Who are you paying tribute to? June 14, 2026

Jun 14, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Coin’s Image and the Soul’s Inscription

A Roman denarius bore Caesar’s face, but human souls bear God’s imprint. Jesus’ question—“Whose image is this?”—forces a reckoning: what eternal mark defines us? Just as coins circulate under earthly authority, people live under either God’s reign or the enemy’s deception. Every choice reveals whose likeness we carry. To render ourselves fully to God means surrendering the counterfeit identities we’ve clung to—wealth, status, or self-sufficiency. True freedom comes when we stop paying Satan’s taxes with our worship. [00:14]

“And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”
(Matthew 22:20-21, KJV)

Reflection: What “tax” have you paid to the world this week through compromise or silence? How does your daily speech or spending reveal whose image you bear?

Day 2: Hypocrites and the Stage of Pretense

Hypocrisy, Jesus said, is acting under an assumed character—performing righteousness while harboring rebellion. Like actors changing roles for applause, many wear faith as a costume for Sundays while living as spiritual frauds. God sees past the scripted lines and curated piety. Authentic faith requires the same face in darkness as in daylight, the same heart at work as in worship. A stagnant soul, lukewarm and tasteless, will be rejected by the One who demands fire. [07:08]

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
(Revelation 3:15-16, KJV)

Reflection: Where have you rehearsed lines to impress others instead of confessing brokenness to God? When did you last choose comfort over costly obedience?

Day 3: The Express Image of the Invisible

Christ is the exact engraving of God’s nature—the divine signet ring pressed into creation’s wax. Unlike Tiberius’ blasphemous coin claiming divinity, Jesus is the uncreated Image, radiating the Father’s glory. To be restored to God’s likeness means shedding Satan’s counterfeit stamp, the lies that twist us into sin’s caricature. Salvation isn’t self-improvement but a radical re-etching, the Spirit chiseling Christ’s character into our warped edges. [19:10]

“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
(Hebrews 1:3, KJV)

Reflection: What distorted self-image have you believed that contradicts how God sees you in Christ? Where is He sanding down your rough pride to reflect His humility?

Day 4: Vines, Pruners, and the Cost of Fruit

Jesus warned that fruitless branches—those absorbing grace but producing no gospel love—will be cut off. Abiding in Him isn’t passive attendance but active entanglement, our roots drinking His suffering and obedience. The Father prunes not to punish but to multiply: every snip of selfishness, every shearing of sin, makes room for eternal yield. Worldly vines promise quick harvests but feed only rot. [24:40]

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
(John 15:4-5, KJV)

Reflection: What “fruit” have you strained to produce through striving rather than abiding? Where is God pruning your busyness to prioritize abiding?

Day 5: Tonight Your Soul Will Be Required

The rich fool stored grain but forgot his soul—a miscalculation with eternal consequences. Death snaps its fingers without warning, freezing us in whatever image we’ve cultivated: Christ’s or the world’s. Every excuse for delay (“I’ll repent tomorrow”) risks arriving at eternity’s doorstep still bearing Satan’s likeness. Now is the day to surrender Caesar’s coin and receive the King’s seal. [29:29]

“And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?”
(Luke 12:19-20, KJV)

Reflection: If God demanded your soul tonight, what unfinished business with Him would haunt your final breath? What earthly treasure have you clutched that now blocks your grip on grace?

Sermon Summary

Matthew sets the trap plainly. “Whose image and superscription?” exposes hearts that love the coin more than the King. Christ refuses their snare and gives the dividing line that still cuts: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” The coin bears Caesar. The human soul bears God. The question becomes simple and searching. Whose image marks a life?

The plot to “entangle him in his talk” only proves that hypocrisy plays at religion while fighting Christ. Hypocrisy is an actor under an assumed character. The masks may change, but the heart stays the same. False churches still send their disciples. Vain philosophy still steals saints through traditions of men. Colossians says all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Christ. John says the Word “tabernacled” among us. That same Lord upholds all things by the word of his power and stands as the only Door into God’s presence.

