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 justify disobedience.

We dishonor, refuse to pray, or speak with contempt — forgetting that Scripture commands us to pray for all in authority.

“Paul told Timothy to pray and give thanks for kings — and he wrote that while Nero was emperor, lighting Christians on fire for dinner parties,” Coleton said.

1 Timothy 2:1–4:

“Pray for kings and all those in authority… This pleases God our Savior.”

We don’t do this because leaders deserve it.

“We do it because God deserves our obedience,” Coleton said.

“We render to Caesar out of allegiance to God.”

B. When We Like Caesar Too Much

But Coleton warned that a greater danger is when we like Caesar too much.

When we admire a political figure or government so deeply that we defend them even when they oppose God’s Word.

“We give Caesar what belongs to God,” he said.

“And it looks spiritual because we think we’re defending good values — but our loyalty has shifted.”

Coleton gave examples:

• Evangelism: When we share more about politics than about Jesus.
  
  
  
  


• Loyalty: When we defend a politician more fiercely than we defend Christ.
  
  
  
  


• Apologetics: When we can argue politics better than we can explain the gospel.
  
  
  
  


• Time and Attention: When we consume more news than Scripture.
  
  
  
  


• Discipleship: When parents disciple kids politically, not spiritually.
  
  
  
  


• Identity: When we look more American than Christian.
  
  
  
  


• Faith and Hope: When we trust a government more than God’s kingdom.
  
  
  
  

“When that happens,” Coleton said,

“We stop being Christians who live in America and become Americans who call themselves Christian.”

4. Implications: You Won’t Fit Neatly Anywhere

Coleton said if you truly follow Jesus, you won’t fit perfectly in any political party.

“Jesus didn’t fit neatly with the conservatives or the liberals,” he said.

“So neither will His followers.”

He pointed out that the Pharisees (religious conservatives) and the Herodians (political progressives) both opposed Jesus — a sign that His kingdom doesn’t conform to human categories.

He quoted Rich Villodas:

“If you are completely comfortable in any earthly political party, it’s because you don’t know who you are as a citizen in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

And Tim Keller, who wrote:

“Neither party embodies the full breadth of biblical ethics. Conservatives emphasize personal morality, liberals emphasize social justice — but the Bible calls for both. So Christians should not idolize one party or demonize the other.”

Coleton summarized:

“Our ultimate allegiance isn’t to the right or the left — but to Jesus, and His kingdom alone.”

5. The Call: Give God What Is His

Coleton closed with a reflective invitation.

He asked listeners to pray and consider:

• Do you struggle to obey or respect leaders you dislike?
  
  
  
  


• Have you given more allegiance to political identity than to Jesus?
  
  
  
  


• Have you rendered unto Caesar what belongs to God — your hope, attention, loyalty, or love?
  
  
  
  

He encouraged repentance — to re-center allegiance on God alone.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus refused to side with either the Pharisees or Herodians? What does that reveal about His kingdom?
   
   
   
   


2. In what ways might modern Christians “render to Caesar what belongs to God”?
   
   
   
   


3. What does healthy submission to governing authorities look like for believers today (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Timothy 2:1–4)?
   
   
   
   


4. Where in your own life are you tempted to give more attention, hope, or loyalty to politics than to Jesus?
   
   
   
   


5. How can our church model a better way — giving God our full allegiance while honoring human authorities appropriately?