1. Rom 5:1-2, 11 1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God……. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”

2. The Power of Positive Preaching + + + + + + + +

3. Positive “Only” Attitude This attitude stresses using positive ideas to overcome problems in life. It does not seek to remove the cause of problems, which would involve negative opposition and conflict. Instead, it tries to overwhelm problems with positive words and actions only.This attitude stresses using positive ideas to overcome problems in life. It does not seek to remove the cause of problems, which would involve negative opposition and conflict. Instead, it tries to overwhelm problems with positive words and actions only.

4. “Negaphobia” Society:Society: –Politically correct terminology –It’s not sin, just an alternate lifestyle. Church:Church: –Don’t challenge false religions or false doctrines –Don’t call one “false teacher” who teaches error. –Redefine sin and defend it using Romans 14. –Soothe emotions without addressing problems. –Preach partial truths to avoid confrontation. –Preach truth but don’t apply—don’t hurt feelings. –Don’t preach to convict sinners of sin.

5. “More positive-less negative preaching!” Or “Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.”Or “Accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.”PROBLEM! Positive and negative are often “subjectively” defined. Whose concept of “positive” will we use? Yours? Mine? Or God’s?

6. The Bible and “Positive Preaching” Jer 8:4-12Jer 8:4-12 2 Pet 2:1-3, 18-192 Pet 2:1-3, 18-19 2 Cor 11:12-152 Cor 11:12-15

7. “Negative” does what “Positive” cannot Most understand positive statements of good.Most understand positive statements of good. Gal 5:23, “against such there is no law.” Have you ever read where God warns against doing good?Gal 5:23, “against such there is no law.” Have you ever read where God warns against doing good? However, people CONSTANTLY need warning against sin, because evil CONSTANTLY tries to get people to sin.However, people CONSTANTLY need warning against sin, because evil CONSTANTLY tries to get people to sin. –It is in the arena of the negative where sin will be defeated!

8. God’s idea of “positive preaching” is determined by the results, not by how it sounds.

9. God’s idea of “Positive Preaching” POSITIVE preaching instructs and informs.POSITIVE preaching instructs and informs. NEGATIVE preaching protects positive preaching by warning against sin which destroys positive preaching.NEGATIVE preaching protects positive preaching by warning against sin which destroys positive preaching. NEGATIVE preaching produces “positive” results by preventing sin.NEGATIVE preaching produces “positive” results by preventing sin. NEGATIVE preaching helps one understand evil without experiencing it.NEGATIVE preaching helps one understand evil without experiencing it.

10. Summary….. POSITIVE truths instruct, encourage and edify. = POSITIVE NEGATIVE truths warn, convict and prevent one from sinning = POSITIVE Favoring one over the other defeats the power of both = NEGATIVE POSITIVE ONLY neglects valuable warnings and rebukes = NEGATIVE NEGATIVE ONLY neglects full instruction and encouragement = NEGATIVE

11. All of God’s truth produces “positive” results when preached and obeyed.

12. “Positive Preaching” and the Bible Adam and Eve, Gen 2:16-17Adam and Eve, Gen 2:16-17 Israel, Deut 10:1-4, 12-14. Ex: Deut 5:7-21, 32-33Israel, Deut 10:1-4, 12-14. Ex: Deut 5:7-21, 32-33 Jesus magnified the POSITIVE with NEGATIVE statements, Matt 15:11-14, 22:34-40Jesus magnified the POSITIVE with NEGATIVE statements, Matt 15:11-14, 22:34-40 OT NEGATIVE = POSITIVE, 2 Tim 3:13-17, 4:1-5OT NEGATIVE = POSITIVE, 2 Tim 3:13-17, 4:1-5 POSITIVE + NEGATIVE = POSITIVE, 2 Tim 4:1-5POSITIVE + NEGATIVE = POSITIVE, 2 Tim 4:1-5 “Whole counsel of God” Acts 20:27, 1 Cor 4:17“Whole counsel of God” Acts 20:27, 1 Cor 4:17 POSITIVE power of NEGATIVE instructions, Job 5:17-18, 2 Cor 7:6-11, Heb 12:3-11POSITIVE power of NEGATIVE instructions, Job 5:17-18, 2 Cor 7:6-11, Heb 12:3-11 Example: Acts 2:22-24, 36-47.Example: Acts 2:22-24, 36-47.

13. Heart of God’s Grace Titus 2:11-12 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying (NEGATIVE) ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live (POSITIVE) soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

14. CONCLUSION To emphasize POSITIVE over NEGATIVE produces NEGATIVE results.To emphasize POSITIVE over NEGATIVE produces NEGATIVE results. To emphasize NEGATIVE over POSITIVE produces NEGATIVE results.To emphasize NEGATIVE over POSITIVE produces NEGATIVE results. To teach a balance of BOTH will produce POSITIVE results.To teach a balance of BOTH will produce POSITIVE results. Preaching the WHOLE COUNSEL of God is always POSITIVE PREACHING.Preaching the WHOLE COUNSEL of God is always POSITIVE PREACHING.