Christ's Kingdom: Beyond Politics and Human Authority
Summary
In the days of Jesus, the political landscape was as divided as it is today. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians each had their own views on the Roman Empire and politics, and they often clashed with one another. Yet, when it came to trapping Jesus, even bitter rivals could unite against him. They presented him with a loaded question about paying taxes to Caesar, hoping to force him into a political corner. Jesus, however, responded with wisdom that transcended their divisions. He asked for a coin, pointed out Caesar’s image and inscription, and declared, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” This answer amazed his opponents because he refused to be trapped by their political categories or to take sides in their power struggles.
The coin itself bore the inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of God, high priest”—titles that rightly belong to Jesus. The tension was clear: the world’s kingdoms claim ultimate authority, but Jesus quietly asserted a higher kingdom. He did not come to take sides in earthly disputes; he came to claim all authority and invite us into his kingdom. In our own time, it is tempting to look to political leaders or parties as saviors, to believe that if only the right person is in power, all will be well. But history and experience show that human leaders disappoint, and political systems are flawed. Only Christ is unfailing, truthful, and worthy of our ultimate allegiance.
As citizens, we have responsibilities—to vote, to care about justice, freedom, and the welfare of our society. But our hope must not rest in government or political outcomes. We are called to pray for our leaders, recognizing that God can work through any system or circumstance, just as he did with Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon. Sometimes God’s people rise to positions of influence; other times, they remain on the margins. In all things, God is sovereign and trustworthy.
As we approach elections or political decisions, let us not be swept up in the fervor of partisanship or place our faith in human solutions. Instead, let us seek God’s guidance, exercise our civic duties with integrity, and remember that our true citizenship is in heaven. May we never forsake God in pursuit of earthly power, but trust him as the one who holds our future and the future of our nation.
Key Takeaways
- Transcending Political Divisions: Jesus refused to be trapped by the political divisions of his day, showing that allegiance to God’s kingdom is greater than any earthly party or ideology. His wisdom calls us to rise above the “us vs. them” mentality and to seek a higher loyalty that unites rather than divides. Our identity in Christ should shape our engagement with the world, not the other way around. [10:50]
- Ultimate Authority Belongs to Christ: The coin’s inscription claimed Caesar as “son of God” and “high priest,” but these titles truly belong to Jesus. Earthly powers may claim ultimate authority, but only Christ is worthy of our trust and worship. Recognizing his sovereignty frees us from the illusion that any human leader can save us. [10:15]
- Do Not Look to Government as Savior: Placing our hope in political leaders or systems is a mistake that leads to disappointment and misplaced faith. Governments and parties will fail us, but Christ never will. Our security and future are found in God alone, not in the shifting promises of politicians. [15:25]
- God Works Through All Circumstances: The stories of Joseph and Daniel remind us that God can use his people in positions of power or in places of obscurity. His purposes are not limited by our circumstances or by who holds office. Trusting God means believing he is at work, even when outcomes are not what we desire. [17:13]
- Faithful Citizenship and Prayerful Discernment: We are called to participate in society—voting, caring for justice, and exercising our freedoms—but always with prayerful discernment and a heart aligned with God’s will. Our actions should reflect our heavenly citizenship, and our hope should rest in God’s faithfulness, not in political victories. [20:21]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[07:20] - The Political Landscape of Jesus’ Day
[08:02] - Judas the Galilean and the Tax Revolt
[08:46] - The Trap: Pay Taxes or Not?
[09:14] - Jesus’ Response: The Coin and Its Inscription
[10:15] - The True King, Son of God, and High Priest
[10:50] - “Give to Caesar, Give to God”
[11:21] - Jesus’ Kingdom Above All
[12:11] - The Failure of Political Promises
[13:16] - Navigating Political Differences as Believers
[15:25] - Application: Do Not Look to Government as Savior
[16:37] - Praying for Government and God’s Sovereignty
[17:13] - Joseph and Daniel: God’s Varied Ways
[18:34] - The Dangers of Political Idolatry
[20:21] - Faithful Citizenship and Prayerful Voting
[21:38] - Aligning with God’s Plan
[22:16] - Remembering God in Times of Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Mark 12:13-17 (Jesus is questioned about paying taxes to Caesar)
- Daniel 6:1-28 (Daniel serves faithfully under a foreign government)
- Romans 13:1-7 (Paul’s teaching on submitting to governing authorities)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Mark 12:13-17, what was the intention behind the Pharisees and Herodians asking Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar? How did Jesus respond to their trap? ([09:14])
2. According to the sermon, what was significant about the inscription on the coin Jesus asked for? ([09:56])
3. In Daniel 6, how did Daniel serve under a government that did not share his faith? What was the outcome of his faithfulness?
