“So, You Want A King?” (1 Samuel 8:1-22)

Why do our demands for greater freedom often lead to deeper bondage? What happens when we ask God for what we want instead of trusting Him for what we need? In his sermon, “So, You Want A King?” based on 1 Samuel 8:1-22, Pastor Bryan Catherman explores Israel’s demand for a king and the deeper spiritual rebellion it represents. As the people reject God’s rule in favor of a monarchy like the surrounding nations, we are confronted with a timeless truth: when we choose self-rule over God’s sovereign reign, we inherit the consequences of our own folly. Yet, even in judgment, God’s mercy shines through as He ultimately provides not just any king, but the one King we truly need—Jesus Christ. The message challenges us to consider where we, too, may be exchanging divine kingship for worldly security, and reminds us that only under God's rule do we find true freedom and life.