Listening to Christ: The Eternal Over the Temporal
Summary
In the heart of Westminster Chapel, we gathered to reflect on a profound truth that echoes through the ages: the tragedy of humanity's refusal to listen to the one who can truly help, Jesus Christ. This refusal is not just a historical account but a present reality, as people today are often more willing to engage with anything but the message of Christ. The world, much like in the first century, is in turmoil, yet it turns a deaf ear to the one who offers true peace and salvation.
The passage from Matthew 22:15-22 serves as a microcosm of the entire biblical narrative, highlighting humanity's resistance to God's plan. The Pharisees and Herodians approached Jesus with deceitful intentions, trying to entrap Him with questions about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus' response, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's," reveals a profound truth about priorities and allegiances.
Our task as Christians is to follow Christ's example, not getting entangled in the world's clever arguments or being overly preoccupied with lesser matters. While politics, culture, and social issues have their place, they must not overshadow the central message of the Gospel. Our calling is to remind the world of the supernatural, of God, and of the eternal truths that transcend temporal concerns.
The real tragedy of our age is the forgetfulness of God and the supernatural. Man is not merely a political or economic unit but a being created in the image of God, meant for fellowship with Him. The church's role is to proclaim this truth, to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal, and to remind them of their true identity and destiny.
In a world obsessed with the temporal, we must declare the eternal. The benefits that God offers—peace, joy, and eternal life—far surpass anything the world can provide. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. As we face the challenges of our time, let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that our message may come not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost.
Key Takeaways:
- The Tragedy of Refusal: Humanity's greatest tragedy is its refusal to listen to Jesus, the only one who can truly help. This refusal is not just historical but a present reality, as people today are more willing to engage with anything but the message of Christ. Our task is to remind the world of the supernatural and the eternal truths that transcend temporal concerns. [03:43]
- Misplaced Priorities: The Pharisees and Herodians' attempt to entrap Jesus with questions about paying taxes highlights the danger of being overly preoccupied with lesser matters. While politics, culture, and social issues have their place, they must not overshadow the central message of the Gospel. Our calling is to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal. [18:44]
- The Image of God: Man is not merely a political or economic unit but a being created in the image of God, meant for fellowship with Him. The church's role is to proclaim this truth, reminding people of their true identity and destiny. In a world obsessed with the temporal, we must declare the eternal. [29:59]
- The Limitations of Caesar: While the state can provide certain benefits, there is a limit to what it can do. It cannot address the deepest needs of the human soul, such as peace, joy, and eternal life. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. [45:49]
- The Power of God: The real tragedy of our age is the forgetfulness of God and the supernatural. Our destiny is in the hands of God, who has power beyond any earthly authority. As we face the challenges of our time, let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that our message may come not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost. [42:17]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Privilege of Gathering
- [00:32] - Introduction to Matthew 22
- [01:10] - The Pharisees' Trap
- [03:23] - The World's Refusal
- [05:22] - The Church's Duty
- [06:43] - Misguided Approaches
- [10:28] - Prejudices and Preoccupations
- [13:19] - Over-Preoccupation with Lesser Things
- [17:58] - The Right Proportion
- [22:29] - The Essential Call
- [25:45] - Contrasts of Allegiance
- [29:59] - The Image of God
- [35:01] - Authority and Power
- [45:49] - Limitations of the State
- [51:02] - God's Solution in Christ
- [57:39] - Eternal Benefits
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 22:15-22
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the intention of the Pharisees and Herodians when they approached Jesus with their question about paying taxes to Caesar? [00:51]
2. How did Jesus respond to the question about paying taxes, and what was the reaction of those who heard His answer? [01:50]
3. In the sermon, what is described as the "greatest tragedy" in connection with humanity's response to Jesus? [03:43]
4. What does the sermon suggest is the role of the church in a world that is preoccupied with temporal concerns? [22:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response to the Pharisees and Herodians' question about taxes illustrate the concept of priorities and allegiances? [25:25]
2. The sermon mentions that humanity often refuses to listen to Jesus, the one who can truly help. What might be some reasons for this refusal in today's context? [03:43]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of not being overly preoccupied with lesser matters. How can this principle be applied to current social and political issues? [18:44]
4. What does it mean to be created in the image of God, and how should this understanding influence a Christian's identity and actions? [29:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be refusing to listen to Jesus' guidance? How can you open your heart to His message more fully? [03:43]
2. Consider the balance between engaging with social and political issues and maintaining a focus on the Gospel. How can you ensure that your priorities align with Jesus' teachings? [18:44]
3. In what ways can you remind yourself and others of the eternal truths that transcend temporal concerns? Identify one practical step you can take this week. [22:29]
4. How does understanding that you are created in the image of God affect your view of yourself and others? What changes might you make in your interactions with others based on this understanding? [29:59]
5. The sermon calls for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. How can you incorporate prayer for this into your daily routine, and what impact do you hope it will have on your life and community? [42:17]
6. Reflect on a recent situation where you were overly preoccupied with a lesser matter. How could you have approached it differently with an eternal perspective? [18:44]
7. Identify one person in your life who seems to be searching for peace and joy. How can you share the message of eternal life with them in a meaningful way this week? [45:49]
Devotional
Day 1: The Tragedy of Ignoring Christ
Humanity's greatest tragedy is its persistent refusal to listen to Jesus Christ, the only one who can truly help. This refusal is not just a historical account but a present reality, as people today are often more willing to engage with anything but the message of Christ. In a world filled with turmoil, the message of peace and salvation offered by Jesus is often ignored. Our task is to remind the world of the supernatural and the eternal truths that transcend temporal concerns. We are called to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal, proclaiming the benefits that God offers—peace, joy, and eternal life—far surpassing anything the world can provide. [03:43]
Jeremiah 6:10 (ESV): "To whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear? Behold, their ears are uncircumcised, they cannot listen; behold, the word of the Lord is to them an object of scorn; they take no pleasure in it."
