A l l P r a i s e B u l l e t i n
June 2, 2008
by Dave Purdle, Founder, Ministry 9-1-1, Shelby Twp. (Mich.)
THE GOSPEL IN A PENNY
Text: Matthew 22:15:22
By Chaplain Dave Purdle, Ministry 9-1-1, Shelby Twp., Michigan
“Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny” (Matthew 22:19).
Before we look at the “nickels and dimes” of this study, let’s spend a few moments getting the background of our text. The Pharisees took counsel to entangle Jesus’ talk. Literally, this meant to entrap or ensnare. In every possible manner, the Pharisees exhibited their hatred towards Jesus. We see a question posed regarding giving tribute money to Caesar. Tribute was enforced contributions to individuals, governments, or institutions…in this case, Caesar. In His Divine wisdom, Jesus discovered their trap. The question of tribute was a delicate one. If Christ opposed tribute to Rome, then He could be arrested as a traitor; but if He favored tribute to Caesar, He would lose the hearts of the Jews who despised their Roman rulers.
Jesus used the example of a penny. The Roman denarius was the most common piece then in use. It was a silver coin about two-thirds the size of an American quarter. It was worth about 16 cents and represented an ordinary day’s wages for a laborer. It was stamped with the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar’s image and superscription.
The penny was immediately produced, perhaps handed to Him; and then He looked into their faces and said, “Whose is this image and superscription?” Without any hesitation, they replied, “Caesar’s.” That pretty much settled it. The penny was theirs, and the image Caesar’s. They were using Caesar’s coinage. Thus, Jesus tells the Pharisees to render (i.e. restore or return) to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s. The Pharisees marveled at His response and went on their way. Christ’s reply shows that the true child of God has obligations both to God and to his country. Scripture teaches that Christians should obey the law and honor their leaders (cf. Romans 13; I Peter 2:13-18).
As we compare the Roman denarius under Caesar with our United States penny, as we go into Independence Day, think about our constitution and freedom. We live in a nation, where, though the image and superscription be the sovereign’s, the property is the subject’s, under the protection of the laws, and what we have we can call our own!
As Jesus and the Pharisees looked at coin and image of Caesar, let’s examine the Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent, a United States one-cent coin produced from 1909 to 1958. Notice the picture of Abraham Lincoln, the layout, and the words and phrases. Did you know we have in our penny the Gospel message of Jesus Christ? I would like to show you the Gospel in this historic United States penny through its features, phrases and wording.
Salvation – Face side of the penny
By faith – “In God we trust”
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Notice the words again of our verse: “…by grace are ye saved through faith…” Every converted sinner is a saved sinner because they are delivered from sin and wrath. The grace that saves them is the free, undeserved goodness and favor of God. He saves them, through faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith, our conversion, and our eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities or of any merit of our own. Our works are not brought to pass by anything done by us. There is no room for any man’s boasting of his own abilities and power, or as though he had done anything that might deserve such immense favors from God. But both that faith and that salvation on which it has so great an influence are the gift of God.
Unto freedom – “Liberty”
John 8:36: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
You remember Patrick Henry’s famous statement: “Give me liberty, or give me death.” In the United States, we thank God for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In comparison, Jesus Christ in the Gospel offers us our freedom. He has authority and power to make us free. In our justice system today, to release a person being held in custody, they go before a judge at an arraignment and a bond is set. In comparison, Jesus does this in justification (remember that word as “just if I had never sinned”), by making satisfaction for our guilt. This is a further act of His grace and love to us. We are not only forgiven and healed, but we are preferred. Thus, the Son of God makes us free citizens of the kingdom of the holy nation, the new Jerusalem. Those whom Christ makes free are free; the liberty which Christ gives is real.
Forever—All time and eternity – Round edge of coin is endless
John 10:28: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
John 10:28 declare the wonderful security true believers have in Christ. We have eternal life, not just life for as long as we don’t sin. We are in Christ’s care and the Father’s hand, a double assurance of eternal preservation for His sheep. We are the Father’s gift to the Son, and the Father will not take back a gift. As humans, occasionally we misplace or lose things. That holds true of shepherds that have large flocks. Sometimes they lose track of their sheep. But Christ the Good Shepherd has engaged that none of His sheep shall perish, not one!
Service – Back side of penny
Called out – “E pluribus unum,” one from many
John 15:16: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Jesus chose the apostles. He called each of them individually; they did not choose Him. “Chosen” here speaks of choosing one for an office. Jesus chose these men and set them apart for the specific purpose of preaching the Gospel of the grace of God. Further, Jesus chose and ordained them, as He was sending them forth to bear fruit. Whatever they needed to effectively fulfill their ministry, they would find supplied by the Heavenly Father if they asked in the name of His dear Son. God chooses, calls, and ordains men today—pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, and deacons. However, not all are called to be full-time Christian workers. God saved all who will come to Him by the Lord Jesus Christ, and then out of the millions of born again ones, He calls and ordains individuals to minister.
Sent forth – “One cent” (one sent)
Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Before this time, the disciples had been sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. But now their commission is enlarged by Christ. They are authorized to go into all parts of the world, and to preach the Gospel of Christ to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. They are to preach the Gospel to every human creature that is capable of receiving it. They are to inform them concerning Christ, the history of His life, death, and resurrection. Further, they are to instruct them in the meaning and intention of these, and of the advantages which the children of men may have. They are to invite them, without exception, to come and share in them. As Christians we are to follow the Great Commission that has been told to the disciples by the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to tell others about the Lord Jesus Christ, and share with them the Gospel message.
