Forward by Rick Warren- The Books Rick Endorses

He who lies down with dogs....

                      will rise up with fleas!"  

                                                                                    (1791, Pindar; Rights of Kings 32

  

Think Email.

When you forward an e-mail to someone what does it mean?  It means you give your approval to the message written up and that you want the recipient to read it too.  In the instances below, Rick Warren FOREWORDS these books.  Therefore, he must think that they are of value for your reading; else... why would he forward and endorse them?

If you're inclined to think that Dr. Rick knows what he is talking about when he talks about the Bible and Christianity, even Jesus Christ our Lord, then his endorsement, his name on the cover and his words opening the book, introducing it to you, the reader, will alert you that he recommends you add it to your personal reading collection.  The problem is that some of these books are anything but a reflection of scriptural thinking and wisdom.  Often they are quite contrary indeed. 

Because this is the case, some people, scratch their heads and wonder why it is that Dr. Rick is happy to "walk" with these authors, put his stamp of approval, even his "good" name on things so contrary to the word of God.  They wonder what it is that they are selling people and why such confusion is coming from the likes of Rick.  Yes, they scratch their heads in amazement....  a bit confused.... but Rick is the one doing the confusion.  One thing is for certain.  Confusion does not come from God.

 Observe Warren's Endorsements:

1.  From Learning to Soar by Avery and Matt Willis

"With the forward by Rick Warren and the preface by Henry Blackaby, this experience will allow you to grow in new ways toward spiritual maturity. discover incredible blessings in unpleasant circumstances.

BENEFITS AND FEATURES:

• Encourage you to leave your comfort zones

• Motivate you to respond to God's stirrings within your heart

• Help you take the risk of trusting God and stepping out into abundant living

• Show you how to soar to unimaginable heights with God, by faith

Did Jesus teach these talking points?  ...."leaving your comfort zone"  (Actually, no.  Jest said, "Come to me and I will give you rest." God gives comfort.) ....He never said, "risk trusting God"....(You see, t "trusting God" be a "sure thing."  Did Jesus teach anything about  "stepping out of your contentment into something called, "abundant living"?  (Well, Jesus promised eternal life; but.... "abundant living.?"  Did he teach you about soaring to "unimaginable heights"....with God.  (and this "by faith?)

If you are a Christian, and you think about it, doesn't this all sound a little reminiscent of the event in Luke chapter 9.? 

There, in the gospels, we read about  how Satan took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and offered him the opportunity to risk jumping and soaring to great heaights (with God.?  After which he also offered him authority and glory... aka "abundant living," (you might say.) Satan told Jesus,  (not a verbatim translation, mind you, "Throw yourself down from here...even though it is risky.  "Whats the matter dude, are you afraid to REALLY trust God? Do this, and I will give you all the kingdoms of this world.  What is the matter, JEsus, don't you have enough faith in God?"

Aparently Avery and Matt Willis want to teach you and me, "How to Soar."

  And Rick Warren, happily lends them his endorsement.

----------------------------------------------

2.  From the product description from  Why Faith Matters by Rabbi David Wolpe, (foreword by Rick Warren )  

"Why Faith Matters is an articulate defense of religion in America. It makes the case for faith and shows its relationship to history and science. Refuting the cold reason of the atheists and the hatred of the fanatics with a vision of religion informed by faith, love, and understanding, Rabbi David J. Wolpe follows in a literary tradition that stretches from Cardinal Newman to C. S. Lewis to Thomas Merton—all individuals of faith who brought religion and culture together in their own works."

It seems FAITH, not JESUS , matters most here, and note, the individuals of "faith" that matter  most here... the ones who synthesize, or rather, work "to bring religion and culture together."  We will learn from a Jewish "Rabbi," about the faith of .Cardinal Newman.... CS Lewis.... Thomas Merton, but what, exactly, is their "faith."  

The three are Roman Catholic men.  

IS it possible that Rick Warren happily endorses all religions, in particular the religion of these three religious men?

------------------------------------

3.  From the book description from Life's Healing Choices by John Baker (foreword by Rick Warren)

"A guide based on the Beatitudes of Jesus identifies eight choice-based strategies for healing and promoting personal happiness, in a resource that shares inspirational stories about people who have overcome the pain of past difficulties through their faith."

It is no surprise really that this book is endorsed by Warren because it's all about Celebrate Recovery, Rick Warren's "Christianized" version of Bill and Bob's "Alcoholics Anonymous."  Celebrate Recovery, would appear to be a scriptural program too, teaching that "sin" is really every man's ultimate problem and even offer that there is a cure (see pg.18) but the cure offered is...according to Mr. Baker... the author of Life's Healing Choices... not Jesus...

