1 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:08,600 Please, if you have a Bible with you, meet me in Mark chapter 12 2 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:12,880 and let's go together to verse 13. 3 00:00:19,090 --> 00:00:25,730 Mark 12/13 reads, and they sent to him some of the Pharisees and 4 00:00:25,730 --> 00:00:31,010 some of the Herodians to trap him in his talk, and they came 5 00:00:31,010 --> 00:00:36,080 and said to him, Teacher, we know that you are true and do 6 00:00:36,080 --> 00:00:40,680 not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by 7 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:44,440 appearances, but truly teach the way of God. 8 00:00:45,520 --> 00:00:50,280 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? 9 00:00:50,840 --> 00:00:53,720 Should we pay them or should we not? 10 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:59,920 But knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, why put me to the 11 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:02,600 test? Bring me a denarius, and let me 12 00:01:02,600 --> 00:01:05,160 look at it. And they brought one. 13 00:01:05,680 --> 00:01:09,120 And he said to them, whose likeness and inscription is 14 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:12,680 this? They said to him, Caesar's. 15 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:16,840 Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are 16 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:20,720 Caesar's, and to God the things that are gods. 17 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:27,840 And they marveled at him. Lord, it's our prayer that we 18 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:33,360 too would marvel at your word. Bless the reading and the 19 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:37,360 proclamation of it, and bless our hearts in receiving it. 20 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,200 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 21 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:44,480 I believe it's important that you and I view the opening verse 22 00:01:44,480 --> 00:01:48,640 of this section of scripture with the preceding one, one that 23 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,440 we covered together a couple of weeks ago. 24 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:54,160 Look at Mark 12/12 with me once more. 25 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:59,720 It says here and they were seeking to arrest him, but fear 26 00:01:59,720 --> 00:02:03,160 the people, for they perceived that he had told the parable 27 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:06,920 against them. So they left him and went away. 28 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:11,640 So they left him and went away. Here you have the religious 29 00:02:11,640 --> 00:02:16,920 leaders retreating after sensing the piercing parable of Jesus 30 00:02:16,920 --> 00:02:19,040 Christ that was targeted towards them. 31 00:02:19,880 --> 00:02:22,680 But what we have here when they left him and went away, was not 32 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,680 a permanent retirement of their crafty ways. 33 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:30,040 All it really was is a withdrawal to return to the 34 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,440 drawing board. And here we find them again. 35 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,920 And this repeated sequence of onslaughts that came to Christ 36 00:02:38,920 --> 00:02:43,440 reminds us of the relentless aggression of the ultimate 37 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:48,360 adversary of Christ, who is also your enemy and mine. 38 00:02:49,440 --> 00:02:53,440 Revelation 12/9 calls him the great dragon, the ancient 39 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:59,480 serpent, the devil, and Satan. Do you remember how Luke 40 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:04,360 concludes the failed attempts of Satan in trying to tempt the 41 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:06,200 Lord Jesus Christ in the wilderness? 42 00:03:06,760 --> 00:03:10,320 Let me remind you of an important verse that really 43 00:03:10,640 --> 00:03:15,000 indicates to us the reality of his ways and how he will relate 44 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,960 to us And Luke 413. You don't have to turn there, 45 00:03:18,960 --> 00:03:22,920 just give your attention to it. It says there and when the devil 46 00:03:22,920 --> 00:03:29,000 had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an 47 00:03:29,000 --> 00:03:33,760 opportune time. The devil walked away from 48 00:03:33,760 --> 00:03:40,040 Christ until an opportune time. Notice that his withdrawal was 49 00:03:40,040 --> 00:03:44,240 not indefinite. His return would be certain. 50 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:52,880 This is your daily reminder that spiritual warfare is a guarantee 51 00:03:52,880 --> 00:03:58,280 for the Christian. It is an unending cycle of the 52 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:01,400 believers experience to go to war. 53 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:05,720 Yes, with the flesh, but also to the one who tempts the flesh and 54 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:08,240 presents opportunities for the flesh. 55 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:11,120 And some days are more intense than others. 56 00:04:11,120 --> 00:04:13,800 But the attempts and the plots of the evil one are to be 57 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:18,320 expected when throughout your whole life, throughout the span 58 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,519 of your existence and your journey here on earth. 59 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,600 And what's also important to remember is that the schemes of 60 00:04:23,600 --> 00:04:27,400 Satan, though they are certain both him and those who do his 61 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:31,480 bidding, do not always bring the same weapons to the table. 62 00:04:32,000 --> 00:04:35,000 And that is exactly what you and I see in our main text today. 63 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:38,760 And the benefit of the text that we just read and that we're 64 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:42,480 going to explore together is not just that you and I are going to 65 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:46,480 be enthralled by the infinite wisdom of Jesus Christ, but you 66 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:51,920 and I are also going to learn how we can avoid the traps of 67 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:56,960 Satan who seeks to undermine your testimony as a follower of 68 00:04:56,960 --> 00:05:00,160 Christ. And so as we come here, we have 69 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,920 to see again that this is really the theme of this chapter or the 70 00:05:03,920 --> 00:05:07,240 section of this chapter. Look again at Mark 12/13. 71 00:05:07,760 --> 00:05:10,200 And they sent to him some of the Pharisees, of some of the 72 00:05:10,200 --> 00:05:14,800 Herodians to trap him in his talk. 73 00:05:15,480 --> 00:05:19,520 You know, that word trapped in the Greek is the only word in 74 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,240 all of the New Testament. No other word shares the same 75 00:05:22,240 --> 00:05:23,760 word. And it really explains and 76 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:29,760 denotes the concept of pursuing, hunting, and apprehending an 77 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:33,880 animal. It's aggressive, it's vicious, 78 00:05:33,880 --> 00:05:36,560 it's merciless. And it's supposed to indicate to 79 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:41,320 us that the invisible enemy through visible means, is a 80 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:44,920 pursuer. A pursuer of the truth, a 81 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:48,920 pursuer of those who hold and live the truth, not to receive 82 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,200 the truth, but to try to destroy and muddy and undermine it. 83 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:57,120 So let your faith arise as we come to this text and believe 84 00:05:57,120 --> 00:06:00,880 that it promises us the necessary insights to further 85 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:04,080 equip and complete you as a man and woman of God. 86 00:06:04,920 --> 00:06:07,720 So what do we have here? Well, this time around we have 87 00:06:07,720 --> 00:06:11,600 this interesting alliance. Verse 13 tells us that it was 88 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:18,400 the Pharisees and the Herodians who partnered together to come 89 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:21,440 to Christ and try to trap him. Now it's not just going to be 90 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:22,480 them. For the rest of this chapter, 91 00:06:22,480 --> 00:06:26,000 look at your Bibles once more. Look at verse 18 of chapter 12. 92 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,200 After the Herodians and the Pharisees. 93 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,960 It's going to be who and Sadducees came to him who say 94 00:06:31,960 --> 00:06:34,400 that there is no resurrection and they asked him a question 95 00:06:34,400 --> 00:06:37,080 saying. Then after the Sadducees, you 96 00:06:37,080 --> 00:06:39,080 Scroll down to verse 28 and what do you see? 97 00:06:39,720 --> 00:06:43,480 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with 98 00:06:43,480 --> 00:06:46,960 one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him 99 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,160 which commandment is the most important of all. 100 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:53,440 So really it's this series of interrogation from different 101 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,840 parties that all have one thing in common. 102 00:06:56,000 --> 00:07:02,160 They hate Jesus Christ. And in a few weeks, you and I 103 00:07:02,160 --> 00:07:05,000 are going to consider the prophetic significance of how 104 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:09,120 even this series of questioning fulfills something about Jesus 105 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:11,480 from the Old Testament. But we'll do that when we get 106 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:13,960 there. But for now, you have this 107 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:18,480 unlikely coalition, the Pharisees and the Herodians. 108 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:21,320 You remember who the Pharisees were right? 109 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:24,640 They were the religious elite, but they believed something 110 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:27,240 about their current situation as a nation. 111 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:33,200 The Pharisees believed that Israel and the Jews deserve 112 00:07:33,200 --> 00:07:36,080 their independence. They're under Roman occupation. 113 00:07:36,080 --> 00:07:39,080 The Pharisees did not like that. They believe that the Jews 114 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:42,120 should receive their own land, their own government, a 115 00:07:42,120 --> 00:07:44,400 government that was ruled by the law of God. 116 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,520 So they grudgingly went along with what the Romans demanded of 117 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:49,000 them. But if they can have their 118 00:07:49,000 --> 00:07:50,760 freedom overnight, they would have it. 119 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:54,680 On the other hand, you have the Herodians, who are not a 120 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:58,200 religious group as much as they were a political group. 121 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,960 And the Herodians, according to their name, pledged their 122 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,680 allegiance to the Herodian dynasty. 123 00:08:06,480 --> 00:08:10,440 And they ultimately submitted and praised and even defended 124 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:13,280 the Roman Empire. And there is no room in their 125 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:15,880 belief system for the law of God to be implemented. 126 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:21,920 So the two most unlikely groups, one was extremely religious and 127 00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:25,320 the other one was extremely secular, are now working 128 00:08:25,320 --> 00:08:28,240 together again. We see it back in Mark chapter 129 00:08:28,240 --> 00:08:30,320 3, verse 6, But here they are once more. 130 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:32,880 Why? Because they found commonality 131 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:38,880 in Christ being their enemy. The feverish popularity of Jesus 132 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:43,679 was not just a threat to the counterfeit spiritual entity of 133 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,920 his time. Now you have even the political 134 00:08:46,920 --> 00:08:51,560 powers who are a little worried, because recent news in town is 135 00:08:51,560 --> 00:08:54,720 that the the streets were being filled with the praises of this 136 00:08:54,840 --> 00:09:00,760 Jesus, this rabbi from Nazareth being a king, fulfilling 137 00:09:00,760 --> 00:09:03,600 prophecy, being the expectant deliverer of the people. 138 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,120 And the last thing that Herod and the last thing that the 139 00:09:07,120 --> 00:09:09,120 Herodians wanted was a revolution. 140 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:13,720 A revolution that would invite the higher leadership of Rome to 141 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,800 come into that land with disciplinary force. 142 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,160 And this is now a concern for the Herodians, not just for the 143 00:09:21,160 --> 00:09:24,280 Pharisees. And so they conjure up a plan 144 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:29,240 and they work together and they have this fresh new strategy. 145 00:09:30,480 --> 00:09:34,840 They want to trap him. And there's not just one trap. 146 00:09:35,520 --> 00:09:40,600 I argue that there are two traps in one verse, and the same traps 147 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:45,200 that these enemies of Christ try to use to trip Christ with are 148 00:09:45,200 --> 00:09:47,800 traps that you and I have to be mindful of. 149 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:50,360 And in this brief time, before we break bread together, I want 150 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,960 to present those two traps that you and I as Christians should 151 00:09:53,960 --> 00:09:57,040 be careful of And, and they're not really touched on as much, 152 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:01,800 but they're traps nonetheless. The first trap that I want you 153 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:07,840 to pay attention to is the trap of flattery. 154 00:10:09,200 --> 00:10:13,160 The trap of flattery. That's a trap. 155 00:10:13,720 --> 00:10:16,240 That's a trap. Look at verse 14 again. 156 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,320 Look at the language that they praised Jesus with before they 157 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:24,400 asked him this question and they came and said to him. 158 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:29,680 Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about 159 00:10:29,680 --> 00:10:34,440 anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances, but 160 00:10:34,440 --> 00:10:41,560 truly teach the way of God. This is nothing short of a slimy 161 00:10:41,560 --> 00:10:47,000 attempt to stroke someone's ego. And the idea behind this is that 162 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,760 by boosting Christ up so much, it would excite him. 163 00:10:51,080 --> 00:10:54,160 It would excite him to live up to their praises and answer them 164 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:58,120 in the way that they desired. Because they're trying to fish 165 00:10:58,120 --> 00:11:01,600 for something out of Christ. They want Christ to say 166 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:07,120 something bold, confrontational, more importantly, controversial. 167 00:11:08,040 --> 00:11:10,240 And that's in the question that they're about to ask. 168 00:11:10,880 --> 00:11:16,040 And so they think by priming up Jesus with these tributes, it 169 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:21,440 will disarm him, it will affect his judgment, and he will again 170 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:25,800 give in to the admiration and say what exactly they want him 171 00:11:25,800 --> 00:11:30,560 to say to his own harm. Here's the thing, flattery 172 00:11:30,720 --> 00:11:33,680 doesn't work with Jesus Christ. It doesn't. 173 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:35,480 You know who it does work with though? 174 00:11:35,680 --> 00:11:41,240 People, including believers in Jesus Christ. 175 00:11:42,520 --> 00:11:46,520 What is flattery? Flattery is the use of excessive 176 00:11:46,520 --> 00:11:50,680 compliments as a means to accomplish a selfish goal. 177 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:58,120 Flattery is insincere praise. It is a manipulation tactic 178 00:11:58,120 --> 00:12:00,760 under the guise of encouragement. 179 00:12:01,960 --> 00:12:06,440 On the other hand, a genuine, heartfelt commendation is meant 180 00:12:06,440 --> 00:12:09,400 to purely benefit the one who is receiving it. 181 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,680 But that's not what flattery does. 182 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:17,000 Flattery seeks to receive a benefit for yourself in giving 183 00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,600 that commendation. So if you want to know the 184 00:12:19,600 --> 00:12:23,320 difference between genuine encouragement and praise to 185 00:12:23,320 --> 00:12:28,160 another and flattery, it is the motivation for the admiration 186 00:12:28,160 --> 00:12:31,080 that is being shared. Why are you sharing that? 187 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:34,000 Why are you saying those things to such a person? 188 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:38,120 Why are you complimenting them? And this idea of flattery is 189 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:40,560 dangerous. It's dangerous because it preys 190 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,480 on the pride or the insecurities of another. 191 00:12:43,680 --> 00:12:47,760 And the result of that is that it skews their perception. 192 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:51,320 It skews their perception of themselves, of another person, 193 00:12:51,320 --> 00:12:53,120 or of a decision that they need to make. 194 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:58,320 And that's why in Proverbs 29 verse five, we are told a man 195 00:12:58,320 --> 00:13:02,560 who flatters his neighbor sets up a net for his feet. 196 00:13:03,520 --> 00:13:07,280 It's a trap. It's deception, It's a trick. 197 00:13:07,600 --> 00:13:09,800 And it's something that you and I have to ask God. 198 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:13,320 Discernment for. Beware of the flatterer. 199 00:13:14,600 --> 00:13:18,400 Beware of what you do with the praise of people, even if it's 200 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:20,400 genuine praise. You and I are warned about what 201 00:13:20,400 --> 00:13:24,360 we should do with that, but especially words of endearment 202 00:13:24,520 --> 00:13:26,480 that have a different motive behind it. 203 00:13:27,000 --> 00:13:32,200 Because, you see, flattery is not just a potential weapon from 204 00:13:32,200 --> 00:13:34,880 a sneaky neighbor. Here's what most people miss, 205 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:37,480 and this is where it relates to the body of Jesus Christ. 206 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:40,000 You ready? Flattery is also a 207 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:41,920 characteristic of a false teacher. 208 00:13:45,240 --> 00:13:49,680 Flattery is a strong indication of someone who is dangerous even 209 00:13:49,680 --> 00:13:52,880 in their teaching. You know, spiritual wolves are 210 00:13:52,880 --> 00:13:57,920 are are rarely mean people. They often come off very kind, 211 00:13:57,920 --> 00:14:02,840 very respectful, very charming, very winsome. 212 00:14:03,720 --> 00:14:08,000 And what false teachers will often do is disarm undiscerning 213 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:12,560 individuals by using endearing and enticing words that are 214 00:14:12,560 --> 00:14:15,720 personal oftentimes. And here's why they do it. 215 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:19,000 They reel you in with it, they keep you with it, and at some 216 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,480 point in the mix, they inject their poison into your belief 217 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:27,000 system. All it takes is for some people 218 00:14:27,000 --> 00:14:29,960 to let their guard down is for another person to just be really 219 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:34,600 nice to them. Being nice is good, but being 220 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:36,920 nice is also a cloak for those who are not good. 221 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:42,200 And sometimes flattery manifests itself from the standpoint of a 222 00:14:42,200 --> 00:14:45,600 false teacher in the form of prophecy, where somebody will 223 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,360 come with an apparent spiritual gift and will tell you things 224 00:14:48,360 --> 00:14:52,040 about you or tell you things about your future that are good, 225 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,760 are good to hear. And it's really a way to have 226 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:59,840 access into your trust, access into your heart to win your 227 00:14:59,840 --> 00:15:02,080 support. And that is the beginning of 228 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,880 many dangerous things. Here's a scriptural proof of the 229 00:15:04,880 --> 00:15:06,800 correlation between flattery and a false teacher. 230 00:15:06,960 --> 00:15:11,200 Turn with me to Romans 16 and verse 17, just in case you don't 231 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:17,520 believe me. Romans 16 and verse 17. 232 00:15:26,390 --> 00:15:29,670 I don't ask for many things in life, but if I can ask for one 233 00:15:29,670 --> 00:15:32,390 thing, is for you to continue to do what you do with those Bibles 234 00:15:32,390 --> 00:15:35,190 every Sunday. Bring those Bibles to church. 235 00:15:35,270 --> 00:15:39,200 It just flutters my heart every time I hear the Bible being 236 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,400 open. Romans 16, verse 17. 237 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:45,920 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause 238 00:15:45,920 --> 00:15:49,640 divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that 239 00:15:49,640 --> 00:15:53,120 you have been taught. Avoid them, for such persons do 240 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,560 not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites. 241 00:15:56,560 --> 00:16:03,880 And by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the 242 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,000 naive. There it is. 243 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:13,280 Flattery is primarily a trap for the theological and emotionally 244 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:19,440 unstable, and it often is a bait that causes one to surrender 245 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:22,320 their discernment, their judgement, to the applause and 246 00:16:22,320 --> 00:16:25,680 the adoration of others. I can tell you stories that I'll 247 00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:30,480 spare you of, of people that I've come into contact with, 248 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:32,120 nobody that you know. So don't worry. 249 00:16:32,120 --> 00:16:35,680 Many, many years ago when I first got saved and they were 250 00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,040 flatters. And thank God for a good 251 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:41,840 spiritual leadership that discovered that these flatterers 252 00:16:41,840 --> 00:16:44,600 that were infiltrating churches had a history of going to other 253 00:16:44,600 --> 00:16:47,760 churches and stealing people's money and breaking up 254 00:16:47,760 --> 00:16:50,840 relationships and introducing false teaching. 