Abel

Intro:

We are going to continue our Study of the Hall of Faith found in Hebrews 11. I am extremely excited to continue this week with our first “Hero of Faith”. Who can tell me our definition of Faith from last week? ““Living as if the Bible is true despite cultural norms or beliefs.” Tonight we are going to dive into Giving from Faith. 

One of my family members is the worst about “re-gifting”. Who knows what that is? Well this family member will save gifts from past years that they do not like and re-gift it to us later. To tell the truth a lot of times is comical. But it also shows something deeper. This shows that they are merely giving us the leftovers for holidays. A lot of times when we approach God we do the same. We give God whatever is left over: Our leftover time after social media, gaming, sports, and hanging out. Our leftover attention after everything else has distracted us. Our leftover energy when we're too tired to pray. Our leftover obedience when we don't really want to do what He asks. But God doesn't want to be the leftover part of our lives. He deserves our best because He gave us His best.

Tonight we are going to have a look into what it truly looks like to give God our best out of Faith. Our example will be Abel from the Hall of Faith and Genesis 4. 

Read Hebrews 11:4

In Genesis, We find the story of creation right into the fall. Within the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve rebel against God by eating off the Tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil introducing what into the World? Sin. They are banished from the Garden and separated from God. We now pick up here in Chapter 4. 

Giving:

Read Genesis 4:1-7

We find the birth of Cain and Abel. Cain we learn is a farmer working the Land. Abel on the other hand is a Shepherd raising flocks. What we see is the two brothers both bring offerings to God. Cain and his fruits from the soil and Abel and his first born fatten portion. God finds favor in Abel’s offering but not in Cain's. 

Why is this? Is Cain’s portion worse? Does God just not like fruit? The answer is none of the above. 

The text makes it clear that Cain does what is not right. We can look to the heart for our answer. Abel was looked at with favor by God because he demonstrated worshipful Giving. Abel gave his best out of an act of Worship of God. Abel teaches us that faithful worship isn't about simply giving God something. It's about trusting God enough to give Him our first and our best. This teaches why God values the worshipper’s internal posture. The why behind the Gift. The act of Faith. 

So I ask you now. Are you giving God your first or your left overs. Are you prioritizing your time, energy, and affection for God? Give like Abel. Give God your first and your best. 

Sin:

But the story continues. Look at verse 7. Sin is crouching at the door. It desires to have you. We hold power in resisting Sin. It is always crouching around waiting for us to stumble. It is up to us to stay the course. Cain allows sin to enter on the other hand. 

Read Genesis 4: 10-16

What we see here is the first act of Murder recorded in the Bible. Cain, angry and jealous over his brother's favor with God, hatches a plan. He decides to kill him. We see God question Cain and Cain try his best to hide the act from God. As punishment, God banishes Cain and forces him and his family to gather for food. 

Cain deflects the blame when he is questioned. We can learn a valuable lesson from Cain too. When we refuse to take responsibility for our sin, to accept blame for the consequences of our actions, and be held accountable for what we do and say, we burn down the bridges for reconciliation. The only way back to forgiveness and God has the first step of recognition of the problem and the desire to repent. 

Understand, when we refuse responsibility for our sins, then we are ignoring the very thing that allows us to recognize we need a savior. 

Cain allowed the evil one to dictate his actions, he served himself, pushing the blame away. Allowing jealousy to drive his actions. Sin is self serving. Sin is an I problem. Sin always wants to turn our attention inward. “What about me?” “What do I want?” “Why does he get that?” “Why didn't I get recognized?” “Why should I have to obey?” “What will make me happy?” Cain's problem wasn't just that he was angry. His heart had become focused on self rather than God.

We must own up to our actions and recognize our need for God. 

Sin is waiting at our doorsteps, it so easily entangles and prevents us from running our race. See it and turn from it and back to God. 

Conclusion:

Cain allowed sin to take control of his heart. Jealousy turned into anger, anger turned into murder, and instead of taking responsibility, Cain tried to hide his sin. And here's the question for us tonight: Which direction is your heart moving? Are you giving God your first and your best, or are you giving Him whatever is left over? Are you guarding your heart against sin, or are you allowing sin to crouch at the door? Don't give God your leftovers. Give Him your first and your best.

And here's why we can do that: because God didn't give us His leftovers. God gave us His best. He gave us Jesus.

If you're here tonight and you've recognized that sin is a real problem in your life, don't hide it like Cain. Don't run from God. Run to Him. Jesus is the Savior we need. If you want to know what it means to have a relationship with Him, come talk to me or one of the adults here tonight.

Faith means living as if the Bible is true. And tonight, that means giving as if the Bible is true—trusting God enough to give Him our first and our best.

Let’s pray.