WEBVTT

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 more than just a case study of murder. It is in fact a case study of what to expect

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 in life outside of the garden of Eden. Genesis 4 exposes three realities

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 which are ever present in everyday life, in every part of life outside of the garden.

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 There are always three things that are operating in life, three things in a world destroyed by

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 rejection of God and that is sin, grace and the ever-present possibility of salvation

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 and that's the outline for this morning, secret sin. The first place in the Bible where the word

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 sin is used is in verse 7 of chapter 4. The point that I want to make here is though that sin had

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 its beginning before the actual action of sin, of murder. Sin was existing before the actual

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 commitment of murder here. There is a run-up action if you like to murder and we see it

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 in the difference between Abel and Cain. Both of them are respectable human beings working hard,

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 both of them believe in God, both of them are worshipping God, both bring an offering to God.

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 There's no difference on the surface between these two. So why is it then that Abel's offering was

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 accepted but Cain's offering was rejected? Some have thought that it's, well, it's because that God

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 prefers animal sacrifices rather than grain sacrifices. That's his preference. But you read the rest of the

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 Old Testament, that's not the case at all. Both harvest sacrifices, you know, the offering of grain and the

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 offering of blood sacrifices, both honoured by God and both instituted in the sacrificial system,

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 in Leviticus. So what's the difference? The clue is in verses 3 and 4 where it says,

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 Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil but Abel brought an offering, fat portions, from some of the

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 firstborn of his flock. The words fat there, fat portions and firstborn mean that Abel gave to God

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 the pick, the best, if you like, the very best. And this is in contrast to Cain's indifference

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 difference to what he brought to God, some of the grain. That is, what we see there subtly in verses 3 and 4

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 is a heart difference between the two. A heart difference, an attitude of the heart. Cain's heart

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 is exposed in verse 7. If you do not do what is right, this is God speaking to Cain,

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 sin is crouching at your door. It desires to have you but you must rule over it. What a metaphor that

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 is right there. Sin is hiding itself. It's crouching down, trying not to be noticed with the intention

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 that it is going to pounce on you. We've got this kitten in our home at the moment and it does it

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 all the time. Hides behind a door and next thing you know you walk past and pounces on your feet.

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 Or it sits there like just with the ears popping up, peeking at you over the top of the stairs,

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 waiting for you to come down the stairs so it can pounce on you. That's the description here of sin.

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 Right here. On the surface, these two brothers look exactly the same but there's something wrong

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 with Cain's heart. It is subtle. In fact, it's so subtle that not even Cain notices it.

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 Sin does not want to be noticed. Sin, in fact, is so subtle it will even present itself as a virtue

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 or as a non-issue or as a small issue. Sin will try everything in order to stay hidden

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 or present us with something else until it has us and then it comes out of the shadows.

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 See, in the early stages of pride or prejudice of addictions of anger, we tend to think that we

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 have it all under control. We think it's not a problem. I can manage this. It's not a problem.

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 And when sin comes out of the shadows, it becomes a power in our life that it controls us.

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 Verse 7 says, sin desires to have you, control you, master you.

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 You see, before long, it takes over, takes control. You see, if we do sin, sin will ultimately do us.

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 There is no stronger controlling power in our life than a power that is invisible to us.

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 Gossips will find themselves gossiped about. Haters will hate. Cowards will be deserted.

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 Those who will do anything in order to be popular will be cancelled.

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 Sin is not just a choice we make. It is a power in our lives that controls.

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 And so, I suppose, do you know what your crouching sins are in your life?

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 Our weak points are the things we don't think are that bad right now.

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 The things that we think we're controlling, things that we think we have a power over.

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 In fact, our weakest point is often the place where we are, in our own perception, the strongest.

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 And I managed to recently, in the middle of the year, drag my family along to a military museum in Singapore.

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 And I used the word drag intentionally.

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 They were there under US, for sure.

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 The fall of Singapore in 1942 to Japanese forces was, in fact, by Churchill's regard,

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 the greatest military defeat in the British Empire's history.

