Introduction

Good morning, church family! I hope you're all safe and well. Today, we're going to delve into a critical moment in Israel's history when they rejected God as their King and demanded a human king. We'll be focusing on 1 Samuel 8, where we see the Israelites' rejection of God's kingship, the consequences of that rejection, and the call to remember God as our ultimate King.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher, once said, "You will be dreadful and eternal losers, whatever else you gain, if you lose the Lord. If you forget God, you who are indeed his children, — and I am speaking only to such people just now, — it must be a terrible thing for you to be led into a condition in which you forget your Heavenly Father." How true this is! The fear of man, the craving for human leadership, is what led the Israelites astray. And it's a warning for us today, isn't it? Let's remember who our true King is.

The Rejection of God as King

The story of Israel's demand for a human king is a poignant reminder of humanity's tendency to reject God's kingship. A. This rejection is a pattern that recurs throughout human history and even in our personal lives. It is a rejection that stems from a desire for tangible, human leadership, a desire to conform to societal norms, and a lack of trust in God's sovereignty.

The Israelites' demand for a human king was a clear rejection of God's kingship. They were not content with God's invisible, divine rule; they wanted a tangible, human king. This desire for a human king was not merely a desire for human leadership; it was a desire for a king who would lead them into battle, a king who would provide them with a sense of security and protection. This desire reveals a lack of trust in God's ability to protect and provide for them. It reveals a lack of faith in God's sovereignty and a desire to take matters into their own hands.

B. This rejection of God's kingship was also a desire to conform to societal norms. The Israelites wanted a king "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). They wanted to fit in with the surrounding nations, to be like them. This desire to conform to societal norms is a powerful force that can lead us to reject God's unique plan for our lives. It can lead us to compromise our faith, to conform to the world's standards instead of God's standards.

C. The rejection of God's kingship has serious consequences. God warned the Israelites that a human king would take their sons and daughters, their best fields and vineyards, and their servants and livestock (1 Samuel 8:10-17). Despite these warnings, the Israelites insisted on having a human king. They were willing to pay a high price for their rejection of God's kingship. This story serves as a warning for us today. When we reject God's kingship, we are choosing to bear the consequences of our choices.

The Consequences of Rejecting God

When the Israelites demanded a human king, they were essentially rejecting God's kingship over them ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO