Sin and Grace
Series: Beginnings
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 24th November 2024
Passage: Genesis 4:1-16
00:00:00 --> 00:00:07 more than just a case study of murder. It is in fact a case study of what to expect
00:00:07 --> 00:00:18 in life outside of the garden of Eden. Genesis 4 exposes three realities
00:00:18 --> 00:00:26 which are ever present in everyday life, in every part of life outside of the garden.
00:00:26 --> 00:00:35 There are always three things that are operating in life, three things in a world destroyed by
00:00:35 --> 00:00:44 rejection of God and that is sin, grace and the ever-present possibility of salvation
00:00:44 --> 00:00:52 and that's the outline for this morning, secret sin. The first place in the Bible where the word
00:00:52 --> 00:00:59 sin is used is in verse 7 of chapter 4. The point that I want to make here is though that sin had
00:00:59 --> 00:01:09 its beginning before the actual action of sin, of murder. Sin was existing before the actual
00:01:09 --> 00:01:17 commitment of murder here. There is a run-up action if you like to murder and we see it
00:01:17 --> 00:01:28 in the difference between Abel and Cain. Both of them are respectable human beings working hard,
00:01:28 --> 00:01:34 both of them believe in God, both of them are worshipping God, both bring an offering to God.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:43 There's no difference on the surface between these two. So why is it then that Abel's offering was
00:01:43 --> 00:01:51 accepted but Cain's offering was rejected? Some have thought that it's, well, it's because that God
00:01:51 --> 00:01:58 prefers animal sacrifices rather than grain sacrifices. That's his preference. But you read the rest of the
00:01:58 --> 00:02:04 Old Testament, that's not the case at all. Both harvest sacrifices, you know, the offering of grain and the
00:02:04 --> 00:02:11 offering of blood sacrifices, both honoured by God and both instituted in the sacrificial system,
00:02:11 --> 00:02:22 in Leviticus. So what's the difference? The clue is in verses 3 and 4 where it says,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:33 Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil but Abel brought an offering, fat portions, from some of the
00:02:33 --> 00:02:44 firstborn of his flock. The words fat there, fat portions and firstborn mean that Abel gave to God
00:02:44 --> 00:02:56 the pick, the best, if you like, the very best. And this is in contrast to Cain's indifference
00:02:56 --> 00:03:05 difference to what he brought to God, some of the grain. That is, what we see there subtly in verses 3 and 4
00:03:05 --> 00:03:13 is a heart difference between the two. A heart difference, an attitude of the heart. Cain's heart
00:03:13 --> 00:03:20 is exposed in verse 7. If you do not do what is right, this is God speaking to Cain,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:31 sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you but you must rule over it. What a metaphor that
00:03:31 --> 00:03:43 is right there. Sin is hiding itself. It's crouching down, trying not to be noticed with the intention
00:03:43 --> 00:03:51 that it is going to pounce on you. We've got this kitten in our home at the moment and it does it
00:03:51 --> 00:03:56 all the time. Hides behind a door and next thing you know you walk past and pounces on your feet.
00:03:56 --> 00:04:03 Or it sits there like just with the ears popping up, peeking at you over the top of the stairs,
00:04:03 --> 00:04:08 waiting for you to come down the stairs so it can pounce on you. That's the description here of sin.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:16 Right here. On the surface, these two brothers look exactly the same but there's something wrong
00:04:16 --> 00:04:22 with Cain's heart. It is subtle. In fact, it's so subtle that not even Cain notices it.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:35 Sin does not want to be noticed. Sin, in fact, is so subtle it will even present itself as a virtue
00:04:35 --> 00:04:43 or as a non-issue or as a small issue. Sin will try everything in order to stay hidden
00:04:43 --> 00:04:50 or present us with something else until it has us and then it comes out of the shadows.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:59 See, in the early stages of pride or prejudice of addictions of anger, we tend to think that we
00:04:59 --> 00:05:05 have it all under control. We think it's not a problem. I can manage this. It's not a problem.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:15 And when sin comes out of the shadows, it becomes a power in our life that it controls us.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:26 Verse 7 says, sin desires to have you, control you, master you.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:38 You see, before long, it takes over, takes control. You see, if we do sin, sin will ultimately do us.
00:05:39 --> 00:05:43 There is no stronger controlling power in our life than a power that is invisible to us.
00:05:45 --> 00:05:52 Gossips will find themselves gossiped about. Haters will hate. Cowards will be deserted.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:57 Those who will do anything in order to be popular will be cancelled.
00:05:58 --> 00:06:03 Sin is not just a choice we make. It is a power in our lives that controls.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:11 And so, I suppose, do you know what your crouching sins are in your life?
00:06:13 --> 00:06:19 Our weak points are the things we don't think are that bad right now.
00:06:20 --> 00:06:24 The things that we think we're controlling, things that we think we have a power over.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:33 In fact, our weakest point is often the place where we are, in our own perception, the strongest.
00:06:36 --> 00:06:44 And I managed to recently, in the middle of the year, drag my family along to a military museum in Singapore.
00:06:44 --> 00:06:47 And I used the word drag intentionally.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:51 They were there under US, for sure.
00:06:51 --> 00:07:00 The fall of Singapore in 1942 to Japanese forces was, in fact, by Churchill's regard,
00:07:00 --> 00:07:05 the greatest military defeat in the British Empire's history.
