I. Chapter Review (Genesis 4:1-5)
A. The book of Genesis is filled with shadows of the Gospel
- Every chapter has at least one aspect of the Gospel presented from the very first verse!
- The Gospel did not begin in Matthew! It was fulfilled in Matthew! But it began in Genesis!
- Last week, we saw the Gospel - the substitutionary death of a Lamb for the sins of sinful people
B. In chapter four of Genesis, Adam and Eve had two sons
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain… And she again bare his brother Abel.” - Genesis 4:1,2
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Cain is the First born son of Adam and Eve
- Eve calls him “Cain” (meaning “Possession”)
- She thought this baby boy must be “the promised seed” - but he was not
- Cain becomes a spoiled son, thinking that he is the “best boy”
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Abel is the second born son
- Eve names him Abel, which is the Hebrew word for “Nothing”
- Wow!
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Cain was a farmer - He worked the land, grew vegetables, fruits, crops
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Abel was a shepherd - He kept sheep and other animals
C. The Way of Cain (Genesis 4:3-5)
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They each had a way of worshipping God
- Cain is up first
- Cain with his best efforts, and good works - ignored the pattern of the lambs
- But Abel brought his best lambs as a substitute for himself, for his sins
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God had RESPECT unto Abel and his offering
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God REJECTED Cain and his offering
II. Message
A. Cain’s Wrath (Genesis 4:5-7)
“But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” - Genesis 4:5
- Cain became very angry - full of wrath and fury
- Angry at God!
- Angry about rejection by God
B. God’s Warning to Cain (Genesis 4:6,7)
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door.” - Genesis 4:6,7
- God gave Cain a chance to repent
- God warned him about the danger of sin
C. Cain’s Choice (Genesis 4:8)
“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.” - Genesis 4:8
- Instead of humbling himself, Cain murdered his brother
- Religious pride led to the first murder
- This is the fruit of rejecting God’s way
D. God’s Judgment on Cain (Genesis 4:9-16)
- God confronted Cain - “Where is Abel thy brother?”
- Cain lied - “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
- The ground cried out with Abel’s blood
- Cain was cursed from the earth
- Cain was made a fugitive and vagabond
III. Conclusion
A. Religious pride is dangerous
B. When confronted with truth, we either humble ourselves or harden ourselves
C. The way of Cain leads to destruction
D. God’s way is always the way of the cross
E. Have you humbled yourself before God?
For more information, contact Bible Baptist Church of Ballincollig at www.biblebc.com