GENESIS (Series) “THE CHALLENGE: ARE YOU ABEL?” Genesis 4:1-16.

GENESIS (Series)“THE CHALLENGE:ARE YOU ABEL?”Genesis 4:1-16

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SOME OBSERVATIONS:In Genesis 3 we see the beginning of sinIn Genesis 4 we see the continuation of sin

In Genesis 3 we see the beginning of enmityIn Genesis 4 we see the result of enmity

In both Genesis 3 & 4 we see God acting FOR man

GENESIS 4:1-5a“And Adam knew Eve as his wife and she became with child and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have gotten and gained a man with the help of the Lord.’ And (next) she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

And in the course of time, Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. And Abel brought of the first born of his flock and of the fat portions. And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering. But for Cain and his offering, He had no respect or regard.”

GENESIS 4:5b-8“So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed. And the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And Why do you look so sad and dejected? If you do well, will your countenance not be lifted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you, and you must master it.’

And Cain said to his brother, ‘Let us go out to the field.’ And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.”

GENESIS 4:9-16

“And the Lord said to Cain, ‘Where is Abel your brother?’ And he said, ‘I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?’ And the Lord said, ‘What have you done? The voice of your brother is crying to me from the ground…’

Then Cain said to the Lord, ‘…from your face I shall be hidden…’ So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord…”

I. GOD CARES ABOUT OUR WORSHIP!

QUESTION OF THE TEXT?WHY DID GOD REJECT THE OFFERING OF CAIN?

A. CAIN’S SACRIFICE WAS OF THE WRONG KINDB. CAIN’S SACRIFICE WAS FROM HIS OWN THINKINGC. CAIN’S SACRIFICE WAS HALF-HEARTEDD. CAIN TRIED TO PLEASE GOD WITH THAT WHICH WAS

CURSED“CURSED IS THE GROUND BECAUSE OF YOU….” 3:17

“…CAIN BROUGHT AN OFFERING OF THE FRUIT OF THE GROUND.” 4:3

GOD CARES ABOUT OUR WORSHIP!

WHY DID GOD ACCEPT THE OFFERING OF ABEL?

A. ABEL FOLLOWED GOD’S WAY (3:21)B. ABEL OFFERED TO GOD HIS VERY BEST (4:4)C. ABEL ACTED BY FAITH

“BY FAITH ABEL BROUGHT A BETTER SACRIFICE THAN CAIN….” HEB. 11:4

SUMMARYABEL HAD FAITH – CAIN DID NOT

ABEL OFFERED HIS BEST – CAIN DID NOTABEL PLEASED GOD – CAIN DID NOT

“By faith, Abel brought a better and more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, and therefore had a right standing with God and God bore witness by accepting his sacrifice…” (Hebrews 11:4)

“…And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.” (I Jn. 3:12)

II. THE CHALLENGE: ARE YOU ABEL?

CAIN OR ABEL?

LIKE ABEL, ARE YOU ABLE TO KNOW WHAT GOD EXPECTS, OR LIKE CAIN, DO YOU LIVE OBLIVIOUS TO GOD’S WAY?

THE EXAMPLE SET:

“And for Adam and for his wife the LORD God

made garments OF SKIN, AND CLOTHED THEM.”

(Genesis 3:21)

THE CHALLENGE:ARE YOU ABEL?

CAIN OR ABEL?

LIKE ABEL, ARE YOU ABLE TO OBEY GOD WITH YOUR LIFE, OR LIKE CAIN, DO YOU DO YOUR OWN THING WITHOUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT GOD’S WAY?

“…Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground and Abel brought of the first born of his flock…”

(Genesis 4:4,5)

THE CHALLENGE:ARE YOU ABEL?

CAIN OR ABEL?

LIKE ABEL, ARE YOU ABLE TO LISTEN TO GOD, OR LIKE CAIN, DO YOU TUNE GOD OUT?

“He who turns his ear away from listening, even his prayers are offensive.” (Proverbs 28:9)

GOD, THE COUNSELOR!

GOD’S QUESTIONS:“Then the LORD said to Cain,

Why are you so angry?Why do you look so sad and dejected?

If you do well, will not your countenancebe lifted up? (Genesis 4:6,7)

GOD’S WARNING:“And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door and its desire is for you.” (Genesis 4:7)

THE CHALLENGE:ARE YOU ABEL?

CAIN OR ABEL?

LIKE ABEL, ARE YOU ABLE TO LOVE OTHERS WHEN IT IS HARD, OR LIKE CAIN, DO YOU REACT OR TRY TO GET EVEN?

“And Cain said to his brother, “Let us go out to the field.” And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and killed him.” (Gen. 4:8)

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1. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I KNOW WHAT TO DO?

ALWAYS CHOOSE TO DO WHAT YOU KNOW IS RIGHT!

Jesus said, “Whoever, hears these words of mine and acts on them is like a wise man…but whoever hears these words of mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man…” Matthew 7:24-27

2. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I AM FEELING DOWN AND DEPRESSED – LIKE CAIN FELT?

LISTEN CLOSELY TO GOD AND FOLLOW GOD’S ADVICE!

“Why are you angry? Why do you look so sad and dejected? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up?” (Genesis 4:6,7)

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3. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I AM THINKING WRONG THOUGHTS?

AVOID THE WAY OF CAIN AT ALL COSTS!

“…For these men…not understanding, operate by instinct, like unreasoning animals…for they have gone the way of Cain…” Jude 10, 11

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A LOOK AT THE WAY OF CAINAPPROACH TO LIFE: SELF-CENTERED

ANGER: REACTIONARY

ACTION: VIOLENT

ATTITUDE: UNCARING

4. WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN I KNOW I AM GUILTY OF A WRONG?

ADMIT YOUR WRONG AND DRAW CLOSE TO GOD!

“Cain said, ‘You will see my face no more.’…And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord.” (4:14,16)

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ARE YOU ABEL?

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE ABOUT?

ARE YOU A PERSON OF FAITH, LIKE ABEL?