Download ppt - “TRENDS” What are we allowing to influence us? Are brethren seeking to change “how we do things”?

“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.)


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

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


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

congregation• More inclusive, less judgmental


• 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


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


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


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


Leads to Ignorance• Part of the story left out

• Hosea 4:6• We need warnings about

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


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


Weakens Purity of the Church• We NEED lessons on morality

and godly behavior!!!

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


It leads to tolerance• Often a result of desire for

unity at any cost

• Rev. 2:20, 2:14-16


It leads to intolerance• But only those who question

their motives and movement!

• 1 Kings 22:8-13


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?