Death and Taxes, Part 2

In what appeared to be a spontaneous moment. Matthew tells us about a time when Jesus was walking with his disciples launched into a foreboding description of the betrayal to calm his enemies.

Jesus said were going to kill him, and on the third day Jesus would be raised from the dead.

Today on Insight for living. Chuck Swindoll describes this surprising forecast for the implications for us today. Matthew chapter 17. Looking at verses 22 through 27, titled his message and tax that are more changes the times of the season. He loves change we don't like change. I read somewhere the only one who likes changes. A wet baby. Most of us are turned off by changes. The reason is we fall into habits and we don't like those habits to be broken. We certainly don't like it when it's not in the realm of our comfort zone.

That's why God loves changes. He loves to break us free from long-standing habits. Habits of thinking habits of responding habits that relate to our relationship with others habits and how we spend our time, our leisure, how we react to testing and on and on we could go they got open us up to hear what he has to say and to be ready to change that with me will you just a few moments we bow before you are father and acknowledge that you are the author of every good and perfect gift. And those gifts come to us often unexpectedly not wrapped as we had expected and not containing what we had expected. You are full of surprises.

You are engaged in shaping us to be formed into the image of your son and that requires chiseling away working away hammering away at those areas of our lives that need attention. Maybe the morning days.

Today, in dealing with our own selves rather than how someone else should be responding to life. Maybe take these words personally.

May we live with the pointed questions that come at the end of this message and maybe come to terms with them honestly and with authenticity. We pray that you would watch over our nation that we would somehow become a people who reflect the things that have made us great begin with us start within each of us. Show us areas of our own lives that have no business continuing in that realm give us the determination of the discipline to call a halt to those things to begin a new and fresh for your glory. We pray for those who carry heavy weapons and occupy places that are hard to pronounce where we will never be protect them, use them comfort their families and bring them safely home. We pray for those who are in school away from home that you would guide them, connect them with those who know your son, and may it be a time of spiritual deepening and refreshment for them, may they grow not only intellectually, but may they grow spiritually for all the homes represented in this place.

Today we pray pray for the fathers and the mothers may they be men and women of God. May they be people of compassion and consistency faithful to your word honest to the core. May that become a part of their teaching of the young with the children. Imbibe those qualities grow up from within our midst. Those who would help lead the days ahead.

Watch over our schools, our neighborhoods, our relationship with others the way we do business the way we conduct ourselves in our marriage or in our singleness may we honor you are father now we commit to you, Lord. These gifts that we give. It is our desire that they be used for the right things in the right way that they be handled with integrity and that you be honored, even in the motive of the giver make us generous. At the same time, free of any ulterior motive.

As we release to you what is already yours remind us that you own it all were grateful for your grace. We walk in it gratefully as we give our gifts generously and ask these things believing in Christ, everyone's payment to study the book of Matthew with Chuck Swindoll.

Be sure to download his searching the Scriptures.

Studies by going to Insight world.org/study another message from Chuck titled death and taxes on like all of us who come to live and to live a full life. He came to live a short life, died at age 33, knowing that his death was eminent.

About six months away, he decided it was time to bring up the subject again. He did that frequently and sometimes as in this case abruptly. So, out of the blue is there walking along, having been together following the Transfiguration and the time with him at the base of the mountain you remember they're making their way back home where Peter would call Holman Jesus would call the well of what might've been the home of his ministry Capernaum on their way to that town.

He brings up the subject again. Look at verse 22 Matthew 17.

After they gathered again in Galilee.

Jesus told them the Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies, he will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead and the disciples literally from the original. We read they grieved exceedingly. He tells them bluntly and forthrightly that of the trail is underway little to the disciples realize that the crater was standing in their midst. Bad enough that there would be one who would betray him, but to think that he would be one of their own. They don't know that right now.

So now we leave them greedy and I think they were silent, so there is no talk any further until we arrive at Capernaum. So, if you will learn her back home and there must've been a familiar sight Jesus with his 12 as they walk into the town no doubt people took notice in this case a temple tax collector. Observe the revival we read the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and he asked a question that suggests an affirmative answer. Your teacher pays the temple tax doesn't eat now. I think in his heart of hearts he would hope that he wasn't paying taxes that he might report him and they would have further grounds of accusation against him, but in fact he was paying those taxes. The response Peter replied yes he does, he pays his tactics in the Peter went into the house before Peter can open his mouth.

Jesus addresses him and does a little love instructing of his own. It's a teaching moment I call it.

He asked them to questions.

First, he said Peter what do you think then he asks the kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered. He doesn't ask about the temple tax what happened to know what had been said, because he is omniscient, he was aware of what is going on outside the house, but he asked Peter the broader question when you have a king who rules over a country as he tax his own people to be taken one of two ways does he tax his own family could also mean, does he tax those who were citizens in his country as opposed to those he has conquered and brought into his country.

That's the way these translators have taken it. Your Bible may render it otherwise. But he asked the question about the kings and those they tax another words who would be exempt when kings tax in these days. Peter's answer is in verse 26 they tax the people they have conquered.

Peter replied, even were reference to the king's own family, his answer would be, they tax those who were not in the royal family would make sense for King to tax his own family he taxes others, or in the case of the national scene he taxes those who were strangers in the land and have brought him to live and wanted to live there. Well then said Jesus, the citizens are free in other words, if you're a part of the kingdom your free here exempt or to use the other analogy.

If you are a part of the family of the king. If you remember the royal family. Your exempt your to pay taxes. Taxes are called for by the King of required by the king. He does not require them from his own flesh and blood, or from his own citizens. Now if that word free. That Jesus has on his mind, and I have an online is online as well. Your exempt think about it, Peter. Going back to the temple tax time. I'm the son of God. Remember what Jesus was 12 and that the.

His parents couldn't find them and they came back and he said I must be about my father's business. I am engaged in in the work of my father, the things of the temple. If anyone was to be worship Jesus is to be worshiped.

So naturally, one would wonder why would he pay taxes.

He's the Lord of the universe.

He's the he's the seas, the master of not only the disciples but of the world but whose free all who would be a part of his family would be free and I'm sure Peter would think. While I was close as your own family to you. In fact, we are like family. I could be exempt. Now the turning point if he thought of the thought comes at the beginning of verse 27. However however, we don't want to offend them before going to the miracle that he mentions. I II want to explain this. We were citizens in these United States are obligated to pay our taxes, we have the responsibility living here to obey the laws of the land and we are required every year. Sometime during the year to pay certain taxes.

That is why would someone want runs for public office. The question invariably comes up as he or she pay taxes. We want to see the tax return we want to be certain that that individual is paying his fair share. We would say that will prove something of the person's character or if he does not he is an offense and that would be a reason not to vote for that individual or not to respect that individual because while obligated, he's found a way around it and he doesn't pay those that Jesus says here, however, we don't want to offend, even though I have every right to be exempt as you to be my close follower for let's face it, those who lived in that temple were not men of holy character, those who carried on the business within the temple were the very ones who were part of the betrayal they are the ones you hire Judas and paid him 30 pieces of silver.

So these are evil men who run the temple. Nevertheless, so that we don't offend them. We need to pay and we need to pay now. So we chose Peter to throw a line in the lake and the first fish he catches will have a coin in its mouth. Take the coin it will represent that for dry, but are required for the tax and you can take a coin and use it to pay the temple tax take it easy, is it the union pay the tax for both of us. It would equal twice what would be paid by one man, but the main reason he says this is that there not be an offense, listen to the clear exposition that one expositor rights. Listen carefully, regardless of how unjust a tax is SS or how blasphemous Lee or irresponsibly. It is spent that tax is to be paid if the son of God claimed no exemption for himself and paying taxes to the den of thieves run by the wicked. Teachers and leaders of Israel, how much less get his followers claim exemption for themselves so very good point and if he was concerned about not giving offense to unbelievers over that issue. How much more should his followers have such concern was he saying he saying that we are to fulfill our obligation regardless of the lack of character among those who take our taxes who spend those tax monies regardless of that, we are required to pay those taxes as a way to look at it.

We are all possessors of dual citizenship if we know Christ first and foremost, we are citizens of heaven, he is our master, he is our Lord, we are obligated to obey him. We are expected to hold up his reputation and magnify his name because we serve him.

We are a part of his citizens review will we must never forget. We are also citizens of this planet of this government of this country. We are to honor that citizenship and not given offense by not obeying those rules and laws to show you this in two different passages look at first Corinthians chapter 9 right now turn please. First Corinthians chapter 9 describes Paul's philosophy regarding leaving though he's free in such a way that he is not an offense to those to whom he ministers look at 919 father will all even though I am a free man with no master. He says that in this in the theoretical sense of my master is in heaven.

I don't serve Caesar. Nevertheless, I become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ looking for submission is submissive spirit when I with the Jews.

I live like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. So when he was among the Jews. He ate with the Jews.

Eight he observed the customers. He observed the celebrations. He was not an offense to the Jews.

Even though he was a citizen of heaven and follow the Lord Jesus Christ as a converted Jew when he was among the Jews he live like them. Why so that he would bring the Jews to Christ and not offended, read on. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law are to live under that wall even though I'm not subject to the law. I did this he states so I can bring to Christ. Those who were under the law. He doesn't stop there pieces when I'm with the Gentiles. Nepal is Jewish, but he says when I'm around the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law are to live apart from that wall.

Why so that I might bring the Gentiles to Christ. I do not ignore the will of God. I obey the law of Christ.

He goes further when I'm with those who are weak.

I share their weaknesses. For I want to bring the week to Christ's yes I try to find common ground with everyone doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the good news and share in its place. In other words, I don't want to cause any open if it's at all possible on the pathway that will lead them their unconverted state to conversion to Christ. My love for their souls is greater than my love for my own freedom in this age, fierce independence, it's important to recognize our influence over those in our community. Chuck Swindoll is showing us the biblical model for tolerance for those who are weak. This is insight for living and to learn more about this ministry or to see what resources are available for today's topic, please visit us online@insightworld.org and just before our time is up for today.

Let me put you to one of the most helpful resources offered by Insight for living as you grow to appreciate an even rely on the clear and practical Bible teaching on this program really glad to learn. Chuck is condensed his life's work into a study Bible. It's written in the refreshing style. Chuck is known for and laid out in a format that's easy to navigate as well so I left a note on our website recently and they specifically mention how much they're enjoying this study Bible saying I bought a copy of the day.

It was first released and I read my study Bible every day. I highly recommend this Bible while the Swindoll study Bible represents decades of personal study by Chuck repairing for sermons and writing books and it belongs in your personal library to discover the different options available to you and to purchase a copy of the Swindoll study Bible go to insight.org/offer. You can also call us if you're listening in the US dial 1-800-772-8888 and then let me take a moment to thank those who give generously some time sacrificial to insight for living. Perhaps you have no idea the impact of your gesture, but we do a day never passes without hearing from someone whose life is been touched because of the Bible teaching they receive through insight for living. We read each and every comment comes to our attention that each one represents a sacred moment that was made possible through the voluntary gifts of people like you. Thank you so much to give a donation today. Call us listening in the United States dial 1-800-772-8880 or give online@insight.. In March, 20, 22 insight for living ministries is hosting an unforgettable journey to Israel carefully planned to deepen your understanding of the Bible and draw you closer to God Chuck Swindoll for thousands of years no place has been warming will to God's children in the land of Israel. The rugged landscape reminds us to find refuge in God alone. The fertile valleys invite us to follow our ship Jerusalem's position at the very center of the world announces the good news of Christ's every nation and now you can see Israel with Chuck Swindoll insight for living ministries March 6-17, 2022.

Every time I visited the holy land of returned home with a refreshed heart for God and a renewed vision for the world. Really, I mean it every time so I want you to have the same life changing experience to learn more, go to insight.org/events call this number 1-888-447-0444 insight for living ministries tour to Israel is paid for and made possible by only those who choose to attend join is when Chuck Swindoll concludes his message titled death and taxes. Friday on insight for living. The preceding message, death and taxes was copyrighted in 2017 and 2021 and the sound recording was copyrighted in 2021 by Charles R.

Swindoll, Inc. all rights are reserved worldwide.

Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited