WE ARE ON THE EDGE OF ANOTHER GREAT WAR, PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SONS, DO WE HAVE TO OBEY?

• In ancient day Political enemies joined against Jesus- Trap- Jewish money to Caesar of Rome?
• Seriousness of this trap is not apparent- Death penalty for treason-or kill Him in a riot!
• If Satan could destroy Jesus 3 days short of Calvary- What of our salvation? Jesus was finally killed for Political Reasons- Don't let Satan play politics with your heart! Listen to Jesus!

I. THE POLITICAL TRAP FOR JESUS -Matt 22:14, Mark12:13,Lk 20

Jerusalem was a Captive City, Pilate the Military Commander, Herod a Puppet King- Political Intrigue?

A. THERE WAS A SECRET CONSPIRACY AGAINST JESUS - Lk 20:20 -I DO NOT DOUBT MANY CONSPIRACIES TODAY

• Young Disciples were sent-Matt 22:16a -Old plotters always use youth as cannon fodder -Beware!
• They pretended to be "Just men"-Luke 20:20 -Lying spies sought to snare Jesus with His words!
• Wrong words & Jesus would be delivered to the Governor! Today a word game just as silly-dead!

B. THE IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION -"CEASAR OR NO?" A SIMPLE BUT DEADLY-PROBLEM: WITNESSES READY

• The trap bated with kind words Matt 22:16 but their Truth was a lie to them: - Paid Politics
• Sworn enemies crowded close to snare Him- all Political parties are dangerous- watch them!
• The QUESTION-v.17 "LAWFUL for us-taxes to Caesar"- Zealots theme- "Israel must be free!"

C. JESUS KNEW THEIR WICKEDNESS Matt 22:18 THE SON OF GOD KNOWS HEARTS, AND CAN RENDER JUDGEMENT

• Jesus knew- to say YES would open Him to mockery for denying Israel's God- & Israel's Standing
• To say NO would be treasonous to Rome- turn rebel over to Soldiers - with Riot Troops ready!
• They thought there was no way for Jesus to escape-- His disciples had both Zealots & Publicans wondering.

We are not as smart as Jesus, sometimes miss Holy Spirit's signals, & stumble over hard questions. But we have leaders today in America- Listen to Dr. Dobson, Tim LeHay, Jack Venempe, Skousen, etc.

II. A RELIGIOUS TRAP FOR BUSH!

Let's shift this to modern times- and to our President -Christians blamed-starting Armageddon

A. THE ANCIENT CAESAR OF ROME FOUND IT CONVENIENT TO KEEP FOREIGN WARS GOING - ARE WE THE SAME?

• During peacetime- most ancient Rome had two Presidents-(watch each other)- at war- ONLY ONE!
• Of course this led to a War time - Industrial-Military Complex- to conquer the world- they did
• Modern nations tend to unify their people by War- but it is costly, & with Atomics-dangerous!

B. HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS SITUATION WITH TROOPS$ BEING SENT TO A HOT DESERT-FARTHEST OUT POSSIBLE?

• The Arab world-claiming to be Abraham's other son- wound up in desert,- over lakes of OIL!
• It was our technology that found the oil, & built great facilities- for our great appetite!
• It was European powers that divided up the area after WWI, then in '61 Britain protected Kuwait

C. IRAQ HAS LONG WANTED KUWAIT FOR ITS PORT AND ITS GREAT OIL FIELDS: SO IT SIMPLY INVADED IT!

• After a long drawn out war with Iran, Iraq is broke, poor, land locked, with huge Army!
• The Arabs have always been fighting each other- & all jump on any outsider- esp. Israel!
• We may have our foot in the mud- unless careful-make Arab allies lead- or all turn on us!

Is this a prelude to Armageddon- sure & so has been every other war: Teams lining up- wrong partner, But This is our Country right or wrong- & we will obey its President- even to death in a bad war

III. JESUS' ANSWER WORKS THEN & NOW

Every attack of Satan can be a source of revival- If we but listen to God's voice & obey Him

A. JESUS ASKED FOR A COIN - HIS ANSWER BECAME THE OFFICIAL ANSWER OF THE JEWS LATER ON!

• It is Government that coins money! -Passes laws, has wars,- & other physical things- Ours has!
• When Jesus asked "Whose image & writing"- only one answer- Rome's! Caesar- Rome benefitted
• We need human government- Christians have dual citizenship- & responsible to God for BOTH!

B. "RENDER UNTO CEASAR THE THINGS THAT ARE CEASAR'S" A PLAIN COMMAND FOR ALL AGES - EVEN NOW!

• We are under political responsibility- Pay taxes, fight war,-but in America we CHOOSE leaders!
• We have divine command to be the Salt & Light- to demand justice & righteousness in our land!
• How far can we go?- Don't be a Patsy-Matt 10:34-"Not Peace", so Luke 22:36-"Buy a Sword"

C. JESUS SAID "AND" NOT "OR" -"AND UNTO GOD THE THINGS WHICH BE GOD'S" WE OWE GOD AND CAESAR - SPIRITUAL & POLITICAL!

• Like Neh 4:7 -Work with tool in one hand, weapon in other- Conquer or be destroyed--
• We have lost our vision- We have a world to conquer- If we don't- we will be killed
• How far will you go in this war?- Confess Christ! Baptism! Church Member! Leader! Soulwinner!

Choose your leaders well- Pulpit Committee working!- Election Coming up soon -WORK FOR RIGHT!
Then follow your leaders- faithful as Christians and Citizens- pay taxes, fight wars, Trust God!

YOUR NATION AND YOUR SOUL STAND IN THE BALANCE! NEXT TO SALVATION -SEPT 11th- IMPORTANT DATE! PRAY! BUSH ADDRESSES JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS!

• Some are still confused what they owe God- God sent His Son to be your Saviour- Accept Him!
• Some still compromise- let worldliness dim their light- cheat on citizenship in both worlds!
• Some are neutralized- not effective as Christian, or Citizen- Takes effort, faithfulness!

If this is the beginning of Armageddon- I want to be ready- BASIC TRAINING INPORTANT- STUDY!