Don't Be a Cain

1 John 3:11-18

INTRODUCTION: THE FIRST MURDER

Genesis begins beautifully but falls apart quickly

Within 5 pages: the first murder (Genesis 4)

Not random violence—fratricide: Cain kills Abel

An archetypal story of envy and hatred

John's only OT reference in this letter

Not just history—a stark warning for us

I. THE MESSAGE: LOVE ONE ANOTHER (v. 11)"For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

John's recurring phrase: "this is the message"

Two pillars of 1 John:

God is light (1:5)

We should love one another (3:11)

Get these two right = well on our way

II. THE NEGATIVE EXAMPLE: DON'T BE LIKE CAIN (v. 12)"Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother."

Cain did something wrong (sacrifice/attitude/shortcuts)

Abel did what was right (right sacrifice, right heart)

Key insight: Cain's sacrifice was easier than Abel's

Living in the light requires genuine sacrifice

John sees rivalry/resentment seeds in the church

III. THE REALITY: THE WORLD WILL HATE YOU (v. 13)"Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you."

Believers experience hatred from "the world"

This hatred has existed since Cain and Abel

Jesus said: "If the world hates you, it hated me first" (John 15:18)

Don't be surprised—it's to be expected

Righteous people are sometimes persecuted

IV. THE ALTERNATIVE: WE'VE PASSED FROM DEATH TO LIFE (v. 14)"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other."

John presents a different way to live

We are NOT like Cain—we love one another

Love = the distinguishing mark of Jesus' followers

"By this everyone will know you are my disciples" (John 13:35)

[Interactive moment: Congratulate each other for not being murderers!]

V. THE STANDARD RAISED: HATE EQUALS MURDER (v. 15)"Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer."

Wait—now we're talking about hate?

For John and Jesus: hatred = spiritual murder

Jesus in Matthew 5:21-22: anger, contempt, demeaning words

The standard is much higher than we think

"Raca" = calling someone worthless

We need an example to live up to this...

VI. THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE: JESUS LAID DOWN HIS LIFE (v. 16)"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us."

Christ's death = salvation AND our model

We should be willing to lay down our lives

But will we ever face that situation?

Most of us won't—so are we off the hook?

VII. THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION: MEETING REAL NEEDS (v. 17)"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity..."

Comes down to the practical level

Are we willing to do the everyday things?

The little things ARE the big things

When I have resources and see need, am I willing to act?

"Do good to all people, especially believers" (Galatians 6:10)

VIII. THE SUMMARY: ACTIONS, NOT JUST WORDS (v. 18)"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

"Love without action = religious rhetoric" (Gary Burge)

James 2:15-17: Faith without action is dead

Don't just say "be warm and fed"—meet the need!

THREE WARNINGS

WARNING #1: IT'S EASY TO FALL INTO "CAINISM"

Jealousy spirals into dangerous anger

Even over religious matters (like Cain!)

Can happen in church settings

Daily heart check: Why do I harbor resentment? Who gets under my skin?

Cannot let hatred take up residence

"Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you"

Choose the way of life, not death

WARNING #2: IT'S EASY TO LOVE IN THE ABSTRACT

Illustration: Man who loved children "in abstract, not concrete"

We feel compassion but never act

"Has no pity" = shutting down gut-level compassion

How many times have you shut that down?

Church example: Barnabas Center (5,000 individuals helped this year)

Grace Offering enables loving in the concrete

Don't become complacent—make it personal

Identify one person who irritates you and pray for them daily OR meet one physical need before next SundayAction step:

"Pity without action is pitiful"

WARNING #3: IT'S EASY TO FORGET WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US

We've heard the story so many times

Why we take Lord's Supper every Sunday

You are loved by God—Jesus died for you

He left heaven's glory to save you

We will never truly love until we know we are truly lovedKey truth:

Loved people love others

God will never abandon you

You can never wander too far from home

When we have a Father like that, we will truly love

CLOSING CHALLENGE

This week: Will you choose the way of Jesus or the way of Cain?

Will you love in abstract or in concrete?

Will you shut down compassion or act on it?

Let's choose to love one another.

Key Scripture References:

1 John 3:11-18 (primary text)

Genesis 4:1-16 (Cain and Abel)

John 13:35 (known by our love)

John 15:18 (world hates you)

Matthew 5:21-22 (anger = murder)

Galatians 6:10 (do good to all)

James 2:15-17 (faith without works)