Broken Kingdoms: INTRO
1 Samuel 8:19-20
“We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
Every sibling remembers wanting what their brother or sister had. It was a Christmas gift, a bigger piece of cake, the front seat in the car, or a pair of shoes. Honestly, it might not have been any better than what you already had. But they had it, and you didn’t. Now you need it.
We carry that same mentality into our interactions with adults. While we don’t throw a childhood tantrum, wailing on the floor, it can come close. We look at the neighbor’s house, their car, or their children's accomplishments with longing. Our coworker has a nicer office, better hours, or higher pay, and we covet. We box up contentment and store it on a high shelf as we wonder, “How did they get that? They are no better than me.” In the end, we adopt their strategies and behavior, counting on a better life.
Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn’t as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of the Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites’ memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel’s warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”
In the years following this demand, king after king demonstrated the disaster of trading God's leadership for the patterns of unbelieving nations. Tempted by this same proposition today, we have much to learn by studying the Old Testament stories and noting the pitfalls of placing our faith in the kingdoms of man.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the pages of scripture over the next few weeks as we explore a handful of kings and their kingdoms. Pastor Dave will lead a study of King Saul and King Solomon in the first two weeks of the series. Then Pastor Paddy will guide us through King Ahab and King Hezekiah. Finally, Pastor Andreas will introduce us to King Josiah.
Over the next five weeks, as we absorb the lessons from these Broken Kingdoms, we will take every opportunity to compare and contrast our flawed subjects with the King of Kings. At every turn, we will find hope, encouragement, and direction as this study shifts from human failing to the invitation of Jesus to follow Him.
“We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
Every sibling remembers wanting what their brother or sister had. It was a Christmas gift, a bigger piece of cake, the front seat in the car, or a pair of shoes. Honestly, it might not have been any better than what you already had. But they had it, and you didn’t. Now you need it.
We carry that same mentality into our interactions with adults. While we don’t throw a childhood tantrum, wailing on the floor, it can come close. We look at the neighbor’s house, their car, or their children's accomplishments with longing. Our coworker has a nicer office, better hours, or higher pay, and we covet. We box up contentment and store it on a high shelf as we wonder, “How did they get that? They are no better than me.” In the end, we adopt their strategies and behavior, counting on a better life.
Have you ever experienced the thrill of getting what you hoped for, only to realize it wasn’t as great as you imagined, or at least, not for long? Approximately 1000 years before the coming of the Christ, the tribes of Israel asked for a king. Badgered and beaten by the armies of the Ammonites and the Philistines, the Israelites’ memories of deliverance from Egyptian slavery and the felled walls of Jericho faded. Disenchanted with God and His prophets, the children of Israel looked enviously at the neighboring nations. They ignored Samuel’s warning and insisted, “Give us a king like other nations have.”
In the years following this demand, king after king demonstrated the disaster of trading God's leadership for the patterns of unbelieving nations. Tempted by this same proposition today, we have much to learn by studying the Old Testament stories and noting the pitfalls of placing our faith in the kingdoms of man.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the pages of scripture over the next few weeks as we explore a handful of kings and their kingdoms. Pastor Dave will lead a study of King Saul and King Solomon in the first two weeks of the series. Then Pastor Paddy will guide us through King Ahab and King Hezekiah. Finally, Pastor Andreas will introduce us to King Josiah.
Over the next five weeks, as we absorb the lessons from these Broken Kingdoms, we will take every opportunity to compare and contrast our flawed subjects with the King of Kings. At every turn, we will find hope, encouragement, and direction as this study shifts from human failing to the invitation of Jesus to follow Him.
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