255 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:55,120 It is real. But the trap of flattery is not 256 00:16:55,120 --> 00:16:58,200 just something that you and I must be mindful of as an outside 257 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:01,840 external thing. The trap of flattery is a 258 00:17:01,840 --> 00:17:05,240 dangerous thing in another way. It is something that you and I 259 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:09,040 as Christians should be aware of, and something that you and I 260 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:12,040 should be mindful of not committing ourselves. 261 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:19,040 So it's both ways, receiving that flattery and giving it. 262 00:17:20,839 --> 00:17:23,920 So turn your Bibles with me, the first Thessalonians, and look at 263 00:17:23,920 --> 00:17:28,359 Chapter 2. The Apostle Paul is speaking to 264 00:17:28,359 --> 00:17:30,960 this group of believers in what is believed to be his first 265 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:39,200 epistle, First Thessalonians, chapter 2, and look at verse 5. 266 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:47,200 For we never we never came with words of flattery, as you know, 267 00:17:47,960 --> 00:17:51,840 nor the pretext for greed. God is witness, Nor did we see 268 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:55,280 glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we 269 00:17:55,280 --> 00:17:57,840 could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 270 00:17:57,840 --> 00:18:01,000 Here's what Paul's doing. He's making a defense of the 271 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,640 integrity of his preaching ministry. 272 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:06,960 And in that defense he declares with a clear conscience 3 273 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,280 things. Three things that as a minister 274 00:18:09,360 --> 00:18:13,320 he did not do. And these are three things that 275 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,520 are true servant of God, especially in the place of 276 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,240 proclaiming the word and teaching the word. 277 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:22,320 These are three things that are true men of God will not do. 278 00:18:22,800 --> 00:18:24,960 What's the first thing it says here in verse five? 279 00:18:25,120 --> 00:18:28,040 We didn't use words of flattery. We didn't. 280 00:18:28,040 --> 00:18:30,520 We we didn't flatter people. No, no, no, no, no. 281 00:18:30,520 --> 00:18:32,280 Here's the second thing, he says. 282 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,800 Nor were the pretext for greed. We did not use preaching as a 283 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:39,920 cloak for us to covet and to satisfy our greed. 284 00:18:40,400 --> 00:18:43,320 In other words, we didn't use ministry as an opportunity to 285 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:47,440 get rich, to be successful, to fill our pockets. 286 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:49,960 No way. And then lastly, this is 287 00:18:49,960 --> 00:18:51,720 probably the most difficult one in verse six. 288 00:18:51,840 --> 00:18:55,080 Nor did we seek glory from people. 289 00:18:56,400 --> 00:18:59,240 We didn't use Ministry as an opportunity for us to feel 290 00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:02,520 better about ourselves, to sense a purpose in our lives, a 291 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:05,240 meaning in our lives. We didn't fish for people to 292 00:19:05,240 --> 00:19:08,040 love us and to get a following. No, no, no. 293 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:11,160 We didn't flatter people. We didn't use ministry to get 294 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:14,440 money from people and we didn't even use Ministry to get praises 295 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:18,280 from people. And the first thing, as you know 296 00:19:18,280 --> 00:19:21,680 is the words of flattery. And note, this is more than just 297 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:25,720 him saying I didn't come to you showering you with compliments, 298 00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,760 coming off in a nice way so that I can gain your appreciation or 299 00:19:30,120 --> 00:19:31,920 your support. It's more than that. 300 00:19:32,760 --> 00:19:35,960 There's a subtle form of flattery that ministers 301 00:19:35,960 --> 00:19:38,640 especially may be committing and not even realizing it. 302 00:19:40,760 --> 00:19:46,400 By modifying and shaping the truth to be less convicting and 303 00:19:46,400 --> 00:19:51,920 more if not completely commending, you can flatter 304 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:57,120 people in your preaching if you're thinking, well, is that 305 00:19:57,120 --> 00:19:59,880 really what he's saying? It is Because look what he says 306 00:19:59,880 --> 00:20:02,480 right before verse five. Look at the context in verse 307 00:20:02,480 --> 00:20:06,840 four, First Thessalonians. 24. But just as we've been approved 308 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:11,520 by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak not to 309 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:15,840 please men, but to please God, who tests our hearts. 310 00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:18,240 Then he says, we didn't come to you with words of flattery. 311 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:22,760 It is it possible for someone who preaches the Word of God to 312 00:20:22,760 --> 00:20:27,280 flatter people while preaching? Yes, absolutely. 313 00:20:28,200 --> 00:20:31,720 And here's how that looks, where there's an intentional effort to 314 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:36,120 avoid any possible offense, to try to not get people to be 315 00:20:36,120 --> 00:20:38,040 convicted, to try to get people to be upset. 316 00:20:38,120 --> 00:20:40,280 And why would a preacher do that? 317 00:20:40,280 --> 00:20:42,040 Well, I can tell you at least one of many reasons. 318 00:20:42,600 --> 00:20:44,480 They don't want to lose the supporters in the church. 319 00:20:44,480 --> 00:20:46,520 They don't want to lose the money coming in. 320 00:20:46,520 --> 00:20:48,800 They don't want to offend. Even if they might know of the 321 00:20:48,800 --> 00:20:52,400 things that are being done in that place that offend God, they 322 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:56,160 rather flatter and tiptoe around these things that would cut the 323 00:20:56,160 --> 00:20:58,880 heart, Paul says. You're not going to find that in 324 00:20:58,880 --> 00:21:02,000 my ministry. I did not flatter I When I 325 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,240 preach, I primarily have one audience in mind and that's God. 326 00:21:05,880 --> 00:21:11,480 I preach to please God first, and that's what he's getting at 327 00:21:11,480 --> 00:21:13,960 here. I didn't tailor my message 328 00:21:13,960 --> 00:21:18,320 because of any insecurity of mine, and that's what he wants 329 00:21:18,320 --> 00:21:20,280 us to know for the true minister today. 330 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,000 And if you're not a preacher, this still applies because there 331 00:21:23,000 --> 00:21:26,520 will be times where you and I with the truth have to avoid the 332 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:28,920 temptation of giving into flattery and instead giving it 333 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:31,840 the way Jesus did, though it would be laced with love. 334 00:21:33,640 --> 00:21:37,480 May God, the Holy Spirit help us be like the Lord Jesus In what? 335 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:42,360 In discerning what people say to us, but also and never utilizing 336 00:21:42,360 --> 00:21:45,080 flattery for whatever our motivation might be. 337 00:21:45,520 --> 00:21:48,680 But to do everything with the constant sense that we want to 338 00:21:48,680 --> 00:21:51,400 1st Honor God the trap of flattery. 339 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:54,280 But that's not the only trap. Let's come back to mark chapter 340 00:21:54,280 --> 00:22:00,760 12 together and let's look at verse 14 for the second trap in 341 00:22:00,760 --> 00:22:02,920 verse 14 again. And they came and said to him, 342 00:22:02,920 --> 00:22:05,320 Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about 343 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:09,320 anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances, but 344 00:22:09,320 --> 00:22:13,640 truly teach the way of God. Here's the second trap. 345 00:22:14,360 --> 00:22:18,560 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar? 346 00:22:19,400 --> 00:22:22,520 What a timely word, huh? Or not. 347 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:26,480 Should we pay them or should we not? 348 00:22:28,560 --> 00:22:31,120 The second trap, though it is very unique to Christ's 349 00:22:31,120 --> 00:22:33,920 situation, universally applies if we dig deeper. 350 00:22:34,120 --> 00:22:36,320 The second trap that you and I have to be mindful of as 351 00:22:36,320 --> 00:22:41,120 Christians is the trap of a faulty view of human government. 352 00:22:42,560 --> 00:22:46,920 The trap of a faulty view of human government. 353 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:49,040 What kind of quandary are they trying to place Christ in right 354 00:22:49,280 --> 00:22:53,720 right here With this question, it's very easy to understand 355 00:22:53,840 --> 00:22:58,480 because if Jesus here answers this in any way in the minds of 356 00:22:58,480 --> 00:23:00,160 these men, it's a lose lose situation. 357 00:23:00,160 --> 00:23:03,120 It's almost like the best equation that they came up with, 358 00:23:04,320 --> 00:23:07,160 because no matter how Jesus answers, he's going to get in 359 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:12,760 trouble with one party. So if the Lord Jesus says yes, 360 00:23:12,760 --> 00:23:19,560 we must pay our taxes to Caesar, then he might be assaulting what 361 00:23:19,560 --> 00:23:22,840 is commonly held in the Jewish community as the sovereignty of 362 00:23:22,840 --> 00:23:26,440 God being the right to rule over the people, not Rome. 363 00:23:27,640 --> 00:23:31,560 And so the Pharisees would love for Jesus to say yes, so that 364 00:23:31,560 --> 00:23:34,680 they can use that as ammunition to diminish his popularity among 365 00:23:34,680 --> 00:23:36,840 the Jews. Look at this rabbi. 366 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:39,200 You guys think that he's this and that, but do you realize 367 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,120 that he actually supports the Roman Empire? 368 00:23:42,560 --> 00:23:47,800 But if he says no, we shall not pay taxes to Caesar, and if he 369 00:23:47,800 --> 00:23:50,960 might even follow it up with God is the one who truly rules and 370 00:23:50,960 --> 00:23:54,480 reigns over this land, over this people, Then the Herodians are 371 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:58,280 right there, ready to take that confession and race to the 372 00:23:58,280 --> 00:24:01,320 authorities, to have Jesus arrested and potentially put on 373 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:04,680 trial. This is inescapable, almost from 374 00:24:04,680 --> 00:24:07,640 a human standpoint. This is something that might 375 00:24:07,640 --> 00:24:10,600 actually work. And although you and I are on 376 00:24:10,600 --> 00:24:13,160 the edge of our seats to discover how Christ's wisdom is 377 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:15,880 going to manifest at this moment, you and I also have to 378 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:20,440 pause and remember that what Jesus will answer is imperative 379 00:24:20,440 --> 00:24:23,560 for you and I as well. It's absolutely vital what 380 00:24:23,560 --> 00:24:26,280 Christ is about to say here, Because you see, the problem of 381 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,080 human government isn't just limited to this situation. 382 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:30,400 It is something. Listen. 383 00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:36,360 It is something believers need to get right even today, or else 384 00:24:36,360 --> 00:24:38,520 we will find ourselves in a different kind of trap. 385 00:24:40,280 --> 00:24:42,800 Jesus trap here is different than you and I, but the theme 386 00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,080 and the subject here is still a trap. 387 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:49,960 A trap that will create a wrong way of thinking which will 388 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:53,320 impact your testimony in mind before a watching world. 389 00:24:53,840 --> 00:24:57,000 And a trap that, if we give in to, will grieve God, who longs 390 00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:01,760 for every facet of our lives, every lane, to be dedicated to 391 00:25:01,760 --> 00:25:06,880 reflecting and glorifying Him, even the way you operate in this 392 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:09,960 Pagan society with unbelieving rulers. 393 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:15,120 And I'll tell you why this is needed today, because for the 394 00:25:15,120 --> 00:25:20,520 first time in America, the first time ever, we are seeing a 395 00:25:20,560 --> 00:25:24,800 dramatic and blatant shift away from cultural Christianity. 396 00:25:26,040 --> 00:25:28,560 For the longest time, Christianity has been tolerated 397 00:25:28,560 --> 00:25:31,480 and even praised and even shared among those who don't really 398 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:34,760 believe it. It was esteemed and held as a 399 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:38,360 part of the fabric of the United States, and that is being 400 00:25:38,800 --> 00:25:43,000 dramatically altered. And you have Christians now who 401 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:45,680 perceive that all of us can perceive that you don't have to 402 00:25:45,680 --> 00:25:49,120 be a prophet to see it, But at the same time, more than just 403 00:25:49,120 --> 00:25:52,520 perceiving it, you have genuine believers trying to navigate the 404 00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:56,400 way that they should respond. And what is my responsibility 405 00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:58,680 now? What should I do at this time, 406 00:25:59,040 --> 00:26:03,720 with all these laws and all this blatant rebellion and wickedness 407 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:06,680 assaulting the very truth that you and I hold dear to? 408 00:26:08,760 --> 00:26:11,040 It's a slippery slope at this time, and I'm afraid that the 409 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:15,520 growing temptation of Christians is to frame the perception of 410 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:18,400 how they should practically live this out. 411 00:26:18,960 --> 00:26:25,560 Not from God's word, but out of anger, out of confusion, even in 412 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:27,880 the flesh, in the spirit of rebellion. 413 00:26:30,360 --> 00:26:33,720 This is why you and I have to see this as a trap to avoid, 414 00:26:34,160 --> 00:26:35,760 because there's something at stake here. 415 00:26:36,120 --> 00:26:38,840 I'll tell you what's at stake about how you and I view human 416 00:26:38,840 --> 00:26:41,200 government. It's in First Peter 2, and I 417 00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:51,700 want you to read it with me. Beginning in verse 13, Peter by 418 00:26:51,700 --> 00:26:54,020 the Spirit builds on what the Lord Jesus says and what we're 419 00:26:54,020 --> 00:26:56,820 about to discover together in the closing part of this 420 00:26:56,820 --> 00:26:59,420 message. But I want to just show you a 421 00:26:59,420 --> 00:27:04,300 brief understanding of what's at stake if we don't take this 422 00:27:04,300 --> 00:27:05,860 seriously. First, Peter 213. 423 00:27:06,160 --> 00:27:12,160 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, 424 00:27:12,760 --> 00:27:16,640 whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors as sent 425 00:27:16,640 --> 00:27:19,120 by him, to punish those who do evil and praise those who do 426 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:20,840 good. Why? 427 00:27:20,840 --> 00:27:22,320 Why, Peter, Why should I do that? 428 00:27:22,760 --> 00:27:25,840 For this is the will of God one that you should just stop right 429 00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:28,320 there. It's the will of God. 430 00:27:29,280 --> 00:27:31,840 These authorities have been delegated by God. 431 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:34,600 They've been placed by God. They they did not escape the 432 00:27:34,600 --> 00:27:37,720 sovereign will of God, for this is the will of God. 433 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:44,040 Here it is that by doing good you should put to silence the 434 00:27:44,040 --> 00:27:47,320 ignorance of foolish people. In other words, there is 435 00:27:47,320 --> 00:27:51,640 constantly a people looking for reasons to criticize you as a 436 00:27:51,640 --> 00:27:57,960 Christian, to give reason for why they should not give to your 437 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,640 gospel and obey it and submit to it. 438 00:28:01,320 --> 00:28:10,160 Including how the believer lives under, speaks about, relates to, 439 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:13,560 and communicates about human government. 