When Christians Act Like Everyone Else
Sermon Notes
KEY PASSAGE
1 Samuel 8:4-7 ESV… Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah 5 and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.
THE HISTORY OF ISRAEL’S KINGS ISN’T NECESSARILY A GOOD ONE
Most of Israel’s kings were wicked.
Wicked rulers bring grief to those whom they rule over… Prov. 29:2
ISRAEL REJECTS GOD AS KING
After leaving Egypt, Israel lived in the Promised Land for 400 years with God as their king! We read about this time in the book of Judges.
Israel eventually asked for an earthly king… 1 Samuel 8:4-7
WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE WANT TO BE LIKE THE WORLD
Samuel warned the Israelites of the consequences of having an earthly king… 1 Sam. 8:10-20
God’s children often do what they have been warned not to do… Prov. 6:32-33
The Israelites wanted to be like the other nations and have a king to judge them…. And fight for them…. 1 Sam. 8:19-20
The Scriptures warn not to put our trust in men… Jer. 17:5-7
WILL THE CHURCH BE ANY DIFFERENT?
The church must decide if it wants to be a “light to the nations” or “just like the nations.”
The word “church” literally means, “The called out ones.”
Godliness with contentment is great gain… 1 Tim. 6:6-7 & 10; Psalm 37:16
The church must fight to remain thankful and focused… 1 Thess. 5:16; Col. 3:1-4
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Why is the history of Israel’s kings not necessarily a good one?
Why do wicked rulers bring grief to those whom they rule over?
Why did Israel reject God as king?
Do you have an earthly desire that is keeping you from having an eternal perspective?