 Baker says, "the cure is strange."  He adds that is comes from a "humble heart " and "admitting weakness," (and these things are partially true...)  The cure is Rick Warren's AA program that he calls, "Celebrate Recover" and human friends.  

  "What about Jesus and faith in Him to forgive us...  and subsequently free us from our sin?"

Baker's solution does not pivot on this very Christian, biblical and most important foundation in his book... no no.  The pivot for "recovery"....,and this once the reader understands they are powerless over this sin and need some help, is.... to find someone they can confide in, a person that they can tell all their dirty laundry to... and of course, if they can find no one, they can find a Celerbrate Recovery Group in their hometown that will furnish them with exactly what they need.  Jesus isn't even mentioned at this point. 

And then... there are 8 Choices, did you count how many?  Eight, and that is a lot!  That a person who is needful now must make... and one can only hope all eight of them will not be wrong but be correct.  Contrast this to the simple directive of Jesus, the author of salvation himself, who told us what to do.  

Jesus said, "Come." and "follow me."

In all fairness, Baker does eventually talk about his own faith in the Lord Jesus in his book.  But do observe that this crucial instruction to the reader in how to be free of sin.. how to find the "CURE" excludes, not includes,  the gospel truth of Jesus Christ.  Jesus, is replaced with something else here, and Rick endorses Mr. Baker heartily because what Baker endorses is Warren's pet project, Celebrate Recover. 

--------------------------------

4. From the description of the book given on Dr, Lavern Adams' Facebook page for her 10-10-2010 book release, Driven by Destiny: 12 Secrets to Unlocking Your Future and again, note the (foreword by Dr. Rick Warren)

"In this helpful destiny travel guide, your future is presented as a “metaphorical journey” through divine dimensions that usher you into revelation, realization, and realignment with your purpose in life. This dynamic journey to transformation will get on the right road to fulfilling your destiny and cause you to be fully engaged in this dynamic process.  This destiny roadmap is your vehicle to a better life to help you to:

DIALOGUE with the Creator about your divine purpose

DISCERN the road blocks and detours to your destiny

DISCOVER the hidden riches and secrets on the inside of you

DEVELOP new disciplines to help you live the life of your dreams"

And note:

( Dr. Adams, is "Senior Pastor," " Teacher," and "Vision Architect" at the Cathedral of Praise, Community Church and International Kingdom Strategy Center For more information you can contact: Cathedral of Praise Community Church and International Kingdom Strategy Center 6400 Haverford Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19151 215.474.2680 phone • 215.474.7586 fax www.CathedralofPraiseInternational.org www.TheDoctorofDestiny.com)

Offering "secrets" to the reader...( or to the hearer....) Adams offers to help one discover even more "secrets".... not the revealed things of the Bible, Jesus Christ, or the prophets, and Rick Warren endorses her book.  Dr. Adams offers to teach you about those  "secrets"  inside of you.   The purpose of it all is,  of course...  to help YOU live the life of YOUR dreams and discover what it is that is keeping you from your destiny.

Unfortunately, she seems to fail to mention  exactly what the Lord said our "destiny" is.... after life here upon the earth.... (hell) unless of course, your sin is forgiven by God in Jesus Christ... which, by the way, she fails to make mention of as well.  (This destiny in Christ, being what we commonly know is all about you having the life of your dreams.

She is interested in teaching her readers to talk to God about their purpose in life, and have them be able to discern what is keeping them from fulfilling that purpose.  She will help them draw out the good riches and secrets they can find within themselves.... and then, like Rick, (who as mentioned, forwards her book to his own audience of people, including pastors, thinking some may be itching for such material as this,) she will teach, "new disciplines" that you, the reader, can work to learn and keep..... (also known as LAW) in order to finally...."live the life of your dreams"

 Luke 12:1.

"In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude

had gathered together, so that they trampled one another,

He began to say to His disciples first of all, 

'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.'"

40 Days

40 Days 
..........of Purpose  by Rick Warren
Contents of the Book 

Introduction – What on Earth am I here for?

Worship – You were planned for God’s pleasure

Fellowship – You were Planned for God’s Family

Discipleship – You were Created to Become Like Christ

Ministry – You were Shaped for Serving God

Evangelism – You were Made for a Mission


But remember, it's not about YOU. 

The program, What is it? 

Churches are required to register with Purpose Driven Life and then to run their program at the same time as other churches around the world. Registration may be required four months in advance.

Each participant has a study package that comes with the book, the Purpose Driven Life, a small group curriculum workbook, and a memory verse key ring. Each small group also has a set of small group curriculum on video or DVD. Seven Weekend service plans include suggested sermons written by Rick Warren to be used in conjunction with the books.



