HoHum:
Have children come up front and do a children’s minute
Needed: Firefighters hat, hard hat, cowboy hat, a crown
One of the things I enjoyed most in school was a special day called "Hat Day." All of the students and teachers wore a hat to school on that day. You would see all kinds of hats -- big hats, small hats, cloth hats, and straw hats. Some were very funny. You know, you can tell a lot about a person by the kind of hat he wears. Sometimes, you can even tell what a person does for a living by the kind of hat he or she wears. I have some hats to show you. As I take a hat out of my bag, raise your hand if you think you know who would wear that kind of hat.
Who knows who would wear a hat like this? (Fire Fighter's Hat) Right! A fire fighter.
How about this one? (Hard Hat) Oh, you are right again. Someone who works in construction would wear a hat like this. It is sometimes called a hard hat. People who build buildings, highways, bridges, and things like that.
Have you ever seen anyone wearing a hat like this? (Cowboy Hat) Who would wear a hat like this? Yahoo! You got that right, it is worn by a cowboy or cowgirl.
Now, this next one is a little different. Let's see if you can get this one. (Crown) I wonder who would wear something like this? Can you guess? A crown is worn by a king isn't it?
We are talking about a king today. This king was different from most. He didn't live in a palace. He didn't wear a beautiful robe or a jeweled crown. He had no servants to wait on him -- and he had no soldiers to fight his battles. He didn't even have a country over which to rule and there were no coins engraved with his face or his name.
I imagine that most of you have probably guessed who this king is. The King is Jesus. He is not just any king, he is the King of Kings. His kingdom is not on earth, his kingdom is from heaven. That is why many people never chose to make him their king. When Jesus was here on earth, the people were all looking for a king who would set up a kingdom on earth. A kingdom where they would share the wealth and power.
Jesus finally wore a crown, but it was a crown of thorns. A cross became his throne and above his head was a sign for all to read, "This is the King of the Jews."
Some people still refuse to recognize Jesus as King. But all around the world today this is spoken, "Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of lords."
Pray with the children.
WBTU:
It's been a long time in America since we have lived under the rule and power of a king. It's been more than 200 years! That's a long time before any of us were born. It is hard for us to understand what life with a King is like.
A king is one who is the head of the state and the head of the government. No one or no thing can limit his power. The people of the kingdom are under his control and are his servants.
This is what the Continentals were fighting against during the Revolutionary War. They wanted to have freedom and have no earthly king. They were fighting against King George III of England. It was commonly said during the Revolutionary War that in America there was “no king but King Jesus.” Thomas Paine in his writting called Common Sense in 1776 said, “But where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, He reigns above.”
In this election year, we are not electing a King, we are electing a President, and a Congress. In this country there are 3 branches of the government and none of them are to be above the others. We have no king but King Jesus. We need to get back to that. If we don’t, I am afraid that we will no longer be free men. Only free when submitted to the Kingship of Christ.
Thesis: Three things: A king is the need of men. King Jesus is the answer. We need to acknowledge, submit to our King.
For instances: I. A king is the need of mankind.
Because of our weakness we need a king.
Man feels that he needs to look up to someone greater, stronger, wiser, more powerful.
“Give me a king”- someone to guide me, direct me, govern me, rule me, take care of me.
Sigh of distress
Vs. 9- ““You are destroyed, O Israel, because you are against me, against your helper.”
When a man feels like he has destroyed himself by sin and folly, then he cries out, “Give me a king.” This is what vs. 10 says in the King James: “I will be thy king”” When we are really convinced of our sin and made to see that before God we are under condemnation, we naturally cry out for something, or someone, to come to our rescue.
The sad part is that many trust in anyone besides King Jesus. “This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:5, NIV.
Many trust in themselves. I will be my own king. Many a young man or young woman has left the home only to find that they are ruining themselves because of their sins. Without a king we are a mess. The worst king in the world is ourselves, Number one. Living for self.
It is a terrible thing to lead an aimless life, a life with no higher purpose. We need something to live for, something to die for, something that gives us meaning and purpose. Give me a king, I must have a king or else what is life worth?
We realize this by experience. Bill Cosby- It's always strange. I've had a lot of people work for me, and I've found out it's a funny thing that you give them Saturday and Sunday off, and they work so hard to get to those two days and those are the two days that they totally destroy themselves. You say, "My goodness, I've really pounded these people and worked to them to death." And Friday comes and they say, "Yeah!" And then they come in Monday...
[he makes an expression that looks like he's exhausted and upset] and say, "Boy, am I glad to be back here. I'm no good on my own. I was given two whole days and I just went crazy." Don’t need a harder job or less time off, they need a king.
We need someone to relive us of the weight of responsibility. It is all on me. How dreadful! How am I going to provide for myself and for my family! I must work hard because it is all on me. Need someone to come and relieve me of this heavy responsiblity. Need the government, no, we need a king. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33, NIV.
King Jesus is the answer
Notice that Jesus left his throne in heaven to come and sit on the throne of our hearts. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:6-11, NIV.
What person is able to be a satisfactory king. No one but Jesus. Solomon knew this. “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”” 2 Chronicles 1:10, NIV. Solomon failed miserably in the end.
The problem with the Israelites is that they wanted an earthly king. “The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”” 1 Samuel 12:19. “Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will be swept away.”” 1 Samuel 12:25, NIV. This is what happened. Hosea 13:11: “So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away.” Hosea 13:11, NIV.
The fact that Jesus is our King should give us a sense of relief even in difficult time. When I don’t understand something, I can lean back on Jesus and simply trust that it will be fine. “The Lord has done it. He is my King, so He has the right to do with me just as He wills.” “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalms 94:19.
There have been times when I had to deliver a message that would cause problems and it did. “Well, I have searched the Bible and found what the King says about this. If that does not satisfy you, I am sure I cannot. Your argument is no longer with me, but with my Master- you must settle the matter with Him.” I am just his messenger.
It is said that when Alexander the Great lead the Greeks into battle, every Greek became a hero! How much more with our King.
If God is our King, what have we to fear? “ If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31, NIV. If we do die in the battle, what a reward will be ours! Never defeated!
Just to be able to do something for the King and serve in the Kingdom should be enough. “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.” Psalms 84:10, NIV. In the service of the King, Every talent I will bring; I have peace and joy and blessing in the service of the King.
We need to acknowledge, submit to our King
“You are my King and my God...” Psalms 44:4, NIV.
Plan of salvation
“But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be a king over them--bring them here and kill them in front of me.’”” Luke 19:27, NIV.
