Intro:
1. In my research of Cain and Able, I discovered that all of their problem stemmed from the fact that they were roommates.
In "Children's letters to God" I found these:
Dear GOD,
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't You just keep the ones You have now? -Jane
Dear GOD,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy. -Joyce
Dear GOD,
What does it mean You are a Jealous God? I thought You had everything. -Neil
Dear GOD,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother. -Larry
There might be something to that, here is a list of how College students, would have written the Bible:
1) Instead of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh, He would have put it off until the night before it was due and then pulled an all-nighter and hoped no one noticed.
2) Reason why Moses and followers walked in desert for 40 years: He didn't want to ask directions and look like a Freshman.
3) Paul's Letters to the Romans become Paul's E-Mail to the Romans.
4) Ten Commandments are actually only five, but because they are double-spaced and written in a large font, they look like ten.
5) Reason Cain killed Abel: They were roommates.
2. Cain had at least two bad room mates - and I'm not talking about Able. I am talking about his own sin nature; and Satan! We looked at Cain not long ago in the book of Jude, but since most of you were not here for it, this will seem fresh.
3. Cain's Road of Religious Ruin.
Trans:Gen. 4:1-24
I. FIRST, CAIN WAS NO DIFFERENT THAN ABLE.
A. By Birth - they were both sinners.
"When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. His sin spread death throughout all the world, so everything began to grow old and die, for all sinned." Romans 5:12 (TLB)
Machintosh, "Cain and Able were born, not inside, but outside of paradise - they were the sons not of innocent, but of fallen Adam. They came into the world, as partakers of the nature of their father; and it mattered not in what way, that nature might display itself, it was sinful nature still - fallen, ruined, depraved nature."
"Look, I was guilty of sin from birth, a sinner the moment my mother conceived me." Psalm 51:5 (NET1)
"The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth." Psalm 58:3 (NASB)
B. By Behavior - both committed acts of sin. Rom.3:23
"But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe." Galatians 3:22 (NASB)
C. Both had Belief.
Cain believed in his offering - Cain was no atheist, "he brought an offering to the Lord." He was no atheist! He believed in what he offered before God, or he would not have offered it!
Most Americans are not atheist either; and most believe in their offering to God. That offering is in the form of good works; doing the best they can; etc.
Trans:The difference between Cain and Able was in in themselves. The difference between the lost and saved today, is not, in the saved or lost.
We all have the same physical Birth; sinful Behavior; and Belief in something.
And therefore, there is no difference in God's invitation to salvation - it goes out to all sinners, because that's all there is!
And that is the amazing thing about the invitation of the gospel.
Reminds me of something that happened back in May 2004, Robert Kirkpatrick received an invitation from the National Republican Congressional Committee to attend a $2,500-a-plate fundraising dinner in Washington with President Bush.
In addition to the invitation to dinner on June 19, there was a letter from Vice President Cheney stating: "And also ask you to serve as a representative of St. Clairsville, Ohio at the President's Dinner."
Cheney wrote that if Robert couldn't make it, he would "hope (that Kirkpatrick) will serve as an Honorary Co-Chairman of The Dinner and help us maintain and increase our Republican majority in the U.S. House and regain our majority in the U.S. Senate."
Robert was "overwhelmed"' at the opportunity to be invited "to such a prestigious event," but he had to decline because he was an inmate at the Belmont Correctional Institution in eastern Ohio.
Robert, 35, was sentenced in 2003 to nearly 3 years for drug possession and escape.
National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Carl Forti said the organization did send the letter to Kirkpatrick, but it was a mistake. Carl said, "It clearly was a mistake, it was a P.O. box. We obviously didn't know it was a P.O. box for a state penitentiary.'"
Robert said: "I'm going to tell him that I'd be happy to attend, but he's going to have to pull some strings to get me there."
The amazing this is that the gospel is no mistake! Inspite of being born a sinner and behaving like one - Jesus Christ gives mankind an invitation to be part of his church.
II. FURTHERMORE, CAN WAS DISOBEDIENT TO GOD'S INVITATION.
A. There was a God-given Obligation.
This came either directly from God, or more likely through Adam & Eve. NO FIG LEAVES...ONLY A FIGURATIVE LAMB!
Logic: (1) God had rejected their fig leaves and covered and clothed them by way of a substitutionary death; (2) Able offered his offering by faith (Heb.11:4), and therefore must have had some revelation from God (Ro.10:17).
MacDonald, "There must have been a time, when Cain and Able, were instructed that, sinful man can approach the holy God, only on the ground of, the blood, of a substitionary sacrifice. Can rejected that revelation, and came with a bloodless offering, of fruits and vegetables."
Scofield, "Cain acknowledged God as the source of all natural good but rejected His revealed way of worship; Able in conformity with that revelation, brought a blood offering, thus confessing himself a sinner. In Cain, began all false religion, the essence of, man's coming to God, in his own way."
B. The only God-given Object - a bloody substitute which prefigured Christ death...
1 Lamb for 1 person...
1 Lamb for 1 family...Passover;
1 Lamb for 1 Nation...Day of Atonement;
1 Lamb for 1 World...Jn.1:29
Trans:We are disobedient if we come to God outside of the blood of Jesus Christ.
"Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him." Romans 5:9 (NASB)
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:7
"and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." Colossians 1:20 (NASB)
"18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." 1 Peter 1:18-19 (NASB)
When Mr. J. P. Morgan, the American financier, the multimillionaire, died some years ago, it was found that the year before his death, he had made his will. It consisted of about 10,000 words and contained thirty-seven articles.
He made many transactions—some affecting such large sums of money as to disturb the financial equilibrium of the world—yet there was one transaction that evidently stood out in Mr. Morgan's mind as of supreme importance:
"I commit my soul in the hands of my Saviour, full of confidence that, having redeemed me and washed me with His most precious Blood, He will present me faultless before the throne of my Heavenly Father.
"I entreat my children to maintain and defend, at all hazard and at any cost of personal sacrifice, the blessed doctrine of complete Atonement of sins through the Blood of Jesus Christ once offered, and through that alone."
Inspite of Adam & Eve's entreaty to Cain, to come to God only by the blood, he choose to come to God his own way. Jn. 14:6
III. THEREFORE, CAIN'S RELIGION WAS DEFICIENT.
Mackintosh, "True, Cain had toiled, to produce his offering, but what of that? Could a sinner toil, remove the curse and stain of sin. Could it set aside, the penalty, which was due to sin? Could it rob death, of it's sting, or the grave, of its victory? Impossible! Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin."
Courson, "God's figuring's, are based on, an entirely different sytem, then ours. Ours, are based on logic, practicality, and hard work. His are based solely on grace. The world says, "There is no free lunch. Work hard. Make it happen." But not God.
He says, "My ways are not your ways. My ways are based upon unmerited, undeserved, unearned favor! I am under the impression, that I have to do something, to earn God's favor. God says, "No, all your efforts are like fig leaves! Bloodless sacrifices! They will crumble. They won't work."
"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." Galatians 2:21
All our works for salvation can do is ruin it!
I have told you this before, but it is hits the truth well, D. L. Moody like to share it.
I have read of an artist who wanted to paint a picture of the Prodigal Son. He searched to find a man wretched enough to represent the prodigal.
One day he was walking down the streets and met a man whom he thought would do. He told the poor beggar he would pay him well if he came to his room and sat for his portrait. The beggar agreed, and the day was appointed for him to come.
The day came, and a man showed up, nobody knew who he was or what he wanted, The man said, "Don't you remember me, you made an appointment for me to be pained by you."
What had happened was the man, got a hair cut, shaved, and borrowed a suitcoat and tie from a friend!" As a result the man was no longer fit for the portrait of the Prodigal Son!
IV. FOURTHLY, CAIN WAS DEFIANT.
A. Because his rebellion was a Habit.
So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground. Genesis 4:3 (NASB)
That phrase "in the course of time" may indicate that they had brought an offering many times before this...
