Who is the King of our homes?

The problem with Israel choosing a King

1 Samuel 8:4, 5, 7!4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together,

and came to Samuel unto Ramah,!

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5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy

sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge

us like all the nations.”!

7 And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the

voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but

they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.!

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Why did Israel reject God by desiring a King?

"The government of Israel was administered in the name and by the authority of God. The work of Moses, of the seventy elders, of the rulers and judges, was simply to enforce the

laws that God had given; they had no authority to legislate for the nation. This was, and continued to be, the condition of Israel’s

existence as a nation. From age to age men inspired by God were sent to instruct the people and to direct in the enforcement of the laws…”!

The Lord foresaw that Israel would desire a king, but He did not consent to a change in the principles upon which the state was founded. The king was to be the vicegerent of the Most High. God was to be recognized as the Head of the nation, and His law was to be enforced

as the supreme law of the land.”!—Patriarchs and Prophets, 603

Moses’ Leadership

The contrast is very great between Moses’ leadership and Saul’s. Moses pointed to the commandments of God; he didn’t make up his own laws. The fruit of his life was that he had a meek character.

Moses said, "Behold, I have taught you statutes

and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore

and do them…” Deuteronomy 4:5,6!

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“Now the man Moses was very meek,

above all the men which were upon the

face of the earth.” Deuteronomy 4:5,6!

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Saul’s Leadership

"Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it

grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.” 1

Samuel 15:10, 11!!!!

The Commands of Saul:

•Saul wanted to kill his own son Jonathan because Jonathan hadn't followed his command to not eat honey. 1 Samuel 14:42, 43!

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•"...Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David", a son in law who had done him no harm. 1 Samuel 19:1

The Commands of Saul:

•Saul "said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord." 1 Samuel 22:17.

Israel, too, had rejected the commandments of God

1 Samuel 12:14!If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:!

It is easy to see that King Saul had a terrible reign because he rejected God’s government, which is based on God’s laws. However, Saul’s spirituality was reflective of Israel as a nation because of Samuel’s statement in 1 Samuel 12:14.

Who is the King of our homes?

"If the law of God is obeyed, the demon of strife will be kept out of the family, and no

separation of interests will take place, no

alienation of affection will be permitted.”

Adventist Home, 106!

"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves

servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin

unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” !Romans 6:16!

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“God is our lawgiver and king, and parents are to place themselves under His rule. This rule forbids all oppression

from parents and all disobedience from children.” !Child Guidance 261!

3 Laws of the Home

This list is definitely not all inclusive of all the laws of the home found in the Bible, but I just listed 3 for brevity in my sermon.

"She openeth her mouth with

wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” !Proverbs 31:26!

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"Courtesy, even in little things, should be

manifested by the parents toward each other.

Universal kindness should be the law of the house.

No rude language should be indulged; no bitter

words should be spoken.” Adventist Home, 421!

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"All may possess a cheerful countenance, a gentle voice, a courteous manner; and these

are elements of power. Children are attracted by a cheerful, sunny demeanor. Show them kindness and

courtesy, and they will manifest the same spirit

toward you and toward one another.” !

Adventist Home, 421!!!

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I need a volunteer.!

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I bought a tiara from Wal-mart, and I asked youth in the church to be volunteers for different scenarios I would present. I asked the church if a youth who volunteered would cherish the spirit of discontent, would she be trying to be king of their home? Then I put a crown on her head. Then we talked about how that crown could come off.

"She openeth her mouth with

wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” !Proverbs 31:26!

!!

“The golden rule, ‘Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them,’ as well as the apostolic injunction, ‘In honour preferring one another,’

should be made the law of the family.” AH 423

I need a volunteer.

I got a volunteer, and then I asked my church that if this youth consistently doesn’t show appreciation for a good meals at home, was she trying to take the crown off of God’s head and trying to be king? Afterwards, I put the crown on her head. Someone mentioned that there are two laws we can follow: the law of God or the law of selfishness. Then we talked about how the crown could be taken off of her. We ended up reading this statement: “We should be self-forgetful, ever looking out for opportunities, even in little things, to show gratitude for the favors we have received of others, and watching for opportunities to cheer others and lighten and relieve their sorrows and burdens by acts of tender kindness and little deeds of love. These thoughtful courtesies that, commencing in our families, extend outside the family circle help make up the sum of life’s happiness; and the neglect of these little things makes up the sum of life’s bitterness and sorrow.” Adventist Home, 428.

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Ephesians 4:26

“Let each one be kind and considerate of the other. Never let the sun go down upon your wrath. Never close your

eyes in sleep without making right the little, pettish difficulties which hurt and bruise the soul….” {TDG 225.5}

I need a volunteer

I gave a scenario that someone was upset because his brother him outside to play. Then he went to bed angry. Was he letting God be king of the home? Of course he wouldn’t be, so I put the crown on his head. Then we talked about how that crown could come off. One of the things mentioned was that we need to take seriously the time in evening to examine ourselves to see if we’ve wronged anyone so we can go to bed without holding onto sin. 2 Corinthians 13:5.

How can we follow these laws?

“The most careful cultivation of the outward

proprieties of life is not sufficient to shut out all fretfulness, harsh

judgment, and unbecoming speech. True refinement

will never be revealed so long as self is considered as the supreme object. Love

must dwell in the heart…”

“A thoroughgoing Christian draws his

motives of action from his deep heart-love for his Master. Up through the roots of his affection

for Christ springs an unselfish interest in his brethren.” Adventist

Home, 425