As God’s prophet Jeremiah was empowered to do the work of God. He was told by God, “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). In setting Jeremiah over the nations, he invested him with great authority as is implied by the word in the original.

Jeremiah was invested with authority to do six things, “root out,” “pull down,” “destroy,” throw down,” “build,” and “plant.” Four of the things mentioned have a “negative” connotation while only two are positive in nature. In commenting on the verse Barnes writes, “These are four words of destruction, and but two words of restoration, as if the message were chiefly evil. And such was Jeremiah’s message to his contemporaries. Yet are all God’s dealings finally for the good of His people.”

Compare this with what Paul said to Timothy: “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4:2). Two of three words used to describe how Timothy was to preach had a “negative” connotation (same ratio as found in Jeremiah). Does this mean that two-thirds of one’s preaching should be negative while the other third is positive. That is not necessarily the point. The point is, however, that God’s preaching will contain both “negative” and “positive” aspects.

The ambition to be a “sound” preacher has led some to lean more toward what many call negative preaching. They almost never address the wonder of God’s grace except to refute some false doctrine associated with it or comfort their listeners with the assurance of salvation in Christ. Others, desiring to come across as a loving preacher avoid convicting sinners of sin and warning them against hell.

Brother Winkler was fond of say, “Class, be balanced!” He asked, “Why can we not be satisfied with just being Gospel preachers who preach the word?” That is a great question for in doing so we will have preached both the “positive” and the “negative” messages God intends for man to hear.