Grace and the Mastery of Sin Genesis 4:1-7 Grace Community Church 2013

Genesis 4:1-2 1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the L ORD.” 2 And again, she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.

Genesis 4:3-5 3 In the course of time Cain brought to the L ORD 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 L ORD 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.

Genesis 4:6-7 6 The L ORD 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 for you, but you must rule over it.”

Reasons for Offering (Keller) 1.Response to what God has done… 2.In order to get God to do something…

Faulty worship leads to bondage. Gen 4:7 sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it… Blessings leads to pride – I deserve this Difficulty leads to anger – I deserve more Difficulty leads to despair – I deserve this

How do we rule over it (sin)? Gen 4:7 sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it… 1.Recognize tendency to think like Cain… 2.Repent and Refocus… Worship is a response to what God has already done.

Romans 12:1 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.