Luke 20:19-26 - Render to Caesar and to God

I start my sermon this morning. I have a pastoral announcement to make and so occasionally throw the year. I'll take time to communicate some things to you about the church and I intend to do that this morning. I want to make you aware of change to Sunday mornings that will be coming up next Sunday, but also to encourage a group of you this morning. Next Sunday, we will begin to have at 9:30 a live stream in the corps. We've noticed the last two Sundays that we have basically been full and so we believe there are people who are not able to come to church because we sell out sell out on Eventbrite. So just at 9:30 that we are going to be doing a livestream just the Facebook live stream in the corps for those who would like to come all the protocols will be indent identical in there exactly. What you experienced in here registration will be the same you'll see on the registration page. If you if you're coming here, you've got to register for the sanctuary if it. Or if you want to be in the core, then you'll have to register in a separate thing at 9:30 for the core and you'll use the core entrance on the south side of the building and basically Play in that area and leave from that era just at 9:30 to live stream in the car in that invitation will go out to everyone but particular I want to send that invitation out to families with younger children who haven't come to church yet because they're just not comfortable maybe bringing the kids into the service. There may be concerned about the disruption or whatever. Doesn't apply to you here because you've obviously made that transition in your here, but perhaps, you know some other families who maybe aren't comfortable being in here because they're concerned about those things. Will that is a safer place for a young family to attend in terms of their concern about disrupting. I think you guys know me. I don't really hear it. It doesn't distract me, but maybe that's a concern for the parents and now they can go there and not be worried about, you know, a kid screaming and and pasta. You getting rattled and I'll be able to give his sermon or something like that. It's just a safer place.

