each service, likelihood is you might be listening to a motivational preacher. Nobody ought to depart church feeling good after service each time; which is what motivational talking does – makes you be ok with your self. There ought to be one thing in a message that convicts you; i.e., exhibits you the errors of your methods and tips on how to appropriate them, in an effort to be match for the Grasp’s use. By that I don’t imply beat you up or condemn you; however convict you. There’s a distinction.

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Effectively, if the Phrase of God pierces even to the division of soul and spirit, how can an individual hearken to a sermon and go away feeling giddy, and never be convicted? In spite of everything, a double-edged sword is just not a toy. Reasonably it cuts, and cuts deep. However the Phrase of God is even sharper!

The Hazard of Motivational Talking Packaged because the Gospel

Maybe you ask, “If the motivational speaker motivates people into action, and encourages them to be better, what is wrong with that?” Nothing! If it’s accomplished outdoors the pulpit! Nevertheless, motivational talking disguised because the gospel could be very harmful as a result of it’s typically mistaken for the true gospel. It’s like a chocolate coated poison – tastes good to you, however not good for you. Motivational talking packaged because the gospel blurs the road between the gospel and humanism; which actually is what motivational talking is about. It blurs the road between human capacity and God’s capacity.

Until uncovered, motivational talking may be tough to discern from the gospel. A lot in order that even a motivational preacher might not know that that’s what she or he is doing. That is the opposite purpose why I’m writing this text; to assist different motivational audio system on the market to establish and keep of their lanes. In order that they don’t mistake their motivational talking abilities for a name to evangelise the gospel or pastor a church.

What’s the Gospel?

Maybe by now you might be considering, “If motivational speaking is not the gospel, so what is the Gospel?” Merely, the gospel is the “good news” of Jesus Christ. And the excellent news of Jesus is redemption or salvation from sin.

The main distinction between motivational talking and the gospel is best defined by this analogy…Motivational talking may be likened to scratching an itch – it relieves the itching however doesn’t remedy the reason for the itch. It doesn’t have the ability to remedy the reason for the itching. It’s the fact of God’s Phrase that cures the reason for the itching. It’s the fact of God’s Phrase that makes individuals free (John 8:32). Not philosophy, psychology or politics. Not sociology, fables or private opinions.

Due to this fact, the first function of a real preacher is to show the reality of God’s Phrase, rightly divided.

A real preacher teaches his or her congregation tips on how to be true disciples for Jesus Christ; in order that they’ll disciple others. In different phrases, be an extension of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. A real preacher doesn’t educate his or her congregation at all times about what it might get from God, however what it might do for God to assist additional His Kingdom; i.e., how they’ll dwell for Him.

If you happen to examine the lives of Jesus Christ and the early disciples (our examples), you’ll see that the least of their concern was looking for God for what they might get from Him. Reasonably, their main concern was denying themselves for the gospel’s sake; to hunt and save the Misplaced. Likewise, the first function of a real preacher is to excellent his or her congregation to be like-minded. And never this foolishness you see on Christian TV or hear on radio about what you will get from God or what God can do for you – a trait shared by motivational preachers and prosperity preachers.

Why Jakes and Osteen are Motivational Audio system in Pulpits

For sure, each Jakes and Osteen are dynamic and electrifying audio system – Jakes particularly. However don’t be fooled by all that theatrics. If you go to church, you go to church to be taught the Phrase of God; to not be entertained; which sadly is what goes on in lots of of those church buildings. You don’t go to church to be mesmerized both, however to learn to relate with God, and tips on how to search Him for your self. If leisure is what you need, you’ll be able to go to a live performance or a circus. Neither do you go to church to listen to somebody’s “old wives’ fable” as apostle Paul places it in 1 Timothy 4:7; which is what Joel Osteen does. His sermons are filled with tales after tales.

Most motivational preachers, like Jakes and Osteen, preach to please the listeners. They preach what they know the individuals wish to hear. They preach a generic, non-offensive “gospel”; to borrow T.D. Jakes’ phrases, “a user-friendly” gospel. That’s the reason most of their sermons are both about what God can do for the individuals or what the individuals can get from God: favor, promotion, blessing, victory, and so forth.

Jakes, in a CNN’s Paula Zahn interview, says the explanation for his church development is as a result of he’s extra person pleasant and delicate to individuals. Right here is an excerpt of the interview…

ZAHN: You’ve gotten grown fairly a flock. The place do you assume you are connecting the place others aren’t?

JAKES: Effectively, I’ve thought of that fairly a bit, Paula.

