Mark 12:13-17

Whose Image Do You Bear?

Bible Passage: Mk 12:13–17

Summary: In Mark 12:13-17, the Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus into saying something that could be used against Him regarding Roman taxes. Jesus brilliantly responds by asking whose likeness is on the coin and concludes that they should give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God, emphasizing a distinction between earthly and divine authority.

Application: This passage encourages Christians to understand their responsibilities both as citizens and as followers of Christ. It teaches us to navigate the complexities of earthly authority while remaining loyal to God’s sovereignty in our lives, especially during times of decisions concerning faith and social duties.

Teaching: The sermon could teach that while we fulfill our duties to society, such as paying taxes, we must remember our greater obligation to God. This balance between submitting to civil authority and honoring God should guide our actions and motivations.

How this passage could point to Christ: In this passage, Christ embodies the ultimate authority that transcends civil governance. By recognizing His dominion and the need for devotion, we see that Christ illustrates the fulfillment of the laws through His teaching, ultimately pointing to His lordship over all creation.

Big Idea: As followers of Jesus, we are called to honor both God and the authorities placed over us while ensuring that our primary allegiance is to the Lord.

Recommended Study: You may want to explore the historical context of Roman taxation and Jewish perspectives on it, which could reveal deeper insights into the significance of Jesus' words. Look into commentaries in your Logos library that discuss the theological implications of the image on the coin and what it means to be created in the image of God in contrast. Additionally, consider examining how this passage relates to other biblical injunctions about government and authority, which could enrich your understanding and application.

1. Confronted with Clever Challenges

Mk 12:13-14

Perhaps you could discuss how the Pharisees and Herodians attempted to trap Jesus with their cunning question, and relate this to how Christians are often placed in situations where their faith is tested by societal expectations. This could be a moment to stress the importance of discernment and wisdom in navigating secular challenges, mirroring Christ's insight and understanding of His purpose.

2. Coin in the Kingdom

Mk 12:15-16

You could highlight Jesus' instruction to 'bring the coin' to reveal the image of Caesar, reflecting on the tangibility of earthly authority and the wisdom Jesus uses. This may serve to remind the congregation that while they live in this world and engage with social systems, their conduct should always reflect Christ’s teachings, acknowledging man's limited rule compared to God’s ultimate sovereignty.

3. Commitment to the Creator

Mk 12:17

Emphasize how Jesus’ response, to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s, illustrates a deeper truth about allegiance and priorities. Encourage believers to examine their lives, assessing where they allocate their resources and attention. Suggest that by prioritizing God's kingdom above all else, they inherently fulfill their social obligations in a way that honors Him, placing their trust in Christ as the supreme authority.

What practical steps can you take to ensure that your actions reflect your allegiance to God in a society that may not share the same values?

When engaging in public life, particularly during divisive discussions, you may find it challenging to maintain a Christ-like attitude. Arm yourself with scriptural truths about love and respect for all. Practice active listening, ensuring you understand all perspectives before responding. Approach discussions with grace, making it a goal to bring unity rather than division. Consider initiating community prayer events where individuals from varied backgrounds can share concerns and pray together, fostering a spirit of reconciliation and mutual understanding in your public interactions.

The Dangers of Deceptive Praise: Guarding Our Hearts Against Flattery

Summary: Flattery is often used as a tool to manipulate and deceive, leading us away from truth and genuine relationships. This theme calls us to recognize the difference between sincere compliments and harmful flattery.

Application: This sermon will help Christians be aware of the subtleties of flattery in their interactions, leading to healthier relationships and a deeper understanding of genuine encouragement. It encourages self-examination about the motivations behind their words and actions.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that while encouragement and praise are essential parts of community, flattery can corrupt our intentions and lead us astray. It provides insights on how to discern authentic affirmation from deceptive praise.

How this passage could point to Christ: In examining flattery, we see how Jesus modeled the perfect balance of truth and love, offering encouragement without deceit. He calls us to mirror His integrity in our speech and interactions with others.

Big Idea: The heart's intention behind our words matters greatly; we must strive for authenticity and truth while avoiding the snares of flattery.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider diving into Proverbs for wisdom on speech and relationships and 1 Thessalonians 2:5-6 where Paul discusses the integrity of his ministry. Explore how flattery manifests across scriptures and its impact on community through your Logos library.

1. Proverbial Perils of Praise

Proverbs 29:5

You could begin by discussing how Proverbs warns us about the self-serving nature of flattery. Highlight how it is often used to ensnare the recipient into a false sense of security or manipulate for personal gain, thereby depriving genuine relationships of trust. Maybe emphasize the importance of grounding our interactions in sincerity, rather than deceitful praise, reflecting on how Jesus Himself never used flattery but spoke truth in love.

2. Absalom's Ambitious Appeal

2 Samuel 15:1-6

In this narrative, you might explore how Absalom's use of flattery was a strategic tool for winning over the hearts of people, ultimately fueling his rebellion against King David. This could serve as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of flattery when used to seek power or control, urging believers to inspect their intentions and the influences around them. Perhaps draw a parallel to Christ's humble leadership, contrasting it with Absalom's deceit.

3. Thessalonian Truth Teller

1 Thessalonians 2:5-6

Perhaps use Paul's assertion to the Thessalonians about not using flattery as a method to manipulate as an exemplar of apostolic integrity. You could discuss how this reflects a commitment to truth and love in ministry. Encouragingly urge your congregation to speak authentically and seek to nurture honest relationships within their communities by following the model of Christ, who always spoke with a heart full of grace and truth.

Mark 12:13–17 (NKJV)

13 Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” 16 So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

17 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him.

As a Follower of Christ we will live our lives in opposition. If you are serious about following Christ there should be opposition in our lives.

It is a very fine balance having to live in a world that seems to be growing more and more against Christianity.

It seems like we are in constant tension between Heaven and the world.

Jesus tells us in

John 17:14-18 NKJV

[14] I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. [18] As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.

We can find ourselves in situations that come into direct conflict with what we believe.

Now there is an inner struggle between what God wants and what the world demands.

We live in a society that teaches evolution rather than creation.

There's political agendas and policies that go against what we should believe that is in accordance with God's Word.

It is hard to be a Follower of Christ.

There will be tension while we try to live for God when we live in this ungodly world.

Shall we pay or shall we not pay.

Gossip is what you do behind someone's back to harm them. Flattery is what you do to their face to inflict harm on them.

Jesus had just finished telling the Jewish leaders about the Parable of the Vineyard. Explaining that the owner leased the Vineyard to some vinedressers. The owner sends His servants to collect some fruit at vintage time. The vinedressers kill the owners servants. The owner sends His Son. Thinking that they would respect the Son as the Respected the owner.

But they kill Him too.

Jesus tells them that the stone which the builders rejected become the chief corner stone.

At the end of Verse 12

Mark 12:12 NKJV

And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

How amazing is it when people get exposed to the truth! At what lengths will a convicted, exposed heart go through too try and keep its secrets kept. To keep its agendas hidden

Sometimes the retaliation comes as a preemptive strike.

Sometimes they will look for the perfect time to come against you. It may be a the weakest moment of your faith, it may be at a time of hardships and sorrow.

As Jesus was in The Wilderness and the Devil was there to tempt Him. Trying to persuade Him with every worldly temptation. Fame, money, power.

The Lord doesn't give in.

Luke 4:12-13

12 And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, You shall not tempt the LORD your God.’ ” 13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

How crafty and relentless Satan is.

He doesn't just stop but He waits.

His return would be certain, not knowing the time or the place that he will come, but at some point he will. And he will use the same tricks to try to entice us to step away, to tempt all to destroy.

The Spiritual Battle doesn't end until those that fully trust in Christ are reunited with Christ to have fullness of peace in Christ.

The reason for the temptations never change. It always revolves around the confessing heart to go against the One that has saved it. What changes are the methods that the temptation gets packaged.

So how can we avoid traps. How can we be able to recognize these traps.

What is a trap?

A trap is a device that is used to hunt and catch animals or people without allowing them to escape.

Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.

What language was the New Testament written in?

Greek.

In the Greek language there is no other word for trap. Pursuing, hunting and trapping.

The Pharisees and the Herodians were not pursing or hunting for the truth that Jesus offer but find something that He might say to use against Him.

The Pharisees were the Jewish religious leaders. Looking for reasons to have Jesus taken out. He was a threat to their whole system. The Lord would call out their hypocrisy. We would confront them of ruling over the people with their intentions rather than God’s. Just like the Parable of the Vineyard, They wanted the Son of the owner of the Vineyard dead so they could take over every thing. But they also believed that they should be independent from the Roman rule. Wanting their own land to be governed by the Law Of God. But they are Living under Roman occupation, following the Roman rule and doing what the Romans demanded of them. If there was a way to have freedom from them overnight they would do what it takes.

The Herodians were were Hellenistic Jews, meaning they were Jews that spoke Greek. But they also were political. They would show their allegiance and support for King Herod. They submitted and praised the Roman rule.

The Pharisees and the Herodians were basically enemies.

But the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

The religious and the secular coming together to come up against Jesus.

