WEBVTT

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 So we're continuing a series in the book of Hebrews, Hebrews 11, a chapter in Hebrews on faith.

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! And David will be up in a moment to teach for us.

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 But first, let's read together.

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 We're going to begin with Genesis chapter 4.

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 This is God's holy word.

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 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying,

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 I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.

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 And again, she bore his brother Abel.

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 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground.

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 And in the course of time, Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground,

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 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions.

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 And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering.

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 But for Cain and his offering, he had no regard.

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 So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.

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 And the Lord said to Cain,

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 Why are you angry, and why is your face fallen?

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 If you do well, will you not be accepted?

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 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, and you must rule over it.

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 Cain spoke to Abel, his brother.

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 And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

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 Then the Lord said to Cain,

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 Where is Abel, your brother?

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 And he said,

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 I do not know.

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 Am I my brother's keeper?

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 And the Lord said,

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 What have you done?

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 The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.

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 And now you are cursed from the ground,

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 which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand.

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 In Hebrews 11, verses 1 to 4,

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 the writer says this,

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 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

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 the conviction of things not seen,

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 for by it the people of old received their commendation.

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 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God,

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 so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

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 By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain,

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 through which he was commended as righteous,

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 God commending him by accepting his gifts.

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 And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.

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 This is God's holy Word.

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 Our text this evening is Hebrews 11 and verse 4.

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 Let me read it to you once again.

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 Down through human history, there have been many examples of men and women

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 who refused to be silent in the face of oppression and injustice.

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 Their voices could not be silenced,

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 despite perhaps great pressure, persecution, even intimidation.

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 And as we turn to Hebrews 11, verse 4 tonight,

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 we are being, as it were, summoned to listen to a voice

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 that similarly refuses to be silent.

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 And that voice is the voice of Abel.

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 This is where the writer of Hebrews begins in his great gallery of men and women of faith.

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 And though Abel's life was one cut short by violence and murder,

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 yet nonetheless, his voice echoes down through the centuries to us this evening.

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 Though he died, he still speaks.

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 And so what is it about this man Abel that continues to speak to us down through the generations?

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 What makes his voice so enduring?

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 What message does his life continue to proclaim?

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 What does he have to say to us this evening?

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 Well, there's a lot in the text.

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 I want to highlight just three things from it tonight.

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 Tonight, we're going to do this, Abel, in one sermon.

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 I think I mentioned last week, I'd been looking at the sermons of Thomas Manton.

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 He had eight on this one text.

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 That is not a line that I will be taking.

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 You'll be glad to know.

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 Three things I want to highlight.

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 First of all, I want you to notice that through faith,

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 Abel offered what we might call an acceptable sacrifice.

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 By faith, Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.

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 And so, we are being taken back by the writer to these early chapters of the book of Genesis,

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 and especially to chapter 4 of that great book,

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 to this famous account of Cain and Abel.

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 Before the fall, Eden, the garden, was, as it were, a sanctuary of the Lord,

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 a kind of natural tabernacle where God met with Adam and Eve.

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 It was a holy place.

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 It was a place of fellowship and perfect communion with God.

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 But with the entry of sin, all of that changed.

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 Judgment fell.

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 Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden, driven out of the garden.

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 And Genesis 4 is a chapter that begins to describe the reality of life in a sinful and fallen world.

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 Along with sin comes disease, decay, disorder, and death.

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 Here is life in a world that has been spoiled by sin,

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 and in which men and women have become alienated from God,

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 and indeed from one another.

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 Here is life east of Eden.

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 And the story of Cain and Abel is one that reflects this new reality.

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 And it's interesting that first and foremost,

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 it's a story that begins and describes this new reality,

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 first and foremost, as being about worship.

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 That's the first thing highlighted in the text of Genesis 4.

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 Genesis 4, verse 1,

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 Adam knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain.

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 I've gotten a man with the help of the Lord.

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 Again, she bore his brother Abel, Abel a keeper of sheep,

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 Cain a worker of the ground.

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 And in the course of time,

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 Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground.

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 And Abel also brought the firstborn of his flock

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 and of their fat portions.

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 Two brothers, Cain and Abel,

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 children, one commentator says,

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 children of the eighth day.

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 And they bring their worship to the Lord.

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 They are acknowledging Him as the giver of life,

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 the one to whom they owe honor and respect and praise.

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 And they each bring some of the fruits of their respective callings.

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 And they bring them as sacrifices to the Lord.

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 Cain brings some of his harvest.

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 Abel brings an animal from his flock.

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 But the worship,

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 the sacrifice they make,

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 the worship they bring,

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 the offerings they make,

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 have, we are told,

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 a profoundly different result.

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 And so we read in Genesis 4-5,

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 the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,

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 but for Cain and his offering,

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 he had no regard.

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 And so Cain was very angry,

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 and his face fell.

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 Some translations say the Lord looked with favor.

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 That is, he accepted the sacrifice of Abel,

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 but rejected Cain's offering.

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 Why was that?

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 What were God's reasons

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 for accepting Abel's worship

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 and at the same time rejecting Cain's?

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 Now, there are a number of theories and suggestions.

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 We won't go into all of that,

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 but, you know,

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 some suggest it was because of the difference

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 in their offerings.

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 Cain offers the fruit of the ground,

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 his crops, and his vegetables.

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 Abel offers a blood or an animal sacrifice.

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 But that's not really what the text tells us.

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 And anyway, both of those kinds of offerings

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 are deemed acceptable in the Old Testament.

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 The text of Genesis 4 says,

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 the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering,

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 but for Cain and his offering,

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 he had no regard.

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 In other words, the emphasis here is on the person,

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 not on the quality or type of the offering.

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 It's the condition of the worshiper

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 that appears to be of first importance here.

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 And I think this is exactly what the writer

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 to the Hebrews is highlighting when he says,

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 by faith, Abel offered to God

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 a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain.

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 Why was Abel's worship and sacrifice

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 more acceptable?

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 The answer is faith.

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 Why was Cain's worship unacceptable?

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 There was a lack of faith.

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 The critical thing was not the sacrifice

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 or the offerings made,

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 but the spirit in which those offerings were offered.

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 Because God looks not just on what is offered,

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 but on the heart of the one bringing the offering.

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 The difference between the two brothers

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 was Abel listened to God,

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 trusted God, obeyed God.

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 Whereas Cain, the implication here,

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 simply did his own thing.

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 Yes, they both offered their produce.

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 They both offered sacrifices.

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 But the difference was not in the offering,

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 but in the man, in the men.

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 Calvin writes of Abel,

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 his sacrifice pleased God

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 because he himself was pleasing to God.

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 Abel's heart was given to God,

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 while his brother Cain brought his offering

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 in a completely different attitude and spirit.

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 And that's what we see clearly

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 in the text of Genesis 4.

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 Verse 6,

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 The Lord said to Cain,

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 Why are you angry?

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 Why is your face fallen?

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 If you do well, will you not be accepted?

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 If you do not do well,

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 sin is crouching at the door.

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 It's desirous for you,

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 but you must rule over it.

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 When his offering is rejected,

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 you see Cain's reaction,

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 his response,

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 betrays what is in his heart.

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 You'll notice that he doesn't confess his sin.

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 He doesn't ask for forgiveness.

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 He doesn't throw himself on the mercy of God.

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 There is absolutely no sense of sorrow or humility

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 or repentance before God.

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 Instead, he is raging.

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 He is full of anger and resentment.

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 And his response reveals arrogance and presumption.

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 I mean, who does Yahweh think he is?

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 I've done my bit.

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 Haven't I made my offering?

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 Haven't I brought my gifts?

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 Isn't that good enough?

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 There's that kind of underlying assumption

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 that God is obligated to accept him

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 no matter what.

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 I have discovered over the years,

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 lots of people still think like that.

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 I've done my bit for God.

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 I went to church at Christmas.

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 I put something in the offering.

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 But religious formalism

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 is absolutely death to the soul.

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 God looks not simply at what we bring to him,

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 but why and how we bring it.

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 He looks on the heart of the one bringing worship.

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 Is that worship being offered in faith?

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 Is there trust in God and in his word?

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 Not all worship is acceptable to God.

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 It's quite possible to offer worship

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 that's actually all about ourselves

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 and not God.

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 And that is the way of Cain.

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 The important thing about worship in one sense

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 is not whether it suits me, fits my taste,

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 but actually whether it fits God's taste.

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 Not am I comfortable with this,

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 but is God honored in this?

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 Not does this give me the right feelings,

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 but is the living God,

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 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit glorified?

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 Who's the primary consumer

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 towards which our worship is offered?

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 Is it myself?

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 Or is it the living God?

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 True worship springs from a believing heart.

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 And the key to worship that honors God

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 is faith.

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 For Cain,

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 it was not merely the presence of sin,

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 but the absence of faith

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 that was decisive.

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 It was through faith

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 that Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice.

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 Brings me to the second thing here.

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 And that is through faith,

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 Abel was commended as righteous

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 and accepted by God.

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 Our verse goes on,

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 through which he was commended as righteous.

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 God commending him

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 by accepting his gifts.

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 And again,

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 we have this language

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 of commendation,

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 acceptance.

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 Abel was commended as righteous,

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 and that commendation

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 was to be seen

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 in the acceptance of his gift,

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 his offering.

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 And this really is a descriptive,

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 it's really a miracle

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 of divine grace.

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 Abel, a sinner,

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 is commended,

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 considered,

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 counted as righteous.

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 We're not to read this text

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 and draw the conclusion

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 that somehow Abel

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 was inherently righteous.

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 Far from it,

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 he was unrighteous.

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 He was a sinner.

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 He was living east of Eden.

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 It was only through faith

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 that he was commended as righteous.

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 By grace,

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 he looked towards God.

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 And in faith,

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 he trusted in him.

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 By faith,

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 he was commended

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 as a righteous man.

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 And that commendation

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 was not a reward

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 for Abel's perfection.

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 It was itself

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 a gift of God's grace,

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 received by faith.

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 Because righteousness

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 is never something

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 that we ourselves

00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:51.600
 can manufacture.

00:15:51.940 --> 00:15:52.620
 It is something

00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.740
 that God gives

00:15:53.740 --> 00:15:54.759
 and bestows.

00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:55.899
 And so,

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:56.620
 it doesn't matter

00:15:56.620 --> 00:15:58.040
 who we are this evening.

00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:00.920
 If you want to be accepted

00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:01.720
 by God,

00:16:02.220 --> 00:16:03.580
 if you want to be counted

00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:06.019
 as righteous before God,

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:07.160
 there is only one way.

00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:08.819
 And that's through faith

00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:10.579
 in Jesus Christ.

00:16:10.899 --> 00:16:12.219
 Only in coming to God

00:16:12.219 --> 00:16:13.240
 in humble faith

00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.579
 and trusting in him

00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:16.079
 and in his provision

00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:18.019
 can we be commended

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:19.019
 as righteous.

00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.839
 The way of arrogant

00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:23.259
 self-sufficiency,

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.620
 that is the way of Cain,

00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:27.799
 is always a dead end.

00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:30.860
 John Calvin writes,

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:32.879
 of that faith

00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:34.139
 which strips us

00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:35.399
 of all arrogance

00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.779
 and leads us naked

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:39.180
 and needy to God,

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.820
 that we may seek salvation

00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:42.860
 from him alone,

00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:45.039
 which would otherwise

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:48.320
 be far removed from us.

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.980
 In the previous chapter,

00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:53.940
 the writer of Hebrews

00:16:53.940 --> 00:16:57.120
 quotes from Habakkuk 2.5.

00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:59.259
 That's in Hebrews 10.38.

00:16:59.519 --> 00:17:01.060
 The righteous by faith

00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:02.139
 shall live.

00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:04.500
 Men and women of God

00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.140
 do not live

00:17:05.140 --> 00:17:06.440
 by their own achievements,

00:17:06.660 --> 00:17:09.359
 but only through faith in God.

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.700
 Our lives are to lean

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.039
 wholly and solely

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.019
 upon God himself.