I actually do assume that we have touched a felt want locally to know that individuals are coping with points and crises and to be person pleasant, delicate to them. I’ve tried to seek out biblical solutions to sociological ills and to encourage individuals, despite pains and traumas, to be all that they are often. That was the aim of The Potter’s Home Church in Dallas, Texas, as I pastored there for the final eight years and even with MegaFest right here in Atlanta.

ZAHN: I am interested in one thing you simply stated. You stated you must be user-friendly. What does that imply, much less just like the church buildings possibly many people went to rising up?

JAKES: Sure. Possibly the main focus is just not on being starchy and prudish and routines and rituals, however simply open and delicate to the necessity for individuals, the power to listen to, not so crucial, however open to know and embrace and encourage individuals, motivating them, somewhat than pushing and beating on them.

Joel Osteen shares the identical perception in a Larry King Stay interview; and reiterates in a Washington Submit article…

KING: However you are not fireplace and brimstone, proper? You are not pound the decks and hell and damnation?

OSTEEN: No. That is not me. It is by no means been me. I’ve at all times been an encourager at coronary heart. And after I took over from my father he got here from the Southern Baptist background and again 40, 50 years in the past there was much more of that. However, you recognize, I simply — I do not imagine in that. I do not imagine — possibly it was for a time. However I haven’t got it in my coronary heart to sentence individuals. I am there to encourage them. I see myself extra as a coach, as a motivator to assist them expertise the life God has for us.

KING: However do not you assume if individuals do not imagine as you imagine, they’re in some way condemned?

OSTEEN: , I believe that occurs in our society. However I attempt not to try this. I inform individuals on a regular basis, preached a pair Sundays about it. I am for everyone. You could not agree with me, however to me it isn’t my job to attempt to straighten everyone out. The Gospel (is) referred to as the excellent news. My message is a message of hope, that is God’s for you. You may dwell life it doesn’t matter what’s occurred to you. And so I do not know. I do know there may be condemnation however I do not really feel that is my place.

KING: You’ve got been criticized for that, have not you?

OSTEEN: I’ve. I’ve. As a result of I do not know.

KING: Excellent news man, proper?

OSTEEN: Yeah. However you recognize what? It is simply in me. I search my coronary heart and I believe, God, is that this what I am alleged to do? I decided when my father died, you recognize what? I will be who I really feel like I am alleged to be. And if it would not work, it would not work. Not the tip of the world if I am not the pastor…

By “condemnation”, Osteen means preaching in opposition to sin or confronting unrighteousness; which he by no means does. Lois Romano, a Washington Submit Employees Author, in an interview with Osteen, writes…“Osteen, 41, does not sweat or yell, or cry for sinners to repent. He preaches an energetic, New Age gospel of hope and self-help – simple Scripture-based motivational messages, notably devoid of politics and hot-button policy issues…He aims to present himself as neutral as possible, he says, in order not to offend or generate controversy.”

Some preachers’ argument about not preaching in opposition to sin or unrighteousness is that God is love, so we should always preach extra about God’s love and never about God’s wrath or “fire and brimstone,” as they name it. As cheap as that will sound, sadly that’s half the gospel, not the total gospel. True. God is love. However God is fierce too. Jesus by no means minced phrases concerning the judgment or wrath of God; whereas instructing concerning the love of God. Neither did the early Disciples.

So, this concept of not preaching about God’s wrath or condemnation (unrighteousness) is misguided and deceptive, to say the least! And solely meant to deceive and lull individuals to sleep; or want I say hell! Due to this fact, a real preacher despatched from God preaches concerning the love of God; encourages the congregation to press in direction of the mark and keep the course; preaches concerning the wrath of God and in opposition to unrighteousness; and even generates controversy if he has to. That’s the total, uncompromised gospel.

Jesus by no means didn’t confront unrighteousness, generate controversy or preach “fire and brimstone” the place applicable. Jesus confronted the non secular leaders in His days, the Scribes and Pharisees. All by way of Matthew 23, He denounced their hypocritical methods saying, “Woe (doom) unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” He referred to as sin what it’s — sin. He didn’t tip toe by way of the tulips; to borrow the cliché.

Additionally, most motivational preachers hardly use the Bible once they preach; as a result of they educate to individuals’s feelings for crowd response, and never their spirit. T.D. Jakes is the grasp of this. Sure, they could quote a number of scriptures or use some Bible tales right here and there, however they hardly enable God to make use of His Phrase (The Bible) to talk on to His individuals. And once they do, they normally learn from the Previous Testomony; typically misusing it, not figuring out the way it pertains to us within the dispensation of grace.

