Never, never, never. It's a little bit like, "thou shalt not."
"Never stop learning.
Never compare yourself.
Never doubt God. Never quit.....
Has Rick not read the verses in the Bible about complaints? Psalm 142:2; Psalm 55:2 and even Job, show us some examples of complaints... laments.. Fortunately for us, God is not a dictator and he treats us all with loving kindness and patience. He forgives sin, and He might even respond to your complaints. God actually has a "complaint department" called prayer, where, we can tell God anything, ask God anything, even complain. God does not turn a deaf ear on our difficulties or weakness. He answers when we cry out to him.
And while Rick Warren could not personally attend the Hillsong Conference 2013, some of the top pastors he suggest people follow on twitter did. There was his favored top pastor, Joel Osteen and another top pastor, Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv, and Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House, and Judah Smith of The City Church, too..
These folks have some things in common. (Please view the 10 minute video below to hear their silence on issues of faith in Jesus, what he saves us from and why we need to believe on Jesus to be saved.) One thing they all have in common in the year of our Lord, 2013 is the Hillsong Conference.
"Never stop learning.
Never compare yourself.
Never doubt God. Never quit.....
My word to Hillsong Conference 2013 yesterday."
Rick Warren, Facebook post, July 2,2013
Doesn't that sound encouraging?
It is common today to hear about being a "life long learner." While it is one thing to be humble and teachable, even curious, inquisitive and learning new things every day is is also quite possible to be ever-learning and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. It states so in 2 Timothy 3:7. As Rick Warren tweeted to the world the message that he gave to the people at Hillsong's conference, he obviously thought his message was pretty profound. He said, essentially, "never" do this or that. This friends, is Rick Warren, preaching LAW. This friends is rick Warren never giving his hearers a place in which to find rest.
He is not talking about rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, but is instead, laying burdens on those who think his words are so wise. For people to heed his wisdom might mean they will just by the next book he writes, since he produces so many materials for people to purchase as they learn from Pastor Rick. He also didn;t stop with "never stop learning." No... he gave yet another imperative, "never compare yourself."
"Compare yourself" to what? Your neighbor? Your parents? God's Law? Jesus? To whom or what? Would doing so be envy? (Envy would be a sin.) Rick didn't say. Why should you not compare yourself?
With no direction here, no biblical understanding being given, he is simply leaving you in the dark and making himself an authority, your commander. The man is a task master telling you what you should never do. What would happen if you did? Would it mess up your S.H.A.P.E for ministry? Rick is piling on requirements that you must NEVER do, (as if those ten commandments given by God himself were not enough.) Worse than the burden now placed on you to NEVER compare yourself, you must also never doubt God.
It is common today to hear about being a "life long learner." While it is one thing to be humble and teachable, even curious, inquisitive and learning new things every day is is also quite possible to be ever-learning and yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. It states so in 2 Timothy 3:7. As Rick Warren tweeted to the world the message that he gave to the people at Hillsong's conference, he obviously thought his message was pretty profound. He said, essentially, "never" do this or that. This friends, is Rick Warren, preaching LAW. This friends is rick Warren never giving his hearers a place in which to find rest.
He is not talking about rest in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, but is instead, laying burdens on those who think his words are so wise. For people to heed his wisdom might mean they will just by the next book he writes, since he produces so many materials for people to purchase as they learn from Pastor Rick. He also didn;t stop with "never stop learning." No... he gave yet another imperative, "never compare yourself."
"Compare yourself" to what? Your neighbor? Your parents? God's Law? Jesus? To whom or what? Would doing so be envy? (Envy would be a sin.) Rick didn't say. Why should you not compare yourself?
With no direction here, no biblical understanding being given, he is simply leaving you in the dark and making himself an authority, your commander. The man is a task master telling you what you should never do. What would happen if you did? Would it mess up your S.H.A.P.E for ministry? Rick is piling on requirements that you must NEVER do, (as if those ten commandments given by God himself were not enough.) Worse than the burden now placed on you to NEVER compare yourself, you must also never doubt God.
What happens if you do? What happens if you ever did? NEVER is a pretty absolute word, and Rick just gave us three "nevers." If it just so happens that you break one of Ricks commandments here... how will you ever be redeemed? Is it possible for you to never doubt God? Moreover, "what on earth" will God do if you dare doubt him?
If you'll remember, John the Baptist doubted God. He even sent a message to Jesus when he was having doubting issues... to ask him if He was the ONE. John needed some reassurance. And do you know what? Jesus gave John an answer he could believe in. While Rick teaches people that they are to "never doubt God," even the "greatest" among all who are born of women, John the Baptist, had doubts, just like you and I are known to do.
Did Jesus condemn John the Baptist for doubting? No. He comforted him as he reminded him of the all the evidences of who he (Jesus) was.
If you'll remember, there was a man who prayed to God, telling him that he believed, but asking him to help him with his "unbelief." Apparently God was able to help him with that also. Pastor Rick doesn't teach about this man... or John, he is just giving you his own form of a, "Thou shalt not." This is legalism.
and "Never quit."
................ "What on earth" does he mean? (You could easily apply that to anything of your own liking.)
But now, about that Hillsong conference that Rick Warren boasted about with that tweet:
Warren could not attend the Conference personally, so he "skyped" instead. The Christian Post ran an article last summer, titled, Rick Warren Talks Leadership Traps, Handling 'Haters and Critics' at Hillsong Conference by Nichola Menzie. Menzie reported on some things spoken by Rick.
"If you build your life on fear of man, God can't use you."
If you'll remember, John the Baptist doubted God. He even sent a message to Jesus when he was having doubting issues... to ask him if He was the ONE. John needed some reassurance. And do you know what? Jesus gave John an answer he could believe in. While Rick teaches people that they are to "never doubt God," even the "greatest" among all who are born of women, John the Baptist, had doubts, just like you and I are known to do.
Did Jesus condemn John the Baptist for doubting? No. He comforted him as he reminded him of the all the evidences of who he (Jesus) was.
If you'll remember, there was a man who prayed to God, telling him that he believed, but asking him to help him with his "unbelief." Apparently God was able to help him with that also. Pastor Rick doesn't teach about this man... or John, he is just giving you his own form of a, "Thou shalt not." This is legalism.
and "Never quit."
................ "What on earth" does he mean? (You could easily apply that to anything of your own liking.)
But now, about that Hillsong conference that Rick Warren boasted about with that tweet:
Warren could not attend the Conference personally, so he "skyped" instead. The Christian Post ran an article last summer, titled, Rick Warren Talks Leadership Traps, Handling 'Haters and Critics' at Hillsong Conference by Nichola Menzie. Menzie reported on some things spoken by Rick.
"If you build your life on fear of man, God can't use you."
~ Rick Warren
But let's look at what Rick does not say.
Do you know what or who, Christians are taught what to build their lives on? It is not fear or fear of man. Meanwhile, Rick does not tell you what to build your life upon from a Christian perspective, but he takes your attention elsewhere and talks about "not building".... that is not building your life on the fear of man. The article told how "Warren reminded young leaders that they cannot let criticism bother them — 'keep your eyes on Jesus (and) live for an audience of one....You cannot follow God's voice while you're listening to the voice of others."
It sound like great Christian advice only it is given by Rick who doesn't tell you what to build your life upon and tells you that if you have fear of man... God can't "use you."
Did you know, do you remember, Peter himself, even though he was a disciple of the Master, experienced this "fear of man" thing. Not only that, he denied knowing the Lord, being with the Lord Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times because of his fears of what man would do to him. And do you know what? God, our kind, loving, forgiving and gracious God, still found a use for Peter.
Rick is quoted in the articles as saying,
Do you know what or who, Christians are taught what to build their lives on? It is not fear or fear of man. Meanwhile, Rick does not tell you what to build your life upon from a Christian perspective, but he takes your attention elsewhere and talks about "not building".... that is not building your life on the fear of man. The article told how "Warren reminded young leaders that they cannot let criticism bother them — 'keep your eyes on Jesus (and) live for an audience of one....You cannot follow God's voice while you're listening to the voice of others."
It sound like great Christian advice only it is given by Rick who doesn't tell you what to build your life upon and tells you that if you have fear of man... God can't "use you."
Did you know, do you remember, Peter himself, even though he was a disciple of the Master, experienced this "fear of man" thing. Not only that, he denied knowing the Lord, being with the Lord Jesus, not once, not twice, but three times because of his fears of what man would do to him. And do you know what? God, our kind, loving, forgiving and gracious God, still found a use for Peter.
Rick is quoted in the articles as saying,
"God uses people who believe Him," Rick Warren
So, if you do not believe God, then what? God will not "use" you? God used Cyrus, King of Persia, a pagan who did not "believe" Him. God used Nebuchadnezzar, who did't believe him either.. God is all-powerful and he actually uses whatever, whoever he desires... even a donkey.. God cause all things to work together for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purpose.... (not our own unique ones.)
Yes, God wants us to to have faith, and to believe Him. However, he doesn't just want people who believe in God....(See James 2:19) but his desire is for us to believe on the one whom he sent.... his promised one, Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin.
