We may have no control over how people treat us, but we have complete control over how we respond.
Sermon Title: REPAYING GOOD FOR EVIL
Sermon Text: 1 SAMUEL 24:8-15 (NIV)
Sermon Series: FLIP SIDE: STUDY OF THE LIFE OF DAVID
By: PTR NIC SY
Sermon Notes:
1 SAMUEL 24:8-15 NIV
8 Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, “My lord the king!” When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 9 He said to Saul, “Why do you listen when men say, ‘David is bent on harming you’? 10 This day you have seen with your own eyes how the LORD delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the LORD’s anointed.’ 11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you. 13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you. 14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
To be human is to have people who will not like us.
1 SAMUEL 24:1-5 NIV
1 After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, “David is in the Desert of En Gedi.” 2 So Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. 3 He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. 4 The men said, “This is the day the LORD spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 5 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe.
We may have no control over how people treat us, but we have complete control over how we respond.
DAVID REFUSED TO TAKE REVENGE
ROMANS 13:1-2 NIV
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
Allegiance to God means acknowledging that God is the ultimate ruler and authority over everything.
ROMANS 12:19 NIV
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
DAVID REALIZED THAT GOD’S REVENGE IS BETTER THAN HIS
1 SAMUEL 24:11-12 NIV
11 See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
MATTHEW 18:15 NIV
15 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
When there is sin, we are to confront, personally and privately.
1 SAMUEL 24:11-12 NIV
12 May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.
ROMANS 12:19 NIV
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
DAVID RESOLVED TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD
1 SAMUEL 24:13-15 NIV
13 As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you. 14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 15 May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand.”
When you choose the high road, you choose to rise above your (negative) circumstances and not let others bring you down to their level.
LUKE 9:54-56 NIV
54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went to another village.
ROMANS 12:17-21 NIV
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
We are called to act in love on the side of truth.