The Transforming Power of Mercy and Forgiveness

1 Samuel 24

Sometimes things aren’t as simple as we think (1-4)

•Saul has said that God’s blessing will be on those who help him•Brings 3000 to go against 600•David’s men say that God is with them!•David could have assumed killing Saul was the right thing to do

Sometimes things aren’t as simple as we think

•How can we know what to do?•Must be in a right relationship w/God•Living for Him, keeping from sin•Need to know His Word•Acts 20:27 “whole counsel of God”•Can take isolated verses out of context•Need to understand His whole heart

Sometimes we don’t treat things seriously enough (5-7)•David is sorry for a prank?•Ephesians 5:3-4 “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

Sometimes we don’t treat things seriously enough

•Not only doesn’t want to kill Saul, he doesn’t want to embarrass him or make him the object of ridicule•How would our lives change if we felt that way?

Sometimes we don’t treat things seriously enough

•Romans 13:1-2 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

We should show mercy and forgiveness to others (8-15)

•Matthew 18:21-35•Luke 17:3-4 “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Our mercy and forgiveness can have an effect on others•Saul weeps•Crocodile tears? •Calls David his son. Says David will be king. Leaves him!•David’s kindness touches Saul and affects him (temporarily)

•Rom 12:14, 17-20 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them…Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’”