440 00:28:16,040 --> 00:28:18,360 And so we come back to Jesus words and we see what his answer 441 00:28:18,360 --> 00:28:24,920 was in verse 15 of Mark 12. But knowing their hypocrisy, 442 00:28:24,920 --> 00:28:26,560 isn't that a scary part of that verse? 443 00:28:28,800 --> 00:28:31,000 Jesus knows hypocrites. He knows when they're being 444 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:32,320 hypocrites. Like you can't hide. 445 00:28:32,320 --> 00:28:33,360 You can. You can fool people. 446 00:28:33,360 --> 00:28:38,720 You can't fool Jesus Christ Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, 447 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:42,520 he said to them, Why put me to the test? 448 00:28:43,120 --> 00:28:44,960 Bring me Denarius and let me look at it. 449 00:28:45,640 --> 00:28:48,960 And they brought one. And he said to them, whose 450 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,880 likeness and inscription is this? 451 00:28:54,800 --> 00:29:01,800 They said to him Caesar's. Jesus said to them, rendered to 452 00:29:01,800 --> 00:29:03,360 Caesar the things that are Caesar's. 453 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:06,320 Let's stop there. Rendered to Caesar the things 454 00:29:06,320 --> 00:29:09,000 that are Caesar's. And then he goes on to say to 455 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:12,840 God the things that are God's. Here's how Jesus is in that 456 00:29:12,840 --> 00:29:18,640 first part, giving his instruction, pay the tax, give 457 00:29:18,640 --> 00:29:20,080 the government what they're asking of you. 458 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:23,560 Now, it's true that the Lord Jesus answer does not provide a 459 00:29:23,560 --> 00:29:26,160 full explanation of the obligation of a Christian 460 00:29:26,320 --> 00:29:29,800 concerning government. But it does undeniably define 461 00:29:29,800 --> 00:29:32,520 that there is an obligation that the Christian has. 462 00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:34,760 The believer does have an obligation. 463 00:29:34,760 --> 00:29:38,120 In this case, the obligation is to fulfill your duty to give 464 00:29:38,120 --> 00:29:41,000 back to the government the services that they give to you, 465 00:29:41,000 --> 00:29:44,080 no matter how you feel about the quality of their services. 466 00:29:45,520 --> 00:29:50,760 But what if and what about and what about? 467 00:29:50,760 --> 00:29:57,840 When I get it, I can feel it and most of those objections and 468 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:00,400 those concerns are answered in the second part of Jesus's 469 00:30:00,400 --> 00:30:03,640 reply. And to God, the things that are 470 00:30:03,640 --> 00:30:08,000 God's. There is a multi layered meaning 471 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:10,120 to Jesus. As simple as it is the 472 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:12,080 statement, it is absolutely profound. 473 00:30:12,080 --> 00:30:15,320 So let's look at them 1 by 1 the immediate implication of Jesus 474 00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:18,280 saying give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and God what 475 00:30:18,280 --> 00:30:20,680 belongs to God. Is this that you and I must 476 00:30:20,680 --> 00:30:23,080 submit to all governing authorities. 477 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:28,480 But ultimate loyalty belongs to a loftier authority. 478 00:30:29,880 --> 00:30:36,160 He who receives all things and all things are subject to him. 479 00:30:36,160 --> 00:30:40,440 God Almighty, your highest submission, your your highest 480 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:46,240 surrender is to a divine court. In other words, your submission 481 00:30:46,240 --> 00:30:49,800 to earthly government stands as long as such demands do not 482 00:30:49,800 --> 00:30:55,160 encourage you in any way to violate what God says in his 483 00:30:55,160 --> 00:30:58,520 divine law. Here's how that would work in 484 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:01,040 this case. So historically speaking, most 485 00:31:01,040 --> 00:31:04,240 believe that the coin that Jesus pointed to in his explanation 486 00:31:04,400 --> 00:31:09,840 had this inscription on it. Tiberius Caesar, son of the 487 00:31:09,840 --> 00:31:14,400 divine Augustus. That's what would be inscribed 488 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:18,880 on that coin. And so, as that coin is being 489 00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:22,200 held up and Jesus says, render to Caesar the things that are 490 00:31:22,200 --> 00:31:26,000 Caesar's, in other words, in a applicable way for us. 491 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:31,440 It's if you're asking me to pay my taxes to fund the services 492 00:31:31,440 --> 00:31:33,960 that I benefit from, then I will do so peaceably. 493 00:31:33,960 --> 00:31:37,040 I will comply. But remember that inscription 494 00:31:37,040 --> 00:31:41,480 even at that time, Tiberiasis are the son of the divine 495 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:44,280 Augustus. That's a claim to divinity. 496 00:31:45,840 --> 00:31:51,240 That is a ridiculous claim, and I know that our politicians have 497 00:31:51,240 --> 00:31:53,280 made crazy claims lately, and I have a feeling they're going to 498 00:31:53,280 --> 00:31:55,400 get worse. But nothing has reached this 499 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:59,160 category yet of claiming divinity. 500 00:31:59,160 --> 00:32:03,600 You want me to pay my taxes? I'll pay my taxes. 501 00:32:03,920 --> 00:32:06,280 I'll render to Caesar the things that belongs to Caesar's. 502 00:32:07,240 --> 00:32:11,640 But if you're asking me to worship Caesar, that I will 503 00:32:11,640 --> 00:32:14,920 reject with absolute resistance. Why? 504 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:18,440 Because my master told me to render unto God what belongs to 505 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:23,160 God, and that's worship. And that's something that these 506 00:32:23,160 --> 00:32:26,800 believers would need to remember, because persecution is 507 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:30,080 going to rise in a few years. With that very temptation, that 508 00:32:30,080 --> 00:32:33,480 very command from the government would be made, and they would 509 00:32:33,480 --> 00:32:36,080 make the choice to render unto God what belongs to God. 510 00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:40,120 So when the government interferes and meddles with the 511 00:32:40,120 --> 00:32:43,080 clear commands of Scripture concerning you and I as 512 00:32:43,080 --> 00:32:48,240 believers, you have every right to protest, resist, and at any 513 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:52,720 cost obey God over man, rend unto Caesar the things that 514 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:56,360 belongs to Caesar's, and as Peter said, do it for the Lord's 515 00:32:56,360 --> 00:33:00,600 sake, for the Lord's sake. In other words, don't view 516 00:33:01,400 --> 00:33:05,320 government as this one sphere here, and the church and God's 517 00:33:05,320 --> 00:33:06,920 word here. No. 518 00:33:06,920 --> 00:33:09,880 Understand that government is something again that God 519 00:33:09,880 --> 00:33:13,240 established, and that you were to view it through the lens of 520 00:33:13,240 --> 00:33:16,800 his word, and you were to seek the wisdom of God, to know how 521 00:33:16,800 --> 00:33:20,240 to relate to that. And it's not very difficult 522 00:33:20,240 --> 00:33:22,160 because you have everything you need to know about God and what 523 00:33:22,160 --> 00:33:26,120 he asks of you here. But there's something else here. 524 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:30,120 There's a wider implication. Christ says render to seize the 525 00:33:30,120 --> 00:33:32,120 things that belong to Caesar, but he said something right 526 00:33:32,120 --> 00:33:34,400 before. Let's revisit it again in verse 527 00:33:34,520 --> 00:33:37,880 16. And they brought one and said to 528 00:33:37,880 --> 00:33:43,320 them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? 529 00:33:43,960 --> 00:33:46,800 Whose likeness and inscription is this? 530 00:33:47,320 --> 00:33:48,880 Does that language sound familiar? 531 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:53,640 It should. And I have a feeling that there 532 00:33:53,640 --> 00:33:56,560 was a Hebrew scripture that flashed before the mind's eye of 533 00:33:56,560 --> 00:33:59,160 these Jewish listeners the very moment Jesus shared it. 534 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,280 Genesis 126. You remember what saying what it 535 00:34:03,280 --> 00:34:06,040 says there. Then God said, let us make man 536 00:34:06,560 --> 00:34:14,239 in our image after our likeness. I'm sure I rung a bell. 537 00:34:15,159 --> 00:34:18,639 Jesus being very strategic with how he is saying this, whose 538 00:34:18,639 --> 00:34:22,040 likeness and inscription is this? 539 00:34:23,320 --> 00:34:26,760 And then he follows it up with Render unto Caesar what belongs 540 00:34:26,760 --> 00:34:30,320 to Caesar, and unto God what belongs to God. 541 00:34:30,719 --> 00:34:33,320 Do you see the connection that Jesus Christ is making by 542 00:34:33,320 --> 00:34:34,920 phrasing his question in this way? 543 00:34:36,080 --> 00:34:41,840 If this coin should be returned to Caesar because his image is 544 00:34:41,840 --> 00:34:46,719 on it, then the object that reflects God's image should also 545 00:34:46,719 --> 00:34:49,520 be returned to him. And what is the object of 546 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:52,320 creation that bears the image of God? 547 00:34:53,440 --> 00:35:00,840 You. You give this to Caesar. 548 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:04,800 His image is on it. But you forgot what image is on 549 00:35:04,800 --> 00:35:08,640 you. God's image is on you. 550 00:35:09,880 --> 00:35:12,200 So you have to understand how the Pharisees would have heard 551 00:35:12,200 --> 00:35:14,280 this and how the Herodians would have heard this. 552 00:35:14,280 --> 00:35:17,760 You see the Pharisees who were supposedly concerned about what 553 00:35:17,760 --> 00:35:19,800 responsibility we have to the Roman Empire. 554 00:35:19,880 --> 00:35:23,520 We're reserving something else of greater importance at this 555 00:35:23,520 --> 00:35:28,280 time themselves. Here they are talking about what 556 00:35:28,280 --> 00:35:31,080 should we give to Caesar? And here's God in Christ 557 00:35:31,080 --> 00:35:34,080 reminding them, hey, I know we have to talk about this and make 558 00:35:34,080 --> 00:35:36,240 this clear, but let's talk about something else that you're not 559 00:35:36,240 --> 00:35:39,640 giving, that you need to give. Render unto Caesar what belongs 560 00:35:39,640 --> 00:35:42,040 to Caesar, but render unto God what belongs to God what belongs 561 00:35:42,040 --> 00:35:44,400 to God. Your image is God's image. 562 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:48,840 You must give yourself to God. And these Pharisees were 563 00:35:48,840 --> 00:35:51,600 rejecting that principle because they were not giving themselves 564 00:35:51,600 --> 00:35:56,160 to the Son of God. So he cuts through that. 565 00:35:56,760 --> 00:35:59,120 Now what about the Herodians? You have the Herodians who were 566 00:35:59,120 --> 00:36:02,000 completely caught up in politics. 567 00:36:03,960 --> 00:36:07,240 They had this view of the Herodian dynasty, almost as 568 00:36:07,240 --> 00:36:12,160 though they were a messianic kind of figure, and their whole 569 00:36:12,160 --> 00:36:16,280 world view was wrapped up in the temporal, in the worldliness of 570 00:36:16,280 --> 00:36:19,920 things. And here's Jesus reminding them, 571 00:36:19,920 --> 00:36:24,240 even through that statement, you Herodians, you fell short of 572 00:36:24,240 --> 00:36:27,760 giving unto God what belongs to him, which is your heart and 573 00:36:27,760 --> 00:36:30,240 your ultimate obedience. Is it not true that we have 574 00:36:30,240 --> 00:36:33,520 people today that view government, that view politics, 575 00:36:33,520 --> 00:36:37,520 that view elections as though there is no other hope? 576 00:36:39,080 --> 00:36:40,600 Have you met those kind of Christians? 577 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:44,040 They're experts in politics, but they're babes in Christ. 578 00:36:44,040 --> 00:36:49,440 When it comes to the things of God, give unto Caesar what 579 00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:51,000 belongs to Caesar. His image is on it. 580 00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:52,800 Give it to him whose image is on you? 581 00:36:54,160 --> 00:36:56,600 God. So give yourself to God. 582 00:36:57,640 --> 00:36:58,600 Did you do that? Yet? 583 00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:03,120 You're not a lone wolf. You're not an accident. 584 00:37:03,520 --> 00:37:06,600 You didn't just appear. You're not the byproduct of the 585 00:37:06,600 --> 00:37:08,320 love between your father and your mother. 586 00:37:09,640 --> 00:37:14,920 You are created in the image of God, and as precious as that is, 587 00:37:14,920 --> 00:37:18,120 and as wonderful as that is, that has implications of 588 00:37:18,120 --> 00:37:21,680 ownership. You don't belong to yourself. 589 00:37:23,120 --> 00:37:26,200 You belong to someone who made you and he is good and he is 590 00:37:26,200 --> 00:37:30,560 perfect. And in the same way that a 591 00:37:30,560 --> 00:37:34,400 person can refuse to pay taxes to Caesar, you have the ability 592 00:37:34,400 --> 00:37:36,360 to refuse to give yourself to God. 593 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:40,280 And in the same way that a person who does so against a 594 00:37:40,280 --> 00:37:44,400 human government risk facing consequences for such 595 00:37:44,400 --> 00:37:48,120 resistance, there is a God in heaven who will call each of us 596 00:37:48,120 --> 00:37:52,280 into account for failing to acknowledge him as our rightful 597 00:37:52,280 --> 00:37:58,040 owner. Is it a mystery why? 598 00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:02,080 At the end of verse 17, it says, And they marveled at him, 599 00:38:04,040 --> 00:38:07,800 They're stunned. This is convicting. 600 00:38:09,400 --> 00:38:11,920 Yeah, give it to him. I'm not here to encourage a 601 00:38:11,920 --> 00:38:15,640 revolution. I'm not here being preoccupied 602 00:38:15,640 --> 00:38:18,360 with human government. You think. 603 00:38:18,360 --> 00:38:20,000 But brother, you don't understand. 604 00:38:20,040 --> 00:38:22,760 No, I actually do understand, because the same Jesus said 605 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:25,280 render unto Caesar. What belongs to Caesar is saying 606 00:38:25,280 --> 00:38:27,640 that about the government, who in a few days is going to nail 607 00:38:27,640 --> 00:38:34,000 him on a cross. And so, for the Lord's sake, 608 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:38,560 when it's difficult, whatever your situation might be that 609 00:38:38,560 --> 00:38:40,800 would encourage you to respond in the flesh instead of in the 610 00:38:40,800 --> 00:38:42,920 spirit, do it for the Lord's sake. 611 00:38:43,840 --> 00:38:47,800 Even with your taxes. I know who loves taxes, right? 612 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:51,480 Even your time. It your money doesn't belong to 613 00:38:51,480 --> 00:38:53,960 you. Like, hey, you're traveling by 614 00:38:53,960 --> 00:38:56,200 in this life and you're not bringing anything with you. 615 00:38:56,720 --> 00:38:58,920 Nothing. Just pay your taxes. 