Scripture Reading: Genesis 4:1-8
The Choices of Cain
Intro.
1. Gen. 4:1: Cain means "acquire", and in view of Gen. 3:15 his parents may well have expected him to be the promised Deliverer. Their hope would turn to horror -- their harmony to hateful hurt and harm.
2. The Bible warns us to avoid the way (path) of Cain, Jude 11.
3. Cain chose his path; We also choose ours.
I. CAIN CHOSE TO OFFER GOD VAIN WORSHIP, Gen. 4:3-5.
A. He did not Sacrifice (Worship) in Faith, cf. Heb. 11:4.
1. Will-worship (presumptuous), Col. 2:23 (self-imposed), not God-ordained. It pleased Cain, but not God.
2. Cain’s offering showed a lack of faith in God (Heb. 11:4).
3. We must reject/oppose vain worship, Matt. 15:6-9.
B. Worshiping God without Divine Authority is Vain (the way of Cain), Jno. 4:23-24 (Col. 3:17).
1. Illus.: Easter (feast of the resurrection), Xmas (birth of Christ); instrumental music in worship; half-hearted worship; pretense in worship; etc.
2. God sees our worship, Gen. 4:5. What is He seeing?
II. CAIN CHOSE TO INCREASE HIS SIN, Gen. 4:5-8.
A. Sin is not Forced upon us, we Choose it, Gen. 4:7; Rom. 6:4-6, 12-14. Cain could have chosen repentance, 4:7.
B. The Sins of Cain:
1. Anger, Gen. 4:5.
a. Incensed, furious; the wrath was a fire in his soul. (cf. Col. 3:8)
b. People get angry when God doesn’t accept them on their terms.
c. Hinders and prevents kindness, compassion and forgiveness, Eph. 4:31-32.
2. Envy: Displeasure over seeing the success of another, Gen. 4:4-5. (Tit. 3:3; Gal. 5:21)
3. Hate: Malice, animosity, contempt, disdain: Opposite of love, 1 Jno. 3:11-12, 15. It is selfish, opportunistic, hurtful.
4. Murder: Gen. 4:8. Comes from the heart, cf. Mk. 7:20-23.
III. CAIN CHOSE TO LIE TO GOD, Gen. 4:9.
A. Men try to Deceive and Fight against God, Heb. 4:13.
1. Cain couldn’t get away with lying to God (Ananias and Sapphira).
2. We lie to God when we:
a. Claim to love Him but do not love our brother (1 Jno. 4:20).
b. Claim to give as He prospered us while actually giving less.
c. Claim to be His people yet live by the world’s standards.
d. Say "I’ll do better" (repent) but go on the same old way.
e. Sing godly sentiments but live unholy lives. (Eph. 5:19)
f. God is not mocked nor is He deceived, Gal. 6:7.
3. Liars do not escape God’s wrath, Rev. 21:8.
IV. CAIN CHOSE TO LEAVE THE PRESENCE OF GOD, Gen. 4:16.
A. Cain Chose Sin instead of Repentance, 4:7-8.
1. Sin is ready to lunge, capture and control us (1 Pet. 5:8).
2. God brings sinners under just punishment, Gen. 4:11-12; Rom. 1:18; 2:5; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.
3. Cain: Would no longer succeed as a farmer...banished to a life of wandering, Gen. 4:11-12.
4. Even then, Cain had no sorrow for his sins - Only sorrow and remorse over his punishment, Gen. 4:13-14.
a. God could have executed Cain for his crime but He spared his life, showing him mercy, Gen. 4:15.
b. God still shows us mercy even when we sin against Him, 2 Pet. 3:9.
B. Cain Left the Presence of the Lord, Gen. 4:16.
1. Sin severs fellowship with God, Isa. 59:1-2.
2. The hardening effect of sin cannot be denied, Heb. 6:4-6; Eccl. 12:1.
3. Shall we allow sin to destroy our fellowship with God? Our souls?
Conclusion
1. Cain was faithless -- He did not know God:
a. Thought he could worship God his way and be accepted.
b. Thought he could murder his brother without responsibility.
c. Thought he could lie to God.
2. Cain "acquired" his destiny by choosing to disobey God. What outcome are you choosing for your life?