Everything Is Abel
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes
Genesis 4:1-16, 25-26 (ESV)
1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
8 Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?” 10 And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” 15 Then the Lord said to him, “Not so! If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 16 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.
25 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth, for she said, “God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Sermon Outline
Corruption alters our whole experience (v7) leaving us with a distorted sense that everything is meaningless.
1. We are overwhelmed by sin
v1 “Eve…bore Cain… ‘I have gotten…’”
God’s patient engagement (v7, 9, 15)
v16 “Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod”
2. We need someone to lead us
v2 “Abel was a keeper of the sheep”
v9 “am I my brother’s keeper?”
3. We have a good shepherd who remembers us
v25 “call his name Seth, for she said ‘God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel’”
Hebrews 12:24
Prayer of Confession
Lord, you are our shepherd; yet through ignorance, through weakness, with stubbornness, pride and folly, we have gone from your presence and we suffer because of it. We admit our sin, and acknowledge the damage we have done to ourselves and to others. We recognize we have offended you. We also cry out to you in the confusion and suffering of life in a world where corruption has brought so much harm. We need someone to lead us, but we are slow to listen, hesitant to follow. Forgive us. Thank you for Jesus who gave his life, shedding his blood, so that a better word would be spoken to us and on our behalf. Remember us with compassion and mercy, cleanse us, and lead us to a place of rest and peace. We pray this through Jesus, the good shepherd who laid down his life for us. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
In what ways is sin like a hidden power that jumps out at us, when we are vulnerable, to over take us? What are some of the dynamics of temptation?
What are examples of ways that the impact of a particular sinful act can be broad, effecting more people or having longer term effects beyond the immediate and obvious?
How does our own sin lead to alienation from God? How do we experience that alienation? What roles do defensiveness and pride play in how things play out after we have sinned?
How are you affected by corruption in the world? In what ways are you discouraged, troubled, confused? How can all that is wrong in the world cast a shadow over our lives such that enjoyment or satisfaction is difficult?
Do you believe God is leading you somewhere? Do you trust that the ultimate outcome of your life will be good? Why or why not?
How does the blood of Jesus speak a better word than the blood of Abel? What hope is there for those who believe Jesus died to free them from sin, and was raised to give new life?
What does Christianity promise that can renew your outlook on life (in general, or particular challenges you are dealing with now)? What are some particular things that Jesus said or did that you can take hold of to strengthen you as you walk through life?