616 00:38:59,200 --> 00:39:02,600 Honor God, live on, and trust that he's going to take care of 617 00:39:02,600 --> 00:39:04,440 you. OK, OK. 618 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:09,480 Very simple. Just travel lightly in this 619 00:39:09,480 --> 00:39:12,680 world. Travel very lightly for the 620 00:39:12,680 --> 00:39:14,760 Lord's sake. For the Lord's sake. 621 00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,040 And when they begin to impose and infiltrate and attempt to 622 00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:20,200 act as the head of the church, No, no, no, no, no, no. 623 00:39:20,200 --> 00:39:24,120 We don't give in. We submit to Christ, and this is 624 00:39:24,120 --> 00:39:28,480 what his word says, and we pay whatever price we have to pay to 625 00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:32,520 honor God above man. They marveled at him. 626 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:36,720 I wonder what that marveling did to them. 627 00:39:37,880 --> 00:39:42,680 I wonder for if a moment their icy hearts were thawed a little 628 00:39:42,680 --> 00:39:46,520 bit. You know, it's possible to 629 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:51,040 marvel at Jesus, marvel at His word, be moved by what his word 630 00:39:51,040 --> 00:39:53,080 says. Marvel like, really be amazed 631 00:39:54,240 --> 00:40:00,840 and not be changed by Jesus. Can I show you how these men who 632 00:40:00,840 --> 00:40:04,680 marveled did not change? Can I show you how it's 633 00:40:04,680 --> 00:40:09,320 possible, even in a setting like this, to be moved but never 634 00:40:09,320 --> 00:40:13,240 transformed? If you are being moved, that's 635 00:40:13,240 --> 00:40:15,440 your opportunity to know transformation. 636 00:40:15,840 --> 00:40:20,360 But it's possible to marvel and your heart remain the same. 637 00:40:20,480 --> 00:40:22,640 Look at this and this is our final text before we end. 638 00:40:22,960 --> 00:40:32,840 Look at Luke 23, Matthew Mark Luke 23. 639 00:40:34,040 --> 00:40:45,800 Here's Jesus, precious Lord Jesus on trial verse one. 640 00:40:47,280 --> 00:40:50,960 Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before 641 00:40:50,960 --> 00:40:54,680 Pilate, and they began to accuse him, saying We found this man 642 00:40:54,680 --> 00:40:58,560 misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to 643 00:40:58,560 --> 00:41:03,960 Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ a king. 644 00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:07,840 Did you see it? What were they saying? 645 00:41:08,040 --> 00:41:12,440 This Jesus is misleading our nation by saying we shouldn't 646 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:15,480 pay taxes to Caesar. Is that what Jesus did? 647 00:41:16,520 --> 00:41:19,760 Has anybody ever taken your words and twisted them? 648 00:41:20,120 --> 00:41:23,000 Has anybody on your behalf said that you said something when you 649 00:41:23,000 --> 00:41:25,040 didn't say them? Welcome to the club. 650 00:41:25,040 --> 00:41:31,400 Club Jesus, the one in whom there was no deceit found in his 651 00:41:31,400 --> 00:41:36,400 mouth. People had the liberty and the 652 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:43,600 venomous willingness to say Jesus, Jesus, me, OK, I make 653 00:41:43,600 --> 00:41:44,840 mistakes. I can say some things. 654 00:41:44,920 --> 00:41:47,680 I understand that I'm not the perfect communicator and that 655 00:41:47,680 --> 00:41:52,520 things can be mistranslated. But Jesus, Jesus said that we 656 00:41:52,520 --> 00:41:54,080 should not pay tribute to Caesar. 657 00:41:55,360 --> 00:41:57,600 Do you see how you can fellowship with Christ in all 658 00:41:57,600 --> 00:42:03,720 your afflictions? Even this if what? 659 00:42:03,720 --> 00:42:06,560 What would it take for you and I in that kind of a setting where 660 00:42:07,000 --> 00:42:12,560 in a trial where you would face horrific torture to not say 661 00:42:12,840 --> 00:42:18,400 you're a liar? Jesus doesn't go there. 662 00:42:19,560 --> 00:42:21,080 I'm just marveling at Jesus again. 663 00:42:21,080 --> 00:42:23,240 I'm sorry, I can't help it. I wasn't supposed to end this 664 00:42:23,240 --> 00:42:27,000 way. He's amazing. 665 00:42:28,080 --> 00:42:31,000 He's amazing. I want to be like Jesus, but I 666 00:42:31,000 --> 00:42:32,520 want to show this for this main purpose. 667 00:42:32,800 --> 00:42:37,200 Marveling at Jesus is not the same as giving your heart to 668 00:42:37,240 --> 00:42:40,280 Jesus. And I want you to give your 669 00:42:40,280 --> 00:42:44,600 heart to Jesus because the image of God is on you. 670 00:42:44,600 --> 00:42:49,000 And because of a fall, that image wasn't completely deleted. 671 00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:52,360 It was marred that that mirror that was supposed to perfectly 672 00:42:52,360 --> 00:42:56,440 reflect the glory of God through the mud of sin, was splashed all 673 00:42:56,440 --> 00:42:58,840 over it. But Christ comes into this world 674 00:42:58,840 --> 00:43:04,040 to rescue us, and with His blood to cleanse that and to restore 675 00:43:04,040 --> 00:43:08,800 that, and one day, fully in total glorification, renew that 676 00:43:11,560 --> 00:43:13,600 but you. In the same way you might be 677 00:43:13,600 --> 00:43:17,160 tempted to give that coin when you have the option to keep it 678 00:43:17,160 --> 00:43:21,320 to yourself. Give your heart to Him and let 679 00:43:21,320 --> 00:43:24,920 him renew you, forgive you, restore you, rejuvenate you, 680 00:43:25,040 --> 00:43:29,720 revive you, and bring you into a life that Jesus said is 681 00:43:29,720 --> 00:43:33,320 abundant. And today, as we break bread 682 00:43:33,320 --> 00:43:36,240 together, we are reminding ourselves that because of the 683 00:43:36,240 --> 00:43:39,240 body and blood of Jesus, we are forgiven. 684 00:43:39,240 --> 00:43:44,280 And no matter what we've done, even if we have cheated, even if 685 00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:48,360 we have loved money more than God, even if we have, unlike 686 00:43:48,360 --> 00:43:53,800 Jesus did things in the flesh and retaliated with vengeance, 687 00:43:55,000 --> 00:43:57,080 we are forgiven because of Jesus. 688 00:43:58,680 --> 00:44:01,680 And so in a moment here, we're going to sing as I invite the 689 00:44:01,680 --> 00:44:05,840 praise team to come up, to do just that, to reflect, to 690 00:44:05,840 --> 00:44:09,200 reflect on this truth of the cross. 691 00:44:14,860 --> 00:44:19,180 And as you're sitting there, just prepare your heart. 692 00:44:20,300 --> 00:44:23,860 Prepare your heart to partake of this wonderful ordinance. 693 00:44:26,360 --> 00:44:29,440 Ask God to cleanse you of anything that would grieve the 694 00:44:29,440 --> 00:44:32,680 Spirit. Ask God to instill in you a joy 695 00:44:33,880 --> 00:44:39,000 to not do this mechanically, but to do this with the celebration 696 00:44:39,000 --> 00:44:41,480 of your life. I've been forgiven by Christ. 697 00:44:42,000 --> 00:44:45,880 I'm redeemed by the Lord. I have no concern about my 698 00:44:45,880 --> 00:44:48,560 eternal standing before God because not because of me, but 699 00:44:48,560 --> 00:44:51,560 because of this, this body and this blood. 700 00:44:52,520 --> 00:44:54,880 I have total security that I'm saved. 701 00:44:55,520 --> 00:44:58,080 Lord, we thank you for this message, for instructing us 702 00:44:59,240 --> 00:45:03,480 about how we can be more like Christ, for reminding us, though 703 00:45:03,480 --> 00:45:07,560 in a brief way, how to avoid these traps, these minds that we 704 00:45:07,560 --> 00:45:11,520 might have not noticed before. Lord, in every area we want to 705 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:14,760 glorify you, and every way we we live. 706 00:45:14,760 --> 00:45:17,720 We want to be able to reflect you and please you help us do 707 00:45:17,720 --> 00:45:19,680 that. But Lord, for this moment we ask 708 00:45:20,120 --> 00:45:24,200 that despite our poor performance or our weaknesses, 709 00:45:24,760 --> 00:45:28,160 we come to reflect on the fact that because you're strong, 710 00:45:28,160 --> 00:45:30,560 we're strong. Because you paid the price, our 711 00:45:30,560 --> 00:45:34,200 debt is cancelled. And so Lord, may may the joy of 712 00:45:34,200 --> 00:45:38,440 our hearts now be in the truth that you did everything and it 713 00:45:38,440 --> 00:45:40,120 is finished because of your life. 714 00:45:40,520 --> 00:45:42,680 In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 715 00:45:43,560 --> 00:45:46,680 We're singing to remember that even on the night that Jesus was 716 00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:49,000 betrayed, he sang a hymn with his disciples. 717 00:45:49,600 --> 00:45:52,520 I don't care how you feel right now. 718 00:45:52,680 --> 00:45:55,880 The truth is good enough to let your heart soar. 719 00:45:56,160 --> 00:45:59,960 If Jesus could sing when he was about to be betrayed, you can 720 00:45:59,960 --> 00:46:02,240 sing despite your tribulation today. 721 00:46:02,320 --> 00:46:03,800 Can we do that to him? Yes. 722 00:46:03,800 --> 00:46:04,920 Let's stand and worship the Lord.