Sermon Tone Analysis

Can I ask a question that may be a little personal today?

What is your true heart of worship?

Do we come to church with a pure heart, looking to worship our Savior or do we have ulterior motives in worship?

I guess the true question should be, what are we bringing to Jesus today?

True worship, as Jesus said, is in “spirit and in truth” John 4:24

But how many of us come to church expecting God to move?

How many of us come to church expecting God to heal?

How many of us come to church expecting God to do anything?

Or, have we forgotten the real reason we are here?

We must remember we are here for God.

That’s it.

That’s all.

Nothing more, nothing less.

We are called to worship God.

But what is worship?

To express praise, thanksgiving, adoration, etc. to God.

To pay homage to or, literally, to ascribe worth to some person or thing, hence, worship embraces the whole of the reverent life, including piety and liturgy.

Worship (Old English ‘worth-ship’) originally referred to the action of human beings in expressing homage to God because he is worthy of it.

It covers such activities as adoration, thanksgiving, prayers of all kinds, the offering of sacrifice and the making of vows.

Worship is human response to a gracious God, and it needs to be placed in this context if it is to be properly understood.

Worship comes from the heart.

Worship is man’s sense of awe in the presence of the magnificent God.

Worship was clearly a central focus of people’s lives in the earliest stages of the biblical record, and we find God required worship from His people.

As we look at the example of worship set by Cain and Abel, we should examine the heart in which they worshipped.

What was the cause of the acceptance of one offering, and the rejection of another?

In reality, do we see any issue with their offerings?

What was given?

What was the heart of giving?

While we are not told what the source of conflict between Cain and Abel was, we can observe jealousy between the two brothers.

This conflict affected their attitude of worship, and the disruption of worship led to disunity and eventually murder.

Now, while I don’t see many of us going to the level of murder, I can see where conflict could affect our worship, and ultimately disunity among believers.

If we

Setting the Stage

Cain was the first born son, Abel the second son.

Cain was a worker of the ground, a farmer, worker of the soil.

Abel, an animal farmer, caring for his flock.

Now, at this time had there been an establishment of sacrifice?

Of course!

The original blood sacrifice had been given by God Himself upon the original sin by Adam and Eve.

God chose to provide a way of recovery and restoration through sacrifice.

Because of this, we (mankind) should worship God, just as Adam and Eve recognized the restoration of their fellowship with God! Worship was instituted!

But take note that it was the heart of Adam and Eve in accepting their sinful state and understanding the restoration of their relationship that caused them to be able to worship even knowing daily life would be a struggle to survive.

Even though they and all humans afterward would suffer the consequences of sin, God still provided a way of restoration of our relationship and freedom from the consequences of sin.

But notice that restoration comes as a choice - a personal choice to accept God’s sacrifice and a choice to worship what He has done for us.

Here is where we find Cain and Abel.

At a time in their life where they will make their sacrifices.

Cain, an offering of the fruit of the ground.

Abel, the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions.

Just as Adam and Eve had learned to worship God, they taught their children the importance of worship also.

But…can we make someones heart focus on the worship of God? Can we change someones heart?

We find the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.

But what was different with the offering of Cain?

Offering Rejected

God had no regard to Cain’s offering.

God did not accept his offering.

Was it because of the fruit of the ground?

No, it was not the offering that was found unacceptable, but the heart of Cain that God found unacceptable.

So, what was the difference between Cain and Abel’s offerings?

Faith.

Do we come with the heart of worship in faith?

What is faith?

Relying on and trusting in God! Cain’s offering was not made in reliance and trust in God.

It was just a thing.

An activity.

A routine.

This caused me to pause and think about the fact that people attend religious meetings and participate in church activities is no proof that they’re true believers.

Is there a difference between worship to God, and worship of routine, or a worship of tradition?

Oh church, has our hearts gotten mixed up in our purpose of worship??? Unfortunately, today many who attend church services follow the appearance of faith, but do not know the power worship can give.

Paul says to avoid such people.

God avoided the sacrifice of Cain because of a lack of godliness in his heart.

As a result, Cain was angry.

Cain was angry at God because of his own lack of faith.

Now, there is a sermon in itself, but think of this - why would Cain get angry when God called him out?

For the same reason we get angry when we don’t get our way!

When we think of salvation, we have to believe by faith!

God offered Cain a restoration of salvation by faith.

God personally spoke to him and lead him back, but Cain refused.

God gives us the same opportunity to be restored through salvation by faith.

But, stubborn sinners (just like Cain) refuse His help.

God reminded him that it was not Cain that had been rejected, but his refusal to accept God’s will for his life through faith.

It was an issue of the heart of worship.

Cain’s corrupt heart separated him from God and led him to bitterness, rejection, and murder.

Murder

Anger is a powerful emotion.

Anger has a way of clouding judgment, of making us do things we would normally not do, even lead us to lash out or even worse murder.

What would have happened if Cain had been convicted of God’s Words and had humbled himself and asked forgiveness?

You see, Cain was attempting to act religious, but had never accepted God by faith.

God cannot accept unrighteousness.

He cannot accept excuses.

He cannot accept sin.

But He can accept a sinner who comes to Him for salvation by faith.

Cain refused to do so.

“Where is Abel?” “I don’t know, I don’t keep up with him”.

Cain refused to acknowledge His sin, and even tried to turn it around and make it God’s problem.

How often do we also make excuses and turn our own sinful actions around and try to blame it on God? Cain sinned after being at the altar of worship.

Cain sinned after God warned him and gave him a promise.

Then, Cain tried to lie himself out of his sin.

Don’t become a Cain, because sinners never win.

Sinners Never Win

God had cursed Cain.