Reflection: Think of a time when you ignored a message or advice that could have helped you. How can you open your heart to listen to Jesus today?
Day 2: Prioritizing the Eternal Over the Temporal
The Pharisees and Herodians' attempt to entrap Jesus with questions about paying taxes highlights the danger of being overly preoccupied with lesser matters. While politics, culture, and social issues have their place, they must not overshadow the central message of the Gospel. Our calling is to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal, reminding them of the supernatural and the eternal truths that transcend temporal concerns. As Christians, we are to follow Christ's example, not getting entangled in the world's clever arguments or being overly preoccupied with lesser matters. [18:44]
Colossians 3:2-3 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: What is one temporal concern that has been consuming your thoughts lately? How can you shift your focus to prioritize the eternal today?
Day 3: Recognizing Our True Identity in God
Man is not merely a political or economic unit but a being created in the image of God, meant for fellowship with Him. The church's role is to proclaim this truth, reminding people of their true identity and destiny. In a world obsessed with the temporal, we must declare the eternal. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. By understanding our true identity in God, we can better navigate the challenges of our time and fulfill our calling to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal. [29:59]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: How does knowing you are created in the image of God change the way you view yourself and your purpose? What steps can you take to live out this identity today?
Day 4: Understanding the Limitations of Earthly Authorities
While the state can provide certain benefits, there is a limit to what it can do. It cannot address the deepest needs of the human soul, such as peace, joy, and eternal life. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. As we face the challenges of our time, we must remember that our destiny is in the hands of God, who has power beyond any earthly authority. By focusing on the eternal, we can better navigate the temporal concerns that often distract us from our true calling. [45:49]
Psalm 146:3-5 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on earthly authorities to fulfill needs that only God can meet? How can you shift your trust to God today?
Day 5: Embracing the Power of God
The real tragedy of our age is the forgetfulness of God and the supernatural. Our destiny is in the hands of God, who has power beyond any earthly authority. As we face the challenges of our time, let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that our message may come not in word only, but in power and in the Holy Ghost. By embracing the power of God, we can better navigate the challenges of our time and fulfill our calling to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal. [42:17]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: How have you experienced the power of God in your life? What is one area where you need to invite His power to work today?
Quotes
The real tragedy of the world tonight is that it has forgotten the supernatural that it has forgotten God. Man is in the center, man's interest, man's questions, man's enthusiasms, man's obsessions. Man is ever before us, and our task is to proclaim the Everlasting and eternal God. [00:24:29]
The church is not to allow her task and function to be governed by people's questions. Now this is what we are being told, isn't it? We're told people today are not interested in preaching. They're not interested much in Christianity directly. They're no interest at all in Theology. [00:20:21]
The trouble with these people was that they were obsessed by them. You see, they have but one interest, this question of the taxes, as the others have their theological question about the resurrection and so on. And what comes out so clearly here is that these people were obsessed by these. [00:18:01]
The state can do many things for us, and that is why we should be ready always and pleased to pay our rats and taxes. It can give us wages, it can give us education, it can give us housing, it can give us technology, it can look after our health, it can provide pleasure for us. [00:44:16]
The benefits that God offers—peace, joy, and eternal life—far surpass anything the world can provide. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. As we face the challenges of our time, let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [01:01:02]
The greatest tragedy in connection with the human race and the life of mankind here in the world is its refusal to listen to the only one who can really help. Of course, this is, in a sense, the message of the whole Bible. The Bible is a record of God's Great purpose of salvation. [00:04:16]
The church's role is to proclaim this truth, to lift people's eyes from the material to the eternal, and to remind them of their true identity and destiny. In a world obsessed with the temporal, we must declare the eternal. [00:29:59]
The real tragedy of our age is the forgetfulness of God and the supernatural. Our destiny is in the hands of God, who has power beyond any earthly authority. As we face the challenges of our time, let us pray for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. [00:42:17]
Man is not merely a political or economic unit but a being created in the image of God, meant for fellowship with Him. The church's role is to proclaim this truth, reminding people of their true identity and destiny. [00:29:59]
While the state can provide certain benefits, there is a limit to what it can do. It cannot address the deepest needs of the human soul, such as peace, joy, and eternal life. Our message is not just about living well but about living eternally, with God at the center. [00:45:49]
The world thinks of man in this materialistic age in terms of things. Man is regarded himself even as a kind of bundle of Sensations. He is, according to some authorities, nothing but chemistry and physics. Others regard men as a purely political animal, others regard him as an economic unit. [00:27:06]
The church is not to allow her task and function to be governed by people's questions. Now this is what we are being told, isn't it? We're told people today are not interested in preaching. They're not interested much in Christianity directly. They're no interest at all in Theology. [00:20:21]
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