WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.219 Well, this morning's message is going to be a little bit of an oddball compared to some 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:20.400 of the ones that we've had in the past couple of weeks. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:26.580 We've been working through some of Jesus' parables about the kingdom of heaven, all in Matthew 00:00:26.580 --> 00:00:27.440 chapter 13. 00:00:27.440 --> 00:00:31.840 And the last one, which I was going to do today, is the parable of the net and the fish, 00:00:32.460 --> 00:00:39.280 and very much has the same meaning or interpretation as the parable of the weeds, which we looked 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:39.820 at already. 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:44.100 Different, same meaning, just a different analogy. 00:00:44.260 --> 00:00:46.260 So we're going to do something a little different this morning. 00:00:46.900 --> 00:00:53.500 We just wrapped up our last Sunday school as we break for summer here, and in Sunday school 00:00:53.500 --> 00:00:58.020 we've been looking at the story of Samuel, King Saul, David. 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:05.019 And in two weeks we're going to be starting a new summer series during our morning services. 00:01:05.379 --> 00:01:10.700 I'm titling it Man on the Run, and we're going to look specifically at the psalms that David 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:13.240 composed while he was on the run. 00:01:13.239 --> 00:01:19.699 And just what was going on in his head and his heart as he did. 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:24.719 And so what I'd like to do this morning is to just tie all of these things together a little bit. 00:01:25.099 --> 00:01:27.839 Because all of these things have one thing in common. 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:31.500 And that's the thread or the theme of kingdom. 00:01:31.500 --> 00:01:34.700 The parables of the kingdom. 00:01:35.060 --> 00:01:44.280 We've been looking at the rise of the first human king of the nation of Israel in Sunday school. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:48.539 It's been really good to work our way through that book in 1 Samuel. 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:54.920 Especially with those who have been regular with the class, you'll know the story and what 00:01:54.920 --> 00:01:56.500 we've discovered there. 00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:58.460 But where is it all going? 00:01:58.459 --> 00:02:06.019 My text this morning is the whole book of 1 Samuel, so it would be a little hard to follow 00:02:06.019 --> 00:02:06.399 along. 00:02:06.819 --> 00:02:07.519 But it's in there. 00:02:08.319 --> 00:02:13.959 Those of you who have been in Sunday school will know what most of the things I'm referring 00:02:13.959 --> 00:02:14.459 to are. 00:02:15.359 --> 00:02:16.599 Where is it all going, though? 00:02:17.400 --> 00:02:20.579 What's the point of this story? 00:02:21.959 --> 00:02:23.120 It's quite the story. 00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:28.560 I'll start off with just kind of reminding us of a little bit of how the story goes. 00:02:28.680 --> 00:02:33.180 It begins with the people of Israel in times of trouble. 00:02:33.780 --> 00:02:35.080 Things are not going well. 00:02:35.200 --> 00:02:39.980 They're living in the land of Canaan, the promised land, along with all of the Canaanites that 00:02:39.980 --> 00:02:41.040 they failed to conquer. 00:02:42.040 --> 00:02:48.460 And over the generations, since they first entered the promised land, they have slowly just 00:02:48.460 --> 00:02:56.800 moved back into worshiping the gods of the people that were there in the land, doing the kind 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:58.560 of things that they've been doing. 00:02:59.760 --> 00:03:04.060 The spiritual condition of the people is not well. 00:03:04.719 --> 00:03:11.060 Many have forgotten about the Lord, the God who brought them out of Egypt, rescued them 00:03:11.060 --> 00:03:11.800 from slavery. 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:16.120 Many are worshiping idols, false gods. 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:18.560 And the Lord has been gracious. 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:20.759 He's given them leaders. 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:26.759 Every time they've called out to him because their enemies are closing in or coming to attack, 00:03:26.879 --> 00:03:30.659 he's given them these leaders who have been a help. 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:34.480 They've had victory over their enemies for a period of time. 00:03:34.479 --> 00:03:39.819 But then as soon as that leader would die or that judge would die, men like Samson and 00:03:39.819 --> 00:03:46.379 Gideon and others, they would slowly just go back to their old ways, forgetting the Lord 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:48.539 and worshiping other gods. 00:03:49.739 --> 00:03:54.259 The history of this period is found in the book of Judges, of course, and it ends on a 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:55.379 really ominous note. 00:03:56.459 --> 00:03:58.539 In those days, there was no king. 00:03:59.519 --> 00:04:02.219 Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:09.800 To make matters worse, even the religious leaders are corrupt and immoral. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.360 And that's what we saw at the beginning of 1 Samuel. 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:19.139 Those entrusted with the tabernacle and the priesthood, they're using their positions to 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:20.819 take advantage of the people. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:26.459 The people would come to bring sacrifices to the Lord and the priests, they were to get a 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:30.800 portion of the sacrifice for themselves, but they were treating the sacrifice with contempt. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:36.439 They were demanding parts that weren't theirs or parts for themselves before they were supposed 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:37.180 to get them. 00:04:37.280 --> 00:04:39.840 And if you're not going to give it to me, I'll take it by force. 00:04:40.939 --> 00:04:42.800 They were doing... 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:48.939 Some of the men, the priests, were sleeping with the women at the entrance of the tent of 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:49.259 meeting. 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:52.400 There was all kinds of things going on. 00:04:52.399 --> 00:04:58.359 The leadership, the spiritual leadership was corrupt and immoral. 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:04.500 And these were the sons of Eli and their father on the whole. 00:05:05.479 --> 00:05:08.759 He knew it was wrong, but he pretty much turned a blind eye. 00:05:09.039 --> 00:05:11.539 He had the odd conversation, the odd rebuke. 00:05:11.599 --> 00:05:12.500 What are you guys doing? 00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:15.099 But he didn't do anything to stop it. 00:05:15.100 --> 00:05:19.879 And so the question that we're faced with, with this story of 1 Samuel that we've been 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:27.740 looking at is, what is God going to do about all of this, about this mess that his people 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:28.180 are in? 00:05:28.280 --> 00:05:35.760 He's made promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob about building a people, a great nation through 00:05:35.760 --> 00:05:39.000 whom he will bless the world, even a kingdom. 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:46.720 And yet, the people of this nation, this kingdom, are a mess. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:49.579 Their leadership is corrupt. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:57.740 Well, God's grace and mercy oftentimes comes in small and unexpected ways. 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:00.879 A woman named Hannah was barren. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:04.379 She was brokenhearted because of her barrenness. 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:07.439 And she prayed and asked the Lord to give her a son. 00:06:07.439 --> 00:06:09.279 And the Lord did. 00:06:10.219 --> 00:06:14.139 He gave her a baby boy, and his name was Samuel. 00:06:15.120 --> 00:06:22.600 She promised God that if he gave her a son, she would give her son back to the Lord. 00:06:23.800 --> 00:06:24.860 And she did that. 00:06:25.220 --> 00:06:30.180 When he was born and after he had been weaned, she dropped him off at the tabernacle, and he 00:06:30.180 --> 00:06:31.899 grew up serving the Lord there. 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:36.739 And God did something amazing with this little boy, Samuel. 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:40.060 He revealed himself to this boy. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.319 He revealed himself through this boy. 00:06:44.439 --> 00:06:50.599 Samuel became the Lord's prophet, the person through whom God would speak to his people. 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:55.460 For any who were willing to listen, God's grace was there. 00:06:55.820 --> 00:06:57.360 His counsel was there. 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:00.460 His guidance was there in these perilous times. 00:07:02.320 --> 00:07:07.240 God established Samuel as both a prophet and a leader in Israel. 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.860 He cleaned house on the nation. 00:07:10.460 --> 00:07:18.780 As we read in Sunday school, in one fell swoop, he removed Eli and his sons, this corrupt religious 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:21.040 leadership from power. 00:07:21.560 --> 00:07:24.740 He gave them into the hands of the Philistines who defeated them in battle. 00:07:25.579 --> 00:07:26.759 Eli and his sons died. 00:07:26.960 --> 00:07:28.319 And then the unthinkable happened. 00:07:29.139 --> 00:07:32.460 The Ark of the Covenant was captured. 00:07:32.459 --> 00:07:40.419 It took all this for God to get through to Israel, to finally get their attention, that 00:07:40.419 --> 00:07:47.819 they would come to the place where they would stop and turn back to him and acknowledge their 00:07:47.819 --> 00:07:51.679 sin, be ready to get rid of their idols. 00:07:53.359 --> 00:07:59.419 And Samuel was the Lord's man that he had raised up for that very moment to guide the people 00:07:59.420 --> 00:08:03.360 and counsel them and help them know, how do we do this? 