00:17:14.859 --> 00:17:16.160
 We sometimes sing those words,

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.559
 I dare not trust

00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.980
 my sweetest frame,

00:17:18.980 --> 00:17:20.839
 but wholly lean

00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:22.900
 on Jesus' name.

00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:26.900
 The American

00:17:26.900 --> 00:17:29.280
 Reformed theologian

00:17:29.280 --> 00:17:30.180
 B.B. Walfield

00:17:30.180 --> 00:17:31.180
 wrote these words,

00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.400
 The saving power of faith

00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:35.400
 resides thus

00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.480
 not in itself,

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:38.920
 but in the almighty

00:17:38.920 --> 00:17:39.519
 Savior

00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:41.800
 on whom it rests.

00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:43.620
 It's not faith that saves,

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:45.540
 but faith in Jesus Christ.

00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.700
 Strictly speaking,

00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:48.420
 it is Christ that saves

00:17:48.420 --> 00:17:49.320
 through faith.

00:17:50.100 --> 00:17:51.300
 The saving power

00:17:51.300 --> 00:17:52.780
 resides exclusively

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.240
 not in the act

00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:54.899
 or attitude

00:17:54.899 --> 00:17:55.740
 or nature

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:56.559
 of faith,

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:58.059
 but in the object

00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.920
 of faith.

00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:01.859
 Abel was righteous

00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.819
 before the Lord

00:18:02.819 --> 00:18:03.700
 by faith

00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.599
 in the coming

00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:05.759
 seed of the woman

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.799
 who would crush

00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.859
 the serpent's head.

00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:09.220
 That is Jesus Christ.

00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.319
 By grace,

00:18:10.359 --> 00:18:10.940
 he was saved

00:18:10.940 --> 00:18:11.559
 through faith.

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.799
 That not of himself,

00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:14.200
 it was the gift of God.

00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.059
 By faith,

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.579
 he became

00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:16.940
 the first human being,

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.319
 as it were,

00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:18.500
 to be justified and

00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.879
 brought into the presence

00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:20.500
 of God

00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.619
 and made perfect.

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:24.579
 Only faith

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:25.819
 in Jesus Christ

00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.039
 brings acceptance

00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:27.859
 with God.

00:18:30.339 --> 00:18:31.960
 Only through Christ

00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.779
 can we bring

00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.859
 acceptable worship.

00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.480
 And it's interesting

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.240
 that this idea

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.660
 of acceptable worship

00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:40.180
 is actually one

00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:40.980
 that we find

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:43.399
 throughout the New Testament

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.019
 and throughout

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.599
 the epistles.

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:46.660
 Peter,

00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:47.879
 for example,

00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.039
 speaks of offering

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.899
 spiritual sacrifices

00:18:50.899 --> 00:18:52.680
 acceptable to God

00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:53.740
 through Jesus Christ.

00:18:54.139 --> 00:18:55.240
 1 Peter 2.5.

00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.399
 In the very next chapter

00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:59.139
 of Hebrews,

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.339
 the author speaks

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.259
 of offering to God

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.379
 acceptable worship

00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:04.379
 with reverence

00:19:04.379 --> 00:19:04.839
 and awe.

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.039
 Hebrews 12.28.

00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.200
 Philippians 4,

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.799
 Paul writes

00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.319
 of the gifts

00:19:08.319 --> 00:19:08.980
 he received

00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.759
 as being a fragrant offering,

00:19:11.220 --> 00:19:12.139
 a sacrifice

00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:13.019
 acceptable

00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:14.779
 and pleasing to God.

00:19:15.079 --> 00:19:16.039
 Philippians 4.18.

00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.339
 And then,

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.319
 most famously of all,

00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:18.920
 Paul writes

00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.519
 to the Christians

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.019
 in Rome.

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.779
 He tells them

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.940
 to present their bodies

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:23.519
 as a living sacrifice,

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:25.200
 holy and acceptable

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:26.119
 to God,

00:19:26.339 --> 00:19:27.940
 which is your spiritual worship.

00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.500
 Romans 12.1.

00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:33.119
 Worship means

00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.639
 offering to God

00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:37.200
 ourselves.

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:40.660
 It's always a response

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.640
 to what God

00:19:41.640 --> 00:19:42.519
 has revealed

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.580
 of Himself.

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.840
 And worship,

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.240
 therefore,

00:19:46.360 --> 00:19:47.420
 involves the whole of life.

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:47.880
 It involves

00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:49.019
 all of us.

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.120
 It's not a hobby.

00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.519
 It's not a pastime.

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.819
 We sometimes sing,

00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:56.000
 love so amazing,

00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:56.759
 so divine,

00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.840
 demands what?

00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.460
 My soul,

00:19:58.580 --> 00:19:59.039
 my life,

00:19:59.360 --> 00:19:59.920
 my all.

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.460
 I recall many years ago

00:20:04.460 --> 00:20:06.600
 how old,

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:08.779
 back in the 1980s.

00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:10.039
 So that's how old that is.

00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.059
 That's a long time ago.

00:20:11.860 --> 00:20:12.319
 And I remember

00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:14.200
 as a younger Christian

00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:16.140
 seeing the Christian artist,

00:20:16.259 --> 00:20:16.880
 the guy called

00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.640
 Jeffrey Stevenson.

00:20:19.360 --> 00:20:20.700
 And he was doing a mime.

00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:22.340
 I actually think

00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:25.000
 he became an academic.

00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.299
 I think,

00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.640
 actually,

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.299
 might be a lecturer

00:20:27.299 --> 00:20:28.660
 at Edinburgh University

00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.160
 if he's the same guy.

00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:32.059
 And this mime,

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.559
 which made quite an impression

00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:33.900
 of me,

00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:35.820
 if I'm sitting in the pew,

00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:36.860
 I won't do the mime.

00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:37.980
 You'll be glad to know.

00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:40.000
 I'll be going too far.

00:20:40.200 --> 00:20:42.220
 But he was sitting in the pew.

00:20:42.560 --> 00:20:43.540
 And in those days,

00:20:43.600 --> 00:20:44.700
 there was an offering bag

00:20:44.700 --> 00:20:45.560
 passed around.

00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.620
 And as it came to him,

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:50.440
 he mimed this bit.

