Discovering Genesis, Part 5 Series

Discovering Genesis, Part 5

Genesis 4:1-15

Introduction

- At our core, at our very molecular level, we were created to worship God

- APP: Worship is not just our praise but also our obedience (critical point here)

-- We must obey the God we serve; in everything; else we are not worshiping

-- It’s more than singing a few songs and listening to a sermon and giving

-- It’s more than showing up once a week and calling ourselves Christians

- Rev 4:11 says, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

- What we saw last week are 4 VERY important aspects of understanding God

1) Man must have an adequate covering to approach God

-- (Not works) We must come to God just as we are; sinners in need of a Savior

2) God does not take a homemade garment; he accepts no substitute

-- We cannot come with our works (fig leaves), but only on God’s provision

3) God must provide the covering that mankind will need for the future

4) The covering is ONLY obtained through the death of Jesus Christ

- APP: It is the BLOOD that covers us; and only the blood God provided

- This morning, we will examine what happened after the fall of mankind

-- In short, this is the RESULT of man’s disobedience and what we live with today

-- We will focus primarily on the first 15 verses of Genesis Chapter 4

- Read Genesis 4:1-15

- Pray

Point 1 – The Birth of Cain and Abel (1-5)

- Right from the beginning Eve began to understand the trials that life now faced

- With the birth of Cain, I’m sure Eve felt this was the redemption God revealed

- Look at what she says, “I have brought forth a man”; “Whew - glad that’s over!”

- What she didn’t know, is that she just gave birth to the world’s first murderer

-- Cain was not a savior, he was not sent to redeem; and so the struggle begins

-- What struggle? Gen 3:15, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers.” Enmity = actively opposed or hostile

- Where have we seen this before? Romans 8:7, “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

-- Since the beginning of time, this struggle has been occurring and describes us

- Eve then gave birth to Abel and these two grew up suffering from rebellion

-- Abel had to tend the animals; Cain was a tender of the ground (crops, etc.)

- (v3) Later in time, Cain brought forth his offering to the Lord

-- Hebrews 11:4 reflects on this … “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.”

- They both came by faith because of what they had heard (Romans 10:17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”)

- Neither could come just because they wanted to; but b/c they believed

- However, there is a serious problem that is about to happen

- This problem, is where we see ourselves in this story and it’s a warning

- Jude 1:11says, “they have gone the way of Cain …” (What’s this mean?)

-- Cain decided that his offering was fine; and there’s no reason for respect

-- Cain, in his offering, denied that he and God were separate

- Cain comes with this ego the size of Israel that he and God are on the same level

- How does this apply to us? Consider your own offering of time/gifts/etc.

-- Do you give God the very best or what’s left that makes you feel convenient?

- Cain and Abel both had the same backgrounds; raised in the same manner

- Both from the same heritage; and here we see the response to God totally

- God demands that we offer our very best to Him because He deserves it

-- But how do we respond? “Here’s my left over God, may it please you …”

- We see that Abel brought his offering to God by faith; out of respect (fear)

-- Cain however, brings his as if he’s going to a BBQ with the neighbors

- TRANS: God however, gives Cain a second chance to obey the Lord

Point 2 – Pride leads to REAL Issues (6-7)

- (6-7) God reminds Cain that he’s the oldest; he’ll always have excellence