Dead Men Tell True Tales! - Abel

Introduction

The Bible tells the story of God. It tells how God has redeemed fallen man. It tells the story of God’s love for the entire human race. It tells how God will one day restore all things, and set right all the wrongs. Along the journey through the Bible God reveals to us History through the stories of thousands of different lives.

In the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies the final film in the series is titled, “Dead Men Tell No Tales!” In the story the Zombie pirates are after captain Jack Sparrow. These Zombie pirates are seeking revenge and it’s Sparrow they are wanting. Along the way these Zombie pirates destroy everything in their path but they always leave one man alive to tell the tale, hence the title “Dead Men Tell No Tales.” However, the Bible speaks of something entirely different. Scripture tells of those who have died and are recorded speaking truth from the grave. We can learn a great deal from the truths that are told by the dead.

Some Tell the True Tale of Tragedy

Some Tell the True Tale of Treachery

Some Tell the True Tale of Triumph

I would like for us to focus our attention on three particular individuals within Scripture who are recorded telling tales of truth after their deaths.The first individual we will look at is Abel. Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve, and he was the first human to die a physical death. Abel was also the person who went to paradise following his death. If we would listen, Abel tells us of a Faith that Pleases God.

Hebrews 11:4 “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel Tells the True Tale of Surrender

A surrendered life is the only way in which men can approached God in their worship. Notice these two men. One was worshipping in Spirit and in Truth. While the other one was worshipping in his own ingenuity (1 John 3:12; Jude 11). Abel’s faith speaks of right worship. All religions are not the same. Abel’s offering (worship) was respected. Cain’s offering (worship) was rejected. We are expected to be tolerant today. However, I do not believe in tolerance that sacrifices truth! Abel’s worship was directed towards God. Cain’s worship was directed towards himself. We must worship God His way.

Abel Tells the True Tale of Service

Abel’s service was determined by faith. Abel understood the how to serve and that was by faith. Our service must be determined by faith. Cain’s service was determined by works and his own way.

Abel Tells the True Tale of Sacrifice

Abel’s sacrifice was worth much more than Cain’s. Cain was the founder of the world’s first false religion, a religion that is at the heart of all false religions. Cain’s religion was one of good works and human merit. According to Cain salvation must be earned, he must pay the price. He offered God a sacrifice from his own self-effort. Cain’s sacrifice ignored Calvary and the shedding of blood. A turnip cannot be a substitute.

Abel on the other hand brought a lamb, shedding it’s blood to show his willingness to approach God according to His way. His sacrifice was “excellent” and was accepted.

Abel’s sacrifice was also a better witness than Cain’s. Abel received witness to both the practical and permanent value of his faith. He was pronounced “righteous” by God. God respects the offering of Calvary and Abel came into the good of that by faith. Notice that Cain’s religion was too refined to slay a lamb, but wasn’t too refined to murder his brother. False religion manifested it’s true character in the persecution of true faith.

Abel Tells the Truth Tale of Salvation - Speaks of

The blood of Christ speaks of the cleansing of all sins.

Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Conclusion

Your life tells a story. The question you must ask yourself, is what story does my life tell? Is it one of surrender, service, sacrifice and salvation or is it a life of selfish, sinful and synthetic?