I want to make something very clear. However, very clear. We do not expect families with young children to go there. We are opening it up and think it's an opportunity, but we are not segregating young families there. I want young families and young kids in here with us if people are comfortable with that yet. There's a good starting place and maybe they can work their way in here but parents with young kids by no means should you think that I want and suggesting you go in there. I want you in here with us in regards to that. I want to encourage you parents who bring your young kids here. I think it's a wonderful thing. I've communicated this but let me just share something to happen last week, which I think helps communicate this truth will I get emotional? I apologize. It was a beautiful thing. I saw last week. There was a family with several young kids sitting up in the front. They probably got here a little late. I don't think they would have chose to be in the front row with their young kids little safer to be on the sides and in the back. Are little kids will be little kids how they were well-behaved. But you know, they make some noise they move around and you know, maybe the parents were struggling inside with that Albert. Finally is the sermon got started. They were on the floor doing the coloring pages that Judas gave them and that's what they did. Until the end of the sermon and Reese was preaching and at the end of the sermon I noticed this I was sitting right over there and I watch this unfold their youngest child. I would guess he's about 3 coloring away Reese got to the end of his sermon and if you would call at the end of his sermon he gave a very explicit direct gospel presentation and the moment he started this three-year-old stop coloring and looked directly at him and did not take his eyes off Reece Until Reese was finished. Now, I don't know what that young child understood about what we said, but I can guarantee you this it was a good thing but a child to hear those words and I was amazed sitting over there brought to tears thinking thank God that young child was in service today. And so I want encourage you parents, you know, I thought one way I can encourage you is I want you to imagine the worst case scenario. Mom's dad's you decide to come with your young kid you sit down and then the first 5 minutes your kid goes berserk crying screaming and the rest of it and it's so bad. You have to leave and go home. Let me tell you something in that scenario you being here is a major win. I thought about this for about 2 minutes and I came up with 10 reasons why you just showing up for 5 minutes and having your kid go berserk and having to leave is a major when here's 10 reasons. I could think of 10 more easily. But listen to these you are modeling to your children obedience. God's word says we do not forsake the gathering together until you've modeled obedience to your child. You have taught them the habit of gathering on the Lord's day. Even if you're only here for five minutes, you're helping them to practice that habit and have that habit. Three you're teaching them the importance of gathering on the Lord's day because invariably when you don't I think their minds may be led to that place where we'll maybe it's not that important. For you are teaching them the reality of a broader Christian family your children are our brothers and sisters. They need to know that they need to know they're part of a larger family. Let's be honest. It's good for your sanctification. Even in that frustration. God will use your children to sanctify you and it's frustrating as that. Worst case scenario might be for you. God will use it for his glory and for your being conformed to the image of Christ. It's good for our sanctification. It's good for us maybe when your children are fussing and fidgeting and it's a Temptation for us to be distracted or to be grumpy that's good for us because we are not to be that way parents. If you ever encounter anyone who in any way suggest that we don't want you here or that you shouldn't be here with your young children. I hope you would let me know that and we will deal with it. We very much want them here. It is for our joy. This is the seventh reason why even for if you were here five minutes, it would be a win. It is our joy to see your kids. I have not heard one negative thing from any congregation member or staff about the kids here. I have only heard positive things congregants saying it is so wonderful to see them here. It is for our joy and it's our responsibility to help you care for your kids when to do a baby dedication next week. And in that we as a congregation commit to helping you bring up your children, and so they're our responsibility to him. We want them here on Sundays. Number 9 you are modeling why is parenting to soon-to-be parents? We have young couples in our church who Lord willing we'll have children and when they see you come with your young children, you are showing them what wise parenting looks like and number 10. The last and probably the least but important to me it makes me happy. It makes your lead Pastor happy to see the families and the young kids in the service. I thought of those things in about 2 minutes, I could think of 10 more and another 2 minutes, but I want to encourage you parents of young children. Thank you for bringing your kids. It is a win every time you come in that door in a Sunday morning regardless of how chaotic it's been regardless of the Mayhem regardless of your personal frustration and doing it. It's a win when I see you walk in the door when I see that couple walking with the young kids. I think they won today. That's a victory. That's a good thing the top and regardless. Of what happens next and sometimes it will so I want to pray for you guys in for my sermon and then I'll get into it father God. We thank you for our families. And for those with young children. We thank you Father God. For their commitment and their desire to be here. We pray father God that you would help them to see in the frustrating moments how wonderful a thing it is for them to come to the house of the Lord. I will pray that the frustrations and the challenges. Would not be daunting for them. But rather your spirit would help them overcome in that area. Lord as we've already prayed we love our children and we're thankful for them. And we pray father God that this would be a place in which they knew they were lost in which even in the younger years. They were ratified. I pray that in your son's name. We also pray for your word and the preaching of your word this morning. Would you help us father God as we come to your word? Would you help us father got to understand it with our minds and to embrace it with our hearts knowing that as we do so as we understand your word and as we love your word it changes us it conforms us to the image of Christ.

But apart from you father God that can't be done apart from the application of your Living Word to our lives by your spirit that can't be done. So help us. Help me Father God to communicate accurately and helpfully.

Pray this in Jesus name. Amen. All right. I just gave a 10-point mini sermon now. I'm going to preach my sermon and I will get done in 22 minutes Lord willing. looking at Luke we're continuing on in our sermon series through the Book of Luke Luke Chapter 20 verses 19 through 26 title this sermon render to Caesar and to God now the current circumstances of Our Lives brought about by This Global pandata pandemics have made politics and politicians around the world come under more scrutiny than what they normally would experience for their we have a lot going in North America going on in North America politically to our South. We have a very contentious election. A very contentious election coming to a head and on Tuesday and likely aftermath regardless of what happens in our own country. We have various scandals at the federal level. We have issues Municipal e provincially in federally in regards to the pandemic. We see that these types of issues have the potential to be divisive an inflammatory and even dangerous on the passage. We look at today has one of those issues in it a dangerous contentious issue for the Jews at the time. The issue in today's passage was a Roman tax that was being levied on the Jewish people and the issue was raised by those who are in opposition to Jesus with the intention of helping them to destroy them. We've learned that the rain to destroy Jesus and they use this contentious issue to try and bring that a boat and how this confrontation plays out makes clear. What I believe is the main idea of this passage and that's this Jesus is wisdom and knowledge Prevail over the place and plans of his opponents. Jesus is wisdom and knowledge Prevail over the ploys and plans of his opponents. Let's turn to Luke chapter 20 in our Bibles or under devices and let's read God's word.

Luke 20:19 through 26

Describes in the chief priests ought to lay hands on him at that very hour for they perceive that he had told this Parable against them, but they fear the people so they washed him and sent spies who pretended to be sincere that they might catch him in something. He said so it's tough deliver him out to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. So they asked him teacher we know that you speak and teach rightly and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? But he perceived their craftiness and said to them show me a Denarius whose likeness and inscription does it have they said Caesars? He said to them then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's and they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him and what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent. Let's start this morning looking at the setting and the question verses 19 through 22 in verses 19 through 22. We get an introduction to the characters and the contentious issue. We see the motives of Jesus's questioners and the trap that they are intending to set for him. Now there is much hostility resulting from Jesus's public rebuke of the religious leaders that can be seen in the parable that Reese preached last week and it says they desire to lay hands on Jesus. They continue to demonstrate that they are cowardly men who are afraid of the crowds who are afraid to confront Jesus publicly. So now they hire others to sneakily look for a way to catch Jesus in something. He says that they might turn him over to the governing Authority in this case pilot. Not as spies that I've been hired and sent out or just like their employers they are hypocrites and they pretend to be sincere, but they have en pure devious motives. And they come to Jesus with a question that amounts to what Pastor Mark Dever has called a premeditated verbal Ambush a premeditated verbal Ambush. They want to catch Jesus. Now with craisin or Mouse but malice in their hearts. They asked Jesus a question teacher. We know that you speak and teach rightly and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? Now they're flattery that Jesus teaches accurately impartially and truthfully is meant to disarm Jesus make him unprepared for what they're about to ask him, but their motives as we know point to treachery and they believe they have delivered to Jesus a no-win question. A question that no matter how he answers Hulu's and on the surface their question. Is this are God's people obligated to pay a tax. To an invading secular power. That's the explicit question, but there's an implied question underneath as well. Are you loyal to Israel, or will you comply with Rome? Now the text in question is the potential spark that can make this interaction into a powder keg that will explode to Jesus's own harm. See this tax was the one that went directly to roam. In fact directly to the Caesar and this case it would be Tiberius Caesar who received the tax and the tax was despised by many Jews. It was the cause of uprisings and revolts. And in the religious leaders Minds this question poses a dilemma for Jesus. He can answer. Yes. You should pay the tax and be seen as being subservient to Rome and lose credibility with the Jews or he can stay no don't pay the tax and be seen as being subversive to Rome and get himself in trouble with those who are in power. Perhaps they think this is how we will undermine Jesus and eventually destroy him. That's the setting in the question. So let's consider the answer in the response verses 23 through 26 and verses 23 through 26. Jesus demonstrates, great wisdom and Supernatural knowledge encountering the tactics of his opposition.

Jesus wisely and knowingly perceives that there is an underhanded plot from the questioners. Until he asked them to see a Denarius no understanding a Denarius as a Roman monetary unit of coin that was the equivalent of a day's wages at the time of Jesus. It would usually be composed of silver and would have an imprint on it that would indicate the Caesar who is currently in power in this case of Daenerys would likely contain the likeness on on one side the lightness of Tiberius Caesar in the words Tiberius Caesar, son of divine Augustus and on the back would be a picture of Tiberius his mother. Tell janarius was a reminder to the Jews of their own subjugation to Rome and it was also a reminder of the Blasphemous practices of the Romans. Jesus asked to see one of these coins. And he asked the obvious question whose likeness is on it to which he gets to reply Caesars. Now remember this spies believe Jesus had before him a question. That was a no-win situation. Since there is a coin at the center of this issue. You might say that they had to let Jesus into a heads. We win tails you lose situation when she couldn't win. However, Jesus brilliantly give this memorable response this well-known response and demonstrates himself to be superior in knowledge and wisdom than those who are in opposition to a me says render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's that is pay the tax. And render to God the things that are God's honor Yahweh in all you do.

Now Jesus is answer would not be completely satisfying to the crowds nor completely satisfying to the religious leaders nor completely satisfying to Rome. But in those wise words he avoids the Trap that the Spy toe set. And he communicates some significant Russe which we'll get to in a moment. We see verse 26 that the opponents of Jesus were not able in the presence of the people to catch him and what he said but marveling at his answer. They became silent brothers and sisters, even the murderous will Marvel at the wisdom of the Messiah even the Sinister will be brought to silence in the presence of the Christ. Jesus is rhetorical dexterity allows him to Prevail in another conflict with the Pharisees scribes and chief men and religious leaders. See his wisdom in his knowledge is beyond them. He's out of their league. It's clear. until we see Jesus demonstrating his great wisdom and knowledge against his opponents in ways that they cannot match we further see his wisdom and knowledge and that he doesn't just escaped from the trap they've sent but he actually gives us a teaching he deposits us a wise teaching in regards to

are being under the authority of governments. I want to spend my last 10 minutes this morning speaking about those things. I want to talk about two implications of what he said and then give you two applications of what he said. There are many implications implications of merging for this one is in regards to rounds of authority. Jesus words render to Caesar. What is Caesar's and to God? What is God's could be translated also along the lines of this give to Caesar's get to Caesar. What is rightfully his and give to God what is rightfully his and that word right is important because we've learned what Authority is Authority is the power and the right to do what someone's doing. And what Jesus says here is that Caesar has right teeth has the authority. And he also says God has rights and he has Authority as well. Now we often get this wrong when we think about this and I want you to imagine with me to circles a circle over here which represents that which belongs to Caesar and a circle over here that represents that what that what belongs to God and in this circle over here. We put things like politics and policy in government and penal codes. Those are Caesars things taxes and over in this circle. We would say all the water God things. Well, it's worse than faith and Church in the Plan of Redemption and we picture it that way. That's not at all what Jesus meant that's an incorrect view of what Jesus has Suds here. Rather, I want you to picture a massive Circle not infinitely big. But massively big and that circle is the things that are got sand in that circle. Is everything created. Everything in our universe is in God's Circle. He has authority over it all all things are his now inside that massive Circle. That's God is a smaller Circle that Caesars. And those are things that God has delegated to Caesar to have authority of that are still in his authority Caesar has no authority over here apart from God. Caesar only has delegated authority. That is placed within the circle in the sphere of what God has authority over that's a proper way to think about that and Jews would have understood that Jews would have understood to render to God the things that are rightfully his meant that God will had rights over everything and everyone the entire universe. And within that there had been a thority delegated to Caesar.

That's the first implication second implication is this

Governments are legitimate. Jesus makes clear that even a pagan state is a legitimate State and the estate has the right to function given to us by God.

Another character of the state may give you opportunity to challenge its actions, but it does not give you the right to challenge its existence.

Romans 13:1 let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no Authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God. That doesn't mean everything a government does is right in okay, you can challenge its character. You can challenge it actions, but Disciples of Jesus taught not to challenge the right for the state to exist. Because they have been delegated that Authority by God. I got to keep moving if that's to implications.

Now to Applications coming out of that first be good citizens.

Believers in Jesus Christ are called to be good citizens since it is God who is delegated the authority to governments that are a legitimate Institution for the prospering of God's image bearers. We are called to be good citizens pastor Kevin DeYoung Road. He said in a few days after this incident the one in which were looking at today. Romans will kill Jesus in 8070. They will wipe out the temple in the years ahead. They will kill the apostles and thousands of other Christians before Jesus room head squash the number of Jewish rebellions. Rome was the ruler in Judea was a vassal State. It's safe to say no matter how much you dislike American politics in his case and I would say Canadian politics and American politicians and Canadian politicians or how much you may think the government is stupid or unjust room was worse. And your Jesus said pay your taxes. Caesar's face is on the coin. He had a right to Levy tribute Titus 3:1 says remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities to be obedient to be ready for every good work 1st Peter 2:13 through 17 be subject to the Lord say to every Human Institution whether it be the emperor is supreme or Governors that stand by him to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good for this is the will of God that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people live as people who are free not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as Servants of God honor everyone love the Brotherhood fear God honor the emperor. Recalled to be good citizens know what does being a good citizen look like that is a very complicated question. Being a good citizen doesn't mean doing whatever the government says. Being a good citizen doesn't mean always agreeing with whatever the government declares. And it's a complicated question when we don't have time for this morning. I know that a good citizen honors the authority of the government while at the same time honoring the authority of God a good citizen would say was Peter we must have got obey God rather than men the complicated issue don't have time for today other than to make the application were called to be good citizens second application this morning. And I finish with this trust God in the midst of our circumstances trust God in the midst of frustration with the government trust God. He has the ultimate Authority in the universe.

We have to put our trust in him when things are difficult. When we have angst about things that the government are doing when issues come up that we disagree with when we feel threatened. We should trust God. Ephesians 2 18 and 19 search for through him. That is Jesus Christ. We both that is Jews and Gentiles have access and one Spirit to the father. So then you are no longer strangers and Aliens, but your fellow citizens with the Saints and members of the household of God brothers and sisters. We can trust God because ultimately before we are citizens of Canada. We are citizens of the household of God. He made that happen through Jesus Christ Philippians, 3:20 through 21, but our citizenship is in heaven. And from it we await a savior the Lord Jesus Christ. We can trust God in our current circumstances because before we are citizens of Canada, we are citizens of Heaven. We were once before coming to Faith In Jesus spiritually displaced persons. We were spiritually dead without a home because of our sin. Our sin was rebellious and treason against our creator and for that treasonous act. We were expelled from God's household in God's Kingdom. Jesus how I became a man. He became a man and came to Earth that he might gather to himself a people. He suffered and died and was raised for his people that they might become citizens of Heaven. We become citizens of Heaven by putting our trust and pledging our allegiance to the King of Kings. Jesus Christ who has all authority in heaven and on Earth and when we turn from our sins and trust in him, we're told we become citizens of Heaven. Let me encourage anyone who is here this morning, but does not consider them a Christian themselves or Christian to put their faith in Jesus. That he might make you a citizen of Heaven.

Do application there are Realms of authority delegated by God. God does the entire universe and everything in it, but within that Authority he has given Caesar some Authority. And that makes the state legitimate. We ought to be good citizens what a good citizen looks like and everyday is a complicated question, but it should be our aim to be good citizens and we can trust God because he has all authority and he has made those of us who believe citizens of Heaven Foundation Lee and only citizens of Canada or any other Nation secondarily, we can trust God because of that but spray. Father God we thank you for your word.

We thank you Father God for the wisdom that Jesus is teaching brings to our lives so much could be said about these versus so many more sermons could be given in regards to them, but father got to take what we have looked at today and by your spirit help us to understand how your Authority works. Do you have authority over all things and that you delegate authority to others in different spheres? Help us to understand that governments and states are legitimate because you have given them Authority. I was gonna stand that doesn't mean what they do is always right.

But that they have a right to exist. Am I waive application for I got to help us to be good citizens. I pray you would help each one to know what that means for them to study and consider what that means for them. But most of all this morning help us to trust you help us to see ourselves as citizens of Heaven Come Christ has saved and brought into the household of God the household of one who has authority over all things.

all authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to Christ help us to live our lives with those things in view in Jesus name. Amen. We're running a bit behind, but we still have to take communion.

So we're going to take it and I'm going to ask you when I'm finished. I give the benediction we do our best to move out quickly. We have another group coming in shortly. But we don't want to rush our time and we're grateful for this opportunity. To be able to come. And take communion here at Westland Alliance Church. We practice what we call open communion by open communion. We met in the table is open to all those who are citizens of Heaven who have entrusted their lives to Jesus Christ was repented of their sin and put their faith in the Son of God is that you invite you to join with us, if that's not you we would ask you to not participate by taking the emblems but rather participate through observation. Watch what we do listen to the words. We say and pray. And consider this morning availing yourself of the work of Christ.

Join with me in prayer.

We do not presume to come to your table merciful Lord trusting in our own righteousness, but rather in your abundance in great Mercies. We are not worthy even to gather up the crumbs under your table, but you are the Lord who Delights in showing Mercy. Grant us there for gracious Lord to eat this bread and drink this cup that our bodies and souls. Maybe make clean by Christ's body and blood and that we may Evermore dwell with him. Almighty, God our heavenly father. We thank you that in your tender Mercy you gave your only son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our Redemption. We thank you that he made there a full atonement for the sins of the world offering once for all his one sacrifice of himself. We thank you that he instituted and then his holy gospels commanded us to continue a Perpetual memory of his precious death until he comes which we do now this morning. We thank you Father. amen

In the same night that he was betrayed. He took the bread and gave God. Thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying take eat. This is my body, which is given for you do this in remembrance of me. The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life Take and Eat This in remembrance that Christ died for you and feed on him in Your Heart by faith and with Thanksgiving.

In the same way after supper. He took the cup and gave God. Thanks and he gave it to his disciples saying drink this all of you. This is my blood of the New Covenant which is shed for you. And for many for the Forgiveness of sins do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me. The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life drink this and remember it's that Christ's blood was shed for you and be thankful.

Let's pray. Almighty and everlasting God we wholeheartedly thank you for you have a graciously giving us the spiritual food in the most precious body and blood of your son Our Savior Jesus Christ. And you have a shirt us there by of your favor and goodness towards us. And that we are members in the mystical body of your son, which is the Blessed company of all faithful people and we are also heirs through hope of your Everlasting Kingdom by the merits of Christ. Most precious death. We humbly ask you will Heavenly Father to assist us with your grace that we may continue in that Holy fellowship and you all such good works as you have prepared for us to walk in through Jesus Christ Our Lord to whom with you and the Holy Spirit be all honor and Glory World Without End Amen.

As you go this morning go as citizens of Heaven endeavoring to be good citizens of Canada. knowing that you can trust God. Because in spite of where you live in spite of who might be in charge in spite of who might win an election and what they might say and what they make do they do so under the all-encompassing authority of God who is Sovereign over at all and has promised to watch over you the Lord be with you.

In this passage in the time that it was being dealt with is very similar to something we're experiencing this Global pandemic has brought up issues in our lives which make it a divisive inflammatory and even dangerous issue. It's a medical issue, but it's also a political issue and it is causing turmoil and it is causing difficult the issue that's raised in the passage today was the same for the Jews. The issue was a Roman tax and it caused people's emotions to get heavily involved in their life. It was a significant issue that caused the vision and was even dangerous. It was something that had led to revolts and uprisings. And it's an issue that's being raised by Jesus's opponents in order to get him in trouble. What we will see as we look at this issue. However is the main idea which I would say this way Jesus is wisdom and knowledge Prevail over the plans of his opponents. Jesus is wisdom and knowledge prevails over the plans of his opponents. So let's look at Luke 20 encourage you to open your Bibles or turn on your devices and fire them off so that we can read Luke 20 verses 19 through 26.

31 verse 19 the scribes and the chief priests ought to lay hands on him at that very hour for they perceive that he had told this Parable against them, but they fear the people so they watched him and sends spies who pretended to be sincere that they might catch him in something. He said so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor, So they asked him teacher. We know that you speak and teach Riley and show no partiality. But truly teach the way of God is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not? But he proceeded their craftiness and said to them show me a Denarius who's the lightness and inscription does it have they said Caesars. He said to them then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's and they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him and what he said but marveling at his answer. They became silent. This is God's word. What does start this morning looking at the setting and the question this is verses 19 through 22 the setting in the question in these verses we get an introduction to the characters as well as the contentious issues. We see the motives of Jesus questioners and it becomes apparent that they are trying to set a trap for him. Now there is much hostility that has been developed resulting from Jesus's public rebuke of the religious leaders that Reese preached on last Sunday that Parable was a rebuke to the leading men in Israel and the responsibility there. It's we're told that the leaders wanted to lay hands on Jesus, but they continue to be cowardly men. They're afraid to confront Jesus in front of the crowd. They are afraid to confront him publicly until they sneakily look for a way to catch Jesus and something that he might say that so that they can turn him over to the governing authorities. And this case it's pilot now despise who they have hired or just like their employers. They are hypocrites. They pretend to be sincere, but they have devious motives. They come to Jesus with a question a question that amounts to what Pastor Mark Dever has called a premeditated verbal Ambush a premeditated verbal a master trying to trap him with this question. So with praise and a mouse, but malice in their hearts, they asked Jesus their question teacher. We know that you speak at each rightly and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or Not Another flattery? That Jesus teaches accurately and impartially and truthfully their flattery is meant to disarm Jesus so that he's not prepared for their trap question of him. They believe they have led him into a no-win situation with this question. On the surface. They're asking are God's people obligated to pay a tax to a foreign secular invading power. But underneath that explicit question is something that's implied and implied question. Are you loyal to Israel or will you comply with Rome? You see this tax that's in question this tribute that's in question. Cambia spark that turns this thing into a powder keg that blows up as Jesus answered that it has the potential to do that. This tax went directly to Rome. It went directly. In fact of the Caesar in this case Tiberius Caesar and this tack tax was despised by the Jews and a fact was the impetus for several uprisings and revolts which resulted in deaths. Now in the religious leaders mind this question imposes a dilemma on Jesus say he can answer. Yes. And be seen as subservient to roam and lose credibility with the Jews or you can say no and be seen as being subversive to Rome and get himself in trouble with the powers-that-be. Perhaps this would be the way they could undermine Jesus and eventually destroy him. That's the setting in the question. Now, let's consider the answer and the response verses 23 through 26 and these verses Jesus demonstrates his great wisdom and his Supernatural knowledge encountering the tactics of his opposition. Jesus wisely annoyingly perceives this underhanded plot. And so then he asked them if they will show him a Denarius a Denarius as a Roman monetary unit. That would have been the equivalent about a day's worth of pay and the time of Jesus. It would have been compose likely a silver and would have been imprinted with the reigning Caesar of the time. So in this case, it would have the likeness of Tiberius Caesar on it and would likely have the inscription Tiberius Caesar son of divine Augustus and a picture of his mother on the reverse side. This coin was a reminder to the Jews. A ver subjugation to Rome as well as a reminder the Jews of the Blasphemous practices of the Romans. And so Jesus asked to see one of these coins and has an obvious question whose likeness is on it and he gets the reply he wants Caesars. Now remember this spot. I thought they had Jesus in a no-win situation here. In fact, since we're talking about a coin you could say they thought they had Jesus in a heads you lose Tails. We win situation one that he couldn't get himself out of however, Jesus is brilliant and memorable response shows him to be superior and wisdom and knowledge to his opposition. He says render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's render the things that are Caesar's to Caesar that is paid at But render to God the things that are God's honor Yahweh and everything you do. His answer probably won't be completely satisfying to the crowds. It won't be completely satisfying to the religious leaders. We can be as sure of that nor would it be completely satisfying to Rome? But it avoids the Trap that they have set. But he shows his great knowledge and wisdom cuz he doesn't just avoid the trap with some verbal trickery of his own know he does so and communicates great truce to us. These truths are so great that even his opponents notice them. We read actually in the last verse that his opponents were not able in the presence of the people to catch him and what he said, but marveling at his answer. They became silent brothers and sisters know this even the murderous will Marvel at the wisdom of the Messiah even the Sinister will become silent in the presence of Christ. Yes, he displays rhetorical dexterity that allows him to Prevail in this contest. But in doing so his wisdom and knowledge shines forth because he gives us and deposits do us a great teaching in terms of what it means to be a disciple of Christ to live. in any given Nation it so we're going to move now to implications and applications. What did his teaching imply his words that got him out of the Trap you was in there some implications there that will be helpful to us and some applications as well implications in applications will start with two implications. The one of the main things that this teaching of Render unto Caesar. What is Caesar's and to God. What is God one of the main and petitions is that we need to understand is that there are Realms of authority. There are rounds of authority.

