Midweek @ Grace
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
@7:00 PM – Choir Rehearsal
Friday, September 12, 2014
@6:15 AM – Men’s Fellowship & Bible Study
“The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God – – A Study of Mark”
Adult Discipleship Classes – This Week’s Lesson: Atonement Thread, Session Seven: “Look and Live!” If you would like to download a PDF copy of this week’s lesson, please visit our Resources Page.
Coming up @ Grace
The Theology Program – Introduction to Theology – Starting Sunday, September 14th @ 6:00 PM. Student Notebooks are available on our Resources Page. If you would like a printed notebook, please reply to this email or call the Grace Office: 270-781-2595.
Women’s Fellowship & Bible Study – Starting Wednesday, September 17th @ 11:30 AM.
Wednesday Evening Bible Study – Beginning Wednesday, September 17th @ 6:00 PM – The Restoration Movement: The History and Heresy of the Churches of Christ.
Pastor Steve Recommends
The Osteenification of Christianity in America
A few Sundays ago I made an off-hand remark concerning the “idiocy” of the Pastors Osteen – in particular Victoria and her much circulated “God just wants you to be happy” rant. I wish I had been more clear – more pointed even. The Prosperity Gospel that is preached by the Osteens is a false gospel – a damning gospel. They are, therefore, false prophets and are to be avoided. Pastors have a responsibility to refute error for the protection of their flock, but that should be clear and direct and not obscured by a mere emotional rant of our own. So allow me to share two posts which speak to the issue, more carefully, more cautiously, but no less directly.
Victoria Osteen, the Glory of God, and Reformed Worship
Ligon Duncan writes: “So, do we worship for God’s own glory, or do we worship God for our own good? The Reformed steadfastly affirm that the fundamental purpose of human existence is God’s glory, but we refuse to pit God’s glory and human happiness against one another (as Ms. Osteen, perhaps unwittingly does in her misguided exhortation). Hence, when we gather to worship, we come BOTH to bless God and to receive God’s blessing (Psalm 134). A well-instructed congregation appreciates that Christian worship is both something that we do and something that is enabled by God.” You can read the rest HERE.
The Osteen Predicament
Dr. Albert Mohler writes: “Judged in theological terms, the Osteen message is the latest and slickest version of Prosperity Theology. That American heresy has now spread throughout much of the world, but it began in the context of American Pentecostalism in the early twentieth century. In their sermons, writings, and media appearances, the Osteens insist that God is well-disposed to all people and wills that all flourish, but there is virtually no mention of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No reference to sin as the fundamental issue. No explanation of atonement and resurrection as God’s saving acts; no clarity of any sort on the need for faith in Christ and repentance of sin. Instead, they focus on happiness and God’s “immeasurable favor” to be poured out on all people, if they will only correct their thinking.” You can read the rest HERE.