4. In Romans 13:1-7, what reasons does Paul give for submitting to governing authorities?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why did Jesus refuse to take sides in the political debate between the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians? What does this reveal about his priorities and mission? ([10:50])
2. The coin’s inscription called Caesar “son of God” and “high priest.” Why is it important that these titles truly belong to Jesus, and how does this challenge the claims of earthly rulers? ([10:15])
3. The sermon mentions Joseph and Daniel as examples of God using his people in different ways—one in power, one in obscurity. What does this teach about God’s sovereignty and our expectations for how God might use us? ([17:13])
4. According to Romans 13 and the sermon, what is the relationship between our responsibilities as citizens and our ultimate allegiance to God?
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon warns against putting our hope in political leaders or parties. Have you ever found yourself overly invested in a political outcome? How did it affect your faith or peace? ([15:25])
2. Jesus said, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and to God what belongs to God.” What are some practical ways you can honor both your civic responsibilities and your commitment to God? ([10:50])
3. The pastor shared that people often get more passionate about politics than about their faith. Looking at your own conversations or social media, do you talk more about politics or about what God is doing in your life? What might need to change? ([18:34])
4. The sermon encourages prayer for leaders, even those we disagree with. Is there a leader or authority figure you struggle to pray for? What would it look like to start praying for them this week? ([16:37])
5. The stories of Joseph and Daniel show that God can use us in both high and low positions. Are you in a place of influence or on the margins right now? How can you trust God to use you where you are? ([17:13])
6. The pastor said, “Let us not forsake God in pursuit of earthly power.” Are there ways you have been tempted to compromise your faith or values for the sake of political or social gain? What would it look like to put God first in those situations? ([22:16])
7. Before voting or making political decisions, the sermon encourages prayerful discernment. What is one step you can take to seek God’s guidance before engaging in political discussions or actions this season? ([20:21])
---
Devotional
Day 1: Loyalty Beyond Earthly Divides
In a world often fractured by political and ideological battles, Jesus’ response to the question about paying taxes to Caesar reveals a profound truth: our ultimate allegiance transcends earthly divisions. He refused to be boxed into the “us vs. them” mentality that dominated the political landscape of His time. Instead, He pointed to a higher loyalty—one that unites rather than divides. This calls believers today to let their identity in Christ shape how they engage with the world, resisting the temptation to be defined by partisan lines or cultural conflicts. When we anchor ourselves in God’s kingdom, we find a unifying purpose that surpasses temporary political struggles.
This perspective invites a spiritual maturity that rises above the noise of factionalism. It challenges us to seek common ground in Christ and to embody a peace that reflects His kingdom’s values. By doing so, we become agents of reconciliation in a polarized society, showing that faithfulness to God’s kingdom is the foundation for true community and hope. [10:50]
Psalm 72:1-4
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
Reflection: In what specific ways can you practice showing unity and grace to someone whose political or cultural views differ sharply from your own, reflecting your higher loyalty to God’s kingdom today?
Day 2: Christ’s Sovereignty Surpasses Earthly Titles
The coin Jesus held bore the inscription “Tiberius Caesar, son of God, high priest,” titles that were meant to assert Caesar’s ultimate authority. Yet Jesus quietly but powerfully claimed that these titles truly belong to Him alone. This moment reveals a tension between earthly powers and the divine authority of Christ. While governments and rulers may demand loyalty and claim supremacy, only Jesus is worthy of our ultimate trust and worship. Recognizing His sovereignty frees believers from the illusion that any human leader can provide ultimate security or salvation.
This truth invites a posture of humility and reverence before Christ, who reigns above all earthly authorities. It reminds us that political power is temporary and limited, but Christ’s kingdom is eternal and unshakable. When we acknowledge His lordship, we are empowered to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our true King holds all things in His hands. [10:15]
Daniel 7:13-14
I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to place ultimate trust in human authority or systems rather than in Christ’s sovereign rule? How can you practically reorient your trust toward Him today?
Day 3: Guarding Against Political Idolatry
It is easy to fall into the trap of looking to governments, political leaders, or parties as saviors who will fix all problems. However, history and experience show that human systems are flawed and leaders will disappoint. Placing hope in political outcomes leads to frustration and misplaced faith. True security and hope are found only in Christ, who never fails. This understanding calls believers to maintain a healthy perspective on politics—engaging responsibly but never idolizing earthly powers.
This caution encourages a faith that is resilient amid political upheaval and uncertainty. It reminds believers to anchor their hope in God’s unchanging character rather than the shifting promises of politicians. By doing so, they can participate in society with wisdom and integrity, without losing sight of where their ultimate hope lies. [15:25]
Habakkuk 2:18-20
What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation when he makes speechless idols! Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, “Awake,” to a silent stone, “Arise”! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.
Reflection: Identify one political or social issue where you find yourself tempted to place your ultimate hope. How can you redirect that hope toward God’s faithfulness in your daily prayers and actions?
Day 4: Trusting God’s Sovereign Work in All Circumstances
The stories of Joseph in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon illustrate that God’s purposes are not limited by human circumstances or positions of power. Sometimes His people are raised to influence; other times they remain on the margins. Regardless of where we find ourselves, God is sovereign and at work. Trusting Him means believing that He can use any situation for His glory, even when outcomes differ from our desires or expectations.
This truth encourages patience and faithfulness in every season of life. It reminds believers that God’s kingdom is not dependent on earthly status or success but on His divine plan. By trusting God’s sovereignty, believers can find peace and purpose whether they are in positions of influence or obscurity, knowing that He is always working for good. [17:13]
Esther 4:14
For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Reflection: Reflect on your current circumstances—whether influential or overlooked. How can you trust God’s sovereign plan and seek to serve Him faithfully right where you are today?
Day 5: Engaging Society with Prayerful Integrity
Believers are called to be faithful citizens—voting, caring for justice, and exercising freedoms—but always with prayerful discernment and a heart aligned with God’s will. Our actions in society should reflect our true citizenship in heaven, and our hope must rest in God’s faithfulness rather than political victories. This balance guards against the dangers of political idolatry and encourages a posture of humility and dependence on God’s guidance.
Living out this calling means actively participating in society while continually seeking God’s wisdom. It means praying for leaders and decisions, discerning how best to act in each situation, and remembering that our ultimate allegiance is to God’s kingdom. This approach fosters a faithful witness that honors God and serves the common good. [20:21]
Nehemiah 1:4-7
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you.
Reflection: What is one practical way you can combine prayer and action in your civic engagement this week to reflect your heavenly citizenship and God’s will?
Quotes
Here are 20 spiritually significant quotes from the sermon transcript, each between 50 and 125 words, each ending at a natural stopping point, and each followed by the correct timestamp in hh:mm:ss format:
There were three groups that led uh the people back then. There was the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Herodians. Each one of them had a different stand on the Roman Empire. Each one of them them had a different stand on politics. and each one of them did not like each other. It would be kind of like the political landscape today in our country, right? People part parties don't like each other. We're good, they're bad, and that's how it is. Back then, it was the same thing, too. But after this event at the temple, the Herodians and the Pharisees, they get together and they say, "Listen, we got to trap this guy. We got to trap him because this was a loaded question." [00:07:18]
What was happening here is this. And if you know a little bit of history, 25 years before this, there was this guy called Judas of Galilee, the Galilean, who tried to do a revolt with the Zealots to overthrow the Romans to say, "We're not going to pay this tax." Now, this daenerius tax was one daenerys, which was about a day's worth of wage. And this was just put into people because the Romans could do it. Judas the Galilean rebelled against this. He got did did an uprise and he said, "We're not going to pay this tax and we're going to fight the Roman Empire." What happened? They killed him and all the other people dispersed. [00:07:58]
