Good Answer! Good Answer!
This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, December 2, 2007 and was taken from Mark 12:13-17.
The setting for this section of Mark’s gospel is one of a politically charged atmosphere, as we find the Pharisees and the Herodians joining forces to try to trap Jesus: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
1. This is an ingenious plan.
2. Jesus gave an ingenious answer to their trick question.
An abiding principle which has shaped the whole of the western world, and has made a profound impact on the history of the whole planet: “My allegiance belongs to God, and to God alone, and my respect belongs to the state.” We bear the stamp and image of God on our person, and therefore our allegiance belongs to God alone.
Application: At this season, with our emphasis on the Lottie Moon Christmas offering, we are called to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth, not the American way to the ends of the earth.