Sermon Illustrations

Genesis 4 Devotional Part 2

The first children from Adam and Eve grew up having 2 different interests: Abel took care of animals while Cain took care of plants. When it was time to worship God (how did they learn and why did they worship God?), Cain offered firstfruits from the field and Abel offered first fruits from his flock.

It really does not tell us directly why, but God did not look with favor on Cain and his offering.

1. Somehow Cain knew how God was thinking; What are some explanations of this? – Cain knew in his heart that he was guilty of not pleasing God; let us note (and isn’t this so true personally as we put on an act) that sins are truly only known by God and the individual. We must always search our hearts and ask God of any sins we have committed and confess them in the Name of Jesus Christ!

2. What can we say about Cain based on his reaction at the end of v5? – Cain was mad at God for bringing up his sin but yet ashamed!

3. What can we note from v6-7? – Knowing what Cain did and how he was feeling, God tried to help Cain with loving instructions.

4. v8…. How was Cain’s heart? – Cain’s heart was boiling with anger!

How cunning was he? – Cain was calling Abel to go to where both of them love to go but not with good intentions (Cain’s attack was premeditated!)

Could he have stopped what he was about to do? – Cain had a choice! Cain could have gone back to God (offering forgiveness) and confessed his sin; instead, Cain took his anger of God to his brother!

5. In v9, why did God ask where Abel was? – God was giving Cain another chance to confess!

What was Cain’s attitude toward God? – Cain’s heart was hard and accused God of wrongdoing!

6. How can we say that Cain sinned against God? – God told him and Cain knew it and there were consequences.

Did Cain just commit that one sin of murder? – Cain’s sins started by not worshiping properly, then anger, then direct attack towards God, then murder!

7. Was there a consequence to Cain’s sins? – God told Cain the consequences then made then happen!

8. How can we say that Cain’s punishment was severe? – Cain’s sin of murder would haunt him! God took away most of what Cain loved! Cain complained that the consequences were too severe!

9. From v14, what were Cain’s main concerns? – God’s presence and protection will be gone; Cain’s relationship (actually personally talking to God) was cut off!

10. What did God do for Cain in v15? Why do you think God did that? – God told Cain that he still loved him and will protect him from getting killed; it seems that God was still giving Cain a chance to go back to God!

Applications to our lives today? – We can not hide anything from God and unconfessed sins can lead us to disasters in life. A good check of our hearts is prayer and reading God’s Word; this is a good indicator of how our relationship with God is!

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