Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title & Text “The God to Whom I Belong” Mark 12:13-17 ESV
Message Series: Astonished! Our current study in the book of Mark is an opportunity to grow in our understanding of Christ’s power & authority.
1. Message in a Sentence: Christ’s ownership of your soul produces Christlikeness in your life.
2. Pharisees & Herodians sent to trap Christ “in His talk”. Pharisees are religious leaders & legal scholars. Herodians are a Jewish religious sect, loyal to Herod. Both know of God but “belong” to their academics or connections.
3. Although their intentions are clear, the group starts with flattery before asking a question intended to trap Christ, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay them or not?”
a. To not pay taxes is to break the law
b. To pay taxes is to upset the people
4. Understanding the Coin: Caesar’s face was on each Roman coin
a. Power: The use of a coin represented Caesar’s authority over an area & people.
b. Alignment: Using the coin was to accept the power of the Caesar (Note: Christ didn’t have a coin of His own)
c. Personal Ownership: Coin was personal property of Caesar
5. Render to Caesar what is his
a. The state/governments are allowed by God
b. Accepting benefits of state is to accept the requirements too
c. There is a limit to the authority of the state
6. Render to God the things that are God’s
We acknowledge the structure of the government. We benefit from the blessings of government so we must fully participate. At the same time we also, fully belong to God. God created us in His spiritual image (Gen 1:26), so we completely surrender our life to God.
7. Giving your life to God is to fully surrender every aspect of your life to God. Like Caesar’s coin or the coin in your pocket, God has stamped you to live under His image and authority. We now live:
a. Under the Power of Christ
b. Fully aligned with Christ’s life
c. As personal property of Christ

To continue to develop your relationship with Christ, spend time every day this week praying and meditating on this passage and it’s truths [EveryDay Jesus - below].

Edward

Everyday Jesus: Mark 12:13-17 Growing in our surrender to Christ

· Monday: Mark 12 The Pharisees were dedicated to knowing God academically but they did not know God personally. As Christ followers, God wants to completely own us - completely. Ask God to show you what is owning you: emotionally, physically, spiritually?
· Tuesday: Mark 12: 13-17 The Pharisees flattered Jesus by telling of their confidence in His God centered teaching while also trying to expose Him as a false teacher. Ask God where you have acknowledged but ignored His truth at work in your life.
· Wednesday: Mark 12:13-17 To use Caesar’s coin was to accept him as their conquering king/ruler. As a Christ follower created in God’s image, thank God that you can connect with Him spiritually. Then thank God for Christ conquering sin in your life.
· Thursday: Mark 12:13-17, 1 Cor 2:1-16, Rom 8:1-17, Just as Roman coins bear the image of those they have authority over, you too bear the spiritual image of God who has authority over your life (cf Gen 1:26). Ask God to search your heart & reveal where your life is yielded more to your flesh than yielded to His Spirit.
· Friday: Mark 12:13-17, Render to Caesar is to pay what is due to Caesar’s authority. Likewise, God’s authority in our life comes with a complete surrender to His authority. Ask God to give you the strength to surrender to Him completely, according to His authority over your life.
· Saturday: Mark 12:13-17 As we render to Caesar, we must also render to God what is His - us. Today, confess the times and ways that you have not always totally surrendered to God. Then, commit/recommit to living under the ownership of Christ. Ask God for His wisdom to show you what His ownership of your life means to how you now live.