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.
B. Connection to Israel –
1. Escape from slavery and tyranny
2. Deuteronomy 19:4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself.
3. The greatest source of the writings of the Founders came from the Bible. The #1 book they quoted was Deuteronomy. They felt a great connection to the Hebrews’ escape from tyranny.
4. Star of David (unknown origin)
Star of David was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper. All for Liberty!
1. There are many times and places that we can find reminders of God and America
2. Jesus showed Him in nature – Matthew 6:25-34
3. Jesus even was able to use a coin to make a point about God
4. Our money – that we put so much value in – also points us to God and the history of our nation – when God is present, it’s the real deal. When He is absent it is counterfeit. “In God We Trust.”
5. [Bank tellers; Treasury Department – study real currency, then when the counterfeit shows up they can identify it.
a. Spend time studying God and His word
b. Then when the counterfeit shows up, we are aware and can take appropriate actions
