A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 16 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
INTRODUCTION:
INTRODUCTION:
1. In we have the root of sin and here in we have the fruit of sin.
In we have the root of sin and in the fruit of sin.
Chapter 4 reveals just how much damage sin really caused.
2. In this passage, we see many firsts - the first birth, the first brothers, the first shepherd, the first farmer, the first offerings, the first worship service, the first murder, and the first cover-up.
3. Also as we begin our time of study tonight, I want you to note the progress of sin.
In the serpent has to talk Eve into sin…but in God can’t talk Cain out of sin.
What started as deception moves to deliberate sin and now leads to pre-meditated murder.
Also, consider this.
Cain and Abel appear the same on the outside.
If you read the first several verses, you simply can’t tell who will be the killer and who will be the victim.
Cain and Abel shared the same parents, the same spiritual background, the same home life, and no doubt both heard the same stories from Adam and Eve about life in paradise and about their expulsion because of sin.
Yet as often happens in families today, one boy went in one direction and one boy went in another...One followed God & one followed his own desires...And one man murdered his brother.
4. So tonight, we are going to walk through this text & take away as many lessons as we can.
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”
Adam knew his wife Eve: This is the 1st specific mention of sex in the bible…The term “knew” is a polite way of saying they had sexual relations, which is how some other translations read…However, this doesn’t mean Adam & Eve had never had sex before.
28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
GEn. 1:
God told them to be fruitful & multiply.
God’s instruction to them was to populate the earth, so it’s possible that before the Fall that Adam & Eve had been intimate…however, this time it resulted in the birth of Cain.
Lesson
It is normal & natural for a husband & wife to be intimate.
God gave us sexual desires, so having those desires aren’t wrong…but fulfilling those desires outside of marriage is wrong.
NOTE: Sex outside of marriage is sin…but between a husband & wife - it is right…and it is ordained by God.
It is ordained by God.
She conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”: The name Cain means gotten or acquired...It is likely Eve thought that Cain was the seed that God promised, the deliverer who would come from her ().
she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”
When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!”
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.: The name Cain means gotten or acquired...It is likely Eve thought that Cain was the seed that God promised, the deliverer who would come from her ().
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers..”: The name Cain means gotten or acquired...It is likely Eve thought that Cain was the seed that God promised, the deliverer who would come from her ().
Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.conceived & gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help”: The name Cain means gotten or acquired...It is likely Eve thought that Cain was the seed that God promised, the deliverer who would come from Eve ().
There is a sense in which Eve said, “I have the man from the Lord.”
NOTE: As parents we should want good things for our children.
We all want our children to be destined for greatness.
Adam, and especially Eve, had these expectations for Cain...but it went farther than normal parental hopes and expectations.
Adam and Eve expected Cain to be the Messiah God promised.
Eve thought she held in her arms the Messiah, the Savior of the whole world...but she really held in her arms a murderer.
Guzik, D. (2013). Genesis (). Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik.
NOTE: Parents we should have great expectations for our children…and we should train them & nurture them in the ways of God.
But there will come a time when our children will be responsible for their own decisions & actions.
I am sure that Adam & Eve told Cain about God & raised him as best as they knew how…but when he murdered his brother Abel, he was responsible for his actions.
NOTE: We can teach our children about God…but they must choose to serve God for themselves.
6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Unfortunately, being raised in a godly home is no guarantee that our children will serve God when they are older.
It helps & it greatly increases the chances that they will…but they will have to choose for themselves.
Cain shows us that even one has godly parents…a child can still go bad.
2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
Abel = breath, vanity, temporary, meaningless, or vapor
Why would Eve name her second son Abel…a name that meant empty or meaningless?
One suggestion is that Eve might have been disappointed in knowing that Cain wasn’t the promised son of .
But how would she know that Cain wasn’t the deliverer? B/C she was giving birth to another son & still having pain in childbirth.
I want you to also notice that by naming the child Abel - Eve was saying that human existence is sometimes vanity upon vanity…that life is sometimes empty and meaningless, and it’s always temporary - as brief as breath itself.
One more thing - Abel’s name is an indication of his tragically short life…Eve basically prophesied his death, whether she realized it or not.
NOTE: As parents, we need to be careful what we say to our kids & about our kids.
Every time Eve called Abel…all he heard was - come here “vanity” - come here “nothing” - come here “meaningless”
We should speak words of life & blessing over our children.
NOTE: Also, as parents we shouldn’t play favorites when it comes to our children.
Apparently, Adam and Eve regarded these boys in two different ways: Cain was the strong one; Abel the weaker.