Christ’s word does not pass away. Lukewarm religion gets spewed out. The law does what it always does. It condemns, convicts, and leads the guilty to the Savior. The just shall live by faith, not by law. The coin teaches. Two images stand in conflict. The world lies under the wicked one. Satan still whispers, “Hath God said?” and still sells the old lie, “You will be as gods.” The belly still plays god. But the true Image stands before them. Tiberius claims “son of the divine Augustus.” The Father appoints the Son who is the brightness of glory and the express image of his person.

Hebrews calls the Son the very imprint. Like a signet pressed into wax, the Son shows the invisible God in visible form. Faith in his atoning blood restores image and renews character. New birth makes a new race. Born of flesh stays flesh. Born of the Spirit bears the family likeness. Fruit proves life. Speech betrays the spring. The Spirit does not curse himself. John 15 gives the pattern. Abide in the Vine. Word in, life out. Pruning hurts but it multiplies fruit.

Luke’s rich fool warns the hurried and the numb. Barns get bigger. Souls get summoned. “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.” Death fixes what life formed. The coin returns to Caesar. The image returns to God. So the call lands where Christ placed it. Whose image is on you?

Key Takeaways

1. Two images shape every life Every life bears either the imprint of the world’s ruler or the likeness of the Son. The coin shows how image claims ownership, and Christ presses that claim onto the soul. Ownership shows up in desires, choices, and fruit that match the source. The question is not abstract. It is daily and visible. [10:47]
2. Hypocrisy is acting a part Hypocrisy wears church clothes and keeps a double life. An actor under an assumed character fools crowds but never Christ, who knows thoughts and tracks fruit over time. Consistency across home, work, and worship signals Spirit-formed character, not a weekend role. Masks fall where the Word abides. [06:53]
3. The law convicts, Christ justifies The law never saves. It exposes guilt, shuts mouths, and escorts sinners to the Lamb. Faith unites the condemned to the One who purged sins and sat down. Rest lands where striving ends, and holiness grows where gratitude lives. [10:04]
4. Abide to bear lasting fruit Branches do not perform fruit. Branches receive life. Abiding holds fast to Christ’s person and words so that pruning produces more of his character. Detachment looks religious for a season, then withers. Union with the Vine proves itself in durable, Spirit-made fruit. [24:40]
5. Life is brief; choose your king Plans feel strong until God says, “This night.” The barn-builder is not wicked for planning but foolish for worshiping. Render the coin to Caesar, but render the soul to God while breath remains. Death fixes a person in the image chosen in life. [29:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Whose image and inscription?
[02:05] - Plot to entangle the Lord
[03:01] - False disciples and vain philosophy
[03:37] - Fullness of God in Christ
[06:09] - His words never pass away
[06:53] - Hypocrite defined: an actor
[09:02] - Lukewarm faith and the vomit warning
[10:04] - The law condemns and leads to faith
[10:47] - Two images: Caesar or God
[12:25] - Satan’s question: Hath God said?
[13:16] - The true Image incarnate
[19:10] - The signet imprint and restored image
[23:52] - Abiding in the Vine bears fruit
[29:29] - The rich fool and sudden judgment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Matthew 22:21 (KJV)
“They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.”

Observation questions

What two images are contrasted in the sermon, and what do they represent? (Matthew 22:21; [10:47])
How does the sermon define hypocrisy, and what example is given to illustrate it? ([06:53])
According to the sermon, what is the purpose of the law, and where does it ultimately lead people? ([10:04])
What warning does the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 give about life’s priorities? ([29:29])

Interpretation questions

Why did Jesus use the image on a coin to confront His questioners, and how does this reveal the deeper conflict between worldly and eternal loyalties? (Matthew 22:21; [10:47])
How does hypocrisy undermine genuine faith, and why is consistency across all areas of life a mark of true spiritual character? ([06:53])
The sermon states, “The law condemns, Christ justifies.” How does this distinction clarify the relationship between human effort and God’s grace? ([10:04])
What does the parable of the rich fool teach about the danger of mistaking temporary success for eternal security? (Luke 12:16-20; [29:29])

