Worship and Self-Worship: Life and Death

[Announce text] Let’s open our Bibles to Genesis chapter 4, verses 1 through 26.

[Scripture introduction] In this passage, we encounter not only the story of Cain and Abel, but also the beginnings of worship, fratricide, and renewed hope in a depraved world. As we listen, may God open our hearts to His Word and His promise of life.

[Reannounce and read text] Once again, our scripture reading comes from Genesis chapter 4, verses 1 through 26. Let’s read together of the story of Cain and Abel.

[Prayer for illumination] Righteous God, stir our hearts and minds so that the Word of God takes root in our souls. We pray for divine assistance through the Holy Spirit to teach us the ways concerning life and death. Bless us, O God, for your glory. Amen.

[Introduction] Did you know that all of you who are here in this room have engaged in the sacred work of worship? It is certainly privilege to do so and it’s quite noticeable, actually. Depending on when and where you’re at - worship can take place in multiple forms.

In church buildings, worship is evidently seen when the praise team leads and the congregation raises their voices and sings songs to God. And depending on who’s there: there’s clapping, dancing, hand lifting, and loud shouting. The intended purpose of praise is to elevate the name of God and giving due honor and glory to him.

Other times, worship resides in a quiet settings. Whether your alone or in a group. Many of us be taught to clasps your hand, bend your face and close your eyes. The purpose is to minimize distractions and focus on speaking to the Lord. In doing so, you’re giving attention to God and taking your mind and heart off yourself and your world. That’s worship.

Another way, worship is displayed in our lives is when we are presented with opportunities to give back to God. For some of us, this work of worship happens when you hit the button on your smartphone to give or when you drop off cash or a check in the offertory box. In doing so, you are reminding yourself not to storing up treasure on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up yourself treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19).

And all these works of worship are pleasing in God’s sight because He loves when His people praise, pray, and share with Him.

But there’s an difficult truth we’re going to have to swallow.

God doesn’t accept worship from just anyone! He is a particular kind of God. He expectations are greater than receiving a songs, a conversation, or a gift. He actually desires the very best for those who worship him.

[FCF] What’s kind of worship does the the Lord expect from you?

[Scripture bond] As you return to Genesis 4, we are taken back to the story of Cain and Abel, the first two living children of Adam and Eve. Similar on how everyone’s stories begins we turn back to the day when Eve brings forth her kids into our broken world.

[Main point 1] It’s Not the Act of Worship that Counts, But What Comes from It (Faith).

[Explanation] It begins with a sign of hope. Eve boasts on bringing life into the world [Mother of the living] (Gen 3:20). The hope that one of her offspring will crush the serpent’s head and God will restore creation (Gen 3:15).

Cain name is similar to the Hebrew word “gotten,” with the Lord’s help. Her second son’s name means vaper or midst. Giving us a glimpse to each one’s future.

Cain is occupation is like his Father Adam, a farmer who toils the field and his brother is a shepherd. So work doesn’t cease after the Fall. And one day, it was time to make an offering to the Lord...so what do the men bring to God.

Cain brings fruit and Abel brings the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portion and God had regard for Abel’s offering. So what does mean for us? Don’t give God vegetables when he ordered a hamburger. No, it can’t be that.

Maybe it was about the quality of the offering? You know Abel offered the firstborn and the fat. He wasn’t holding out on God, and possibly Cain was offering his fields leftovers. That must be it! No, it can’t be that either.

It wasn’t the substance offered before God which determined one to be acceptable, but the manner in which it was given.

The New Testament shares divine insight to why Abel’s sacrifice was superior to Cains in the book of Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:4 ESV

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

What made Abel’s sacrifice superior to Cain was faith in God. He offered his sacrifice with trust and goodwill. While his brother did not offer his offering in the same manner. He half-heartly offered it.

Perhaps Cain was thinking about the day that he would pluck up the easiest fruit and go before the Lord and fulfill his ritual obligations. He could go through the motions, and move on with his life.

[Illustration] I wonder how many Christians view coming to church in the same way. You and I show up each Sunday. Sing the songs, partake in Communion, leave an offering, etc. But at the end of the day we did all of these actions with no faith.

What do you think God thinks about that? You may fool man who looks on the outward appearance, but you can’t fool God (1 Sam 16:7)! He sees the heart.

It’s not the act of worship that counts, but what comes from it (faith).

[Application] If you want to ascribe worship to the God Almighty. You need to believe in him and let your actions be accompanied with faith.

Worshipping God with faith means doing everything we said earlier praise, prayer, and giving. But believing God receives them. He truly delights when his children believe and God will embrace your offering when you trust in him.

[Main Point 2] You Must Master Your Sin Before It Masters You (You Will be Accept).

[Explanation] If only Cain had faith, this story would ended here. Both would have been accepted and the promise of God perhaps would go through the linage of Cain, but it does not. He is a faithless man.

Hence, Cain’s failed attempt of winning God’s approval. God graciously warns Cain in his state of unbelief about the dangers that await him. Sin!

The enemy of mankind is sin (Gen 4:7)! It’s seeking an opportunity to consume you.

Someone once said that sin will always take you further than you are willing to go, keep you longer than you intended to stay, and cost you more than you were willing to pay.

It’s here when Cain is given the choice. Believe and resist the power of sin’s desire or be consumed and see what’s happens next.

When you give yourself over to sin, evil things come. That’s what Cain and Abel story tells us. Cain murders his brother. God sends him away and yet, sin continues to grow and expand in his family even to the sixth and seventh generation.

See Lamech! The man breathes violence. That’s what’s happens when sin rather than worship lives within you. You might be thinking...

[Illustration] The effects of sin seems harmless at first. What can it really do to me? You might think. But I know sin when I see it!

I have a neighbor who I love. He passes my house on foot to his dairy job outside of town. What starting off years as one sip of alcohol led to sin crouching at his door and wrestling him to the ground.

I know this because he was so intoxicated that he fell in my yard and was unable to get up. And yes, I managed to take get him home safely. But it breaks my heart to see his man being consumed literally be the effects of sin: from his estranged relationships, failed marriage, and addiction to the bottle. I know for a fact that sin is gnashing on soul daily and the only way he’s going to break free from this road of destruction is by finding faith and moving toward to God on the road to worship.

And I don’t want any of you to suffer under the pain of sin. So I tell you this!

[Application] You must master your sin before it master you (You will be accept).

What are the sins we must be careful to guard against? Let’s learn two to master two sins for this week. Cain’s sins: jealousy and unforgiveness. We must not compare ourselves to others and allow those feelings to cause us to be angry with others. Likewise, we must forgive. Seven times seventy-seven as Jesus as instructed us (Matt 18:21-22).

When you do, your worship will flourish and you’ll remember that the only reason you can worship is because God has extended his promise to you even in a broken world.

[Main Point 3] You Worship God, Who Keeps His Promise of Life Alive in a Broken World (Hope)

[Explanation] As the chapter begins with Eve giving birth, it comes back around again. Pointing us that God will keep his promise to Adam and Eve by sending the “appointed” child who will redeem creation. Eve’s third son Seth, which means appointed was made for this moment.

Through his linage, God’s people will have a reason to praise because from his line the world will call on the name of the Lord and be saved (Rom 10:9-11).

Seth is not only a replacement child, but he points us back to God’s promise keeping and how the Lord will always make good on his promises.

And God has fulfilled his promises to you and me, but giving us his Son, Jesus Christ. We had every reason to worship the Lord.

[Application] Today, if you haven’t already in your life. Call on God’s name and he will rescue you from sin and give you a song to sing. Come before him in faith. Repent of your sins, and be washed in the waters of grace and cling to the Christ who loves you.

[Conclusion] You have a reason to worship. Let your life be a praise song to the Lord.

Amen.