00:07:05 --> 00:07:22 The island's defences for the entire time up to that point were designed to protect the naval base at Changi from sea attacks.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:27 But it left the northern shore of Singapore vulnerable.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:33 That is, Singapore's defences were facing south out to the sea.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:42 For decades, the assumption was that Singapore's weakest spot was a seaborne invasion.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:45 That's its weakest.
00:07:46 --> 00:07:57 It was considered for decades that the jungle from Malaysia through to Singapore was impenetrable for a large army,
00:07:57 --> 00:08:02 and certainly by a mechanised army, until the 8th of February, 1942,
00:08:02 --> 00:08:05 when the Japanese army arrived on Singapore shores.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:15 Where we think we are strong, where we think we are okay, where we think we are safe,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:18 is often where sin is crouching ready to pass.
00:08:20 --> 00:08:24 So I ask you again, what are your crouching sins in life?
00:08:24 --> 00:08:29 What sin are you currently turning into a virtue?
00:08:31 --> 00:08:33 I'm not greedy, I'm just frugal.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:40 I'm not angry and bitter, I, in fact, are just simply expressing righteous moral outrage.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:45 I'm not a workaholic, I'm productive and I'm diligent.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:49 I'm not gossiping, I'm just sharing prayer points.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:56 Sin is always crouching down, but in the end, it will have you.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:03 Now, against this narrative of devastating sin and murder,
00:09:03 --> 00:09:07 we encounter a God of gentle grace.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 My second point.
00:09:08 --> 00:09:14 Genesis 4, in fact, none of Genesis at all,
00:09:14 --> 00:09:22 but even in Genesis 4, it does not present us with a God who is a cosmic policeman,
00:09:23 --> 00:09:29 but instead a God who refuses to choose between justice and mercy.
00:09:29 --> 00:09:36 A God who's not just angry and smite,
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 but neither a God who just,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:42 oh, we'll let bygones be guygones and we just embrace and sing kumbaya.
00:09:43 --> 00:09:46 He does not choose between justice and mercy.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:49 We saw in chapter 3,
00:09:50 --> 00:09:55 and so again, God graciously initiates here in chapter 4.
00:09:55 --> 00:10:01 God does not turn up after the murder of Abel.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:05 He turns up as soon as he sees sin crouching.
00:10:09 --> 00:10:15 Before sin has become a power over Cain.
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 Notice verse 5.
00:10:18 --> 00:10:23 So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:29 The original language, the word downcast means his face fell.
00:10:33 --> 00:10:40 What that means is Cain could have taken God's communication to him
00:10:40 --> 00:10:46 about his offering as a rebuke,
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 as a correction,
00:10:49 --> 00:10:55 and he could have in that moment sought God's forgiveness.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:01 Instead, he starts to spiral down.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 And it's only then we read in verse 6,
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 Then the Lord said to Cain,
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 Why are you angry?
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 Why is your face downcast?
00:11:09 --> 00:11:11 If you do what is right,
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 will you not be accepted?
00:11:13 --> 00:11:15 But if you do not do what is right,
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 sin is crouching at the door.
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 It desires to have you,
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 but you must rule over it.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:28 Cain did not call out to God in any way.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:31 But God came to Cain.
00:11:32 --> 00:11:34 God is always there.
00:11:35 --> 00:11:37 God always initiates.
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 He always steps in.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:43 And notice the other thing here that God graciously and gently affirms.
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 God comes not as a policeman,
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 nor even as a teacher,
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 but as a counsellor.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:52 He doesn't show up angry.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 He doesn't push back at Cain.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 How dare you get mad with me?
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 How dare you, Cain?
00:11:59 --> 00:12:01 Don't you know who I am?
00:12:01 --> 00:12:02 I'm the creator of the universe.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:07 Let me just sit down and I...
00:12:09 --> 00:12:14 Verse 7, he comes to Cain and says he wants him to master sin.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:19 God is encouraging him to master sin
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 and make the right choice.
00:12:22 --> 00:12:24 You see, grace always initiates.
00:12:25 --> 00:12:28 It always affirms and it always exposes.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:34 See, there in verse 6 is where God really is the counsellor exposing.
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 Why are you angry?
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 Why are you angry, Cain?
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 That's a good question, isn't it?
00:12:44 --> 00:12:47 Why is Cain angry with God?
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 Why is he angry?
00:12:52 --> 00:12:56 You see, he looked on favour with Abel's offering,
00:12:56 --> 00:12:58 but not on Cain's.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:03 So why does this infuriate Cain?
00:13:05 --> 00:13:09 I mean, he could have gone and got another one,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 another offering, had another crack.
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 Could have said sorry, moved on.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:17 Why is he so infuriated?
00:13:17 --> 00:13:22 Well, the clue is in their name.
00:13:24 --> 00:13:31 The name Cain means things like productive, fruitful, successful.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:40 Abel means breath, vapour, mist, meaningless, nobody.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:42 That's the clue.
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 Unfortunate name for sure.
00:13:47 --> 00:13:51 And you see it actually hinted at it in the text, in the narrative.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:55 You know, Eve was so excited when Cain came along,
00:13:56 --> 00:13:58 but there's nothing with Abel.
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 Have a look.
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 Verses 1 and 2.
