Making All Things New: The Book of Genesis
What is your Offering?

Rev. Reuben Foncardas
Scripture: Genesis 4

Genesis chapter 4 is mostly about a man rebelling against God and how he pioneered a godless society. His name is Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, the older brother of Abel.

We can summarize Cain’s rebellion into four stages.

a. Cain disobeyed God’s instructions.
b. Cain destroyed the godly.
c. Cain denied his culpability.
d. Cain defied God’s judgment.

Focusing on the first stage, specifically about the offerings that Cain and Abel brought to God, we learn that there are three conditions for our offering to be acceptable before God.

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1. Have the right posture.

• By faith Abel’s offering was accepted by God. (Gen. 4:4; Heb. 11:4)
• The Lord looks on the heart, not on outward appearance. (I Sam. 16:7)
• In view of God’s MERCY, offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. (Rom. 12:1)

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2. Follow the right procedure.

• “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” (Gen. 4:7; I John 3:12)
• “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, HOLY and pleasing to God.” (Rom. 12:1-2)
• “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

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3. Pursue the right purpose.

• Abel went out of his way to please and honor God. Cain was simply discharging his duty perhaps to remain in good terms with God. (Gen. 4:3-4a)
• “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and PLEASING to God.” (Rom. 12:1)
• “– this is your true and proper WORSHIP.” (Rom. 12:1)