SIN THAT CROUCHED AT THE DOOR (1 OF 6)
by Jeff Strite
Scripture: Genesis 4:1-12
This content is part of a series.
Sermon: Sin That Crouched At The Door
Sermon Series: Dysfunctional Families & God's Grace (1 of 6)
Preacher: Jeff Strite
Text: Genesis 4:1-12
Years ago, when I was at Purdue University, I decided to read the Bible for myself. So, I bought myself a Bible Commentary, and a Bible Dictionary, and I made a deal with God: I told Him I'd read everything but the poetry, the prophecy, and the "who-begat-whos."
I set my Bible and study books out where I would remember to read them, and I decided that I'd read ONLY if I felt like it. But when I read I'd read as often and as long as I felt like it. And, as I read, I'd put marks in the margins along the side of the page. If I had a question, I'd put a question mark (?) with the hope that sooner or later a teacher or preacher would help me understand what the verses said. But if something impressed me, I'd put a star (*)
It was in the 4th chapter of Genesis that I put the 1st star in my Bible. It was the story of Cain and Abel, and the verse I put a star beside was this one: "The LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 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.'" Genesis 4:6-7
Now obviously, the fact that Cain murdered his brother got my attention - but it had never occurred to me that God might expect us to rule over our emotions and sins. Yes I know, that would seem like a gimmee (it seems obvious) but for some reason, I'd never thought about that before, and the very idea caught me by surprise.
Now, let's back up a little and think about what's happened in this passage. Cain and his brother Abel offered sacrifices to God, but God accepts Abel and his sacrifice, but rejects Cain and his sacrifice. Cain gets mad at Abel, and he kills him. And that's pretty much the story.
The question (of course) is: why did Cain get mad at Abel? Abel didn't do anything, so why kill ...
Sermon Series: Dysfunctional Families & God's Grace (1 of 6)
Preacher: Jeff Strite
Text: Genesis 4:1-12
Years ago, when I was at Purdue University, I decided to read the Bible for myself. So, I bought myself a Bible Commentary, and a Bible Dictionary, and I made a deal with God: I told Him I'd read everything but the poetry, the prophecy, and the "who-begat-whos."
I set my Bible and study books out where I would remember to read them, and I decided that I'd read ONLY if I felt like it. But when I read I'd read as often and as long as I felt like it. And, as I read, I'd put marks in the margins along the side of the page. If I had a question, I'd put a question mark (?) with the hope that sooner or later a teacher or preacher would help me understand what the verses said. But if something impressed me, I'd put a star (*)
It was in the 4th chapter of Genesis that I put the 1st star in my Bible. It was the story of Cain and Abel, and the verse I put a star beside was this one: "The LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? 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.'" Genesis 4:6-7
Now obviously, the fact that Cain murdered his brother got my attention - but it had never occurred to me that God might expect us to rule over our emotions and sins. Yes I know, that would seem like a gimmee (it seems obvious) but for some reason, I'd never thought about that before, and the very idea caught me by surprise.
Now, let's back up a little and think about what's happened in this passage. Cain and his brother Abel offered sacrifices to God, but God accepts Abel and his sacrifice, but rejects Cain and his sacrifice. Cain gets mad at Abel, and he kills him. And that's pretty much the story.
The question (of course) is: why did Cain get mad at Abel? Abel didn't do anything, so why kill ...
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