Worship, Sin, Murder
Genesis 4:1-26
Difference between the offerings
- Abel’s offering
- Matt 23:35 – Abel was righteous.
- Heb 11:4 – Abel’s righteousness came by faith.
- Abel’s worship was because of faith.
- Abel’s offering shows he was concerned about his relationship with God.
- Cain’s offering
- 1 John 3:11-12 – Cain’s deeds were evil.
- The intent behind Cain’s offering was most likely selfish desire.
- If we are not careful our own worship could be no worship at all.
The hindrance of sin.
- Sin is a selfish action done above what is best and right for others.
- Sin hinders our relationship with and worship to God.
- Sin hinders our relationship with each other.
- Sin hinders the righteousness of others.
Murder
- All sin results in consequences.
- Some sin is worse than others.
- A person who murders becomes a god unto themselves.
- Jesus likened anger to murder (Matt 5:21-24)
- John likened hatred to murder (1 John 3:15)
- Selfishness is at the root of anger and hatred which are at the root of murder.
The right worship of God
- Recognize the great love of God. – 1 John 3:16
- Understand his grace. – Rom 3:23-25
- Take responsibility: Confess sin. – 1 John 1:9; James 5:16
- Repent of wrong attitudes and actions. – 1 Cor 15:34
- Love others more than yourself. – John 13:34
Acceptable Worship
Psalm 51:14-19 ESV
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.