I as soon as heard T.D. Jakes say, utilizing the story of Joseph’s dream within the Bible to show some extent, that one shouldn’t reveal one’s goals or plans too quickly to individuals. He stated that it was as a result of Joseph revealed his goals too quickly to his brothers that he ended up in an Egyptian jail. Nearly as good and convincing that will sound, that’s not scriptural. Reasonably, Joseph ended up in Egypt in order that he may protect the household of Jacob (Israel) from an upcoming famine, which God knew would come.

And Joseph stated to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” In order that they got here close to. Then he stated: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life… And God sent me before you to preserve posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God… Genesis 45:4-5; 7-8

These preachers rarely use the Bible because they know that the Bible will expose their lies. So, what they do is quote a few scriptures here and there, often out of context, and move on. And rightfully so, because if you want to keep a person ignorant forever, keep the Book away from the person. They’ve been able to get away with this for so long, simply because they know that most Christians don’t or rarely read the Bible on their own; and therefore don’t know what’s in it. Not even those Christians who attend churches where the Bible is read!

Rather, most Christians’ knowledge of the Bible is based on someone else’s interpretation of the Bible, or lack thereof. Most Christians live and die based on someone else’s interpretation; and not what they learned from the Bible themselves by God’s Spirit.

One other thing many motivational preachers have in common is in their usage of the word “God” and “Jesus.” Many motivational preachers say “God” greater than say “Jesus.” To them, the identify “God” is just not as “offensive” or “controversial” because the identify “Jesus.” Joel Osteen is responsible of this. However then, what do you count on from a man attempting “not to offend or generate controversy?”

As an example, Osteen will preach a whole sermon, hardly mentioning the identify of Jesus, however God. But on the finish of the published extends to you an invite to simply accept Jesus Christ as your private Lord and Savior; which is form of ironic. I imply, it’s like a person telling you all day about his good friend, James, solely to say to you, “Oh by the way, meet my friend, Mark,” whom you recognize nothing about. Makes you wish to ask, “Who is Mark?” since he spent all his time telling you about James, not Mark.

I can perceive why among the preachers hardly use the identify “Jesus.” It takes somebody with a real relationship with God by way of Jesus Christ to say the identify “Jesus.” Apart from, the identify “God” can imply something to anyone. However it’s the identify “Jesus” that differentiates what God you might be speaking about. Most individuals don’t have an issue with the identify “God.” The identify they’ve an issue with is the identify “Jesus.” That’s “the stone of stumbling and rock of offense” (1 Peter 2:8). That’s the identify given underneath heaven by which we should be saved (Acts 4:12).

Within the Early Church, when the apostles had been preaching the gospel and performing a number of miracles within the identify of Jesus, the Jewish council had an issue with them as a result of they had been preaching and performing miracles within the identify of Jesus. If that they had been preaching within the identify of God, they wouldn’t have had an issue with them.

And once they had introduced them, they set them earlier than the council. And the excessive priest requested them, saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” However Peter and the opposite apostles answered and stated: “We ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 5:27-29

But Joel Osteen would rather be politically correct than affirm the name of Jesus. In the same Larry King interview, King asked Osteen if Jesus was the only way to heaven, and he could not answer in the affirmative! Here is another excerpt of the interview…

KING: Is it hard to lead a Christian life?

OSTEEN: I don’t think it’s that hard. To me it’s fun. We have joy and happiness. Our family — I don’t feel like that at all. I’m not trying to follow a set of rules and stuff. I’m just living my life.

KING: But you have rules, don’t you?

OSTEEN: We do have rules. But the main rule to me is to honor God with your life. To live a life of integrity. Not be selfish. You know, help others. But that’s really the essence of the Christian faith.

KING: That we live in deeds?

OSTEEN: I don’t know. What do you mean by that?

KING: Because we’ve had ministers on who said your record don’t count. You either believe in Christ or you don’t. If you believe in Christ, you are, you are going to heaven. And if you don’t, no matter what you’ve done in your life, you ain’t.

OSTEEN: Yeah, I don’t know. There’s probably a balance between. I believe you have to know Christ. But I think that if you know Christ, if you’re a believer in God, you’re going to have some good works. I think it’s a cop-out to say I’m a Christian but I don’t ever do anything…

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.

