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Page de couverture de He Is Good | God & Caesar | Mark 12:13-17 | Coleton Segars

He Is Good | God & Caesar | Mark 12:13-17 | Coleton Segars

He Is Good | God & Caesar | Mark 12:13-17 | Coleton Segars

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 Sermon Summary: God & Caesar Mark 12:13–17 “Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words…” Jesus said to them, ‘Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.’ And they were amazed at him.” – Mark 12:13–17 Introduction: When Our Allegiance Shifts Coleton began by connecting the ancient tension of Jesus’ words to a very modern moment. He recalled the tragic event of September 10, 2025, when Charlie Kirk, a political activist, was shot and killed. What followed, Coleton said, was not just mourning, but division. Some celebrated, others grieved, and soon churches became battlefields of political expectation. In some congregations, people even walked out of worship services because their pastor didn’t mention Charlie Kirk by name. Coleton made this sobering observation: “They didn’t leave because Jesus wasn’t worshiped. They didn’t leave because the gospel wasn’t preached. They left because another man’s name wasn’t mentioned.” And in doing so, Coleton said, “They rendered unto Caesar that which was God’s.” They gave their allegiance — something meant for God alone — to another. We live in a time where the church wrestles to understand and live obediently to what Jesus says in this passage. Coleton gave background, teaching from Jesus, and challenges we face in obeying Jesus. 1. The Background: A Trap Disguised as a Question Coleton explained that this was no innocent question. The Pharisees and Herodians were political enemies — the Pharisees hated Roman control; the Herodians supported it. But they joined forces to trap Jesus. They asked, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” If Jesus said yes, He’d lose favor with His Jewish followers. If He said no, He’d be accused of rebellion against Rome. Either way, they thought they had Him. The Tax and Its Offense Coleton quoted historian Mark Strauss to give context: “The coin bore the image of Tiberius Caesar with the words ‘Son of the divine Augustus.’ This was idolatry — a direct violation of the first and second commandments.” For Jews, paying this tax wasn’t just about money — it was about worship. Would they honor God or bow to Caesar? Coleton summarized it like this: “The Pharisees and Herodians are forcing Jesus to pick a side. But Jesus refuses their categories — and instead shows that His kingdom transcends them.” 2. What We Learn from Jesus’ Answer When Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” He wasn’t being clever — He was being clear. Coleton said Jesus’ words teach two essential truths. A. “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s” — Obedience without Idolatry Jesus acknowledges the legitimacy of human governments. Coleton quoted Mark Strauss again: “Jesus affirmed that Caesar has a legitimate claim, and so does God. Civil obedience does not contradict the obedience due to God — so long as God’s rights are safeguarded.” That means we can pay taxes, show respect, obey laws, and honor leaders — as long as it doesn’t lead us into disobedience to God. Coleton drew from Romans 13:1–7, where Paul commands believers to be subject to governing authorities because “there is no authority except that which God has established.” He reminded listeners: “You’re not obeying Caesar because he deserves it — you’re obeying God because He commands it.” The Egyptian Church Story Coleton shared a story from Pete Greig about the persecuted Coptic Christians in Egypt. When their churches were closed for nine years, they didn’t riot. Instead, they turned every home into a church. When the ruler later walked the streets, he heard worship from every house and lifted the ban. “They gave Caesar the building, but they gave God their hearts,” Coleton said. “They rendered to Caesar what was Caesar’s — but they never stopped giving to God what was God’s.” That, he said, is true obedience: submission that never compromises worship. B. “Give to God what is God’s” — Full Allegiance and Love “God gets the first and the most,” Coleton said. “Our heart, our mind, our strength, our time, our devotion — He gets it all first.” He reminded the church that even when rulers oppose God’s ways, our loyalty remains fixed on Him. The early Christians refused to call Caesar “Lord,” even if it cost them their lives. Coleton quoted Bruce Shelley: “Had the Christians been willing to burn that pinch of incense and say ‘Caesar is Lord,’ they could have worshiped Jesus freely. But they would not compromise.” “They would not render to Caesar what belonged to God,” Coleton emphasized. “Even if it cost them everything.” 3. The Challenge: When We Mix These Up Coleton said this is the heart of the problem today — we mix up what belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God. A. When We Don’t Like Caesar When we dislike our leaders, we ...
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