Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity (Sermon Not Used)

Matthew 22:15-22

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ in our Gospel lesson today, Jesus is teaching in the city of Jerusalem before his crucifixion and the pharisees have been seeking to find a way to get rid of him. At the end of this week, they will have him arrested and put him on mock trial and condemned for despite their efforts they are not able to ensnare him. As we witness in our text.

Laying the Trap

The Pharisees and the herodians go to Jesus.

They start by praising Jesus.

The trap is this..

if Jesus says don’t pay taxes, He is a rebel.

if Jesus says pay, He supports a false god.

The Marvelous Answer

On the denarius is the image of Caesar.

Jesus divides the Kingdoms.

Kingdom of the left is government.

Kingdom of the right is church.

Citizens in the World

As citizens of our country, we are to

pay taxes,

serve in the military,

abide by the laws,

This kingdom looks after the body.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven

As Christians we are called to,

glorify God alone.

call upon God in prayer.

gather around word and sacrament.

This includes fleeing from sin and doing good.

Separate Kingdoms

Jesus didn’t call us to create a christian nation.

When people have merged these kingdoms, it corrupts the church.

God created these kingdoms.

The Kingdom that Endures

The Kingdom of the right will endure.

This is why we are first, Christians, and second citizens.