FBCWest 371 | Death and Taxes
Recorded On: 01/29/2020
Bulletin
FBCWest
January 26, 2020
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him
must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”
“I Will Enter His Gates”
Praise and Worship
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 106:1 - 3
“Nothing Ever (Could Separate Us)”
“More”
“Greatness of Our God”
“Stay and Wait”
Giving of Selves and Our Offerings
OFFERTORY PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate
Proclamation of the Word
Message by Pastor Joe
“The Life and Ministry of Jesus The Messiah”
“Death and Taxes”
PRAYER TIME / Time of Reflection
“Take My Life”
Acknowledgements and Announcements
Benediction “Won’t Stop Now”
Scritpures
Jesus predicts His death and resurrection a second time
Matthew 17:22 And while they were gathering together in Galilee, Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men;
Matthew 17:23 and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day." And they were deeply grieved. The Tribute Money
Plan even before the beginning
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before 2Him. In love
Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,
Ephesians 1:6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.
From whom are taxes collected: Sons or strangers
Matthew 17:24 When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the 2two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, "Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?"
Matthew 17:25 He said, "Yes." And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?"
Matthew 17:26 When Peter said, "From strangers," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are exempt.
Matthew 17:27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find 3a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." 1. Early mss do not contain this v 2. Equivalent to two denarii or two days' wages, paid as a temple tax 3. Lit standard coin, which was a shekel /r/n
Transcript of Service
Death.
And taxes, although I had her CPA tell me once that at least with taxes, you can file for an extension.
So we're not now. The.
Fortunate thing about today's sermon is not about your death and not about my death.
But about the predicted.
Death of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And so in Matthew Chapter 17, starting with verse 22.
It says this.
And while they were gathered together and at Galilee Jesus said to them. The son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men and they will kill him.
And he will be raised on the 3rd day.
And they were deeply grieved.
Now this is the second specific reference to the entire group of disciples that Jesus predicts his death.
And resurrection.
He has made reference to it to others, and at various times. For instance, when he was talking to Nick a demas. He said that son of man must be lifted up that was referenced to his death by what means he also told the religious leaders when they were wanting to know more signs and wonders to prove who he was he said. This generation will have no other sign then the sign of Jonah, which again is the obvious.
Very all for 3 days in resurrection.
He also told the 3.
Peter James and John as it came down from the mountain where he was transfigured, he said. Do not tell them of this until after my resurrection, so he is constantly telling his disciples what the plan is.
Now there is a fallacy in many those who refuse to accept that Jesus is the Messiah by saying one day except the historical fact that he was crucified that while he was a good man, a good rabbi an itinerant preacher. But the events of the circle and the circumstances just got beyond him an crushed in beneath the wheels of history, if you will.
Jesus continued to predict is that it wasn't something that happened to him as the scripture says he life was not taken he lated down for us.
And in case you're wondering.
And again there's many fine.
Theologians and pastors and whatever who believe that God came up with a plan and things got messed up so we came up with another plan and things got messed up so it came with another plan until finally came up the plan with Jesus that's just utter nonsense.
To show that that's under nonsense. I want you to look quickly in your bibles at Ephesians chapter one.
Starting with verse 3.
It says this.
Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ just as he chose us in him before the foundations of the world that we would be holy and blameless before him and then he goes on. As in loving being tested, but notice before God even said let there be light.
The plan was that God so loved his people.
All the ethnic groups.
That, he sent his son God, son, the son of God God.
2.
Be a savior for us that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life so this prediction of Jesus death is not only one that shows us that Jesus. It just didn't happen to him. It was planned before he even said let there be light.
That that was God's plan to send his son.
And his son participated in the plan throughout the entire time now.
So when you hear people say, Well, God keeps having to come up with a plan. Yeah, he had a plan that was before he ever said anything.
Now the problem is, is I understand the disciples response, partially because they were deeply grieved because let's face it to one sense you say Jesus?
I and every person whoever existed is not worth you dying this way for us.
It is not even close in worth of exchange.
And so I could see them. But I also think that they were probably grieved because they didn't fully understand because their thought was the Messiah doesn't die.
So it's like.
This isn't this isn't happening in yet. We've seen Jesus raise people from the dead, but Jesus was alive when he raised people from the dead. We've never heard of anybody being dead, raising himself from the debt.
So there are deeply grieved.
But the prediction of his death.
Shows.
The God.
As we like to say is in control.
However, usually when we say an and I know all of us have said it and I'm not here to castigate you for saying it.
But a lot of times we say God is in control.
Because we're not.
