We Will Have a King
E.A. Johnston warns that rejecting God's sovereign rule in favor of earthly kings leads to national downfall, urging a return to Christ as the true King.
In this prophetic sermon, E.A. Johnston examines Israel's rejection of God's rule in 1 Samuel and applies it to the modern spiritual crisis in America. He warns of the consequences of placing hope in earthly leaders rather than Jesus Christ. Johnston calls for national repentance and a revival led by the true King, Jesus, to avert impending judgment and economic collapse. This message challenges believers to recognize the dangers of compromise and to reaffirm Christ's sovereign reign.
Full Transcript
In the first book of Samuel, in chapter 8, we read of how the people of God rejected God's rule over them and demanded a king so they could be as other nations. This way, they thought to escape the moral demands of the law by eliminating the theocracy under which they had been living. We see this played out in verses 18 through 21.
Let me read us a striking passage of scripture at this time, friends. Here now is the word of God, and may the Spirit of the Lord attend the reading of his holy word. And ye shall cry out in that day, because if your king, which ye shall have chosen you, and the Lord will not hear you in that day.
Nevertheless, the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel, and they said, Nay, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles. I will stop there, friends. The rebellious Jews threw off the yoke of God Almighty.
They rejected him and chose a handsome king, who was tall and a face man, a perfect leader in their eyes. But Saul was a king who refused to obey God, and he went his own way. The people got what they deserved in a weak leader who knew not the ways of the Lord.
I want to read you, friends, chapter 10 and verses 17 through 19, because it sums up this sad rejection of Almighty God by the people of God. And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mishpah, and said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of all the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you. And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations.
And ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. I will stop there. In America, we as a nation have rejected the God of the Bible, and instead of repenting and turning back to him, we have pinned all our hopes on a king, King Trump and his men.
Christians have put all their hope in a king, so to speak, while they have rejected the rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in their lives. The stock market's gone up, but the stock market run is over. The Supreme Court Justice said everyone cheered, even Christians cheered, has stated that gay marriage is the law of the land.
Nothing's going to change, friends. But what will soon befall this nation will be an economic crisis that will make one's ears tangle. Our economy is a house of cards, ready to be blown over.
The stage is set for Antichrist to appear and take over the rule of the world nations. America will eventually disappear as a nation and join ancient Rome and ancient Greece on the ash heap of history. A nation cannot reject God and get by.
A nation cannot mock God and survive. And where is the church in all of this? Sound asleep on pillows of conformity and compromise. God affirmed to Samuel that the people actually rejected him and not Samuel.
Can you deny it, friends, that America has rejected God? Can you? The only thing that will save America is not an elected king, but the only king, the king of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a call to repentance before it's too late. This nation needs a heaven-sent revival.
Pray that the great God of heaven will send us such a move of his grace in these desperate days. Heaven help us all. Let us pray.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The people's rejection of God's rule in 1 Samuel 8
- Demand for a human king to be like other nations
- Consequences of rejecting God's theocracy
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II
- The failure of King Saul as a leader who disobeyed God
- Samuel's rebuke of Israel's rejection of God in 1 Samuel 10
- Parallel between ancient Israel and modern America
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III
- America's current spiritual and moral decline
- False hopes placed in political leaders instead of Christ
- The impending economic and national crisis
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IV
- The rise of Antichrist and the end times scenario
- The church's complacency and need for revival
- A call to repentance and trusting Jesus as the true King
Key Quotes
“The rebellious Jews threw off the yoke of God Almighty.” — E.A. Johnston
“A nation cannot reject God and get by.” — E.A. Johnston
“The only thing that will save America is not an elected king, but the only king, the king of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine where you may be placing your trust in earthly leaders instead of Christ.
- Commit to praying for national revival and spiritual awakening.
- Repent personally and corporately to align with God's sovereign rule.