1. Some Things Which Belong to the Lord Matthew 22:15-22

2. Background The Tuesday of Jesus’ last week was a long day spent in teaching (from Mt. 21:18 to Mt. 26:1) The Jews (scribes, Pharisees, Herodians, Sadducees) had been asking Jesus questions – 4 in all (21:23; 22:17; 22:28; 22:36). Each question was asked in order to trap Jesus.

3. Background The parallel accounts are found in Mk. 12:13-17 and Lk. 20:20-26 Note the following… –The men: disciples of the Pharisees & Herodians –The motive: to ensnare, to trap –The method: hypocrisy, flattery, craftiness

4. “Ti[berivs] Caesar Divi Avg[vsti] F[ilivs] Avgvstvs” (“Caesar Augustus Tiberius, son of the Divine Augustus”)

5. Background Two lessons are taught here… –It is not state (Caesar) or religion (God); but, state and religion –Respect what belongs to another; give them (render) their due; do not keep back what rightly belongs to another

6. Render Unto Caesar Our obedience to the laws (Rom. 13:1-5; 1 Pet. 2:13-15; Tit. 3:1) Our taxes (Rom. 13:6-7; comp. Mt. 17:24-27) Our prayers (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

7. Render Unto God Ultimately, everything belongs to the Lord (Psa. 24:1) Let us consider a few things that belong to God that we forget about

8. Render Unto God The church –It is not “my church,” etc. –It is the Lord’s church (Mt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Rom. 16:16)

9. Render Unto God The title “Reverend” –This description belongs to God, not to preachers (Psa. 111:9) –We need the attitude of Job (32:21-22)

10. Render Unto God Honor and glory –Too many take glory to themselves rather than giving glory to God (Acts. 12:20-24) –We give glory to God by being a member of his church (Eph. 3:21) and by our good works (Mt. 5:16)

11. Render Unto God Worship –Religious people often worship themselves, angels, idols, etc. (Acts 10:25-26; 14:13-15; Rev. 22:8-9) –Sunday is the “Lords’ day”; we owe God our presence in worship (Heb. 10:25)

12. Render Unto God The Lord’s supper –It is not an entertainment or social meal (1 Cor. 11:20ff) –It is to be eaten as he directs (Mt. 26:26ff; Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:24)

13. Render Unto God Vengeance –When someone does evil toward us, it is not our place to retaliate; vengeance belongs to God (Deut. 32:35; Psa. Psa. 94:1; Rom. 12:19; Heb. 10:30) –We are not “in the place of God” (Gen. 50:19)

14. Render Unto God Salvation –Various religions have their own “plan of salvation”; but, salvation belongs to the Lord (Psa. 3:8; 62:11-12) –Salvation is what Jesus and his apostles say (Mk. 16:15-16; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:21; etc.)

15. What About You? Do you give tribute to Caesar, but not to God (Herodians)? Do you give tribute to God, but not to Caesar (Pharisees)? Is your life unbalanced? Are you a great citizen of the USA, but a poor citizen of the kingdom of God?

16. What About You? Your best service to one, does not free you from your duty to the other! Give to God what belongs to God! Start by giving your life in obedience to his word!