King of Kings

Introduction

Good morning. Will you open your Bibles with me to 1 Samuel chapter 8? 1 Samuel chapter 8. As we consider worshiping this morning, we realize that we are truly a blessed people. We’re a blessed people primarily because we serve an awesome God. Amen. But I would say furthermore, we are blessed to be in this country. While there is a lot going on, there are a lot of problems, there’s a lot of violence, there’s a lot of decisions that do not reflect the glory and the plan of God. We certainly are blessed to be in this country at this time. And as part of that blessing, we certainly have an obligation to not only be thankful, but to use it, to take advantage of the freedom of speech we have at this time, to use the freedom that we have to even gather and assembly this morning with like-minded Christians and to worship our Almighty God.

And perhaps no passage is a better understanding given to us than of what it could be like here. We could have a king.

1. They Have Rejected Me from Being King

They took bribes and perverted justice. Then all the Israel elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, Behold, you are old. Now I’d love to just stop there for a minute. And you just know that’s just going to go real well, don’t you? When the first words are, Behold, you are old. But the text continues, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, Obey the voice of the people and all that they say to you. For they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them.

According to all the deeds that they have done, from the day I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are also doing to you. Now then, obey their voice. Only you shall solemnly warn them, and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them. And so there’s a great application in the story about how the people weren’t rejecting Samuel, but they were rejecting God. God should have been king over them. Of any nation that there has ever been, the nation of Israel at this time under the law of Moses, with their special relationship with the Lord, who had promised them that they would be a people dating back to Abraham, that they would go into the promised land, speaking of Canaan.

These are the people that God would bless. And certainly he held up his end of the bargain. And yet we know from the time of the judges, before even Samuel even comes to the scene, the Israelites lived in a constant cycle of sin. They would turn from the Lord. Then they would call out for help. The Lord would have pity on them, he would send them a judge. The people would would have repented. The judge would come, he would save them, and they would be good for a while. And then they would sin. And then another judge would come after they repented, and the Lord had pity on them. And then they would be saved from the trouble that the Lord had placed them in. But now we’ve come to the point where in 1 Samuel chapter 8 and verse 7, the Lord says to Samuel, Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you.

They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. Now what’s interesting is the words of verse 9. Now he was Samuel was to give in to this request. He was to appoint a king, and we know that he appointed King Saul. But note what Samuel was to do first. You only you shall solemnly warn them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them. Now what’s the big deal with the king? The people wanted the king. In fact, they got Samuel, who certainly looked the part of king. What’s the big deal? Let’s read these warnings and find out about this king. In verse 10, so Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who are asking for a king from him.

He said, These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you. He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots, and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he will appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plough his ground and to reap his harvest, and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. He will take the tenth of your grain of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and female servants and the best of your young men and your donkeys and put them to his work.

He will take the tenth of your flocks, and you shall be his slave. And in that day you will cry out because of your kingdom you have chosen for yourselves. But the Lord will not answer you in that day.

Some heads were going down, had to get everyone back up. Aren’t you excited to have a king now? He’s going to tax you, he’s going to take up your people, he’s going to take your daughters. This is going to be fantastic. And so Samuel gives them this warning that the Lord told him to give. But let’s see how the people responded to this wonderful news. But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, No, but there shall be a king over us that we may also be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles. Verse 22, and the Lord said to Samuel, obey their voice and make them a king.

2. What’s the Problem with Kings?

Samuel then said to the men of Israel, go every man to a city. Aren’t you just fired up to have that king? Aren’t you just excited after all? What is Solomon? What is Samuel’s warning? What’s the problem with the king? We know that there were good kings. King David was an excellent king. Solomon accomplished a lot. Hezekiah was a good king. Josiah was a good king after the kingdom had split over the nation of Judah. What’s the problem with kings? What would they do? If you examine the text, what does the king do? He rules over the people.

I love one of the best king stories that I’ve heard is of King Xerxes, or you might know him from Esther chapter 1 as King Ahasirus. And as King Ahaseras was working to cross over a narrow strait called Hellespont. He tried to have his troops and his army put together something that will allow them to cross over this body of water. But it didn’t work. And so this king, with all of his power and all of his greatness, ordered the water to be whipped three hundred times. Now, I only see a few faces of confusion there. Yes, a king decided that the water should be whipped three hundred times because it did not obey him, because it was not serving his purposes as king. And you see the extreme amount of arrogance that a king can have.

3. Jesus Is Our King of Kings

You see how a king rules. When a king says, Go, do you think the men whipping the water thought, well, this is fun. This is great. No, but the king said it so he went. Kings have all the power. They make the decisions. They make the choices. There is no say in the matter. And Samuel was to warn the people of this very fact. But will you look with me at Revelation chapter 17? What’s interesting about kings is that even in this country, when we serve a president, when we’re under a president, when we are under a Congress, note with me whom we are ultimately under. In Revelation chapter 17, speaking of the Lamb who is the Christ. Revelation chapter 17 and verse 14 says, They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of kings.

And those with him are called and chosen and faithful. Again in chapter 19 and verse 11. Then I saw heaven open, and behold, a white horse, the one sitting on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is the word of God. And the armies of heaven arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron.

He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of the God Almighty on his robe and on his thigh. He has a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Brothers and sisters, we serve the King of Kings. The picture calls to mind Matthew chapter 21, when the king, the prophecy is that the king would ride in on his donkey, as Jesus did. Jesus is our king. Amen. That has strong implications. It is wonderful to serve a mighty God. But I wonder how much do I stop and think about Jesus as my king. I think of Jesus as my Savior quite a lot. I think about how he died on the cross, perhaps even this very morning, as you were partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

You thought of the nails that would have been driven through his hand, the crown of thorns that was put upon him, or Jesus hanging on the cross, till he yielded, it is finished and yielded up his spirit. We think of Jesus who died on the cross for our sins. We think that Jesus is the victor. We know that Jesus has won the battle of sin for us, that if we will seek him and obey his words, we can be washed from our sins with his blood. We know that Jesus defeated death and that he was resurrected from the dead, just as God had prophesied, just as God had planned. And that’s a wonderful Jesus to think of. But ultimately we need to know that we serve the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, Jesus is our King.

But you know what’s interesting about Jesus being our King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Look at Deuteronomy chapter ten. You see this in Deuteronomy chapter ten. In verse 17, in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 10, in verse 17. The text writes, For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of Lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe. God is the God of gods, the Lord of Lords. We look at 1 Timothy chapter 6, and 1 Timothy chapter 6, beginning in verse 13. First Timothy chapter 6 and verse 13. I charge you in the presence of God, Paul writes, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time, he who is the blessed and only sovereign, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal dominion.

4. What Jesus Says Goes; We Don’t Get a Vote

Amen. If Jesus is King, if he is the King of kings, and I am his servant, what does that mean for me? What that means is I must do as he says. We look at Matthew chapter 28. What’s interesting about the church and Christianity in at least America, that’s my primary vantage point of it, is that a lot of times we start to think we have a vote in the matter. That is not how a monarchy is run. That is not how a king reigns. Matthew chapter 28 makes more to the point in verse 18. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority and in heaven on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. We know Jesus has all authority, not just here, but where? In heaven and on earth. Jesus has the authority. What he has says goes. Period. We don’t get a vote. A lot of times we come down and we start thinking about the commandments of God and the principles that are laid out, like loving your neighbor, like loving God with all your heart, loving your spouse as you love yourself. And we think, you know what? That’s pretty good. Those make sense. I sign up for those. Brothers and sisters, we don’t have a choice in the matter. If we are to be God’s servants, we are to be slaves of righteousness, not slaves to sin.

We were purchased out of that slavery to sin, but we absolutely are servants. We are servants of the Most High God. We are servants of Jesus, our King. Now think for a minute. If Jesus is the King, if he is reigning on His throne, then what does that mean? Well, that means whatever He says, I must do. If that sounds repetitive, it is, because that is the theme of the lesson. What Jesus has says goes. And what’s interesting about Matthew chapter 28 and verses 18 through 20 is when you pair it with Galatians chapter 1, it makes a strong point. Will you look with me there? Look at what Paul writes in the book of Galatians in chapter 1. In Galatians chapter 1, beginning in verse 6, Paul was astonished.

He says, I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel. Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, let him be accursed. If we have said before, as so now I say again, if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. How many gospels are there? One. Ephesians chapter 4 notes all the ones. There’s one body, one faith. There is one faith. There is one gospel message.

5. There Can Be No Other Message

We either obey it or we do not, because its dictates come from the King. That’s why Colossians chapter 3 indicates that we are to set our minds on things that are above. Because that is where Jesus is. That is where we are to obey, where our focus is to be. But what’s interesting about Jesus being our King is the implications that there can be no other message. Will you look at Hebrews chapter 1? Hebrews chapter 1. In the first couple verses of that great book, it’s noted how the Word of God is revealed to us today. And Hebrews chapter 1 and verses 1 and 2. Long ago, and at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

And you would think that we would be judged by the words of Christ, and if so, you are correct. In John chapter 12 and verse 48, note with me there. In John chapter 12 and verse 48, Jesus says, The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge. The word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. There it is. What Jesus has says goes, we will be judged according to what? The word. How is the word revealed? Well, in the days of old it was many ways, and by the prophets, but now it’s by his son. The words that he has spoken is what will judge us on that day. And so when we have these setups of Christianity, if we wish to call it that, in the umbrella American sense, and there we have our modern day prophets, as some denominations would call them, or we have our modern day prophetesses.

