Sermon Tone Analysis

Intro

1) How we should Worship God

2)

1) Worship

Lesson 2:

Don’t need to read into their occupations, simply for story reference

Things to understand:

Both grew up in the same home, with the same teaching from mom and dad.

This is not far removed from the story, the affects of sin’s curse is revealing itself.

Cain and Abel were both affected by sin and were sinners.

They bring offerings to God

There was either and expectation that offerings be brought to God (likely) or they had decided to do so as a way to show their love for God.

Each gathers his offering and brings it before God

Cain brought God “some fruit from the ground”.

Abel brought God “the first born and fattest portions of his flock.”

“the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.”

God only accepts Abel’s offering

“But for Cain and His offering, the Lord had no regard.”

God does not consider (ignores, disregards) Cain’s offering.

Why does God accept Abel’s offering and not Cain’s?

He likes Abel better and so He chooses Abel’s offering over Cains.

NO

Abel’s offering is a blood offering and God is only appeased by blood.

God institutes different kinds of offers, not just blood offering

The author specifically points out the jobs they have, one job is not more important.

He doesn’t correct Cain about bring the wrong type of thing.

(if you do well..)

Abel gave from the right heart/motivation

We learn from Hebrews that Abel gave from his faith.

Cain, then, gave what he thought was satisfactory.

It isn’t that Cain’s offering was insufficient, but it revealed Cain’s heart and motivation.

You see it played out in the next verses.

The point is that right from the beginning God draws our attention away from what fallen humans think is important, namely how our works can make us look impressive, to what God thinks is important, namely how our works reveal who we trust.

Abel gives what he thinks God is worthy of.

Abel gives what he thinks God is worthy of.

God is worth my first and my best.

God will sustain me and care for me even if I give Him my best.

God is more concerned with our faith than our work.

We are all much like Cain, giving what we think we need to in order to get what we want.

It shows itself in our spending habits and our generosity.

(We give to feel better or get someone off our back, either God or our wife.)

It shows itself in how we spend our time.

(We see our time is something we earned and should choose how to use it)

If shows itself in how we treat others.

(if I do this I should get that…)

Sin destroys us from the inside out.

gen 4:

We can focus on Cain killing Abel as his sin, but Cain’s sin started long before Abel’s death

Anger, bitterness, envy, self-centeredness all begin deep in Cain’s heart.

God points this out “sin is crouching at the door.”

But even when our sin materializes into action, it’s destruction continues.

gen 4:

Cain’s sin causes him to deny, dodge, and hide from God.

Much like his parents did, and much like we do.

The best ways to avoid dealing with our sin is to:

deny it (lie),

dodge it (rationalize it), or

hide (don’t face up)

God’s grace is found before and after our sin.

Gen 4:

God warns Cain that his heart is leading him to sin.

God’s Word to us is grace manifested.

God desires that we would not sin.

But God’s grace does not leave after we sin.

God

Abel’s blood points us to Christ.

Look at your marriage, if he doesn’t ____ then you can forget _______, look at all I have done.

We daily live out an attitude of selfish

Gen 4:

Abel’s blood cries out for justice, damning Cain in his sin.

But just as one man’s blood leads to condemnation, Christ blood leads to redemption.

1

What puddles of blood have you left in your life?

Your sin deserves God’s just wrath, but their is a better word, JESUS

Even as we follow in the footsteps of Cain, we have hope in Christ.

Question for Reflection:

1) Why are you here today?

What motivates you to give, come, serve…?

Examine our heart oh Lord that we may worship you in Spirit and truth.

2) What sin do you need to bring to the cross today?

3) What word from the Lord do you need to heed today?

4) Whose blood do you trust in today?

Abel’s blood that has stained your hands?

Or Christ’s blood that will wash you clean?