Main Argument: Give witness to God’s sovereign rule by how you wisely honor and steward the limited realms of authority He presently sets over us until Christ returns and replaces them.

Paying taxes is at the center of our text today, but the topic goes much deeper than our pockets! What really is being addressed is the sovereignty of governments in relation to the sovereignty of God. How much can government demand of us? Who rules over governments? What does God require of us?

I have entitled the sermon, “God & Country According to Jesus.”

Jesus brought clarity on this subject while under Tiberius Caesar’s rule, and His words bring clarity for us today as we follow His Kingship from within the USA. We have not yet had a text quite like this yet. The closest would have been in Colossians three and a couple others in Acts. But this one really gets at the root of some issues that are timely for us today.

How do we live as Christians in relation to our country, government, and politics? Ready for this hot topic that Mark has got us into? It all begins with some politicking opponents of Jesus…

OPPONENTS SENT BY THE SANHEDRIN (v13)

Mark 12:13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.

WITH INSINCERE FLATTERY & QUESTIONING (v14)

Mark 12:14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?

ARE OUT-SMARTED BY JESUS (v15-17)

Mark 12:15–17 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

AND TAUGHT ABOUT THE SOVEREIGNTY OF KINGDOMS (v16-17)

Mark 12:16–17 16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar’s. 17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.

Derived principles for living under human government:

1. Owners set the rules.

2. God owns and rules everything.

Psalm 24:1 “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein.”

3. God gives governments a limited realm of ownership and rule.

God ordained government as described in Genesis 9, and God rules over governments.

The church represents the Kingdom of God on earth. We are like embassies of God’s kingdom. It is vital they we remain faithful at representing God’s Word. Family, Government, and Church are the three institutions ordained by God with their own realms of authority. The church is to give witness to what God has said to each institution.

4. Christians are to honor government authorities to the extent they require disobedience to God .

5. Christians should clearly distinguish between God and country.

6. Our primary obligation to human governments—good or bad—is summed up well in 1 Peter 2:11-17 and Romans 13:1-7.

BY JESUS'S AUTHORITATIVE WORD. (v17)

Government rulers fail at protecting the lives of God’s image-bearers.

We all fail at our commission to image God.

Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

Hebrews 9:27 “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

Jesus as the express image of God obeyed on our behalf, paid the price of our sins, and is exalted as King of kings.

Hebrews 1:1-3 All who repent and believe the Gospel are united to Christ and restored as one of God’s image-bearers in His eternal Kingdom.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

• How do you know when and when not to obey government?

• What do you do when government goes beyond the authority God has given them?

• How does a Christian know when to quietly pray and when to openly seek reform?

• When do you accept persecution as God’s plan for you—like Jesus, Peter, and Paul?

• When do you escape some persecution to fulfill your mission—like Jesus?

• How does a believer do good for an ungodly government—like Daniel?

• When should a believer declare the truth by which God will judge government rulers—like John the Baptist?

• When is it right to help ungodly governments impliment strategic plans for the good of lives—like Joseph?