The Heart of the Matter

The Heart Of The Matter (or A Matter of the Heart) Genesis 4:1-8 Is it that Abel offered by faith and Cain offered by works? (Question asked on SBC-Pastors on FB). Probably not. OR was it that Able offered blood and Cain didn’t? Probably not. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is the free gift of God. The Cain and Abel narrative is not about salvation, it’s about everyday obedience to God. Cain offered the fruit of the ground (probably with malice in his heart) by just going through the motions. Of him, the Bible says his works were evil. 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. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. Able offered an animal but he did it by faith, with a pure heart. (One that is sincere, honest, and humble) Hebrews 11:4 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. This doesn’t mean that God preferred the animal over the grain. It means HE preferred the heart of Abel over the heart of Cain. The willing heart over the not so willing heart. Look again at the scripture. 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 andto his offering he had not respect. The Devil has diverted our attention from the man to that of the sacrifice. O but God is looking at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7b “for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Remember the story Jesus told of the widow woman and her offering of two mites and a farthing? Of her Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:” Again, Cain was probably just going through the motions. We see this in the Church today. Example of this is seen in tithing (among other places as well) · Faithful tithers – Faithful in tithing because they are faithful to God. · Seasonal tithers (once a year / 5 years / 10 years…) Just going through the motion. o Faith based versus works based. But what we’re looking at here is a heart matter. Able offered a sacrifice out of Love for God, obedience to God, out of a pure heart. Cain offered but not from a pure heart. That’s why God said, “if thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Cain’s lifestyle didn’t reflect his sacrifice or the actions of it, or what the sacrifice was to imply, that being that God (Jehovah) has a preeminent position in his life. The word of God calls for us to – “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2. The Church today is full of Cain’s and Abel’s. The Cain’s, having been conformed to this world, are just going through the motions (when it’s convenient for them) often even working against the work of the church, but nonetheless, just checking off the boxes. Others, hoping salvation is by works. The Abel’s are those with a pure heart, here seeking only to serve and praise God. Faithful in serving, faithful in giving, and faithful in attendance. Hungering and thirsting for righteousness. To the Cain’s, get your heart right with God Church, – Jesus said, Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand! Abel’s want to BE like Christ – Cain’s want to be seen DOING things to win God’ favour. Be not deceived, there are both, Cain’s and Abel’s within the family of this church. The bible says, “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.” Jude 1:11. People not born again – Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: 2 Timothy 3:5. Denying the power that changes ones life. Turn and READ 2 Timothy 3:1-7. The Cain’s of this world are self-serving – seeking the pleasures of this world over the will of God. But God be thanked [for the Abel’s], that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Romans 6:17. In closing, let me ask: Are you a Cain or are you an Abel? Do you have a self-centered heart or a pure heart? (Regardless of what you tell the world, God knows the truth). Ask yourself these questions – · Why am I here this morning, is it for me or for GOD? · Am I here to be seen or am I here to worship the Most High GOD? · Are you doing Church or are you being the Church? Would you stand, Heads bowed…