Sermon Notes 5/15/2011 and 5/23/2011

Title: Cain and Abel

Text: Genesis 4:1-26
New Testament Reading: Hebrews 11:1-4; Hebrews 12:18-29

Introduction

Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden because of their choice to decide for themselves what was good and evil. Cain and Abel’s parents decided to act independent of God’s Word, doubting His love, and usurping His authority.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Genesis 4 tells us of what happens in the next seven generations following the fall and focuses primarily on Adam’s children Cain, Abel, and Seth.

Key Similarities and Differences

Similarities: As we learned from James 1 and 2 Corinthians 10-11, the method of temptation never changes.

Thoughts – desires – lure (temptation) – choice to sin – conscience – cover or repent (change)

Like Adam and Eve, Cain is tempted to sin, is warned to master (Genesis 4) or judge (Genesis 3) it, chooses to entertain thoughts inconsistent with God’s Word, both give birth to desires (Eve through seeing that the food is good and to make one wise and Cain in entertaining His anger), the LORD pursues both rebellious parties with questions (Genesis 3: Where are you?; Who told you that you were naked? and Genesis 4: Where is your brother?; Why are you angry?); the choice of both parties brings simultaneous judgment and grace; both parties are driven from the presence of the LORD.

Differences:

Eve is tempted outwardly; Cain is tempted inwardly. Adam and Eve stop at God’s first admonition (blame-shifting in Genesis 3 turns to murder in Genesis 4); Cain continues in his sin. Adam and Eve accept their consequences; Cain complains. The murder of Abel is not a “rerun” of the fall – it actually shows a further downward spiral into independence from God. Adam blame-shifts and Cain mocks God (am I my shepherd’s shepherd?).

Eve we rebellious; Cain was religious = same result

vv. 1-2

It is important to remember for a key point that will be made later in the sermon that Scripture is careful to detail Cain was the oldest and Abel was the youngest.

vv. 3-5a

There is a lot of disagreement among the most credible commentators about the reason God accepted Abel’s sacrifice and did not regard Cain’s. The reason I am not going to spend time here is because it is irrelevant. Yes God desires to be worship in His prescribed way. However, that is not the point of this passage. It does matter that God was specific with Cain and Abel, but the Scripture does not give us details. All we really know about why God did not accept Cain’s sacrifice is found in Hebrews 11.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

1)      The reason God regarded Abel’s offering was because it was offered by faith. The clearest definition of faith is total reliance or absolute dependence.

Absolute dependence and total reliance on what?

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17b).

How do I get faith? What does it look like practically?

“So faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).

2)      When you rely on your own strength in worship and service, your “righteous” actions will breed selfish desires, leading ultimately to sin.

3)      When our method for worship is wrong, our motive will follow in the same path. When we worship God in our own strength, we will inevitably worship ourselves.

Cain was no infidel or atheist (A.W. Pink). Cain found himself wandering and separate from God because of self-fueled worship.

The following two passages are huge in this point:

“And Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination (witchcraft in KJV – parenthesis mine), and presumption (stubbornness in KJV – to push, press, or urge) is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king” (I Samuel 15:22-23).

ILLUSTRATION: Imagine for a moment that we could rewind the clock back to the pastor search process. Imagine that the search team told you that Staci was a witch or a sorceress. What would you think? Would your reaction be as strong if I told you that the Elders often forget to pray before Elder meetings (not true by the way) or that Kemp doesn’t prayerfully lead worship during the week (Also not true)?

Understanding this principle is huge. When I attempt to serve God in the power of my own flesh it is not all that different than witchcraft at the root because I am attempting to use power outside of God to accomplish something.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:13-15). How do we get wisdom?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).

“Such persons truly,  by external works, strenuously labor to deserve well at the hand of God; When they afterwards see that they gain no advantage, they show the selfishness of their hearts – for they not only complain against God, but they break forth in  manifest fury, so that, if they were able, they would gladly tear him down from his heavenly throne. Neither a hundred walls, nor as many fortresses, can free the wicked from disquietude. ” (Calvin’s Commentary on Genesis).

Only a proper understanding of the Gospel keeps us from the snare of religion.

Religion: I obey, therefore I am accepted

The Gospel: I am accepted, therefore I obey

God reveals our rebellion through behavior (fruit) – Matthew 7:16

In religion, our fruit can trick us – often God is gracious to reveal our selfishness in worship through failure or suffering (Luke 15).

v. 5

The source of Eve’s temptation began externally. The source of Cain’s temptation began internally.

Although it is the depraved man’s propensity to sin, he is not a helpless victim of Satan or a slave to depravity.

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

vv. 6-7

4)      Cain’s response to correction and disappointment reveals his motive for service: self.

Talk about motive:

In Genesis 3, Eve’s rebellion was about her controlling her own life by serving herself by doing what she perceived was best for her.

In Genesis 4, Cain’s religion was about him controlling his own life by attempting to control God with religion.

Look at the parable in Luke 15. For many people, it will not be their immorality that keeps them out of heaven, but their morality (their attempt to put God in their debt).

• I did __________ and look what I got: passed up for a promotion; excluded from the committee; I was failed to be mentioned from the pulpit; I got cancer; look how my kids turned out; I cannot believe I lost my job = a religious heart that expects our good deeds to buy us God’s favor.

“If you do well” shows that, in the context of this story, feelings are not a prerequisite to obedience.

According to Hebrews 11:4, Cain knew what was required. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that we can do “religious things” how and when we desire.

Cain did not feel like obeying when approached by God (Cain was angry). Desires are cultivated. We must not allow our desires to be the engine that drives us, but the caboose that follows our behavior. 

A Side note: In training our children, we should address their countenance and discipline them when their countenance is “sinful.” The face mirrors the condition of the heart.

vv. 8-10

Cain rebels; God pursues; Cain Mocks

Contrast between Genesis 4:10 and Hebrews 12:24, “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”

vv. 11-12

In Genesis 3 God cursed the serpent and the ground, but never Adam and Eve. Here, God curses Cain, confirming that he is the seed of the serpent.

v. 13-14

Further evidence of an unrepentant heart: Cain is more preoccupied with the consequence than he is with the sin that caused it. First, Cain did not trust God in his sin (thought he knew what was best), and now further questions God’s love for him in his consequence. The attitude of the sinner who is suffering consequence should be humble worship because that sinner is not suffering what he deserves in Hell.

v. 15

God shows grace to the ungodly. Like the serpent, God allows the wicked to live because they are instrumental in His plan of redemption. The parallel between God clothing Adam and Eve and placing the mark on Cain. Although they enjoy a degree of grace, they are driven further and further east.

v. 16

The land of Nod is a play on the Hebrew verb “wandering.”

“Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the sinner is an hard” (Proverbs 13:15)

 (Septuagint: hard = enduring rut)

“His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be bound with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray” (Proverbs 5:22-23).

(astray = drunkenness; swerve; wander)

“But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt. There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked” (Isaiah 57:20-21).

v. 17

The ensuing account gives a first taste of a self-sufficient society, which is the essence of what the NT calls “the world” (Derek Kinder).

“In seeking the security of a city, it appears that sinful Cain both defied the divine judgment that he should be a vagabond (v. 12) and showed his lack of faith in the protection provided by God’s mark (v. 15). The earthly city provided both civilization and protection, but culminates in the building of a city that challenges God’s supremacy (Genesis 11:4)” (The Reformation Study Bible).

vv. 18-24

What is the Primary Point of the Passage? The primary point is found in Genesis 4:25

Moses traces Cain’s line through seven generations until Lamech’s wickedness of murdering and not hiding (Adam) or attempting to deceive (Cain in the field), but boasts openly about his rebellion.

Remember the original audience? Israel is facing impossibility as God’s redeemed people (entering into the Promised Land). What is God trying to tell Israel? What is God trying to tell us today?

God will redeem a people for Himself, God will build His Church, God will take care of His people and do only what is for their good and for His glory solely because He said He would (Covenant).

Notice the self-sufficiency in his boasting.

Read Genesis 4:25

5)      If our redemption from sin and relationship with God was dependent on us, we would most certainly fail.

God bypasses the older Cain for the younger Abel.

• Isaac over Ishmael
• Jacob over Esau
• Joseph
• Ephraim over Manasseh
• David
• The older is rejected and the younger accepted in the parable in Luke 15
• Jesus over Adam

This Passage Speaks of Jesus

Abel’s blood spoke out to condemn Cain; Jesus’ blood speaks out to redeem us.

“and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24).

Cain did not master the devil “crouching at the door desiring to have Cain” (Genesis 4:7); Jesus mastered the devil (Luke 4; Matthew 4); Cain took the life of his brother; Jesus gave His life for His brothers and sisters; Lamech boasted that he would be avenged “seventy-sevenfold”; Jesus taught His disciples that they should forgive seventy-sevenfold in Matthew 18:22 (Sidney Greidanus).

Cain’s name means “appointed.” The contrast between Cain and Seth: Cain built a city (self-reliance) and the people called on the name of the LORD (absolute dependence).