So now they come to Jesus and they say, "Well, listen, if he says we have to pay the tax," he's siding with Caesar. If he says we don't have to pay the tax, well, he's siding with the Herodians and thus he's going to be a rebel and thus the Romans can come and kill him immediately. And it's interesting because when they see this, this this wasn't a question that they wanted to ask because they were interested in him. They wanted to what? Trap him. And Jesus does the most wonderful thing ever that they couldn't couldn't even imagine. [00:08:43]
And he starts off by saying, "Um, okay. Well, give me a coin." Don't you find that odd that Jesus didn't walk around carrying money in his pocket, right? I'm sure if I were to shake each and every one of you upside down, there would be a few coins and a few bills falling from your pockets. Jesus had none. He's like, "Okay, give me a coin." And what's interesting in this in this coin, uh, who was the Tiberius Caesar, this is what the coin was. I have uh I have a picture online but didn't put it up on the screen. This was the inscription on the coin. Tiberius Caesar, son of God, and on the other side high priest. [00:09:19]
Tiberius Caesar, the son of God and high priest. He was the king. He was the son of God and he was a high priest. He was a king, son of God. and the high priest. Wait a minute. It isn't that Jesus? You see the tension that is being built here? Here is Jesus, a king. He is the son of God and he is a high priest. And yet when he when they ask him or they want to trap him, he's like, "Give me one coin." And in this coin has all these inscriptions. And then he wisely says, "You know what? give to Caesar that which belongs to him, but give to God that which belongs to God. And Mark concludes this p passage by saying they were amazed. [00:09:56]
They were marveled because he answered the question and he did not take sides. Yes, pay the taxes. We owe our allegiance to Caesar. He didn't say that. And he also did not say no, let's not pay anything and let's start a revolt because we got to get rid of the Romans. But he said focusing back to what they were doing or trying to entrap him was Jesus was above everything. He wasn't about to say Romans are good or bad or he wasn't about to say let's rebel and let's kill them. He was here to say, "I have a new kingdom." And this kingdom does not take sides. [00:10:56]
I like the quote, and I have it here, but I'll put it up later. Um, Tony Evans, who says, "Right, Jesus didn't come to take sides. He came to take it all." And we are so caught up today in in our world, in our society, that we say, you know what? I'm going to vote for that party. I'm going to vote for that candidate. I'm going to endorse him because he will bring the solution to our problems. The reason I don't endorse any candidate is because I've been I'm old enough to know that politicians lie. Maybe you think they'll tell the truth. That's okay. Uh I won't I won't rock your world too much this morning. [00:11:41]
But how many times have I seen pastors and churches and ministries endorse this candidate for him to turn around and do the absolute opposite? Man will fail you. Parties will disappoint you. But there is one who never fails, who never lies, who never betrays, and who never disappoints. So we ought to be just like Jesus and not take side left or right or center but we ought to say God I want to follow you however that may look like and it may look different for each and every one of us because we know that our values and our systems what we believe in many times are not exactly the same as the person next to us. [00:12:27]
So as we navigate through this life and as we navigate to uh to tomorrow through this election um we know that politicians will say whatever you want to hear so that they can be endorsed and they can come into power. Jesus had all the power in the world and what did he do with it? So much so that when he was before Pontius Pilate, Pilate is like, "Who who are you?" Right? You think a political leader, you think that a warlord, a governor at the time would know who Jesus was. And he had no clue who Jesus was. And what did Jesus say? Right? All power that you have what has been given to you by my father. [00:13:16]
Jesus was absolutely in control. And that is why we as believers ought to know that we are in control when we follow Christ. Now I know that some of you may think well um I I have too many notes here and time is running out. So I will really uh not address all of them because we would for sure be here for another hour. So if this looks very superficial or shallow sorry but I will not do a deep dive in this morning. But so many of us, what is important for you? Justice, uh take care of the poor, take care of the environment, uh freedom, religious freedom. We have so many different things that affect us in so many different ways. [00:14:08]
And that is usually where our heart leans towards. So that's why and I have many friends from different political stripes that have different ideas and we all get along because we disagree on so many things but we say you know what at the end of the day I am a follower of Jesus Christ and I believe in his word and his word only. Let's go back go um skipped a few things here. So, let's go straight into the application. Two points that we should be reminded as we vote for tomorrow. Number one, do not look to the government as your savior. So many of us do that. [00:14:48]
