Scripture
Matthew 22:21
Isaiah 45:1,4-6; Psalms 96:1,3-5,7-10; I Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21
Sermon Week/Year
Sermon Topic
A pious pastor who had been a teetotaler all his life, was invited to dinner by a new parishioner. “Would you gentlemen care for a drink?” the waiter asked. “I’ll have a Martini,” said the parishioner. “Will the Reverend also have a martini?” the waiter asked. “I’d sooner break all Ten Commandments,” said the pastor. “I didn’t know we had a choice,” said the parishioner.
In today’s Gospel Lesson, the Pharisees ask Jesus a question involving choice:
Master, we know that You are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to You. Tell us Your opinion then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not? (Mt. 22:16-17).
By confronting Jesus with a hard choice — a “Yes” or a “No” — the Pharisees are trying to put Him in a “no-win” situation.
If He answers “Yes,” He would likely lose some of…
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