00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:51.360
 He's kind of putting his hand

00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:51.980
 in his pocket

00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:53.380
 and he takes out a few coins

00:20:53.380 --> 00:20:54.480
 and he drops them in.

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:58.320
 And then the offering bag remains.

00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.880
 And so he reaches for his wallet

00:21:01.880 --> 00:21:03.200
 and he takes out some notes

00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:04.300
 and he puts it in.

00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.220
 Put it in the bag.

00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:07.700
 Bag remains.

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.580
 And so then he,

00:21:09.660 --> 00:21:10.260
 eventually,

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.680
 he kind of takes out

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.500
 all the coins

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.580
 and his wallet

00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:15.120
 and he takes off his watch

00:21:15.120 --> 00:21:16.200
 and he takes off his ring

00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.880
 or whatever else,

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.960
 puts it in the offering bag.

00:21:20.540 --> 00:21:20.780
 And so,

00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.880
 still the bag is there.

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.180
 Until eventually,

00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:26.740
 he places it on the ground.

00:21:27.860 --> 00:21:29.640
 He steps into it

00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:33.420
 and then pulled it over his head.

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:36.440
 It was a very powerful visual image.

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:39.060
 Christian worship involves

00:21:39.060 --> 00:21:40.500
 everything that we are

00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:41.560
 and all that we have.

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:44.600
 We're to hold nothing back from him.

00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:48.320
 That was the big difference

00:21:48.320 --> 00:21:50.560
 between Cain and Abel.

00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.560
 Faith and no faith.

00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:55.919
 William still was a prominent

00:21:55.919 --> 00:21:57.799
 Scottish minister

00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.599
 of last century.

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:01.579
 And he has a comment

00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.679
 on this passage

00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.519
 in volume three

00:22:03.519 --> 00:22:04.720
 of his collected writings.

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.039
 This is what he writes.

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.779
 Cain's heart well knew

00:22:08.779 --> 00:22:09.819
 why his offering

00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.059
 had not been accepted.

00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:14.539
 He was not in it.

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:17.279
 It was a kind of concession.

00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:20.779
 Whereas Abel was in his sacrifice

00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.180
 as a humble,

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.839
 believing sinner.

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:27.000
 There is all the difference

00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:28.160
 in the world.

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.379
 I think that hits the nail

00:22:31.379 --> 00:22:31.920
 on the head.

00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.599
 He was not in it.

00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:39.379
 He was not in the sacrifice.

00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.420
 He was not in the offering.

00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.899
 He was not in the worship.

00:22:43.900 --> 00:22:48.000
 Let me ask you tonight,

00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.980
 are you in the worship?

00:22:50.120 --> 00:22:51.220
 Are you in the singing?

00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:53.240
 Are you in the ministry?

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.360
 Are you in the offering?

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.240
 Or are you going through

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.820
 the motions?

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.620
 Are you worshiping

00:23:00.620 --> 00:23:01.340
 the way of Abel

00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.340
 or the way of Cain?

00:23:05.340 --> 00:23:06.460
 William Temple wrote

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.019
 these words,

00:23:07.019 --> 00:23:35.539
 You have to trust God

00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:37.079
 to worship like that.

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.440
 You have to believe in Him.

00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:40.039
 You have to cast yourself

00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.619
 on Him.

00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.319
 You have to give yourself

00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.099
 to Him.

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.480
 For trusting Him

00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.680
 will lead to joy,

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.359
 not sadness.

00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:48.379
 To freedom,

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.200
 not slavery.

00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:49.879
 To life,

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.599
 not death.

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.559
 To hope,

00:23:51.639 --> 00:23:52.240
 not fear.

00:23:53.899 --> 00:23:54.980
 True worship begins

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:55.700
 with a heart

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:57.680
 that trusts God's character

00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.839
 and clings

00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.659
 to His grace

00:23:59.659 --> 00:24:00.220
 and mercy.

00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:03.220
 through faith,

00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.319
 Abel offered

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.920
 an acceptable sacrifice.

00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:07.640
 Through faith,

00:24:08.120 --> 00:24:09.220
 Abel was commended

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:09.920
 as righteous

00:24:09.920 --> 00:24:11.519
 and accepted by God.

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.220
 And then thirdly

00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.259
 and finally here,

00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.500
 through faith,

00:24:16.259 --> 00:24:17.200
 Abel continues

00:24:17.200 --> 00:24:18.180
 to speak

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:20.779
 even after death.

00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:23.319
 And through his faith,

00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.779
 though he died,

00:24:25.539 --> 00:24:27.539
 he still speaks.

00:24:27.539 --> 00:24:29.819
 Abel's life

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.599
 was cut short.

00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:32.700
 He became

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:33.619
 the first martyr,

00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.779
 first to die

00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.639
 for his faith.

00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:37.480
 And yet the writer

00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:38.940
 to the Hebrews says,

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:41.139
 His voice is not silent.

00:24:41.379 --> 00:24:43.019
 He still speaks.

00:24:43.119 --> 00:24:44.539
 He still bears witness.

00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:46.399
 He still testifies

00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.619
 to God's goodness

00:24:47.619 --> 00:24:48.379
 and grace.

00:24:49.420 --> 00:24:50.339
 What does he speak of?

00:24:51.180 --> 00:24:52.180
 Let me mention

00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:53.200
 three things

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.740
 very briefly.

00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:56.200
 I think he speaks

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:57.140
 to us of the cost

00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.740
 of faith.

00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.240
 Abel's faith

00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.200
 led him

00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:02.539
 to a bloody field,

00:25:03.160 --> 00:25:05.059
 just as the faith

00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:06.140
 of countless saints

00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:07.640
 has led them

00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.420
 to persecution,

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.059
 suffering,

00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:09.980
 and death.

00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.700
 And yet in their deaths

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.539
 they testify

00:25:13.539 --> 00:25:14.660
 that God is faithful.

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.220
 Abel's blood,

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.779
 we're told

00:25:16.779 --> 00:25:18.519
 in Genesis 4,

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.059
 verse 10,

00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:19.700
 cried out

00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.539
 from the ground.

