Pastor John Hagee

[Lone Wolfe]

How many of you are familiar with Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas? He is on TBN daily with his sermons and I just love listening to this man! He really moves me in much of what he preaches and I need that from a pastor.

I also like T.D. Jakes who also has a program on TBN daily as well. This man can really speak the Word and sometimes it fills your heart with laughter the way he presents the Word and I enjoy that as well. I guess I'm funny when it comes to my likes/dislikes of pastors, preachers, etc... because I have to be moved in some way? It's very difficult for me when the pastor or preacher is very quiet or really calm when they preach the Word because it's hard to get into IMHO.

 

[sampa]

Not familiar with him. I am with T.D. Jakes, he's got some good things I've learned off of him, but I don't feel solid about his teachings.

The worship song I found the other day led me to look at the pastor of that church, he had some profound teachings on prayer...but I'm still guarded on his teachings. I don't know enough, but something seems off. i can't place my finger on it yet.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Not familiar with him. I am with T.D. Jakes, he's got some good things I've learned off of him, but I don't feel solid about his teachings.

The worship song I found the other day led me to look at the pastor of that church, he had some profound teachings on prayer...but I'm still guarded on his teachings. I don't know enough, but something seems off. i can't place my finger on it yet.

I think I know what you're saying here? I too have some reservations about both mentioned here and some others on TBN. While I do enjoy listening to them a lot of times, my concerns lie in the fact that so many of them constantly try to move their products for sale in the same program and that troubles me? I wonder at times if it's really about saving souls or making a buck and I hate that feeling when I get it.

There's one pastor on TBN (no names) who makes an annual salary of $900K and I think that's a disgrace when you think of all the souls who could be helped with that kind of money? This pastor claims it's a true blessing and that folks shouldn't knock them (this pastor) for their blessings??? I take issue with that as well?

I was just saying how at times I enjoy these two pastors and wondered how many others knew of them and enjoy some of what they preached? I guess I should have worded it differently, lol?

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

John Hagee is to me, kind of like a Southern Baptist or Evangelist preacher. And both of them seem, at times, to like to scream at you to get the "message" across. I used to listen to John Hagee when I watched TBN more, but I don't watch much TBN these days. There are alot of people (Jan and Paul included) that are into the prosperity gospel, and I cannot get behind the "God wants everyone to be a millionaire" philosophy nor the name it and claim it preachers, ALTHOUGH those are the same preachers I grew up in the Lord listening to so.....I used to love to listen to Fred Price because he would drill the word into you. He would say "The word says to be a DOER of the word and not a hearer only, be a what? a DOER and not a what? So I really liked that about him, but then he went on the prosperity road and I just can't listen to that anymore.
It made me realize though, how EASY it is to get off track, to go down the wrong road, (hence the narrow road that leads to life Matthew 7:14) and even though they are learn ed men, they are just men and we have to be careful not to subscribe to the doctrines of men and check what they say against the bible, don't just take their word for it.

 

[dayhiker]

I know both of those preachers .. to I've not listened to them alot.

The money things, they make a lot, but TV is expensive and that dominates, its money for every minute and they want to be in front of people for an hour a day, that BIG money.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

one of my used to be favorites I saw on TV awhile back, and he was talking about seeing some fancy car when they were on their way to preach somewhere and his wife said she would get him one (they truly can afford it) and then apparently when he got to the meeting afterward a guy came up to him and handed him keys to the exact car and the guy had JUST bought it, and then supposedly they Lord told that guy that he needed to give it to this man. I was like whaaaaaa? And the guy really didn't want to give it to him. Remember the devil can come as an angel of light or a wolf in sheeps clothing (sorry Bo nothing to do with your username ) And then they yell and holler on TV about gettin this tape or that book and OH you need this little prayer cloth that we've prayed over for any 25 dollar "donation" alot of those people unfortunately are a sham and Jesus would be ashamed. In fact some of them might be the ones he says "Depart from me, I NEVER knew you" Nuh uh no thanks....

