THE FIRST MURDER (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Cain & Abel
(Text: Genesis 4:1-15)
1. What is the text all about?
a) For Cain to master the sin lurking at the entrance to his desires, he would have to give up his jealous anger so that sin would not find a foothold in his life. Sin is still crouching at our doors today. Like Cain, we will be victims of sin if we do not master it. But we cannot master sin our own strength, instead we must turn to God to receive faith for ourselves and faith and strength from other believers. The Holy Spirit will help us master sin. This will be a lifelong battle that will not be over until we are face to face with Christ.
b) This is the first murder - taking a life by shedding human blood. Blood represents life (see Leviticus 17:10-14). If blood is removed from a living creature, it will die. Because God created life, and only God should take life away.
@1. 10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” 13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.” (Leviticus 17:10-14 NIV)
c) Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin into the human race. They may have thought their sin - eating a piece of fruit - wasn't bad, but notice how quickly their sinful nature developed in their children. Simple disobedience quickly degenerated into outright murder. Adam and Eve acted only against God, but Cain acted against both God and a man. A small sin has a way of growing out of control. Let God help you with your "little" sins before they turn into tragedies.
d) Cain was severely punished for this murder. God judges all sins and punishes appropriately, but not simply out of anger or vengeance. Rather, God's punishment is meant to correct us and restore our fellowship with him. When you're corrected, don't resent it. Instead, renew your fellowship with God.
e) We have heard about only 4 people so far Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel. Two questions arise: Why was Cain worried about being killed by others, and where did he his wife?
@1. 17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. (Genesis 4:17 NIV)
f) Adam and Eve had numerous children; they had been told to "fill the earth." Cain's guilt and fear over killing his brother were heavy, and he probably feared repercussions from his family. If he was capable of killing, so were they. The wife Cain chose may have been one of his sisters or a niece. The human race was still genetically pure, and there was no fear of side effects from marrying relatives.
g) The expression, "vengeance shall be take on him sevenfold" means that the person's punishment would be complete, thorough, and much worse than that received by Cain for his sin.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would always stay clean in the sight of God and don't allow any kind of sin to come into our lives. If ever that happens, ask God for forgiveness and stay away from sin.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Cain & Abel
(Text: Genesis 4:1-15)
1. What is the text all about?
a) For Cain to master the sin lurking at the entrance to his desires, he would have to give up his jealous anger so that sin would not find a foothold in his life. Sin is still crouching at our doors today. Like Cain, we will be victims of sin if we do not master it. But we cannot master sin our own strength, instead we must turn to God to receive faith for ourselves and faith and strength from other believers. The Holy Spirit will help us master sin. This will be a lifelong battle that will not be over until we are face to face with Christ.
b) This is the first murder - taking a life by shedding human blood. Blood represents life (see Leviticus 17:10-14). If blood is removed from a living creature, it will die. Because God created life, and only God should take life away.
@1. 10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.” 13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.” (Leviticus 17:10-14 NIV)
c) Adam and Eve's disobedience brought sin into the human race. They may have thought their sin - eating a piece of fruit - wasn't bad, but notice how quickly their sinful nature developed in their children. Simple disobedience quickly degenerated into outright murder. Adam and Eve acted only against God, but Cain acted against both God and a man. A small sin has a way of growing out of control. Let God help you with your "little" sins before they turn into tragedies.
d) Cain was severely punished for this murder. God judges all sins and punishes appropriately, but not simply out of anger or vengeance. Rather, God's punishment is meant to correct us and restore our fellowship with him. When you're corrected, don't resent it. Instead, renew your fellowship with God.
e) We have heard about only 4 people so far Adam, Eve, Cain and Abel. Two questions arise: Why was Cain worried about being killed by others, and where did he his wife?
@1. 17 Cain made love to his wife, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Enoch. Cain was then building a city, and he named it after his son Enoch. (Genesis 4:17 NIV)
f) Adam and Eve had numerous children; they had been told to "fill the earth." Cain's guilt and fear over killing his brother were heavy, and he probably feared repercussions from his family. If he was capable of killing, so were they. The wife Cain chose may have been one of his sisters or a niece. The human race was still genetically pure, and there was no fear of side effects from marrying relatives.
g) The expression, "vengeance shall be take on him sevenfold" means that the person's punishment would be complete, thorough, and much worse than that received by Cain for his sin.
2. Prayer focus
a) Pray that we would always stay clean in the sight of God and don't allow any kind of sin to come into our lives. If ever that happens, ask God for forgiveness and stay away from sin.
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