United Church of God

Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better

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Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better

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Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better

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Listen to this sermon to learn why God respected Abel and his sacrifice, and did not respect Cain or Cain's sacrifice.

Sermon Notes

Sermon Notes – 7/1/97, Speaker – Rex Spears

Why Abel’s Sacrifice Was Better

Sometimes God only gives us a little bit of information.  Abel is commended by God as the first man of faith listed in Hebrews (Hebrews 11:4). Why was Abel’s sacrifice better than Cain’s (Malachi 3:6)?

Jesus doesn’t change. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (NKJV) The Greek word for “yesterday” is “all past times.”

Abel and Cain Compared

We come to a point where we learn to keep the Sabbath because we want to please God.  Notice this scripture speaks of works and not just one sacrifice (see 1John 3:10).

God did not respect Cain, or Cain’s sacrifice (Genesis 4:4). Perhaps Cain’s sinful nature caused him to have a bad attitude?  A poor attitude makes sacrifices a vile thing to God (see Isaiah 66:3).

Genesis 4:17-22 shows us the descendants of Cain from Enoch to Lamech, and how they had a great impact on civilization.

Let’s pray that the personal example of each one of us will show as a shining light in a history of the modern church, and not the example of Cain.

Knowledge is increasing at an astounding rate (see Daniel 12:4).

(1Co 1:27-28)

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,”

(Joh 4:23)

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.”

Is what we’re allowing into our minds really good for us?  Is it truth?  God’s word is truth, and Jesus asked our Father to sanctify us by His truth (see John 17:17).

God also wants us to let our yes be yes, and our no be no (see Matthew 12:35-37).

God did respect Abel and his offering (Genesis 4:1-5).  Cain’s warning is for us too (verses 6-7)! Cain showed none of the righteous fruits described in Galatians 5. God’s purpose for us is to help save the world (see Matthew 28:18-20)!

Why was Cain punished if the Ten Commandments were not in effect? Cain had no remorse, guilt or repentant attitude.  He just felt sorry for himself (see Genesis 4:13).

We are supposed to teach people how to live a godly life. What we learn from the story of Cain and Abel is that Abel proved to God he was righteous.

Cain had serious anger issues! His act of murder resulted from evil character formed over time.  This present evil age will end suddenly when people are living normal lives (see Matthew 24:37-39).

The Church of God represents the future.