Do you think it is right for people, particularaly unbelievers, to leave their houses on Sundays and all the sermon they hear is motivational speaking? Christian/Biblical inputs please.


My View:-

I know many ppl do not share this view, but I do not think that this motivational speaking is doing much for christianity. I think it is killing it. I'm not against motivational speaking, but not in the church on a Sunday morning. I think it is great for the church to invite christian motivational speakers to hold seminars for members at other times. Sunday morning should be a time to focus on God. Motivational speaking focuses too much on oneself, while christianity is all about God.

One sunday in church we had a guest preacher. The first thing he said was that we should be ready to write a lot because he had a lot of quotes for us. Then he began, he quoted Ghandi, Clinton, Bill Gates, and a lot of other political and business figures. Of course he quoted T.D. Jakes, Oyedepo etc. but there were lots of the former. He read portions of a book, 'Rich Dad and Poor Dad' in addition to some references to the bible. I've never read the book so I dont know if it is a christian or secular book. But I still think it is wrong. From the bible, we see that they read portions of the bible and explained it during their services. The bible reading part of services are now just for old-times sake. We seem to feel motivational books would draw more ppl than the bible.

What happened to the power in the Word of God?

You know something, GL? I've been thinking about the same thing lately. I think you're right in what you said and so many verses poured into my mind as I read your thread. One such was Lev. 19:19 which said we should not sow our field with mingled (or mixed) seed. Connect this with the parable of the sower in Luke 8. There we find that, in our relationship with God, sowing seed is like the Word of God that is planted in our hearts (see verse 11). Therefore, if people place political or business cliché on par with the Spirit-inspired Word, then there is a mixed sowing and the focus of our Christianity becomes blurred as commitment to God turns out to be something it wasn't meant to be. Nothing wrong with motivational speaking as such, but that should not take the place of true worship on a Sunday - I agree with you 100%. The Lord Jesus Christ warned about the practice of mixing the Word of God with the traditions of men in Mark 7:6-13; the result is that when such happens, people lose the powerful effect of the Word of God in their lives. I wonder how many believers still remember His warning to be careful about what we hear? (Mark 4:24). Good one GL.

I just discovered in one of the threads on this forum that Bill Gates is an atheist. I've heard some sermons that were more about him than Jesus.

Hi All,

This thread is so true and so relevent. I can't believe it kind of died a death without a lot more discussion and comment. I agree with everything written so far.

Before I left the institutional church/organised religion, I was so saddened, at what passed (or had effectively replaced) bold, expository preaching of Gods Word, to proclaim Christ under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

We'd have "guest speakers", who would at best start by quoting one totally unconnected Bible verse and then go on to talk about a whole host of aspirational, lifestyle topics, that had nothing to do with the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, or the kingdom of God.

And yes, they'd go endlessly on about the excellent things and the high achievers in the world, holding them up as role models and examples. People would be hyped and excited. Everyone would go on about how great the message was (and the "Speaker"). But I never saw lives transformed. There was no real power.

It was'nt hard to see that true Biblical discernment is a big , big issue.

One thing I will say though, it's not killing Christianity. Because the truth is, its another gospel. You know the rest.

God bless

TVO1

Excellent topic and excellent contributions; the motivational speaking is just a part of the sad "prosperity gospel" thing (God wants you to be rich and all that foolishness).

There is one passage, among a myriad others, that warns against this kind of thing. It is given below in the NLT just to make it clear.


Colossians 2:8 Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ.

2 Timothy 4:3 - For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers,

I guess that time is here!

Structure and doctrine are so important to proper Christian living. Once either of these two are fundamentally wrong, the other also gets corrupted. Add a lack of discernment to the mix and all types of erroneous spiritual and secular practices become acceptable.

Lets arm ourselves with the undiluted, unchanging Truth of God's Word.

Peace.

Not many people realize the difference between the ministers of the Gospel and that which is known as Motivational Speaking. It is just well in place that we take time to distinguish between them and understand which belongs to where. Sad that many people mix them up, and so are unable to see the seeds sown to displace true Gospel spirituality in the lives of believers.

It is good to be motivated in all challenges of life that we face. But let i be noted that our "motivation" comes from the Lord and is stirred by the power of the Holy Spirit. As such, its one focus is to present the message of the Gospel in its freshness, power, and glory with no admixtures of secular, market skills.

As I've often tried to point out: the dividing line between 'Gospel Ministers' and 'Motivational Speakers' is what they do with the Cross. The former is called to a life of fellowship with Christ ("I am crucified with Christ" - Gal. 2:20); the latter has nothing to do with the fellowship of the Cross --

"That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Phil. 3:10).

This is a wonderful thread. I have been thinking towards this direction
for some time now and I am also of the school of thot that It's 100% wrong.

In as much as I love motivational speaking but I won't feel happy and
blessed coming to church on sunday to be motivated by a motivational
speaker.

What one should get from a sunday service is Spiritual upliftment, blessing and direction.

Most motivational speakers don't focus on the " Kingdom principles" but
on principles of successful people that might not be christians.

All we need is just a word from God to prosper and excel in life.

But what do you guys think about motivational speaking with Kingdom principles with the Supernatural Advantage.

Cheers!

freelance:

Most motivational speakers don't focus on the " Kingdom principles" but
on principles of successful people that might not be christians.

There - that's just it.

I don't think Motivational Speaking is wrong in itself. However, we should not confuse that with the ministry of the WORD. I could almost not contain myself the day I discovered this truth in a real way for myself -- "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Gal. 2:20)

Success is good - but if it has nothing to do with the Cross in shaping my ultimate destiny, that's recipe for disaster.

u know, sometimes there should be a little bit of motivation when people preach but they should NEVA be given at the expense of salvational messages.

Dats why I love my pastor, no matter what he preaches, he will always talk about christ and his death on the cross

Hi everyone,

It seems everyone of ous are having the same thought. It is actually disgusting that this is happening in the church. Don't you realize that many churches today are nmo longer praying church but PLAYING church. I even noticed something among our pastors these days. If you watch Hossana hour an dother xtian TV programme, you will confirm what i am about to say. Many of the pastors are now wearing rings on both hands! . Can anyone explain to me what is happening here? It is women we know that wear rings on both hands. How come pastors are now doing it? Is it cultism or what? please post your response.