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:21.840
 The voice

00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:22.860
 of your brother's blood

00:25:22.860 --> 00:25:24.259
 is crying to me

00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.120
 from the ground,

00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:26.019
 says the Lord.

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:29.980
 God heard that cry.

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.660
 And God hears

00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.400
 the cries

00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.160
 of his people.

00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:37.539
 They are never ignored.

00:25:39.140 --> 00:25:40.380
 And if you're suffering

00:25:40.380 --> 00:25:41.519
 for your faith,

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.740
 take heart.

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.480
 Your voice

00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:44.400
 is heard in heaven.

00:25:45.580 --> 00:25:46.100
 Actually,

00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:46.620
 John,

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.259
 the apostle,

00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.920
 takes this incident

00:25:48.920 --> 00:25:49.799
 and uses it

00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.580
 as a kind of word

00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.700
 of encouragement

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.880
 for those

00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:53.840
 he was writing to.

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:54.440
 He says,

00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:56.299
 for this is the message

00:25:56.299 --> 00:25:56.940
 that you've heard

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.620
 from the beginning

00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.480
 that we should love

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.019
 one another.

00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.860
 We should not be

00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:01.799
 like Cain

00:26:01.799 --> 00:26:03.960
 who was of the evil one

00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.900
 and murdered his brother.

00:26:05.799 --> 00:26:07.000
 And why did he murder him?

00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.960
 Because his own deeds

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.539
 were evil

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:10.180
 and his brother's righteous.

00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.680
 Do not be surprised,

00:26:11.860 --> 00:26:12.080
 brothers,

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.840
 that the world hates you.

00:26:13.839 --> 00:26:16.720
 God sees the hatred

00:26:16.720 --> 00:26:17.799
 of the unrighteous

00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.519
 for the righteous.

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.459
 And he says,

00:26:19.639 --> 00:26:19.839
 you know,

00:26:20.279 --> 00:26:21.480
 don't be surprised

00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.199
 sometimes

00:26:22.199 --> 00:26:23.319
 if the world hates you.

00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:25.319
 And there's a kind of comfort

00:26:25.319 --> 00:26:25.740
 here

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.959
 for God's people.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.599
 Abel's blood

00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.119
 cries out

00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.000
 for justice.

00:26:32.459 --> 00:26:33.279
 But vengeance

00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:34.059
 and justice

00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.939
 are not things

00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.480
 we're to take

00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.699
 into our own hands.

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.480
 These things

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:39.919
 are matters

00:26:39.919 --> 00:26:40.500
 for God.

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:43.779
 God will act

00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.880
 in justice.

00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.779
 His will

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.960
 will be done.

00:26:48.200 --> 00:26:49.140
 The God of the Bible

00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.900
 is not deaf

00:26:49.900 --> 00:26:50.480
 or blind

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.140
 to the evil

00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:51.839
 and injustice,

00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.140
 the many evils

00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:54.160
 and injustices

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.619
 we see in this world.

00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.240
 And even if the world

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.220
 does not care,

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.519
 there is one who does,

00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.660
 and that is God himself.

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.480
 Thomas Manton writes,

00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:09.140
 the blood of a martyr

00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:11.700
 hath a loud voice

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.820
 in the ears

00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.780
 of God.

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:16.540
 The cost of faith.

00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:16.940
 And then,

00:27:17.060 --> 00:27:17.700
 I think also

00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.620
 he speaks to us

00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.900
 of the triumph

00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.560
 of faith.

00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.220
 Death

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:23.620
 could not silence him.

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.160
 His faith,

00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.860
 though it cost him

00:27:25.860 --> 00:27:26.400
 his life,

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.040
 secured

00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:29.800
 eternal commendation.

00:27:30.340 --> 00:27:30.940
 He is alive

00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.940
 in God's presence.

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:32.820
 His example

00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.980
 calls us

00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.800
 to persevere

00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.720
 in the way of faith.

00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:36.680
 And yes,

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.500
 people may mock

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.160
 our faith,

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:40.019
 maybe our families

00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.120
 misunderstand that.

00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.660
 Maybe our own hearts

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.460
 are sometimes,

00:27:43.640 --> 00:27:44.080
 you know,

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.800
 tremble.

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:47.180
 But faith

00:27:47.180 --> 00:27:48.200
 in God's promise

00:27:48.200 --> 00:27:49.880
 will never be put

00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:50.440
 to shame.

00:27:52.420 --> 00:27:53.340
 And there's a reminder

00:27:53.340 --> 00:27:54.320
 here of the powerful

00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.420
 impact a life

00:27:55.420 --> 00:27:56.680
 of faith can have.

00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:58.120
 As we live

00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.700
 on the basis

00:27:58.700 --> 00:27:59.380
 of what God

00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:00.240
 has promised

00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.820
 us in the gospel,

00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.240
 who knows

00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:03.960
 how God

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.960
 might be pleased

00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.279
 to use our testimony,

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.859
 even after

00:28:07.859 --> 00:28:08.700
 we're long gone.

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.539
 The life

00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.079
 of faith

00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:11.519
 you're living

00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.180
 today

00:28:12.180 --> 00:28:13.319
 may yet

00:28:13.319 --> 00:28:14.319
 become a legacy

00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.440
 for your children

00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.899
 or your grandchildren.

00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:19.039
 We may never

00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:19.680
 know the full

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.259
 extent

00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.160
 and impact

00:28:21.160 --> 00:28:22.259
 of our witness

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.059
 in this world.

00:28:24.500 --> 00:28:25.420
 So let me

00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.059
 encourage you

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.160
 to remain faithful

00:28:27.160 --> 00:28:28.200
 and to keep on

00:28:28.200 --> 00:28:28.920
 in the way

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.519
 of faith.

00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:32.220
 sometimes we feel

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.660
 we can feel

00:28:33.660 --> 00:28:35.099
 as if our testimony

00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.200
 of faith

00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.259
 has been rejected,

00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:38.839
 maybe even despised.

00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:41.339
 Yet God may use it.

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.700
 Though he died,

00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.480
 yet still he speaks.

00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.819
 Abel still lives.

00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.660
 He's part of that

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.799
 great cloud of witnesses.

