1. Don McClain 1 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

2.  A pivotal event in the reign of Saul was his disobedience to God's command in 1 Sam. 15 to annihilate the Amalekites. (vs. 28)  This account serves as a great illustration of the Christian's war with sin. Don McClain 2 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

3.  Amalekites attacked Israel in the wilderness - (Ex. 17:8-14)  God promised to destroy the Amalekites when Israel had rest in Canaan – (Dt. 25:17-19)  Saul was to carry out God’s vengeance against them – (1 Sam 15:1-3). Don McClain 3 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

4.  After a promising start, Saul proved disobedient - (1 Sam. 15:7-9).  Samuel confronted Saul for rebelling against God - (1 Sam. 15:10-31).  Samuel took matters into his own hands and hacked Agag to pieces - (1 Sam. 15:32-33). Don McClain 4 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

5.  Our conversion is really an execution- (Rom. 6:3-6).  Baptism does not end our conflict with sin - (Gal. 5:16-21).  God commands us to put sin to death - (Rom. 6; 8:12,13; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:5-8).  Sin must be dealt with ruthlessly and without mercy – (Mat. 5:29,30; 18:8,9; Rom 13:13,14) Don McClain 5 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

6.  By denying it - (Saul acted as if he had not sinned, "I have obeyed the command of the Lord" - 15:10-13).  By Concealing it - (15:14; cf. Gen. Josh 7:21; Acts 5:3,4; Num. 32:23).  By justifying it - (Saul attempted to justify his sin by claiming to offer the spoil as a sacrifice-15:14-15).  By excusing it - (Saul attempted to shift blame -15:20-21, 34). Don McClain 6 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

7.  Recognize how horrible sin is to a "holy, holy, holy" God. - (Hab. 1:13; 1 Pet. 1:15,16)  Be led by the Spirit - (Rom. 8:12- 14; [vss. 1-8]; Gal 5:16).  Draw closer to the Lord - (Rom 13:14; Col. 3:10-12; Tit. 2:14; 3:14).  Do whatever it takes to avoid sin - (Rom. 13:14; Matt. 5:27-30; 1 Pet. 2:11) Don McClain 7 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

8.  Agag was cheerful when he thought he was going to be spared. Sin is always happy to be spared--because it knows it will have another opportunity to destroy you.  Ironic that in 2 Sam. 1:13 an Amalekite claimed credit for killing Saul. Saul's decision to spare the Amalekites came back to haunt him. Don McClain 8 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

9.  This battle between us and sin will never end, but the key is that we actively engage in combat, not denying our sins but confessing them (1 John 1:8-9).  But if you do not commit yourself to merciless combat against sin, some day, like Saul, it will come back to haunt and destroy you. Don McClain 9 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009

10. Don McClain 10 W. 65th St. church of Christ / April 12, 2009