SF756 - THE WAY OF THE CROSS LEADS HOME (Genesis 4 1-8)
Genesis 4:1-26
Introduction
The OT is a foreshadow to the NT.
Ø The light is the Scripture
Ø The object is Christ
Ø Early in history the shadow is unclear
Ø Calvary is the high noon of revelation
This chapter teaches…
The truth of the blood atonement
The difference between God’s salvation and man’s religion
It pictures in the contrast between…
The way of Cain
The way of the Cross
1A. The Way of Cain – Man’s Religion
Jude 1:11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain...
1B. The way of Cain is the way of self-reliance
Cain surely worked hard – but he had forgotten two things…
Because of Adam’s sin, God had cursed the ground (3:17)
Because of Adam’s sin, every man is born in sin
Ephesians 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
The way of Cain says “I am sincere and I have tried, therefore God must accept me.”
2B. The way of Cain is the way of self-righteousness
Cain’s offering represents the Doctrine of Works
Ø Surely, he gave God his best.
Cain believed that his best was good enough.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Titus 3:4-5 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,"
The way of Cain says “I have given God my best what more could he want?”
3B. The way of Cain is the way of self-reasoning
This idea came from man not God
Ø It made sense to Cain that God deserved the best and that his best was good enough.
Cain’s way says, “I believe there are many ways to God, I am going to find the one that suits me.”
Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
4B. The way of Cain is the way of self-ruin
It leads to hatred (4:5-8)
Ø No one is as intolerant and closed minded as those who claim to be religious and open minded.
John 16:1-3 These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.
It leads to punishment (4:9-16; Revelation 20:11-15)
2A. The Way of the Cross – God’s Salvation
1B. The way of the cross is the way of surrender
Abel came in humble surrender and faith.
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
Abel brought not what he had done but what God had given!
The way of the cross says, “nothing in my hands I bring simple to thy cross I cling.”
2B. The way of the cross is the way of substitution
Abel’s offering represents the Doctrine of Grace
Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
Grace is the only answer for sin (Romans 3:23-26)
Ø God must judge sin
Ø If God gives us what we deserve we would go to Hell
Ø If God forgives us without the cross, He is unjust.
Ø God is both just and justifier!
3B. The way of the cross is the way of Scripture
This idea came from God not man.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Abel was the first prophet
Luke 11:50-51 that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.
Ø The prophets had one message
Acts 10:43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
Ø Abel pointed to Jesus
The entire Bible is about Jesus
Ø The OT tells of one who will come.
Ø The Gospels tell of the one who came.
Ø The Epistles tell of the one who is coming again!
The blood atonement is throughout the Bible!
Ø Began in the Garden of Eden and ends in the Garden of Calvary!!!!
4B. The way of the cross is the way of salvation
All religions are not the same!
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
There is only one way to heaven – Jesus!
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Ø Jesus is the only way or He is no way!
Application
“I must need go home by the way of the cross, there is no other way for me…”
On which way are you traveling?
The way of Cain that leads to Hell.
The way of the Cross that leads to Heaven.