Sixth Sunday of Easter

Sermon Text: Genesis 4:1-16

Other Readings: 1 John 3:11-18 and John 14:15-21

 

  1. What was the essential difference between Cain’s offering and Abel’s offering? Confer Hebrews 11:4,6.

 

  1. How does God picture sin to Cain? Why is that such a powerful image?

 

  1. God is omniscient; he knows everything. Why, then, does he ask Cain where Abel was (v. 9)?

 

  1. The sin that normally comes to mind in this account is murder. But what other sins do we see Cain commit?

 

  1. We must “master” sin (v. 7), but God knows that this side of heaven we will do so imperfectly. What does God give us to help us control sin (John 14:16,17)?

 

 

  1. Abel had faith in God, and that trust in God moved him to give and give good gifts. Cain gave his from an evil desire – most likely just to look good or cover his bases. (Side note: It is good for us to refer to our regular gifts to God through his church as “offerings,” not so much donations. The term “offering” reflects a spiritual act of worship which believers have always done, while the term “donation” has more of a secular sense to it.)

 

  1. God pictures sin as a crouching animal or demon ready to pounce as soon as Cain leaves safety. It is a powerful image because it reminds us that sin is not only constantly around but also a very dangerous thread.

 

  1. God was giving Cain a chance to confess, repent, and receive forgiveness. God did the same thing to Cain’s father, Adam, in the Garden of Eden.

 

  1. We see superficial worship (v. 5), anger (v. 5), jealousy of Abel, deception (v. 8), falsehood (v. 9), selfishness (v. 10).

 

  1. God gives us the Holy Spirit to live within us, reminding us of the truth and guiding our thoughts, words, and actions by that truth.