Our Witness

This morning I want us to look at the lives of Cain and Abel. What was different about them and why?

Hebrews 11:4, 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.

I.       First of all God did the first sacrifice.

A.    Genesis 3:21, Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

1.     This is a picture of the things to come, Christ coming to earth and dieing on the cross for us.

II.     Than we find Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice.

A.    Abel was righteous because of faith.

1.     Abel obeys God and by faith did what He had asked.

2.     Hebrews 10:38, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

B.    Cain on the other hand was religious, but not righteous.

1.     Cain did it his way.

2.     He grows his own garden and offered to God.

3.     Genesis 4:3-6, 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 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: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

III.    Through it he obtain a witness.

A.    Abel because he obeyed God obtain a witness.

B.    1 John 3:12, Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

C.    God bearing witness of Abel’s gifts and knowing Abel did the right thing.

IV.   And through his witness, being dead still speaks today.

A.    Obeying God cost Abel his life.

B.    But at the same time, God will bless him in ways we will never know.

C.    And because of what Abel had done back than, we can read of it and learn from it.

Conclusion:

1 Samuel 15:22, And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

All that God wanted from Cain was to obey Him in faith and offer the right sacifice.

God want us to do things His way. From my past experience, I find that God's way is easier than our, It just does not look like it at the time but it always is.

Remember, Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Sunday Biker service 5/14/06