Abel's Sacrifice of Lambs

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Genesis 4:4
Psalters: 349, 71, 317, 233
  1. The occasion.
    1. This historical event took place about 125 years after creation.
    2. Deals with brothers when there were many other children, grandchildren, and great-grands.
      1. The two are brothers (some think twins because not say Eve conceived, 1,2).
      2. But they were so different (Heb. 11:4; I John 3:12).
  2. Cain and Abel each brought a sacrifice (3,4).
    1. They had learned of the first sacrifice when God taught forgiveness of guilt and covering of shame (3:21).
      1. After giving the promise of salvation (3:15) God graciously gave them better clothing (3:21).
      2. The idea of the sacrifice.
    2. Cain and Abel sacrificed (did worship activity).
      1. Abel?s sacrifice revealed that he knew the burden of his sin and the need for covering.
      2. Cain?s knew sin too and the need for covering, but he wanted to earn God?s favor by His own good works.
  3. God gave a testimony to and about each sacrifice.
    1. Cain received God?s revelation that God did not have respect for his offering (5; I John 3:12).
    2. Abel ?obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts ? (Heb. 11:4).
      1. God showed that He received Abel?s sacrifice of faith with favor, and that thus Abel was the object of God?s favor.
      2. Abel knew he was righteous, not because of his sacrifice, but because of the blood of the promised Lamb.
    3. Let us follow Abel?s example.