"Do whatever it takes?"
In encouraging church members to come to a recent Saddleback church meeting, we hear Rick Warren encourage his members to, "do whatever it takes" to be there. Apparently, it is really important. This "whatever it takes" terminology seems to be a common saying these days, several purpose driven pastors having latched on to the concept, repeat it.
so what do they mean by "do whatever it takes?"
It is almost a command as Rick says in the announcement, "Do WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE IT. I'm so excited to see you! P.S. For those who come to Vision Night, I'm going to give you a free copy of my NEW EXPANDED EDITION of PDL: WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? before it arrives in bookstores for the Christmas Season!" -Rick Warren
News With Views 10/22/12 , Saddleback Church Vision Week Announcement,
He also adds the personal touch.... saying he is "so excited to see you." And if either of those were not enough to get you there, he even offers that you will get a free copy of his book if you attend!
This "whatever it takes" phraseology, appeared another time when he was leading a group in prayer to receive "purpose." After teaching the group, (who apparently was a group of people who had absolutely no real idea as to "what on earth" they were here for, but were learning from Pastor Rick,) how to live "a life on purpose.' He took oppoprtunity at the end of the lecture to speak to God on behalf of those within earshot. This is what he had them pray and what he encouraged them to read aloud as he did,
"Thank you for the privilege for being a part of your family. It's my heart's desire to become like Jesus. I will do whatever it takes to cause that to happen. Help me to discover my shape for ministry and to use the talents you've given to me to use for others. Help me to have a servant's heart. Father, I want to fulfill my mission on earth. Give me a burden for people who don't know you. I want to serve your purpose in my generation. And I want to be a part of what you're doing in the world. From this day forward, I want to build my life around your purposes. Help me Jesus."- Rick Warren
Purpose Driven Life, What On Earth Am I Here For? Warren, Rick; Global Christian Center, globalchristiancenter.com
Originally published in Rick Warren's Ministry Toolbox, at pastors.com
Rick sure knows how to put words in other people's mouths and minds. Unfortunately, rather than him lead people to Christ, what we have witnessed is him promoting himself and his programs as he is praying to God on their behalf. He said things like,
"Help me to discover my shape for ministry"
Really? "Help m to discover my shape...?" Isn't that a bit of a salespitch?
Seriously. Have you heard that one before? If you don't know, S.H.A.P.E. is a
ministry program, his own idea, (promoted by his associate, Erik Reeves.)
Seriously. Have you heard that one before? If you don't know, S.H.A.P.E. is a
ministry program, his own idea, (promoted by his associate, Erik Reeves.)
"Father, I want to fulfill my mission on earth."
Whatever happened to repenting ate a prayer time like this? It's not here.
Is saying this to "God," even akin to submitting to God's will or
saying the words., Father, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done," as Jesus
Is saying this to "God," even akin to submitting to God's will or
saying the words., Father, "thy kingdom come, thy will be done," as Jesus
taught his disciples to pray in the scripture? No. This is an "I want."
Weird.
Weird.
"Give me a burden for people who don't know you. "
That's a novel idea! Ask God for a burden that you do not have. There's
nothing about giving what is burdening you to Jesus... "knowing his yoke
is easy and his burden light. (Matthew 11:28-30 ) It makes one wonder why
this man seeks to bind a burden upon these people?
this man seeks to bind a burden upon these people?
"I want to serve your purpose in my generation."
This is way different than simply serving God. It correlates directly to
his business slogan, not the gospel.
his business slogan, not the gospel.
" And I want to be a part of what you're doing in the world."
Rick believes, (and is passing on that same notion via the guise of prayer")
that what he is doing is the New move of God. Be it the NEW Reformation...
the Saddleback model of church, this best selling Purpose Driven Book, the
P.E.A.C.E. plan...the Daniel Plan, whatever, Rick believes God is "doing" it and
that what he is doing is the New move of God. Be it the NEW Reformation...
the Saddleback model of church, this best selling Purpose Driven Book, the
P.E.A.C.E. plan...the Daniel Plan, whatever, Rick believes God is "doing" it and
you need to be on board if they want to sync with God. He is of the mindset
and teaches his listeners that if your church is not built on the five purposes he
teaches, then it is not "healthy."Church, because Rick thinks he has the corner
on "God's Agenda."
and teaches his listeners that if your church is not built on the five purposes he
teaches, then it is not "healthy."Church, because Rick thinks he has the corner
on "God's Agenda."
"From this day forward, I want to build my life around your purposes. "
From this day forward? Is this a marriage ceremony of somekind?
And, build my life on what?
Build "around" what? (Oh yeah, that sure foundation of
And, build my life on what?
Build "around" what? (Oh yeah, that sure foundation of
"purpose"... all five of them.)
There is no Jesus. Where is the foundation of God's word... with the apostles
and prophets?
There is no Jesus. Where is the foundation of God's word... with the apostles
and prophets?
It's glaringly missing. (Did he never read Ephesians 2:20)
And if that is not enough...It all begins with that notorious "whatever it takes" slogan.
"It's my heart's desire to become like Jesus. I will do whatever it takes to cause that to happen. "
Doing "whatever it takes" to make themselves become like Jesus sure seems altruistic. Jesus is a great guy.... great teacher, had a pure heart, was obedient to God the Father completely, perfect in every way.. but can you make yourself like Jesus? Can you become like Jesus simply because you put our mind to it? Hardly. We all miss the mark when it comes to being anything like Jesus. We need God's assistance through his Holy spirit living in us. You see, usually one repents of sin and asks forgiveness in Jesus' name and then God comes and dwells inside them. That is the cause of how it happens.
