TITLE: The Relative "No"

TEXT: Matthew 6:19-21

PROPOSITION: Sometimes the relative negative is used.

QUESTION: When?

KEY WORD: Examples

SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. There is an absolute negative. Don't do it. Period.
2. There is also a relative negative.
3. The construction of the sentence is – "Not so much A as B"
4. Here are some examples of this form of negative in the Bible.

A quick trip through the New Testament (not every passage listed here)

1. Matthew 6:19-20 – Jesus forbidding savings accounts?
2. Matthew 9:13 – Did Jesus come to call righteous?
3. Matthew 10:20 – Did the apostles speak?
4. Matthew 10:34 – Did Jesus come to bring peace?
5. Matthew 20:23 – Does Jesus have any role in granting who is on right?
6. Matthew 20:28 – Did Jesus reject anyone who tried to serve him?
7. Mark 5:39 – Was the child dead or just sleeping?
8. Luke 14:12-13 – Can we invite our friends or relatives to dinner?
9. John 6:27 – Should we work to earn our food?
10. John 7:28-29 – Did Jesus come willingly?
11. John 12:44 – Do we believe in Jesus?
12. John 17:9 – Did Jesus pray for the world?
13. John 3:17 – Did Jesus condemn the world who does not believe?
14. John 12:47 – Did Jesus come to judge the world?
15. John 15:16 – Did apostles choose to follow Christ?
16. Acts 5:4 – Did they lie to men?
17. 1 Corinthians 1:17 – Was baptism part of Paul's mission?
18. 2 Corinthians 1:9 – Should we rely on ourselves?
19. 2 Corinthians 4:18 – Should we depend on things we can see?
20. 1 Timothy 2:9 – Can women wear gold or pearls?
21. 1 John 4:10 – Should we love God?

Study the context to determine if it is absolute or relative.