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How Does God See Our Worship?
Contributed by Paul Clemente on Oct 17, 2022 (message contributor)
Because Adam and Eve sinned against God, we note from the end of Genesis 3 that they were banished from the perfect Garden of Eden, where God provided everything for them. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden to now labor for their day to day needs. In the Garden of Eden work was a delight; but now because of sin, work is laborious outside the Garden. But life goes on as planned by God for Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth (Genesis 1:28).
Note: Based on Genesis 1:28, Adam and Eve could not have stayed in the Garden of Eden!
Genesis 4:1-15……
1. Why do you think Eve said that in v1? – There must have been the pain (which God talked about) BUT she also acknowledged God with the new life from her!
2. What’s the difference between Abel and Cain in v2? – Abel farmed animals and Cain farmed plants.
3. What can we note from v3?
- In the course of time… Cain and Abel have grown up!
- Fruits of the soil… crops from the fields which Cain tended but came form God’s soil
- Offering to the Lord….. they learned how to worship God
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4. What does the beginning of v4 tell us in comparison to what Cain did? – from the firstborns, special, not just common as Cain brought
5. We read in v4 that God looked with favor on Abel but not with Cain; does it really tell us why? – From this verse, there is no note of why God had a favor with Abel.
6. What do you think God saw? – God sees the heart, especially inner attitudes.
7. How did Cain know God did not look with favor on Cain? – It doesn’t tell us specifically but likely God somehow revealed it to him AND Cain probably sensed it in his heart that he did not worship properly.
8. What do you think God told Cain and how He said it? – In a loving way, God was instructing Cain about what was proper.
9. What can we say about Cain based on his reaction at the end of v5? – Instead of receiving God’s love and guidance, he was rebelling!
10. What can we say about v6-7? – With God’s love, God tried to guide Cain directly of the right thing to do and the consequences of sin!
Application for us:
How are our hearts when we worship God? Do we give to God our “first fruits” of our labor?
Are we really listening and agreeing with everything which God says or are we rebellious or just plain passive of God’s Word?
Always listen to God and ask for help then confess sins through Jesus Christ and yield to God!
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