GENESIS #4 – “CAIN & ABLE” APART FROM GOD’S GRACE AT WORK IN OUR LIVES WE ARE NO BETTER THAN CAIN, 4 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. Genesis 4:1-5

BOTH CAIN & ABLE CAME WITH SOMETHING IN THEIR HANDS

WORSHIP IS SACRIFICE OF LIFE, TIME, TALENT, TREASURE

GOD REJECTED CAIN NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS IN HIS HANDS BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS IN HIS HEART The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. Genesis 4:4-5

ABEL CAME WITH LOVE FOR GOD AND FAITH IN GOD.

CAIN CAME WITH JEALOUSY AND WITH UNBELIEF

7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. 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.” Genesis 4:7

3 Ways Jealousy Works Itself Out:

1. Give It To God In REPENTANCE

2. Internalize It And Get DEPRESSED

3. Externalize It And Get VIOLENT

9 Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel? “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! Genesis 4:9-10

GOD’S WORD TO ALL OF US - __________________________________________ ! Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! 14 You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!” Gen 4:13-14

Evidence of Cain Repentance:

1. GOD MARKED HIM AS HIS POSSESSION 15 The Lord replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. Gen 4:15

2. GOD BLESSED HIM

So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17 Cain had sexual relations with his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Gen 16-17

3. GOD ALLOWE HIM TO ESTABLISH A CITY Then Cain founded a city, which he named Enoch, after his son. Genesis 4:17 4. REVIVAL BREAKS OUT

At that time people first began to worship the Lord by name. Genesis 4:27

IF WE ARE CAIN THEN JESUS IS ABLE

Life groups: Use this sermon outline as discussion material/ guides for your group. A couple of additional questions to ponder::

1. Do you think it is most likely that Cain lamented the punishment for his sin or lamented the pain he had cause by his sin?

2. What other scriptures about the topics of worship and a pure heart can help shed light on why Cain’s offering was rejected by God?

3. Why are our motives equally important to God as our actions? 4. Read Hebrews 11:4. Jude 11 & 1 John 3:12 for further insight on Cain & Able

Remember to discuss & debates these issues respectfully, agreeing to disagree when necessary. We all do well to remember Paul’s statement in 1Corinthians 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete,