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Do Good for Your Own Self’: Osteen Says Obedience, Worship ‘Not for God’
Christian News ^ | 8/28/14 | Heather Clark

Posted on 08/29/2014 8:59:12 PM PDT by JohnKinAK

A recently recorded video is circulating online of Victoria Osteen, wife of megachurch speaker and author Joel Osteen, calling on congregants at Lakewood Church to ‘do good for your own self’ because obedience, the church and worship are not for God as much as for self-happiness.

“I just want to encourage every one of us to realize when we obey God, we’re not doing it for God—I mean, that’s one way to look at it—we’re doing it for ourselves, because God takes pleasure when we’re happy,” she declares in the undated 36-second clip with her husband standing by her side and nodding. “That’s the thing that gives Him the greatest joy…”

“So, I want you to know this morning: Just do good for your own self. Do good because God wants you to be happy,” Osteen continues. “When you come to church, when you worship Him, you’re not doing it for God really. You’re doing it for yourself, because that’s what makes God happy. Amen?”

SNIP

Steve Camp, pastor of The Cross Church in Palm City, Florida and former singer/songwriter, told Christian News Network that he viewed the video on Wednesday, and while saddened, he was not surprised at her remarks. He stated that Osteen’s statements were humanistic in nature and antithetical to Scripture.

“It’s the age old sin of idolatry—that it’s not about God, it’s about us,” he explained. “True worship for the humanist is about how we feel at the end of the day and what gives us meaning, as opposed to what gives God glory.”

“When we come to see men happy rather than God glorified, it’s not worship, it’s idolatry,” Camp stated, reading from Psalm 115:1,

(Excerpt) Read more at christiannews.net ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Unclassified
KEYWORDS: happiness; joel; money; osteen; ybpdln
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To: JohnKinAK

I’m no fan of Osteen, bit I truly believe that if our highest ethic was to take care of yourself first, the world would be a much better place.


21 posted on 08/29/2014 10:14:30 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: aquila48

bit=but


22 posted on 08/29/2014 10:15:52 PM PDT by aquila48
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To: JohnKinAK

Osteen is by far the biggest fraud since Tammy Faye and Jim Baker etc. These middle aged low IQ folks, mainly women seeking feel-good prosperity, who flock to his MegaChurch are dumb as doorknobs.


23 posted on 08/29/2014 10:17:48 PM PDT by Steelfish (ui)
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To: JohnKinAK

PROSPERITY_MINISTRY_PING!


24 posted on 08/29/2014 10:20:49 PM PDT by The Duke ("Forgiveness is between them and God, it's my job to arrange the meeting.")
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To: JohnKinAK

Silly me, I thought Christianity was about saving our souls, giving glory to HIM and even suffering untold horrors by anti-Christs and their minions.

I do not recall being promised happiness in this lifetime.


25 posted on 08/29/2014 10:21:41 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: jsanders2001

Joel Osteen is a self-help, self-esteem guru

He can go whole “sermons” without referencing the Bible or Jesus once I bet.


26 posted on 08/29/2014 10:22:47 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: JohnKinAK

bookmark


27 posted on 08/29/2014 10:34:49 PM PDT by GOP Poet
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To: JohnKinAK

bookmark


28 posted on 08/29/2014 10:36:35 PM PDT by GOP Poet
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To: onedoug

Don’t forget “Blinky”.


29 posted on 08/29/2014 10:36:51 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican (Liberals were raised by women or wimps. And they're all stupid.)
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To: shankbear

These two have always been con artists. They bring to mind 2 Timothy 4:3. They tell people what they want to hear.


30 posted on 08/29/2014 10:38:33 PM PDT by Pining_4_TX (All those who were appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48)
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To: Steelfish

A woman told my wife one Sunday afternoon that her and her 12 year old daughter had driven from Austin to Houston to see Olsteen. She was beside herself because her 12 year old “got to meet him”. Those people treat him as though he is a god.


31 posted on 08/29/2014 10:40:07 PM PDT by VerySadAmerican (Liberals were raised by women or wimps. And they're all stupid.)
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To: VerySadAmerican

Osteen is that smooth charming kind of fraudster who finds his way into your pocket books with simpleton-like explanations of the Bible since there is a sucker born every minute and the Gospels can be “gold” for folks like these. The doctrine of the Catholic Church with its 2000+year old history and brilliant historical and theological exegesis from Aquinas to Benedict XVI is beyond the literacy level of these morons to absorb.


32 posted on 08/29/2014 10:47:10 PM PDT by Steelfish (ui)
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To: GeronL
There is one unforgettable promise: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
33 posted on 08/29/2014 11:04:37 PM PDT by sefarkas (Why vote Democrat Lite?)
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To: sefarkas

bump!


34 posted on 08/29/2014 11:07:40 PM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: JohnKinAK

Who did they pray to for their sweetheart deal on a used civic sports arena?


35 posted on 08/29/2014 11:24:00 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (ISIS has started up a slave trade in Iraq. Mission accomplshed, Barack, Mission accomplished.)
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To: JohnKinAK

She is partially correct but the conclusion she draws is a worry.

She is correct that God does not need our praises or our obedience. Doing them is our duty and is good for us at the same time.

This does not automatically mean that doing them will bring us happiness in this life. It may indeed bring persecution, self denial, lack in material means etc. Of course long term all these things do work to our good and eventually complete joy and happiness in the life after.

If this is what she meant then she needs to be more specific as it matters what other people hear and we need to make sure there are no misunderstandings when it comes to preaching. This is why easy to remember catch phrases are no substitute for proper teaching!


36 posted on 08/30/2014 12:08:12 AM PDT by melsec (Once a Jolly Swagman camped by a Billabong.)
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To: JohnKinAK

They make Benny the Blower look legit


37 posted on 08/30/2014 12:11:38 AM PDT by wardaddy (Ferguson MO...but i thought blacks went north to escape the racism of mean ol southerners)
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To: doc1019

I detest Osteen but not all big churches are not home to charlatans

Course I’m not sure what you mean by big

My church is 3 services Sunday morning...I of course go to last....900-1400 each service

Not sure membership....I’ve never transferred by letter

Is that mega or just big?

SBC


38 posted on 08/30/2014 12:16:22 AM PDT by wardaddy (Ferguson MO...but i thought blacks went north to escape the racism of mean ol southerners)
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To: aquila48

Wrong.


39 posted on 08/30/2014 12:16:54 AM PDT by firebrand
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To: JohnKinAK

I had to ask to be taken off the Osteen ping list. Sometimes he is OK, but I got sick of hearing of the wonderful plan God has for my life. Sure, but not the way he means it.


40 posted on 08/30/2014 12:21:05 AM PDT by firebrand
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