40 Days....
       of Community: 
Better Together: What on Earth are We Here For? by Rick Warren
It is not about you; said Rick in the first book, now we hear who it is really about, "WE" 

Yes, now...after learning what you are here on earth for, you can now learn "what on Earth WE"are  here for?  Communism    er a Community.

And, what are we here for? 

SERVING.

 (It is like a huge service project program....)

 
Product description:  "40 days of devotional readings and journaling pages. The complete study guide for 40 Days of Community small group video lessons taught by pastor Rick Warren."


The book covers....
1.)We're Compelled to Love God's Family

2.)We're Commissioned to Reach Out Together

3.)We're Chosen to Fellowship Together

4.)We're Connected to Grow Together

5.) We're called to Serve Together and

6.)We're Created to Worship Together. 

See, It's not about you, it's about WE.



The Teaching Video Teaching Video "(DVD) contains six 25-minute videotaped sessions (taught by Rick Warren) Each session, includes a "Helps for Hosts" where the host is given coaching tips for the upcoming session.  This is to be used with the Better Together study guide and Better Together devotional/journal, so small groups will learn what it means to truly "fulfill God's purposes together and in their community."

Sessions are:
1. Why we need each other 

2. Reaching out together 

3. What destroys relationships and what builds them

4. How we help each other grow

5. Serving together

6. How to tell God you love him

7. What we have learned

More "we."  

And you thought he said it wasn't about you, you thought it would be about Jesus, but instead it is about you and you in relation to "WE."




and then there is
40 Days...
          of Peace
Making a Difference with Your Life;  by Rick Warren...  


where we learn that we are just taking up space, using up natural resources and sucking air, unless of course we are doing the Purpose Driven everything with Rick...


He says,

“God designed you to make a difference... He didn’t put you on this planet just to take up space. You’re not here just to use resources, breathe, and die.

God intends for you to make an impact with your life.  

He wants you to leave the world a better place than you found it.

And the only way you do that is........   by serving other people.

No one has ever left the world a better place by being selfish or living for themselves.  Jesus said, ‘You want to be great? Learn to be a servant of all."



(No, you  need to be a we, not a me.)







But wait....
there's more:

40 Days of Love
       by Rick Warren...
Publisher's Notes:

"The practical wisdom found in 40 Days of Love—the newest six-session group DVD study by bestselling author and one of America’s most influential pastors and spiritual leaders, Rick Warren—will help you make authentically loving God and loving others your deepest desire, highest aspiration, and constant focus. Learn to love like Jesus … in 40 days."  

On the Subject of Hell

Rather than the biblical definition of "hell," Rick makes up a definition for his readers of what his definition of hell, "would be." Note: His idea of hell is something YOU, his reader, should be afraid of too.  And what is hell?

 "Let me tell you what my definition of hell would be. Hell would be if God were to show me all the blessings in life that I’ve missed because I was selfish or afraid. To me that would be hell. I missed that just because I was afraid, just because I was insecure.” ~ Rick Warren

Making a difference with Your life

40 Days of Peace Sermon,  Sept 17-18 2005

To Rick, "hell" is the result of being insecure....

  missing blessings of God because you 

were "insecure" and "afraid."  

When listening to Rick, you can bet he will tell you

that some things  are simply more important than other things....

like money, for example. 

He says, God uses money to test you 

and that how you manage your money 

affects how much God can bless your life.  

He would have you think that money

is really important to God...

more important than hell.  

For example, he says, 

Jesus "talked more about money than heaven or hell."

 
 

"The Bible is very clear: God uses money to test your faithfulness as a servant. That is why Jesus talked more about money than he did about either heaven or hell. He said, "If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" How you manage your money affects how much God can bless your life. "

Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life, Pg. 267

 

What Rick says is a great exaggeration.  

Actually, Jesus Christ talked a lot about heaven and hell, 

much more than he talked about money.  

Now which do you suppose is a more important message to give men..

from God's perspective, 

HELL or MONEY?

Jesus Christ did not die to save us from money, or to give us money. 

Jesus gave his life in order to deliver us from hell and give us new life, 

not to make us richer in this life or teach us how to handle our personal finances.

Do you really believe he talked more about money?  

Can you show that in the scriptures?