 

[Lone Wolfe]

one of my used to be favorites I saw on TV awhile back, and he was talking about seeing some fancy car when they were on their way to preach somewhere and his wife said she would get him one (they truly can afford it) and then apparently when he got to the meeting afterward a guy came up to him and handed him keys to the exact car and the guy had JUST bought it, and then supposedly they Lord told that guy that he needed to give it to this man. I was like whaaaaaa? And the guy really didn't want to give it to him. Remember the devil can come as an angel of light or a wolf in sheeps clothing (sorry Bo nothing to do with your username ) And then they yell and holler on TV about gettin this tape or that book and OH you need this little prayer cloth that we've prayed over for any 25 dollar "donation" alot of those people unfortunately are a sham and Jesus would be ashamed. In fact some of them might be the ones he says "Depart from me, I NEVER knew you" Nuh uh no thanks....

I am so glad I'm not the only one who's been feeling this way? WOW! I don't like to talk about it much because then I feel like I'm judging and we're not suppose to do that but, how do you learn about some of these ministries if we don't discuss it?

I really enjoy these two preaching but, I wish they wouldn't push these items and try to make folks feel like they have to have them to be right with God? This is why I try hard to find a small church to attend because I don't want to get into that almighty dollar that so many of them seek today???

I like Joel Osteen a lot too but, I was bummed a few weeks ago when I learned that you had to buy tickets to here him preach and that about broke my heart! What ever happened to taking the offering and that's how their ministries made the rounds? Now you HAVE to buy tickets or you don't get to attend? What is that all about???

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Joel Osteen is one that preaches like if you get saved you will have the best life ever! and that just is not the truth! He has a sweet sounding voice and appeals to alot of people because of that and the lure of "everything will be OK if you become a Christian" philosophy.

And just a note. You are correct that we should not be judgemental but that is in the context of not knowing someone's heart. Like you can't judge the homeless man because you don't know where he is on his journey. But the bible also states in Matthew 7:15-20
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

SO....we are to discern whether someone teaching the Bible is true or not or whether they are teaching a different gospel as it says in Galatians 1:8
So we are supposed to "judge" whether they are true servants of God or not. IMO

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Joel Osteen is one that preaches like if you get saved you will have the best life ever! and that just is not the truth! He has a sweet sounding voice and appeals to alot of people because of that and the lure of "everything will be OK if you become a Christian" philosophy.

And just a note. You are correct that we should not be judgemental but that is in the context of not knowing someone's heart. Like you can't judge the homeless man because you don't know where he is on his journey. But the bible also states in Matthew 7:15-20
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

SO....we are to discern whether someone teaching the Bible is true or not or whether they are teaching a different gospel as it says in Galatians 1:8
So we are supposed to "judge" whether they are true servants of God or not. IMO

Man! You is really good at this! This is what I miss so much about my late wife? When I would have these questions or concerns, she would begin spewing scriptures out and then explaining them if I had this lost look on my face, lol. That woman really knew the Bible and I hope to one day know it as well as she did? I'm actually carrying her personal Bible as my own now and I know she's looking down and very pleased with that!

I've always viewed Joel Osteen as more of a motivational speaker rather than a full blown pastor however, he is truly an ordained man of God as far as I know?

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well Joel is part of the prosperity gospel clan so IDK how "ordained" he is.
He has alot of money and lives very comfortably and not to say that is wrong per se, but IDK, I used to listen to him too, but I just can't anymore.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Well Joel is part of the prosperity gospel clan so IDK how "ordained" he is.
He has alot of money and lives very comfortably and not to say that is wrong per se, but IDK, I used to listen to him too, but I just can't anymore.

WOW! Talk about having the rug pulled out from under a person? LOL

I knew he had attended Oral Roberts University so I did a real quick check to be sure my understanding of the man was accurate and had my balloon popped! He attended the university but, he never received a degree of any kind? I just read he stated to Piers Morgan that he never attended seminary so... he IS just a motivational speaker!!!

Man! I need to take a serious look at what I'm watching here and research what is true spiritual teaching and what is not? Thank you for bringing this to my attention!

 

[Life2Christ]

I don't like to bash Joel Osteen because he serves an important purpose and that is: he can get major unbelievers to open the door to Christ. He's very accessible and I have seen him reach out to people who find the idea of Jesus silly and funny. Very few pastors can do what Joel does. BUT, Joel has to answer to God one day if he is not living up to his leadership in a responisble manner. All that house/car/church/money comes at a price.

 

[SharonL]

He plants - God waters.

 

[dayhiker]

Athought from my perspective on well known preachers and what the preach.