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:05.020 How do we turn back to the Lord? 00:08:05.160 --> 00:08:06.660 What does he require of us? 00:08:09.280 --> 00:08:10.819 Things went well for a time. 00:08:11.560 --> 00:08:13.379 Israel was at peace with her enemies. 00:08:14.460 --> 00:08:18.540 But then the cycle began to repeat itself all over again. 00:08:19.660 --> 00:08:20.639 Samuel grew old. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:25.500 His own sons became corrupt, just like Eli's. 00:08:25.500 --> 00:08:33.899 The people of Israel altogether decided that their solution to this problem was a change 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:34.419 of government. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:37.899 We've seen how things go. 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.759 What's really going to solve our problems is this. 00:08:40.879 --> 00:08:42.480 We need a king. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:45.200 Just like the other nations around us. 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:45.980 They have kings. 00:08:46.200 --> 00:08:48.399 Things seem to go well for them. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:49.620 We need a king. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:52.799 That's going to make the difference here for us. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:56.039 We need someone who will lead our men out into battle. 00:08:57.199 --> 00:08:58.899 That's going to solve our problems. 00:09:00.599 --> 00:09:06.559 But sadly, the Lord had made it clear to Samuel that the reason they wanted a king was because 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:10.699 they had rejected him, the Lord, as their king. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:16.679 The Lord warned the people through Samuel that a king was not what they needed. 00:09:16.679 --> 00:09:19.559 They had him as their king. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:23.939 And that if they went through with this, this would have awful consequences. 00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:28.739 Eventually, it would come to the day where they cried out to the Lord for relief from 00:09:28.739 --> 00:09:30.719 the king himself that they had chosen. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:35.419 But they didn't listen. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:40.599 They said, we want a king anyway. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:41.899 Give it to us anyway. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:47.679 So the Lord agreed to give them what they wanted. 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:49.779 He gave them a king. 00:09:50.299 --> 00:09:56.720 He had Samuel anoint a man, the first ever human king of Israel, Saul. 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:05.500 And this is how the nation of Israel became the kingdom of Israel for the first time. 00:10:05.500 --> 00:10:15.500 It was a sad day for Israel because it was a day in which God's people rejected the words 00:10:15.500 --> 00:10:17.480 that he gave them through his prophet. 00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:25.200 It was a day on which they rejected their true king, the Lord, and sought a man, 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:30.679 someone that they could look to and see to be their leader in his place. 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:35.620 And yet, even here, we saw God's grace. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:41.919 God was, not only gave them a king, but he was with that king. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.679 He gave grace to Saul. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:48.299 He did some work in Saul's heart and changed his heart, it says. 00:10:49.099 --> 00:10:56.000 He gave him his spirit, an unexpected gift of mercy for an undeserving people. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:11:01.720 Well, how did Saul do as the first king of Israel? 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:04.740 At first, things went really well. 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:08.139 He won a couple battles for the people. 00:11:09.299 --> 00:11:13.299 Everyone seemed to recognize and affirm that he was the guy. 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:18.440 He stood a head taller than the rest of other people. 00:11:18.580 --> 00:11:19.899 He was a good-looking guy. 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.279 Loyalty was there. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:28.740 God even put it in the hearts of some men to follow him and to be loyal to him. 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:31.159 At first, things went really well. 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:35.159 But then Saul's true colors began to show. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:38.839 And he disobeyed the Lord. 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.779 And he did it again. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.079 And this became a pattern. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:50.440 As a consequence for Saul's disobedience, God promised to take the kingdom, 00:11:50.660 --> 00:11:55.060 first from his family line and then out of Saul's own hand. 00:11:56.639 --> 00:12:02.820 Saul cared more about what other people thought about than what God thought of him. 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:08.400 He didn't listen to Samuel, God's prophet. 00:12:08.640 --> 00:12:10.360 And so he didn't listen to God. 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:14.200 He was so concerned with his own reputation. 00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:19.740 He was determined to hold on to the power and the position that he had risen to. 00:12:19.820 --> 00:12:26.120 And he began to do everything to protect his rule and to hang on to this kingdom. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:29.340 He made rash decisions. 00:12:29.539 --> 00:12:35.500 He used threats of violence to motivate his people and his men to do what he wanted them to do. 00:12:35.560 --> 00:12:41.759 And he was just eaten up with anxiety trying to protect his kingdom. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:49.259 Already what the Lord had warned the people about was coming true. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:54.779 The king that they had chosen for themselves was making life difficult for them. 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.779 They didn't trust him. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.379 They didn't trust his judgment. 00:12:58.720 --> 00:13:04.259 But they had to obey because they were afraid of the consequences if they didn't. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:08.419 And here again we find Israel in a mess. 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:11.419 A mess of their own making. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:16.579 So what is God going to do to fix this? 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:20.919 How is he going to get his people out of this mess? 00:13:22.979 --> 00:13:24.439 Well the Lord had a plan. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.699 Not just to take away the kingdom from Saul. 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:34.259 But to give his people a new king. 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:37.779 A man after his own heart. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.899 With a heart like God's. 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:46.919 A man who would do what God wanted him to do and what he asked him to do. 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:49.639 And that young man was David. 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:53.200 The young shepherd from Bethlehem. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.159 The youngest of his brothers. 00:13:56.439 --> 00:14:01.899 By the Lord's wise working he brought David into the king's palace. 00:14:01.899 --> 00:14:03.659 To become a servant of the king. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:06.220 He got David into the military. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:10.259 David had victory as we all know against Goliath. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:14.519 The Lord gave success to David in all the battles that he went to fight. 00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:18.259 And eventually Saul realized just what the Lord was doing. 00:14:19.279 --> 00:14:20.019 He was giving. 00:14:20.439 --> 00:14:21.879 Taking the kingdom from Saul. 00:14:22.080 --> 00:14:24.159 And giving it to David. 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.559 This man. 00:14:26.240 --> 00:14:28.779 Who was rising up in prominence. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:31.799 And popularity with the people right before his eyes. 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:35.939 But rather than humble himself before God. 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:40.419 Saul was consumed with holding on to his kingdom. 00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:42.939 To this power and position. 00:14:43.899 --> 00:14:46.159 And so he went after David. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:49.879 He went after the one whom the Lord had anointed. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:54.299 And he tried to use any and every means to get to him. 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:57.179 He slaughtered innocent women and children. 00:14:57.979 --> 00:15:01.299 He was willing even to kill his own son. 00:15:02.099 --> 00:15:04.059 For taking David's side. 00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:05.719 And pleading David's case. 00:15:06.099 --> 00:15:07.039 He hunted David. 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:08.719 He chased him through the hill country. 00:15:08.839 --> 00:15:11.419 He chased him to the outskirts of the desert. 00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:16.959 Even after David and his little band of outlaws. 00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:20.120 Went and rescued one of the Israelite towns. 00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:22.599 When it was being raided by the Philistines. 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.899 Saul was ready right after that to just pounce on him. 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.199 And kill him. 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.319 Yet he escaped. 00:15:30.299 --> 00:15:31.779 Saul became this obsessed. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.659 Murderous. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:34.919 Maniac. 00:15:34.919 --> 00:15:37.879 And David was his obsession. 00:15:39.079 --> 00:15:41.599 Even after David had two opportunities. 00:15:42.259 --> 00:15:43.259 To kill Saul. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.639 The man who was hunting him. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.899 And yet didn't. 00:15:46.919 --> 00:15:49.099 He still didn't stop the hunt. 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:51.299 And saw David as a threat. 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:53.059 To his kingdom. 00:15:55.299 --> 00:15:56.539 Finally came the day. 00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.659 When the Lord did as he promised. 00:15:58.799 --> 00:16:00.019 Which we read about this morning. 00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:03.059 When God took the kingdom from Saul. 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:03.799 And his family. 00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:07.899 God allowed the Philistines to conquer Israel. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:10.319 And Saul watched as the kingdom. 00:16:10.859 --> 00:16:12.519 Was torn out of his hands. 00:16:13.079 --> 00:16:14.599 Until he could watch no more. 00:16:15.599 --> 00:16:16.939 And then he took his own life. 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.699 There's many things that we can. 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:29.000 Learn or take from this story. 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:31.019 We've been challenged and encouraged. 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.079 By David's faith. 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:33.019 And his character. 00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.939 In the midst of trials. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.399 We talked about that this morning. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.679 We'll see even more of that this summer. 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:39.059 As we look at some of the psalms. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:40.679 David wrote while he was on the run. 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.720 But this morning. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.779 I want to ask the question. 00:16:43.379 --> 00:16:44.699 What's the greater meaning. 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.799 Of this whole story. 00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:47.960 Why is it here? 00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:50.620 What's the big lesson from it? 00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.699 What's it pointing to? 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:52.700 What's the story? 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.700 What's the story? 00:16:53.700 --> 00:16:54.620 At the surface. 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:58.540 It may seem like just a story of two rivals. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.420 A hero and a villain. 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:04.920 The hunter and the person being hunted. 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.600 The prey. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.460 But it's so much more. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:11.579 1 Samuel is the story. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:11.620 1 Samuel is the story. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:16.000 Not just of a king and his kingdom. 00:17:16.500 --> 00:17:19.579 But of a God and his kingdom. 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:24.240 Not just of people who are trying to build their own kingdom. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:29.019 But of a God who is at work building his own kingdom. 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:33.199 A kingdom that we've been talking about through Jesus' parables. 00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:37.059 But there's some big problems here. 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:38.080 As we've seen. 00:17:38.200 --> 00:17:40.340 As we've been going through this book. 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:46.080 Even with the grace that God has given through Samuel the prophet. 00:17:46.680 --> 00:17:48.640 And very personally to Saul. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.799 There's some big problems here. 00:17:52.120 --> 00:17:53.380 At least two of them. 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:55.440 The people had a prophet. 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:59.140 They had one who was speaking the very words of God to them. 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:01.900 A reliable prophet. 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:07.240 A guy whose words came true time and time again. 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:11.620 And yet they didn't listen to him. 00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:14.540 They didn't do what he said. 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:17.259 They didn't accept his word. 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:19.460 They refused to listen to him. 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:22.480 They refused to listen to God. 00:18:24.440 --> 00:18:26.240 There was a problem with the people. 00:18:28.060 --> 00:18:31.400 The problem with the people is that they kept turning away. 00:18:31.400 --> 00:18:32.320 From God. 00:18:32.320 --> 00:18:33.980 They kept ignoring him. 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:35.820 They kept disobeying him. 00:18:36.660 --> 00:18:38.019 They wanted a king. 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:40.100 They wanted a kingdom. 00:18:40.720 --> 00:18:43.840 But they were going to try to build that kingdom for themselves. 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.940 With the king of their choice. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:48.800 We'll do it with or without your help. 00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.440 God. 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.299 Have they done a king of the people. 00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.340 But they did not. 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:55.059 And even when they come to see the error of their ways. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:57.380 Their repentance is short lived. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:19:02.539 It's not long before they're back into their old ways. 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:04.519 And they repeat the cycle again. 00:19:05.600 --> 00:19:08.299 1 Samuel only hints at what's needed. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:10.920 It's not an outward fix. 00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:13.380 it's not a change of government 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:15.580 it's not a good looking leader 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:17.440 but a change of heart 00:19:17.440 --> 00:19:20.080 a change of attitude 00:19:20.080 --> 00:19:23.720 and one that lasts 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:26.740 where do you get that from? 00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:30.740 Samuel pushes us to seek after 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.500 and look for that 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.620 and the solution 00:19:33.620 --> 00:19:37.320 is not here in 1 Samuel 00:19:37.320 --> 00:19:40.680 we see little glimpses of how to get that 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:43.420 David shows us how to seek after that heart 00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:49.960 but it's something that we'll have to 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:52.120 continue on in the story to find out 00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.860 the second problem 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:56.600 there's a problem with the people 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:58.940 they have a prophet but they won't listen 00:19:58.940 --> 00:20:00.180 to him 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:04.539 the second problem is with the king 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:07.019 they wanted a king 00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.100 they wanted a kingdom 00:20:08.099 --> 00:20:11.259 and despite the fact that they had God 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:13.579 a true king 00:20:13.579 --> 00:20:15.799 they wanted a man to be their king 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:19.039 God gave them what they asked for 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:22.279 but there was a problem with the king that they chose 00:20:22.279 --> 00:20:25.399 he was not a good king 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:27.379 he loved himself 00:20:27.379 --> 00:20:31.379 he was all tied up in his kingdom 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:34.500 he reigned through fear 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.320 he took advantage of his people 00:20:36.320 --> 00:20:37.140 he was rash 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.380 he perverted justice 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:40.020 and killed innocent people 00:20:40.020 --> 00:20:42.660 to get what he wanted 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:44.700 he ruled for himself 00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:46.600 and not for God 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:50.140 he was cowardly 00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:52.440 he didn't listen to God 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:54.900 any more than the rest of Israel did 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:58.560 there was a problem with the people 00:20:58.560 --> 00:21:00.759 there was a problem with the king 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:04.120 and if this kingdom that God is building 00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.140 is to succeed 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:06.600 or to work 00:21:06.600 --> 00:21:09.060 then we need 00:21:09.060 --> 00:21:10.080 a king 00:21:10.080 --> 00:21:11.580 who is better than Saul 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:13.800 a king who doesn't 00:21:13.800 --> 00:21:15.700 just look really good 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.519 on the outside 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:19.540 but a king who is truly good 00:21:19.540 --> 00:21:20.700 on the inside 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:23.799 a man after God's own heart 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:27.279 a king with a heart like God's 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.600 a heart of love 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:30.220 for his people 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:32.120 a heart of wisdom 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:34.180 a heart of justice 00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:36.440 a heart of integrity 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:39.160 there's need for a king 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.620 who's not just the people's favorite 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:44.259 but a king who is God's choice 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.299 a king who will do 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:48.240 according to the will of the Lord 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:50.420 even if it's hard 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:54.019 the question that we come to ask 00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.620 as we've been 00:21:54.620 --> 00:21:55.880 going through this story 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:58.320 and we haven't seen the full answer yet 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.060 because 00:21:59.060 --> 00:22:01.759 there's more to the story 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:04.039 David hasn't become the king yet 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.420 but is David that king? 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.779 is David that king? 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:12.860 we're kind of left hanging 00:22:12.860 --> 00:22:13.740 at the end of the book 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:15.140 Saul commits suicide 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:18.840 and David is not yet the king 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:21.119 it remains to be seen 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:23.099 he's much better than Saul 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:24.299 we've seen that so far 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.819 he has 00:22:24.819 --> 00:22:27.299 great moments of integrity 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:30.959 he didn't take Saul's life 00:22:30.959 --> 00:22:32.099 when he had the chance 00:22:32.099 --> 00:22:35.539 he's a man who 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:37.559 who refuses to murder 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:39.179 the man who is hunting him 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:42.639 but even David is just a man 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:44.899 from among sinful people 00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:47.459 there were times that he blew it too 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.440 and we saw that 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:52.160 David at one point 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:53.440 was ready to kill 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.759 a whole household 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:56.340 he was angry 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:57.299 he was frustrated 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.700 these were 00:22:58.700 --> 00:23:00.960 innocent people 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.680 many of them 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:03.680 and God thankfully 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.440 by his grace 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.539 put a stop to it 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.539 and sent Abigail 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.660 out 00:23:07.660 --> 00:23:10.480 to speak to him 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:12.680 David would later 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:13.660 go on to serve 00:23:13.660 --> 00:23:14.700 as a wonderful king 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:16.140 a good king 00:23:16.140 --> 00:23:17.480 a gift of God's grace 00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:19.080 to his people 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:21.360 but not a good 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:22.680 enough king 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:25.259 not good enough 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.000 for Uriah 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.980 the guy that 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.980 he killed 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.720 so that he could 00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.680 steal his wife 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:33.500 there's a problem 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.240 with the people 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:35.759 there's a problem 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.500 with the king 00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:38.880 there's a problem 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.720 with even the best 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.240 of kings 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.400 so how can we 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.120 have a kingdom 00:23:43.119 --> 00:23:45.839 if there's no king 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.959 among the people 00:23:46.959 --> 00:23:47.919 who is worthy 00:23:47.919 --> 00:23:48.979 to rule 00:23:48.979 --> 00:23:50.519 in this kingdom 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:53.459 we can fast forward 00:23:53.459 --> 00:23:54.639 from 1st Samuel 00:23:54.639 --> 00:23:56.639 through the story 00:23:56.639 --> 00:23:58.819 the kingdom continues 00:23:58.819 --> 00:24:00.679 more kings come 00:24:00.679 --> 00:24:02.059 many of them 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.919 much worse 00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:04.159 than Saul 00:24:04.159 --> 00:24:05.059 ever was 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.719 the kingdom 00:24:06.719 --> 00:24:07.859 which at 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:08.859 one point 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:10.059 becomes united 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:10.819 under David 00:24:10.819 --> 00:24:11.460 and Solomon 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:12.279 is divided 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.700 then it's conquered 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:15.579 and in a sense 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:16.899 it's obliterated 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:18.639 it's people 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:19.579 are carted off 00:24:19.579 --> 00:24:21.039 into exile 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:22.419 by other 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:24.419 nations 00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:25.500 and empires 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:27.319 when they finally 00:24:27.319 --> 00:24:27.839 get back 00:24:27.839 --> 00:24:28.519 to their homeland 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.839 things are in shambles 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:31.419 and they pretty much 00:24:31.419 --> 00:24:32.559 remain under the rule 00:24:32.559 --> 00:24:33.839 of foreign empires 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:35.299 almost that entire time 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.119 until 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:38.419 a thousand years later 00:24:38.419 --> 00:24:38.980 from the time 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.420 of David 00:24:39.420 --> 00:24:41.500 the Roman Empire 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:42.960 is in charge 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:45.799 what's to become 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.819 of this kingdom 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:48.779 and again 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.339 it's almost 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.900 surprising 00:24:50.900 --> 00:24:51.920 just how similar 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.160 things are 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:55.019 as they were 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.500 before 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:58.200 God sends them 00:24:58.200 --> 00:24:58.960 another prophet 00:24:58.960 --> 00:25:01.059 a baby boy 00:25:01.059 --> 00:25:03.680 miraculously conceived 00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.059 a son 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.019 who will grow up 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:06.400 one day 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.079 to challenge 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.720 the corrupt 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.720 religious 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.819 leaders 00:25:09.819 --> 00:25:10.679 of his day 00:25:10.679 --> 00:25:12.279 and bring 00:25:12.279 --> 00:25:12.899 God's word 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:13.539 to his people 00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:13.980 again 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:16.119 a prophet 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.659 who will take 00:25:16.659 --> 00:25:17.220 up a similar 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.779 message 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.779 to Samuel 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:20.220 repent 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.359 turn back 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:22.039 to God 00:25:22.039 --> 00:25:24.279 for the forgiveness 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.199 of your sins 00:25:25.199 --> 00:25:29.319 God sends them 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.819 another priest 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:32.799 who like 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.240 Samuel 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:34.319 will intercede 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.740 on behalf 00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:37.240 of people 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.960 when they 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.639 do repent 00:25:38.639 --> 00:25:41.460 but the thing 00:25:41.460 --> 00:25:41.839 that we want 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.220 to look at 