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Ceres SDA Church

Anil Kanda

Cain’s Mark

Today we're going to be coming a very interesting topic the mark of Cain Now many times you hear a sermon title like this or perhaps you hear like a verse like Revelation chapter 14 Beware the mark of the beast right many times are thinking to ourselves.

Oh, that's encouraging But here's the thing you're gonna find out that today's message is actually a very encouraging Message, can you say amen to that?

Why don't we bow our heads for a word of prayer again?

Let's just ask Jesus to be seen Father in heaven.

Thank you so much again for Jesus Lord he is our hope our reason our argument Right now God we pray that we would have more of Jesus Open up our hearts and minds To be able to see deep things Lord that will change us Thank you God for hearing prayer in the name of Jesus.

Let's go to the book of Genesis Genesis chapter 4 first book of the Bible fourth chapter of the first book of the Bible, Genesis chapter 4, Genesis chapter 4, Genesis chapter 4, please say amen if you're there.

Now many times when you read the early parts of the Bible When you're reading these stories like the Garden of Eden of Adam and Eve a Cain and Abel of Noah and the Ark Many times these Stories have appeared Cartoonish to us.

Do you guys hear what I'm saying right now?

They have appeared cartoonish to us because many times in growing up we see pictures of Noah's Ark and you see this boat with this giraffe sticking Out his head smiling and a bunch of animals and Noah smiling there was a flood that destroyed the world.

They didn't look like that right or or you read the story of Cain and or a Adam and Eve and Providentially at the right moment there behind trees that are covering up their private parts, right?

And we look at stories like that and many times just because of images that we have seen Not what we have read because of images we have seen These stories can appear cartoonish to us But when you study the Word of God you begin to realize the powerful truth about the origin of humanity Can you say amen to that?

God wants us to be able to take a good look at what happened in the past so we can have an understanding of what's going to be in the future.

So here we are, we're in Genesis chapter 4, I want you to see something quite remarkable.

The Bible says something interesting, it says this, Now Adam knew Eve his what?

By the way chapter 4 is after chapter 3 now I know that sounds like a great revelation but I want you to think about this chapter 3 in the book of Genesis essentially ends with the promise of a Redeemer who would come through the line of who Eve right He would be born from Eve and eventually redeem mankind destroy the devil and Save humanity.

So what happens in chapter 4 is quite interesting.

The Bible tells us that there was a pregnancy Somebody was born now when you read both chapter 3 and then chapter 4 Logically what you want to do in your mind is connect both of those 2 stories You would say okay chapter 3 there Was to be a Redeemer that was born chapter 4.

Ah, somebody's born In fact, take a good look at what Eve says when Cain is born Notice what the Bible says right here now Adam knew Eve his wife and she conceived and bore Cain and said this I have acquired a man from who She's acquired a man from who Do you know what she said the Bible actually records that she makes this proclamation when Cain is born She's saying you know what God has given me a blessing Now notice what happens next then she born again this time his brother Abel period Let me ask you a question.

What is actually said about Abel at his birth?

Period Do you guys see that yes or no Okay, we're gonna start taking notes right here.

Okay, and I want you to see how we're gonna be pulling this all together Okay, take a good Look at what happens when Cain is born.

There's this joyful experience Cain has been born.

In fact, what's very interesting the word Cain actually means acquired a Blessing from the Lord.

In fact, it's the same word that's used in Ecclesiastes that says vanity among vanities all is vanity that's able now does it Seem really exciting when Abel was born.

No, it's like Oh Cain has been born and it's like oh and we have another child over here His name shall be Abel But let's get back to Cain so once you take a good look at this Because there is very much a contrast between both Cain and who?

Able now I want you to see what happens in their calling or their profession.

Notice what the Bible says next Now Abel was a keeper of the what?

Sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the what?

Grand so here you have this they're both involved in agriculture of some kind or farm You could say you have able that was taking care of the sheep Then you have came that was taking care of the land Able was taking care of the sheep that would be used for worship Cain was taking care of the land where food would be produced for people to eat Adam Eve and their whole family would eat off the fruits of Cain's Labor Are we tracking so far?

Yes or no now everybody stick with Genesis chapter 4 I want you to see what happens next.

