Megachurch Pastor: Watered Down Gospel to Blame for Why Giving God 'Blank Check' Is So Foreign

christianpost ^ | December 9, 2014 | Stephanie Samuel

[Gamecock]

Well, there’s that too!

[boatbums]

I agree with you. I also think he is talking about a lot of Christians who reject Osteen but have bought into enough of what he says that they are too afraid to leave their comforts to be open to serving God without strings attached.

That's true. I still remember when I told my parents I was going to Bible college instead of a secular university. Their immediate response was, "What are you going to do, be a missionary in Africa?". It's hard for some people to understand that being surrendered to God - being willing to do whatever He asks, go wherever He leads - doesn't necessarily mean His will will be to send you to Africa's deepest, darkest jungles to evangelize "savages". He could want you to bloom where you are planted - he needs people in EVERY walk of life. BUT...if God's will is to send you to Africa, you will learn that His will is always what is best for you. He wants us to be willing to serve Him no matter what. That kind of surrender is what truly honors God and brings glory to Him.

When we truly believe God wants what is best for us, that He is able to work ALL things for our good, we will be living willing sacrifices to His glory and praise. That's the kind of faith He desires we all have.

[boatbums]

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

[Gamecock]

Amen.

[ravenwolf]

No, we say I’ll follow your way; whatever it is – this is the essence of what it means to be a Christian – to say I’m trusting you now to save me from my sins and to lead me as my Lord.

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I think that is probably true, but I also believe God is the one doing the choosing as he chose the apostles for Jesus.

I believe I was chosen to understand that Jesus is my lord and savior but God did not see fit to place me into a Church
minstery with a bunch of females.

It is enough that God caused me to see how rotten I really am, it was not planed that way that is just the way it turned out many years ago and can not be undone.

If I am cleansed it will be the day my body turns back to dust and God how I look forward to that day.

I have never asked this in my life, but please pray for me and forgive me.

[Gamecock]

That is my issue with the story.

We are all called to bear different crosses. My cross is not overseas missions.

[CynicalBear]

>>Any Christian who has truly trusted God enough with his/her salvation can also trust God enough to give up their life plans to evangelize the 2 billion people around the world who do not have access to the Gospel.<<

I would propose he doesn't understand the passage "some are pastors". His view seems more "socialistic" than according to scripture. Who does he think supports those missionaries?

[ravenwolf]

We are all called to bear different crosses. My cross is not overseas missions.

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I understand, it is some times hard to see the cross that some one else may be bearing.

[LadyDoc]

Not everyone has the ability or temperament to be a missionary.

The real challenge is to do the duties of one’s daily life and recognize that even washing dishes can be a prayer and a way of serving God.

[Gamecock]

That too!

We often think that others should be bearing the same cross we are carrying.

[Gamecock]

And that is one of my of my beefs with the article. He fails to make that distinction.

[mrobisr]

While I do agree with most of his statement and yes people do get too comfortable in their life to serve the Lord correctly, but that isn’t the case for everyone. Scripture tells us without a doubt that all of us will not be called to evangelize the 2 billion people of this world.

Romans 12:6-8 New International Version (NIV)

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 New International Version (NIV)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

While I understand his point I think he could have chosen better words to get his point across unless he did actually mean what he said.

[huldah1776]

Probably not participating. I think the church should not only send missionaries to other countries but should also go into our cities. New York, SF, etc. I would hate to go to the city. uh, oh. LOL