Genesis 4:1-7 Cain and Abel

Rev. David Holwick

American Christian School (short devotional)

Succasunna, New Jersey

March 12, 1997

Genesis 4:1-7

CAIN and ABEL

I. Acceptable and unacceptable worship.

A. A story of two very different brothers.

1) Shepherd and farmer.

2) Two different offerings.

B. One was accepted, one rejected.

1) Why?

a) Blood offering vs. grain offering?

2) No, the key is faith.

a) Abel had faith, so his offering was accepted. Heb 11:4

b) Cain was wicked in his heart. Genesis 4:7, 1 John 3:12

II. Cain had another option.

A. Even though Cain was not pure, God offered a way out.

1) He would be accepted if he did what was right. Gen 4:7

2) He had to learn to get control over sin.

B. Cain chose another way, and gave in to violence.

1) He entices his brother outside.

2) He kills him.

III. My brother's keeper. Gen 4:9

A. Cain tries to erase his brother.

1) Not just to kill him, but forget him.

2) He recognizes no bond to his brother.

a) We should all be responsible for each other.

b) Especially as Christians.

3) Cain's curse is to be a restless wanderer. Gen 4:12

a) Without God, something is missing in life.

B. Abel's blood cries out for judgment. Gen 4:10

1) God must judge because he is a holy God.

2) If he did not judge, there would be no morality.

C. Jesus' blood takes away judgment. Hebrews 12:24

1) Jesus goes beyond justice and offers mercy.

2) Evidence of mercy in Genesis - mark of Cain.

a) Does not just label him a sinner.

b) Protects him, even though he doesn't deserve it.

IV. The two humanities.

A. We are either in the line of Cain, or of Abel.

B. God wants us to live by faith.

1) Believe in God and worship him.

2) Do what is right, and show it by how you treat others..

C. God gives us more than we deserve, because he loves us.

SHORT FORM FOR HANDOUT: