Sons of the Kingdom with the Burdens of the World.Sunday July 6, 2025
Main idea: The sons of God submit to the laws of the earth so as to not be a stumbling block to the hearer of the gospel.
Introduction:
One of the brand new things of the church (Christ’s house) is that everyone in the house would be sons of God with inheritance (Rom 8:17).
The sons of the kingdom are not subject to another kingdom, yet they subject themselves to the rulers of the earth in order not to offend them or their subjects so as to not hinder the gospel.
Text: Mat 17:24-27. Breakdown the passage:
The two-drachma tax is the temple tax (Exo 30:11-16). This tax would be somewhat patriotic though not all liked paying it due to corruption.
Though Jesus knew that the religious leaders were corrupted with greed, He still instructed that they should pay it so as not to offend.
Jesus “spoke first” (purposefully leading this question): who pays taxes, sons or strangers?
He refers to custom (telos) and poll tax (kensos; 1 denarius per adult male annually): Roman taxes, which will become a matter of debate in Mat 22:15-22.
This was a source of outrage to Jews as indicating Roman oppression (Judas of Galilee revolt in 6 CE; Act 5:37).
Mat 9:10-13 Then it happened that as Jesus was reclining at the table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were dining with Jesus and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, "Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 13 "But go and learn what this means: 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,' for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
He ate with them for the same reason we should, and for the same reason that we pay taxes as well as carrying all the earthly burdens of the unbeliever – to call them without causing them to stumble.
Yet, we pay so as not to offend (stumbling block, skandalizo; 1Co 8:13).
The bizarre means of receiving money reveals that we can trust God to provide when things look hopeless.
Jesus’ life begins with the poll tax as a backdrop (Luk 2:1-2).
Under the power of Caesar the true King would be born.
The result would not be the end of our own taxes, but the beginning of something the world had never seen (not even in Israel) – free sons of the kingdom in the world.
He is beginning the doctrine of adoption - all in the church will be sons and daughters of God (Rom 8:15-17; Gal 3:26; Eph 1:5-6).
The sons are free!
The sons are free and walk among the slaves (Jud 22-23). If we are aloof, can we effectively communicate with them? If we stand idly beside them while they carry heavy burdens, will they listen to us (Mat 22:44)?
As a free son or daughter, offend no one. The son who loves, who gives graciously, who works hard and with joy, who is at peace and yet bears all the same burdens of the world that the slave does is a loud witness for the kingdom of heaven.
Free from the law; Rom 7:3; Rom 7:24; Rom 8:2; Rom 8:15-16; Rom 8:32.
Notice in Romans how freedom comes with a binding slavery to God and the power that holds us to Him is His love; Rom 8:39.
Free in Christ means we are to make ourselves slaves to all for the sake of their salvation (1Co 7-10; 1Pe 2).
1Co 7:21-24; 1Co 8:9 (fear: will I be well without meat?); 1Co 8:13.
1Co 9:1 (Paul is free. He is an apostle and has a right to be supported, but he was not); 1Co 9:12; 1Co 9:15-16; 1Co 9:19 (inclusio to vs. 1: I am free).
Great Commission is more important than our freedom in this world, as it was for Christ; 1Co 9:23.
There is reward from God for the sacrifice. Athletic analogy; 1Co 9:24.
Everyone who competes has self-control in all things and I buffet my body – beat down my natural desire to exercise my God given freedom.
1Co 10 Paul then uses the example of the Exodus.
Why did they fall in the wilderness? They craved more though the Rock gave them water.
God’s will is for you to serve in the capacity He chooses while you obey the authorities of the world of whom you are free, so as to not hinder the gospel.
1Pe 2
1Pe 2:11 aliens and strangers (the taxed) …
1Pe 2:12-20 behavior excellent among the Gentiles; for the Lord’s sake submit yourself to all human institutions; silence the ignorance of fools; don’t use freedom as aa covering for evil; fear God, honor the king – all so that you are not a stumbling block to others, and God will be pleased.
Free in Christ means we are clothed with Christ (Gal 3:27). He is all of our provision.
Communion
God’s eternal and unchangeable mind is that the souls of others are more important than His full desire. 1Ti 2:1-6; Mat 26:39; Mat 23:37.
He will accomplish all His purpose (Isa 46:10).
This difficult paradox can only show us that God sacrifices for the sake and salvation of others. Sacrifice is always loss and always painful.
The comfort and joy are in the knowing of why. We are outside but living within and bearing the burdens of the world as free-men who invite all others into the kingdom.
This is God-like, and therefore, rewarding beyond all material gain.
The children are free and you are free to limit their freedom to serve the larger purpose – as Jesus shows in His last supper.
is that by His death and resurrection, the veil was torn, He is the temple, the temple was destroyed 70 AD. Jesus becomes the temple and He makes each believer a temple of God through union with Him.
The temple tax is His blood. (connection to Mat 17:22-23)
Jesus promises that the need will be met.
Luk 6:35-36 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
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