And things aren't quite turning out the way we think or they should or whatever or it's still not happening. So we say, Well, God is in control. Well, this next passage is going to show how much God is in control, and this.
And the sad thing is.
I guess.
Of the various commentaries I've read nobody's seen this.
They talk about what Jesus does they talk about some other things, and they talk about a miracle. And, yes, it is a miracle. But it's a miracle in a number of different ways, so let's take a look verse 24.
We've talked about death now we're going to talk about taxes.
And when they came to Capernaum. Those who collected to 2 drachma tax came to Peter and said.
Does your teacher not pay the two drachma tax?
And he said yes.
So.
Right off the bat when you look at the companies there is a discussion about what this taxes. Some will say it's the the tax related to the temple that was instituted during the building of the Tabernacle that was continued odd in the temple and it was every male 20 years of age or older had to pay a particular tax for the Tabernacle or now the temple. Others will say because Jesus will make reference to Kings and whatever then no it's not about the temple tax.
It's about the tax to the Romans or whatever.
I believe.
The Jesus here has been presented Peter has been presented with do you pay the temple tax there is later on in his ministry? He's going to deal with the question of paying taxes to Rome as we all remember render under Caesar? What is Caesar's unto God? What is God but I believe this is the temple tax and I'll tell you why in a little bit so he said yes because I think Peter is not wanting to get into a fight and and I'm sure he just thinking well. Jesus does everything he supposed to do.
So therefore he faced attacks will Jesus is going to teach.
Peter 2 lessons.
And I think that there's 2 significant lessons he's about to teach Peter.
And when he came into the House Jesus spoke to him, 1st and saying.
What do you think Simon from home to the Kings of the earth collect customs or pull taxes from their sons or from strangers.
He's saying OK and that's where some people think we're talking about.
Taxes in general, an because talk about Kings are there I think Jesus is broadening this whoever they think whoever thinks they're in charge?
And let's face it, who's ever in charge. That's why we had the saying is not what you know it's who you know.
So even in our country they will tax people.
But if you have enough interest and they call it special interests. You can get particular deductions an avoidance is because.
You are good friends with the people who are in charge.
And so Jesus?
Doing what is common who do people tax do they tax?
Their family or do they tax strangers?
And Peter, having lived on the earth for awhile.
N Peter said from strangers.
He seemed the system.
They do it from strangers.
And when Peter said from strangers Jesus said to him than the Suns are exempt. He saying if they're collecting it from strangers than the Suns don't have to pay.
However.
So that we do not offend them go to the sea and throw in Oakland software so Jesus is saying.
They've come to collect a temple tax.
What is the temple?
It's the House of God.
Who am I?
The son of God.
Therefore, if I want I don't have to pay the tax 'cause. It's my father's house.
And because there's going to come a time after the resurrection that we will be confirmed that we are the children of God, we are exempt, as well.
Because it's our father's house.
But Jesus is but I don't want to offend them.
And that is a?
Doctrine.
Of Christianity.
There are times we have the freedom, not to do things.
But we don't.
Put in front of peoples faces.
We say in order not to offend you.
I will refrain from exercising my right.
You see they already don't accept that Jesus is the son of God.
They don't accept it now they don't accept it later in his teachings. They don't accept it when he's on the cross then don't accept it when he's buried they don't accept it when he raised from the dead. They make up excuses. Allies tell them that his disciples came and stole the body even when confronted with the truth by the Roman guards.
They pretended otherwise.
However, so that
we do not offend them go to the sea and throw in a hook now. I think this is probably kind of strange because remember Peter's profession his application is to be a fisherman.
And as we've seen in all of Peter's fishing and even after the resurrection when he's out fishing, he does so with a net.
He does so with Annette because you can.
Haul a lot of fish.
A single hook.
Takes awhile to collect a number of fish.
But I believe based on what this how this incident takes place Jesus doesn't want him to use a net.
Because if he uses a net he's going to grab a whole lot of fish.
And the fish that designated as those fish.
In this situation will have to be searched for so Jesus says I want you take a hook, which takes longer.
In specific.
One fish at a time so I want you to take a hook.
And take the first fish that comes up now notice Jesus is a if you want to keep fishing go ahead.
I'm not stopping if you wanna spend all day fishing spent all day fishing, however, the very first fish you catch.
The first fish that comes up and when you open his mouth you will find a shekel.
Just enough to pay two peoples tax.
And he says this fish.
Will have a shekel in his mouth, he won't even have had time to digest it. You don't even have to gut. The fish that took that's in the fish's mouth is where the shekel will be in his mouth.
Now I don't know how Jesus did this.
'Cause most of us, the reason I think that this.
Incident is there right immediately after Jesus for the second specific time to his entire disciples talks about his resurrection in this incident is to show Peter.
As we like to say he's in control.
'Cause if it was about the tax he could have been like most grandparents and their grandchildren. He could have pulled the shekel out behind the year and see go pay the tax.
Now we could say Well, it was you know, whatever but I think Jesus is proving a point to Peter and is proving a point to me.
And to us.
Then when he says this is what's going to happen is not because not only do I know the future.
I am in control of all elements of the future.
Now, how that fish got that chuckle. I don't know other than Jesus did it. Somehow, how it remained in the mouth of the fish rather than as I just wrecked I don't know how Jesus?
Moved everything so that the fish was right there at the time when Peter let down the hook. I don't know. All I know is Jesus is in ultimate control of not only this but of all aspects of the story.
So when we say Jesus is in control or God is in control is not a matter of well, he's he's in control of it all.
The fish the coin, Peters location when it goes down how it's captured house there.
Jesus is in control, so when he says.
I will be delivered.
Into the hands of men which says I'm going to be betrayed.
Somebody's gonna give me into their hands.
And they're going to kill me.
And I'm going to rise again on the 3rd day tells us Jesus is an absolute control of every situation.
They won't just be delivered in the hands of men killed and raise again on any particular moment. But he will do so at the precise timing of God.
He will enter into Jerusalem when Daniel prophesized that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem.
He would die on Passover.
He would raise again on 1st fruits.
Everything is in God's control.
Not just the things that we say, well, I don't know how it happens.
So the wonderful thing about this and so people will say, Oh well. This is a miracle. Yeah, it's a miracle, but it's a miracle that should encourage you in Maine.
Because sometimes things are so infinitely required to be just at the right moment at the right time.
Jesus can do that.
So when you think time is running out.
Time has not run out for God.
When you think there's no way that this can happen that I can be saved.
I want you to remember this incident.
And say that if Jesus?
Can determine
that a fish should have the exact amount of money to pay 2 taxes in its mouth?
So that
as a precise time that Peter lowers the single hook to capture one fish.
And find it, it as well.
And God can do almost anything, he wants to do.
Is control of man he's in control of nature? He's in control of it all.
So when Jesus says no one takes my life, I lay it down and I pick it up again. Yes, he can.
So when you find it the shekel take that and give it to them for you.
And Me.
We're not going to offend them Peter.
We're going to pay the tax.
But I want you to pay the tax in such a way that you say my Lord and my God.
I want you to understand exactly how powerful God is the God isn't something far away an aloof and not concerned.
The God can control at all.
To accomplish his purposes.
At his timing.
And for his glory.
Is awesome?
If Peter did with the Lord asked him to do.
Could you imagine if Peter said you know?
Yeah, I've been around Jesus and he's done some pretty far out things but.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to waste my time trying to get a shekel so maybe at a you know.
Write a sign that says.
Poor fisherman I need some money or.
Get an extra job or do something because after all.
This just seems.
Not only improbable but impossible.
But Peter did with the large said.
And by Peter doing what the Lord said he saw the Lord at.
Work.
That are God truly is the god of the impossible.
So when God asks us to do something.
Maybe our response should be. I want to see what God's doing.
Yeah, it seems fantastic, yeah, it seems improbable, yeah, maybe even seems impossible, but I want to see God doing something.
So Lord take my life.
And let it be.
Concentrated Lord for you.
Use me.
Not that I have anything great to add.
It was in Peters great fishing ability, they caught this fish.
Who is God at work in the situation?
And we should also understand.
That God is at work in US?
You might say well passer.
I don't see it.
We are his workmanship.
That we might be more like Jesus.
And you may not making it as easy on God as it could be.
But God is working on you.
And going to change you into being like his son.
Even if you're not a great pastor, even if you're not a great evangelist, even you're not a great.
Sunday school teacher if you're not a great nothing.
God is still at work in you?
To make you?
Not the greatest you can be.
But to be like his son.
And if you're talking about something impossible. That sounds pretty much impossible. If you know who I am and I suspect if you know who you are.
So today's.
Yes.
There are 2 certain things.
Death and taxes.
So let's make it 1/3.
I will certainly follow and believe God, no matter what he says or how improbable it may be, because I've decided for him to take my life and use it in whatever way he wants whether it's for greatness.
Or for things that people will never know about.
But if he knows and he said. Then you will hear. Maybe not with the crowd says, but you will hear the most wonderful words.
This world and the next has to offer.
Well done.
You good and faithful slave.
And all God's people said.