RTW 2023

But the people refuse to listen to Samuel’s warning.

1 Samuel 8:19a

Sons

• Some will be forced to be in the army and run chariots
• Some will be forced to plow and harvest
• Some will be forced to make weapons

Daughters

• Some will be forced to bake and make perfume for the king
• Some will be given to the king’s officials

Crops and Cattle

• 10^th of your grains and grapes
• Take the finest
• 10^th of your flocks

Personally

• Be enslaved

Even so, we still want a king. We want to be like other nations.

Questions to ask myself:

• How badly do I want to be like others?
• What am I willing to pay?
• What am I willing to compromise?
• Have I heard warnings that I am ignoring?

Don’t pay the price to be like others, instead:

• Be sanctified by the Word.
  I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
  John 17:15-18 (ESV)
• Live fully who I am in Christ.
  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
  1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)
• Present myself to God.
  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
  Romans 12:1 (ESV)

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What frightening words to hear! They didn’t care.

When that day comes, you will beg for relief from this king you are demanding, but then the LORD will not help you.
1 Samuel 8:18

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The price to be out of God’s will and not in agreement with His Word is too high. Don’t pay the price.