Give to Caesar – Give to God: October 22, 2017

TEXT: Matthew 22:15-22

The Pharisees went and plotted to entrap Jesus in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

1. WATCH OUT FOR THE CUNNING ENEMIES OF GOD!
2. BEHOLD! JESUS IS OUR MODEL FOR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT
3. OUR TWO CALLS TO SURRENDER
4. CONCLUSION

Suggested Lectionary Readings:  Exodus 33:12-23 and Psalm 99; Isaiah 45:1-7 and Psalm 96:1-9, (10-13), 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10; Matthew 22:15-22

Great Quotes from People of God

It is better to wear out than to rust out.  – George Whitefield, English Evangelist

Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me.      – Saint Patrick, Missionary

The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.     -Billy Graham, Evangelist

The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become – because He made us. He invented us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be. . .It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.      – C.S. Lewis

I have one passion. It is He, only He.      -Count Zinzendorf

Various are the pleas and arguments which men of corrupt minds frequently urge against yielding obedience to the just and holy commands of God.     – George Whitefield

Prayer is communion with God. It is most important. A Christian who knows not how to pray is no Christian at all.      -John Sung