Morris, "It is quite possible that the offering described in these verses, were not the first ones offered, by these two brothers. Rather, it must have become a regular practice, at certain, definite periods of time. The words in the Hebrew - lit. "at the end of the days" seems to suggest this."
Therefore he was defiant - he knew better!
If this is true, the his previous sacrifices must have included a bloody substitute. The question is Why did he now offer one without blood? More importantly, if he had previously offered a bloody sacrifice - why was Cain not saved?
B. Because his Heart was not right.
Even the right sacrifice, is not accepted if one's heart is wrong!
"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!" Proverbs 21:27 (NASB)
The Pharisees offered many animal sacrifices, yet were reject by our Lord. Outward actions that do not stem from inward heart of faith is worthless.
"23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was doing. 24 But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man." John 2:23-25 (NASB)
"Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:13 (NASB)
"12 But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed." Acts 8:12-13 (NASB)
He believed but not unto salvation because his heart was not right. "20 But Peter said to him, "May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! 21 "You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity." Acts 8:20-23 (NASB)
You can say the sinners prayer and go to hell, if your heart is not really in it!
"for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:10 (NASB)
"But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NASB)
A middle-aged rock group in Britain was able to score their first musical hit in 15 years by performing an artificial facelift on themselves.
The group known as The Alarm, gave themselves a new name, The Poppyfields and hired a group of teenagers to take their roles in a new music video. While the original group provided the music, the stand-ins gave the band a new look.
The band was previously best known for a hit in 1983, but had not had much success recently. They decided to replace themselves with a younger looking group. As a result of the replacement stunt, the single debuted on the UK music charts at number 28.
That's the way man people are, they still have the old heart, but think by showing forth an outward change, they can fool God!
V. THEREFORE, CAIN EXPERIENCED A LIFE OF DEFEAT.
A. Cain was Unhappy.
4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:4-5
Religion never brings joy to any heart...
B. Cain remained Unreasonable.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:6-7 (NASB)
1. He was Unwilling to do well - offer the right sacrifice, from the right heart.
Andy Bean was playing in the Canadian Open, when his ball came to rest a mere 2 inches from the cup on the 15th green.
Just to be cute, he tapped the ball into the cup using the grip of his putter instead of the head. Oops.
He had forgotten about Rule 19, which states that "the ball shall be fairly struck at with the head of the club and must not be pushed, scraped or spooned."
Therefore Andy was assessed a two-stroke penalty - he lost the match by two strokes.
God is telling Cain, "You have to play by My rules! No blood = no remission of sin. Cain ended up a loser because He was unwilling to play by God's rules.
2. He was thus Unable to conquer sin - he would remain a slave of sin.
"5 but Cain and his offering didn't get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk. 6 GOD spoke to Cain: "Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? 7 If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it." Genesis 4:5-7 (MSG)
"Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. John 8:34 (NASB)
During World War II, June 1, 1945, the crew on a B–29 suffered a direct hit from a flak shell from Tokyo. Half of the big plane's nose was shot away. The pilot, strapped in his seat, was dead.
The co–pilot, his left arm hanging uselessly and blood streaming over his body, tried to control the aircraft. All of the gauges were inoperable. He did not know his speed, direction, or altitude. He was flying blind. To bail out, with the enemy below, meant sure death.
When the situation seemed hopeless, two American P–61 Black Widow Night Fighters suddenly appeared on the horizon. They flew alongside the badly damaged bomber and nudged it back safely to Iwo Jima.
In 1984, almost forty years later, the crews of the planes met for a reunion in Long Beach, California. They recalled the day when death seemed so near, and comrades in arms came along beside them and delivered them to safety.
Now Cain is like that crew - he is spiritual dead; unable to do anything to do anything to fight off the enemy. Then the Lord comes alongside and says - "Trust me! I alone can free you from the penalty and power of sin."
Amazingly Cain decided to go it alone...
