Am I My Brother's Keeper?

Subject: "Am I My Brother’s Keeper?"

Scripture Text, Genesis 4:1-9

’And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. And she again bare his brother Abel, And Abel was a keeper of the sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 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: But unto Cain and to his offering He had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be acceptede? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 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. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?"

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Introduction:

Shortly after God made man He realized that it would be much better for him to have someone to share with and some one to talk to. God placed something within us that causes us to reach out and have fellowship with one another. The old saying: "No man is an island" is very true. We need each other! So God created us as "SOCIAL BEINGS." Genesis 2:18 " And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him."

Before long, Adam and Eve had children and what began as husband and wife soon became a FAMILY of little Adams and little Eves. Now the fellowship that began with husband and wife was extended unto their children as well. God instituted the FAMILY as the basic social unit. We are to love each other, and help each other and give of ourselves to each other. We may be many within a family unit but God desires for us to behave as "ONE" ---- Bound together in love and harmony. However, it was not long until Satan and sin entered into the picture of life. It began in the Garden of Eden and continued in Adam and Eve’s family.SELF CENTEREDNESS that began in the heart and mind of Eve --- stayed around and it revealed itself once again in the first home and the first family, as the eldest son,Cain, killed his brother Abel, because of envy and jealousy.

It may have started in Adam and Eve’s family but it did not end there. Oh no, today in the day when INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS is demanded, we see more and more division and disruption and turmoil within the family structure. Matthew 24: 10-12 ’And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Within these days prior to the coming of Christ Jesus we shall see more and more unconcern for others.

While this society of self centered men and women are demanding how they are to be treated, the Bible emphasizes our duties as Christians to first God and then to one another. The Bible seldom mentions our individual rights because rebellious sinners deserve no rights except the right to be punished for the sins we have committed. Our success as a family, church or nation depends largely upon whether we allow the law of self-centeredness or the law of love to prevail within us. Selfishness destroys all sorts of relationships; only in places where the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts can we truly discover true joy and happiness.

Adam must have taught his children the need to offer up animal sacrifices for their sins. Genesis 3:21 ’Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins and clothed them.’However, Cain decided to offer a bloodless sacrifice unto God. As we take a glimpse of Cain he reminds us of many of today’s worshippers --- those who willingly worship God so long as they can do it their way and it will not cost them anything. They do not like the sound of the word "SACRIFICE." However, Abel obediently offerd a blood offering unto the LORD and God was pleased with it and accepted it. Cain was full of selfish envy and strife and hatred rose up within him. He envied his brother because he had the divine annointed favor of God upon him.