What do you do when your non-believing friends love Joel Olsteen? =)

Now please, I don't want to make this a post all about Joel Olsteen. Many of my co-workers, friends, and some family members that I witness to all say the same thing, "Man, I watch that guy on TV every Sunday morning and HE'S GOOD!! What's his name...umm...Joel Olsteen, that's it."

I PERSONALLY don't like Joel Olsteen because it's a typical American simple self-improvement message. But I don't want to bash the guy either because at least there listening.

What did Paul mean when he was talking about those other men who didn't preach with pure motives?

"What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice," -Philippians 1:18

"What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice," -Philippians 1:18

Is Christ truly being proclaimed thru Olsteen or is it another Jesus, another gospel?

Indeed paul was speaking in Phillipians about a real gospel being proclaimed, but with wrong motives. I'm sure you've been out witnessing and preach the real gospel, but knew at times in the past it was with pride or seeking honor from men (wrong motives).

I think that would be a good example of what Paul was talking about in Phillipians. Surely not a false gospel. It is clear from the word that many times Paul warned of false teachers, exposing the darkness, and another Jesus being preached. Watch out for them and avoid their doctrines!

What about saying, "Yeah, I've heard of Joel. I really like this guy though." And then hand them a CD/DVD of someone you approve of.

id slip them a Ravenhill CD or maybe a Paul Washer, ohhh what about a Zac Poonens Reality in the Christian life!?

that will do it, Joel Olsteen wont be the same after that :-)

I've heard this verse countless times to justify certain aspects of church life, from afar as to their "worship" to "preaching"-- all using this verse.

Paul's rejoicing came from a spirit of Christ. You have to understand this is waaay before Christianity became huge like it is now. It was still growing! When someone "preached Christ"-- it was something! Christ was new, and thus when people told the story of him, it was all new to most people! This Paul rejoiced, for God could work in the people's lives nomatter due to this.

Paul isn't justifying the error of their ways, by no means.

And, on another topic, Joel Osteen is a false teacher and should be regarded as such. I would not rejoice that he is preaching Christ, for his Christ is a happy-go fellow who'll prosper you and so forth. Not the one that requires singularity, ("No one comes unto the Father but by Me") suffering ("You must take up your cross"), and ultimately martyrdom ("You must take up your cross" etc.) He doesn't preach the real Christ. He preaches a false one-- which is a completely different situation.

Jordan

I HAD a friend who is into the prosperity preachers. God really burden my heart for her. Because of our different beliefs we aren't able to fellowship with each other. I prayed to God for an opportunity to meet up with her again and help her see what she was believing is false. After that prayer, about 2 weeks later she called out of the blue! We schedule A time to meet.

This friend knows very much my concerned for her soul. She knew why I was there, not for her lunch, but for her soul. She avoided me in the past a lot of times because I know my life convicts her (please I am not boasting). She knows I do not fool around and I am a serious person most of the time, so it was truly God that allow this time with her.

After lunch we sat down and went thru the word. In much meekness, I took her thru Jesus's words about being a true disciple and help understand what is a pharisee is, which most profess christians are (clean outward, but filthy inside). I didn't get to finish though. She was very much convicted, but instead of repenting like the 3000 with Peter, she lashed out at me and brought up all kinds of false accusations like the pharisees and saducees with Steven, which the word said they were cut to the heart (convicted), but got angry. I sat quietly with much brokeness. I believe that because I did not lash back that it even made her more mad exposing more of her wicked heart.

Well I was kicked out. I sat in my car full of brokeness for her soul. God knows there was no bitter anger in my heart for her, though she lashed out at me, I loved her more. With tears I cried out for mercy upon her soul.

Santana, sharing the true gospel will cost you. Most of the time it will not be all fuzzy and warm, where people cry out for joy hearing the truth. Sharing the real gospel can bring a sword down between you and your friends, family. But with a heart fill with Jesus, you don't care because you know that Jesus is the only way and if you love souls, love won't be silent while watching people perish. Filled with Christ love will see Today as though it is their last, who knows what tomorrow will bring upon them. If they died tomorrow are you able to say I have shared the true gospel with them, there is no blood on my hands, my mind is clear, I did plead with them with the love of Christ mercy?

What do you do when your non-believing friends love Joel Olsteen? =)

Pray without ceasing! :eek: