Once Saved Always Saved is True.

[RolloTamasi]

He is a Charlatan because he preaches a false gospel. Here's an article if you care to read--there are numerous others. It is based on what he teaches--this is how you know who is true and who is false. It is a false gospel to preach 'you can have your best life now'--No. Our best life is yet to come--in eternity. "You will have troubles in this life, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."

Excerpt from: https://www.kevinhalloran.net/the-anti-gospel-message-of-joel-osteen/

Osteen’s Anti-Gospel
Osteen’s words here are anti-gospel. The gospel says deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ (Mark 8:34

). It says “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35

). The god of Osteen and prosperity theology is nothing more than a butler who serves people what they want—health, wealth, and happiness. The human is at the center and God is our servant.

Osteen’s false “message of positivity” from Genesis 3 offers no comfort for the laid off man or the unmarried woman longing for a husband. If anything, it makes them feel worse about themselves and their “lack of faith.” When teaching neglects to expose sin and show our need for a Savior, it will distract listeners from what they truly need: salvation in Jesus.

The gospel doesn’t give us our best life now as Osteen promises, but it does give us hope through suffering. We are promised our best life later if we trust in Jesus and repent of our sins. The gospel teaches that God Himself is the greatest treasure imaginable, better than any amount of success or fleeting pleasure we could ever attain in this life.

Why I Share This
When I think of the prosperity gospel, I can’t help but think of my friend Cesar. He and his family attended a prosperity gospel church for many years that preached Osteen-esque messages. They thought they were good Christians on God’s path. But then God stepped in and opened Cesar’s eyes to the truth as he searched the Scriptures. Now, Cesar often shares with tears in his eyes how thankful He is for God rescuing him from the clutches of false teaching.

My hope for this post is that God would turn many more people like Cesar from false teaching and to His life-giving gospel. The true gospel is so much better because, as Albert Mohler frequently says, “…the biggest problem with prosperity theology is not that it promises too much, but that it promises far too little.”

Well,Kevin Halloran is very biased.
And taking a passage and pointing out a biased report on it does not tell the story.
I'll stick with what I've said before.
Watch the 2 hour Lakewood church service on Sunday morning and then give a report.
Quoting 2nd hand stuff ain't nothing.
It's like watching far left liberal democrats bad mouthing Trump.

 

[Laura798]

Well,Kevin Halloran is very biased.
And taking a passage and pointing out a biased report on it does not tell the story.
I'll stick with what I've said before.
Watch the 2 hour Lakewood church service on Sunday morning and then give a report.
Quoting 2nd hand stuff ain't nothing.
It's like watching far left liberal democrats bad mouthing Trump.

No it's not the same--they are basing it on his sermons-as I said there are a multitude of articles saying essentially the same thing: Osteen does not preach the true gospel.

Halloran is quoting one of Osteen's sermons--that is not 'second hand'. In fact, just from that one sermon, any true believer can see he is not preaching the message of the gospel--it is "another gospel"

His and his wife's demeanor drips of falseness--they may be 'attractive' but they are both extremely creepy--they look possessed.



"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!"--Galatians 1:8

Rollo, you are the first Christian I've had a conversation with that actually defends him--I have always wondered how can intelligent people be involved in Cults--likewise, how can intelligent people listen and follow false teachers?"

I think I'll end the conversation here--I pray God will open your eyes to see the truth.

Here is another article from the Christian Post regarding the church finances--note that Osteen doesn't take a 'salary', but he does get free advertising for his books and there are other 'perks' other than his salary:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/...rch-annual-budget-90-million-money-spent.html

excerpt here:

Pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas has an annual budget of around $90 million, and their last fiscal year's financial statement reveals how they use the money.

During the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2017, the megachurch spent $31.7 million on its weekly services and programs, according to Houston Chronicle, which further says $6.7 million was spent on the church's Night of Hope events, and $25.1 million on its television ministry.

For general and administrative expenses, the church used $11.5 million, and another $11.9 million for fundraising. And the remaining $1.2 million was spent on mission and outreach.


Lakewood is America's largest church, attended by about 50,000 people a week at the former Compaq Center where the NBA Rockets once played, the Chronicle notes in another article. The broadcasts of its services reach an estimated 10 million U.S. viewers weekly. Its roving monthly Night of Hope events fill stadiums across the country at $15 a ticket. On Facebook and Twitter, Osteen has 28 million followers. His 10 books, self-help manuals, have sold more than 8.5 million printed copies in the United States alone.

