“TRENDS”What are we allowing

to influence us? Are brethren seeking to change “how we do

things”?

THE POSITIVE PREACHING MOVEMENT

What is the Positive Preaching Movement?

• NOT simply preaching sermons with a positive message

• It is a philosophy – emphasize the positive, eliminate negative (sin, etc.)

What is the Positive Preaching Movement?

• Origins include:– Mary Baker Eddy – positive healing (Church of Christ Scientist)

– Dale Carnegie (business)– Norman Vincent Peale– Robert Schuler, Osteen, etc.

What is the Positive Preaching Movement?

• Very successful movement• Accords with direction of society• Current climate in religion• Appeals to demands of

congregation• More inclusive, less judgmental

What is the Positive Preaching Movement?

• It is often the elimination of ALL negative preaching

• Elimination of preaching on CERTAIN subjects! HERE is our concern!

• Doesn’t happen overnight!

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

It is unscriptural • We must preach ALL of God’s

word!• Acts 20:27 whole counsel• 2 Tim. 3:16-17• Psalm 119:160, 19:9

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

It seeks to please men• Galatians 1:10• Matt. 5:11-12• Luke 6:24, “woe to you when men speak well of you.”

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

Based on selfish motives• Often about health and wealth.

Soothes materialistic attitudes and even immoral behavior

• 2 Timothy 4:3-4• Jeremiah 5:30-31• Isaiah 30:9-10

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

Deceives• Gives a false sense of security

• Ezekiel 13:7-10• 2 Peter 2:18-19• Ezek. 3:17-21 the

responsibility of a prophet

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

Leads to Ignorance• Part of the story left out

• Hosea 4:6• We need warnings about

apostasy, hell-fire, sin, repentance, etc.

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

Can Lead to Apostasy• False teachers are predators

Romans 16:18• If truth is never taught on

certain subjects, how can brethren prepare to combat error? 1 John 4:1

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

Weakens Purity of the Church• We NEED lessons on morality

and godly behavior!!!

•1 Thess. 5:21-22 – What is a “form of evil”?

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

It leads to tolerance• Often a result of desire for

unity at any cost

• Rev. 2:20, 2:14-16

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

It leads to intolerance• But only those who question

their motives and movement!

• 1 Kings 22:8-13

Problems with ALL Positive Preaching

It leads souls to hell!• The ultimate tragedy

• John 5:29• 2 Thess. 1:8

Ultimately, all Preaching is Positive Preaching

•2 Tim. 4:2Is this 2/3 negative, 1/3 positive? No! It is preaching what is needed WHEN it is needed! With goal of producing a positive result!

Do we truly desire to hear ALL that God wants us to

hear?