00:28:53.099 --> 00:28:54.319
 And he urges us

00:28:54.319 --> 00:28:55.279
 to trust God,

00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.000
 to bring him

00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.200
 the same kind of worship.

00:28:58.200 --> 00:29:00.440
 a kind of worship

00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.259
 in which we give

00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.940
 ourselves

00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:04.039
 wholeheartedly

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:05.120
 to the Lord.

00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.360
 And then a third

00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:08.900
 thing here.

00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:11.019
 I think Abel

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.819
 also speaks

00:29:11.819 --> 00:29:12.620
 and points us

00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.720
 to Jesus Christ.

00:29:15.100 --> 00:29:16.279
 In the very next

00:29:16.279 --> 00:29:16.779
 chapter

00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.940
 we have another

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.940
 mention of Abel

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.740
 and it's one

00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.779
 that makes a very

00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:22.080
 direct connection

00:29:22.080 --> 00:29:22.680
 with Jesus.

00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:24.120
 The author of Hebrews

00:29:24.120 --> 00:29:24.720
 talks of

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:26.160
 coming in worship

00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.100
 as we were thinking.

00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:28.699
 perhaps this morning

00:29:28.699 --> 00:29:29.679
 of the city

00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.719
 of the living God.

00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.500
 And to Jesus

00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:33.179
 he says,

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.859
 verse 24,

00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.039
 the mediator

00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:36.240
 of a new covenant

00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:37.599
 and the sprinkled

00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:38.079
 blood

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.480
 that speaks

00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.039
 a better word

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:42.659
 than the blood

00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:43.359
 of Abel.

00:29:44.939 --> 00:29:45.500
 So what's this

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.359
 connection between

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:47.219
 the blood of Jesus

00:29:47.219 --> 00:29:47.799
 and the blood

00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.259
 of Abel?

00:29:49.079 --> 00:29:50.099
 Well, as I mentioned,

00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.519
 back in Genesis 4

00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.240
 we're told that

00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.879
 Abel's blood

00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:53.719
 cried out

00:29:53.719 --> 00:29:54.419
 from the ground.

00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:56.759
 What have you done?

00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.620
 The voice of your

00:29:57.620 --> 00:29:58.300
 brother's blood

00:29:58.300 --> 00:29:59.500
 is crying to me

00:29:59.500 --> 00:30:00.200
 from the ground.

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.220
 Abel's blood

00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.500
 cried to God

00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.600
 from the ground

00:30:03.600 --> 00:30:04.519
 and demanded

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.320
 justice,

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.279
 demanded condemnation,

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:08.279
 demanded judgment.

00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.300
 But while

00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:10.940
 the blood

00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.039
 of Abel

00:30:12.039 --> 00:30:13.220
 called for justice,

00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:14.080
 now the blood

00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.740
 of Jesus

00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:16.039
 speaks of something

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:16.800
 very different.

00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.380
 It speaks not

00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:19.200
 of vengeance

00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.160
 or judgment,

00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.019
 instead

00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.640
 it speaks

00:30:21.640 --> 00:30:22.700
 a better word,

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:23.980
 a word

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.759
 of forgiveness,

00:30:25.320 --> 00:30:26.080
 a reconciliation

00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:27.200
 with God.

00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.960
 What can

00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:31.040
 wash away

00:30:31.040 --> 00:30:32.240
 my sin?

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.220
 Nothing

00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:34.000
 but the blood

00:30:34.000 --> 00:30:34.500
 of Jesus.

00:30:34.860 --> 00:30:35.500
 What can

00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.000
 make me

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.740
 whole again?

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:37.540
 Nothing

00:30:37.540 --> 00:30:38.300
 but the blood

00:30:38.300 --> 00:30:38.820
 of Jesus.

00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:39.840
 The blood

00:30:39.840 --> 00:30:40.840
 of Jesus Christ

00:30:40.840 --> 00:30:41.700
 is an atoning

00:30:41.700 --> 00:30:42.400
 sacrifice.

00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.160
 It is the

00:30:44.160 --> 00:30:45.380
 reality to which

00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:46.700
 Abel's animal

00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.440
 sacrifice

00:30:47.440 --> 00:30:47.920
 pointed.

00:30:49.560 --> 00:30:50.360
 In Genesis 4,

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.140
 Abel's offering

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:51.680
 and the language

00:30:51.680 --> 00:30:52.740
 used to describe

00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.720
 it reflects

00:30:53.720 --> 00:30:55.140
 later Old

00:30:55.140 --> 00:30:55.620
 Testament

00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.620
 regulations

00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.380
 for making

00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.140
 atonement for

00:30:58.140 --> 00:30:58.980
 sin at the

00:30:58.980 --> 00:30:59.820
 tabernacle and

00:30:59.820 --> 00:31:00.259
 temple.

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:02.140
 Because the

00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:02.980
 worship of faith

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.900
 draws near to

00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.740
 God on the

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.400
 basis of

00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:06.060
 sacrifice.

00:31:06.820 --> 00:31:07.240
 That theme

00:31:07.240 --> 00:31:08.040
 runs right

00:31:08.040 --> 00:31:08.540
 throughout the

00:31:08.540 --> 00:31:09.440
 biblical witness

00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.259
 from Genesis

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.040
 to Revelation.

00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.340
 And in the

00:31:12.340 --> 00:31:13.220
 previous chapter

00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:13.720
 here, the

00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.620
 writer of Hebrews

00:31:14.620 --> 00:31:15.640
 reminds us

00:31:15.640 --> 00:31:16.080
 that that

00:31:16.080 --> 00:31:17.080
 sacrifice is

00:31:17.080 --> 00:31:18.060
 nothing less

00:31:18.060 --> 00:31:18.640
 than the blood

00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.600
 of Jesus Christ.

