• Jude 1:5-11 describes the course of false teachers • Genesis 1 and 2 records creation• Genesis 3 records entrance of sin• Genesis 4 opens with the birth of Cain• Genesis 4 records Cain’s murder of Abel

• FALSE RELIGIOUS PRACTICES– Cain is a religious man– Observe his religious life• He brought an offering to the Lord.• It appears to be a reasonable one• Brought in worship to God, but in vain Matt 15:9

– Cain's sacrifice rejected - Abel's accepted

• REJECTION OF DIVINE AUTHORITY– God accepted Abel's offering and rejected Cain's– Why the difference? Gen 4:4; Heb 11:4

• Cain's offering was made without faith Rom 10:17• It did not please God Heb 11:6

• ANGER HATRED AND CYNICISM– Cain's response Gen 4: 5

• Was angry - ultimately with God.• Saddened & sorrowful, not unto repentance 2Cor 7:10

– Envious of favor shown to his brother.– Instead of correcting his error, he plots against Abel.

What did Abel do?

• STUBBORNNESS REBELLION AND LIES:– God reproves and rebukes Cain– “If doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?” Acts 10:34.35– “If thou doest not well, sin lieth at door” Prov 13:15; Gal 6:7,8– Envy produced murder 1Jhn 3:12– Faith of Abel stood in stark contrast to the obstinacy and

impiety of Cain.

• STUBBORNNESS REBELLION AND LIES:– When God interrogates, Cain persists in sin

• First case man's struggle with Satan• Second case man's struggle with himself• Adam & Eve evasive but humble; Cain haughty

– “Where is Abel thy brother?”– Cain justified his wrongs against another

• RETRIBUTION OR PUNISHMENT– Justice demands punishment of wrong doing– The punishment decree is most graphic.• Ground did not yield her strength• Wander as a vagabond in the earth • A mark placed on forehead so no one would slay him.

– Cain would learn lessons of Psa 146:9; 147:6

• Way of Cain a way of sin and destruction -False Religious Practice; Rejection of Divine Authority; Haughtiness and Pride; Unjust Anger and Cynicism Hatred and Malice; Lies and Deceits; Self-will and Sullen Rebellion; Bitter Envy and Murder.

• We must learn the lessons revealed by the ungodly life of Cain and avoid them