To Fit In or To Stand Out? 1 Samuel 8:4-20 & 11:14-15

God's people are set apart. A more formal word we use sometimes is 'sanctified'. In loving and following God, our thoughts, words and actions are meant to be more aligned with what God desires, than what the rest of the world seems to think, believe and do. We are meant to stand out as salt and light to the earth. But there are times when the ways of the word are very tempting. In today's passage, God's people see all the nations around them appointing Kings and decide, they too want a King. They fail to recognize that the role of a ruler who oversees and protects them King is already being filled in the most wonderful sense by Godself. They are warned what will happen under the rule of an earthly King, but they insist on moving forward with an earthly King anyways. 

Music between the scripture and sermon "Lord, Speak to Me" (Voices United Hymnal #589). Words: Cyprian of Carthage, 252. English translation: David Lewis, 1983. Music: Olle Widestrand, 1974, arr. Len Lythgoe, 1983. English words copyright 1995, Estate of David Lewis. Music copyright 1974, Olle Widestrand. Arrangement copyright 1983, Len Lythgoe.  Podcast/Streamed with Permission under One License Number: A-607425 & CCLI 2453477