2 Brothers, 2 Choices, 2 Destinies – Part 1    Genesis 4:1-16

Who here has a brother? How well do you get on with him? Do you like him? Maybe, like my sons, you have more than one brother, perhaps you have a favourite. I think our boys did an assessment and gathered up the votes to see who was the most favoured brother. There was a result, but I’ll let you ask which one ended up with the most votes. If you were blessed like me, you only had sisters and, as a result, I was always the favourite brother.

We have the story here of 2 brothers who had 2 choices and ended with 2 destinies.

They began with 2 occupations: one farmed produce; the other livestock. I don’t think we should read too much into that. Regardless of our occupations, so long as they don’t run against the obvious decree of scripture, they are noble. Wheat farming is no less noble the sheep farming. The issue is how we serve.

Both brought offerings: God was pleased with Abel’s offering of sheep and not pleased with Cain’s offering of fruit. What was the issue?

The writer to the Hebrews told us so that we are not left with any doubt. The text says, “Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.” This shows Abel’s offering was extra special. The fat of the animal was prized as its “luxury” and was to be given to God when the animal was sacrificed. (Leviticus 3:16-17 and 7:23-25) But there is an essential element Abel had that Cain didn’t. Hebrews says, “By faith Abel offered up a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. (Hebrews 11:4) Now we know faith is a gift; we can’t boast, only in the Lord’s grace. The disciples asked to increase their faith. What was Jesus’ response - faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain. The tiniest amount.

The issue wasn’t that one offering was bigger than the other or outwardly better, even though this was the case with Abel’s offering. The issue was the heart. Jesus, when watching people giving their offering at the temple, watched the rich give and then the widow giving her last 2 copper coins. She gave more; it was all she had. Jesus wants our heart. He wants the core of our being.

We all make choices and Cain made a choice, even after the Lord gave wisdom as to which was the right choice to make. Cain was told directly by God; wouldn’t that be nice, God speaking to you directly? He said, look Cain “sin lies at the door, it’s desire is for you.” Same word for Eve - her desire is for her husband. This is not a good word; it means to rule over, to master you. Sin wants to master you Cain, but 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.””

The core of Cain’s heart was unbelief – yes lust, a covetous heart, etc. Even though God spoke with Him directly, Cain rejected His word. What a tragedy when we do the same! We know what we should do; God has told us and then we do the opposite.

Envy and jealousy are also at the heart of Cains murder of Abel. The Apostle John said this, “We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.” (1 John 3:12) Birth right as well. Jesus also said of the Jewish leaders, “You are of your father the devil.” (John 8:44)

Ruling over temptation, or advice that is not good, requires faith to choose God’s calling.

The futility of unbelief – look at the dialog. “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cain lied to God who created all things and sees all things. He said he didn’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper? Yes, especially as you are his older brother.

We keep each other. Encourage each other, check on each other.

The Lord put a mark on Cain and then it says he cast him out of His presence. He did not hear from the Lord again, which is exactly what he wanted. But we have been blessed with faith; we want to please God with our offering.

Let’s make some wise choices this morning. Hearing from God and then obeying His voice. Firstly, what is he saying to you? I heard a quote in this week’s alpha course that the Lord speaks to us through His Word and worship.

Triumph in tragedy. While it would seem that Cain silenced Abel. Abel was promoted to his eternal place of destiny. Hebrews 11 calls him a hero of faith and mentions his offering given by faith. Cain is mentioned as he lived: covetous, worldly, lost. But of Abel it says, “And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.” (Hebrews 11:4) This is what a faithful legacy is all about. This is what our Lord Jessus wants for you this morning – a living legacy after you have left the earth. Though dead you still speak.

We may or may not have brothers in the flesh. But regardless, we have brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s be the church that encourages them; yes, to keep them and ask that the Lord’s face shines upon them, to always stir up in love and good works. Let’s encourage someone with a word of encouragement now, a word of truth that you can share with someone right now.

I would like us to do that now. Pray for each other, give thanks and make decisions.