So, I’m subbing for a Sunday School class this week, and am trying to brainstorm on what I’m going to talk about for an hour.  I know it’s lame, but I usually just write out the first few words I say word-for-word in case I get nervous and forget.  So, anyway, here’s the plan.  Say a prayer for me, if you think of it.

Hello everyone!  As you may have noticed, Mrs. Bays is not here this week.  She’s visiting relatives for a family reunion.  Anyway, she asked me to fill in.  I’m Josiah — I think I know all of your names, and I’m sure you all have a vague idea of who I am.  But, since this is my first time as a substitute, I thought we’d go around and say one thing and type of person we like and dislike.

1. 1 Sam 24-26:1-6  Enemies are forever.  Watch out!
   1. A lot of people think that Christians have to be everyone’s friend, but they don’t.  We don’t have to LIKE everyone — we have to treat them like God wants us to — but that doesn’t mean we have to be stupid:
   2. If there’s someone who always beats you up, don’t walk by their house.  Example:  Anti-Christian activists on campus:  Don’t give them any reasonable reason to put you down:  1 Tim 4:12
   3. What’s the danger of “watching out” too much?  Stereotypes.  Example:  ”Rich Snobs” “Backward Homeschoolers” “Old People” “Young People”
   4. Conclusion?  Be smart, but don’t stereotype.
2. 1 Sam 26:7-12  Get inside your enemies head.  Know what makes them tick.
   1. Its very easy to hate something you don’t understand.
   2. Saul was helpless. David probably was going to kill Saul, but then thought better of it.
   3. You can’t expect a blind person to act like a seeing one.
   4. The Devil and your own sin nature are often bigger enemies than your human enemies.
   5. Authority figures might be corrupt, and they might do wrong, but they are there because God put them there, and should be respected — not for their own sake, but in order to honor God.  Rom 13:1
   6. Example:  ”One-up-ers”  (SNL Penelope)  In one instance, I met this person’s parents.  They totally ignored her.
3. 1 Sam 26:21-25  Be cool to each other, and party on dudes!
   1. David reasoned with Saul, and teased him a little, but the ultimate goal was for restoration. He could have just ignored Saul, and hoped for judgement like Jonah did for Nineveh.
   2. There will be a heavenly reward.
   3. There will be benefits in this life:  Better relationship with others AND better relationship with God.
   4. God won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can handle 1 Cor 10:13
   5. How exactly can we act righteously toward our enemies?  Don’t just “try to forget.”  Many times, forgiveness isn’t just something you can turn on like a light switch.  Get busy replacing the time you normally spend thinking about what they did to you with time spent doing something for someone else.  Make it personal.  If you’ve been hurt by harsh words, make a point to say at least one encouraging thing to each person you talk to.  In time, as God helps you to move on, maybe you can reach out to the very people who were once your enemies.
4. Action points:
   1. Think of a way to be smart about when to come into contact with potentially harmful people.
   2. Try to learn a little more about your enemies.  Try to understand why the way they are.
   3. Next time you are tempted to treat your enemy badly, look for the “way of escape” that God has promised.

One of the most important reasons to come to church is fellowship with other Christians Heb 10:25.  So, in that spirit, I’ve brought Apples to Apples to play.