Another way to translate render to Caesar. What is Caesar's and to God? What is God's would be to say give to Caesar? What is rightfully his and give to God what is rightfully hits and that word right is key because we've learned that Authority is the right and the power to do something. In what Jesus indicates and implies in his teaching is that there are Realms of authority? In this case. He talks about Caesars Authority in God's Authority now we often misunderstand this. And I think to help us see this I want you to picture to circles. Imagine. There's a circle here on one side of the pulpit and a circle here on the other side of the pulpit and both the circles represent spheres of influence and spheres of authority. So on this side, there is Caesar's Authority. He has a sphere of authority and you should render to him in that sphere. What is his what what are his things? We might think of things like politics and policies and laws and government and penal codes and taxes. Those are Caesars things there in his fear of authority. And over here is God's sphere over here. This things like worship and face in church and the Plan of Redemption. That is a entirely wrong picture. And that is not how the Jews would have understood it. I want you to take that image of these two separate spheres of authority and erase it from your mind. Here is the biblical picture. Jesus is painting. I want you to picture a circle as big as this stage a massive Circle. It's not infinitely big, but it's huge. And it represents God's sphere of authority in inside that circle is everything in the universe. There is nothing outside of God's Authority. A massive circle now inside of that Circle not be cited. But inside is a small circle and that small circle represents. The sphere of authority of Caesar things that God has delegated in terms of authority to Caesar. But it's within God's fear of authority. There is nothing outside of God's Not to separate and distinct things but rather Caesar has some things that I've been delegated to him by God within God's purview. That's the correct you and that's how the Jews would have understood it. That's the first implication that are spheres of authority. The second one or the second thing that's implied is that governments are legitimate? Jesus's words make clear that even a pagan state is a legitimate State and a state has a right to function given to it by gods. Now you can challenge the character of a state you can challenge the actions of a state, but you cannot challenge the right of a state to exist. The Bible makes it clear that the authority of the state has been given to it by God Romans 13:1 let every person be subject to the governing authorities for there is no Authority except from God and those that exist have been instituted by God. That doesn't mean everything is state or government does is okay incorrect? It doesn't mean you have to obey them in every instance, but their right to exist is given to it by God. And it's not just talkin about democracies. Could be the Tater chips. It could be a monarchy. It's Authority is delegated by God. Those are two implications. I got to keep moving here. There are rounds of authority. But all authority is under God's Authority and governments are legitimate. They've been delegated authority by God for the flourishing of God's image bearers to Applications. Number one because these things are true. We are called to be good citizens. Brothers and sisters you are called to be a good citizen of the nation of Canada since it is God who has dedicated the authority to governments that are a legitimate Institution for the prospering of God's image bearers. We are called to be good citizens. Kevin DeYoung a pastor down south makes a good point he writes in a few days after this incident the one in the passage the Romans will kill Jesus and 87 do they will wipe out the temple and the years ahead. They will kill the apostles and thousands of other Christians.