WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE KINGS?

Kingly Living

(1 Samuel 8)

Old Age Does Not Guarantee Biblical Wisdom v.1 “When Samuel became old, he made his sons judges over Israel.”

  • Eli’s Mistake: Loved His Kids More than God (1Sam2:29)
    • “because his sons were blasphemingGod, and he did not restrain them” (1Sam3:13b)
  • Eli’s Loss: God Disciplines and Bypasses
    • “I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew” (1Sam3:13a)
  • God’s Plan Is To Greatly Use Those Who “do according to what is in my heart and in my mind” (1Sam2:35)
    • Know: Daily Communicate with Him
    • Mind: Understand & Remember His Truths

“Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.” (1Sam3:19)

    • Heart: Obey and Continue in His Love
  • Trust In God’s Sovereignty: “It is the Lord.  Let him do what seems good to him.” (1Sam3:18)

Christianity Is Not About Us: “Do This in Remembrance of ________”

v.3 “Yet his sons did not walk in his ways but turned aside after gain. They took bribes and perverted justice.”

  • Watch Out for Self-Serving “Christianity”

How to Defeat Self-Serving “Christianity”

  1. Love Abundantly (Matt 7:12)
  2. Be Satisfied with Christ Alone (Matt 7:13-14)
  3. Live Fruitfully (Matt 7:15-20)
  4. Fix Your Thoughts: Know God (Matt 7:21)
  5. Watch Your Heart: Experience God (Matt 7:22-23)

WARNING: Self-Serving “Christians” aren’t Christians.

Daily Focus:  The World or God? v.5 “Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

  • The World Does Not Fully Understand God’s Power
    • Ark of the Covenant &  Philistine Curse (1Sam5)
  • Reject Worldly Wisdom & Seek God’s Steps
  • God’s People Do Not Fully Understand God’s Power
    • “The men of Beth-shemesh said, ‘Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?’” (1Sam6:21)
  • Focus on Christ First (Mk 8:22-25) 
  • Let the World Blur Into the Background

Witness Faithfully, No Matter the Consequences  v.7-8 “for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.” 

You are an Ambassador for Christ, so…

  1. Live the Message (Phil 1:27)
  2. Communicate the Message(2 Cor 5:18-20)
  3. Prepare for Suffering (Eph 6:20)
  4. Never Fear the Loss of Your Citizenship (Phil 3:20)

 

Godly Love Includes God’s Warnings : Speak Up! v.9 “only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them.” (1 Samuel 8:7-9, ESV)

  • There are both temporary and eternal consequences to rejecting God’s kingship.

The Message? “Reject the Lord or Return to the Lord”

True Repentance Means…

    1. Turning Away from Sin
    2. Turning Towards God
    3. Traveling In Obedience

Live Under the Kingship of Christ!