Genesis 4-11: Salvation & Judgment
Sermon Series
"If You Build It, He Will Come": Seeking First the Altar of God, Not the City of Man (Gen. 4:17-26)
April 7, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 4:17–26
Worship is why we are here. When God made us, he created us in his image to worship him. Yet, fallen in Adam, we will not worship God rightly unless God makes us worship him rightly. Indeed, this is a major point in Genesis 4. The chapter begins with worship, as Adam’s children bring sacrifices to God. And the chapter ends with worship, as Seth calls upon the name of the Lord. And in between, the story of Cain’s family line is also about worship . . . if we have eyes to see. This Sunday, we will see how Cain’s city-building project is one that exalts the glory of man, not the glory of God. Likewise, the music that fills Genesis 4:17–24 is a testimony to the way humans will sing praise to what they love most. And unless and until God intervenes and gives them a new song, they will sing praises to themselves about themselves. Even for the church of Jesus Christ, we need the grace of God and the truth of his Spirit to lead us to worship God rightly and righteously. And more, we need the Word of God to teach how we are to worship God. Wonderfully, we have already been taught that worship centers on Jesus Christ and is empowered by the Spirit of Truth. Because Father has given us the Son and the Spirit, we can gather in confidence that our praises will be accepted and pleasing to him. And in that confidence, we will gather for worship on Sunday. To prepare for Sunday, please read Genesis 4, Psalm 33, and John 4. These passages come together to teach how to worship God truly. And on Sunday, as the Lord allows, I will look forward to gathering with you to do just that. For His Glory and your joy in Jesus, Pastor David -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 4:17 – 26) What have we seen so far in Genesis 4? How does the place of the story inform the context? What about the people (i.e., the two seeds)? Where does Genesis 4:17–24 take place? How does that inform our understanding of the passage? What does the building of a city indicate? In Scripture, who is renowned for building cities (see Gen. 10:11; 11:4–8; Exod. 1:11; Num. 13:22)? Who is renowned for building altars (Gen. 8:20; Gen. 12:7–8; 22:9; 26:5; 35:7; Exod. 17:5; 24:4)? If city-building is an evidence of unbelief, what do we discover about the other products invented / created in Genesis 4? What does the building of a city suggest about the people in Cain’s family? What do their names indicate? What is the story of Lamech? In what ways does this serve as a warning to us? Compare the teaching of Jesus in relationship to Lamech (Matt 18:21-22). What do you notice? What is the Christian ethic when it comes to revenge and justice? Consider Romans 12:17-13:4. The passage finishes with a return to Adam, Eve, and Seth. What does it mean to call upon the name of the Lord? And how does the wickedness of Lamech relate? What do we learn about worship in Genesis 4? And how should we prioritize our lives accordingly? What are you building? And where are you putting your trust?
Ascending the Hill of the Lord: Three Lessons from Cain's Sin & Christ's Sacrifice (Gen. 4:8-16)
March 24, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 4:8–16
Dear OBC Family, Last Sunday we saw in Genesis 4:1-7 how God offered grace to Cain when his sacrifice was not accepted. In that sermon, we learned a great deal about the way God expects us to worship him. This Sunday, we pick up in Genesis 4:8-16 where we will see how Cain’s refusal to worship God in truth and to receive his offer of grace results in a deadly to decision to sacrifice his brother in place of God’s provision of a sin offering. Again, this passage written down long ago has much to teach us today. We are still a people who worship and what we worship will determine how we live. If we worship God rightly, it leads to living honorably before him, but when we live dishonorably it is because there is something amiss with our worship of God. On Sunday, we will explore the connection between right worship and right living. And to prepare, let me encourage you to read again Genesis 4. But also take time to look at Psalm 115 and 1 John 3-4. These will help you to see some of the connections between Genesis 4 and ourselves today. As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Let us continue to pray that God would lift our eyes to him, so that we would walk in truth and love, not lies and hate. For His Glory and your joy in Jesus, Pastor David ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 4:8 – 16) Contrast how Cain responds to God’s questions versus how his parents responded to God’s questions in Genesis 3. What differences do you notice? Notice how Abel’s blood cries out from the ground. Why is the connection of bloodshed and the land significant? How does Cain’s curse (4:11-12) build upon the curse of Genesis 3? Consider the justice and mercy of God in Genesis 4. How does the New Testament speak about Cain? (Heb 11:4; 1 John 3:11-15; Jude 11) What is the purpose of the mark of Cain? Is it a curse? A mercy? Historically, how has this idea been abused? As we consider the unbearable nature of sin and its consequences, what does this teach us? Abel was a righteous shepherd who was slain for his obedience to God. How does this connect to Zechariah and lead us to Christ? (Matt 23:35, Heb 11:4, 12:24)? Do you see yourself as your brother’s keeper? Why or why not? What should brotherly love look like? How ought we to respond to this text?
Cain and Abel: Trading Sibling Rivalry for Brotherly Affection
March 17, 2024 • David Schrock • Genesis 4:1–7
Dear OBC Family, For the last six months we have spent our time learning about God’s creation and covenant in Genesis 1–3. This Sunday, we enter a new sermon series on God's salvation and judgment which is seen in the earliest generations of humanity. From Genesis 4–11, we find that that the mercy and justice of God, first seen in Genesis 3:14–19, is going to continue as it responds to Abel and Cain, Noah and the Nephilim, and Shem and the citizens of Shinar. To begin in Genesis 4:1–7, we will look at the contrasting sacrifices offered by Adam’s first two sons. In one son, faith led to an acceptable sacrifice, while in the other self-reliance invited God’s judgment. From this, we will learn much about God’s grace, God’s law, and God’s gospel. To prepare for Sunday, therefore, read Genesis 4, Hebrews 11:1-6, and Hebrews 12:18-29. Both passages in the New Testament give us important truths about Cain and Abel, and make connections on how this story from long ago has ongoing relevance for us today. Let’s pray that as we gather on Sunday, God will give us ears to hear his voice and turn from self-reliance to a faith that receives his salvation. As the Lord allows, I will look forward to seeing you Sunday. For His Glory and your joy in Jesus, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 4:1 – 7) What does Genesis 4 reveal to us about Adam? Eve? Cain and Abel? God? What do we learn about humanity? What is the division? What are the signs of difference between Cain and Abel? What does this have to do with their sacrifice? What are the details of the sacrifice? Where was it offered? When? Why? How would they know what to do? How do the specific details of the sacrificial system (see Leviticus) inform the way we think about Genesis 4? Where do we see the grace of God? The law of God? The gospel of God? Why is it best to see Genesis 4:7 as an invitation and provision of a sin offering? What does this passage teach us about worshiping God? And living in fellowship with others?