C. Cain became Unsafe.
8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:8 (NASB)
Few people more dangerous then religious people! The religious Pharisees sought to kill Jesus; they stoned Stephen; Paul before his conversion was extremely violent.
Why? Unresolved guilt! Their religion does not work and they know it! The result is anger and frustration.
D. Cain remained Unrepentant.
Then the LORD said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
CBL, "God gave Cain, an opportunity to repent, by asking him, where his brother was. But Cain, tried to cover up his sin, by lying about it, saying he did not know. One sin usually leads to another. He also showed his unbrotherly spirit by saying, "Am I my brother's keeper?" The word keeper includes the idea of one who guards or protects. He still was showing a wrong attitude."
E. Cain remained Unsaved. [1 Jn. 3:12/Jude 11]
1. His judgment was Manditory.
He said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. Genesis 4:10 (NASB) - Abel's blood was crying out for vengence.
NET note, "The voice is a personification of the evidence of Abel's blood, shed blood, which condemns Cain, Just as the human eyewitness would testify in a court of law."
His real problem was not the sheding of Abel's blood, but the rejecting of Christ's shed blood.
2. His life would be one of Misery.
11 "Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 "When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth." 13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is too great to bear! 14 "Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Genesis 4:11-14 (NASB)
Whenever we reject God we walk away sad!
The rich young ruler walked away from Jesus as the Bible says, "But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property." Matthew 19:22
Philips, "Religion made Cain a fugitive and a vagabond. He was a lost and cursed man who could find no peace on earth. His life would be meaningless and wasted. Satisfaction would evade him. He would spend his days wandering away from God. Such are the fruits of religion.
He feared the avenging hand of man, but it concerned him little, that God's hand was against him. His religion had brought him only greatert guilt and deep unrest. God cannot allow the unrepentant sinner to be at peace. So the founder of the worlds first religion, wandered the earth and sank at last into a nameless grave."
[Who was he afraid of? Brothers and sisters, Gen.5:4]
3. Yet there was Mercy.
"44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:44-45
Wiersbe, "God did a strange thing; He put a mark on Cain that would protect him from the assaults of people who wanted to kill him. This was purely an act of mercy on God's part. Why would God allow a diabolical murderer like Cain to go free? In His mercy, God doesnt give us what we deserve; and in His grace, He gives us what we dont deserve. That's the nature of God."
But the day would come, when mercy would stop and unmixed wrath would begin...the day of Cain's death.
VI. Cain's Descendants. 16-24
A. Indifference to God. 16-17
He got as far from God as he could...
Ryrie, "his wife. Obviously a daughter of Adam (cf. Genesis 5:4). She may have been Cain's sister, niece, or even grandniece. Since Adam's and Eve's genetic systems had no mutant genes in them, such a marriage would not be dangerous as it is today."
B. Independence of God. 18-24
No mention of anybody acknowledging God...
MacDonald, "No details are given of these pre-Flood patriarchs. The bare mention of their names reveals how little estimation, God places upon world and ungodly greatness and power."
Con:
1. Cain's Road of Religious Ruin.
2. As I was studying this a true story came to mind:
James and Katie Kims, along with their 2 daughters were traveling south on Interstate 5 late into the night. Before long James realized that he had missed his turn. He could have made a wise choice and turned around, and got on the right road.
But decided to take an alternative route. They eventually encountered snowdrifts that blocked the path. They turned off on a side road and after going 15 miles along an unpaved road, their station wagon got stuck in the snow.
They were there a week, running the car off and on for heat and rationing the little food they had. When the car ran out of gas, they burned magazines, wet wood, and their car tires.
Finally James set off on foot to try and find help. A few days later, James died of exposure and hypothermia. Katie waited two more days and then gathered her children and began waking for help. She was spotted by a rescue helicopter and rescued.
James reminds me of Cain - Cain was on the wrong road and God gave him a chance to repent, but he decided he would continue on his own way.
Johnny Palmer Jr.
StrugglingThruScriptures.ning.com