My question to them is not, where did you get the authority for that? My question is, what message do the prophets have to share with me? Because if the prophets have a message of God, it’s already been spoken. If they’re going to change the will of God, then where is that authority from? If we’re judged by the words of Christ, and we have all that we need, if the Scripture is the inspired word of God, in 2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 16 and 17 is correct that it is there for us, and it covers all of our needs and all of our bases. What do I need another prophet for? What do I need another book of testimony? What do I need? Ellen G. White, the prophetess.

What do I need the book of Mormon for? I don’t. Because Jesus is my King. What Jesus has says is the end of the matter. If we consider that his word is final, complete, and perfect, which it is, because we serve the perfect Almighty Christ and King. Then who am I to add to it? Well, you look at me at Revelation chapter 22. I find this passage so helpful. And I find it very interesting too. In Revelation chapter 22, I hope you’ll turn there with me. I want to ask, as we’re turning there, Revelation chapter 22, before we read verse 18 and 19, who is aware that there are a lot of funny interpretations of the book of Revelation? Raise your hand. Yeah, there’s a lot that has gone on with the book of Revelation.

I find it interesting. That Revelation chapter 22, verse 18 and 19 has a strict warning. And some Bible apologists might be quick to point out this is only for the book of Revelation. Now let me say to that point, absolutely it applies to the book of Revelation. You can see how the point would carry over to the rest of the New Covenant commands. But I find it interesting that in all the books of the Bible, the book of Revelation is the one that has this warning. Do you see it with me in verse 18? I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

What’s the warning? Don’t add to or take away from the words of this book. Now, I find that funny because of all the books in the Bible, the book of Revelation is probably the one that is most used for all sorts of fanatical and fantastic interpretations and explanations of what the symbols and figures mean in that book. Now, of all books, that is the one that has a warning at the end of it that says, Do not add to or take away from this book. But can we see how that idea would carry forth? If we serve Jesus the King, if his word is that which will judge us in the last day, if the New Testament is the collection of final commands and understanding of Jesus Christ in his life, and the commandments of the apostles and the inspired writers, then who am I to change the commands of the Scripture?

Sometimes we like to take a vote on things. We like to say, You just do what you want to do, and I’ll just do what I want to do. No, no, no. That’s not how a kingdom works. That’s how a democracy works. Brothers and sisters, we are not in a democracy. Jesus is our king. It is not up to me. It is not up to the elders of this congregation, the preachers, the deacons of any congregation, to decide what the will of the Lord is. What God has said is final, and that is what we will be judged by, because we serve an awesome King. Now the good news is that Jesus is our King, and that Jesus is the one who in Romans chapter 5 and verse 8, Paul writes, God demonstrates his own love towards us, and that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

6. We Can Know the King’s Will and Must Obey

Absolutely, we serve a wonderful, compassionate, loving Christ. But does that mean that I don’t need to do what he says? What does it mean for all that the New Testament reveals? What am I to live like? How am I to decide how I’m to live? You see what Paul says in Ephesians chapter 3? Will you look there with me? In Ephesians chapter 3, verses 3 through 5. Ephesians chapter 3, verse 3 through 5. Paul writes, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men and other generations, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

Paul, what are you saying? Well, he had been revealed the mystery, but what did he do with it? He had written it briefly. And verse 4. Do you see this? If you highlight this, it’s a good one to highlight. When you read this, you can perceive my insight in the mystery of Christ. We can know what the will of the Lord is. Wouldn’t it be scary to serve a God, to serve a king, and you don’t know what the commands are, but you know that you’ll be held accountable for them? Wouldn’t that be absolutely terrifying on a daily basis to serve a king who can at any time could punish you as we know that at the day of judgment we may be sent to eternal hell if we do not find ourselves in the graces, in the pleasing sight of God?

That would be terrifying. But we serve a God who allows us to understand the gospel message. It has been revealed to us. It is there for us. And furthermore, look at the book of Jude. Look at Jude in verse 3. There are no chapters in Jude unless you want to call it Jude chapter 1. I’m fine with either either way. In Jude chapter 1 and verse 3, or just Jude 3. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. His word is final.

It is perfect. And so look over just a couple pages at 2 John in verse 9. Or if you’d rather me, 2 John chapter 1 and verse 9. Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. Who am I to alter that which is once for all given? Who am I to decide not to abide in the teachings of Christ? Absolutely, I have that choice. But do you see in verse 9 what the cost is? Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, what do they reap? They do not have God. I must obey God. But what that means is a life change.