Rick reportedly said,
So, if you do not believe God, then what? God will not "use" you? God used Cyrus, King of Persia, a pagan who did not "believe" Him. God used Nebuchadnezzar, who did't believe him either.. God is all-powerful and he actually uses whatever, whoever he desires... even a donkey.. God cause all things to work together for the good of those who love him, who are called according to His purpose.... (not our own unique ones.)
Yes, God wants us to to have faith, and to believe Him. However, he doesn't just want people who believe in God....(See James 2:19) but his desire is for us to believe on the one whom he sent.... his promised one, Jesus, for the forgiveness of sin.
Rick reportedly said,
"God does not respond to our complaints, God responds to our trust."
Rick Warren
Has Rick not read the verses in the Bible about complaints? Psalm 142:2; Psalm 55:2 and even Job, show us some examples of complaints... laments.. Fortunately for us, God is not a dictator and he treats us all with loving kindness and patience. He forgives sin, and He might even respond to your complaints. God actually has a "complaint department" called prayer, where, we can tell God anything, ask God anything, even complain. God does not turn a deaf ear on our difficulties or weakness. He answers when we cry out to him.
And while Rick Warren could not personally attend the Hillsong Conference 2013, some of the top pastors he suggest people follow on twitter did. There was his favored top pastor, Joel Osteen and another top pastor, Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv, and Bishop T.D. Jakes of The Potter's House, and Judah Smith of The City Church, too..
These folks have some things in common. (Please view the 10 minute video below to hear their silence on issues of faith in Jesus, what he saves us from and why we need to believe on Jesus to be saved.) One thing they all have in common in the year of our Lord, 2013 is the Hillsong Conference.
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you...." 2 Peter 2:1-3
Not Convinced?
Rick Warren missing the entire gospel of Jesus Christ:
(Click the link. Sorry, I could not figure out how to embed this video.)
Here, he is teaching about how God wants to bless people and he wants them to be healthy in body soul and spirit and live fulfilling lives.... but that God cannot do that.... unless that person does all the right steps, or does a specific "premise" to receive that promise. Rick teaches that there are certain habits which you have to practice if you want God's blessing of "spiritual health." He says that one must love God more than anything else... all the time without fail.
The true gospel message is "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." This is because Jesus, fully God and fully man, (Colossians 2:9) loved God the father perfectly and completely, and was obedient as a son, even unto death. God has some lists, like the ten commandments, but in reality, only Jesus, because he is perfect, holy, faithful and true, can fulfill God's law perfectly, not you.
Jesus does this and then as the Lamb of God, he even dies for your sin, in your place, on your behalf. This is good news for sinners who cannot do everything perfectly right all the time in order to obtain God's blessing.... and Rick circumvents that "good news" and lays God's law on you for YOU to fulfill without fail. He makes small mention of Jesus, and then lays one you all the many things you MUST do in order to be blessed.
Here, on Lary king, he stated that one must love Jesus AND have a purpose:
Rick Warren Interview on Larry King, March 26, 2005:
[Excerpt from CNN Transcript]
KING: You can, though, Rick, have a purpose-driven life and be an agnostic or an atheist, can't you? Still do good, still help others, still have purpose?
WARREN: Absolutely, you can help other people. I believe that we were made for a purpose, and that purpose is really to know God and to serve God and to love God, and to serve other people by -- serve God by serving others. You know, you can't really serve God directly, Larry, not here on Earth. The only way you can serve God is by serving other people.
KING: Since you believe in God, if an agnostic or an atheist is doing good, God appreciates it, according to you, right?
WARREN: God wants us all to be loving to each other, there is no doubt about that. In fact, Jesus wouldn't have made any distinction between someone who was of a different background. The issue was, do they love him and do they have a purpose? Are they following his purpose? See, I believe that we were made by God and that we were made for God. And that until we understand that, life isn't going to make sense. Now, really when it comes to...
- See more at: http://www.inplainsite.org/html/purpose_driven_seeker_friendly.html#sthash.7tgIUBSX.dpuf
"...
For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne,
and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves
will not move them with one of their fingers.
But all their works they do for to be seen of men:
they make broad their phylacteries,
and enlarge
the borders of their garments,
And love the uppermost rooms at feasts,
and the chief seats in the synagogues,
And greetings in the markets,
and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ;
and all ye are brethren."
-Jesus
Here is Joel Olsteen in 2012, like Rick Warren he is also missing the point, circumventing the gospel. He is however, convincing all who will believe him in his fancy words, like Rick Warren, that Jesus died so that they could have everything they need in this life for an abundant earthly life of "health."
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