Sermon Tone Analysis

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

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

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

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

Genesis

God gives the hope of acceptance

If thou doest well: Come to God with a heart of worship

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 Anger continued to grow.

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

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

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

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