THE WAY OF CAIN
Notes
Transcript
Genesis 4:1-16
INTRODUCTION
11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
The word “woe” is a denunciation
Here Jude is condemning anyone who would go “the way of Cain”
Cain was a man who had HEART TROUBLE, he wanted to do things his own way, without any or little concern for what God wanted.
7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
Man can never do better than his heart is good
34 Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
A man's heart, in the Bible sense, is a man's mind
A man is what he thinks
18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: 20 these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not the man.
It is what is on the inside that will make or break us
It is a impure mind that defiles a man
25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
The Pharisees were more concerned with outward appearances, than what was on the inside.
Many look good on the outside, but are dead on the inside
Therefore, we need to heed seriously
Therefore, we need to heed seriously
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
We must give every effort to keep our hearts or minds pure
Our destiny depends on it
Because of the importance of our heart condition, let us consider the WAY OF CAIN, and discover what his heart problem led to.
Because of the importance of our heart condition, let us consider the WAY OF CAIN, and discover what his heart problem led to.
DISCUSSION
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LEAD TO VAIN WORSHIP
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. 4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
There are those who falsely contend that it doesn't matter how we worship God as long as we do it some way.
Many today, even in the church, are trying to change the pattern of worship in the New Testament
Many are trying to bring in the instrument, choirs, singing groups, hand clapping and hand waving, etc.
Worshiping God is not commendable, unless it is pleasing unto God.
Are we worshipping to please ourselves or God?
The Bible tells us that all worship is not pleasing unto the Lord.
The Bible tells us that all worship is not pleasing unto the Lord.
9 But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men.
Thus, there is worship that is pleasing unto God and worship that is not
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
God had no respect for nor approval of Cain's worship
God had no respect for nor approval of Cain's worship
It was neither in truth nor spirit
God is more concerned in having us, than what we bring
22 And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
Cain's attitude was: Please me first, God second
Cain's attitude was: Please me first, God second
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO ANGER
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO ANGER
Genesis 4:5 (ASV)
5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
When Cain realized that his worship was not pleasing to God, he didn't change, he got mad.
When Cain realized that his worship was not pleasing to God, he didn't change, he got mad.
He had no sorrow for sin
Cain was resentful and pouted, instead of being penitent
Too many are like this in the church today
This anger of Cain shifted to his brother
This anger of Cain shifted to his brother
Isn't that the way people usually act, when they do wrong they get mad at somebody else.
Anger and ill-will are like a swarm of killer bees, they attack the victim with no mercy
Who does anger honor?
The Prince of Peace?
Or, the prince of this world?
Cain had no reason to be angry, he had no one to blame but himself
Cain had no reason to be angry, he had no one to blame but himself
29 Be ye afraid of the sword: For wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, That ye may know there is a judgment.
9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
It is true that we will all get angry from time to time, but …
It is true that we will all get angry from time to time, but …
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Uncontrolled anger leads to even more sin, in the case of Cain it was murder
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO HIS REFUSAL TO LISTEN TO GOD
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO HIS REFUSAL TO LISTEN TO GOD
7 If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it.
The Lord warned Cain, but he refused to listen
The Lord warned Cain, but he refused to listen
Many today are refusing to heed the warning of God
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables; because seeing they see not, and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14 And unto them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall in no wise understand; And seeing ye shall see, and shall in no wise perceive: 15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, And their ears are dull of hearing, And their eyes they have closed; Lest haply they should perceive with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And should turn again, And I should heal them.
21 Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; that have eyes, and see not; that have ears, and hear not:
23 O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO MURDER
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO MURDER
8 And Cain told Abel his brother. And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
Cain's heart problem grew worse and worse
Cain's heart problem grew worse and worse
It began with vain worship, moved to anger;
His heart was ever hardening, and now, it came to the point of murder.
Most people would be appalled at this action of Cain
Most people would be appalled at this action of Cain
But have you consider…
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Are we murderers?
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO DECEIT AND DISHONESTY
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO DECEIT AND DISHONESTY
9 And Jehovah said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?
Evil hearts causes sin to multiply
Evil hearts causes sin to multiply
Cain tries to cover his tracts
Cain tries to cover his tracts
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah; and be sure your sin will find you out.
You might be able to hid it for a while, but sooner or later it will be made manifest
Note too that when one lies about an action, he knows it is wrong, or he wouldn't lie
Note too that when one lies about an action, he knows it is wrong, or he wouldn't lie
Have you considered this verse lately?
Have you considered this verse lately?
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Those who are involved in deceit and dishonesty are children of the devil
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO PUNISHMENT
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM LED TO PUNISHMENT
11 And now cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened its mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; 12 when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth.
Cain failed to count the cost of his actions
Cain failed to count the cost of his actions
He, like so many, forgot…
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind: he hath no standing grain; the blade shall yield no meal; if so be it yield, strangers shall swallow it up.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.
Punishment awaits all the disobedient ...
Punishment awaits all the disobedient ...
8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation,
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM BROUGHT A HEAVY BURDEN
CAIN'S HEART PROBLEM BROUGHT A HEAVY BURDEN
13 And Cain said unto Jehovah, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Unforgiven sin is a load too heavy for ANY man to bear
Unforgiven sin is a load too heavy for ANY man to bear
28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Many realize this too late
Cain lived in the bitterness of…
Cain lived in the bitterness of…
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Instead of the blessings of…
Instead of the blessings of…
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.
Don't try to bear the load yourself, it more than you can bear
Don't try to bear the load yourself, it more than you can bear
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO SEPARATION FROM GOD
CAIN'S HEART TROUBLE LED TO SEPARATION FROM GOD
16 And Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
It was a sorrowful day for Cain when he left the presence of the Lord
It was a sorrowful day for Cain when he left the presence of the Lord
This is where heart problems ultimately lead, away from God
1 Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: 2 but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear.
We need to remember…
We need to remember…
24 Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy,
CONCLUSION
11 Woe unto them! for they went in the way of Cain, and ran riotously in the error of Balaam for hire, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah.
May we never follow the way of Cain
May we never follow the way of Cain
