There are numerous passages of scripture that point to no king but King Jesus. Mike Winther talks about 1st Samuel chapter 8 where the children of Israel began asking for a king during the reign of the judges. In historical and modern times, sometimes we want to change the system when we really need better leaders. Mike also talks about the differences between God and Satan’s strategies for churches. He talks about centralized and decentralized institutions. He goes into Samuel’s warnings to the people and consequences of having a king. He also talks about tithes, idols, and the source of authority. All of these examples help to refine how modern people should look at government and institutions.    You’ll Learn: [00:45] Mike kicks off the show with 1st Samuel Chapter 8 which is rich in content about raising our children, government principles, and economic principles. This scripture was also the slogan of the American Revolution. [01:25] No King but King Jesus. [03:38] After making it to the promised land, the children of Israel lived under the political system of judges. These judges were also the civil magistrates and rulers.  [04:54] This was a federal system which means decentralized. [05:49] 1st Samuel chapter 8. [10:09] Our circumstances in life will affect what we get out of certain Bible passages. [12:15] Changing the system when what we really need is better leaders. [16:11] Parents bear responsibility to raise their children in the ways of the Lord, but if the children walk away it's not their fault. [18:01] In Judges, we see periods of righteousness and periods of failure. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes. [18:58] Samuel and God were displeased with the request for the king. [23:15] The years of righteousness in Israel exceeded the years of rebellion. [28:52] Mike talks about the difference between God's strategy and Satan's strategy. God wants to decentralize human institutions. Satan's strategy is the opposite. [29:31] Our founding fathers believed in decentralized power.  [33:13] Our founding fathers believed that the militias in the state should be volunteer and have way more weapons and manpower than the government. [34:29] Consequences of getting a king include forced military service, forced labor, taking sons, taking daughters, taking fields, taking a tenth of grain and vintage, and more. [37:34] We're in dangerous ground when something demands more than the Lord. This is putting other gods before God. [41:55] The people wanted a king to be like all of the other nations. We need to be careful that we're not like all of the others. [45:05] Israel had some good kings, but they suffered under many bad kings. [48:21] Think about centralization and decentralization when you look at government proposals. [48:35] Where is the source of authority? Authority comes from God. [51:59] The concept of conquering through faith.  [52:44] No King but Jesus was muttered by many people including Samuel Adams in 1776.   Your Resources: Books to browse Five Principles By Michael Winther