Neal Pollard
God wants positive preaching, doesn’t He? Truly, preachers are to affirm the truth of the gospel. They must “explicitly express” what God says. Their preaching must not be doubtful or speculative. It must be certain and real! Clear affirmations and certain, confident stands concerning the Bible prove one “positive.” Is God pleased with anything else? Please allow me to suggest three things positive preaching is not.
It Is Not Preaching That Dodges The Issues! When the pulpit is silent on moral and doctrinal issues, negative preaching is the result. Some church members have grown up and grown old without hearing moral lessons about Christian distinctiveness regarding clothing, sexuality, speech, acceptable relationships, and the like. Whether the issue is homosexuality, immodesty, euthanasia, fellowshiping denominations, salvation by grace only, instrumental music, or any other sin problem or error, God’s preacher will address and take a biblical stand on such matters. A man may please his fellowman in preaching morally and doctrinally neutral sermons, but he cannot gain the Lord’s approval. Obviously, this must be done with patience (2 Tim. 2:24-26) and love (Eph. 4:15). But, let no preacher ever shy away from it. Positive preachers face, define, and answer the critical issues of the day!
It Is Not Preaching That Never Calls Names. In a congregation filled with those who have escaped the world’s pollution (2 Pet. 2:20-22), the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:6-9), and religious bodies for which Jesus did not die (Eph. 4:4), there are sermons and points of sermons which are bolstered and made clearer (i.e., positive) when one comes out of the realm of the abstract by giving concrete examples. There are situations where a denomination needs to be called by name, a specific, denominational practice needs denounced, and a denominational personality must be identified as a false teacher (2 Pet. 2:1). The same applies to error in the church, especially when it is a problem causing damage in a local area. There are times when names, ideas, and actions must be explicitly (i.e., positively) addressed. Every time? No! To the exclusion of comforting lessons? No! With a sour, acrimonious attitude? No! But a preacher afraid ever to call a name in any sermon may be too afraid (cf. Rev. 21:8)! Common sense will help the preacher know when the need exists to pinpoint a name, a congregation, or specific sect, and thus his tone, attitude, and demeanor will reflect sadness, genuine horror, and sobriety rather than crudeness, delight, and abrasive bitterness!
It Is Not Preaching Only What An Audience Wants To Hear. God’s messengers have been warned (2 Tim. 4:3-4). Some are not satisfied unless the preacher turns them away “feeling good about themselves.” There may be congregations who will cull out any preacher except one who gives them only soothing words. Prophets and priests once assured a people of peace even as God’s righteous anger was kindled against their sinful ways (cf. Jer. 8). Those who hear preachers declare the whole purpose of God (Acts 20:27) may not know that there are some lessons which are harder for the preacher to preach than others. If every preacher were polled about whether he preferred preaching on heaven or hell, most would express preference for the former. It is difficult to stand before a group and reveal an unpopular truth. It’s emotionally draining to preach on a sensitive subject that affects a number in the congregation. It takes greater love and concern to warn a man lying on the tracks of an oncoming train than to smile and wave at him as the tragic moment looms!
One never has to be hateful or belligerent in standing for truth. But one too afraid to engage the devil and his army in spiritual warfare is a distracted, unreliable, and traitorous soldier (cf. Eph. 6:10ff). Paul gave advice to Christians that is quite applicable to preachers: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
The Preacher Pollard Blog 
Can’t add much to this except a hearty Amen!