 

[Laura798]

Well,Kevin Halloran is very biased.
And taking a passage and pointing out a biased report on it does not tell the story.
I'll stick with what I've said before.
Watch the 2 hour Lakewood church service on Sunday morning and then give a report.
Quoting 2nd hand stuff ain't nothing.
It's like watching far left liberal democrats bad mouthing Trump.

And it's not like liberals bad mouthing Trump--it would be like a group of Republicans bad mouthing Trump, since these are believers criticizing Osteen, not unbelievers.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts".--2 Timothy 4:3

 

[RolloTamasi]

I was saved General Baptist.
Was a Southern Baptist for about 8 years.
One year American Baptist.
Then a year charismatic tongues church
Then many years in a large church where I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and my whole life changed.
I moved and went to an independent church where my wife and I were supported to go out and preach the gospel.
Then we moved from Florida to Georgia.
I loved the Georgia countryside but the people didn't love us.
Preaching the gospel, going out and sharing with others, praying in the Spirit, prophesying, and more and we were thrown out of one church after the next.
Church of God twice, Presbyterian, Methodist.
No one wanted to worship God in the Spirit.
They didn't understand and they didn't want to know.
We moved back to Florida, our independent church was gone.
The people fired the pastor and made it southern baptist.
Then after searching, I had 3 surgeries in 3 months, almost dying on the table everytime, in a coma for almost a month.
After getting out, it was a slow recovery.
I started watching Lakewood church and I never left.
Joel Osteen, whatever you think of him, is only one part of this church.
I think he is good and the church is great.

So that's a brief testimony, I led Bible studies, performing my music in church and other places
Now 71 and still not totally recovered, I spend time on a forum rather than being out in the streets.

How about you?
What's your story?

 

[Laura798]

I was saved General Baptist.
Was a Southern Baptist for about 8 years.
One year American Baptist.
Then a year charismatic tongues church
Then many years in a large church where I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and my whole life changed.
I moved and went to an independent church where my wife and I were supported to go out and preach the gospel.
Then we moved from Florida to Georgia.
I loved the Georgia countryside but the people didn't love us.
Preaching the gospel, going out and sharing with others, praying in the Spirit, prophesying, and more and we were thrown out of one church after the next.
Church of God twice, Presbyterian, Methodist.
No one wanted to worship God in the Spirit.
They didn't understand and they didn't want to know.
We moved back to Florida, our independent church was gone.
The people fired the pastor and made it southern baptist.
Then after searching, I had 3 surgeries in 3 months, almost dying on the table everytime, in a coma for almost a month.
After getting out, it was a slow recovery.
I started watching Lakewood church and I never left.
Joel Osteen, whatever you think of him, is only one part of this church.
I think he is good and the church is great.

So that's a brief testimony, I led Bible studies, performing my music in church and other places
Now 71 and still not totally recovered, I spend time on a forum rather than being out in the streets.

How about you?
What's your story?

I'm really sorry to hear of your difficulties with your health and subsequent surgeries--I'm glad you made it through.

As to my 'story'....

My sister and I were raised by my grandparents in a rural area in Texas from 6-18 with a couple years with my dad who was I guess an atheist as he never spoke of God. we attended a southern baptist church. my grandparents went to Sunday morning and evening service and Wednesday prayer meeting-- they didn't drink or smoke or curse--i'd say they were more 'cultural Christians as at home they never read the bible with us or prayed with us. Despite that I heard the gospel in Sunday school and believed it.

When I was 18 I moved out to Southern California to visit relatives--boy was that an eye opener--first time to witness Pentecostal Churches--think the Vineyard--which was actually an off shoot of Calvary Chapel and the Name 'It and Claim It' of the Crystal Cathedral--first time to witness things like slaying of the spirit and tongues--never heard of it and it just was WEIRD. (no not against tongues--that is to say known languages--but only known ones where there is someone to interprest--not everyone speaking in what they call 'heavenly' languages)

After that attended a Free Methodist, then a non denominational for quite awhile, then a Presbyterian Churches of America--before finally discovering the theology behind the Presbyterian denomination--it wasn't what was preached--it was what wasn't preached- 7 years and never heard of t.u.l.ip. Left that church after my discoveries.

