THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST SOUGHT TO SNARE HIM POLITICALLY, AND CAUSE HIS DEATH OR DISHONOR WITH PEOPLE

1. They arranged a series of questions- v.15-Pharisees, 23-Saddusees, 35-Lawyers, -to trap Him
2. The seriousness of the questions cannot be stressed- Herodians could demand death penalty!
3. If Satan could snare Jesus and destroy Him just 3 days before Calvary- the time sequence of salvation could be destroyed- If Satan can distract you from Jesus- Hell is yours!

I.- THE POLITICAL SNARE FOR JESUS! Matt 22:15-

Jerusalem was a captive city- Pilate was Military Commander, Herod king of part-wanted more

A.- THE SECRET SCHEME OF ATTACK AGAINST JESUS v. 15,16 AND THERE WOULD BE NO ESCAPE!

1. The young disciples- 16a -were used! The old plotters used the young ones as cannon fodder
2. They would pretend to be "just men" Luke 20:20 - Spy work takes lies, Just as a soldier kills
3. Their purpose- to snare Him with words- into treason, & turn Him in to government for death.

B.- THE IMPOSIBLE QUESTION, V. 17 SIMPLE BUT DEADLY ATTACK, AND NO FISH TO BE CAUGHT THIS TIME

1. They baited Him with flattery-v.16b Their truth was a lie (situation ethics?)
2. The Herodians crowded close- sworn enemies joining to trap Jesus - they were not friends-
3. The question-v.17 -taxes to Rome! -A theme song of the Zealots, Israel must be Free! -trap

C.- BUT JESUS KNEW THEIR WICKEDNESS v.18 - FOR HE COULD READ THE HEARTS OF ALL WHO WERE PRESENT

1. Jesus knew- to say YES would open Him to mockery for denying Israel's God- & Kingdom-dishonor
2. For him to say NO the Zealots might well have proclaimed Him King- rioted, soldiers- arranged
3. He had Zealots in His group of Apostles- and the Hope of Israel was in the Messiah being King

There are traps where even the Truth carelessly spoken becomes as harmful as a lie! & wrong

II.- AMERICA HAS ITS POLITICAL TRAPS, TOO!

The greatest lie- that the separation of Church & State means preacher neutralized- Schools pray

A.- THE MORAL LEVEL OF AMERICA IS UNDER SERIOUS ATTACK, AND THE WATERGATE EPISODE IS NOT HELPING

1. Internal confusion and demoralization aids Communist conquest- bureaucrats reign, President -neutralized
2. I Cannot understand lack of consistency- riots, bombing, Murder, rape- free!  Press wiretaps OK
3. I saw the danger- Hippies headed for National Convention - Chicago Bombers now inside Democratic Party

B.- THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES IN SOME AREAS BECAME POWERLESS TO DEFEND HIMSELF

1. He needed spies (it was war) but all he could get was "Keystone kops" and the Cuban ex spies
2. The sincere men are in jail- & the lawyers telling lies on each other- billions spent to dig
3. My sources tell me of arrogance of "Nixon's kindergarten"- and an isolated president

C.- IF THE WATERGATE INVESTIGATORS WOULD BE FAIR, THIS COULD PROVE DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM BEST- BUT?

1. A Watergate Investigator found to be one who bugged Nixon in 1960, my phone bugged- 61-62
2. A bug is legal if one party knows, & does not use it illegally- This room is bugged- & my phone
3. But President trapped - taped - our leaders picked to death-Williams, Fannin, Steiger, -

Though Nixon received Christ under Porter Barrington- he is not Christ- not perfect.  
Our nation is quieter, many good things,-pornography under attack again- but Pres. hurting

III. JESUS' ANSWER WORKED THEN AND NOW

Every attack of Satan has a time when it could be turned into a revival if we but let God do it

A.- THE PICTURE ON THE COIN- v.20 THE ANSWER JESUS GAVE BECAME THE OFFICIAL JEWISH POSITION LATER

1. The government coins its money, passes its laws, establishes nation- LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT!
2. When Jesus asked "whose Picture" - they answered "Caesar"- Rome gave benefits to Jerusalem-
3. If we don't like a law- change it; but Christians risk a lot to play spy; or Soldier! -cop?

B.- "RENDER THEREFORE UNTO CAESAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CAESAR'S" -v.21 a A PLAIN COMMAND TO ALL

1. Spiritual authority and Political authority co-exist side by side! John 18:36, Rom 14:17
2. Jesus paid His taxes -Did not resist Roman Soldiers at Crucifixion- but conquered Rome-
3. Nixon will be President for next 3 years- Pray for him, support him- it's your country to work

C.- AND JESUS ALSO SAID "AND UNTO GOD THE THINGS THAT ARE GOD'S" V.21b

1. Neh 6:12-3 told of hired spies & counselors - but Ch 8,9 tell of Re-bible & Revival!
2. Our land has turned right- nothing more serious than Watergate- Jesus people, Key '73
3. Our greatest opportunity to pay God what we owe Him- Repentance, Faith, moral righteousness

Have you done your part-? If not- then you deserve collapse, famine, Communist conquest-death

YOUR NATION STANDS AT THE CROSSROADS, AND I ASK WHAT CAN WE DO?  YOU HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON NATION

1. Some are ashamed of Christ- Stand up and Confess your faith in Him! - Be a Christian!
2. Some are ashamed to stand for Moral righteousness- Live right- & demand it of others
3. If you do not prepare to meet God- YOU WILL - AND IT WILL BE IN THE ASHES OF YOUR NATION