1. Lessons From Abel’s Death Genesis 4:1-15

2. Introduction The first murder The first murder Similar motivationSimilar motivation Jealousy and envyJealousy and envy Haven’t come very far Haven’t come very far Seems to be digressingSeems to be digressing Valuable truths to be learnedValuable truths to be learned

3. God’s Rules Must Be Obeyed The brothers made sacrifices The brothers made sacrifices Cain- Fruit of the groundCain- Fruit of the ground Abel- Animal (Genesis 4:3, 4)Abel- Animal (Genesis 4:3, 4) “In the process of time …” “In the process of time …” “Lit. at the end of days, i.e., after a considerable lapse of time (Keil & Delitzsch, Vol.1, p. 68)“Lit. at the end of days, i.e., after a considerable lapse of time (Keil & Delitzsch, Vol.1, p. 68) Old enough to understandOld enough to understand

4. God’s Rules Must Be Obeyed God told Cain if he would do well he would be accepted God told Cain if he would do well he would be accepted We can be accepted too (v. 7)We can be accepted too (v. 7) If not, sin awaits us (1 Peter 5:8)If not, sin awaits us (1 Peter 5:8)

5. God’s Rules Must Be Obeyed Doing well involves … Doing well involves … Worship (Matthew 15:8, 9)Worship (Matthew 15:8, 9) Proper living (Philippians 3:17)Proper living (Philippians 3:17) Proper relationships (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3, 4)Proper relationships (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3, 4) Attitude toward government (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:2)Attitude toward government (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:2)

6. Getting Mad Won’t Change The Bible Cain was mad, then sad Cain was mad, then sad Didn’t change anything (vv. 5, 6)Didn’t change anything (vv. 5, 6) A child’s temper tantrumA child’s temper tantrum God didn’t change His rules God didn’t change His rules Didn’t “stroke Cain’s ego” (v. 7)Didn’t “stroke Cain’s ego” (v. 7) Some think God will change the rules (Matthew 7:21-23)Some think God will change the rules (Matthew 7:21-23)

7. Getting Mad Won’t Change The Bible Many in the Bible like this Many in the Bible like this Naaman (2 Kings 5:11, 12, 14)Naaman (2 Kings 5:11, 12, 14) Suppose Saul of Tarsus was ever mad at Christians? (Acts 26:4-11)Suppose Saul of Tarsus was ever mad at Christians? (Acts 26:4-11) Paul was filled with remorse later (Acts 9:9-19)Paul was filled with remorse later (Acts 9:9-19)

8. Effects of The Word on Others One of two ways One of two ways SubmissionSubmission Hardening of the heartHardening of the heart Cain’s situation Cain’s situation Became defiant (v. 9)Became defiant (v. 9) Disaster results from defianceDisaster results from defiance Submission brings delightSubmission brings delight

9. Effects of The Word on Others Many Bible examples Many Bible examples Abraham’s submission (Genesis 22:1)Abraham’s submission (Genesis 22:1) Pharaoh’s hardening (Exodus 5-12)Pharaoh’s hardening (Exodus 5-12) Agrippa’s hardening (Acts 26:28)Agrippa’s hardening (Acts 26:28)

10. Live With Physical Consequences Cain was to suffer Cain was to suffer Mark placed on him (vv. 11-16)Mark placed on him (vv. 11-16) Supposed he had regret (Proverbs 13:15)Supposed he had regret (Proverbs 13:15) No different today No different today Sin still brings consequencesSin still brings consequences God still loves them (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)God still loves them (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9)

11. Power of Examples Affects other generations Affects other generations Lamech (Genesis 4:19-24)Lamech (Genesis 4:19-24)

12. Lamech’s Song “Hear my voice ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold” (Genesis 4:23, 24) “Hear my voice ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech; for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold” (Genesis 4:23, 24)

13. Power of Examples Affects other generations Affects other generations Lamech (Genesis 4:19-24)Lamech (Genesis 4:19-24) Didn’t like God’s rulesDidn’t like God’s rules Not sorrowful, but proudNot sorrowful, but proud Opposite of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24)Opposite of Enoch (Genesis 5:21-24) Guaranteeing revengeGuaranteeing revenge

14. Power of Examples Our example affects others Our example affects others Children and grandchildren (Nehemiah 4:14)Children and grandchildren (Nehemiah 4:14) Train them (Ephesians 6:4)Train them (Ephesians 6:4) Watching every move we makeWatching every move we make

15. Conclusion Look at what we learned Look at what we learned Let’s not follow in Cain’s way Let’s not follow in Cain’s way