I visited several churches after that--I live in the SF Bay Area so very liberal--and after I began studying denominations the
scales fell off my eyes of how much false teaching there is in the church. Also all the money that goes to running the 'machine' vs helping the poor as they did in the first century--ZERO went to running the machine--it went to those in need. There was no salary for Paul though they helped all those who were preaching the gospel when there was a need. At this point I'm done with the institutional church and am looking for a house church to attend. I just found a simple church that meets on Saturday and will 'virtually' visit them this coming Saturday.

I don't watch TV preachers, but do watch people I find on Youtube--I highly recommend David Pawson--his older teaching from the 90's as now he is in his late 80's so his speech his slow and difficult to follow. I also like a guy name Lex--don't agree with him on all points but overall pretty good--short teaching videos called 'Unlearn the Lies'--basically uncover false doctrine in mainstream denominations and showing the truth in Scripture. Also a couple of uplifting women who do short devotionals.

It's easier to type this out than to edit--apologies for length.

 

[RolloTamasi]

I'm really sorry to hear of your difficulties with your health and subsequent surgeries--I'm glad you made it through.

As to my 'story'....

My sister and I were raised by my grandparents in a rural area in Texas from 6-18 with a couple years with my dad who was I guess an atheist as he never spoke of God. we attended a southern baptist church. my grandparents went to Sunday morning and evening service and Wednesday prayer meeting-- they didn't drink or smoke or curse--i'd say they were more 'cultural Christians as at home they never read the bible with us or prayed with us. Despite that I heard the gospel in Sunday school and believed it.

When I was 18 I moved out to Southern California to visit relatives--boy was that an eye opener--first time to witness Pentecostal Churches--think the Vineyard--which was actually an off shoot of Calvary Chapel and the Name 'It and Claim It' of the Crystal Cathedral--first time to witness things like slaying of the spirit and tongues--never heard of it and it just was WEIRD. (no not against tongues--that is to say known languages--but only known ones where there is someone to interprest--not everyone speaking in what they call 'heavenly' languages)

After that attended a Free Methodist, then a non denominational for quite awhile, then a Presbyterian Churches of America--before finally discovering the theology behind the Presbyterian denomination--it wasn't what was preached--it was what wasn't preached- 7 years and never heard of t.u.l.ip. Left that church after my discoveries.

I visited several churches after that--I live in the SF Bay Area so very liberal--and after I began studying denominations the
scales fell off my eyes of how much false teaching there is in the church. Also all the money that goes to running the 'machine' vs helping the poor as they did in the first century--ZERO went to running the machine--it went to those in need. There was no salary for Paul though they helped all those who were preaching the gospel when there was a need. At this point I'm done with the institutional church and am looking for a house church to attend. I just found a simple church that meets on Saturday and will 'virtually' visit them this coming Saturday.

I don't watch TV preachers, but do watch people I find on Youtube--I highly recommend David Pawson--his older teaching from the 90's as now he is in his late 80's so his speech his slow and difficult to follow. I also like a guy name Lex--don't agree with him on all points but overall pretty good--short teaching videos called 'Unlearn the Lies'--basically uncover false doctrine in mainstream denominations and showing the truth in Scripture. Also a couple of uplifting women who do short devotionals.

It's easier to type this out than to edit--apologies for length.

Thank you for sharing.
I feel closer to you now.
It's really something when we look at all the things people go through and end up where they do.
God has a purpose for all of us.

I just watched an episode of "Touched by an angel."
I don't like that they never mention Jesus but it is the love of Jesus that makes the show.
I feel better right now after watching it.

I hope we can see eye to eye on things in the future.
God bless you this evening.
Love,
Rollo

 

[Laura798]

Thank you for sharing.
I feel closer to you now.
It's really something when we look at all the things people go through and end up where they do.
God has a purpose for all of us.

I just watched an episode of "Touched by an angel."
I don't like that they never mention Jesus but it is the love of Jesus that makes the show.
I feel better right now after watching it.

I hope we can see eye to eye on things in the future.
God bless you this evening.
Love,
Rollo

Oh, I liked that show! God bless you, too Rollo, I appreciate your kind words.

 

[RolloTamasi]