Negative Preaching

NEGATIVE PREACHING I. If one preaches the Bible, he will preach a lot of negatives. His ministry will be characterized by liberal doses of Vitamin "N." A. Note the negatives in the Ten Commandments. EXO 20:3-17. B. Note the negatives in Christ's preaching. MAT 6:1-2, 5, 7-8. C. Note the negatives in Paul's preaching. EPH 4:17, 25-30; 5:3-7. II. Christianity is a religion of controversy. A. Jesus did not come to send peace on earth, but a divisive sword. MAT 10:34-37; LUK 12:51. B. It is Christian to dispute. ACT 9:29; 17:17; 19:8-9. C. Christians are commanded to FIGHT and CONTEND for the faith. 1TI 6:12; JUDE 1:3 ct/w JER 9:3. 1. C ontend : "To strive earnestly; to strive in opposition; to fight; to strive in argument or debate." 2. E arnest : "(Of feelings, convictions, etc.) Intense, ardent." 3. Ardent: "Burning, on fire, red-hot; fiery, hot, parching." D. Contending AGAINST the truth is wrong (ROM 2:8); contending FOR the truth is commanded. III. All religions are not equally acceptable. A. All men are not seeking truth. ROM 3:11-12; JOH 3:19-21. B. There is only ONE right way. 1KI 18:21; JOH 14:6; EPH 4:4-6. C. All that poses as Christianity is not actually so. 2CO 11:4, 13-15. D. We must discern the true from the false. 1TH 5:21 ct/w EZE 22:26. E. Preaching should expose error and turn souls to the truth. EPH 4:11-15. IV. Consider the elements of Bible preaching found in these verses. A. 1TI 5:20; 2TI 4:2; TIT 1:13; 2:15. 1. Rebuke: "To beat down or force back; to repress or check (a person); to repulse; to reprove, reprimand, chide severely." 2. Reprove: "To reject; to express disapproval of (conduct, actions, beliefs, etc.); to censure, condemn; to reprehend, rebuke, blame, chide, or find fault with (a person). 3. Chide: "To give loud or impassioned utterance to anger, displeasure, disapprobation, reproof." See ISA 58:1; MAR 3:17. 4. Sharply: "Of speech, rebuke, command: sternly, severely, harshly; in cutting terms; in stern or angry tones." See HOS 6:5. B. 1KI 18:27-28; MAL 2:3; MAT 3:7-8; 23:13-17, 33; ACT 2:23; 7:51-52; 17:22-23; GAL 1:8-9; 3:1; PHIL 3:2; 2PE 2:2, 22. 1. Sarcasm: "A sharp, bitter, or cutting expression or remark; a bitter gibe or taunt." 2. Gibe: "A scoffing or sneering speech; a taunt, flout or jeer." 3. Name-calling is Biblical, providing it is justified. 4. Harsh language is Biblical. 5. Where justified, salty language is Biblical. PHIL 3:8; COL 4:6. C. MAT 16:6; LUK 13:31-32; 1TI 1:20; 2TI 1:15; 2:17; 4:10, 14-15; TIT 1:12-13; 3JO 1:9-10; REV 2:6; 15, 20. 1. It is Biblical to warn against specific persons and groups BY NAME. 2. Warnings against wrong must be specific as well as general. 3. Exposing the errors of a person or group does not necessarily imply that everything the person or group believes is wrong. V. Consider the nature of God's word. A. It is like a fire and a hammer. JER 23:29. B. It is like a sword. EPH 6:17 c/w HOS 6:5. C. It is given to reprove and correct. 2TI 3:16-17. VI. Such negative, harsh preaching is correct if: A. the names are correct and apply to persons actually guilty of the error being exposed. EPH 4:25. B. the language accords with Scripture. 1PE 4:11. VII. Such negative, harsh preaching is an act of love and kindness. LEV 19:17; PSA 141:5; REV 3:19; ROM 13:8-10. VIII. Scripture warns against smooth/syrupy talkers and preachers. PSA 55:21; 62:4; ISA 30:9-10; JER 23:32; ZEP 3:4; ROM 16:17-18. A. Preaching should be born of passion. JER 20:9. B. Preaching should be authoritative. MAT 7:29. C. Preaching should be done boldly. ACT 4:13; 13:45-46. D. Preaching should not avoid "naked wires." ACT 20:20, 27; 2TI 4:2. E. Preaching and contending for the truth should leave no middle ground. MAT 12:30. F. Preaching should stop the mouths of gainsayers. TIT 1:9-11. IX. Negative harsh preaching leaves no room for compromise; it forces the hearer to one of two reactions. A. It convicts the hearer and brings him to repentance thus manifesting that the hearer is of God. JOH 8:47; ACT 2:37; TIT 1:13. B. Or it exposes the hearer to be stupid and in rebellion against God. PRO 12:1; 13:1; 15:10.