00:31:19.599 --> 00:31:20.899
 Remember he

00:31:20.899 --> 00:31:21.259
 says in

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:21.799
 Hebrews 10

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.199
 19,

00:31:22.199 --> 00:31:23.199
 Therefore,

00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:23.839
 brothers,

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.559
 since we have

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.439
 confidence to

00:31:25.439 --> 00:31:25.899
 enter the

00:31:25.899 --> 00:31:26.740
 holy places

00:31:26.740 --> 00:31:28.159
 by the

00:31:28.159 --> 00:31:28.959
 blood of

00:31:28.959 --> 00:31:29.379
 Jesus,

00:31:29.939 --> 00:31:30.500
 by the

00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:30.919
 new and

00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:31.559
 living way,

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.419
 he opened

00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:33.159
 for us

00:31:33.159 --> 00:31:33.559
 through the

00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:33.919
 curtain,

00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:34.919
 that is

00:31:34.919 --> 00:31:35.319
 through his

00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:35.859
 flesh,

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.759
 and since we

00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:36.980
 have a

00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.480
 great priest

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.899
 over the

00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:38.319
 house of

00:31:38.319 --> 00:31:38.599
 God,

00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.219
 let us

00:31:39.219 --> 00:31:40.119
 draw near

00:31:40.119 --> 00:31:41.059
 with a

00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.819
 true heart

00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.659
 in full

00:31:42.659 --> 00:31:43.459
 assurance

00:31:43.459 --> 00:31:44.679
 of faith,

00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:46.080
 with our

00:31:46.080 --> 00:31:46.440
 hearts

00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:46.880
 sprinkled

00:31:46.880 --> 00:31:47.420
 clean from

00:31:47.420 --> 00:31:47.740
 an evil

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.400
 conscience,

00:31:48.900 --> 00:31:49.380
 and our

00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:50.120
 bodies washed

00:31:50.120 --> 00:31:50.539
 with pure

00:31:50.539 --> 00:31:50.960
 water.

00:31:51.920 --> 00:31:52.759
 The blood

00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.340
 of Jesus

00:31:53.340 --> 00:31:54.600
 Christ speaks

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.460
 to us a

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:56.640
 word demanding

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:58.720
 not condemnation,

00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.220
 but deliverance

00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.960
 and salvation,

00:32:01.660 --> 00:32:03.420
 not expulsion,

00:32:03.740 --> 00:32:04.920
 but reconciliation,

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.299
 not pushing us

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:06.860
 away, but

00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:07.660
 welcoming us

00:32:07.660 --> 00:32:08.299
 in.

00:32:10.100 --> 00:32:10.660
 And it's at the

00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:11.500
 cross of Christ

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:13.339
 we see the

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:14.839
 blood that

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.440
 can make

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.920
 even the

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.700
 foulest

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:18.240
 clean.

00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.039
 Sometimes

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.519
 when, on a

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.000
 Sunday, we've

00:32:24.000 --> 00:32:24.359
 had people

00:32:24.359 --> 00:32:24.779
 round for

00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.220
 lunch,

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.759
 occasions I've

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.339
 sent them on

00:32:27.339 --> 00:32:28.440
 ahead with

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.180
 the keys

00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:30.519
 for the

00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.099
 house, because

00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:31.539
 we've been

00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:33.779
 delayed, and

00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.740
 sometimes they

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.079
 feel a bit

00:32:35.079 --> 00:32:35.700
 uncomfortable

00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:37.460
 letting themselves

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.059
 into the

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.400
 house.

00:32:39.819 --> 00:32:40.740
 But it's a

00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.339
 fact that I've

00:32:41.339 --> 00:32:41.939
 given them

00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.500
 the key.

00:32:43.279 --> 00:32:43.779
 I've given

00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.839
 them access.

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.639
 I want them

00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.399
 to go in.

00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:51.139
 Sinners, we

00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.879
 always feel

00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.379
 uncomfortable

00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:53.159
 about our

00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:53.519
 sin, and

00:32:53.519 --> 00:32:54.179
 that's a

00:32:54.179 --> 00:32:54.839
 healthy thing.

00:32:56.419 --> 00:32:56.839
 But God

00:32:56.839 --> 00:32:57.299
 has sent

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:57.759
 His Son

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.399
 to die

00:32:58.399 --> 00:33:01.119
 that we

00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:01.519
 might be

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:01.919
 forgiven.

00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.259
 And that's

00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.720
 the key to

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.019
 God's

00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:05.599
 presence.

00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:08.240
 Forgiveness

00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:09.519
 and His

00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.059
 righteousness.

00:33:10.059 --> 00:33:10.099
 righteousness.

00:33:10.720 --> 00:33:11.079
 And that's

00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.559
 the key to

00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:11.879
 worship.

00:33:13.179 --> 00:33:13.519
 He doesn't

00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.139
 ask us to

00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:14.579
 try and

00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.200
 feel, you

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.339
 know, feel

00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:16.759
 we've got

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.139
 access.

00:33:18.460 --> 00:33:19.419
 He asks us

00:33:19.419 --> 00:33:19.859
 to believe

00:33:19.859 --> 00:33:20.339
 that it's a

00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:20.859
 fact.

00:33:21.460 --> 00:33:21.839
 And He

00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.679
 invites us to

00:33:22.679 --> 00:33:23.220
 come to

00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.779
 Him by

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.399
 faith.

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:25.500
 He has

00:33:25.500 --> 00:33:25.980
 given us

00:33:25.980 --> 00:33:27.700
 the key, as

00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.159
 it were, and

00:33:28.159 --> 00:33:28.960
 that key is

00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.359
 Jesus.

00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.279
 Hebrews 10,

00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:31.879
 19 doesn't

00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:32.659
 say, since we

00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:33.279
 have confidence

00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:34.099
 to enter by,

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:34.720
 you know, how

00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.379
 well we've been

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:35.819
 doing as a

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.379
 Christian this

00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:36.639
 week.

00:33:36.640 --> 00:33:37.500
 It says, since

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:37.800
 we have

00:33:37.800 --> 00:33:38.540
 confidence to

00:33:38.540 --> 00:33:39.880
 enter by the

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.340
 blood of

00:33:40.340 --> 00:33:40.720
 Jesus.

00:33:41.520 --> 00:33:41.900
 In other

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.280
 words, it's

00:33:42.280 --> 00:33:42.780
 nothing to

00:33:42.780 --> 00:33:44.180
 do with how

00:33:44.180 --> 00:33:45.020
 well or

00:33:45.020 --> 00:33:45.759
 badly we've

00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:46.160
 been doing.

