In Genesis 4, we read a story of two brothers that teaches us timeless truths about worship, sin, and the human heart.
Worship: Bring Your Best, Not Your Leftovers
In the narrative of Genesis 4, both Cain and Abel bring offerings to God.
Abel presents “some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions,” while Cain simply brings “some of the land's produce.”
The difference is subtle but significant.
Abel's offering reflects a heart that desires to give God the best, while Cain's seems to be an afterthought.
God had regard for Abel's offering but not for Cain's. This wasn't about the type of offering given, but that the condition of each man’s heart was revealed by the quality of the offering given.
This challenges us to examine our own worship.
God created us to know and worship Him.
The book of Hebrews 11:4 tells us that, “By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did.” It was “faith” that made the difference by overflowing into a “bring-God-my-best” kind of offering.
Louie Giglio’s definition of worship is helpful: “Worship is our response, both personal and corporate, to God for who He is, and what He has done; expressed in and by the things we say and the way we live.”
Worship is more than a gathering of believers or a song sung in a certain location. Worship is the overflow of a life lived totally for Jesus.
Too often, we worship God with our leftovers, as well.
When our calendars get full and our priorities get stretched, so often it is the things of spiritual benefit that get pushed to the side.
Too often, we choose other activities over reading God’s Word, praying, singing, or serving others in Jesus’ name.
Do we give God the “firsts” of our time, energy, and resources? Or does He get whatever is left after we've taken care of everything else?
Our calendars often reveal our true priorities.
When was the last time we rearranged our schedule to ensure we could gather with fellow believers for worship?
The Danger of Unchecked Sin
Cain's response to God’s rejection of his offering is a blunt warning about the destructive nature of sin.
Cain was furious and his face despondent—and his behavior went downhill from there.
Instead of examining his heart and correcting his approach, Cain allows anger and jealousy to fester.
God, in His mercy, warns Cain: "If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
This vivid imagery of sin as a predator waiting to pounce reminds us of the apostle Peter's warning that our enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Only in Genesis 4, it’s not Satan seeking to devour but sin itself as a wild beast crouched and ready to pounce on its prey.
Sin is always seeking to consume us.
The progression of Cain's sin is a sobering reminder of how quickly things can spiral out of control when we fail to deal with the sin in our hearts.
In the story of Cain and Abel, what begins as jealousy and anger quickly escalates to murder.
This echoes the warning of the Puritan, John Owen, who said, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”
In Genesis 4, Cain does not heed God’s warning.
Genesis 4:8: 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Notice the word “brother” appears twice in verse 8 to emphasize the sadness of Cain’s actions.
This wasn’t just the first murder (homicide) this was a brother killing his brother (fratricide).
One commentator pointed out Eve was talked INTO her sin by the serpent, whereas Cain would not be talked OUT of his sin—even by God Himself.
The Consequences of Unrepentant Sin
Cain's refusal to repent leads to severe consequences.
Cain became the first person God cursed. He becomes a restless wanderer, alienated from the ground and from God's presence.
This serves as a warning that there's a high cost to sin.
When we hold onto our sins and refuse to repent and seek God’s forgiveness, we end up bearing the full weight of the wrath our sins deserve.
Yet even in judgment, we see God's mercy in Genesis 4. God places a mark on Cain to protect him from those who might seek revenge on Cain for Abel’s death.
With extravagant kindness, God shows a measure of mercy even to the guilty.
Applying the Lessons to Our Lives
As we reflect on this ancient story, we're challenged to examine our own hearts.
Are we bringing God our best, or are we content with giving Him our leftovers?
Are we allowing sin to crouch at our door, or are we actively resisting it by fleeing it?
Are we quick to repent and confess our sins when God convicts us, or do we harden our hearts like Cain?
By way of response, Hebrews 12;1-2 is helpful: “…Let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…”
We're called to identify and remove anything that hinders our relationship with God, whether it's sin or simply good things that have taken too central a place in our lives. The way to avoid sin is to run with our eyes fixed on Jesus!
Ultimately, this story points us to the salvation found in Jesus!
Hebrews 12:24 says that believers have come into “Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which says better things than the blood of Abel.”
What does the blood of Jesus say that is a “better word” than the blood of Abel?
While Abel's blood cried out for justice, the blood of Jesus speaks a better word of forgiveness.
Abel’s blood cried out for God’s justice to BE satisfied. Jesus’ blood cries out that God’s justice WAS satisfied when Jesus died on the cross to forgive the sins of all who trust in Him.
Sooner or later, what is happening in your heart will shape your life.
Only Jesus can change you and remake you on the inside. He is both willing and able.
Let's cultivate hearts that are tender towards God, quick to worship Him with our best, and swift to repent when we fall short.
For in Jesus, we find not just the model for true worship, but, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the power to live it out each day.
This blog is a summary of a sermon preached on march 16, 2025, at first baptist church Clinton mo. full worship service video can be accessed HERE.
Header photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash