Lessons From Cain
Genesis 4:1-16

Introduction:

1. Cain's story interesting because deals with first sins after "the fall."
2. We see God's attitude towards righteousness and sin w/ fallen man.
3. Tell Cain's story from sacrifice to his leaving the presence of Lord.

Discussion:

I. "If You Do Well, You Will Be Accepted"

1. We have the choice to be saved
   1. God shows no partiality Acts 10:34-35
   2. Grace has appeared to all Tit 2:11-12
2. God's message to you is that you can do what is right.
   1. "Come unto me " Mt 11:28-30
   2. "If any man thirst let him come unto me" John 7:37
   3. The Spirit and the bride say come Rev 22:17 (whosoever will)
3. We have the *responsibility* - we can and should do what is right.
   1. Cain wasn't sinful because his father fell, but because he failed
   2. The Calvinist says, "if you are of the elect, you will be accepted no matter what you do."
      1. If you *are one of the elect*, will you not be accepted? Gen 4:7
      2. The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" Jesus said to him, "*You have to be of the elect from eternity past.*" Mt 19:20-21
      3. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who *is of the elect from before the world will believe and* be saved; but he who *is not elect* will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16
      4. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "*You have to be one of the elect.*" Acts 16:30-31

II. "You Must Rule Over Sin"

1. God expects us to control our sinful desires.
   1. Jesus to sinners John 5:14; 8:11
   2. You don't have to sin 1Cor 10:13
2. Many say, "You can't help it."
   1. To the teenagers, "you can't control your hormones."
   2. To the criminals, "the problem is your environment."
3. Some Christians say, "we all sin every day."
4. Not downplaying forgiveness we have, but emphasizing resisting sin
   1. Sin not 1Jhn 2:1
   2. Resist unto blood Heb 12:4
5. Avoiding sin is our **responsibility** - grace is no license to sin. Rom 6:1-2

III. The Logsuffering Of God

1. God was longsuffering to Cain
   1. When he failed to give acceptable sacrifice and attitude was bad
   2. When God kept him alive and protected after he murdered Abel
   3. But Cain did not take advantage of the longsuffering of God
2. How do we treat the longsuffering of God
   1. "... but [God] is longsuffering to us-ward" 2Pet 3:9
   2. "...the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" 2Pet 3:15
   3. "...do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering" Rom 2:4
   4. We cannot say we did not have a chance - we cannot escape our **responsibility**

Conclusion:

1. God lays our salvation upon our shoulders.
2. He has provided the means of our salvation
   1. Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross to pay the penalty for sin
   2. We can be cleansed of sin by accepting God's terms
   1. Hear the Word and believe. Rom 10:17; Mt 10:32-33
   2. Repent, confessing Christ in lives, and be baptized for remission of our sins, by the authority of Christ. Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16
3. We must submit ourselves to the Word for salvation
4. How long will God wait for you? 2Pet 3:10