Let us not worry about what is talked about more and consider that the "the Bible is very clear" about what hell... it is :

everlasting fire — Matthew18:8, 25:41

everlasting punishment — Matthew 25:46

everlasting chains — Jude 1:6

eternal damnation — Mark 3:29

eternal judgment — Hebrews 6:2

eternal fire — Jude 1:7

unquenchable fire — Matthew 3:12

the fire that never shall be quenched — Mark 9:43, 44, 45, 46, 48

fire unquenchable — Luke 3:17

mist of darkness is reserved for ever — 2 Peter 2:17

the blackness of darkness for ever — Jude 1:13 

But then, here is Rick again, on the topic of hell"

 "Let me tell you what my definition of hell would be. Hell would be if God were to show me all the blessings in life that I’ve missed because I was selfish or afraid. To me that would be hell. I missed that just because I was afraid, just because I was insecure.” ~ Rick Warren

Making a difference with Your life

40 Days of Peace Sermon,  Sept 17-18 2005

Meet Rick...

Rick sure has gotten a lot of publicity, and people are reading his words, getting to know him and thinking about what he has to say.  He has a message for the church and for the world.  , as According to Rick, this message is greater than any message he has ever taught in 23 years of being a pastor.  Why is this the greatest message ever?  Because, he believes, God has given this message to him. 

Rick says that his message is a message that the whole world is waking up to, and he calls it a message of reformation, of new beginnings, of PEACE and purpose.

But for Christians, Rick main target of speaking, it is important to remember that the Bible says:

“Dear friends, 

do not believe every spirit,

but test the spirits…”

                                              1 John 4:1

It is essential, therefore, to determine, if such an "important" message of reformation and "new beginnings" this "spiritual awakening" is something to believe.  Is this message of peace and purpose from the true source of peace and purpose? (.... God?)

Meet Rick:

“This weekend, I will begin teaching the most important series of messages we've ever taught in 23 years…We believe it is part of the beginning of a Spiritual Awakening, a Global Movement, a New Reformation.”

Rick Warren, Nov. 2003  Peace Plan Letter to Saddleback Church

“A couple weeks ago I did 6 TV interviews including Fox News Live, ABC, NBC, and CBN, so this spiritual awakening is starting to get the attention of the media.”

Rick Warren, Nov. 2003 Peace Plan Letter to Saddleback Church

“You may have already heard about the PEACE Plan we're developing...It is a local church-based paradigm for missions in the 21st century, and we believe God will use it to bring worldwide revival.”

The task before us is enormous, but God is equipping us by Rick Warren

Apparently, Rick, who believes that

 a major worldwide and Earth encompassing move of God,  

(a New Reformation... a Spiritual Awakening)

is coming upon the earth through his endeavor. 

Rick emphasizes that it's time to change the traditional and "unhealthy" church into a "healthy" one, and he will happily, brazenly and ultimately define 3what is "healthy" and unhealthy for you too, hoping you will believe his definition in your mind.  Additionally, he will show you how to CHANGE... how to change,  not only your beliefs, but how to change the church and replace all the wrong thinking with right and “healthy” thinking he shows you.  His goal is to build this new church of the new reformation.... on a new  "foundation,"(not the old one, "faith in Jesus Christ.") The new foundation is "purpose" and it is trademarked "Purpose Driven,") ...of course!

“Healthy churches are built on purpose!”

A healthy church balances the Five Purposes by Rick Warren

“Successful ministry is: building the church on the purposes of God”

Secrets to serving your generation in your time by Rick Warren

Every church is driven by something: tradition, programs, finances, events, seekers, and even buildings. But to be healthy, it must become purpose driven.”

Becoming a Purpose Driven Church, Part One  Rick Warren

 “Today, the sharpest guys I know are starting churches,"

Rick Warren quoted in Christianity Today Nov. 18, 2002

“Clearly, God’s five purposes for his church are non-negotiable.  If a church fails to balance the five purposes… then it’s no longer a healthy church”

Evangelizing the 21st Century Culture  by Rick Warren

“I think a healthy pastor nurtures a healthy church by creating an intentional, well planned system.”

”Drawing More Members Into Ministry by Rick Warren”

So, now that you know what Rick says a healthy church is... do you want to be "healthy" or unhealthy?  

According to Rick, what is an unsucessful ministry?  What must a church be "driven" by to be healthy?


The smartest guys do what?  (Start churches, but certainly not unhealthy ones!) 

Rick has created a concept of five purposes for a church to be "healthy."  HE says these are non-negotiable.  What does non negotiable mean?

And how is your church?  Is it "healthy" by Rick's definition? 

How is your pastor? 
Is he balancing the five non negotiable purposes properly?  Is he healthy or unhealthy?  
Is he learning how to be healthy and grow a healthy church, 
from the one who knows what a healthy church is 
and isn't,.

How does your pastor measure up to being "healthy"?

