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.