It would be very natural for them to favor Cain as the firstborn, the stronger of the two, and born as we would say today, "under a lucky star," a child of destiny, one designed perhaps to fulfill great promise.
Perhaps this strong hint of favoritism, found here at the beginning, offers an explanation for what follows in the story.
Already, here at the very birth of these two boys, the seeds of arrogance and conceit have been planted in the heart of Cain by his unsuspecting parents, simply by the way they treat their children.
Notice that Eve said of Cain - “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.”
But nothing was said about Abel other than - “Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.”
(Illus. Naming of Joshua)
It almost seems that Eve was disappointed when Abel was born.
3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.
4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
Scripture indicates that Cain and Abel approached God at a specific time and at a specific place for worship.
⇒ The specific time is indicated by the words "in the process of time” or “in the course of time" ().
NLT says “time for the harvest”
NLT says “time for the harvest...”
The Hebrew means at the end of the days.
But what days? Scripture doesn’t say.
It could refer to the days of harvest, a very special time when Adam and his sons wanted to set aside a very special day of worship and offering to God.
However, it most likely refers to the end of the week...the seventh day of rest.
Remember: God had already blessed the seventh day and set it apart as a day of rest and worship.
But note this: it could also refer to the first time Cain and Abel worshipped on their own, apart from their parents.
It may refer to the day when the two sons cut the apron strings—so to speak—and became men on their own and began to approach and worship God on their own.
This may be the first time the two sons approached God independent of their parents.
⇒ The specific place is indicated by the fact that both Cain and Abel "brought" their offering to a particular place for worship.
Again, the bible doesn’t specify where that place was.
However, Adam had known perfect fellowship with God…and even in his fallen condition, he would have had a thirst for God.
So, most likely Adam established a very special place and a very special altar where he and his family could seek after God and worship Him.
Adam must have, therefore, established a very special place and a very special altar where he and his dear family sought after God and faithfully worshipped God.
Cain was a farmer, a tiller of the soil - Abel was a keeper of the sheep: They both bring an offering to God…Cain brings an offering of produce & Abel brings the firstborn of his flock as an offering.
God rejects Cain & his offering…but He accepts Abel & his offering.
Lesson
There are things that are pleasing to God & things that are not.
Both men brought gifts to God…both men offered worship to God…but only one man’s worship was acceptable.
WHAT WE CALL WORSHIP MAY NOT BE WORSHIP AT ALL…AND GOD MAY LOOK AT IT AND MAY NOT ACCEPT IT.
NOTE: Some worship is acceptable, and some isn’t.
Why did God accept Abel’s offering but not Cain’s?
The Bible gives us a clue:
4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
How was Abel’s offering done in faith?
How was Abel’s offering done in faith?
How was Abel’s offering done in faith?
Perhaps it was with the type of offering.
Cain could have brought the wrong kind of offering.
In the last chapter we saw the first hint at sacrifices.
21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.
The implication is that God performed a sacrifice in order to provide the tunics of skin for Adam and Eve.
Perhaps Abel saw in this that a sacrifice with blood was pleasing to the Lord…so by faith he gave his best…and he gave that which cost him something.
Also, a sacrifice of animal would have been more costly…and it wasn’t as convenient as bringing some
The writer of Hebrews calls Abel “righteous”. ..Abel might have been righteous because of his faith, but we know that cleansing from sin is also connected with the shedding of blood.
22 According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
For us it’s no different...For us to be “righteous” before God, we need to be cleansed through the shedding of blood.
Jesus shed His blood for us, and when we trust in Jesus, God makes us righteous.
NOTE: Faith is what pleases God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Abel had faith & apparently Cain didn’t.
Cain didn’t come by faith…he came on his own.
You will notice in verse 5 that God not only rejected Cain’s offering…but He also rejected Cain.
Why is that? The text doesn’t answer that question - but I believe that Cain’s attitude wasn’t right.
I believe that Cain was proud & he was simply going through the motions & he thought he could approach God any way he wanted to & God rejected him.
NOTE: Again, there is a right & wrong way to worship God…There is a worship that He accepts & one that He rejects.
11 Woe to them! For they have traveled in the way of Cain, have abandoned themselves to the error of Balaam for profit, and have perished in Korah’s rebellion.
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John
What kind of worship have you given to God today? Has it been pleasing to God? Or is it unacceptable?
5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
Cain was very angry: He was angry that his offering was rejected…Literally, he was burning with anger…It’s hard to say if he’s angry with God or with Abel or maybe with both.
But it’s clear that he is having a difficult time accepting that his brother was accepted before God & he wasn’t.
“Why are you angry? Why has your countenance fallen?: God confronted Cain in love rather anger…and God made it clear that Cain would be accepted if he did well.
NOTE: God is being gracious & giving Cain another chance.
Aren’t you glad that God gives second chances?
“Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent?
But notice that God tells Cain that he will be accepted if he does what is right…but God doesn’t say anything about feelings when talking to Cain.
So, God says, in effect, Cain, do what is right and you’ll have a better attitude in life…Do what is right & you want be so dejected…Do what is right & you’ll be happier…Your attitude will be transformed.
If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it
But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.: God warned Cain about the destructive power of sin…He told Cain he could resist sin & find blessing, or he could give in to sin & be devoured.
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.”: God warned Cain about the destructive power of sin…He told Cain he could resist sin & find blessing, or he could give in to sin & be devoured.
NOTE: We often want to wait until we feel like doing something to do it…but God says we don’t need to wait until we feel like it to do what is right.
We need to do what is right first, and the feelings will follow.
EXAMPLE: Forgive b/c it’s right…not b/c it feels right…but once you forgive, you’ll feel better.
And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”: God warned Cain about the destructive power of sin…He told Cain he could resist sin & find blessing, or he could give in to sin & be devoured.
And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”
The New King James Version. (1982). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.: God warned Cain about the destructive power of sin…He told Cain he could resist sin & find blessing, or he could give in to sin & be devoured.
NOTE: God gave Cain a chance to do the right thing…God gave him a chance to right his wrong & try again…but Cain refused.
And b/c Cain refused to control his sin…his sin ended up controlling him.
God warned him that sin was crouching at the door, like a wild beast, ready to pounce on him…but he wouldn’t listen.
NOTE: If you don’t master sin…sin will master will you.
And the only way we prevent sin from ruling over us is by allowing God to master us first.
W/O God as our master, we will be slaves to sin.
Lesson
Who will be your master?
Your master will be whoever you choose to obey.
16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.
When it comes to temptation & sin…it comes down to an issue of your will.
Who will you choose to obey?
Will you make the choice of obeying God or obeying the temptation?
In order to win & overcome…you have to choose God over & over again.
8 Now 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 killed him.
Gen. 4
As a result of disregarding God’s warning, Cain now commits premeditated murder.
The sense of this verse is that Cain planned to catch Abel by surprise by lulling him with pleasant conversation.
So, as a result of disregarding God’s warning, Cain now commits premeditated murder.
NOTE: God made a way of escape for Cain but he ignored it…and as a result, he is now the 1st murderer in the bible.
NOTE: When we ignore God’s warnings & when we don’t take the way out that God provides for us…things will spiral out of control quickly.
Sin is a slippery slope…and it will take you farther than you intended to go…it will cost you more than you intended to pay…and it will keep you there longer than you intended to stay.
NOTE: What started out small (anger) turned into something big (murder) b/c it wasn’t dealt with.
9 A little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough.
6 Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?
If sin isn’t dealt with, it can spread & lead to greater sins.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matt. 5:27
We know that murder & adultery is wrong…but Jesus says that if you get angry or lust you are as guilty as the person who commits murder or adultery.
Why - B/C those thoughts & feelings of anger or lust if not dealt with can lead to actions.
Iow’s, if you allow anger to fester…you may act on it.
Or if you lust after someone other than your spouse…you may act on those feelings.
“Sow a thought, reap an action...sow an action, reap a habit...sow a habit, reap a character...sow a character, reap a destiny.”
― Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
If you allow the wrong thoughts to fill your mind unchecked…sooner or later, you will act on them.
15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.
Lesson
Is there something in your life that you need to confess?
Is there something in your life that God has been dealing with you about that you need to stop doing?
Maybe it’s anger or lust…It could be bitterness or jealousy.
It could be something small that you say it’s not a big deal…but God is saying, you need to deal with it b/c He knows it’s going to lead to something greater later on…and He’s trying to prevent that from happening.
SIN LEFT UNCHECKED CAN DESTROY YOU!
CONCLUSION:
CONCLUSION:
1. Someone once said - The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.
2. In fact, someone once said - The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.
And we see that in the life of Cain.
The 1st murder began as hatred in the heart.
NOTE: Sin always begins in the human heart.
20 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
Mark 7:20-
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
We can’t change our heart…but Jesus can.
God tried to work in Cain’s heart & life but Cain refused…and we saw what happened.
Tonight, let God have His way in your life…let Him change your heart & your life.
If He is convicting you of something in your life…tonight is the night to confess it to Him.
Let’s pray!!!