Application questions

“Two images shape every life” — What practical choices or habits in your daily routine (e.g., time, money, relationships) most clearly reflect whose “image” you bear? ([10:47])
Hypocrisy is described as “acting a part.” In what areas of your life (e.g., work, home, church) do you feel pressured to wear a “mask,” and how can you pursue greater authenticity? ([06:53])
The law exposes guilt but points to Christ. Is there a specific area where you’ve been striving to earn God’s approval rather than resting in His finished work? How might this shift your perspective? ([10:04])
The sermon warns, “Death fixes what life formed.” If your life ended tonight, what evidence would exist to show whether you rendered your soul fully to God? What needs to change today? ([29:29])
“Abide in the Vine” — What intentional steps (e.g., prayer, Scripture, community) could help you depend more deeply on Christ’s life flowing through you rather than relying on self-effort? ([24:40])

Sermon Clips

24s

#SatanVsGodsImage

“There are two images. There is the image of this world. There is the image of Satan. There is the image of his children. There is the image of how the children of Satan walk and live. For we know that the whole world lies under the control of the wicked one is how John put it in John chapter first John chapter five. Christ said, you are your father, the devil. The lusts of your father, you will do. Sin originates from Satan. Sin began with Satan.”

34s

#ChristIsAppointed

“And he was the supreme ruler in the day of Christ. He was the supreme ruler. But I might say this, that Christ, who the bible calls the actual image of god, The fullness of the Godhead dwelling bodily is standing right there. The image of God is standing before them who's not appointed by any man, who's not swayed by any man. No. Christ, the image of God, who was appointed by his father. By his father was standing before them.”

25s

#SatanSameSchemes

“Nothing's changed, folks. Will we ever get that? Nothing has changed. Solomon put it this way. There's nothing new under the sun. What has been, will we, what will be, it's just always been. Nothing has changed but the dates of the calendar. Satan is ignorant, and he works in the same realm he did back then. He works in the same realm he did last night. He works in the same way he does today, the same exact way. He gives you temporary success. He gives you temporary power.”

35s

#LambOfGodSaves

“becoming incarnate to look like you, to look like me, to take on my sin, your sin, that when we believe on him, our sin has been dealt with in this age. It has been punished in his son so we can freely live in Christ, freely enjoy his company, his companionship, his spirit. We reject the lamb of God now. You are now paying for your own sins in all of eternity because you have rejected the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Hebrews chapter one.”

55s

#GodRevealedInChrist

“I told you on Wednesday that if I told you half the things I did, I probably could've said the same from you. And I'm confident if you told me the same, I I think we'd still sit the same real life, isn't it? Listen. God holds you guilty as bread with it all like because God is holy. He is holy. He took his son. He sent him in the body and the person of Jesus Christ, revealed to us the glory and majesty of God.”

29s

#WhoseImageAreYou

“And he must come in the image of God. It must be God who comes because there's not one sinless human being that could die for you and I. It took the god man. It took the lord Jesus Christ to lay aside his glory, his Shekinah, to be robed in our likeness, in our flesh. Question is for you. Whose image are you today? You know, that coin with that worldly ruler represented everything of that time. Money, power, wealth, fame,”

34s

#ResistSatanicDoubt

“He whispers out in here all the time. Oh, you may not recognize it, but he does everything he can to get you to question to get you to question his word. Nothing has changed but the dates on the calendar. He wants you to question the word of God. It's Tiberius Caesar who was on the coin. Tiberius Caesar's face was on the coin, and this is the inscription Christ spoke of. It said, son of the divine Augustus on the coin.”

23s

#ConformedToChrist

“It can go like this. I get it. I said in Sunday school today, my friends, we are all in the same flesh. We were all roped in the same flesh. We all have the same struggles. We all go through the same things, but we all study the same book. We all have the same Lord. We all have the same spirit. And that same spirit conforms us to the image of the same son that he's been conforming people to ever since the gospel was preached.”

Ask a question about this sermon

New Hope Baptist Church - Cross Anchor This sermon · AI assistant

Whose image governs your priorities and character?

How does abiding in Christ produce visible fruit?

What distinguishes law's role from saving faith?

Who are you paying tribute to? June 14, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Coin’s Image and the Soul’s Inscription

Day 2: Hypocrites and the Stage of Pretense

Day 3: The Express Image of the Invisible

Day 4: Vines, Pruners, and the Cost of Fruit

Day 5: Tonight Your Soul Will Be Required

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Who are you paying tribute to? June 14, 2026

Share