Abel's Sacrifice of Lambs
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
3/11/2012 PM
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Text:
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Genesis 4:4
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Psalters: |
349, 71, 317, 233 |
- The occasion.
- This historical event took place about 125 years after creation.
- Deals with brothers when there were many other children, grandchildren, and great-grands.
- The two are brothers (some think twins because not say Eve conceived, 1,2).
- But they were so different (Heb. 11:4; I John 3:12).
- Cain and Abel each brought a sacrifice (3,4).
- They had learned of the first sacrifice when God taught forgiveness of guilt and covering of shame (3:21).
- After giving the promise of salvation (3:15) God graciously gave them better clothing (3:21).
- The idea of the sacrifice.
- Cain and Abel sacrificed (did worship activity).
- Abel?s sacrifice revealed that he knew the burden of his sin and the need for covering.
- Cain?s knew sin too and the need for covering, but he wanted to earn God?s favor by His own good works.
- God gave a testimony to and about each sacrifice.
- Cain received God?s revelation that God did not have respect for his offering (5; I John 3:12).
- Abel ?obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts ? (Heb. 11:4).
- God showed that He received Abel?s sacrifice of faith with favor, and that thus Abel was the object of God?s favor.
- Abel knew he was righteous, not because of his sacrifice, but because of the blood of the promised Lamb.
- Let us follow Abel?s example.