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.839 most here 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.779 is how 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:45.299 a thousand 00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:46.079 years later 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.759 after this 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.679 time of David 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:48.359 and Samuel 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:48.859 and Saul 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.740 God sends them 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.460 another king 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:51.859 another 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:53.299 one 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:53.919 born 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:55.240 in Bethlehem 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:55.960 another son 00:25:55.960 --> 00:25:56.460 of Jesse 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:58.720 but not a king 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.379 like Saul 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:01.520 but a king 00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:02.160 like David 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:03.460 a shepherd 00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.160 of his people 00:26:04.160 --> 00:26:06.220 and still 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.100 better than 00:26:07.100 --> 00:26:07.440 David 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.940 the good news 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.320 of God 00:26:09.320 --> 00:26:09.860 is this 00:26:09.860 --> 00:26:12.000 while the best 00:26:12.000 --> 00:26:12.860 laid plans 00:26:12.860 --> 00:26:14.080 of mice 00:26:14.080 --> 00:26:14.500 and men 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.160 fail 00:26:15.160 --> 00:26:16.520 our attempts 00:26:16.520 --> 00:26:17.280 to build 00:26:17.280 --> 00:26:18.660 our own kingdom 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.100 a kingdom 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:19.800 for ourselves 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:20.300 fail 00:26:20.300 --> 00:26:22.200 God is still 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:23.400 graciously at work 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.960 with undeserving 00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.500 people 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:27.300 building a kingdom 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.519 for himself 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.639 and for his 00:26:29.639 --> 00:26:30.099 people 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:34.319 and his son 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:34.680 Jesus 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:36.680 is the prophet 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:39.200 is the priest 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.460 and is the king 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:42.599 that this kingdom 00:26:42.599 --> 00:26:43.159 needs 00:26:43.159 --> 00:26:45.279 Jesus is the 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.079 ultimate prophet 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:48.819 he came 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.659 just as Samuel 00:26:49.659 --> 00:26:49.980 did 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:50.720 to speak 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.619 God's word 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:52.480 and he does it 00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:53.419 with perfect 00:26:53.419 --> 00:26:54.159 faithfulness 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:54.940 he is the 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.899 ultimate seer 00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:58.460 Samuel 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.060 was fooled 00:26:59.060 --> 00:26:59.680 for a moment 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.120 and thought 00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:00.420 maybe 00:27:00.420 --> 00:27:01.360 the eldest 00:27:01.360 --> 00:27:02.680 and best 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.180 looking 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.440 of Jesse's 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:04.700 sons 00:27:04.700 --> 00:27:05.200 might be 00:27:05.200 --> 00:27:06.080 the next 00:27:06.080 --> 00:27:06.460 king 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.400 Jesus 00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:07.900 is not 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:08.320 fooled 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.160 by the 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.400 outward 00:27:09.400 --> 00:27:09.900 appearances 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:10.519 of people 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.660 he knows 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.180 exactly 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.759 what's going 00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.259 on in the 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.440 heart 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:13.780 of each 00:27:13.780 --> 00:27:14.240 person 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:16.640 Jesus 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:17.180 is also 00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:17.640 the high 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:18.060 priest 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:18.580 that we 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:18.940 need 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:20.220 one who 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.840 like Samuel 00:27:20.840 --> 00:27:21.720 will represent 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:22.300 us 00:27:22.300 --> 00:27:23.120 faithfully 00:27:23.120 --> 00:27:23.960 before God 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:26.539 but Jesus 00:27:26.539 --> 00:27:26.980 is even 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:27.319 better 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.860 because he 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:29.279 brings 00:27:29.279 --> 00:27:30.259 the lasting 00:27:30.259 --> 00:27:31.039 and permanent 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.620 solution 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.319 to the 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.720 problem 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.140 with the 00:27:33.140 --> 00:27:33.519 people 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.539 in here 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:36.720 he brokers 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.400 a new 00:27:37.400 --> 00:27:38.039 covenant 00:27:38.039 --> 00:27:38.799 with God 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:42.480 one that 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.819 will bring 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.420 a permanent 00:27:43.420 --> 00:27:44.160 and lasting 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.759 change of 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.039 heart 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.380 for God's 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:46.740 people 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:48.140 one that 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.519 will lead 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:48.819 to the 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:49.200 removal 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.400 of the 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:50.799 punishment 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.259 that we 00:27:51.259 --> 00:27:51.740 deserve 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.819 for our 00:27:52.819 --> 00:27:53.180 sins 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:55.920 and finally 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.279 Jesus 00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:57.200 is the 00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.680 king 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.880 that we 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.259 need 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.740 if there's 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.140 anything 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:01.620 that first 00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.359 Samuel points 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:02.620 to 00:28:02.620 --> 00:28:03.960 it's this 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.799 we need 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.079 a good 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.460 king 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:08.200 we need 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.700 a man 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:09.640 after God's 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.180 own heart 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.120 to lead 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.380 us 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:11.720 and to 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.059 rule 00:28:12.059 --> 00:28:13.140 over us 00:28:13.140 --> 00:28:16.599 Jesus 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:18.059 is 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:18.880 that 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.319 king 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:23.259 think 00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:23.419 of 00:28:23.419 --> 00:28:23.759 Saul 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.859 and think 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.039 of 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:25.439 Jesus 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:27.159 it's 00:28:27.159 --> 00:28:27.579 amazing 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:27.939 when you 00:28:27.939 --> 00:28:28.279 compare 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:28.679 the two 00:28:28.679 --> 00:28:29.019 of them 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:30.460 Saul 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:30.779 was a 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.000 