I need to know the book. I need to study the word. I need to know where does my king stand on these issues. Not what does the Republican Party or the Democratic Party think? Not what does my family believe? What does Christ say? He is our everything. If we don’t believe and follow after Jesus, we will be lost. We must know the book. We must serve the King, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings. He has all the authority in heaven and on earth. So when Jesus says we are to be baptized, we are to abide in the commandments that he has given. If I want to obey him, if I want to have Christ, if I want to have God, I must be baptized and keep the commandments that are to be obeyed.

Jesus is my king. I can be so thankful that my king is not King Xerxes, the one who whipped the water 300 times because it did not obey him. But I also need to know that Jesus is serious about his word, that the message is important and unalterable. Do you see in Matthew chapter 7 and verse 21? Where we are to obey Christ is clear. The defining line between those who are saved and those who are lost is abundantly present. Matthew chapter 7 and verse 21, Jesus says, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. Consider that he warns that many that day will say to him, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name?

Have we not cast out demons in your name? Have we not done many wonders in your name? And what will he say to them? What is Jesus’ conclusion of the matter? Depart from me. Why? Because Matthew chapter 7, verse 21. It says, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. But who will? Those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. The Bible on that point is so clear. And yet it’s frustrating, it’s upsetting, and it’s angering to look around at the religious community and see people who have rejected Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. It is upsetting to look at the picture of the Jewish people who back in 1 Samuel chapter 8 had decided, even though they had these corrupt sons of Samuel over them, that they were going to reject God.

It’s easy to point to other Christian faith and say, they’re not doing it right. They don’t respect Jesus as king. Where do they get off doing that kind of thing? But then I remember I’ve rejected Jesus at times. Will you look at me in Acts chapter 2? Peter’s first message to the Jewish people in that great sermon on the day of Pentecost. He builds up who Jesus is. And in verse 36, he drives home the nail. He says, Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ. This Jesus, whom you crucified. Absolutely, Jesus was crucified by the Jews. Jesus was put to death at the hands at the allowance of Pilate, at those who were seeking to charge him with the guilt of sins he did not commit.

Brothers and sisters, Jesus died on the cross. My king died for me because of my sin. What is expected of me? When someone dies for you, what do you do? You give everything to them. When someone is your king, what do you do? You don’t reason with them, you don’t find out how far you can go without angering the king. You obey the king because he is your Lord. Jesus is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords, and I should serve him every day of my life. Because that very king has allowed me to have life. Who am I to reject Jesus, my king? If you consider what it means to be a Christian, you understand that it means I will follow after Christ.

It means understanding that Jesus has all authority in heaven on earth. But will you look with me back at 1 Samuel chapter 8, one more time? In 1 Samuel chapter 8. If you consider the words that Samuel was to give the people, he was to warn them, not of great times to come, but of terrifying. So Samuel in verse 10 told all the words of the Lord to the people who are asking for a king from him. He said, These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you. He will take your sons and appoint them to his chariots and to be his horsemen and to run before his chariots. And he’ll appoint for himself commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and some to plough his ground and to reap his harvest and to make his implements of war and the equipment of his chariots.

He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive orchards and give them to his servants. And the list goes on.

Conclusion

The people gave him that responsibility. They gave him that service, and they would have to answer to it. Jesus is our king. Are we going to offer him what David would not offer, which is that which cost him nothing? If this was the cost of having a king, and Jesus expects us to give our life to him, are we giving him our best? Am I serving the King of Kings the way I should? If I imagine Jesus as my Savior, I get excited because I realize I have a hope in heaven where there’s a place he is preparing for me. That is wonderful. That is exciting. But when I remember Jesus is King of Kings, I know it’s time for me to shape up, to get down on my knees, to beg for forgiveness, and serve him with every fiber of my being.

Jesus is King of Kings. If you’ve never served the King of Kings, realize that the King of Kings, while merciful, while gracious, he is just. And he expects that his doctrine will be abided in. Otherwise we do not have Christ. And without Christ, we are stuck in our sins, the wages for which are death. If you wish to be removed from the sting of death, if you wish to be removed from that fear of an eternity away from your God, your Christ, obey him this morning. When Jesus says in Matthew 28 that all authority has been given to him, he follows that up with to the disciples to go and baptize the nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. We need to do what Jesus says.

If you’ve never been baptized, realize you can have your sins washed away this morning. If you’ve never obeyed him, or if you haven’t stuck to that commandment, realize your king is waiting for you. Your king is watching. He’s watching the good, he is watching the bad, but Jesus knows. We serve a mighty King. Will you serve him today? Will you take advantage of the life that has been spared? Will you be a light in the world this very morning? If we can help you in any way, come forward now as we stand and sing the invitation song.