Rick says that “most” pastors are not healthy, (but he is!)  He points out that most of them are incompetent, or rather, unhealthy.  However, they can change.  Rick encourages pastors to listen to him and learn from him and lead their church congregations into "change" Rick makes sure to point out the unhealthy pastors and the reasons that people should listen to him....

Rick says:

“I probably have the largest library of books on preaching in America. I've read over 500 books on preaching. Maybe some seminary might come close to that, but I am sure that no pastor comes close to 500 books on preaching. And as I've read them, the vast majority doesn't really understand that preaching is about transformation, not information.”

Purpose-Driven Preaching: An Interview with Rick Warren

“I find most pastors do not understand the power of preaching. But even more important than that is they don't understand  the purpose of preaching.”

Purpose-Driven Preaching: interview by  Michael Duduit.

Rick Warren is preaching to the church not unbelievers; this is because is on a mission, not to save unbelievers, so much as to change what the "American" church believes.  For example, he church has always believed in repentance, but Rick teaches a new word for repentance... that is, "paradigm shift."

“Now most people think of the word of repentance they think of sandwich signs, turn or burn, or they think repentance means stopping all my bad actions. That is not what repentance is…. Repentance, metanoia, simply means changing your mind.  And we are in the mind changing business. Preaching is about mind changing. Society’s word for repentance, by the way, is "paradigm shift "…. And repentance is changing your mind at the deepest level of beliefs and values.”
Rick Warren-  Purpose-Driven Preaching: Interview by M. Duduit

How many people will let him change their minds at the deepest level of beliefs and values?

“What is needed today are churches that are driven by purpose instead of by other forces. "

 Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church, page 80.

“What do Finney, Wesley, Calvin, Spurgeon, Moody, Billy Graham, Jesus, Peter, and Paul all have in common?  None of them were verse-by-verse, through the book teachers. Not one of them.

Rick Warren-  Purpose-Driven Preaching: Interview by M. Duduit
Joshua 8:35; Romans 15:4; Rev. 1:3 Rev. 2:22 ; Acts 26:20; Acts 2:38

“..koinonia (fellowship) as "being as devoted to each other as we are to Jesus Christ."

Matthew 10 34-37; Luke 14:26?

Rick says, statistically, if you are a believer (Christian,) you are probably in an unhealthy “traditional” church with immature, self centered, uncommitted, half-hearted, lazy people… who have been taught wrong (by unhealthy, uneducated, unbalanced pastors. ) They do not know what they are doing... and they are not interested in God.... unless of course,  they are the kind that agree with and listen to Mr. Rick and are, as he labels them, "healthy."

“The problem is that many believers want to love God half-heartedly.

HOW SHOULD WE LIVE?  by Rick Warren

"It's unfortunate, but many churches assume that spiritual maturity happens automatically, so they have no real plan for helping their members grow in Christ. That’s why I encourage churches to be purpose driven”

Helping Members Grow To Maturity by Rick Warren

“Very few Christians I know live a truly God-centered life on a daily basis.”

A Purpose Driven Phenomena An Interview With Rick Warren
Modern ReformationMagazine

“Most Christians do not behave the way they claim

to believe…The typical believer never shares

his faith, never helps the poor, never visits

those in prison, and never does many of the

other things Jesus commanded us to do”

A Purpose Driven Phenomena Interview Modern Reformation magazine

So, you see, Rick does not like those Christians too much.  He takes a very shallow view of both the church and of Christians.  BUT Rick knows all the secrets to a true Christian life...

If Rick can, he will convince his hearers that listening to him will make them wiser... than those other churches, the "unhealthy" ones, are nothing but "unhealthy," "self-centered" people.  However, if you have itching ears... he will teach you his secrets of being a successful Christian like he is  when you subscribe to his mailings, buy and rad his books, products, embrace his programs and fund his purposeful brand of missionary work to make the world a better better and healthier place where there is no poverty, no disease or no illiteracy.. and most importantly, no "unhealthy pastors" in church.

And healthy pastors... (or those who want to be healthy and have the healthy congregations Rick talks about,)  will  be sure to let Rick teach their own Sunday congregations, be sure to implement Rick's programs in small groups and kids Sunday school programs too.  They will simply quite doing things the "old fashioned" way and do the new things that they are learning from Rick. They may even download Rick's study his notes and preach some or maybe all of Rick's sermons!  Then, before you know it, every church, even across denominational lines will be built all the most important thing in the world... PURPOSE!  

Every Church will be a "healthy," Purpose Driven (TM)  church filled with World Class Christians who really know how to serve, befriend and love the world!!

Rick will teach you and your mega-growing healthy congregation all about the scriptures.  Perhaps he will even teach you about prophecy and the return of Jesus...

 "Well, it says in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished unto every good work." But people misread that verse most of the time. The purpose of the Bible is not for doctrine, not for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness… 

~Rick Warren- Purpose-Driven Preaching: Interview by M. Duduit

“the last thing many believers need is to go to another Bible study”

Transform your congregation through service   by Rick Warren

“If you want Jesus to come back sooner focus on fulfilling your mission, not figuring out prophecy”

Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren pg 286

  

Rick suggests that prophecy is not so important... and reading the bible... well... HE wil be happy to change that too.

 “God has a purpose behind every problem… In fact he depends more on circumstances to make us like Jesus than he depends on our reading the Bible”

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life pg. 193

Paul used his testimony to share the gospel instead of quoting Scripture.”

Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life pg. 291

And about being friends with God...and worshiping God... Rick says,

There is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to worship and friendship with God."

Purpose Driven Life: Worship that pleases God   by Rick Warren

But in John 14:6 Jesus answered,

"I am the way 

            and the truth 

               and the life. 

                   No one comes to the Father 

                                   except through me. "

Sounds like a one size fits all approach, doesn't it?  

What does the  bible say about prophecy and how does that differ from Rick?

Rev. 1:3

Blessed is he who reads 
and those who hear 
the words of the prophecy, 
and heed the things which are written in it; 
for the time is near.

Rev 22:7

"Behold, I am coming soon! 
Blessed is he who keeps 
the words of the prophecy

2 Peter 1:21

For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, 
but men spoke from God 
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor. 14:1

Follow the way of love
and eagerly desire spiritual gifts,
especially the gift of prophecy. ...

But that is the old idea... Rick wants everyone to be into something NEW now... being "World -Class."

“To be a world-class Christian you must make some mental shifts. Your perspective

and attitudes must change.”

World-class or worldly May-June 2003 by Rick Warren“

IS there really such a thing as a Christian who is in a class with the world?
 

John 17:16:

  "They are not of the world, 

even as I am not of it."

Healthy churches have undergone the proper transformation and they think in fresh new ways.  They believe in themselves and their abilities to get things done...

 It's your choice. You can believe what others say about you, or you can believe in yourself as does God, who says you are truly acceptable, lovable, valuable and capable.”

Learn To Love Yourself! By Rick Warren, Ladies Home Journal, March 2005

They rightly understand the new meaning of words, like repentance and  meditation....

  Meditation is often misunderstood….…."The Bible tells us to "pray all the time." How is it possible to do this? One way is to use "breath prayers" throughout the day, ….. You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated to Jesus in one breath: "You are with me." "I receive your grace." "I'm depending on you." "I want to know you." "I belong to you." "Help me trust you." … Pray it as often as possible so it is rooted deep in your heart

The Purpose Driven Life Pg 89 by Rick Warren

And they know how to break with tradition.... and are willing to restate the eternal truths of the Bible...

Here’s a simple tradition to break in the 21st Century: stop thinking of the church as an institution.”…”We need to present the church as a place where you belong, a family where, as they sang on Cheers, everybody knows your name. Now you and I may know that the church is a community, but emerging generations have never seen it that way. They’ve seen a list of rules, not a loving community. This is a prime example of an opportunity to re-state the eternal truths of the Bible

in a fresh, contemporary way”

Evangelizing the 21st Century culture by Rick Warren

and they know how to have peace, inner peace, 

(something that most people never do....)

all you have to do, according to Rick, in order to have inner peace is to tell God what you want...and thank him.

“... the truth is, very few people ever experience inner peace. The Bible is very clear about what brings inner peace. Philippians 4 says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace.”

The Path To Inner Peace   Rick Warren

and then join Saddleback Church's Purpose Driven movement and get busy serving the world.

“I make no apology for telling people  to join Saddleback church, get involved in a ministry, and serve Christ by serving others.

Drawing More Members Into Ministry by Rick Warren

“There’s a man of peace in every village, in every government, in every business, in every church. ... When you find the man of peace, if he’s open and he’s willing to work with you, you bless him and you start your work there... The man of peace is open and influential. ... The man of peace does not have to be a Christian believer. Could be a Muslim. Could be Jewish”  

Rick Warren, in an Interview with Charlie Rose, Aug. 17, 2006.

But the Bible says peace comes through Jesus Christ, not simply in establishing a temporal peaceable kingdom here on earth with anyone who happens to be nice or more importantly to Rick, "influential" in a community, like a city government or religious congregation.  

Additionally, the  Bible never talks about joining a particular church.  In fact it  tells us that Christians are The Church...  joined to Christ, by faith.  In Christ, we are all members of one body, all under the authority of God. 



