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The Choices of Cain Genesis 4:1-16. Cain Chose to Offer God Vain Worship (Gen. 4:3-5). He did not sacrifice in faith , Heb. 11:4 Will-worship is presumptuous, Col. 2:23 Shows a lack of faith in God, Matt. 15:6-9
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Cain Chose to Offer God Vain Worship (Gen. 4:3-5) • He did not sacrifice in faith, Heb. 11:4 • Will-worship is presumptuous, Col. 2:23 • Shows a lack of faith in God, Matt. 15:6-9 • Worshiping God without authority is vain, Jno. 4:23-24 (Col. 3:17) • Easter, Christmas, instruments in worship, half-hearted pretense… • God sees our worship, Gen. 4:4-5
Cain Chose to Increase His Sin (Gen. 4:5-8) • Sin is not forced upon us – we choose it, Gen. 4:7; Rom. 6:4-6, 12-14 • The sins of Cain included: • Anger, Gen. 4:5 (Col. 3:8; Eph. 4:31-32) • Envy, Gen. 4:4-5 (Titus 3:3; Gal. 5:21) • Hate, 1 Jno. 3:11-12, 15 • Murder, Gen. 4:8 (Mk. 7:20-23)
Cain Chose to Lie to God (Gen. 4:9) • Men try to deceive and fight against God, Heb. 4:13 • We lie to God when we: • Claim to love Him but do not love our brother, 1 Jno. 4:20 • Claim to give as God has prospered us, but don’t • Claim to be His people yet live worldly • Say “I’ll do better” (repent) but keep on sinning • Sing godly sentiments but live ungodly lives • God is not mocked! Gal. 6:7-8 • Liars do not escape God’s wrath, Rev. 21:8
Cain Chose to Leave the Presence of God (Gen. 4:16) • He chose sin instead of repentance, 4:7-8 • Sin is ready to lunge upon us, capture, control and devour us, 1 Pet. 5:8 • God brings sinners under punishment, Gen. 4:10-12; Rom. 1:18; 2:5; 2 Ths. 1:8-9 • Cain: No longer succeed as a farmer and banished to a life of wandering • Cain had no sorrow for his sins – Only sorrow over his punishment! Gen. 4:13-14 • Yet, God showed mercy, Gen. 4:15 (cf. us, 2 Pet. 3:9)
Cain Chose to Leave the Presence of God (Gen. 4:16) • Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, 4:16 • Sin severs fellowship with God, Isa. 59:1-2 • The hardening effect of sin cannot be denied, Heb. 6:4-6; Eccl. 12:1 • We must not allow sin to destroy our fellowship with God – and our souls!
Cain was Faithless:He did not know God! • Thought he could worship God his way and be accepted • Thought he could murder his brother without responsibility and accountability • Thought he could lie to God • Cain “acquired” his destiny by choosing to sin against God and man • What outcome are you choosing for your life?