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“Hall of Faith” (Mess.#2) “The Worship of Faith” (Abel)
Text: Heb.11: 4; Gen.4: 1-12 Intro.: The lives of Cain and Abel describe the beginning of the life of faith. It is the first example offered after faith has been explained in verses 1-3. We see many sharp contrasts between these two brothers. Cain was a farmer........................................................................................................................ Abel was a shepherd Cain brought fruit.......................................................................................................................... Abel brought a lamb Cain sought to please God by his own works........................................................... Abel sought to please God by faith Cain’s offering was rejected................................................... Abel’s was accepted (You can’t get blood from a turnip) Cain got angry.................................................................................. Abel got happy (Probably sang “Amazing Grace”) Cain got cursed.................................................................................................................................. Abel got blessed Cain was lost....................................................................................................................................... Abel was saved Cain is a type of the Natural Man............................................................................. Abel is a type of the Spiritual Man Both had the same parents, the same opportunities, both were taught the same theology, both were religious (for they both offered the same sacrifices), but one was lost – Cain. Cain became a murderer, Abel a martyr. Abel brought a sacrifice that pleased God. His offering was more excellent (excelling, surpassing, superior) than Cain’s because it was . . .
A) Presented in Faith: (Gen.4: 4) 1) Why Abel’s offering was more excellent than Cain’s is not stated in v.4. 2) Some see the difference in the offerings themselves – Fruit vs. death of a lamb. 3) Main difference – The spirit in which it was offered! 4) Heb.11: 4 tells us that Abel presented his in faith! Cain did not! (Presented his in pride and disbelief!). 5) This is the first recorded act of worship (Law of first mention). It was offered in “spirit and in truth.” Abel demonstrated faith by offering a lamb and it was in accordance with the truth, for God had clearly shown Adam and Eve that a blood sacrifice was required in order to approach Him! (Gen.3: 21). 6) God still requires that worship be in spirit and in truth (Jn.4: 24).
B) Provided by God: (Gen.4: 3-4) 1) Cain provided his own offering, the work of his own hands from a cursed earth. 2) Abel brought a lamb possessing life that only God could provide, thus revealing his faith in God’s plan of redemption through the death and shed blood of an innocent victim! 3) Only God can provide the sacrifice needed to redeem us! 4) He sent His only begotten Son to die for us! (Jn.3: 16; 14: 6)
C) Proclaimed his Faith: (Gen.4: 4b-5) 1) Abel’s offering was accepted by God, thus proclaiming that he had faith, whereas Cain’s offering was rejected. 2) Perhaps God answered by fire. But “he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts . . . ” 3) We “prove” our faith as well by our obedience and good works! (Jas.2: 17-20, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”).
D) Proclaims Salvation by Faith: (Gen.4: 8-10; Heb.11: 4b) 1) “Yet speaketh” - What Abel did has been preaching salvation by substitutionary death and shedding of blood and by faith in what God said ever since! 2) The blood of Abel cried out from the ground to God - It cried out for vengeance and justice! The blood of Christ cries out from the mercy seat for forgiveness and mercy! PTL! 3) Rev.14: 13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Your works will follow you too! What will you “proclaim” after your death? A life of faith or a life of self-righteousness?
Conclusion: The Worship of Faith - To please God we must present our worship in faith, trust in what God has provided (namely His only begotten Son), and prove our faith by our good works, then our lives will also proclaim salvation by faith like that of Abel’s!
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