man 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.240 after 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:31.399 the 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:31.980 people's 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.279 own 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:32.679 hearts 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:33.659 but 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.000 Jesus 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.399 like 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:34.799 no 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.200 other 00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.599 was a 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:36.960 man 00:28:36.960 --> 00:28:37.480 was a 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:37.779 king 00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.200 after 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:38.679 God's 00:28:38.679 --> 00:28:38.839 own 00:28:38.839 --> 00:28:39.119 heart 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.419 being 00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:40.079 himself 00:28:40.079 --> 00:28:40.960 the 00:28:40.960 --> 00:28:41.319 son 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.919 of 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:42.299 God 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:42.700 and 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:42.980 God 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.139 in 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:43.419 human 00:28:43.419 --> 00:28:43.859 flesh 00:28:43.859 --> 00:28:45.139 Saul 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.339 would 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.519 do 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:45.879 anything 00:28:45.879 --> 00:28:46.159 to 00:28:46.159 --> 00:28:46.500 save 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.700 his 00:28:46.700 --> 00:28:46.919 own 00:28:46.919 --> 00:28:47.319 skin 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.519 he put 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:48.939 himself 00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:49.759 first 00:28:49.759 --> 00:28:50.859 over 00:28:50.859 --> 00:28:51.099 his 00:28:51.099 --> 00:28:51.519 people 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:52.259 time 00:28:52.259 --> 00:28:52.439 and 00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:52.639 time 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:53.019 again 00:28:53.019 --> 00:28:54.700 but 00:28:54.700 --> 00:28:55.079 Jesus 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.960 would 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:56.119 do 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:56.639 anything 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.279 for 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:57.500 his 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:57.879 people 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.240 even 00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.579 lay 00:28:59.579 --> 00:28:59.919 down 00:28:59.919 --> 00:29:00.179 his 00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:00.599 life 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.460 for 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.740 them 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.500 to 00:29:02.500 --> 00:29:02.799 save 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.099 them 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.240 Saul 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.460 was 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:04.720 so 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.240 concerned 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:05.519 with 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:05.679 his 00:29:05.679 --> 00:29:05.859 own 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.439 reputation 00:29:06.439 --> 00:29:08.019 he 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.279 cared 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.579 more 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:08.740 of 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:08.939 what 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:09.480 other 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:09.919 people 00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:10.599 thought 00:29:10.599 --> 00:29:11.119 than 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:11.319 what 00:29:11.319 --> 00:29:11.599 God 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:11.879 did 00:29:11.879 --> 00:29:13.319 but 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:13.579 Jesus 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:13.899 gave 00:29:13.899 --> 00:29:14.079 up 00:29:14.079 --> 00:29:14.240 his 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.839 reputation 00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:16.119 he 00:29:16.119 --> 00:29:16.299 bore 00:29:16.299 --> 00:29:16.519 the 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:16.939 shame 00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:17.519 of 00:29:17.519 --> 00:29:17.640 a 00:29:17.640 --> 00:29:18.039 convicted 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:18.539 criminal 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:18.759 and 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:18.920 he 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:19.220 cared 00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:19.580 more 00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:19.759 of 00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:19.920 what 00:29:19.920 --> 00:29:20.240 God 00:29:20.240 --> 00:29:20.580 thought 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:20.820 than 00:29:20.820 --> 00:29:21.080 what 00:29:21.080 --> 00:29:21.660 anyone 00:29:21.660 --> 00:29:22.100 else 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.799 did 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:24.880 Saul 00:29:24.880 --> 00:29:25.400 refused 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:25.600 to 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:25.880 humble 00:29:25.880 --> 00:29:26.420 himself 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.100 before 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.460 God 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:27.640 and 00:29:27.640 --> 00:29:28.059 hand 00:29:28.059 --> 00:29:28.539 over 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.660 a 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:29.960 kingdom 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.759 that 00:29:30.759 --> 00:29:31.420 was 00:29:31.420 --> 00:29:31.720 not 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.259 rightfully 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:32.620 his 00:29:32.620 --> 00:29:33.059 anymore 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:35.200 Jesus 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:36.000 humbled 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.559 himself 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.799 and 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.740 laid 00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.740 aside 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.220 a 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.539 throne 00:29:40.539 --> 00:29:40.940 that 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.259 was 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.759 rightfully 00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.200 his 00:29:42.200 --> 00:29:43.080 to 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:43.440 come 00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.100 and 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.480 save 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:44.820 his 00:29:44.820 --> 00:29:45.200 people 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:47.840 Saul 00:29:47.840 --> 00:29:48.000 was 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.140 a 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:48.500 coward 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.279 he 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:49.519 hid 00:29:49.519 --> 00:29:50.059 fearfully 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.319 under 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.519 the 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.100 pomegranate 00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:51.340 tree 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:51.519 at 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.039 Migron 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:52.279 while 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:52.580 his 00:29:52.580 --> 00:29:53.460 son 00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.039 had 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.180 to 00:29:54.180 --> 00:29:54.380 go 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.559 and 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.180 start 00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:55.420 the 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:55.819 battle 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:57.519 at 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:57.620 the 00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:57.720 end 00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:57.840 of 00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:57.960 his 00:29:57.960 --> 00:29:58.180 life 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:58.319 he 00:29:58.319 --> 00:29:58.559 killed 00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:58.980 himself 00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.240 to 00:29:59.240 --> 00:29:59.539 avoid 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.019 suffering 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.200 at 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.319 the 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.759 hands 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:01.299 of 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.460 his 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:01.819 enemies 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:03.700 but 00:30:03.700 --> 00:30:03.960 Jesus 00:30:03.960 --> 00:30:04.200 is 00:30:04.200 --> 00:30:04.340 a 00:30:04.340 --> 00:30:04.720 courageous 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.120 king 00:30:05.120 --> 00:30:05.819 he 00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.080 knows 00:30:06.080 --> 00:30:06.360 full 00:30:06.360 --> 00:30:06.640 well 00:30:06.640 --> 00:30:07.059 what 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:07.220 the 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:07.519 power 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:07.700 of 00:30:07.700 --> 00:30:07.920 God 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.140 can 00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:08.400 do 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:09.340 and 00:30:09.340 --> 00:30:09.440 he 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:09.680 goes 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:09.920 head 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:10.059 to 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.360 head 00:30:10.360 --> 00:30:11.160 with 00:30:11.160 --> 00:30:11.299 the 00:30:11.299 --> 00:30:11.600 enemy 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:11.819 of 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:11.980 his 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.400 people 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:14.560 unflinchingly 00:30:14.560 --> 00:30:16.200 he 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.720 embraced 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:17.460 suffering 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:18.140 at the 00:30:18.140 --> 00:30:18.460 hands 00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.620 of 00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:18.800 his 00:30:18.800 --> 00:30:19.240 enemies 00:30:19.240 --> 00:30:21.220 Saul 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.720 motivated 00:30:21.720 --> 00:30:21.960 his 00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:22.220 men 00:30:22.220 --> 00:30:22.420 with 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:22.720 threats 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:22.920 of 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.259 death 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.940 Jesus 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.640 cherishes 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.460 the 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.740 lives 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:26.900 of 00:30:26.900 --> 00:30:27.040 his 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.400 people 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:27.620 and 00:30:27.620 --> 00:30:27.940 holds 00:30:27.940 --> 00:30:28.120 out 00:30:28.120 --> 00:30:28.540 promises 00:30:28.540 --> 00:30:28.860 of 00:30:28.860 --> 00:30:29.280 life 00:30:29.280 --> 00:30:30.040 to 00:30:30.040 --> 00:30:30.240 his 00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.720 followers 00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.320 Saul 00:30:32.320 --> 00:30:32.519 was 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:32.660 a 00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:32.860 king 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.060 for 00:30:33.060 --> 00:30:33.580 himself 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:34.420 and 00:30:34.420 --> 00:30:34.600 his 00:30:34.600 --> 00:30:34.820 own 00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.180 kingdom 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.180 but 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:36.480 Jesus 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.000 was 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.340 and 00:30:37.340 --> 00:30:37.820 is 00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:38.860 a 00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:39.120 king 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:39.360 for 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:39.700 God 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:40.759 and 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.160 God's 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.480 kingdom 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:43.920 Saul 00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.860 shows 00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.059 us 00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.400 clearly 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.680 that 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:45.860 we 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.319 need 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.120 a 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.339 good 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.720 king 00:30:47.720 --> 00:30:48.980 a 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.200 man 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:49.460 after 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:49.880 God's 00:30:49.880 --> 00:30:50.180 own 00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:50.519 heart 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:50.779 to 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.180 rule 00:30:51.180 --> 00:30:53.279 and 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.559 Jesus 00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:53.799 is 00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.000 that 00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:54.339 king 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:56.519 David 00:30:56.519 --> 00:30:56.759 was 00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.099 good 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:58.180 yes 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:59.460 but 00:30:59.460 --> 00:30:59.680 where 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.039 David 00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.500 failed 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.319 Jesus 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:01.900 did 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.259 not 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:03.900 even 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.220 David 00:31:04.220 --> 00:31:04.440 was 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:04.640 ready 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:04.839 to 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.019 do 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.360 evil 00:31:05.360 --> 00:31:05.559 in 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:05.680 a 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:05.940 moment 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.140 of 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.620 weakness 00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:07.240 and 00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:07.640 anger 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:07.839 and 00:31:07.839 --> 00:31:08.400 frustration 00:31:08.400 --> 00:31:09.519 hanging 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:09.740 out 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:09.960 in the 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.240 desert 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.680 like a 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.079 fugitive 00:31:11.079 --> 00:31:11.279 where 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:11.439 he 00:31:11.439 --> 00:31:12.019 longed 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.159 for 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:12.379 some 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:12.539 of 00:31:12.539 --> 00:31:13.099 Nabal's 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.639 food 00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:15.960 Jesus 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:16.259 was 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:16.659 hungry 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.240 out 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:17.359 in 00:31:17.359 --> 00:31:17.480 the 00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.819 wilderness 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:19.740 for 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.059 40 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.519 days 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:21.399 and 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:21.519 yet 00:31:21.519 --> 00:31:21.639 he 00:31:21.639 --> 00:31:21.859 looked 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:22.019 the 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.259 devil 00:31:22.259 --> 00:31:22.419 in 00:31:22.419 --> 00:31:22.519 the 00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:22.699 eye 00:31:22.699 --> 00:31:22.859 and 00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.079 said 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:23.399 no 00:31:23.399 --> 00:31:25.859 David 00:31:25.859 --> 00:31:26.579 disobeyed 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:26.859 God 00:31:26.859 --> 00:31:27.059 he 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.419 committed 00:31:27.419 --> 00:31:27.980 adultery 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.220 with 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:28.859 Bathsheba 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.879 he 00:31:29.879 --> 00:31:30.319 perverted 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:30.839 justice 00:31:30.839 --> 00:31:31.139 by 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:31.759 murdering 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.619 her 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.039 husband 00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.299 so 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:33.439 that 00:31:33.439 --> 00:31:33.559 he 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:33.740 could 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:34.119 steal 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:34.720 Bathsheba 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:35.039 away 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.240 to 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.379 be 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.559 his 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:35.740 own 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.099 wife 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:37.740 but 00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.039 Jesus 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.599 obeyed 00:31:38.599 --> 00:31:38.859 God 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.019 and 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.199 would 00:31:39.199 --> 00:31:39.379 do 00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:39.679 no 00:31:39.679 --> 00:31:40.059 other 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.159 he 00:31:41.159 --> 00:31:41.579 never 