If this guy is in, things are going to get better. If this guy goes in, this is going to happen. Some of it can actually be true, but most of the times it's not. What we cannot do is place our faith on a person or a political party or a system. Because when you do that, you're doing just like the Pharisees, just like the Sadducees, just like the Herodians. And they're saying, "When we have the power, then Israel will be free. When we have the power, then the Romans will be defeated. When we have the power, our country will be reestablished." And Jesus comes and says, "No, that's not the way. That's absolutely not the way." [00:15:41]
But also do not despise the government because the Bible instructs us to pray for it or pray for them. When we know that we have governments that were instituted by God in this place, we know that he will act and work differently and according to his will. I like the story of uh Joseph and Daniel. Joseph was left led as um as a slave into Egypt and what happened he became the second man in command. Daniel was led as a slave in to Babylon and he died a slave. He was a prophet used by God. [00:16:37]
We don't have much clearer about the new king Darius called him up. He was already old. He died in captivity. Two people used by God in what? Different ways. One rose to power. One was kept a slave. So God will not say I will operate this way and this way only. He will say I will operate however I want. Because when we do that we know or when he when God does that we know that he can do all things. Because when he does it, we can say, you know what, God, I do not know tomorrow. I have no idea what's going on, but I know that I can trust you. [00:17:23]
When we have that in mind, we will know that the government is not the solution, not our savior, but is also not something that we should be throwing stones, criticizing, complaining day in and day out. Just imagine if all of us who are on social media and I know I have a lot of uh Christian friends from all over the world, politics or every time election comes up, my goodness, they put stuff about this candidate and that candidate. They worship this guy, they condemn the other guy. Sadly, I don't see them putting any Bible verses up. Sadly, I don't see them rejoicing when it's Easter or Christmas. [00:18:09]
Sadly, I don't see them say, "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it." I don't see them many times say, "This is the day that I got saved. This year, so many time so many years or days ago, this is when I got saved." We tend to brush this off to the side because, well, we don't want to talk about religion, but we have no problem talking about politics. And I know that um the media plays a big role in this and I will not go too deep into that but it's amazing because so many grow like I said I grew up in Brazil but many times uh we were back in Canada for for a number of years and every time election came it was just another day wasn't it? [00:18:53]
Yeah, tomorrow's election. Okay, like it was no big deal. Now, oh, um, the most important election is going to happen, right? It's vital that everybody votes. They have all these adjectives before the election. It's like, when did this happen? Growing up when I was voting, it was just like, uh, some people didn't even know. I remember living in an apartment complex talking to our neighbors like why the election today? I had no clue. Now, everybody knows. Everybody is up in arms because it is the most elect important election of all times. [00:19:35]
To conclude, we should vote as citizens of this country and citizens of heaven. We still have our moral and civil duties to vote and vote accordingly to what you believe is true and valuable. I always encourage each and every one of us to pray before you vote. Not listen to this manded media outlet or that media outlet, but listen to what God says. Because again, we will vote differently. We will act differently. So many things will happen around us. But we must know that as we live in this country, let us not um take for granted the freedoms that we have. [00:20:13]
Growing up in Brazil, I could never vote because I was a Canadian citizen. You had to be Brazilian to vote. And it's interesting because I knew all the parties. I knew all the candidates. I studied them all. I I I like politics, I guess. But I could never vote. to which I made the promise that whenever I go back to Canada, I'm never going to miss a single election. Whether it's municipal, uh, provincial, federal, I'm going to vote because I want to exercise my civil responsibilities, my civil duties in this country. [00:21:05]
And when we do that, we must know that he ultimately wants us to not be aligned into polit politicians or political parties or this wing or that wing, but that we must be aligned into what he has already planned for each and every one of us. That we may know that as we go forth in this country that we can say, Lord, I've done this to the best of my knowledge. I have done this to the best of my capacity because I know that you want what's best for us. Let us not forsake God at this moment. Let us not do like the Israelites. [00:21:38]
Things are going good until they aren't. Things are going good until they were swept away in captivity for 70 plus years. Let us say God this blessing that you have given us we do not want to take it lightly but I know that my savior is you. I know that the answers of life of my life and the life of those around me will come from you and you alone. [00:22:21]
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