Cain & Abel
Introduction
Genesis 4:1–12 records the first brothers, the first offerings, the
first warning, and the first murder. From their choices we learn how
God views worship, authority, repentance, and justice, and how faith
still speaks (Hebrews 11:4).
The First Family After Eden
After the exile from Eden, Adam and Eve began family life in a world
marked by toil and pain. Eve bore Cain (“acquired”) and Abel
(“breath”/“vapor”), names that foreshadow struggle and brevity
(Genesis 4:1–2). Abel kept sheep; Cain tilled the ground—both
honorable vocations necessary for human life outside the garden.
Two Offerings, Two Hearts
“In the process of time,” both men brought offerings (Genesis
4:3–5). Abel offered “of the firstborn of his flock and of their
fat,” language of priority and costliness. Cain brought “an offering
of the fruit of the ground.” The Lord regarded Abel and his
offering; He did not regard Cain and his offering. Scripture
explains the difference: “By faith Abel offered to God a more
excellent sacrifice” (Hebrews 11:4). Faith comes from hearing God’s
revealed will (Romans 10:17). Therefore, instruction about
acceptable worship had been given, and Abel aligned his offering
with that word.
Why Abel’s Worship Was
Accepted
Abel’s gift bore the marks of faith: first and best, costly and
obedient (Genesis 4:4; Psalm 119:172). His act was not a guess about
what might please God; it was confidence that God’s way is right and
that God is worthy of the first portion. God Himself testified that
Abel was righteous (Hebrews 11:4).
Why Cain’s Worship Was
Rejected
The text hints that Cain withheld the premium portion or altered
God’s pattern (Genesis 4:3, 5). The New Testament is explicit:
Cain’s works were evil while Abel’s were righteous (1 John 3:12).
Jesus later framed every religious act in one searching question:
“Is it from heaven or from men?” (Matthew 21:23–27). Abel’s offering
was “from heaven”—by revealed authority. Cain’s was “from men”—his
own terms. When worship departs from God’s word, it ceases to honor
Him even if it is sincere.
God’s Warning to a Furious
Man
Cain grew very angry and his face fell (Genesis 4:5). The Lord
graciously counseled him: “If you do well, will you not be accepted?
And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door; its desire is for
you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7). God offered Cain a
path back: do well—return to the revealed pattern—and you will be
accepted. He also unmasked sin as a crouching predator that must be
mastered, not indulged.
The First Murder and Its
Witness
Cain spoke with Abel and then rose up in the field and killed him
(Genesis 4:8). The Lord confronted Cain: “Where is Abel your
brother?” Cain lied and evaded, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s
keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). God declared, “The voice of your brother’s
blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). Abel’s blood
became a witness: God sees injustice; God hears the cries of the
innocent; God will set matters right (cf. 1 John 3:11–12).
Mercy and the Mark
God pronounced just consequences: the ground would resist Cain’s
labor; he would live as a restless wanderer (Genesis 4:11–12). Cain
lamented the weight of judgment and feared vengeance (Genesis
4:13–14). Even here, the Lord extended mercy, appointing a
protective mark so that his life would be spared (Genesis 4:15).
Justice and mercy both appear; sin is serious, yet God is patient.
The Blood that Speaks
Better Things
Abel’s blood cried for justice. The gospel proclaims a greater cry.
We come to “Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant, and to the
blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel”
(Hebrews 12:24). The blood of Jesus announces forgiveness,
reconciliation, and peace to all who come to God on His terms—by
faith, repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ (Acts 2:38;
Romans 6:3–4).
Cain & Abel Sermon
Outline:
-
Text and Theme:
Genesis 4:1–12 — Acceptable worship springs from faith that
obeys God’s revealed will (Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17).
-
I. Two Brothers, Two
Callings (Genesis 4:1–2)
-
II. Two Offerings, Two
Verdicts (Genesis 4:3–5)
-
III. The Principle of
Authority (Matthew 21:23–27)
-
IV. God’s Pastoral
Warning (Genesis 4:6–7)
-
V. The First Murder
(Genesis 4:8–10; 1 John 3:11–12)
-
VI. Judgment and Mercy
(Genesis 4:11–15)
-
VII. The Better Blood
(Hebrews 12:24)
Call to Action
Come to God on God’s terms. Offer Him the first and best of your
heart and life, shaped by His revealed word. Master lurking sin
through humble repentance. Seek the cleansing that speaks “better
things” by turning to Jesus today—believing in Him, confessing His
name, repenting of sin, and being baptized for the forgiveness of
sins. Then walk by faith with a clear conscience, worshiping in the
way He has authorized.
Key Takeaways
-
God receives worship
offered by faith according to His revealed will (Genesis 4:4;
Hebrews 11:4; Romans 10:17).
-
Anger unruled opens the
door to greater sin; God calls us to master it (Genesis 4:6–7;
Ephesians 4:26–27).
-
God sees injustice and
hears the innocent; Abel’s blood still witnesses (Genesis 4:10;
1 John 3:12).
-
Divine judgment is real,
yet God extends mercy to the undeserving (Genesis 4:11–15; 2
Peter 3:9).
-
Jesus’ blood speaks
forgiveness and peace to all who obey the gospel (Hebrews 12:24;
Acts 2:38).
Scripture Reference List
-
Genesis 4:1–15
— Historical account of Cain and Abel: offerings, warning,
murder, judgment, and mark.
-
Hebrews 11:4
— Abel’s offering by faith; God’s testimony to his
righteousness.
-
Romans 10:17
— Faith arises from hearing the word of Christ; worship rests on
revelation.
-
Psalm 119:172
— God’s commandments are righteous, grounding righteous worship.
-
Matthew 21:23–27
— “From heaven or from men?” The test of divine authority in
religious practice.
-
1 John 3:11–12
— Cain’s works were evil; Abel’s were righteous; brotherly love
contrasted with hatred.
-
Hebrews 12:24
— Christ’s blood speaks better things than Abel’s; the heart of
the new covenant.
-
Ephesians 4:26–27
— Handling anger without giving place to the devil (supporting
Genesis 4:6–7).
-
Acts 2:38; Romans
6:3–4 — Response to the gospel: repentance, baptism,
and new life in Christ.
-
2 Peter 3:9 —
God’s patience and desire for all to come to repentance.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
|
The
church of Christ
