Sermons tagged #Caesar

The apostle Paul continues his defense of his ministry with Festus and King Agrippa, resulting in Paul appealing to Caesar and the determination to send Paul to Rome.

PM sermons are preceded by a Confessional, Catechism, or Historic Creed lesson. Usually 5 minutes or so. (Belgic Confession-Article 26: The Intercession of Christ) Matt 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" 21 They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.

Theme: Followers of Christ must seek to be conformed to the image of Christ. In vv. 19-20, we see Jesus' enemies' intentions. Though they desired to arrest Jesus, they feared Him. In contrast, Jesus spoke the truth against the leaders and didn't fear them. We need to fear God alone and not man. In vv. 21-23, Jesus' enemies set their trap. Jesus perceives their craftiness, and we know that God is not deceived. In vv. 24-26, Jesus' enemies are answered. He tells them to give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. Jesus was saying we are made in God's image, so we need to yield ourselves as living sacrifices to Him! In v. 26, we see that the spies trick didn't work. They marveled at His answer and were silent. In application, are you seriously rendering yourself as a living sacrifice to God? If you are a believer, you were bought with a price. If you don't know Christ as your Savior, you are still made in God's image. Trust Christ today and be saved!

This message is an in depth study of Romans 13. We examine the meaning of "tribute", "render unto Caesar", and how there should be a separation between church and state. We discuss the bad fruit that results from merging church and state and how the civil government had no authority to enforce the 1st table of the law. Link to a PDF of the notes: https://t.me/soundthebattlecry/1533

It seems that more and more these days, people are hyper-interested in politics. Often we hungrily gobble down all the political talk we hear, without stopping to ask, "Where is my heart in all of this?" Here in this passage, the Herodians and the Pharisees band together to try to trap Jesus in His words. They asked Him if Caesar had a right to impose taxes. Sadly, they call Him Teacher, but they don't want to be taught; they say that He is true, but they don't believe it. After making them admit that the denarius had a mark of Caesar's authority, Jesus made it clear that paying taxes was a necessary part of the civil government that they were living under. But there was more in Jesus' answer than a political lesson. These men were not paying to God what rightfully belonged to Him. They were willing to pay taxes to the government, but they also owed obedience to Jesus – the icon or image of the Father. Yet they were rebels against Him and refused to love the Lord and their neighbor. You can be obsessed with politics and your own power, but all you are doing is building your own kingdom instead of God's. He puts rulers in power, whether for our good or for our bad, but always for His glory. Does your obedience to God depend on your political party winning? Jesus Christ is still King, even today. He still sits on His throne. Kingdoms rise and fall, but His Kingdom is not of this world. Do not put your trust in any political leader, or you will be sadly disappointed. Give to the Lord what belongs to Him!

The Gospel of the Kingdom - Message 103 - The End of Questions - Matthew 22:15-46. Jesus used three parables to demonstrate the failure of the religious leaders in Jerusalem to respond to God's call and the consequences of their failure for Israel. Now the religious leaders ask 3 questions in an attempt to entangle Jesus in controversy and turn the crowd against Him. He avoids the traps they try to set and then asks a question in return that they cannot answer. Their inability to discredit Him and answer His question sets up His denouncement of them in the following chapters.

Ever wonder how much work goes into the preparation for a new series? I share some of the preparation for our series in Philippians.

Believers are Sinners Saved. They were once the friends of the world, but are reconciled to God by the Friend of Sinners. He redeemed them and gives them his Spirit. By the Spirit of God they are regenerated and made the friends of God through faith. Just like Abraham. And this is wrought in them all by the grace of God in Christ.

Why do we have hurts, hangups and bad habits? Why doesn't our nature correspond to the environment that we're in? Am I (are we) in need of transformation or are we merely waiting to be transported to a place destined for us by God? Please listen to the teaching "Why is Death gain for the Christian?" by Pastor Sam Morgan, to find out where our focus should rest during these days.

Christ calls us to obey both the government and God, and He gives us wisdom and grace to manage both allegiances. The attempt to trap. (v.13) The hypocrisy of man. (v.14-16) The wisdom of God for two allegiances. (v.17) Where do trick questions originate? 2 Cor. 1:22 Who teaches and answers the truth? 1 Tim. 2:1-7, 2 Cor. 5:21 Why should we pay taxes? Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17 Where is the image of God? Gen. 1:26-27, Col. 1:15, 2:9-10

Key Word Render Main Points God appointed all human authorities (Romans 13:1). God created people in His image (Genesis 1:27).

To follow Christ, it will cost you. We must fear God more than men.

When faced with a devious question, the Lord Jesus Christ takes the opportunity to speak of a believer's obligation to the civil authorities.

Who is Lord? Jesus or Caesar? Jesus is Lord.

The Kingdom message is always a threat to the pretended power of evil men and their agencies. Note: this message was originally delivered in 2017-18.