00:33:46.300 --> 00:33:47.280
 It's entirely

00:33:47.280 --> 00:33:48.500
 to do, completely

00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.400
 to do, with

00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:50.560
 Jesus' death.

00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.480
 That's what

00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:51.980
 makes us

00:33:51.980 --> 00:33:53.100
 acceptable to

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.980
 Him as we

00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.380
 are.

00:33:56.220 --> 00:33:56.880
 So what does

00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:57.740
 Abel's faith say

00:33:57.740 --> 00:33:58.460
 to us tonight?

00:33:59.500 --> 00:34:00.180
 Well, if you're

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.720
 not a believer,

00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:02.600
 it says, come to

00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:02.980
 God.

00:34:04.060 --> 00:34:04.740
 Not with your

00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.680
 own works, not

00:34:05.680 --> 00:34:06.120
 in your own

00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:07.680
 effort, but

00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:08.519
 trusting in the

00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.260
 sacrifice of

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:09.800
 Jesus Christ.

00:34:09.880 --> 00:34:10.900
 Come to God, not

00:34:10.900 --> 00:34:11.720
 with your own

00:34:11.720 --> 00:34:13.280
 merits, but

00:34:13.280 --> 00:34:13.680
 pleading the

00:34:13.680 --> 00:34:14.019
 blood of

00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:14.340
 Jesus.

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.380
 Come by faith

00:34:16.380 --> 00:34:16.880
 in the one

00:34:16.880 --> 00:34:17.579
 whose sprinkled

00:34:17.579 --> 00:34:18.700
 blood still

00:34:18.700 --> 00:34:19.760
 speaks a

00:34:19.760 --> 00:34:20.760
 better word

00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.320
 than the

00:34:21.320 --> 00:34:22.000
 blood of

00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.340
 Abel.

00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.099
 And if

00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:25.360
 you're a

00:34:25.360 --> 00:34:25.920
 Christian, it

00:34:25.920 --> 00:34:27.860
 says, hold

00:34:27.860 --> 00:34:28.920
 fast to your

00:34:28.920 --> 00:34:29.340
 faith.

00:34:30.320 --> 00:34:31.200
 Even when it

00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:31.659
 leads through

00:34:31.659 --> 00:34:32.200
 the valley of

00:34:32.200 --> 00:34:34.880
 suffering, God

00:34:34.880 --> 00:34:35.480
 will vindicate

00:34:35.480 --> 00:34:35.900
 you.

00:34:36.260 --> 00:34:36.539
 To the

00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:36.980
 weary and

00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.480
 the struggling,

00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:38.460
 it says, your

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:39.119
 voice like

00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:39.740
 Abel's will

00:34:39.740 --> 00:34:40.099
 not be

00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.660
 silenced.

00:34:41.640 --> 00:34:42.200
 Your faith

00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:42.840
 will endure

00:34:42.840 --> 00:34:43.619
 beyond the

00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:44.039
 grave.

00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:46.300
 And so the

00:34:46.300 --> 00:34:47.140
 invitation then

00:34:47.140 --> 00:34:47.840
 is to join

00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.400
 this great

00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.460
 cloud of

00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.280
 witnesses we

00:34:50.280 --> 00:34:50.680
 see in

00:34:50.680 --> 00:34:51.400
 Hebrews 11,

00:34:52.760 --> 00:34:53.420
 offering to

00:34:53.420 --> 00:34:53.920
 God the

00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.840
 sacrifice of

00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.640
 faith, trusting

00:34:55.640 --> 00:34:57.900
 in the blood

00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.559
 of the Lamb

00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:58.920
 who was

00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.360
 slain.

00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:01.880
 By God's

00:35:01.880 --> 00:35:02.519
 grace, may it

00:35:02.519 --> 00:35:03.099
 be true of

00:35:03.099 --> 00:35:04.820
 us, that

00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.340
 even when

00:35:05.340 --> 00:35:06.179
 we're like

00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.920
 Abel long

00:35:06.920 --> 00:35:08.360
 gone, our

00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.059
 faith like

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.880
 Abel's of

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:11.480
 old will

00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.139
 still speak

00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:13.880
 and point

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.380
 others to

00:35:14.380 --> 00:35:14.840
 the God

00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:16.019
 who is

00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.420
 faithful

00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:17.380
 forever.

00:35:18.179 --> 00:35:18.860
 Let's pray.

00:35:26.079 --> 00:35:26.759
 God, our

00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.219
 Father, we

00:35:27.219 --> 00:35:27.900
 thank you for

00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.559
 your rich

00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:29.219
 mercy and

00:35:29.219 --> 00:35:29.579
 grace.

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:31.279
 we thank

00:35:31.279 --> 00:35:31.559
 you for

00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:31.940
 your great

00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.400
 love for

00:35:32.400 --> 00:35:32.699
 us in

00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.000
 the Lord

00:35:33.000 --> 00:35:33.279
 Jesus

00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:33.779
 Christ.

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.860
 We thank

00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:37.139
 you for

00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.579
 the shed

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.679
 blood of

00:35:38.679 --> 00:35:39.159
 our Savior.

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:41.400
 We thank

00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:41.880
 you that it

00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.340
 speaks to

00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:42.960
 us a better

00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:44.199
 word than

00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.619
 the blood

00:35:44.619 --> 00:35:45.319
 of Abel.

00:35:46.239 --> 00:35:47.099
 Lord, receive

00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:47.639
 our worship

00:35:47.639 --> 00:35:48.239
 this evening

00:35:48.239 --> 00:35:49.779
 as we

00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:50.139
 offer

00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:51.960
 ourselves to

00:35:51.960 --> 00:35:53.480
 you in

00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.960
 faith and

00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.480
 trust,

00:35:56.960 --> 00:35:58.000
 confident not

00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.900
 in ourselves

00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:00.400
 but in

00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:01.179
 Jesus Christ,

00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:02.460
 our great

00:36:02.460 --> 00:36:03.019
 and mighty

00:36:03.019 --> 00:36:03.900
 Savior, and

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.380
 in whose name

00:36:04.380 --> 00:36:04.840
 we pray.

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:05.719
 Amen.