00:14:00 --> 00:14:04 With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:08 Speaking of Cain, later she gave birth to Abel.
00:14:08 --> 00:14:15 You see, in the text here, in their names,
00:14:15 --> 00:14:18 we see Cain's the winner, Abel's the loser.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:24 Cain gets angry when God's favour landed on the loser,
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 on the spare.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 That's not his life at all.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:36 The nobody was regarded as a somebody,
00:14:36 --> 00:14:39 and the somebody was disregarded.
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 That's Cain's problem.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:50 Cain's identity was constructed from his relationship to his brother.
00:14:51 --> 00:14:55 He was great because he was better than Abel.
00:14:55 --> 00:15:00 And when God turns up and favours Abel,
00:15:01 --> 00:15:03 Cain can...
00:15:04 --> 00:15:09 He either had to readjust his sense of self,
00:15:09 --> 00:15:12 or he had to eliminate Abel.
00:15:15 --> 00:15:18 You see, when God is confronted with God's...
00:15:19 --> 00:15:21 Sorry, when Cain is confronted with God's measure
00:15:21 --> 00:15:23 of what truly matters,
00:15:23 --> 00:15:25 and what is truly great,
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 he has no choice in the end,
00:15:28 --> 00:15:30 or this was the choice that he had,
00:15:31 --> 00:15:35 was either have a new sense of identity in God,
00:15:35 --> 00:15:40 or he has to exclude both God and Abel.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:45 You see, the premise of Cain's life goes something like this.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:50 If Abel is who God regards him to be,
00:15:50 --> 00:15:56 then I am not who I understand myself to be.
00:15:58 --> 00:16:01 And the essence of sin in the Bible
00:16:01 --> 00:16:05 is to build an identity
00:16:05 --> 00:16:09 outside of the identity given to us
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 by our Creator God.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 That's the essence of sin.
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 It's to say,
00:16:15 --> 00:16:17 what makes me cool,
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 what makes me okay,
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 what makes me significant,
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 is I'm living up to
00:16:23 --> 00:16:26 what my parents say I am.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 I'm living up...
00:16:29 --> 00:16:31 I'm a success in life.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 I've accumulated
00:16:34 --> 00:16:37 these vast resources.
00:16:37 --> 00:16:40 I have all of these experiences.
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 I am this.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 I am that.
00:16:43 --> 00:16:45 And that means I am a somebody.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:48 And anyone who doesn't have what I have
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 is a nobody.
00:16:52 --> 00:16:54 And when God shows up,
00:16:55 --> 00:16:58 he has an entirely different value system.
00:16:59 --> 00:17:02 And Cain goes berserk.
00:17:02 --> 00:17:07 His whole life
00:17:07 --> 00:17:09 has been defined
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 as him being the number one son,
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 the better brother.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 And he can't handle it.
00:17:17 --> 00:17:17 You see,
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 an identity built
00:17:19 --> 00:17:23 outside of our Creator God
00:17:23 --> 00:17:25 is so fragile.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 fragile.
00:17:28 --> 00:17:30 And every time
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 someone kicks
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 the golden calf
00:17:32 --> 00:17:34 that is my identity
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 at the core
00:17:35 --> 00:17:37 of my being,
00:17:37 --> 00:17:40 there is one
00:17:40 --> 00:17:42 emotional response
00:17:42 --> 00:17:45 linked to a challenge
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 to my deepest value.
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 You know what it is?
00:17:48 --> 00:17:50 Psychologists will tell you this.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 Anger.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:54 Anger.
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 Anger.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:01 And every single one of us
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 has built a life
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 outside of our Creator God
00:18:04 --> 00:18:06 and our identities are fragile.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 There are some things
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 that we will do
00:18:09 --> 00:18:11 anything to keep
00:18:11 --> 00:18:13 because losing it
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 means we lose ourselves.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 And so God
00:18:17 --> 00:18:17 graciously,
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 gently comes after Cain,
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 probing him
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 and convicting him
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 to see if he knows
00:18:23 --> 00:18:25 why he is angry.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 What is it
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 that's been attacked
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 in your sense of self
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 in this moment?
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 In every single issue
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 of life,
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 sin is a factor
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 and God's grace
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 is a factor.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 At every point,
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 God is pushing us
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 to examine
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 the very foundations
00:18:44 --> 00:18:46 of our lives.
00:18:46 --> 00:18:49 to take a look
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 at what it is
00:18:49 --> 00:18:51 that we build our lives on
00:18:51 --> 00:18:53 and how fragile it is.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:56 Every single problem in life,
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 everything that makes
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 our face downcast,
00:19:01 --> 00:19:03 in God's grace,
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 is an opportunity
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 to reflect,
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 to identify,
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 to search,
00:19:08 --> 00:19:10 and to grow.
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 And he does it
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 in life for us
00:19:16 --> 00:19:16 consistently
00:19:16 --> 00:19:18 because it is only
00:19:18 --> 00:19:20 in our creator,
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 God's approval,
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 his love,
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 his grace,
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 his forgiveness
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 that we can have
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 a completely
00:19:26 --> 00:19:28 unchanging
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 and secure
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 and sure identity
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 and a sense
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 of ourself.