This is where the story starts taking an interesting turn Verse 3 and in the process of time in other words over a period of time or events in other words this was not a fasting that took place a gradual change started happening well let's find out about this gradual change in the process of time It came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat and the Lord respected Abel and his what?

Offering but he did not respect Cain and his offering and Cain was very angry and his countenance what?

Fell does anybody know what the word countenance means?

Like the Bible actually records the face of Cain was actually just distraught When you looked at Cain it was very apparent.

Something was very very wrong The Bible teaches that what's in the heart of a man appears on his face.

And I can tell you're all happy to be here this morning.

Even if your car broke down or you're wearing the wrong shoes, right?

Okay, this is where it starts getting interesting.

The Bible then tells us that there was a time of worship.

So the Bible then says that Cain, he built an altar to the Lord.

Both of them are bringing a Kind of offering to the Lord.

Amen But watch what happens the Bible tells us that Cain actually offered up the fruit of the ground and then Abel offered up a Lamb and its fat The Bible then tells us God's response to both of these forms of worship God looked at Cain's offering and the Bible says something interesting.

It said the Lord Did not respect Cain and his offering not just his offering, but who did not respect Cain that's interesting point.

The Bible says that God respected Abel and his offering So God not only respected the offering of Abel who else did he respect?

Abel not just the gift but the giver of the gift was important to the Lord.

Now we have a whole new outlook when it comes to giving tithes, right?

You can do it with a smile or you can do it with the face of Cain which one's gonna be Okay now going back to this story The Bible says something quite remarkable the Bible says that at this moment Cain got So angry and do you know what God does God actually speaks to Cain and it's very interesting God uses an interesting analogy Do you know what God says to Cain?

He says Cain If you do well, will you not be What's the words?

Accepted don't forget that word if you do not if you do well, will you not be accepted?

He even says Cain Why has your countenance fall in other words?

Why do You have a bad look on your face God then ministers to Cain trying to communicate to him things.

He needs to understand God tells Cain something very interesting in an illustration.

He says Cain If you do not do well, he says these words sin lies at the Door, but then he doesn't just stop right there.

In fact, if you look at some other translations, it says sin is Crouching at the door And then it says his its desire is for you Now that's interesting Do you know what it sounds like how is he describing sin by the way as a predator you think okay, what's the big deal?

Do you want to know why that's so interesting?

Because when mankind was originally created And put in the garden the Bible describes about the animal kingdom at that time The animal kingdom at that time there were not predators and prey But what happened is when as soon as Adam was kicked out there was a cascading effect upon the animal kingdom and I'm sure Cain and Abel after Generations begin to notice that animals were no longer friendly towards each other that these animals were actually hunting each other So as Cain is being mayor being made aware of this analogy God says to me.

He's like look sin is Crouching at the door it wants to take you out And this would have been something very interesting to Cain because as they begin to observe the animals around them They would have picked up Wait a minute.

It's like he's describing what's happening to the world But then God gives Cain some hope and he says but you're but you shall what?

Its desire is for you, but you shall What?

You should not be defeated by this, but you should actually conquer this But you know the rest of the story the Bible then tells us Cain talked with Abel and They went out to the field and it says that Cain killed Abel and then walked off like nothing else happened and the Bible teaches that God confronted Cain and he says Cain where is your brother Cain replies am I my brother's keeper I'm not Responsible for him and God says the blood of your brother what?

Don't forget that point the blood of your what?

Okay, by the way, I'm giving you when I'm emphasizing something I want you to store all these things down because we're gonna pull it all together.

Okay, God says to Cain the blood of your what?

In other words, there is a cry for justice, right and God confronts Cain and says Cain you've killed your brother Abel and then God says Cain you are cursed from this earth and then he pronounces a very Interesting sentence upon Cain notice what the Bible says right here Genesis 4 verse 11.

Cursed from the what Earth which has opened up its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand when you till the ground it shall no longer yield It's what?

Strength a fugitive and a vagabond You Shall be on the earth Now let me ask you a question What is a fugitive?

Someone who's being hunted someone who's running from the law anybody else.

Someone who doesn't have a safe place to be now.

I Mean if you see somebody walking down the street who doesn't at home, would you say oh there goes a vagabond?

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Cain’s Mark

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