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Navigating Political Questions Like Jesus

15 Then the Pharisees met together to plot how to trap Jesus into saying something for which he could be arrested. 16 They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites. 17 Now tell us what you think about this: Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” MATTHEW 22:15-17 NLT

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” 22 His reply amazed them, and they went away. MATTHEW 22:18-22 NLT

JESUS NEVER FELL FOR THE GOTCHA QUESTION

18 But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” he said. “Why are you trying to trap me?  MATTHEW 22:18 NLT

Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. PROVERBS 26:4 NLT

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self–condemned. TITUS 3:9-11 NIV

Before you answer, ask yourself:

JESUS WAS A MASTER AT REFRAMING THE DISCUSSION

19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” MATTHEW 22:19-20 NLT

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. COLOSSIANS 4:5-6 NLT

JESUS USED SPIRITUAL WISDOM TO ANSWER POLITICAL QUESTIONS

19 Here, show me the coin used for the tax.” When they handed him a Roman coin, 20 he asked, “Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” 21 “Caesar’s,” they replied. MATTHEW 22:19-21 NLT

There is not a Bible verse for every question.

Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25A NLT

There is enough wisdom in the Bible to arrive at an answer for every question.

But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25B NLT

JESUS ALWAYS POINTED TO THE DEEPER TRUTH

21 “Well, then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” 22 His reply amazed them, and they went away. MATTHEW 22:21-22 NLT

THREE DEEPER TRUTHS TO LIVE BY:

My body belongs to God.

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:19-20 NLT

My money belongs to God.

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. PSALM 24:1 NLT

Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. MALACHI 3:8 NIV

My time belongs to God.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. PSALM 90:12 NIV

My Notes

Discussion Questions

Use the following questions to reflect on the sermon. Choose a couple from each section to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: When have you felt surprised or attacked by a question? How did that affect your relationship with the person who asked?
  2. START HERE: When political conversations come up, do you usually get: fired up, shut down, anxious, or confident? Why do you think that is?
  3. START HERE: Think of a time when you answered too quickly and later thought, “I wish I would have handled that differently.” What would you change?
  4. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 22:15-22 NLT. What seems most important to Jesus in this interaction?
  5. KEEP GOING: Jesus sees motives before He answers (Matthew 22:18). Before you jump into a tough conversation, how do you discern whether to engage or walk away? What might help you slow down to consider “Why are they really asking me this?”
  6. KEEP GOING: What do your recent conversations/comments reveal about your concern for people? How would you feel if you were on the receiving end of those?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read Colossians 4:5-6 NLT. What does it sound like to share the truth with grace, “seasoned with salt”?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT. Reflect on how you spend your time, use your body, and handle your money. What do your choices reveal about who you believe owns your life? How do you see either alignment or tension with God?

  9. KEEP GOING: What area of your life do you want God to bless, yet you resist His authority over it? What would surrender look like for you?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: The next time someone brings up a heated political topic, what’s one practical step you could take to respond more like Jesus – wise, calm, and pointing to a deeper truth?
  11. LIVE IT OUT: What would it look like to amaze someone this week, not by winning an argument, but by responding like Jesus? Is there a conversation you need to revisit, not to win, but to repair?