To bear fruit – The tassels of grain
John 15:8: “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
The fruitfulness of all Christians is for the glory of God. Good fruit on a tree does not make the tree good. But rather, good fruit is testimony that the tree is good. Likewise, fruit-bearing in the life of a believer does not redeem that believer. But the fruit of the Spirit is testimony that such a person is born of the Spirit, indwelt by the Spirit, and led by the Spirit. The more fruit we bring forth, the more we may abound in that which is good, and the more He is glorified.
That’s the Gospel in a penny. Looking at the opposite sides of the coin:
A penny is worth 1 cent…but it cost God much in allowing His Son, Jesus Christ, to die and bear the punishment for our sins on the cross. Praise God that Jesus rose from the grave and is coming again for those who have trusted Him as their personal Saviour.
A penny is worth 1 cent…but salvation is free through the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
A penny is worth 1 cent…but without Christ, it will cost you dearly—your eternal state will be one of eternal “death” (separation from God) in sins. Your eternity will be spent in the lake of fire. There will be no more chance for salvation in Jesus Christ.
What side of the coin is your life on today?
FORGIVENESS IS THE BEST REMEDY FOR ANY INJURY
What past presidents have said about the Bible
Calvin Coolidge: “The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically
universal in our country.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower: “The Bible is endorsed by the ages. Our civilization is built upon its word. In no other book is there such a collection of inspired wisdom, reality, and hope.”
The Bible is the old-time Book, the new-time Book, and the all-time Book.
Big Night Out
When I got home last night, my wife demanded that I take her out to some place expensive...
So I took her to a gas station!!!!!!!
He loves his country best who strives to make it best
We at Ministry 9-1-1 thank God for your faithfulness by your prayerful support of this outreach and reading our bi-weekly newsletter. We also thank God for the many other ministry outreaches specifically for law enforcement and emergency services personnel. Pray for them as they strive to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ, disciple and encourage Christians in their growth, as well as counsel and pray for law enforcement and emergency workers in the time of need. Be sure to check these sites on the web and support their outreaches in prayer.
Fellowship of Christian Peace Officers, Grant Wolf, Executive Director - www.fcpo.org
FCPO-Peacekeepers #207, Portage , MI - Larry Napp - www.peacekeepers207.com
Ten-Four Ministries, Captain Travis Yates, Moorpark , CA - www.tenfourministries.org
(Check out their updated website!)
First Call Family Ministries, Dave Williams, Sandy , OR - www.fcfamily.org
The Centurion Law Enforcement Ministry – Det. M. C. Williams, Littleton, CO –
www.thecenturionministry.blogspot.com
Citizens Obediently Praying for Safety – Officer Randy Myers - Clinton , TN - http://www.copsministry.org
Public Safety Chaplaincy/Chaplains in Public Safety (Chips), Joel Peterson, Beaverton , OR - www.publicsafetychaplaincy.org
Emergency Ministries, Chaplain Bill Wolfe, Spring, TX - www.emergencychaplain.org
Please pray for Montcalm County (MI) Central Dispatch Supervisor Tracy Larson.
Tracy was involved in a domestic situation Tuesday evening at her home in Kent County where she suffered an abdominal gunshot wound. She was transported to United Memorial Hospital in Greenville where she underwent four hours of surgery. Due to complications of a broken pelvis and a punctured bowel, she was transferred to Butterworth ICU in Grand Rapids, MI.
As of today's writing, Tracy Larson has been upgraded to stable condition and is no longer under sedation. She is also able to converse with family members. She is still in ICU and cannot receive flowers. However, cards and letters may be sent to:
Montcalm County Central Dispatch
657 North State St.
Stanton, MI 48888
E-mail MCCDA Dispatch Supervisor Amy Thomas athomas@co.montcalm.mi.us or Alissa Hirkaway ahirkaway@co.montcalm.mi.us for additional information
Tracy is a single mother with three daughters and her road to recovery will be a long one.
Please keep Tracy, her family, and co-workers in your thoughts and prayers.
Finally, keep praying for people in areas of Iowa and Missouri who continue to deal with vast flooding in their regions.
“In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.
Glory, glory, hallelujah! Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Glory, glory, hallelujah! His God is marching on.”
(The Battle Hymn of the Republic, verse 4 and chorus, Julia Ward Howe)
May God’s truth continue to march on in the United States. Take time this holiday weekend to reflect on God’s blessings and protection upon us, individually and collectively, as a nation. Pray for our country as well. Wishing each of you a safe and happy Independence Day Holiday.
Dave Purdle
Ministry 9-1-1
Email ministry_911@yahoo.com
As a representative of your agency, thank you for allowing us to send this bi-weekly newsletter to you. Please read and enjoy; feel free to pass it along to other dispatchers in your department. Ministry 9-1-1 is a non-profit, volunteer evangelistic and counseling outreach specifically for 9-1-1 telecommunicators. Call or write if we can be of any assistance to you or your agency.
Next newsletter sent the week of July 20, 2008