1. Preachers don't have time to preach everything or to be all things to all people. So they have to choose who they want to target a group with a certain need. They get to know a particular aspect of God/church life/etc very well. That's what they preach and build their church life to be comfortable with.

I once was a part of a church that wanted to start an other church on the other side of town. I didn't think it would work. Why? They were building this church to just like the one they had now, just a different location, an only 4 miles away. Well, it didn't work, the people that wanted that type pf church were already going to our church, which wasn't full.

So people that have a gift from God to make money, go to a prosperity teaching church. Those that like rules to live by go to a legalistic church. Those that know they need grace, like those that aren't perfectionist, go to that church. I see God being in all the churches that are preaching Christ.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Well I agree with you to a point dayhiker, but we as Christians must discern whether they are preaching the gospel of the Bible or "another Jesus" as Paul warned churches about in his letters.
I am not against any preacher and Life2Christ you are correct, they will have to answer to God one day. When I read Revelations and the things the Lord tells John that he has against each of the churches mentioned, I realize I don't want to be a part of those kind of churches and it's really hard in these times and probably even the church I attend fails in some of those areas.
The message of the gospel is hope and Jesus Christ and while people want hope, they don't necessarily want Jesus. And the devil is cunning and he seeks daily those whom he can devour spiritually.
Like I said earlier, I "grew up" in my Christianity from most of the name it and claim it preachers and while they do preach "some" truth, I no longer believe they preach the whole truth and I no longer believe I can name it and claim it for anything I want. GOD has a plan for my life and it's THAT life that I seek.
And I don't think we can ever agree totally with anyone of those preachers (or each other) because we are all human.

So while Joel and alot of the others may preach truth here and there, it does bother me that they live SO well. I mean I wrestle with that because I DO think they should be taken care of but I do not think they need to live lavishly. Jesus didn't and it does not glorify God when they live that way, and there are people that could be helped if they toned it down even a little. That and the fact that they lead people to believe that if you become a christian you will live lavishly too and all your problems will be solved and the bible doesn't teach that. The bible teaches that in this world you will have tribulation, but take heart because Jesus has overcome the world. JMHO

 

[iambren]

FWIW

Joel--pukey, when asked by Larry King is Jesus the only way Joel balked

Hagee--I enjoy his bombastic, old-style preaching, seems on biblically until you get to the apocalyptic stuff.

Jan,Paul,faith teachers are like clouds with no rain. I think they take advantage of believers.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

My thoughts have always been to be studied up so I know what I believe and then when I listen to any man speak, I take the good, and leave the rest. I don't think any of the ones that Iambren mentioned are intentionally evil per se, (of course only the Lord knows for sure) but again, we just need to be careful.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Don't get me wrong? I'm not bashing Joel, I was just taken back when I learned he was not a true preacher in the sense that he had graduated from seminary school? Like I said, I knew he had attended ORU but, I had no idea he did not obtain a degree? Why would he attend ORU and not get the degree???

I've always had a problem with the money these preachers take in as well. I wasn't going to mention names but since others have been named, I have a real issue with Joyce Meyer Ministries and the money she makes & keeps? I guess it's more because she almost flaunts it and goes on about how she is so blessed and why would folks be angry at her for being so blessed?

Well, pocketing $900K a year as her salary is just unacceptable to me! Take $100K and live alright and use the other $800K to help those in real need. Isn't this what preachers are suppose to do or have I had the wrong concept all these years???

Then you hear them say how they need that private jet that costs $2.3 Million to fly around and spread the Word? What? Keep in mind that's just the cost for the jet! Add fuel, cost of pilots & crew, etc... and you're looking at large sums of money being wasted!

If they flew somewhere every week in the year to help spread the Word by using regular airlines like everyone else, they couldn't spend a quarter of the cost of that one private jet and look at all the money that would be available for those in real need??? This is where I take issue!

OK, sorry... I'm done blowing off steam!

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Yep, They may have started out sincere, but that sincerity is called into question when it becomes the gospel for profit. I don't mind them living above my means and I surely don't think they should be poor, but after a couple 100 thou a year and it doesn't seem to be glorifying God anymore.

 

[Lone Wolfe]

Yep, They may have started out sincere, but that sincerity is called into question when it becomes the gospel for profit. I don't mind them living above my means and I surely don't think they should be poor, but after a couple 100 thou a year and it doesn't seem to be glorifying God anymore.

EXACTLY!!!