Isaiah 45:1-7

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Matthew 22:15-22

To what do you belong? To whom do you belong?-Different answers, different levels? -To what extent do you belong to Caesar and to God?

Render – take back – take this coin and the system it represents give it back to him – you enjoy the fruits of collaboration, power, position, prestige, wealth – so pay Caesar for all you enjoy. But remember you have failed to pay God what you owe God.[Source]

What belongs to God? Implication for Jesus is everything – what is it for you?

It is our AGM today -looking back a year it has been a good year, a lot happening, new people, new iniatives – our own good work? Or do we owe it to God? -We belong to God and all that we do is God’s – recognise gifts, thank people for work well done – give glory to God.

Thessalonians -  “in every place your faith in God has become known, so that we have no need to speak about it” in giving everything to God, the gospel is lived out, it bears fruit, -  in declaring Jesus is Lord – nothing else gets to make the same claim – when worldy powers – nation, employer, ambition, respectability, achievement claim your allegiance – ask them to show you the coin – to declare their loyalty – and give back to Caesar that which belongs to Caesar and to God whatever belongs to God.[Source]