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Explore the Positive Preaching Movement philosophy emphasizing the positive, origins, challenges, and impact, balancing positivity with scriptural truths. Discover the significance of comprehensive preaching and its implications.
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“TRENDS”What are we allowing to influence us? Are brethren seeking to change “how we do things”?
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. 3:17-21the 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 predatorsRomans 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!