What Would Jesus Say to Lance Armstrong? World Anticipates Oprah Winfrey Interview
Oprah Lance Armstrong Interview Airing Tonight, Watch Online and on OWN Network
As people around the world wait in anticipation for the much-talked about interview between Lance Armstrong and Oprah Winfrey, airing Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN, Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church in Grapevine, Texas, has said the most important question to consider is what Jesus would say to the disgraced cyclist.
"There's no doubt that the Lance Armstrong/Oprah Winfrey interview will have some powerful questions. But the real questions are much more powerful than any allegation or confession," Pastor Young said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post. "What would Jesus say to this icon who seemingly had everything, but can potentially lose everything? And what does it have to do with you and me? The real question is, how does this have an impact beyond sports and even daily life?"
Young is in the middle of his latest sermon series, titled "What Would Jesus Say To…," and is preaching about various celebrities in America. He has already preached sermons regarding Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and reality show star Kim Kardashian.
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This coming Saturday and Sunday, the pastor, who leads a 20,000-member congregation, will talk about former seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who has been an inspiration to millions around the world for his sporting achievements and his fight to overcome cancer. After years of facing up to doping allegations, however, Armstrong was stripped of all of his titles last year, and has been dropped from many big-name sponsorship deals.
Although the cyclist has maintained his innocence throughout the ordeal, Winfrey has said that he admitted to the charges in the interview that is to be aired this Thursday and Friday.
"Winfrey speaks with Armstrong in the only interview since the seven-time Tour de France winner was stripped of his titles and dropped from millions of dollars in endorsement deals after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released an extensive report accusing the renowned cyclist of doping throughout his career," OWN shared, previewing the upcoming interview.
"Armstrong was given a lifetime ban on competing professionally. Late last year, Armstrong resigned as chairman of the foundation he created, Livestrong, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight against cancer."
Pastor Young has told CP that his "What Would Jesus Say To…" series is not intended to bash celebrities, but to look at their lives and the choices they have made and see if perhaps the public can't see a reflection of themselves in these famous people.
"I am simply taking certain portions of their lives and I am talking about these things. I don't know any of these people personally – we think we know people just because we read about them in an article or in a tweet, but only God knows their heart," Young said.
The Fellowship Church pastor continues his sermon series this weekend, which can be followed on the Fellowship Church website.
