Lessons From A Dollar Bill

1. Matthew 22:15-22

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “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. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

a. During the Roman Republic, the obverse of most Roman coins featured an image of a deity. At the end of the Republic, portraits of real humans appeared. The first may have been that of Pompey in 46 BC after his murder. Julius Caesar and other prominent generals were also illustrated. When Augustus became princeps civitatis (“first citizen” aka emperor) in 27 BC, he continued the tradition of having his profile on the “head” side of the coins.

b. For the lesson to really drive home the point the coin must have been a denarius of the then current Emperor, Tiberius (Julius and Augustus were dead – you can’t give to the dead).

2. We do some similar things as the Romans and other civilizations with our currency.

3. Consider Our One Dollar Bill

a. Many “hidden” or mysterious symbols in the dollar bill – “Eye”; “Owl”

b. Looking at the lessons from the more obvious and less controversial symbols

I. Front: Image of George Washington

A. There is Much Disputation Today About Our Founders, Including George Washington

B. Yet, There is much Good in the Life of Washington and He Should Take a Place of Honor

1. “Providence”

Washington’s life

Through the American Revolution [letter to Nathanael Greene

2. Faith

Prayer at Valley Forge

Calls for prayer

3. Character

First in war, first in peace . . .

Laying down life for others

II. Both Sides: Intricate Pattern

A. Value – Silver Certificate

1. God’s Values Vs. Ours

a. [Changing the price tags story

b. Souls – Matthew 16:25-26

c. John 3:16

2. Too often we sell out for the temporary, the convenient

B. Counterfeiting (Satan) – 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

1. “Satan is far more effective in matters of imitation than in matters of outright opposition.”

2. He Counterfeits Churches Revelation 2:9; 3:9

3. He Counterfeits the Gospel – 2 Corinthians 11:4; Galatians 1:6-7

4. He Uses His Own Doctrine – 1 Timothy 4:1-4

5. Satan Uses/Misuses People – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Dr. Donald Gray Barnhouse, a great Presbyterian Bible teacher who died some years ago, once said: “When you get ready to look for the devil, don’t forget to check behind some pulpits.” – “Woke” preachers today . . .

6. He Counterfeits the Word of God (Genesis 3:1) – poor translations and other books (Mormon; Koran, etc.)

7. He Counterfeits the Lord’s Supper – 1 Corinthians 10:21

8. He Counterfeits Righteousness – Romans 10:2-3

9. Satan Uses His Own Angels (messengers) – Revelation 12:7

10. He Counterfeits Sacrifices – 1 Corinthians 10:20

C. Satan’s Motivation – Isaiah 14:12-14

III. Back: Great Seal

A. Original Seal

The history of the Great Seal begins with the day of our founding as a nation. The Continental Congress appointed a committee to design a seal for the United States on July 4, 1776, just a few hours after they adopted the Declaration of Independence. The committee members—Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams—prepared a very complicated design that was promptly tabled by Congress.

1. Pharaoh’s Army drowning in the Red Sea with the inscription: “Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God.”

2. How could they say this?

a. Midwives who rescued Moses – Exodus 1:15

b. 3 Hebrew Boys – Daniel 3:1-30

c. Daniel and the Lions – Daniel 6:1-28

B. Charles Thomson’s seal – actually the fourth attempt and with revision was approved by Congress on June 20, 1782. -- Eagle on the Obverse and the Unfinished Pyramid on the Reverse

IV. Back: Eagle and Star of David

A. Strength and Majesty of the Eagle – Isaiah 40:30-31

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.