Sermon Tone Analysis

A day of questioning continues

The day of questioning continues.

Some new questioning people come to Jesus but Jesus never misses opportunity to teach, does He?

In our passage Jesus will look at what is our duty to God and to Country in just a few verses (and many others brought in too).

Passion week continues

A triumphal entry for the king, in a way of humility (Mk11:1-11) -Sunday

A cursing and a cleansing (Mk11:12-18) - Monday

A day of questions, the first round (Mk11:20-33)

A parable directed towards the questioners (Mk12:1-12)

Jesus after being questioned by the Chief Priests, scribes and elders of the people has a new set coming at Him, they hope to trip Him up with the Roman authorities and discount Ministry at the same time.

When we get to the passage you have to love the simplicity in which He deals with things but first let me give you some history, some culture things to help paint the picture so you can see the significance of the question asked of Jesus.

The Setting

History and setting will help us get a better picture for our passage today.

Herod the Great (ruler of all Judea under Roman Providence from 37BC until death in 4BC.

Herod was one of God’s tools in preparing the way for the Lord, in what is known as the Pax Romana that started during his era and lasted until about AD180 (Pax Romana means Roman peace)

Herod was credited with helping to build infrastructure to the area and was well loved by the people, he was responsible for building what was known as “Herod’s Temple” for the Jews.

Herod the great, aka Herodius Magnus had set up upon his death for the kingdom to be divided among his son’s

Herod Antipas ruler of Galilee and Peraea regions (4BC- 39 AD) - when you read about King Herod in New Testament, this is him.

He is also the father of King Agrippa that Paul stood before in the end of Acts.

Herod Philip ruler of north-east in area of Trachoitis, Ituraea and Abilene, ruled 4BC-34 AD upon his death, interesting fact this is the one who is was married to Cleopatra a name you might know (his 5th wife).

Herod Archelaus ruler of Judaea and Samaria, ruler from 4BC - 6AD when Rome stepped in for direct rule due to his absolute failure to keep peace in the region.

Under direct rule there could be two types

Proconsuls - for areas where there is peace and no military presence needed.

Procurators - where there were trouble centers and troops where needed and answered directly to Caesar.

-Judaea fell under this category.

Proconsuls/Procurators were known as Governor’s

Governor/Procurator - Quirinius (ruled after removal Herod Archelaus failed) He is the one who took the census at the request of Caesar Augustus found in

Quirinius, aka Cyrenius, was to take the census for taxation purposes.

Three taxes imposed

A ground tax - a portion paid for anything that came out of the ground

Income tax - a portion (about 1%) of a persons income

Poll-tax - a tax levied on men from 14-65; women from 12-65 and it was just for the privilege of existing.

- this is the tax that his being addressed in our passage today.

The new questioning parties

Pharisee’s - Jewish ruling sect, strict adherence to the written law and traditions

Herodians - Hellenistic Jews who aligned themselves with the Herod’s; they were Roman sympathizers.

OK, enough of that, you have the setting, you have the characters, you have the background and history, now let’s loot at the passage and look at

Our duty to Country

Our duty to God

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

Our Duty to Country

There are things we must do and there are things that we should do in duty to our country.

Biblical things for Christian application.

Now, without looking at your outline, when you think about duty to Country, what do you think it is, how can we do it?

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Pay our taxes (Mk12:14-17); Paul confirms, instructs that too (Rom13:6-7)

Obey laws (Rom13:1-5; Tit3:1); Do these things for a purpose (1Pt2:13-16)

Fear, honor authority (Rom13:7; Pro24:21)

Do these things for a purpose (1Pt2:13-16)

Do not speak evil of authority (Act23:5; Tit3:2; 2Pt2:10)

Do good (Tit3:1); have honorable conduct (1Pt2:11-12)

Pray (1Tim2:1-3)

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Pay our taxes (Mk12:14-17); Paul confirms, instructs that too (Rom13:6-7)

We just read the Mark passage so we know we are to render unto Caesar’s what is his, but now look what Paul says

Fear, honor authority (Rom13:7; Pro24:21)

They are God’s servants too, they are devoting themselves to the common good, even when it does not seem so these days.

Do not speak evil of authority (Act23:5; Tit3:2; 2Pt2:10)

Do good (Tit3:1); have honorable conduct (1Pt2:11-12)

Pay our taxes (Mk12:14-17); Paul confirms, instructs that too (Rom13:6-7)

Obey laws (Rom13:1-5; Tit3:1); Do these things for a purpose (1Pt2:13-16)

Pray (1Tim2:1-3)

Do not speak evil of authority (Act23:5; Tit3:2; 2Pt2:10)

Do good (Tit3:1); have honorable conduct (1Pt2:11-12)

Nothing to fear from authority if you do what is good.

They are God’s servants for good to you.

Pray (1Tim2:1-3)

Do these things or a purpose, look at this passage and see if you see the purpose

1Pt2:

Did you see it, did you notice it, where is it?

what is it?

(v.15)

We are just pilgrims, sojourners here (1Pt2:11) our citizenship is in heaven (Php3:20) we should live as good stewards, good bond-servants of Christ we live until we live with Him in eternity.

For country, be a good Christian and follow the words of the Bible.

for this place is not our home

While we are here, while we are in a Country waiting for our heavenly home, we have duty to God too.

Duty to God

God spells out our duty to Him and we will take a few minutes to look at that and how we are to do it.

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Love God with all we are (Mt22:34-38) this is our greatest command; our greatest duty

Obey from the heart (1Jn5:3) it proves true love and discipleship (Jn14:15; Jn14:21-23; Jn13:35)

Make God your priority (Mt6:33; Act5:27-29)

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Love God with all we are (Mt22:34-38) this is our greatest command; our greatest duty

Jesus states this is the greatest command

mt22:

Being the greatest command, it is our greatest duty and takes precedence over anything else.

Love God with all we are (Mt22:34-38) this is our greatest command; our greatest duty

Obey from the heart (1Jn5:3) it proves true love and discipleship (Jn14:15; Jn14:21-23; Jn13:35)

If we love God we will keep His commands as it says in 1Jn5:3

Make God your priority (Mt6:33; Act5:27-29)

and by keeping his commands it proves our true love for Him and we are His disciples and others will know too.

Jn14:

God’s will, God’s rule, God’s righteousness needs to be priority in our life and that is our next point.

Love God with all we are (Mt22:34-38) this is our greatest command; our greatest duty

Obey from the heart (1Jn5:3) it proves true love and discipleship (Jn14:15; Jn14:21-23)

Make God your priority (Mt6:33; Act5:27-29)

This takes precedence over Country and duty to Country.

when there is a conflict between God and Country, God must come first.

God will never have you do anything that is contrary to His Word.

Here is another example of God being priority

Act5:27-28

So some bring into question of God and Country can a Christian

Can a Christian vote; should he vote?