Give us a king
- Sermon By: Sam Cherian
- Categories: Stand Alone
Bible Passage: 1 Sam 8:4-10
I. Background:
1. A pivotal moment in Israel’s history where they transitioned from the period of judges to the monarchy.
2. We also know that God (Yahweh) as their King had proved to be faithful Vs 8
3. 1 Sam 7 describes how the Lord fought for the Israelites and there was a time of peace.
4. The elders come and make a demand to Samuel Vs 1-5
2. We also know that God (Yahweh) as their King had proved to be faithful Vs 8
3. 1 Sam 7 describes how the Lord fought for the Israelites and there was a time of peace.
4. The elders come and make a demand to Samuel Vs 1-5
II. The idolatrous demand: “Now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” Vs 4-5
1. Interestingly, God had already predicted that the Israelites would one day make such a demand. In Deuteronomy 17:14–15, Gen 17:1-6; Gen 35:10-11; Judges 8:22-23
2. Samuel was displeased with the demand Vs 6; 1 Samuel 12:17-19
3. Their reason for making the demand for a King was wrong.
2. Samuel was displeased with the demand Vs 6; 1 Samuel 12:17-19
3. Their reason for making the demand for a King was wrong.
a. Human reasoning in light of their circumstance. Vs 1-3
b. God was already their King and ruler. Vs 7-8
c. To be like other nations Vs 5, 20
d. To have someone else fight their battles. Vs 20
e. It showed that they lacked faith in God. They needed God plus something else to feel secure and in control of their lives.
b. God was already their King and ruler. Vs 7-8
c. To be like other nations Vs 5, 20
d. To have someone else fight their battles. Vs 20
e. It showed that they lacked faith in God. They needed God plus something else to feel secure and in control of their lives.
III. God’s response to the demand that He be replaced as their king
1. God tells Samuel to listen to the demand of the elders – Vs 7,21. Rom 1:26
2. God tells Samuel that this demand comes with a solemn warning of installing an earthly king. Vs 9
3. God details out the warning of their demand for an earthly king Vs 11-17
2. God tells Samuel that this demand comes with a solemn warning of installing an earthly king. Vs 9
3. God details out the warning of their demand for an earthly king Vs 11-17
a. He will take your sons Vs 11
b. He will take your daughters Vs 13
c. He will take the best of your hard work Vs 14
d. He will take a tenth of your food Vs 15
e. He will take your servants Vs 16
b. He will take your daughters Vs 13
c. He will take the best of your hard work Vs 14
d. He will take a tenth of your food Vs 15
e. He will take your servants Vs 16
f. He will make you his slaves Vs17
An earthly king is defined as anything we prioritize over God in our love, trust, or desire.
IV. How do we then diagnose symptoms of having earthly Kings in our life?
1. When we don’t place our faith in God and his sovereign capability.
2. When earthly goals take priority over Kingdom goals.
3. When we operate in our own strength.
4. When we lack a proper understanding of the gospel and our identity in Christ
5. Questions for reflection: Respect? Love? Confidence? Fear? Serve?
2. When earthly goals take priority over Kingdom goals.
3. When we operate in our own strength.
4. When we lack a proper understanding of the gospel and our identity in Christ
5. Questions for reflection: Respect? Love? Confidence? Fear? Serve?
V. The failure of Human Kings points to a perfect King in Christ.
1. John 3:16 famously states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. Jesus is the perfect King who gives us everything. Romans 8:32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
2. Jesus is the perfect King who gives us everything. Romans 8:32: He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
VI. Concluding Applications:
1. Choosing a visible king over the invisible King reveals a lack of faith in a God who has demonstrated faithfulness.
2. When we choose earthly kings we choose to go back to Egypt or return to slavery.
3. God sometimes grants our requests, even when they are poor choices, to teach us through the resulting consequences.
4. The devil always places enticing choices in front of us to distract us from following the true King.
5. Whenever we are consumed by anything in life it means that we have relegated God to a lower position.
2. When we choose earthly kings we choose to go back to Egypt or return to slavery.
3. God sometimes grants our requests, even when they are poor choices, to teach us through the resulting consequences.
4. The devil always places enticing choices in front of us to distract us from following the true King.
5. Whenever we are consumed by anything in life it means that we have relegated God to a lower position.
Takeaway:
Enthrone the Triune God as the king of your life by acknowledging that God is the absolute ruler of your life