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.200 once 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:43.440 disobeyed 00:31:43.440 --> 00:31:43.700 his 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.059 father 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.720 he 00:31:44.720 --> 00:31:44.899 was 00:31:44.899 --> 00:31:45.500 obedient 00:31:45.500 --> 00:31:46.200 unto 00:31:46.200 --> 00:31:46.659 death 00:31:46.659 --> 00:31:47.960 even 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.299 death 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:48.619 on a 00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:48.980 cross 00:31:48.980 --> 00:31:51.139 David's 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.319 heart 00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:51.759 was better 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.000 than 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.579 Saul's 00:31:52.579 --> 00:31:54.460 but 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.559 he 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:54.879 was a 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.119 sinner 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:56.279 just like 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.779 all of 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:56.940 us 00:31:56.940 --> 00:31:57.200 are 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:58.039 he 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.359 had 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:58.619 the 00:31:58.619 --> 00:31:59.000 problem 00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.220 of 00:31:59.220 --> 00:31:59.359 the 00:31:59.359 --> 00:31:59.740 people 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:15.059 love 00:32:15.059 --> 00:32:15.099 he 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.279 he 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:17.319 is 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:17.839 worthy 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.740 to 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.140 rule 00:32:19.140 --> 00:32:20.039 the 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.319 kingdom 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:20.539 of 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:20.759 God 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:20.960 where 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.279 all 00:32:21.279 --> 00:32:21.680 others 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:21.940 have 00:32:21.940 --> 00:32:22.299 failed 00:32:22.299 --> 00:32:23.079 Jesus 00:32:23.079 --> 00:32:24.160 succeeded 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:31.940 just as David was opposed and schemed against by Saul, 00:32:32.940 --> 00:32:35.400 by his enemies, so too was Jesus. 00:32:36.200 --> 00:32:40.080 Just as God was rejected as a king by his people, 00:32:40.580 --> 00:32:45.320 on the whole, Jesus was rejected as a king by his people. 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:50.820 Yet just as God watched over and protected the life of his servant David 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:55.720 and kept him from death at the hands of his enemy, 00:32:56.619 --> 00:33:02.659 so too God watched over the life of his son, his chosen king. 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:09.019 And though he died, God raised him back to life and rescued him from death. 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:15.279 He lives today at the right hand of the Father in heaven 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:18.039 until the day when Jesus returns 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:22.319 to bring the fullness of God's kingdom to this earth. 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:26.519 And so where do we find ourselves in all of this? 00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:30.819 Several thousand years later, 00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:38.299 all of us here today have the same problem 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:42.740 that the people of Israel had way back then. 00:33:42.740 --> 00:33:46.059 It's not that we don't have a prophet. 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:51.240 It's not that we don't have one who has come from God 00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:53.519 to speak the word of God to us. 00:33:55.539 --> 00:33:58.279 But do we listen to the prophet that Jesus has sent, 00:33:58.819 --> 00:33:59.720 that God has sent? 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:01.059 Do we listen to Jesus? 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:03.579 Do we listen to God? 00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:07.079 Or are we like the Israelites 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:11.219 and think that we know better what we need? 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:17.779 We may face all kinds of different problems today in our lives, 00:34:17.960 --> 00:34:20.199 different situations, different relationships. 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:23.759 We certainly don't have any Philistines knocking on our door. 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:27.780 But what's the solution to our problems? 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.760 Is it a change of government? 00:34:32.080 --> 00:34:33.160 Is it a new leader? 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.720 Is it a change of job? 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:40.840 If I could just get that thing that I've been wanting, 00:34:41.020 --> 00:34:43.420 that I've been trying to get my hands on, 00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:46.680 or do we look first to what God has said 00:34:46.680 --> 00:34:47.580 through the man, 00:34:48.080 --> 00:34:51.720 through the men he has sent in his word? 00:34:51.719 --> 00:34:54.379 The problem with the Israelites 00:34:54.379 --> 00:34:56.259 wasn't that they had no king. 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:58.779 It's that they didn't realize 00:34:58.779 --> 00:35:01.399 the king that they had. 00:35:02.259 --> 00:35:04.219 They didn't trust and listen 00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:05.919 to the king that they had. 00:35:07.339 --> 00:35:09.279 All of the nations around us, 00:35:09.699 --> 00:35:10.759 look at what they have. 00:35:11.619 --> 00:35:13.539 Things seem to be going well for them. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:18.019 I wonder how often we do that same thing. 00:35:19.319 --> 00:35:21.699 Instead of looking to God, 00:35:21.719 --> 00:35:22.599 and listening to him, 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:24.419 we look to all the peoples around us, 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:26.119 and everything that they're saying 00:35:26.119 --> 00:35:28.000 will make our lives better, 00:35:28.119 --> 00:35:30.039 and will fix our problems, 00:35:30.399 --> 00:35:31.399 make us happy, 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:33.579 help us manage better with our kids, 00:35:33.719 --> 00:35:34.459 and our marriages, 00:35:34.699 --> 00:35:35.619 and our finances, 00:35:35.919 --> 00:35:37.239 and so on and so forth. 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.659 Self-help books, 00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:40.019 energy stones, 00:35:40.459 --> 00:35:41.259 access bars, 00:35:41.779 --> 00:35:43.379 the power of positive thinking. 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:45.840 And all along, 00:35:45.940 --> 00:35:47.180 God has given us this gracious 00:35:47.180 --> 00:35:48.280 and incredible gift, 00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:49.720 a prophet, 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:52.619 one who gives his words 00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:53.940 to his people, 00:35:54.260 --> 00:35:54.559 Jesus, 00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.760 a priest, 00:35:56.320 --> 00:35:59.260 one who deals with 00:35:59.260 --> 00:36:01.460 the problem that we have, 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:03.380 and a king, 00:36:04.160 --> 00:36:06.880 not a bad king like Saul, 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:08.940 but a good king, 00:36:09.640 --> 00:36:11.140 a wise king, 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:11.940 a loving king, 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:14.660 a king after God's own heart. 00:36:15.900 --> 00:36:18.480 The kingdoms that we have sought to build 00:36:18.480 --> 00:36:20.280 for ourselves have failed, 00:36:20.680 --> 00:36:23.079 but God is building his kingdom, 00:36:23.480 --> 00:36:25.599 a kingdom that will last forever, 00:36:26.539 --> 00:36:29.000 a kingdom that it will be a joy 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:31.219 to be part of. 00:36:33.059 --> 00:36:34.119 And so the question 00:36:34.119 --> 00:36:36.019 that I leave you with this morning is, 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:39.179 will we own him as our king? 00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:43.219 Will we listen to our king 00:36:43.219 --> 00:36:46.360 and submit to our king and prophet? 00:36:48.039 --> 00:36:49.539 Or will we go our own way 00:36:49.539 --> 00:36:52.179 and do what's right in our own eyes? 00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:55.000 Let's pray. 00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:01.780 Father in heaven, 00:37:03.219 --> 00:37:07.900 as we think of your word 00:37:07.900 --> 00:37:09.539 and the truth that's come to us, 00:37:10.519 --> 00:37:14.500 we admit right at the outset 00:37:14.500 --> 00:37:17.920 that we don't often see you 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:20.500 and what you're doing with our eyes. 00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:25.420 Many times it seems as though 00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:26.900 our prayers may go unanswered 00:37:26.900 --> 00:37:29.720 or the changes that we hope will come don't. 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:32.300 Things don't go the way that we've planned. 00:37:35.280 --> 00:37:37.039 But you are still there. 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:39.200 You are still on your throne 00:37:39.200 --> 00:37:41.039 and you are still our king. 00:37:42.220 --> 00:37:43.240 We trust you. 00:37:43.500 --> 00:37:44.160 We love you. 00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:46.240 And we ask that you would deepen 00:37:46.240 --> 00:37:47.800 our loyalty to you 00:37:47.800 --> 00:37:49.119 and our faith in you. 00:37:49.900 --> 00:37:51.940 For the praise of Christ's name. 00:37:52.840 --> 00:37:53.119 Amen. 00:37:53.119 --> 00:37:53.260 Amen.