00:19:32 --> 00:19:35 So that means
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 that in every moment
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 of life,
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 not just sin
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 and grace operate,
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 but in every moment
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 of life
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 is a possibility
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 for salvation
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 for each of us.
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 And we get a glimpse
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 of the possibility
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 of salvation
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 in these verses
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 where there's an opportunity
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 to cooperate
00:19:52 --> 00:19:54 with God's initiating grace
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 and to escape sin.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 None of us
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 has to end up
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 like Cain,
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 destroying ourselves
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 and others
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 in order to protect
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 the fragile self.
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 And to see that,
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 I want to just quickly
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 jump to the New Testament
00:20:12 --> 00:20:14 and how it understands
00:20:14 --> 00:20:16 Genesis 4.
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 Hebrews 11 verse 4
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 says this,
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 by faith,
00:20:21 --> 00:20:23 Abel brought to God
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 a better offering
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 than Cain did.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 Now,
00:20:27 --> 00:20:27 when it says there
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 by faith,
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 that's not saying
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 that Abel believed
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 in God's existence
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 and Cain didn't believe
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 in God's existence,
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 you know,
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 why on earth
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 would Cain be bringing
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 an offering to God
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 if he didn't believe
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 God existed?
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 And I'm pretty sure
00:20:42 --> 00:20:44 God speaking to him,
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 asking why he was angry,
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 would allow him
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 any confusion
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 as to whether
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 God existed.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 It's not faith
00:20:51 --> 00:20:52 in God's existence.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:55 It is what we said
00:20:55 --> 00:20:57 in Genesis chapter 3,
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 it is faith
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 in the goodness
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 of God,
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 in the grace
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 of God.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 That is,
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 Abel brought
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 his offering
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 to God
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 completely confident
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 and trusting in
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 and leaning in
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 to a gracious
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 and merciful God.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:15 You see,
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 Abel,
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 just like Cain,
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 would have heard
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 from his parents
00:21:21 --> 00:21:23 fresh out of the
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 Garden of Eden
00:21:23 --> 00:21:25 about the promised
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 head crusher
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 from chapter 3,
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 verse 15,
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 who would defeat
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 the lie of Satan,
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 who would reverse
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 the effects of sin,
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 the lie of Satan
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 which says,
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 God is not good,
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 he is not for you.
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 They would have heard
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 that from,
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 you know,
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 these boys' age,
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 you know,
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 like right through.
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 Would have heard it
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 again and again and again.
00:21:46 --> 00:21:50 Abel made his offering
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 in response
00:21:51 --> 00:21:53 to who God is.
00:21:54 --> 00:21:54 It was an offering
00:21:54 --> 00:21:56 out of gratitude
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 for God's grace
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 and his mercy.
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 Cain's offering
00:22:01 --> 00:22:04 was not a belief
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 in the goodness
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 of God
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 and it was an attempt
00:22:06 --> 00:22:08 to secure God's favour.
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 That's Cain's offering.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 That's why God
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 was not pleased.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 Cain's offering
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 was an offering
00:22:17 --> 00:22:19 of religion,
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 not an offering
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 of faith.
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 Religion,
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 as I've often said
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 from here,
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 religion is
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 an activity.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 It's an activity
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 like turning up
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 to church.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 It's an activity
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 like serving
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 and reading the Bible
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 and preaching
00:22:36 --> 00:22:38 and giving away money
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 and praying
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 and getting baptised
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 and taking communion
00:22:41 --> 00:22:43 and being a moral,
00:22:44 --> 00:22:44 upright,
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 good person
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 in the hope
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 and the expectation
00:22:48 --> 00:22:49 that when God shows up
00:22:49 --> 00:22:51 he will find me acceptable.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:57 When we pursue religion,
00:22:57 --> 00:23:01 we have all the marks
00:23:01 --> 00:23:02 of Cain.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:04 we have the attitude
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 in the heart
00:23:05 --> 00:23:06 of Cain.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 Cain is mad
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 at God
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 because God
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 isn't affirming
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 his sense
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 of self.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 God is not
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 giving him
00:23:15 --> 00:23:17 what he expects
00:23:17 --> 00:23:18 God to give him.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:22 You see,
00:23:22 --> 00:23:22 if we think
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 that God
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 owes us
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 a particular
00:23:24 --> 00:23:25 kind of life
00:23:25 --> 00:23:28 because of who we are
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 or because of
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 what we've achieved
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 or because of
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 what we've done
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 in his name,
00:23:33 --> 00:23:35 we are Cain.
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 We are not able.
00:23:39 --> 00:23:41 We might even believe
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 that God exists
00:23:42 --> 00:23:45 but our confidence
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 is in ourselves
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 and not
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 that we are saved
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 by his grace
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 and his mercy.
00:23:52 --> 00:23:54 So how do we turn?
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 Where do we look
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 in order to go
00:23:57 --> 00:23:59 from Cain
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 to become an Abel?
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 And the answer
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 is just a little bit
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 further on
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 in Hebrews chapter 12.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 You have come to God
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 the judge of all,
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 the one who brings
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 justice to all,
00:24:11 --> 00:24:11 to the spirits
00:24:11 --> 00:24:13 of the righteous
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 made perfect,
00:24:14 --> 00:24:14 to Jesus,
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 the mediator
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 of a new covenant,
00:24:16 --> 00:24:18 and to the sprinkled blood
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 that speaks
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 a better word
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 than the blood
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 of Abel.
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 You see,
00:24:26 --> 00:24:26 many,
00:24:26 --> 00:24:28 many centuries
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 after Abel
00:24:29 --> 00:24:32 came a greater Abel,
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 Jesus Christ.
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 And like the first Abel,
00:24:38 --> 00:24:40 the greater Abel
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 was murdered.
00:24:41 --> 00:24:41 murdered.
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 Not killed by
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 the outcast,
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 the bad people
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 of society,
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 not by the prostitutes,
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 the pimps,
00:24:49 --> 00:24:49 the thieves,
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 and the whatever else's,
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 but murdered
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 by the good people,
00:24:54 --> 00:24:56 the religious people.
00:24:56 --> 00:25:01 Why was he murdered
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 by the religious people?
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 Because he turned up
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 and he said
00:25:06 --> 00:25:08 outrageous things
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 in a sermon
00:25:09 --> 00:25:11 much better than this one,
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 Matthew chapter 5,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 in fact,
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 the greatest sermon
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 of all priests,
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 the Sermon on the Mount.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 He turns up
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 and he confronts
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 the religious people
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 with attitude
00:25:19 --> 00:25:19 of the heart.
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 He said,
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 you know,
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 you've heard it said,
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 do not commit murder.
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 I want to say to you,
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 if you've been angry
00:25:25 --> 00:25:25 with your brother,
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 you've committed murder
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 in your heart,
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 even if you haven't
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 stabbed them with a knife.
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 Your problem
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 is an attitude
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 of the heart.
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 He said things like that
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 to the religious people
00:25:35 --> 00:25:37 and they were furious
00:25:37 --> 00:25:38 with him
00:25:38 --> 00:25:41 because he exposes
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 the attitude
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 of the heart.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 And they're nailed
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 into a cross.
00:25:49 --> 00:25:50 But it was God's plan
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 of mercy
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 and grace,
00:25:51 --> 00:25:54 Jesus' death
00:25:54 --> 00:25:54 on the cross,
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 God's plan
00:25:56 --> 00:25:56 of mercy
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 and grace
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 in order
00:25:58 --> 00:26:00 to secure justice.
00:26:01 --> 00:26:02 Jesus' blood
00:26:02 --> 00:26:04 was the just payment
00:26:04 --> 00:26:05 for crimes
00:26:05 --> 00:26:07 against all
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 of humanity,
00:26:09 --> 00:26:10 all of the Cains
00:26:10 --> 00:26:11 who followed
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 on from Cain,
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 every human being.
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 Genesis 4,
00:26:20 --> 00:26:22 verse 10,
00:26:22 --> 00:26:24 God says to Cain,
00:26:25 --> 00:26:26 what have you done?
00:26:27 --> 00:26:27 Listen,
00:26:28 --> 00:26:29 your brother's blood
00:26:29 --> 00:26:30 cries out to me
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 from the ground.
00:26:32 --> 00:26:34 Although Abel's body
00:26:34 --> 00:26:36 was covered by dirt,
00:26:36 --> 00:26:37 it could not be hidden.
00:26:39 --> 00:26:41 Sin would not be hidden.
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 His blood cried out
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 for justice.
00:26:44 --> 00:26:46 According to the Old Testament,
00:26:46 --> 00:26:48 blood and life
00:26:48 --> 00:26:49 belong to God alone.
00:26:49 --> 00:26:52 murder is a direct
00:26:52 --> 00:26:53 assault
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 on creators,
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 on our created God's
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 right of possession
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 of another human being.
00:26:59 --> 00:27:00 Spilled blood
00:27:00 --> 00:27:02 will never be covered.
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 It cries out
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 directly to the Lord
00:27:05 --> 00:27:05 of life
00:27:05 --> 00:27:07 looking for justice
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 for a life
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 that's been taken.
00:27:11 --> 00:27:12 And Hebrews 12
00:27:12 --> 00:27:12 tells us
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 that Jesus' blood
00:27:13 --> 00:27:15 cries out
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 for justice
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 too.
00:27:17 --> 00:27:20 but it cries out
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 for justice
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 differently.
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 It's better
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 than the blood
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 of Abel.
00:27:27 --> 00:27:28 1 John 1,
00:27:28 --> 00:27:28 verse 8
00:27:28 --> 00:27:30 tells us why.
00:27:30 --> 00:27:32 If we confess
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 our sin,
00:27:33 --> 00:27:35 he is faithful.
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 He is good.
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 He is merciful
00:27:38 --> 00:27:40 and just
00:27:40 --> 00:27:42 and will forgive us
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 our sins
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 and purify us
00:27:44 --> 00:27:46 from all unrighteousness.
00:27:46 --> 00:27:48 If we confess
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 our sins,
00:27:49 --> 00:27:50 he is faithful,
00:27:51 --> 00:27:51 he is good
00:27:51 --> 00:27:53 and just
00:27:53 --> 00:27:56 and will forgive us
00:27:56 --> 00:27:57 our sins
00:27:57 --> 00:27:57 and purify us
00:27:57 --> 00:27:59 from all unrighteousness.
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 You see,
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 what that says there
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 is that
00:28:02 --> 00:28:04 God does not just,
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 he's not just
00:28:04 --> 00:28:08 the great eternal
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 grandfather
00:28:08 --> 00:28:09 sitting on a throne
00:28:09 --> 00:28:10 just,
00:28:10 --> 00:28:10 you know,
00:28:11 --> 00:28:11 wanting everyone,
00:28:11 --> 00:28:12 just hugging everyone
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 and just bearing
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 with all the failures
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 and the faults
00:28:15 --> 00:28:15 of the world.
00:28:16 --> 00:28:17 He's not just
00:28:17 --> 00:28:18 sitting up there
00:28:18 --> 00:28:19 waving a wand,
00:28:20 --> 00:28:22 cancelling debt,
00:28:24 --> 00:28:26 just loving everyone,
00:28:26 --> 00:28:27 just forgive,
00:28:28 --> 00:28:29 peace man.
00:28:29 --> 00:28:32 He actually
00:28:32 --> 00:28:34 absorbs our debt.
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 That's how he deals
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 with the issue
00:28:37 --> 00:28:37 of justice.
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 He absorbs our debt.
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 It is because
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 he absorbs the debt
00:28:41 --> 00:28:43 that we owe him
00:28:43 --> 00:28:47 for being murderers
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 in our hearts
00:28:48 --> 00:28:51 for our sin
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 against him.
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 It's because
00:28:52 --> 00:28:54 he absorbs the debt.
00:28:54 --> 00:28:55 He is therefore
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 able to forgive.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 You see,
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 what 1 John 1
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 tells us
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 is because
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 he's not just
00:29:04 --> 00:29:04 gracious
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 but he's just
00:29:05 --> 00:29:07 and deals
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 with the debt
00:29:08 --> 00:29:09 himself,
00:29:09 --> 00:29:09 our debt
00:29:09 --> 00:29:10 against him
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 himself,
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 it tells us
00:29:12 --> 00:29:14 exactly how
00:29:14 --> 00:29:15 secure we
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 actually are
00:29:16 --> 00:29:18 in the salvation
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 he offers.
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 How secure
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 we are
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 in his love
00:29:23 --> 00:29:23 and his mercy
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 and his forgiveness.
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 You see,
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 too many
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 Christians
00:29:27 --> 00:29:29 live
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 each day
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 thinking
00:29:31 --> 00:29:31 in the back
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 of their minds
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 that if they
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 commit the wrong
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 sin
00:29:35 --> 00:29:35 or if they
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 commit too
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 many sins
00:29:37 --> 00:29:39 then God
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 is just
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 going to
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 be like
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 the God
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 of the Simpsons
00:29:44 --> 00:29:44 and just go
00:29:44 --> 00:29:46 Flanderers
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 again.
00:29:48 --> 00:29:49 Just fed up
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 with us.
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 I've had
00:29:51 --> 00:29:51 enough
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 of this
00:29:52 --> 00:29:54 and no way.
00:29:54 --> 00:29:56 Jesus'
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 blood
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 speaks a
00:29:58 --> 00:29:59 better word
00:29:59 --> 00:30:00 than Abel's.
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 When we
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 come to
00:30:01 --> 00:30:01 Jesus,
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 when we
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 confess our
00:30:03 --> 00:30:03 rebellion
00:30:03 --> 00:30:04 against him,
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 our attitude
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 of the heart,
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 our religion
00:30:07 --> 00:30:08 and trust in him,
00:30:08 --> 00:30:09 our sin
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 is forgiven
00:30:10 --> 00:30:12 forever.
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 The slate
00:30:15 --> 00:30:15 is wiped
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 clean
00:30:16 --> 00:30:17 forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:17 Forever.
00:30:17 --> 00:30:18 Forever.
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 Forever.
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 Forever.
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 Forever.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 Forever.
00:30:19 --> 00:30:24 Forever.
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 Jesus paid
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 the complete
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 just
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 payment
00:30:28 --> 00:30:29 for all
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 of our
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 sin
00:30:30 --> 00:30:33 which means
00:30:33 --> 00:30:33 according to
00:30:33 --> 00:30:35 1 John 1
00:30:35 --> 00:30:37 if he was
00:30:37 --> 00:30:38 to not
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 forgive us
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 for our
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 sin
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 right now
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 if you're
00:30:42 --> 00:30:42 a believer
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 in Jesus
00:30:43 --> 00:30:45 it would
00:30:45 --> 00:30:45 be an
00:30:45 --> 00:30:46 act of
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 injustice
00:30:47 --> 00:30:51 because
00:30:51 --> 00:30:52 a double
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 payment
00:30:53 --> 00:30:53 can never
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 be extracted
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 for a
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 debt
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 paid.
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 He
00:30:59 --> 00:30:59 willingly
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 shed
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 his
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 blood
00:31:00 --> 00:31:00 on
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 the
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 cross
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 to
00:31:01 --> 00:31:01 bring
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 us
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 this
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 kind
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 of
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 forgiveness
00:31:03 --> 00:31:04 this
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 kind
00:31:04 --> 00:31:04 of
00:31:04 --> 00:31:05 love
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 this
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 kind
00:31:05 --> 00:31:05 of
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 hope
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 this
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 kind
00:31:06 --> 00:31:06 of
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 certainty
00:31:07 --> 00:31:07 forever
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 it's
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 the
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 justice
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 of
00:31:09 --> 00:31:09 Jesus
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 Christ
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 that
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 will
00:31:11 --> 00:31:11 ultimately
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 transform
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 us
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 from
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 being
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 a
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 cane
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 to
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 an
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 able
00:31:14 --> 00:31:17 and
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 that's
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 the
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 possibility
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 of
00:31:19 --> 00:31:19 every
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 day
00:31:20 --> 00:31:20 of
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 every
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 moment
00:31:21 --> 00:31:22 in
00:31:22 --> 00:31:22 every
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 circumstance
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 it's
00:31:23 --> 00:31:23 the
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 possibility
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 of
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 salvation
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 in
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 Jesus
00:31:25 --> 00:31:30 in
00:31:30 --> 00:31:30 verse
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 nine
00:31:31 --> 00:31:31 back to
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 Genesis
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 four
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 God
00:31:32 --> 00:31:33 comes
00:31:33 --> 00:31:33 to
00:31:33 --> 00:31:34 Cain
00:31:34 --> 00:31:34 and
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 asks
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 him
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 where's
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 Abel
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 and
00:31:38 --> 00:31:38 Cain
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 says
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 I
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 don't
00:31:41 --> 00:31:41 know
00:31:41 --> 00:31:42 am
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 I
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 my
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 brother's
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 keeper
00:31:43 --> 00:31:47 and
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 then
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 we
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 have
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 the
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 only
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 time
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 in
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 the
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 Bible
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 where
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 a
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 human
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 being
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 is
00:31:55 --> 00:31:56 cursed
00:31:56 --> 00:31:58 God
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 curses
00:31:59 --> 00:31:59 Cain
00:31:59 --> 00:32:01 and
00:32:01 --> 00:32:01 sent
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 out
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 from
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 that
00:32:02 --> 00:32:02 moment
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 as
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 a
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 wander
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 of
00:32:03 --> 00:32:03 the
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 earth
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 his
00:32:05 --> 00:32:05 name
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 means
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 as
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 Eve
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 said
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 I
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 have
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 created
00:32:09 --> 00:32:09 a
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 man
00:32:10 --> 00:32:12 and
00:32:12 --> 00:32:12 from
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 that
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 moment
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 every
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 being
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 wanders
00:32:15 --> 00:32:15 the
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 earth
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 looking
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 for
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 their
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 home
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 for
00:32:19 --> 00:32:19 their
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 place
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 looking
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 for
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 hope
00:32:23 --> 00:32:24 and
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 when
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 God
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 does
00:32:25 --> 00:32:26 that
00:32:26 --> 00:32:26 to
00:32:26 --> 00:32:26 Cain
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 Cain
00:32:27 --> 00:32:28 absolutely
00:32:28 --> 00:32:29 falls
00:32:29 --> 00:32:29 to
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 pieces
00:32:30 --> 00:32:32 not
00:32:32 --> 00:32:32 because
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 he
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 felt
00:32:33 --> 00:32:33 compassion
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 for
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 his
00:32:34 --> 00:32:34 brother
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 dead
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 or
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 for
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 his
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 parents
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 he
00:32:37 --> 00:32:37 felt
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 no
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 remorse
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 over
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 his
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 sin
00:32:39 --> 00:32:39 against
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 God
00:32:40 --> 00:32:40 at
00:32:40 --> 00:32:40 all
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 his
00:32:41 --> 00:32:41 cry
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 out
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 in
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 this
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 moment
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 was
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 a
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 cry
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 of
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 terror
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 and
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 self
00:32:45 --> 00:32:45 pity
00:32:45 --> 00:32:47 and
00:32:47 --> 00:32:48 then
00:32:48 --> 00:32:48 we
00:32:48 --> 00:32:48 have
00:32:48 --> 00:32:49 this
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 strange
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 statement
00:32:51 --> 00:32:51 in
00:32:51 --> 00:32:52 verse
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 15
00:32:52 --> 00:32:54 then
00:32:54 --> 00:32:54 the
00:32:54 --> 00:32:54 Lord
00:32:54 --> 00:32:55 put
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 a
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 mark
00:32:55 --> 00:32:55 on
00:32:55 --> 00:32:56 Cain
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 so
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 that
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 no
00:32:57 --> 00:32:57 one
00:32:57 --> 00:32:58 who
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 found
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 him
00:32:58 --> 00:32:58 would
00:32:58 --> 00:32:59 kill
00:32:59 --> 00:32:59 him
00:32:59 --> 00:33:01 what
00:33:01 --> 00:33:01 is
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 the
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 mark
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 of
00:33:02 --> 00:33:02 Cain
00:33:02 --> 00:33:05 lots
00:33:05 --> 00:33:05 of
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 speculation
00:33:06 --> 00:33:06 some
00:33:06 --> 00:33:07 reckon
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 it
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 was
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 a
00:33:07 --> 00:33:07 dog
00:33:07 --> 00:33:08 not
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 sure
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 how
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 they
00:33:08 --> 00:33:08 got
00:33:08 --> 00:33:09 to
00:33:09 --> 00:33:09 that
00:33:09 --> 00:33:10 point
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 you
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 can
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 actually
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 go to
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 a
00:33:13 --> 00:33:13 tattoo
00:33:13 --> 00:33:14 artist
00:33:14 --> 00:33:14 nowadays
00:33:14 --> 00:33:15 and
00:33:15 --> 00:33:15 ask
00:33:15 --> 00:33:15 them
00:33:15 --> 00:33:16 can
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 I
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 please
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 get
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 a
00:33:16 --> 00:33:16 tattoo
00:33:16 --> 00:33:17 the
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 mark
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 of
00:33:17 --> 00:33:17 Cain
00:33:17 --> 00:33:18 it's
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 a
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 particular
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 kind
00:33:18 --> 00:33:18 of
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 I'm
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 pretty
00:33:19 --> 00:33:19 sure
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 it
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 wasn't
00:33:20 --> 00:33:20 that
00:33:20 --> 00:33:23 but
00:33:23 --> 00:33:24 so
00:33:24 --> 00:33:25 while
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 it's
00:33:25 --> 00:33:25 not
00:33:25 --> 00:33:26 clear
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 it
00:33:26 --> 00:33:28 reveals
00:33:28 --> 00:33:28 something
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 very
00:33:29 --> 00:33:29 significant
00:33:29 --> 00:33:31 it's
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 what
00:33:32 --> 00:33:32 it
00:33:32 --> 00:33:33 reveals
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 it
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 reveals
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 something
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 about
00:33:34 --> 00:33:34 the
00:33:34 --> 00:33:34 character
00:33:34 --> 00:33:35 of
00:33:35 --> 00:33:35 God
00:33:35 --> 00:33:36 it
00:33:36 --> 00:33:36 reveals
00:33:36 --> 00:33:37 a
00:33:37 --> 00:33:37 God
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 whose
00:33:38 --> 00:33:38 commitment
00:33:38 --> 00:33:38 to
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 justice
00:33:39 --> 00:33:39 for
00:33:39 --> 00:33:40 the
00:33:40 --> 00:33:40 innocent
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 is
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 matched
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 by
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 his
00:33:42 --> 00:33:42 care
00:33:42 --> 00:33:43 for
00:33:43 --> 00:33:43 the
00:33:43 --> 00:33:43 sinner
00:33:43 --> 00:33:48 a God who is faithful and just
00:33:48 --> 00:33:54 and even Cain's appeal in verse 13 and 14
00:33:54 --> 00:33:58 sorry Cain's prayer to God in verse 13 and 14
00:33:58 --> 00:34:00 contains a hint of an appeal to God
00:34:00 --> 00:34:06 God's answer to Cain together with his mark on Cain
00:34:06 --> 00:34:08 is not a stigma
00:34:08 --> 00:34:13 but a promise of self-safe conduct
00:34:13 --> 00:34:16 in other words in this moment
00:34:16 --> 00:34:20 God has become Cain's protector
00:34:20 --> 00:34:27 how is it possible that God can be merciful to the unrepentant sinner
00:34:27 --> 00:34:35 how can he be so merciful to someone who won't even budge
00:34:36 --> 00:34:41 it's because on the cross of Jesus God's mercy and justice
00:34:41 --> 00:34:43 meet
00:34:43 --> 00:34:49 and the blood of Jesus shouts forgiveness to all who come to him
00:34:49 --> 00:34:53 as we wander the earth like Cain
00:34:53 --> 00:34:56 protected by God
00:34:56 --> 00:34:57 until we die
00:34:57 --> 00:34:59 in the hope
00:34:59 --> 00:35:02 that in the circumstances of life where we see sin and grace
00:35:02 --> 00:35:04 that we would pursue salvation
00:35:04 --> 00:35:07 that we would not be like Cain
00:35:07 --> 00:35:09 but that we would pursue salvation
00:35:09 --> 00:35:11 God has brought you to this day
00:35:11 --> 00:35:13 protected you in all of life
00:35:13 --> 00:35:16 in all the experiences of sin
00:35:16 --> 00:35:18 he's revealing his grace all the time
00:35:18 --> 00:35:21 so that you might come to him for salvation
00:35:21 --> 00:35:25 he's protecting you for salvation
00:35:25 --> 00:35:32 the blood of Jesus washes away all of our hidden sin
00:35:32 --> 00:35:36 his blood washes away all of our public sin
00:35:36 --> 00:35:38 no sin
00:35:38 --> 00:35:40 is beyond his grace
00:35:40 --> 00:35:42 no sin
00:35:42 --> 00:35:46 and so that
00:35:46 --> 00:35:50 is the possibility of salvation that he offers you today
00:35:50 --> 00:35:52 whether you're tuning in online
00:35:52 --> 00:35:53 you're gathered here right now
00:35:53 --> 00:35:55 that is the possibility of salvation
00:35:55 --> 00:35:58 that he offers you today
00:35:58 --> 00:36:01 choose Abel not Cain
00:36:01 --> 00:36:04 choose the way of Abel not the way of Cain
00:36:04 --> 00:36:07 don't dig your heels in
00:36:07 --> 00:36:09 and fall to the sin
00:36:09 --> 00:36:11 that is pouncing
00:36:11 --> 00:36:13 and ready to destroy your life
00:36:13 --> 00:36:17 by his grace
00:36:17 --> 00:36:19 and his mercy
00:36:19 --> 00:36:21 he's protected you to this point
00:36:21 --> 00:36:24 that you might take up his offer of salvation
00:36:24 --> 00:36:26 take it up today