For someone who is the pastor of a local church, it seems like there are a lot of things Osteen doesn’t know. Could this be a case of the blind leading the blind? One can only guess…

Anyway, there are many more reasons why these two preachers top the list of motivational preachers — too many than time or space will allow. But for the sake of time and space, here is a comparison chart below summarizing some of the differences between a motivational preacher and a true preacher. This chart also can help you to identify other motivational preachers.

Differences Between a Motivational Preacher and a True Preacher

Motivational Preacher —

Teachings are geared to arouse emotions; i.e. flesh-tingling, flesh-pleasing sermons

True Preacher —

Teachings are geared to the inner man (the spirit); i.e., spirit-pleasing sermons

(1 Corinthians 2:4-5)

Motivational Preacher —

Teachings are about self empowerment through self-will

True Preacher —

Teachings are about God empowerment by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6)

Motivational Preacher —

Teachings make congregants self-centered; i.e., what they can get from God: favor, blessing, promotion, joy, victory, etc.

True Preacher —

Teachings make congregants self-less; i.e. deny self, take up cross and follow Christ, and esteem others above self (Matthew 16:24 and Philippians 2:3)

Motivational Preacher —

Sermons are superficial — lack spiritual depths – all humanism

True Preacher —

Sermons have spiritual depths – rooted in Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Motivational Preacher —

Challenges a person to do better and be better

True Preacher —

Challenges a person to present his/her body as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2)

Motivational Preacher —

Encourages to make self (hearer) feel good

True Preacher —

Convicts to convert (2 Timothy 3:16)

Motivational Preacher —

Rarely uses the Bible

True Preacher —

Uses the Bible; rightly dividing the Word

(2 Timothy 2:15)

Motivational Preacher —

Elevates self (the preacher)

True Preacher —

Elevates Christ (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)

Motivational Preacher —

Full of fables or personal stories – teaches about problems

True Preacher —

Equips the hearer to use the information learned to resolve problems; i.e., teaches about a solution (Ephesians 4:11-14)

Motivational Preacher —

Hardly preaches against sin or unrighteousness

True Preacher —

Preaches against sin or unrighteousness, among other topics (Romans 1)

By no way is this list exhaustive. But it’s just enough to show you the major differences between a motivational preacher and a true preacher. Motivational speaking is motivational speaking. The gospel is the gospel. They are not the same. Nothing even close!

Now, having made that distinction let me reiterate that I have nothing against these preachers or the fact that they are motivational preachers. I’m only concerned about the thousands of spiritually hungry people listening to them, some of whom have a sincere heart to learn God’s Word, and think that they are listening to God’s Word, but have no idea that what they are listening to is motivational speaking packaged as the gospel.

So, my main reason for writing this article is not to convince you that your pastor or favorite televangelist is a motivational speaker with a Bible. No! My goal is to warn you or those listening to these preachers who are unaware that they are getting doses of motivational speeches, in place of the gospel. I write to tell you to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

Nevertheless, in case you are nonetheless uncertain as as to whether Jakes and Osteen are motivational preachers or not, utilizing the chart above, I problem you to hearken to each of them for a month; (most likely gained’t take you that lengthy to determine them out), and see should you gained’t see by way of their smokescreen. However earlier than watching them, pray. Ask God to clarify to you what He wants you to see regarding these two, past their dynamic model of instructing and charisma.

You may go to their web sites for an inventory of their broadcast schedule in your space otherwise you would possibly even have the ability to stream some sermon movies on-line.

Now, let me say that whereas listening to them you’ll hear some issues that make sense or sound good to you. That’s frequent with motivational talking. However past that, it’s best to have the ability to see by way of the charade.

Certainly not are these two the one motivational preachers. So, simply because your pastor or favourite televangelist doesn’t make this record doesn’t imply that you could be not be listening to a motivational preacher. Due to this fact, do the identical factor you’d do for Jakes and Osteen’s teachings to your pastor or favourite televangelist’s teachings. Take the chart above and evaluate your pastor or favourite televangelist’s teachings with it to see if she or he qualifies as a motivational preacher or not.

My prayer for you is “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Ephesians 1:17-18

P.S.:

Scripture references taken from the New King James Model Bible!

For a full interview transcript of the King/Osteen interview go to: http://transcripts.cnn.com/transcripts/0506/20/lkl.01.html

For the Washington Submit/Osteen article go to:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A47023-2005Jan29.html

For streaming video of Joel Osteen’s sermons, go to:

[http://www.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer]

For a broadcast schedule of T.D. Jakes’ sermons, go to:

[http://www.thepottershouse.org/index.php?tv=schedule]

You must pay i.e. be a “covenant partner” to stream Jakes’ sermons on-line!

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