Scripture Reading: 1 John 3 | Sabbath: May 24, 2025
Memory Verse: 1 John 3:11, 12
1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 11:19
Proverbs 11:19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
Introduction: God's words are available to everyone, the world. Cain is an excellent bible character who is an example of the world. Through Cain, we will see how some people respond to God's words.

1. God had spoken to Adam and Eve, telling them to be fruitful and multiply, that is, to have children. Who were their first two sons that we know of? Genesis 4:1, 2
Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
Genesis 4:2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
2. The two sons were required to sacrifice to God. They both sacrificed based on the works of their hands. Abel sacrificed a sheep and Cain sacrificed produce from the ground. What did God think of Abel's sacrifice? Genesis 4:4
Genesis 4:4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
3. What did He think of Cain's sacrifice? Genesis 4:3, 5
Genesis 4:3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
4. No one likes rejection. How did Cain take the rejection? Genesis 4:5, 6
Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:6 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
5. Was God willing to correct him? Do you think that he knew that he had brought an inappropriate offering? (Is God willing to correct the world? Is that what the Bible is for? Does the world want to be corrected?) Genesis 4:7
Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
6. Cain could have learned from God's words. He could have changed his sacrifice. (Anyone can learn from the scriptures and change their beliefs.) Instead of changing, what was his reaction? Genesis 4:9-16
Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?
Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
Genesis 4:11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;
Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
Genesis 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Genesis 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.
Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
Genesis 4:16 And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
7. Why did he slay his brother? For a sheep to sacrifice? To take his possessions? Or was it pure jealousy? 1 John 3:12
1 John 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
8. Occasionally, a simple conversation about biblical doctrine can get out of hand. Some ministers, preachers, and layman simply want to win the discussion. Feelings can be bruised. Ill feelings can linger in the minds of some for years. Can that be expected? 1 John 3:13; Matthew 10:22, 27, 28
1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
Matthew 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
9. Cain and Abel both knew God personally. They spoke with God. So they both had faith that God existed. What is the difference between Abel's faith and Cain's faith? Hebrews 11:4
Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
Conclusion: Cain knew God and spoke with him. He knew what God expected of him, yet he wanted to worship according to his own rules. Cain believed that there is a God, but he did not believe, fear, or obey God. We live in a world where there are many religions. They all believe that there is a god; many believe in the existence of the God of the Bible. But they all have the faith of Cain, meaning they don't do the works of God.