Title : THE OFFERING THAT WAS NEVER ACCEPTED
Text : Genesis 4:3-7 …Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 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:.. But unto Cain and to his offering he ( God ) had not respect. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?
Our texts declare two great truths and principles in rendering our Offerings to God. First and foremost , Offering is a vital part of Worship: Giving an offering is an ancient act of Man and has become and integral part of Divine Worship. Secondly, Not all offerings are Acceptable and God-pleasing. They become only Acceptable when we render them to God according to His ways ( condition ) and Word (prescription ).
Abel was accepted and Cain was rejected. Why Cain’s offering became “ the offering that was never accepted “ ? The scriptures revealed the fourfold reasons :
I. It was an Offering of an Unbelieving Person
“ By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Hebrews 11:4
We have seen that Cain and Abel had come together to worship God. Abel was accepted because of the sacrifice which he brought by faith while Cain brought his offering with unbelieving heart. Our God is the creator and owner of this universe, he is not after our gifts but He is after the hearts of the givers. You might give your millions and billions to God, but if you have no Christ in your heart as your Savior, you are just like Cain, your offering is unacceptable before God, He is not impressed with your gifts. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please God.
II. It was an Offering of a Self-Righteous Person
Cain worship God in the wrong way, Jude 11 says “ They ( apostates ) have gone in the way of Cain …” What is the way of Cain? It was a man-made religion. It was a bloodless religion. When Cain brought an offering to God, he did not come by faith —he came on his own. And the sin-offering that he brought “ fruit of the ground “ being bloodless is an act of denial of man’s sinful nature and need of a shed blood redemption, Cain came by bringing the works of his own hands, establishing his own righteousness before God. Romans 10:1-3 . Firstlings of his flock refers to the fact that Abel’s offering was accepted because it was a blood sacrifice based upon previous knowledge ( Gen. 3:21). Thus, he acknowledged that his sin deserved death and could be covered only by the death of a guiltless sacrifice ( Heb. 9:22). The word of God declares clearly that the Only Way acceptable to God is “ CHRIST “ for He is the Only Way. John 14:6 Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he ( Christ ) is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him.
III. It was an offering that lacks Devotion
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? Cain’s offering was rendered without devotion and reverence. In the qualities of the offering, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground, any thing that came next to hand, Cain’s offering surely was not his best , an offering that cost him nothing, Abel’s lamb was a “firstling” and “fat” also imply that Abel gave the best that he had in contrast to Cain’s offering. but Abel was curious in the choice of his offering: not the lame, nor the lean, nor the refuse, It is fit that God who is the First and Best should have the first and best of our time, strength, and service. Dear Christians, Let us offer to God our highest and quality Service.
IV. It was an Offering with Evil Emotions
1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one,…because his own works were evil.
The sinful attitude of Cain is evidenced by his anger (4:15), which led to murder . “ his works were evil “ is a proof that he worshipped and brought offering to God but with a wicked heart. When Cain learned that God had not accepted his sacrifice, his countenance fell. If he had a godly behavior, he should had humbled himself before God and gained God’s approval. But Cain showed himself proud. Right behavior results in good feelings and vice versa. Violent and Evil reactions are products of Evil emotions. James 4:10
The life of a Christian is a life of offering, we are admonished by Paul in Romans 12:1 to offer our bodies as living sacrifice. We are to offer to God our talents, treasures time and praises. Let us follow the godly attitude of faithful Abel who “ 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. Let us observe the following biblical attitude in rendering our offerings to God :
1. Offer your Sacrifices Faithfully
Let us bring our offerings to God by Faith, let it be our expression of deepest gratitude for the Blood of Christ was shed for our redemption. Hebrews11:4 ; Ps. 103:1-5 1 Cor. 4:2
2. Offer your Sacrifices Truthfully
Let us bring our offerings to God according to His word and commandments. Romans 12:1-2 , Mat. 23:23
3. Offer your Sacrifices Willingly
God delights upon willing Worshippers. Exodus 25:2,
4. Offer your Sacrifices Cheerfully
God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinth. 9:7
5. Offer your Sacrifices Heartily
God deserves our Best. Colossians 3:23 ;
Firstlings is from the Hebrew root of “ BEKOR “ meaning “first-born.” This indicates Abel desired to give his best, the first and choicest of his possessions. Cain gave out of formalism (it was time and custom to give), whereas Abel gave the best—pure devout worship.
Sermon by Ptr. yolito " Ting " de Gracia
Landmark Missionary Baptist Church
107 B. Fili St., Sangandaan, Caloocan City
Metro Manila ,Philippines
email: tjbaptist@yahoo.com
