Cain and Abel
Dealing with Anger
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4 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: 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
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. 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; 12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. 15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. – Genesis 4:1-15
Introduction: Run away story
I. Background
A. Children of Adam and Eve
B. Cain farmed the land
C. Abel raise sheep
D. The sacrifice
1. Keep in mind this is after Adam and Eve was banned from the garden of Eden. I’m sure they were try to gain God’s favor once again.
2. God rejects our sacrifice if there is sin in our life
II. Anger Happens
A. Anger can lead to bad actions – Psalm 37:8
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. – Psalm 37:8
B. Anger can give Satan a place in your life – Ephesians 4:26-27
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. – Ephesians 4:26-27
C. Even Jesus got angry
III. How to deal with your anger
A. Be slow to anger – James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. – James 1:19
1. Count to 10
2. Think before you speak – Use your internal filter
B. Don’t sin when you become angry
1. Imitate Jesus’ example – Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. – Ephesians 4:26
2. Don’t operate on feelings – Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards. – Proverbs 29:11
3. Rely on God’s power – Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. – Philippians 4:13
C. Plan for your anger
1. What circumstance are most likely going to make you angry?
2. If you know what angers you, then create a plan how you will respond to your anger before it happens
Final Thought: An angry man is seldom reasonable; a reasonable man is seldom angry.