Jesus has a PEACE Plan...

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, 

my peace I give unto you: 

not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, 

neither let it be afraid.

 2 Peter 1:2 

Grace and peace 

be yours in abundance 

through the knowledge of God 

and of Jesus our Lord.

.

“Know Jesus, know peace.  

   No Jesus, no peace”

On Money and Humility

On Money, Rick says,

"I believe people usually fall into one of two categories: Kingdom Builders and Wealth Builders.  Both are gifted at making a business grow, making deals or sales, and making a profit.Wealth Builders continue to amass wealth for themselves no matter how much they make. Kingdom Builders change the rules of the game. They still try to make as much money as they can but they do it in order to give it away. They use the wealth to fund Gods church and its mission in the world.

At Saddleback church, we have a group of CEOs and business owners who are trying to make as much as they can, so they can give as much as they can to further the kingdom of God. I encourage you to talk with your pastor and begin a Kingdom Builders group in your church."

Ministry: How Real Servants Think  by Pastor Rick Warren, 10/23/03

 Does Rick Warren not read 

in his Bible that a person 

"cannot serve both God and mammon"?

Matthew 6:24

"We all want to be out of debt. But we have to do what it takes to do that. It isn’t easy. It takes discipline. It takes perseverance. But it’s also the right thing to do.... Start paying God and yourself first.  If you want to get out of debt, you’ve got to start tithing 10 percent (paying God) and saving 10 percent (paying yourself). People in debt will balk at this. They don’t understand how tithing and saving will help get them out of debt. But if you wait until you pay off all your bills, you will never save and you will never tithe.  When we’re in debt, we need God’s help. That means we need to do it God’s way. The fact is, whatever area we want God to bless, we have to put him first in. You want God to bless your finances? You better put him first in your finances. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these other things will be added to you.” 

Eight Steps to Getting Out of Debt by Rick Warren, Ministry Toolbox, Issue 373

Pastor Rick really believes that saving 

money for yourself when you 

owe debt is the right  thing to do? 

And, how biblical is it to borrow money

because you need it 

and do not have it 

and THEN not pay it back?

(It is not.) 

How biblical is it 

to use t5he act of giving money to God 

(tithing)

to evade the fulfillinment of 

financial obligation to others?

  Withholding what is due 

and calling it "Corban "

(a gift to God) 

is hardly "God's way"

of handling one's finances.

 

Besides, one thing the scriptures say about debt.

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the debt to love one another.  

Romans 13:7-9

Rick says,  "It's obvious... your giving through your church family is providing more bang for the buck" so... end your money in today!

 "THIS IS AN URGENT LETTER unlike any I've written in 30 years. .... 

On the last weekend of 2009, our total offerings were less than half of what we normally receive - leaving us $900,000 in the red for the year, unless you help make up the difference today and tomorrow... It's obvious that your giving through your church family is providing more bang for the buck than anything else you could support.  It's no wonder that our ministry was named the top religious newsmaker of 2009 as reported by Associated Press."

 Urgent Letter to Saddleback Church Members, Wednesday, December 30, 2009

On Humility... 

"Servants don't need to cover their walls with plaques and awards to validate their work. They don't insist on being addressed by titles and they don't wrap themselves in robes of superiority. Servants find status symbols unnecessary and they never measure their worth by their achievements. Paul said, You may brag about yourself, but the only approval that counts is the Lord's approval. 

If anyone had the chance of a lifetime to flaunt his connections and "name-drop," it was James, the half-brother of Jesus. He had the credentials of growing up with Jesus as his brother. Yet in introducing his letter, he simply referred to himself as "a servant of God and the Lord Jesus." The closer you get to Jesus, the less you need to promote yourself."

Ministry: How Real Servants Think  by Pastor Rick Warren, 10/23/03

"Of course, the greatest instructions on how to be happy are the first twelve verses of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus began his most famous message with "Eight Ways To Be Happy." He is concerned with your happiness, not just your holiness.

Of all Jesus' eight steps to happiness, I believe the first step is the most important. Matthew 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." What does He mean by "the poor in spirit?" He's not talking about low self-esteem, or about putting yourself down all the time. Jesus did not die for junk. The Cross shows your value to God. Jesus was talking about humility. True humility. "

What Does It Take To Be Happy in Ministry by Rick Warren, 2001  

“The worst sin is not adultery. The worst sin is not murder.. The Bible says the worst sin is pride,” ~ Rick Warren
Christian Post article: Rick Warren Reveals 'The Kind of Leaders America Needs'; Top 3 Qualities Christians Should Look For in a Leader by Kenneth Chan  2008

QUESTION:

Where in the Bible are we told that the worse sin is pride? 

 (Hint:  It does not say that the "worse sin is pride.")

There are actually several things 

the Lord takes a disliking to.

 Proverbs 6, 16-20, 

for example, gives us a list. 

                                  It reads:

"These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, 

seven are an abomination unto him, 

 a proud look, a lying tongue,  

and hands that shed innocent blood, 

heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,

eet that be swift in running to mischief

a false witness that speaketh lies, 

and he that soweth discord amoung brethern.

Still, these are all forgivable sins, in Christ. 

What is the worse sin?

According to JEsus Christ, 

THere is only one unpardonable sin. 

 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. 

Learn more about this at:

http://www.christiananswers.net

Read Matthew Chapter twelve and note this verse:

Verse 18: Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin  

and blasphemyshall be forgiven unto men:

but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost 

shall not be forgiven unto men. 

  

A person can repent of pride, and God will forgive such a sin.

"You know, the three biggest surprises of 2004 were first, as you mentioned, 'The Passion of the Christ,' which was roundly panned by every media, and yet went on to become the third best grossing movie in history. That was the first bit surprise. The second was my book, where for the second year in row, 2003 and 2004, it was the best selling book in the world. And what in the world is a book by a pastor doing at the top of the best-seller's list for two years?"

Rick Warren, speaking on "Larry King Live," CNN, March 22, 2005)

" I now believe that I know why God is blessing this book in such an unusual way. It is more than just a message that God wants to get out to everyone (which is huge).  I now also see that God is using this phenomena to expand the platform for us to mobilize thousands of local churches for global world missions through the PEACE plan.
Right now thousands of churches are doing the 40 Day of Purpose campaign, and now the program has been adopted by corporations (like Coke and Walmart) sports teams (like the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers, NASCAR drivers, and the LPGA) schools, civic clubs, and even prisons. Last year, Paul Harvey told everyone to go buy a copy of PDL on his ABC radio broadcast.   He said "This is one of the most insightful books I've ever read and I will read it again...and again...and again."  In 2004 we expect over 15,000 more churches to participate.  


The influence of the book keeps amazing me everyday as I get requests for autographed copies. I have signed books for 1) All the Supreme Court Justices  2) One for Fidel Castro (!)  3) One for the President of Peru (these last 2 were spanish editions), and I even got a note saying that everyone on Air Force One was reading the book recently. But all this is not about us. God's intention is much bigger than the book.  It's all about the global glory of God!  We intend to leverage the attention that the Purpose Driven Life has garnered to bring about a whole new way of thinking and acting in the church about our responsibility in the world. This is a stewardship we must be faithful to fulfill- with humility, generosity, and integrity."
Te PEace Plan Letter, by Rick Warren, 2003

"Most pastors do not understand the power of preaching. But even more important than that is they don't understand the purpose of preaching. I probably have the largest library of books on preaching in America. I've read over 500 books on preaching. Maybe some seminary might come close to that, but I am sure that no pastor comes close to 500 books on preaching. And as I've read them, the vast majority do not really understand...." 
Rick Warren,  Purpose-Driven Preaching: an interview with Rick Warren, ; Pastors.com

“I find most pastors do not understand the power of preaching. But even more important than that is they don't understand  the purpose of preaching.”

Purpose-Driven Preaching: interview by  Duduis 

"As Christian leaders, we need to be above reproach..."  

"...That’s why I established these Saddleback staff standards for maintaining moral integrity:

-         Thou shalt not go to lunch alone with the opposite sex.*

-         Thou shalt not have the opposite sex pick you up or drive you places when it is just the two of you.*

-         Thou shalt not kiss any attender of the opposite sex or show affection that could be questioned.*

-         Thou shalt not visit the opposite sex alone at home.

-         Thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex alone at the office, and thou shalt not counsel the opposite sex more than once without that person’s mate. Refer them.

-         Thou shalt not discuss detailed sexual problems with the opposite sex in counseling. Refer them.

-         Thou shalt not discuss your marriage problems with an attender of the opposite sex.

-         Thou shalt be careful in answering emails, instant messages, chatrooms, cards, or letters from the opposite sex.

-         Thou shalt make your secretary your protective ally.

-         Thou shalt pray for the integrity of other staff members." 

 The Saddleback Staff Standards of Moral Integrity by Rick Warren, 2003

"The membership requirements at Saddleback are so high most American church members could not jioin us." `Rick Warren

 Mosren Reformation Magazine Interview, 2004

There is something called pride.... arrogance, boasting and selfpromotion....

                             ... and then, there is humility.