Marvel at Christ's Authority | Luke 20:9-26 | December 14, 2025 | Aaron T. Colyer

In this message from Luke 20:9–26, we’re called to marvel at Christ’s authority as Jesus teaches in the temple while religious leaders try to trap Him. Through the parable of the vineyard, Jesus exposes a familiar pattern: God sends messengers, but hard hearts reject them, so we’re challenged to consider who God has placed in our lives to point us back to His Word and whether we’re listening. 

The sermon also confronts our tendency to make wrongful claims of ownership, treating life as “mine” rather than surrendered to the Lord, and warns that judgment is real for those who refuse God’s rightful rule. Jesus is presented as the Chief Cornerstone: rejecting Him leads to stumbling, but receiving Him means building everything on Him. 

Finally, Jesus answers the trap about taxes with perfect wisdom: “Render to Caesar” what belongs to him, and render to God what belongs to God, our worship, loyalty, and whole heart. The invitation is clear: don’t play games with Jesus; respond in humility, repentance, and full surrender.