Caesar, God, and You

Whose Likeness and Inscription Is This?

(Mark 12:13-17, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 29, 2019)

[13] And they sent to him some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians, to trap him in his talk. [14] And they came and said to him, “Teacher, we know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion. For you are not swayed by appearances, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?” [15] But, knowing their hypocrisy, he said to them, “Why put me to the test? Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” [16] And they brought one. And he said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” [17] Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.

When you look in the mirror, what do you see? What is the story of your life? Is there a divine purpose that extends to you? What does your self-image have to do with Jesus?

The Agenda of the Religious and Civil Rulers

And they (see Mark 11:27) sent to him

Some of the Pharisees and some of the Herodians

To trap him in his talk. (Contrast with wise men, Nicodemus, Zacchaeus: Luke 19:1-10)

The Flattering Setup and the Deadly Snare

“Teacher,

We know that you are true and do not care about anyone's opinion.

For you are not swayed by appearances,

But truly teach the way of God.

Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Should we pay them, or should we not?”

God With Us Speaks Flawlessly and Powerfully

Knowing their hypocrisy

“Why put me to the test?

Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”

“Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said to him, “Caesar's.”

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.

THE POINT: Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible Father. He calls us to sincerely follow Him and thus to fulfill our destiny as image-bearers of the Lord our God.

Col. 1:15-17, Heb. 1:3, Gen. 1:27, Gen. 9:6, Is. 9:6-7, Acts 4:18-20

Applying these verses:

1. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's: Submit to lawful civil authority, but those authorities must decide for themselves whether it is right for us to obey them or God.

2. Render to God the things that are God's: You are not a mistake, but have a glorious destiny by creation and redemption, marked by birth, baptism, and the Holy Spirit.

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 120 – A Person of Peace in a World at War

New Testament Reading—Romans 13 – Governing Authorities and the Lord Jesus

Colossians 1:15–17

[15] He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Hebrews 1:3

[3] He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Genesis 1:27

[27] So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 9:6

[6] “Whoever sheds the blood of man,

by man shall his blood be shed,

for God made man in his own image.

Isaiah 9:6–7

[6] For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

[7] Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Acts 4:18–20

[18] So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. [19] But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, [20] for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”

They will look on Him whom they have pierced... (Zech 12:10)

The Lord Has Come – He Shines Through His Church

(Philippians 2:1-30, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 22, 2019)

[28] I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. [29] So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, [30] for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

How should we think about Christmas? (The Sufferer's Holiday. Why? Part of a great mission – Is 12 and 53, Suffering Servant, and John 20:21-22.) What is our relationship to Jesus? How are we to shine as lights in the world? And what is our connection with exemplary servants of God like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus? What if no one knows our name or values our gifts? What is our life about as a sending church?

Remembering Epaphroditus

Epaphroditus: The story behind the name

In the Bible: Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18 Paul “received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”

They sent Epaphroditus to Paul (2 month mission trip involving funds and danger)

Paul was sending him back home to the church.

Paul was eager to send him back home to Philippi, but how would he be received upon his return?

I am the more eager to send him

that you may rejoice at seeing him again

that I may be less anxious

Receive him in the Lord with all joy

Honor such men

How are we to honor exemplary servants of God and why would we do such a thing?

Honor such men

He nearly died for the work of Christ

Risking his life

To complete what was lacking in your service to me – Zec. 9:9, 11:12-13, 13:7, 12:10

THE POINT: Jesus was sent by the Father, and He willingly came and did what no one else could do. We do not all “go” in the same way, but what a joy it is to honor and support all who serve, especially Jesus, the premier missionary!

Applying these verses:

1. Everyone IS a missionary. Romans 12:1, 6, 21

2. Everyone IS NOT a missionary. Jesus, Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, all Philippians

3. Jesus is in a class all by himself, but he shines through us. Phil. 2:5 Have this mind...

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:169-176 – A Lost Sheep and a Good Shepherd

New Testament Reading—Romans 12 – A Living Sacrifice

The God of Epaphroditus

The Lord Has Come – He Shines Through You – The Example of Epaphroditus

(Philippians 2:25-27, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 15, 2019)

[25] I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, [26] for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. [27] Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

What was the pattern of Jesus in life, death, and beyond? Does it help us to have examples of faith and obedience that we can know face to face, or is that just intimidating? How can the life of the Philippian church servant, Epaphroditus, help us in our own walk with the Lord?

Introducing Epaphroditus

Epaphroditus: A dangerous name – dedicated to the goddess of love/pleasure (Prov. 7)

In the Bible: Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18 Paul “received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.”

They sent Epaphroditus to Paul (2 month mission trip involving funds and danger)

Paul was sending him back home to the church.

Who was Epaphroditus to Paul?

My brother – a family connection in the household of faith

And fellow worker – a mission partner in the progress of the kingdom of God

And fellow soldier – a co-belligerent who understands the danger of warfare for Jesus

Who was Epaphroditus to the churches in Philippi? Who were they to him?

Your messenger (apostle)

And minister to my need (from which we get the word liturgy)

A man who has been longing for you all, (word Paul uses to describe very eager desire)

And has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. (Jesus in Gethsemane)

Why was Epaphroditus being sent home to Philippi?

He was ill, near to death. (See v. 30 – He risked his life for the mission.)

But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also. Sorrow upon sorrow.

THE POINT: Those who have the mind of Christ share bonds of affection and mission, especially in their local churches.

Applying these verses:

1. What is a normal Christian life? It includes mutual affection and joining in mission.

2. What does this have to do with the true meaning of Christmas? John 20:19-22

3. What is the big story of the true God of love/pleasure? Isaiah 12 and Epaphroditus

Old Testament Reading—Psalm 119:161-168 – A Perfect Prince of Peace

New Testament Reading—Romans 11:17-36 – From him, through him, to him