Interesting that people will put aside their differences when it comes to the truth found in Jesus.Jesus was not only challenging the religious but also the political. Both sides were threatened by Him. They had a common enemy but they had different agendas.

Why?

Why do we put Christ to the test? Why do we insist to challenge God?

Because many times we have our desires that Jesus just messes up! Sometimes we want so bad to challenge Him, to trap Him so we can put the blame on Him.

Jesus was not only challenging the religious but also the political. Both side were threatened by Him. They had a common enemy but they had different agendas. The Religious system was being challenged because The Lord came by the power and authority if the Father.

The political side were plotting against Him because the people were attracting to Him. The people of Jerusalem had just welcomed Jesus as King just a few days before.

So they plan to trap Him. This was different. The Pharisees had already tried to catch The Lord in a lie. Straight forward with questions.

They asked for signs. They asked by what authority. They asked many different questions.

But now they use a different method.

A new strategy. Still traps.

There is the trap of Flattery.

verse 14

“Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth.

These Pharisee’s and Herodians come to Jesus with a different approach.

What does flattery do?

It is an attempt to stroke someones ego. By coming to Jesus this way , lifting Him up and saying all of these wonderful things about Him should get Him to tell them what they want to hear.

They confess to The Lord for how Truthful He is. They really didn’t believe it, If they did they wouldn’t be out there plotting against Him.

They tell Him how they admire that He does not allow man to persuade. He sees all man through the same lens. The need for a Salvation, Mercy and Grace that He offers. All souls need this.

Then they Praise Him for how He teaches the Truth of God’s Word.

of course these are all true statements. It was the intent and they way they say these things, flattery.

Hoping that through these smooth words Jesus would let His guard down just enough for them to trap Him in something.

Flattery does not work with Jesus Christ. Flattery is often used as a tool to manipulate and deceive, leading us away from truth and genuine relationships.

We can come to Him with the most precious words of adoration. As we should because He deserves our highest praise and worship. But if we are doing it in a way that is trying to get Him to do our will, I can assure you He will not be moved by our empty words.

What is Flattery

The definition of flattery is insincere praise or words of encouragement used with the intention of gaining favor with others.

The Lord does not get caught off guard. He knows the intent and the purpose. He cannot and will not allow any

Smooth words to entice our pride. It lets your guard down.

Why are you saying these things?

Theres is a difference between encouraging and flattering.

Proverbs 29:5 NKJV

[5] A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.

It is a trap. Its hard to decipher sometimes because our pride and egos love to be complimented.

We have to have discernment.

Flattery is also a characteristic of a false teacher.

The Spiritual wolves are very rarely mean people. They know how to talk. They know how to persuade. They present themselves as being very nice. When people are very nice to you it is easier to let your Spiritual guard down. These charming words soothes our ego. When the time comes that is when a false teaching comes in. Or even worse maybe different types of manipulation.

Flattery is someone trying to access your trust and your heart.

Let me say this:

The Church doesn't hurt people it is the people in the Church posing as Followers of Christ hurt people. Many people have been taken advantage of. Many have been manipulated. If that has happened to you please know that is not from Jesus Christ. That was by someone that had their own intentions in mind.

Romans 16:17–18 (NKJV)

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

It is a trap for those that are theologically unaware and the emotionally unstable.

We have to be very cautious.

Cautious that we don't fall for this trap but also that we are not not trapping g someone ourselves either knowing or unknowing.

1 Thessalonians 2:5–6 NKJV

5 For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness—God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, when we might have made demands as apostles of Christ.

Here are three things that a true Believer and True Follower of Christ should show and live.

Ministry should never be used to make us feel better about ourselves. it. It should never be used to get money from people. It should be used to make people like you. It should never be used to get praise from people.

It not giving compliments to gain support. It should be never be to exalt ones self higher than the Throne of Heaven. It is not using our power or position.

Aren't we all supposed to be servants.

One of the worse forms of flattery is changing the Word of God to be less convicting. To point us away from our sinful nature and the need we all have to be saved from them. By easing the Word of God it will concentrate on the wealth, health and prosperity to attract people in their desperate times to take advantage of them.

It takes away the power of the Redemptive work of the Cross. It diminishes the suffering of Christ.

Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonica He explains to them what the purpose is to preach the Gospel.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV

4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

We try so hard to please man by not offending them. The Word of God can be very offensive to a sin-filled heart when it is confronted with the Truth of Gods Word. We have been entrusted with the Gospel. It has to be given in love with the Grace and mercy of God uncompromised not to flatter an unstable heart but to bring them to be redeemed, cleansed and renewed because of the mercy of God!