Odd, isn't it. Usually people become clothed with Christ... by faith in him and what He has done for us. They become Christians. God's Holy Spirit then comes as a gift to us. This is not something we do. Odd, too is that "whatever it takes" slogan being promoted by Rick.
Odd, isn't it. Usually people become clothed with Christ... by faith in him and what He has done for us. They become Christians. God's Holy Spirit then comes as a gift to us. This is not something we do. Odd, too is that "whatever it takes" slogan being promoted by Rick.
If you remember, Rick was in Angel Stadium, April 2005, and he was rallying the crowd:
 |
| "Whatever it takes!" Anaheim 2005 |
- Rick Warren
Angel Stadium, April 17,2005
Sounds good. Certainly it can be very sincere on the part of participants who want to do the will of God and serve him and are listening to a pastor's advice. It''s a great public declaration, but whatever happened to baptism as a public profession of Christian faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus? Did Jesus tell us to publicly announce that we would do whatever it takes? No. Even our best intentions fail.
Peter's best intention failed him, and Jesus knew it would happen this way even before it did. Jesus told him so too. Just as Jesus told him, Peter's best intention failed Peter three times!
The good news for Peter is that even though he failed, (three times before the cock crowed,) he had a refuge in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He had put his faith in Jesus Crist as revealed to him by God. God's word will never fail. Peter repented of such foolishness, trusted God and took Him at his word and then he told others about the grace and goodness of God found in the man who was crucified before his eyes and raised from the dead too! He built his new life in Christ there on the Rock of Ages, he then walked in faith by God's mercy, love and grace, telling others of this good news.
Jesus never told anyone to make promises that they could not keep, let alone a promise, to do "whatever it takes," all by themselves, in their own strength. This is one beauty of Christ and his gospel; and this is that Jesus Christ did for us what ever could never do. All that is needed is for us to turn to him in faith and confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that He is. But this is not the message with Rick and friends. They have you pledge to do "whatever it takes"... (anything except what it takes.. repent and believe in Jesus) and even have you "ask God" for a "burden," instead of free you from the one you carry... sin.
In the purpose driven paradigm it is YOU who need to make promises and sign membership covenants. It is You who must discover your "shape," find your "purpose," fulfill your "mission" on earth, and your destiny, not to mention keeping perfect balance in everything you do, proving yourself to be "healthy." You also need to buy all kinds of purpose driven books.
You are required to know this secret and that secret, (that you get from Rick since he has this special insight "from God," whom from you can lean and do the six steps or eight principles, or 4 laws, along with classes like Membership 101, 201, 301, 401, and other various six week periods of small group studies called 40 Days of....____.(Fill in the blank with Purpose, Community, Transformation, Love, P.E.A.C.E. or any other program instigated by Rick, ) Then, once you have this NEW paradigm of thinking.... God will use you... "to serve his purposes' under the ultimate direction of that great man of campaigns, best-selling author.... Rick Warren.
But note that you will mention nothing in the creed below about simply telling other people the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ and what he did for you, (me, ) and for them.There is no cross.
"Today I am stepping across the line, I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
You are required to know this secret and that secret, (that you get from Rick since he has this special insight "from God," whom from you can lean and do the six steps or eight principles, or 4 laws, along with classes like Membership 101, 201, 301, 401, and other various six week periods of small group studies called 40 Days of....____.(Fill in the blank with Purpose, Community, Transformation, Love, P.E.A.C.E. or any other program instigated by Rick, ) Then, once you have this NEW paradigm of thinking.... God will use you... "to serve his purposes' under the ultimate direction of that great man of campaigns, best-selling author.... Rick Warren.
But note that you will mention nothing in the creed below about simply telling other people the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ and what he did for you, (me, ) and for them.There is no cross.
"Today I am stepping across the line, I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering, I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in, and my decision is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There’s no turning back now!
I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purposes with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love and communicate His Word.
Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home waiting in heaven, I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting or faithless worrying.
Instead I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family.
Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, we over me, character over comfort, service over status and people over possessions, position, and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.
I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics or motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running by me.
When times get tough and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I am Spirit-lead, purpose-driven, and mission-focused so I cannot be bought, I will not be compromised and I shall not quit until I finish the race.
I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious for everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts me.
To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say, However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever You ask me to do, my answer in advance is yes!
Wherever You lead and whatever the cost I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord! Whatever it takes!
I want to be used by You in such a way, that on that final day I’ll hear You say, Well done now, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!
...But this is only because of your obedience... (to do "whatever it takes"to be like him, and pledge to go "God's way" and serve "God's purposes' with "God's people"... on "God's planet." Where is the cross? Where is what Christ did for you? Funny, it seems to have simply vanished in Rick's paradigm.
Jesus, not only did "whatever it took" to be obedient to God, but in doing do he never failed even once. He saw it through to completion. Jesus, sinless Jesus, even shed his blood and died in perfect submission to God. It is he who was, and is and who forever remains both faithful and true! And death could not keep him down.
So, instead of making willful declarations of what we will purpose to do, may we Christian focus instead on Jesus, who gave his live for us and when dealing with each other can we simply let our yes be yes and our no be no. (Matthew 5:37) May we also simply live and work side by side as we worship Jesus as Lord, in spirit and in truth, as we look to do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with Him, our God. (Micah 6:8)
So, instead of making willful declarations of what we will purpose to do, may we Christian focus instead on Jesus, who gave his live for us and when dealing with each other can we simply let our yes be yes and our no be no. (Matthew 5:37) May we also simply live and work side by side as we worship Jesus as Lord, in spirit and in truth, as we look to do justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with Him, our God. (Micah 6:8)
- But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
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