TITLE: I AM WALKING IN MY AUTHORITY
TEXT: MATTHEW 22:15-22
INTRODUCTION
A. Who you know is just as powerful as what you know
B. Many of us have been benefactors of someone else’s authority
C. Many of us desire to use our authority appropriately
THE SET-UP
A. The Pharisees plotted to trap Jesus in His words
B. They sent their Disciples
1. Those who studied and followed their teachings
2. The Pharisees, along with the majority of the Jews, despised Rome
C. They sent the Herodians
1. Jewish political party devoted to the Roman Government and its deputy, Herod. They were supporters of the Herodian Dynasty
2. The Roman Government tolerated the Jews
D. The Pharisees and the Herodians were on opposite ends of the spectrum
E. The Pharisees and the Herodians collaborated to get Jesus to choose a side
1. This would have been an inappropriate use of Jesus’ authority
2. They desired to use [misuse] Jesus’ authority to support their position
FLATTERY AND COMPLIMENTS
A. They used flattery and compliments to soften Jesus up
B. Be Cautious of Compliments
1. Luke 6:26 26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.” (NRSV)
2. John 15:18, 19 18 “If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen
you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.” (NRSV)
THE QUESTION
A. Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
1. The Pharisees were against paying taxes to Rome
2. The Herodians were in favor of paying taxes to Rome
B. At times, we are challenged to use our authority inappropriately
1. We all have authority
2. How are we using the authority that we have?
THE ANSWER
A. Jesus perceived their wickedness
B. “Show Me the coin used for the tax. Whose image and title is on it?
C. “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God”
D. God will grant us the wisdom to discern intentions and defeat our enemy
