Session 144: Genesis 4 Cain and Abel

Both Cain and Abel were religious! (Both brought offerings.)  It’s not enough to be “religious.”  We are to bring our BEST to God. (Time, talent, treasure)  (Perhaps it was Cain’s ATTITUDE toward giving? What’s YOUR attitude towards giving?)

v.6 God did not punish Cain at all for his unacceptable offering....God merely encouraged Cain to do better next time.
(God loves us just the way we are, but he also loves us enough to not stay that way!  We can all be more Christ-like than what we are today.

Cain showed ENVY  (one of the 7 Deadly Sins) toward Abel.  (Envy vs. jealousy: Envy resents another person having something...in this case, approval.  Jealousy is wanting something another has....like approval. Jealousy can be good or bad; Envy is always bad.)

v.9 Yes, we ARE our brother’s keeper!!
(See also Luke Chapter 10: the parable of the Good Samaritan.)

Cain doesn’t repent, doesn’t even ask for forgiveness!  (We must!)

v.10-15God punishes sin, but still shows mercy.

v.14 Cain blames GOD!

v.14 Cain says he “must avoid (God’s) presence.”  God never said that!! God continually  calls to all of us, but when we are in sin WE sometimes choose to separate ourselves from God.

Jesus is from the line of Seth (Luke 3:38)