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Problem in the first home - Genesis 4:1-16

Abel - a keeper of sheepCain - a tiller of the ground

Honorable means of labor

Some dishonorable occupations

Know more about geneticsSome diseasesHair, eye color, stature

No genetic power to cause anyone to sin

Cain and Abel shared genetics from same parents

Debate over genetics and environment50% nature & 50% nurture40% nature & 60% nurture

CHOICETwo people grow up in same familyDifferent lives - CHOICE

Eve and Adam

Cain and Abel

Abel’s approach to God was pleasing to GodCain’s approach to God was not pleasing to God

We want too much information !Told all we need to know

“Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering”“unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect”

The men are connected with their offering !

1 John 3:11 “For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.

His approach to God was not rightIt was not occupation,

genetics or environment

Jude 11 “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.”

Did not approach God as He desired

Reacted to his own sin by anger and murder

Heb. 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.”

One acted on faith - The other did notAbel was counted as righteous

Not because of occupation, genetics, or environment

But because of his faith

Our approach to God must be according to His Will

Some think God is obligated to accept what we do

What would Cain say ?Do the will of God

Psalms 143:10 “Teach me to do you will, for you are my God ! “

Anger toward the righteous brings no good result

Cain is an example

Bitterness within Cain solved no problem

James 3:13-18v. 16 “for where envy and self-seeking exist,

confusion and every evil thing are there.”

God holds us accountable to rule over sin

We can be forgiven when faith in Christ brings us to repentance and obedience.

God holds us accountable to take personal action against sin

…to be rid of it, to avoid it, to confess it

“You should rule over it.” Gen. 4:7

God holds us accountable to rule over sin

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

1 John 2:1 “And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

This is how we rule over sin !

Cain’s misbehavior led to murderWhy? He was angry !His approach to God was the problem

We learn from his example that we must do the will of God.

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening April 8, 2012