Gen. 4 Sermon Notes

Intro: Example of the uptick in violence in the warmer months. Authorities struggle to find a motive on some.

Example of a fight that broke out at a gas station, that ended in one man dying, because they were staring at each other.

Violence and anger is nothing new in the world. We will look at a story that took place with the boys of the first man and woman. It’s actually not that different than what we we see today.

Many times in history there is a crossroads, there is 2 different directions to go. The choice that is made there will determine the subsequent actions and outcomes.

The way of Cain, or the way of Abel.

I. Cain and Abel

A. What Happened? Vs. (1-5)

Two Brothers.

They both brought offerings.

Cain grain, and Abel animals.

What is a significant different between the two?

Why didn’t God accept Cain’s offering?

Cain’s possibly normal.

Abel brought “the firstborn of his flock and of their fat”.

B. Think about the heart!

Could it be that Cain already had something going on in his heart?

What was Cain’s response in Vs. 5?

He was very angry.

Rather than repent, (change his ways), he got angry.

C. How do we handle anger?

a. Anger is this interesting emotion.

i. Not necessarily bad in and of itself.

D. Cain continues on in his path. Vs. (6-8)

a. God questions Cain.

b. Now would be a good time to stop and re-asses.

c. God offers the way to get back.

Explains the opponent sin is crouching at the door.

Cain can rule over it.

Cain went on to commit the first murder of a human.

E. Cain lies and God curses Cain

Cain denies that he knows where his brother is.

God pronounces a curse on him.

He would be a wanderer on the earth.

The earth would not produce the bounty that it had for him, before.

Yet God still shows mercy.

God gave a protection, so he would not be killed.

II. Lessons for us from Cain and Abel

A. How did the NT writers speak of them.

Jude 11 NKJV

11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.

Matthew 23:35 NKJV

35 that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.

1 John 3:12 NKJV

12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

Hebrews 12:24 NKJV

24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

B. How do we handle jealousy or anger?

Anger: What causes it in our hearts.

As I have been contemplating this, I have been asking myself this. What causes it?

Is it righteous or simply of self?

Why does my pulse quicken at times?

Our children can be frustrating. But is it just that I am inconvenienced, or am I truly caring for their good?

The interesting thing is that anger is not always bad.

I believe we could say it is dangerous.

We should proceed with caution. Slow down when we feel that emotion. Speak slowly.

Nehemiah 5:6 NKJV

6 And I became very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.

1 Samuel 20:34 NKJV

34 So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and ate no food the second day of the month, for he was grieved for David, because his father had treated him shamefully.

C. Some warnings about Anger

James 1:19–20 NKJV

19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Psalm 4:4 NKJV

4 Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah

26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. Eph. 4:26,27

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; I Cor. 13:5 Not provoked.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 NKJV

9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Romans 12:19–20 NKJV

19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Colossians 3:8 NKJV

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

There is definitely enough evidence for us to work at rooting out Anger most of the time.

Look at the heart.

Where is this coming from?

Why am I angry?

Is it really justified or righteous. Even if it is proceed with caution.

III. The way of Abel

Abel was apparently living a life of faith.

Heb. 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.

God was testifying of his gifts. God accepted Abel.

b. To be accepted by God is the greatest thing in life.

i. We are miserable if we aren’t.

Jesus Mediated the New Covenant and with it brought the Way of Righteousness.

The way to be accepted by God.

Hebrews 12:24 NKJV

24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

3. God is still extending mercy through our Lord Jesus.

4. It is even better to know Jesus to come to Mt. Zion, instead of Mt. Sinai.

5. Read Exodus 19:12-

6. Read Hebrews 12:18-24

7. We have come to Mt. Zion. Abel continues to declare righteousness, but Jesus so much more.

8. Better things. Access to God, that they could not dream of at Mt. Sinai.