ISRAEL WANTS A KING (3)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Israel wants a king
(Text: 1 Samuel 8:1-21)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Had the Israelites submitted to God's leadership, they would have thrived beyond their expectation, Our obedience is weak if we ask God to lead our family or personal life but continue to live by the world's standards and values. Faith in God must touch all the practical areas of life.
b) Samuel warned the people that they would regret their decision to have a king. Israel (including the future northern and southern kingdoms) eventually had 41 kings over a period of 450 years. Only 11 kings followed God at all, and 7 of those forgot God at the end of their reigns. It was the spiritual rebellion of the kings that paved way for the later captivities by foreign nations. Israel would learn that a human leader was not the complete answer to their problems. Only God, their true leader, and faith in him could bring the reform they sought.
c) Samuel carefully explained all the negative consequences of having a king, but the Israelites refused to listen. When you have an important decision to make, weigh the positives and negatives carefully, considering everyone who might be affected by your choice. When you want something badly enough, it is difficult to see the potential problems. But don't discount the negatives. Unless you have a plan to handle each one, they will cause you great difficulty later.
d) Israel was called to be a holy nation, separate from and unique among all others (see Leviticus 20:26).
@1. 26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. (Leviticus 20:26 NIV)
e) The Israelites' motive in asking or a king was to be like the nations around them. This was in total opposition to God's original plan. It was not their desire for a king that was wrong, but their reasons for wanting a king.
f) Often we let others' values and actions dictate our attitudes and behvior. Have you ever made a wrong choice because you wanted to be like everyone else? Be careful that the values of your friends of "heroes" don't pull you away from what God says is right. When God's people want to be like unbelievers, they are heading for spiritual disaster.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Israel wants a king
(Text: 1 Samuel 8:1-21)
1. What is the text all about?
a) Had the Israelites submitted to God's leadership, they would have thrived beyond their expectation, Our obedience is weak if we ask God to lead our family or personal life but continue to live by the world's standards and values. Faith in God must touch all the practical areas of life.
b) Samuel warned the people that they would regret their decision to have a king. Israel (including the future northern and southern kingdoms) eventually had 41 kings over a period of 450 years. Only 11 kings followed God at all, and 7 of those forgot God at the end of their reigns. It was the spiritual rebellion of the kings that paved way for the later captivities by foreign nations. Israel would learn that a human leader was not the complete answer to their problems. Only God, their true leader, and faith in him could bring the reform they sought.
c) Samuel carefully explained all the negative consequences of having a king, but the Israelites refused to listen. When you have an important decision to make, weigh the positives and negatives carefully, considering everyone who might be affected by your choice. When you want something badly enough, it is difficult to see the potential problems. But don't discount the negatives. Unless you have a plan to handle each one, they will cause you great difficulty later.
d) Israel was called to be a holy nation, separate from and unique among all others (see Leviticus 20:26).
@1. 26 You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own. (Leviticus 20:26 NIV)
e) The Israelites' motive in asking or a king was to be like the nations around them. This was in total opposition to God's original plan. It was not their desire for a king that was wrong, but their reasons for wanting a king.
f) Often we let others' values and actions dictate our attitudes and behvior. Have you ever made a wrong choice because you wanted to be like everyone else? Be careful that the values of your friends of "heroes" don't pull you away from what God says is right. When God's people want to be like unbelievers, they are heading for spiritual disaster.
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