INTRODUCTION: Many families have problems with one member turning against another. This is the direct result of the coming of sin into the world. These problems began with the first family and they continue to this day. In fact, Jesus prophesied that a man’s foes would often be those of his own household (Matthew 10:34-36 [34] Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
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1. THE PROMISE OF A SEED (Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
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1. The Judgment for Sin was Great
2. But God Promised a Seed of a Woman that would Defeat Satan
2. THE BIRTH OF TWO BROTHERS (Genesis 4:1-2 [1] And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. [2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
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1. Eve Bore Cain and Abel
2. She Evidently Thought Cain was the Chosen Seed – “I have gotten a man from the LORD”
3. THE LIFE OF THE BROTHERS (Genesis 4:2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
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1. Abel was a Keeper of Sheep
2. Cain was a Tiller of the Ground
3. Application: Family interests are varied. It is best to help children follow after occupations that fit their interests and abilities, for these are from the Lord.
4. THE OFFERINGS OF THE BROTHERS (Genesis 4:3-5 [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
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1. Cain Brought an Offering
1. Of the fruit of his labors (Genesis 4:3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
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2. The Lord did not respect his offering (Genesis 4:5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
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2. Abel Brought an Offering (Genesis 4:4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
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1. Of his flock of sheep
1. Of the firstlings
2. Of the fat
2. The Lord had respect unto his offering
3. Note: although we are not specifically told here, God usually showed His pleasure (respect) for an offering by sending fire from heaven to consume it. This probably happened with Abel’s offering but not with Cain’s.
4. Note: here we find that Cain and Abel were not only separated by interests and occupations, but also by spiritual perception. This often happens in families and is one of the most difficult problems in families.
5. THE HEART OF CAIN (Genesis 4:5-7 [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [6] And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
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1. He Did Not Repent of his Sin
2. He Blamed Others for his Rejection
1. He blamed God
2. He blamed Abel
3. He Rejected the Warning of the Lord (Genesis 4:7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
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1. Well-doing will be accepted
2. Rebellion puts sin in charge
3. Obedience gives strength and authority (probably a reference to Abel)
1. His desire will submit to you
2. You will rule over him
6. THE HATRED OF CAIN (Genesis 4:8-9 [8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. [9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
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1. Cain Confronted his Brother (Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
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2. Cain Killed his Brother (Genesis 4:8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
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3. Cain Denied Responsibility for his Brother (Genesis 4:9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
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7. THE PUNISHMENT OF CAIN (Genesis 4:10-12 [10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
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1. He Bore the Guilt of his Brother’s Blood (Genesis 4:10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
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2. He Could Not Pursue his Occupation (Genesis 4:11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
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3. He Could Not Live in his Home Town (Genesis 4:12When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
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8. THE REPLACEMENT OF CAIN (Genesis 4:25-26 [25] And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. [26] And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
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1. God Gave Seth to Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:25And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
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2. Seth Replaced Abel who was Killed (Genesis 4:26And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.
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3. Note: tragedies will occur in our families, but those who trust in the Lord and follow Him will be rewarded. Even Abel was used of God to give us a great message of truth (Hebrews 11:4By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
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CONCLUSION: We are to love our family members and seek to lead them to the Lord. However, we are not told that they will understand our devotion to the Lord or that they will support our service to Him. However, God will give us new family in the Lord (Matthew 12:47-49 [47] Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. [48] But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? [49] And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
See All...; Ephesians 3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
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