I. INTRODUCTION: GENESIS 4:1-17
1. Gracious Provision. God was gracious to put Adam and Eve out of the garden, rather than punish them. "As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin" (Rom. 5:12).
2. Distance. After the garden, God and man would not commune face to face. (Gen. 3:8).
3. Shed Blood. The price of sin is death, i.e., blood. "The Lord God made coats of skins and clothed them" (Gen. 3:21). "without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb. 9:22).
4. Worship by sacrifice. Worship, (i.e., literally bow down) thus one acknowledges guilt and helplessness, but trust God for salvation.
B. WHAT WE CAN LEARN ABOUT PARENTING
1. A Faith-Birth. We should trust God about our children as did Eve. "She conceived . . . I have gotten a man from the Lord" (4:1).
a. Eve was a believer in God’s promise, i.e., "her seed," (3:16).
b. Eve experienced suffering of child birth (3:16).
2. Humanness. God created Adam and formed Eve (both super- naturally), but from now by human conception and birth. "Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived" (4:1).
3. Children are different. "Cain who was of that wicked one," (I John 3:12), and Abel was called righteousness and a prophet, (Matt. 23:35, Luke 11:50,51). Since the Bible mentions one conception, most think they were twins.
4. Great Anticipation. "I have gotten a man" (4:1).
5. Known by what you do. "Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground" (4:2). Why do people who do nothing want dignity?
6. First Reference. Good children usually manifest self early. (a) Abel mentioned first, (b) Since they could not eat meat, Abel kept sheep for clothes and/or sacrifice. Today, culture makes good kids go bad.
7. Parents religion. Abel followed his father "The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering" (4:4).
FOUR THINGS PROBABLY HAPPENED
1. Not first offering by brothers.
2. Probably a regular practice.
3. Probably on Sabbath.
4. Probably first rebellion of Cain.
8. Cannot push your kids on God. "Unto Cain and to his offering He (God) had no respect" (4:5). Adam kept up with Cain till he died (Geneology 4:17-24).
FOUR THINGS ABOUT CAIN
1. Cain had "sweated" against earth that was cursed.
2. A spirit of careless unconcern for God’s will.
3. His offering was not wrong (accepted later).
4. His spirit was wrong, i.e., rejected blood.
"Wherefore slew he him? Because his own works
were evil, and his brother’s righteous" (I John 3:12).
9. Children fight. "Cain was very wroth" (4:5). "Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him" (4:8).
10. God will speak to your children. "The Lord said to Cain" (4:6). Why does God/Parents ask questions?
a. To convict/cause guilt.
b. So they won’t lie.
GOD ASK THREE QUESTIONS OF CAIN
1. Why are you mad?
2. Why can I see anger in your face?
3. Will I not accept you if you do right?
11. Motivate by positive, rather than negative.
SIN LIETH AT THE DOOR
1. Sin offering, i.e., lamb was there.
2. Consequences of disobedience on the other side of the door of opportunity.
12. Talking about difficulties is always best. "Cain talked to Abel" (4:7). Abel a prophet preached to his brother.
13. God will continue to speak to your children.
a. God asked, "Where is Abel thy brother?" (v.9).
b. God asked, "What hast thou done?" (v.10).
14. We are responsible for family. "Am I my brother’s keeper?" Able was a prophet to his brother while alive and his "blood crieth unto me from the ground" (4:10).
15. Parents sins may escalate in the lives of children. Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit for their wrongly perceived goal. Their son murdered because of darkly conceived anger.
16. Sorrow is not repentance. "Cain said . . .my punishment is greater than I can bear" (4:13).
a. Some sorry they got caught
b. Some sorry they are punished
c. Repentance deals with sorrow and repentance because they have broken law, i.e., mother’s rule.
C. A LESSON TO TAKE AWAY
Like the children of Adam and Eve, our children will fight, lust, and commit sin. Recognize what the Bible says about sin and to teach your children and point them to God. When a kid goes bad, do not give up the faith. Your kids began where God allows all kids to be born - in sin. Remember, God loves everyone, He will call everyone back to Himself, and He will keep calling.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God. Please contact me at etowns@elmertowns.com and tell us about your salvation experience so that we can rejoice with you.
