We live in two kingdoms so that we carry out what Jesus taught: we give to Caesar and we give to God, but does this mean that our Lord was teaching that He was not somehow King even of the civil realm? Of course not! He is King of all kings; He is Lord even of all emperors, presidents, and monarchs. This has far-reaching implications. For one, the Lord is in charge; He is in control, even if things seem to be completely out of hand. Alarmist theology that insists that Satan is NOT bound is just that, alarmist and inappropriate. God isn’t sweating in heaven and worried because of liberal forces that reject Him. If anything, He laughs: “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” (Psalm 2:4) Needless to say, the child of God — truly — has nothing to worry about.

This, however, does not mean that we sit back and do nothing. Since the Lord of glory reigns, we are to advance and be proactive, showing good works in the civil realm, sharing the Gospel and being — as Christ describes us to be — salt and light.

Part 2: After the worship service, I am presenting what may be the single most important report I’ve given to our voter’s assembly since the restart here in Irvine. I’ve prepared a powerpoint and I assure you that I will be clear and quite excited about a developing vision. I was inspired by Dr. Russell Dawn who spoke up at our last voter’s meeting (in so many words): maybe — in respect to our property search — we’ve been thinking too small. I went into vacation this past summer with his words stuck in my conscience and tomorrow I will share with you how these words have come to fruition. Come and help your church. This is an important discussion about our future.

I rejoice to serve you. Who is the pastor to serve? He serves the Lord first; His stewardship is defined by his master. The Master is Jesus. So I serve Him, but to serve Him is to serve the One who HImself came not to be served, but to serve. To serve whom? To serve YOU! I am, therefore, also your servant. What I will serve — with Pastor Mueller — is the Word of Christ and the Sacrament of Christ. Jesus said, “Do this…” in respect to His Holy Sacrament. So many churches nowadays have diminished His command (to say nothing of how they have diminished the meaning and significance of the Supper)…at your congregation, the Holy Sacrament is given every Sunday. Jesus said, “Do this…” so that is what we do.

And the benefit? It is for salvation, comfort, and strength. It is pure blessing.

I look forward to serving you!

Here is an excerpt from tomorrow’s sermon:

“Give To Caesar, Give to God” (St. Matthew 22:15-22)

Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine, CA (LC-MS)

For your life in Christ the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 19^th, 2014

Pastor Espinosa

Introduction: Total and Complete Separation of Church and State?

1. The idea is foreign to the U.S. Constitution.
2. In Separation of Church and State, Philip Hamburger, John P. Wilson Professor of Law at the University of Chicago challenges (as stated in the introductory synopsis):

“the conventional assumption that the separation of church and state has a historical foundation in the First Amendment. The detailed evidence…shows that eighteenth-century Americans almost never invoked this principle. Although Thomas Jefferson and others respectively claimed that the First Amendment separated church and state, separation became part of American constitutional law only much later…separation became a constitutional freedom largely through fear and prejudice. Jefferson supported separation out of hostility to the Federalist clergy of New England. [Some] Protestants…adopted the principle…to restrict the role of Catholics in public life. Gradually, these Protestants were joined by theologically liberal, anti-Christian secularists, who hoped that separation would limit Christianity and all other distinct religions.”

1. The First Amendment reads: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
2. Jefferson wrote in referring to separation: “…thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” (Letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, 1802).
3. The great irony confronting those who perpetuate the “wall of separation” is that when theologically liberal, anti-God humanists and naturalists misuse the First Amendment, they are in fact perpetuating and encouraging, guess what? Answer: Their own religion! Consider the fact that ANY position that touches on God is a theological/religious For example, atheism is a theological position.

 

1. Christians and other theists are not the only ones with resultant MORAL positions that come from their THEOLOGICAL positions. Not at all: Darwinists also have a moral position called “moral relativism.”
2. When morality is based on the individual, it is called
3. When morality is based on what society says, it is called
4. Which one does Christianity support? Answer: Neither!

 

Part I: Christ Spoke Truth

1. The people who came to Him as recorded in today’s Gospel (St. Matthew 22:15-22) were disciples of the Pharisees (v 16) and then there were also Herodians (v 16). Two distinct groups with different views about the Roman government.
2. The Pharisees considered paying taxes to a pagan/anti-God government as sinful and so disagreed with the Herodians. To them, it was BAD to pay taxes.
3. The Herodians were Jews who supported the dynasty of Herod the Great and therefore believed that paying taxes was obligatory. To them, it was GOOD to pay taxes.
4. But they had one thing in common: they didn’t like Jesus!
5. This tag-team of disciples of the Pharisees and Herodians came to Jesus with flattering words, but their intent was to trap the Lord:
6. If Jesus spoke in Rome’s favor, it would cost him popular favor among the Jews.
7. If Jesus spoke in the people’s favor, it would set Him against the government and He would be guilty of sedition.
8. The point is that the enemies of God attack God. Do not think that they sit idle and say, “We have no opinion,” no way, they actually attack the truth.
9. If anyone thinks there isn’t a battle for truth, morality, and God in the world, then they are probably kidding themselves.

The enemies of Christ knew the kind of man Jesus was and they approached Jesus with flattering words.

St. Matthew 22:16: “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances.”

1. Actually where the ESV states “you are not swayed by appearances,” it is trying to bring out: “You do not look at the face of men.”
2. Many people gauge what they will say based on how they perceive people’s faces. Not Christ. He just spoke the truth period. So he tells it like it is!
3. The Lord knew what was going on, verse 18 says, “[He was] aware of their malice.”

Come to church tomorrow morning and get the rest!

 

In Jesus’ Love,

 

Rev. Al Espinosa, Ph.D., senior pastor, Saint Paul’s Lutheran of Irvine