GOD'S FAIR AND IMPARTIAL PRINCIPLE Gen 4:3-8
INTRODUCTION:
  A. God asked Cain a question in an effort to reason with him about his offering being
     rejected, which shows the impartiality of God
  B. Abel's offering was accepted - Cain's was not and God asked "Why art thou wroth
      and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well shalt thou not be accepted?"
  C. If Cain had analyzed the why that God asked - he would have realized it was
     because of God's rejection of his offering and that God was the one who was
      justified in being angry
  D. It was foolish of Cain to be mad at his brother because of his own failure to do well
  E. There are several lessons that we can learn from God's response to the offerings
     made by Cain and Able. One is that God is impartial, that acceptance by God is
     completely dependent on "doing well" which applies equally to all
DISCUSSION:
  I. GOD HAS THE RIGHT OF ABSOLUTE RULERSHIP
     A. God is the only universal and everlasting ruler
         1. His kingdom is forever Psa 45:6
         2. An everlasting dominion Dan 4:34
     B. It is in our own best interest to be under God's rule
         1. The way of man is not in himself Jer 10:23
         2. Sin against God wrongs our own soul Prov 8:36
     C. Many today think God will accept anything as long as the person is sincere
         1. God is not a beggar in need of anything we can spare
         2. In fact, God needs nothing we have Acts 17:24,25
     D. Are the things we offer in service acceptable to God?
         1. Cain was probably sincere in the offering made
         2. But as will be shown later in the lesson this is not enough, it must be according
             to God's will
         3. Worship must be in spirit and in truth Jhn 4:24
  II. GOD'S WILL DOES NOT BEND TO MAN'S WILL
     A. This was Cain's first mistake
         1. He apparently felt God would accept what man wanted
         2. Many today fall into the same trap in regard to plan of salvation and work and
             worship of the church
     B. Many feeling a certain way is not proof God feels that way
         1. My thoughts are not your thoughts Isa 55:8,9
         2. There is a way that seems right to man Prov 14:12
         3. Foolishness of God wiser than man 1Cor 1:25
  III. MAN'S DOING WELL BRINGS ACCEPTANCE BY GOD
     A. This is a fair and impartial principle
         1. It has characterized God's dealings with man in all ages
         2. Doing well is contrasted with doing evil
     B. Sin separates man from God Isa 59:2
         1. The acceptance of Able's offering and the rejection of Cain's was not due to
             partiality
         2. It was a result of Able's obedience (doing well) and Cain's disobedience
             (iniquity, working contrary to law) Heb 11:4; Rom 10:17
     C. Man's whole duty: "fear God and keep his commandments" Eccl 12:13
         1. Just being religious is not enough - Cain was religious, he offered a sacrifice -
             possibly was sincere
         2. His religion was not according to knowledge Rom 10:2
         3. One must do the will of Father in heaven Matt 7:21-23 this is "doing well."
         4. Nothing else can be classified as "doing well" because only God's
             commandments are righteousness Psa 119:172 anything else would be
             unrighteousness
CONCLUSION:
  A. Are you doing well? God said "if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. "Gen 4:7
  B. Sin is missing the mark or not coming up to a set standard
  C. We can sin by either omission Jas 4:17 or commission 1Jhn 3:4
  D. If you have failed to do something you should have done or have done something
     you should not have done then you are not doing well and as a consequence you
     are not accepted by God.

Outline arranged by Jerry L. henderson