Reading Genesis 4, we see that sin is not something that can be contained. It’s not a disease that stayed only in the heart of Adam and Eve; it was passed on. The lie that slithered into the hearts of Adam and Eve slithered into the hearts of their children. We see the spread of sin in the story of Cain’s jealousy. Both sons offered sacrifices to God from their respective areas of work—Cain gave produce and Abel gave some of his flock—but God only accepted the sacrifice of Abel. Why? We find the answer in Hebrews 11:4: “By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts.”
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS 1. Read Genesis 4:4 and Hebrews 11:4. Why do you think the Lord had regard for “Abel AND his offering”? What does this tell you about our works if they aren’t produced from faith? 2. Sin is a heart problem. On the outside, Cain’s offering seemed sincere, but God saw through to his heart. What happens when you only focus only on the behavioral aspect of sin and not on what is taking place within the heart? 3. What are some ways you can begin to practice looking at your own heart when it comes to understanding patterns of sin in your life? 4. In Genesis 3:15, God promised a child (a seed) to come through Eve to crush the head of the serpent. I’m sure that Eve felt somewhat disappointed after the tragic death of Abel. Read Genesis 3:25-26. How is God faithful to that promise? What does this tell you about the bloodline of Seth? PERSONAL CHALLENGE - Read Genesis 4. If you look closely at verse 4, you see God had favor on Abel and his offering. God sees to the heart of the person and not his works. Why do you think God didn’t receive Cain’s offering? - Read Genesis 5. In Genesis 3:15. God promised an offspring of Eve to crush the head of the serpent. Cain is cursed and Abel is dead! Seth is born at the end of chapter 4. God uses the line of Seth to bring about the promised offspring. What names do you recognize in this chapter? ESSENTIAL BELIEFS 1. Faith Alone - Only through Faith in the person and work of Jesus can we be reconciled to God or please God. Faith itself is a gift and is given freely by God out of his grace for sinners. Our works do not earn us merit and favor with God. God sees through our works to the wretched state of our sinful heart when our works our offered without faith. 2. Original Sin - Because Adam and Eve willfully sinned in the garden, their sin has spread to all generations. In fact, every person (other than Christ!) has been born with a human nature that has been corrupted due to the sin of Adam and Eve. Memorize: Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, [9] not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (ESV)
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AuthorJoe Burrows Archives
May 2017
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