1
CAIN WANTED TO DENY THAT HUMAN NATURE IS EVIL
HE FELT HE WAS BASICALLY GOOD
Cain wanted to believe that he was basically a “good Joe.” He did what was morally right. He didn’t “drink, smoke or chew, or run with girls that do.”
No one would want to admit that they are basically a bad person. We all would like to believe that the bad things that we do are the exception, not the rule.
God’s Word tells us a different story...
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Rom 3:23
Both Jews and Gentiles, they are all under sin. Rom. 3:9
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin… Gal. 3:22
How did this happen?
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world… Rom. 5:12
Adam’s original sin in Eden brought sin into the world. How am I guilty?
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. James 2:10-11
OK, so I am under this blanket of sin. What are the consequences?
By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Rom. 5:12
This death penalty means that you are separated from God. That separation from God means that you do not have the privilege of His love in you. This death penalty means that you will not get to spend eternity in heaven: You will spend eternity in hell.
2
HIS OFFERING WAS NOT MADE BASED ON FAITH
HE CAME ON HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS
READ FROM LUKE 18:9-14.
Man wants to talk about what he can do for God. God talks about what He can do for man.
We want to get to heaven on the work of our hands. Salvation only comes through the nail- pierced hands of Jesus.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags… Isaiah 64:6
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Philippians 3:9
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that dili gently seek him. Heb 11:6
3
HIS OFFERING DID NOT INVOLVE THE LAMBS BLOOD
IT INVOLVED HIS OWN BLOOD
Abel offered a blood sacrifice: By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Heb 9:22
Abel’s sacrifice was based on the blood of the lamb, Cain’s sacrifice as based on his own blood, work and effort. But this verse says that without shedding of a lambs blood there is no remission, or forgiveness.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:9
We are justified by Jesus Christ’s shed blood. Justified means to declare righteous. The original word means to pronounce or announce a favorable verdict. This is in direct opposition to the judgment of God’s wrath.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Col 1:13-14
We can be redeemed by Jesus Christ’s blood. Being redeemed means that a price is already paid for you, but you must accept that payment and take advantage of it. A coupon must be REDEEMED before it does you any good.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
4
CAIN DID NOT FOLLOW GOD’S PLAN
HE DID WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS RIGHT
In the long run, we can follow the more popular path, or we can follow God’s path.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt 7:13-14
But so many people want to tell me that there are many ways to get to heaven…
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11:25-26
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved… John 10:9
5
CAIN WAS GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS
HE DID NOT BRING HIS OFFERING FROM THE HEART
Modern man has become a spectator of world events, observing on his television screen without becoming involved. He watches the ominous events of our times pass before his eyes, while he sips his beer in a comfortable chair. He does not seem to realize what is happening to him. He does not understand that his world is on fire and that he is about to be burned with it.—Billy Graham, World Aflame
I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Never theless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Rev 2:2-4
Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev 2:5
6
CAIN DID NOT BRING GOD HIS BEST
ABEL BROUGHT THE “FIRSTLINGS OF HIS FLOCK AND OF THE FAT THEREOF”
Sacrifice means offering nothing but the best.
And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. Mal 1:8
Sacrifice is going to cost us. If it costs us nothing, it is not a sacrifice.
Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24
Sacrifice means putting to death the old ways and loosening the bands of sin by identifying with Jesus’ death. This is done with our mind, heart and body.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2
7
INSTEAD OF UNITING HIM WITH GOD, HIS ACTIONS CAUSED FURTHER SEPARATION
Disease may kill the body, but unconfessed sin will rot our souls and hinder our growth.
It can leave us with a lack of defense. He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Prov 25:28
It stops our prayer life. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: Psalms 66:18
It affects our ability to love. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. Matt 24:12
It will cause us to become selfish. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways… Prov 14:14
It makes us unfit for the kingdom. No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. Luke 9:62
The only remedy is repentance. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalms 51:17
