A Tale of Two Brothers
In the Beginning • Sermon • Submitted
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Do you remember the TV show The Incredible Hulk? The main character was a scientist named Dr. David Banner. Banner was basically a very friendly man. But whenever he got angry, his eyes would turn green and he would be transformed into this big, green, hulking monster (played by former professional bodybuilder, Lou Ferrigno). If you were a person in need, he would save you. But God help you if you were the one he was mad at because he would pick you up and throw you to the other side of the room like you were a rag doll. Dr. Banner didn’t like what anger did to him. In fact, the whole show is built around Dr. Banner’s desire to find a cure so this won’t happen to him anymore.
What does this have to do with us? Simple, if we do not control our emotions but instead let our emotions control us, we can be a very destructive force. Have you ever known anyone like this? Who allowed their anger and passions to go unchecked until that person seems to change before your eyes? How many times has our anger, resentment, jealousy hurt those that we care about the most. This is what happened in and what we will be taking a look at tonight
Genesis 4:1-
The Birth of Two Brothers
The Birth of Two Brothers
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Genesis 4:1-
The First Born - “Cain” - Means to have or possess
Eve says “I have gotten a man from the Lord”
She was referring to the promised one who would come and crush the serpents head and redeem her from her fallenness.
Then the second son is born - “Abel” - Means vanity or breath
Both of these brothers grew up and worked in their chosen vocations.
Able was a Keeper of the Sheep - a Shepherd
Cain was a Tiller of the Ground - A Farmer
The Worship of Two Brothers
The Worship of Two Brothers
And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:3-
This is the first time that an offering is made in scripture.
Abel’s offering:
The Pursuit of God
The Firstlings of his flock
The Fat Thereof
The Fat portions of the offering referred to the best parts, the choicest cuts. Able gave sacrificially, his offering showed:
His Faith
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.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Hebrews 11:
Cain’s Offering:
The Fruit of the Ground
Not the First Fruits
Abel’s offering was more of a discharge of duty rather than worship
The Butterball Company set up a Thanksgiving hotline to answer questions about cooking turkeys. One woman asked if she could use a turkey that had been in the bottom of her freezer for 23 years. The Butterball expert—how’s that for a job title—told her it would probably be safe if the freezer had been below zero the entire time. But the expert warned her that even if the turkey was safe to eat, the flavor would likely have deteriorated and wouldn’t be worth eating. The woman said, “That’s what I thought. We’ll give the turkey to our church.”16 While this is an amusing story, it does hit a bit close to home for some Christians. Sin first shows itself in what you give God.
Have you ever heard it said “God Loves a Cheerful Giver, But he also accepts from a grouch? According to the bible, this statement has no basis in scripture. There are many examples where God does not accept the offering of people whose hearts are not right with him.
Have you ever heard it said “God Loves a Cheerful Giver, But he also accepts from a grouch? According to the bible, this statement has no basis in scripture. There are many examples where God does not accept the offering of people whose hearts are not right with him.
Saul made a sacrifice to God when he was not supposed to, and this not only was the offering rejected, Saul was rejected as King by God.
Ananias and Sapphire sold some property and made an offering to God, but because they lied about the amount and kept the rest for themselves, God rejected their offering and they even Lost their lives.
Jesus spoke of this when he taught on the Pharisees in , When they gave out of a heart of pride, trumpeting what they were giving so all would know and be in awe. Jesus said “They have their reward”
God’s Gracious Response
God’s Gracious Response
And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Genesis
God gives the hope of acceptance
If thou doest well: Come to God with a heart of worship
For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
God warns of danger ahead
Sin lieth at your door
Sin is described as a crouching animal, waiting to pounce as soon as you step out of the door.
Fellowship with God is the only safe place to be, When we step out of his safety, Sin is waiting
Cain’s Sinful Response
Cain’s Sinful Response
Cain’s Anger continued to grow.
And Cain talked with 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.
And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?
And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Genesis 4:8-
Scripture doesn’t tell us what was said in their Conversation, but when it was over, one brother was dead, and another was drifting further and further into the grips of sin.
Cain ignored the clear warnings of God and allowed his anger to control him.
God asks where Abel is, and Cain attempts to cover his sin, But this is futile to an all-knowing, Ever-present God!
God’s Merciful Judgement
God’s Merciful Judgement
And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand;
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Genesis
God’s judgement of Cain’s sin was personal and appropriate.
His vocation was a farmer, but the curse would not allow him to continue it.
The ground that soaked up the blood of his brother would no longer yield to Cain its strength.
To protect Cain from anyone seeking revenge for Abel, God placed a mark on him that would warn others of the greater judgement that would be upon them.
Cain’s Descent into Sin
Cain’s Descent into Sin
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man to my wounding, And a young man to my hurt.
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.
And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech.
And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.
And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle.
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
And Zillah, she also bare Tubal-cain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man to my wounding, And a young man to my hurt.
If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
Unfortunately, many times mercy is not accepted and those who were the recipients of it, simply continue on their own way. This is what happened with Cain. His descendents turn to culture and the world, and while they improved in the area of technology, Their hearts never returned to god and culminated with Lamech, a polygamist - against God’s design, and a murderer, boasting about what he had done, comparing himself to Cain rather than seeking to God in repentence.
Cain lived in the land of Nod whose name means wanderer.
Cains descendent Lamech who sons focused on culture and technology rather than God.
God’s Provision for Grace
God’s Provision for Grace
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
Seth was God’s provision to continue His redemptive plan for mankind.
As this sad chapter comes to an end, we read some encouraging news. Another son was born to Adam and Eve, named Seth. And Seth had a son named Enos, “then began men to call upon the name of the Lord.
This is a stark contrast to the line of Cain, whose descendents found their meaning and solace in this world and refining their arts, but when Seth’s Line began they turned to God