We Want a King!

The second sermon in Pastor Justin’s sermon series, Failures and Triumphs, from the book of 1^st Samuel, was We Want a King! This came from their desire to be like other nations. Bottom line  is, they stopped trusting God to supply all their needs. They rejected God (1 Samuel 8: 9) and thought a king would fight all their battles for them.

The Scripture, Why are you afraid, O you of little faith? (Matthew 8:26 ESV) comes to mind. These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples. But aren’t they appropriate for this time in the past, all the way back to the time of Samuel and David. And yes, from the very beginning.

Those Hebrew children had very short memories. They had already forgotten how God had led them out of captivity in Egypt. How He’d always fought for them. Justin reminded us of how God had had destroyed the pagan god, Dagon, when the Ark of the Covenant was placed before

his statue (Read 1 Samuel 5:1-7). The story about how the Ark was returned to Jerusalem is amazing.

But God!

The people were reminded that a King only wanted to take and to control, but God gives. Justin made two main points.

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POINT ONE

The first was, Sometimes God gives us what we want so we can realize what we truly need (1 Samuel 8: 21-22). Our youngest son became frustrated with us when he was a boy and in his teen years. We were forever asking him if he knew the difference in wants and needs. As a grown man, he is very aware of the difference.

The people didn’t realize that God’s no was for their own protection. I can recall a few times in my life when I, in my limited understanding, asked God for something. I know now, His no was a blessing. But in my youth, I couldn’t see past the desires of my heart. As we mature in our Christian faith, I think we become much more aware of how often God has worked in our lives.

POINT TWO

God calls us to be different. Oh, how hard it is to be the different one. It has become increasingly hard to stand up for what we believe in the world today when so many, even some churches and pastors, are telling us that what we believe is a myth or just not respectful or loving of others. I know you’ve heard the same things I’ve heard.

Back then, Israel lost her identity. Do they remember to this day, Whose they are? When we are Jesus Followers, our identity is in Christ. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). That verse does not mean we are saved by good works. By no means! For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Epehsians 2:8-9 ESV). Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 ESV).

QUESTION TO PONDER

The final thought was the question: what rules your heart? Only you can answer that. Would you say the world and all within it? Did you say you’d love to have a king? Then look no further than King Jesus. He loves you so much, He gave you everything He had, his very life, so that you might live with Him for all eternity.

I urge you, once again, to read the Gospel of John and follow that with the book of Romans. Both books form the foundation for spending eternity with the King of Kings! I’m praying for you.

We sing this many times each year at FBC Hendersonville, NC. If you are ever in the area, come and worship with us. Meet Pastor Justin in person!