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 The island's defences for the entire time up to that point were designed to protect the naval base at Changi from sea attacks.

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 But it left the northern shore of Singapore vulnerable.

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 That is, Singapore's defences were facing south out to the sea.

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 For decades, the assumption was that Singapore's weakest spot was a seaborne invasion.

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 That's its weakest.

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 It was considered for decades that the jungle from Malaysia through to Singapore was impenetrable for a large army,

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 and certainly by a mechanised army, until the 8th of February, 1942,

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 when the Japanese army arrived on Singapore shores.

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 Where we think we are strong, where we think we are okay, where we think we are safe,

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 is often where sin is crouching ready to pass.

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 So I ask you again, what are your crouching sins in life?

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 What sin are you currently turning into a virtue?

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 I'm not greedy, I'm just frugal.

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 I'm not angry and bitter, I, in fact, are just simply expressing righteous moral outrage.

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 I'm not a workaholic, I'm productive and I'm diligent.

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 I'm not gossiping, I'm just sharing prayer points.

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 Sin is always crouching down, but in the end, it will have you.

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 Now, against this narrative of devastating sin and murder,

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 we encounter a God of gentle grace.

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 My second point.

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 Genesis 4, in fact, none of Genesis at all,

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 but even in Genesis 4, it does not present us with a God who is a cosmic policeman,

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 but instead a God who refuses to choose between justice and mercy.

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 A God who's not just angry and smite,

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 but neither a God who just,

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 oh, we'll let bygones be guygones and we just embrace and sing kumbaya.

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 He does not choose between justice and mercy.

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 We saw in chapter 3,

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 and so again, God graciously initiates here in chapter 4.

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 God does not turn up after the murder of Abel.

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 He turns up as soon as he sees sin crouching.

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 Before sin has become a power over Cain.

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 Notice verse 5.

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 So Cain was very angry and his face was downcast.

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 The original language, the word downcast means his face fell.

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 What that means is Cain could have taken God's communication to him

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 about his offering as a rebuke,

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 as a correction,

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 and he could have in that moment sought God's forgiveness.

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 Instead, he starts to spiral down.

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 And it's only then we read in verse 6,

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 Then the Lord said to Cain,

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 Why are you angry?

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 Why is your face downcast?

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 If you do what is right,

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 will you not be accepted?

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 But if you do not do what is right,

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 sin is crouching at the door.

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 It desires to have you,

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 but you must rule over it.

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 Cain did not call out to God in any way.

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 But God came to Cain.

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 God is always there.

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 God always initiates.

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 He always steps in.

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 And notice the other thing here that God graciously and gently affirms.

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 God comes not as a policeman,

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 nor even as a teacher,

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 but as a counsellor.

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 He doesn't show up angry.

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 He doesn't push back at Cain.

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 How dare you get mad with me?

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 How dare you, Cain?

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 Don't you know who I am?

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 I'm the creator of the universe.

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 Let me just sit down and I...

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 Verse 7, he comes to Cain and says he wants him to master sin.

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 God is encouraging him to master sin

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 and make the right choice.

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 You see, grace always initiates.

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 It always affirms and it always exposes.

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 See, there in verse 6 is where God really is the counsellor exposing.

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 Why are you angry?

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 Why are you angry, Cain?

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 That's a good question, isn't it?

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 Why is Cain angry with God?

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 Why is he angry?

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 You see, he looked on favour with Abel's offering,

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 but not on Cain's.

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 So why does this infuriate Cain?

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 I mean, he could have gone and got another one,

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 another offering, had another crack.

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 Could have said sorry, moved on.

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 Why is he so infuriated?

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 Well, the clue is in their name.

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 The name Cain means things like productive, fruitful, successful.

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 Abel means breath, vapour, mist, meaningless, nobody.

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 That's the clue.

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 Unfortunate name for sure.

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 And you see it actually hinted at it in the text, in the narrative.

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 You know, Eve was so excited when Cain came along,

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 but there's nothing with Abel.

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 Have a look.

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 Verses 1 and 2.

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 With the help of the Lord, I have brought forth a man.

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 Speaking of Cain, later she gave birth to Abel.

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 You see, in the text here, in their names,

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 we see Cain's the winner, Abel's the loser.

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 Cain gets angry when God's favour landed on the loser,

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 on the spare.

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 That's not his life at all.

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 The nobody was regarded as a somebody,

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 and the somebody was disregarded.

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 That's Cain's problem.

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 Cain's identity was constructed from his relationship to his brother.

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 He was great because he was better than Abel.

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 And when God turns up and favours Abel,

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 Cain can...

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 He either had to readjust his sense of self,

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 or he had to eliminate Abel.

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 You see, when God is confronted with God's...

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 Sorry, when Cain is confronted with God's measure

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 of what truly matters,

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 and what is truly great,

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 he has no choice in the end,

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 or this was the choice that he had,

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 was either have a new sense of identity in God,

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 or he has to exclude both God and Abel.

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 You see, the premise of Cain's life goes something like this.

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 If Abel is who God regards him to be,

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 then I am not who I understand myself to be.

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 And the essence of sin in the Bible

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 is to build an identity

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 outside of the identity given to us

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 by our Creator God.

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 That's the essence of sin.

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 It's to say,

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 what makes me cool,

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 what makes me okay,

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 what makes me significant,

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 is I'm living up to

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 what my parents say I am.

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 I'm living up...

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 I'm a success in life.

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 I've accumulated

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 these vast resources.

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 I have all of these experiences.

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 I am this.

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 I am that.

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 And that means I am a somebody.

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 And anyone who doesn't have what I have

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 is a nobody.

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 And when God shows up,

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 he has an entirely different value system.

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 And Cain goes berserk.

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 His whole life

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 has been defined

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 as him being the number one son,

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 the better brother.

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 And he can't handle it.

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 You see,

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 an identity built

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 outside of our Creator God

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 is so fragile.

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 fragile.

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 And every time

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 someone kicks

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 the golden calf

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 that is my identity

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 at the core

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 of my being,

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 there is one

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 emotional response

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 linked to a challenge

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 to my deepest value.

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 You know what it is?

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 Psychologists will tell you this.

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 Anger.

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 Anger.

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 Anger.

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 And every single one of us

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 has built a life

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 outside of our Creator God

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 and our identities are fragile.

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 There are some things

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 that we will do

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 anything to keep

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 because losing it

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 means we lose ourselves.

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 And so God

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 graciously,

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 gently comes after Cain,

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 probing him

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 and convicting him

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 to see if he knows

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 why he is angry.

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 What is it

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 that's been attacked

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 in your sense of self

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 in this moment?

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 In every single issue

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 of life,

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 sin is a factor

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 and God's grace

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 is a factor.

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 At every point,

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 God is pushing us

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 to examine

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 the very foundations

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 of our lives.

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 to take a look

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 at what it is

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 that we build our lives on

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 and how fragile it is.

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 Every single problem in life,

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 everything that makes

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 our face downcast,

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 in God's grace,

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 is an opportunity

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 to reflect,

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 to identify,

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 to search,

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 and to grow.

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 And he does it

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 in life for us

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 consistently

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 because it is only

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 in our creator,

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 God's approval,

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 his love,

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 his grace,

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 his forgiveness

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 that we can have

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 a completely

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 unchanging

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 and secure

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 and sure identity

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 and a sense

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 of ourself.

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 So that means

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 that in every moment

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:36.660
 of life,

00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.300
 not just sin

00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:38.180
 and grace operate,

00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:39.700
 but in every moment

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.140
 of life

00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:40.860
 is a possibility

00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:41.780
 for salvation

00:19:41.780 --> 00:19:42.720
 for each of us.

00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.960
 And we get a glimpse

00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.980
 of the possibility

00:19:46.980 --> 00:19:47.680
 of salvation

00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.900
 in these verses

00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:50.740
 where there's an opportunity

00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:52.080
 to cooperate

00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:54.500
 with God's initiating grace

00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:56.040
 and to escape sin.

00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.500
 None of us

00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.740
 has to end up

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.460
 like Cain,

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:03.299
 destroying ourselves

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:04.220
 and others

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.480
 in order to protect

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.640
 the fragile self.

00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:10.039
 And to see that,

00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.100
 I want to just quickly

00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:12.500
 jump to the New Testament

00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:14.519
 and how it understands

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.000
 Genesis 4.

00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.460
 Hebrews 11 verse 4

00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:19.460
 says this,

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:20.900
 by faith,

00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.200
 Abel brought to God

00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.240
 a better offering

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.160
 than Cain did.

00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:26.980
 Now,

00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:27.740
 when it says there

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.480
 by faith,

00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.840
 that's not saying

00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.920
 that Abel believed

00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.920
 in God's existence

00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.640
 and Cain didn't believe

00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.680
 in God's existence,

00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.060
 you know,

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.759
 why on earth

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.860
 would Cain be bringing

00:20:37.860 --> 00:20:39.120
 an offering to God

00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:40.460
 if he didn't believe

00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.140
 God existed?

00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.500
 And I'm pretty sure

00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:44.060
 God speaking to him,

00:20:44.180 --> 00:20:45.480
 asking why he was angry,

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.360
 would allow him

00:20:46.360 --> 00:20:47.259
 any confusion

00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:47.720
 as to whether

00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.400
 God existed.

00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:51.519
 It's not faith

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.539
 in God's existence.

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:55.440
 It is what we said

00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:57.259
 in Genesis chapter 3,

00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:58.940
 it is faith

00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.299
 in the goodness

00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.259
 of God,

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.420
 in the grace

00:21:03.420 --> 00:21:03.759
 of God.

00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:04.099
 That is,

00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:05.619
 Abel brought

00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.759
 his offering

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.279
 to God

00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:09.099
 completely confident

00:21:09.099 --> 00:21:10.740
 and trusting in

00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.859
 and leaning in

00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.500
 to a gracious

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.480
 and merciful God.

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.559
 You see,

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.839
 Abel,

00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.519
 just like Cain,

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.619
 would have heard

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.879
 from his parents

00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:23.139
 fresh out of the

00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:23.859
 Garden of Eden

00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.139
 about the promised

00:21:25.139 --> 00:21:26.180
 head crusher

00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:26.960
 from chapter 3,

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.740
 verse 15,

00:21:28.440 --> 00:21:29.359
 who would defeat

00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.220
 the lie of Satan,

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.240
 who would reverse

00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.299
 the effects of sin,

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:33.440
 the lie of Satan

00:21:33.440 --> 00:21:34.940
 which says,

00:21:35.379 --> 00:21:36.220
 God is not good,

00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:37.680
 he is not for you.

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.359
 They would have heard

00:21:40.359 --> 00:21:40.920
 that from,

00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.000
 you know,

00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.440
 these boys' age,

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:43.680
 you know,

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.500
 like right through.

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.740
 Would have heard it

00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:46.819
 again and again and again.

00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:50.679
 Abel made his offering

00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:51.859
 in response

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:53.220
 to who God is.

00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:54.939
 It was an offering

00:21:54.939 --> 00:21:56.059
 out of gratitude

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.639
 for God's grace

00:21:57.639 --> 00:21:58.639
 and his mercy.

00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.559
 Cain's offering

00:22:01.559 --> 00:22:04.139
 was not a belief

00:22:04.139 --> 00:22:04.779
 in the goodness

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.460
 of God

00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.740
 and it was an attempt

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.319
 to secure God's favour.

00:22:09.159 --> 00:22:10.359
 That's Cain's offering.

00:22:11.720 --> 00:22:12.659
 That's why God

00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.599
 was not pleased.

00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:16.139
 Cain's offering

00:22:16.140 --> 00:22:17.520
 was an offering

00:22:17.520 --> 00:22:19.400
 of religion,

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:21.460
 not an offering

00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.060
 of faith.

00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:24.280
 Religion,

00:22:24.520 --> 00:22:25.380
 as I've often said

00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:26.259
 from here,

00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.600
 religion is

00:22:27.600 --> 00:22:28.540
 an activity.

00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.200
 It's an activity

00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.520
 like turning up

00:22:31.520 --> 00:22:32.120
 to church.

00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.780
 It's an activity

00:22:32.780 --> 00:22:33.940
 like serving

00:22:33.940 --> 00:22:35.020
 and reading the Bible

00:22:35.020 --> 00:22:36.520
 and preaching

00:22:36.520 --> 00:22:38.380
 and giving away money

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.259
 and praying

00:22:39.259 --> 00:22:40.600
 and getting baptised

00:22:40.600 --> 00:22:41.580
 and taking communion

00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:43.919
 and being a moral,

00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:44.559
 upright,

00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.439
 good person

00:22:45.439 --> 00:22:46.599
 in the hope

00:22:46.599 --> 00:22:48.079
 and the expectation

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.779
 that when God shows up

00:22:49.779 --> 00:22:51.139
 he will find me acceptable.

00:22:54.699 --> 00:22:57.159
 When we pursue religion,

00:22:57.579 --> 00:23:01.079
 we have all the marks

00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:02.039
 of Cain.

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:04.799
 we have the attitude

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.519
 in the heart

00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.200
 of Cain.

00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.720
 Cain is mad

00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:09.299
 at God

00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.399
 because God

00:23:10.399 --> 00:23:11.480
 isn't affirming

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.559
 his sense

00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.339
 of self.

00:23:14.099 --> 00:23:15.119
 God is not

00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.920
 giving him

00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:17.299
 what he expects

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:18.500
 God to give him.

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:22.180
 You see,

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:22.839
 if we think

00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.359
 that God

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.279
 owes us

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.839
 a particular

00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.859
 kind of life

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:28.000
 because of who we are

00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.160
 or because of

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:30.220
 what we've achieved

00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:31.539
 or because of

00:23:31.539 --> 00:23:32.279
 what we've done

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.420
 in his name,

00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:35.700
 we are Cain.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.339
 We are not able.

00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.220
 We might even believe

00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.279
 that God exists

00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:45.460
 but our confidence

00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:46.779
 is in ourselves

00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:48.599
 and not

00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:49.500
 that we are saved

00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.319
 by his grace

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.079
 and his mercy.

00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:54.000
 So how do we turn?

00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.660
 Where do we look

00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.960
 in order to go

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.059
 from Cain

00:23:59.059 --> 00:24:00.579
 to become an Abel?

00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.680
 And the answer

00:24:01.680 --> 00:24:02.579
 is just a little bit

00:24:02.579 --> 00:24:03.240
 further on

00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:04.839
 in Hebrews chapter 12.

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:07.440
 You have come to God

00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.740
 the judge of all,

00:24:08.819 --> 00:24:09.460
 the one who brings

00:24:09.460 --> 00:24:10.579
 justice to all,

00:24:11.079 --> 00:24:11.980
 to the spirits

00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:13.339
 of the righteous

00:24:13.339 --> 00:24:14.200
 made perfect,

00:24:14.359 --> 00:24:14.980
 to Jesus,

00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.839
 the mediator

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.559
 of a new covenant,

00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:18.920
 and to the sprinkled blood

00:24:18.920 --> 00:24:20.240
 that speaks

00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:21.500
 a better word

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.660
 than the blood

00:24:22.660 --> 00:24:23.599
 of Abel.

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.039
 You see,

00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:26.660
 many,

00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:28.180
 many centuries

00:24:28.180 --> 00:24:29.559
 after Abel

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:32.440
 came a greater Abel,

00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.359
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:38.299
 And like the first Abel,

00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:40.279
 the greater Abel

00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:41.660
 was murdered.

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:41.720
 murdered.

00:24:43.040 --> 00:24:44.220
 Not killed by

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.759
 the outcast,

00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.560
 the bad people

00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:47.240
 of society,

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.480
 not by the prostitutes,

00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:48.920
 the pimps,

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.400
 the thieves,

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.420
 and the whatever else's,

00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:52.600
 but murdered

00:24:52.600 --> 00:24:53.680
 by the good people,

00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:56.880
 the religious people.

00:24:56.880 --> 00:25:01.580
 Why was he murdered

00:25:01.580 --> 00:25:02.880
 by the religious people?

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.680
 Because he turned up

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.400
 and he said

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:08.040
 outrageous things

00:25:08.040 --> 00:25:09.920
 in a sermon

00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.080
 much better than this one,

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.040
 Matthew chapter 5,

00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.300
 in fact,

00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:12.940
 the greatest sermon

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:13.540
 of all priests,

00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.400
 the Sermon on the Mount.

00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.660
 He turns up

00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:17.460
 and he confronts

00:25:17.460 --> 00:25:18.460
 the religious people

00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.260
 with attitude

00:25:19.260 --> 00:25:19.940
 of the heart.

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:20.560
 He said,

00:25:20.760 --> 00:25:21.040
 you know,

00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.860
 you've heard it said,

00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.720
 do not commit murder.

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.620
 I want to say to you,

00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:25.200
 if you've been angry

00:25:25.200 --> 00:25:25.779
 with your brother,

00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.480
 you've committed murder

00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:27.019
 in your heart,

00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.579
 even if you haven't

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.559
 stabbed them with a knife.

00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.900
 Your problem

00:25:31.900 --> 00:25:32.579
 is an attitude

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.240
 of the heart.

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:34.839
 He said things like that

00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.860
 to the religious people

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:37.579
 and they were furious

00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.339
 with him

00:25:38.339 --> 00:25:41.519
 because he exposes

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.039
 the attitude

00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:42.680
 of the heart.

00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.880
 And they're nailed

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.660
 into a cross.

00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:50.519
 But it was God's plan

00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.039
 of mercy

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.880
 and grace,

00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:54.160
 Jesus' death

00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.880
 on the cross,

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.180
 God's plan

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.720
 of mercy

00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.400
 and grace

00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:58.360
 in order

00:25:58.360 --> 00:26:00.020
 to secure justice.

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.460
 Jesus' blood

00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.460
 was the just payment

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.620
 for crimes

00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:07.320
 against all

00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:08.360
 of humanity,

00:26:09.060 --> 00:26:10.640
 all of the Cains

00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.520
 who followed

00:26:11.520 --> 00:26:12.920
 on from Cain,

00:26:13.040 --> 00:26:14.460
 every human being.

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.680
 Genesis 4,

00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:22.000
 verse 10,

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.080
 God says to Cain,

00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.480
 what have you done?

00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:27.980
 Listen,

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:29.140
 your brother's blood

00:26:29.140 --> 00:26:30.259
 cries out to me

00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.039
 from the ground.

00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.560
 Although Abel's body

00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:36.299
 was covered by dirt,

00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.840
 it could not be hidden.

00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.340
 Sin would not be hidden.

00:26:42.320 --> 00:26:43.600
 His blood cried out

00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:44.460
 for justice.

00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.100
 According to the Old Testament,

00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:48.400
 blood and life

00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.700
 belong to God alone.

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:52.180
 murder is a direct

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:53.019
 assault

00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:54.400
 on creators,

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:56.019
 on our created God's

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:57.180
 right of possession

00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.559
 of another human being.

00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.700
 Spilled blood

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:02.000
 will never be covered.

00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:04.080
 It cries out

00:27:04.080 --> 00:27:05.240
 directly to the Lord

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.700
 of life

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.039
 looking for justice

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.660
 for a life

00:27:07.660 --> 00:27:08.559
 that's been taken.

00:27:11.080 --> 00:27:12.299
 And Hebrews 12

00:27:12.299 --> 00:27:12.920
 tells us

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.960
 that Jesus' blood

00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:15.200
 cries out

00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.080
 for justice

00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:17.620
 too.

00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:20.199
 but it cries out

00:27:20.199 --> 00:27:21.039
 for justice

00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:22.239
 differently.

00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.219
 It's better

00:27:24.219 --> 00:27:25.559
 than the blood

00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.459
 of Abel.

00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.500
 1 John 1,

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:28.939
 verse 8

00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:30.019
 tells us why.

00:27:30.979 --> 00:27:32.219
 If we confess

00:27:32.219 --> 00:27:33.199
 our sin,

00:27:33.939 --> 00:27:35.359
 he is faithful.

00:27:35.719 --> 00:27:36.619
 He is good.

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.079
 He is merciful

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:40.439
 and just

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.539
 and will forgive us

00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.279
 our sins

00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:44.700
 and purify us

00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:46.380
 from all unrighteousness.

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.480
 If we confess

00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.539
 our sins,

00:27:49.759 --> 00:27:50.860
 he is faithful,

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:51.640
 he is good

00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:53.240
 and just

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:56.559
 and will forgive us

00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.120
 our sins

00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.980
 and purify us

00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.039
 from all unrighteousness.

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.120
 You see,

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:01.700
 what that says there

00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.279
 is that

00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:04.019
 God does not just,

00:28:04.080 --> 00:28:04.700
 he's not just

00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:08.059
 the great eternal

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.720
 grandfather

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.840
 sitting on a throne

00:28:09.840 --> 00:28:10.180
 just,

00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:10.960
 you know,

00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.580
 wanting everyone,

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.700
 just hugging everyone

00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.559
 and just bearing

00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.480
 with all the failures

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.019
 and the faults

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.620
 of the world.

00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.539
 He's not just

00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.240
 sitting up there

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.380
 waving a wand,

00:28:20.620 --> 00:28:22.500
 cancelling debt,

00:28:24.340 --> 00:28:26.420
 just loving everyone,

00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.640
 just forgive,

00:28:28.620 --> 00:28:29.480
 peace man.

00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:32.759
 He actually

00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:34.640
 absorbs our debt.

00:28:35.200 --> 00:28:36.480
 That's how he deals

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.099
 with the issue

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.680
 of justice.

00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:39.319
 He absorbs our debt.

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:40.400
 It is because

00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:41.900
 he absorbs the debt

00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:43.559
 that we owe him

00:28:43.559 --> 00:28:47.400
 for being murderers

00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.860
 in our hearts

00:28:48.860 --> 00:28:51.120
 for our sin

00:28:51.120 --> 00:28:51.940
 against him.

00:28:52.120 --> 00:28:52.819
 It's because

00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.299
 he absorbs the debt.

00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.599
 He is therefore

00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.680
 able to forgive.

00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.599
 You see,

00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.700
 what 1 John 1

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.460
 tells us

00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.140
 is because

00:29:03.140 --> 00:29:04.140
 he's not just

00:29:04.140 --> 00:29:04.640
 gracious

00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.839
 but he's just

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:07.519
 and deals

00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.480
 with the debt

00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.079
 himself,

00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:09.700
 our debt

00:29:09.700 --> 00:29:10.200
 against him

00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.700
 himself,

00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.940
 it tells us

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:14.299
 exactly how

00:29:14.299 --> 00:29:15.299
 secure we

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.460
 actually are

00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:18.740
 in the salvation

00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.440
 he offers.

00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.519
 How secure

00:29:21.519 --> 00:29:22.140
 we are

00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:23.039
 in his love

00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:23.759
 and his mercy

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.640
 and his forgiveness.

00:29:26.079 --> 00:29:26.279
 You see,

00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:26.759
 too many

00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.360
 Christians

00:29:27.360 --> 00:29:29.120
 live

00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:30.079
 each day

00:29:30.079 --> 00:29:31.199
 thinking

00:29:31.199 --> 00:29:31.779
 in the back

00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.639
 of their minds

00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:33.699
 that if they

00:29:33.699 --> 00:29:34.599
 commit the wrong

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.139
 sin

00:29:35.139 --> 00:29:35.979
 or if they

00:29:35.979 --> 00:29:36.619
 commit too

00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.579
 many sins

00:29:37.579 --> 00:29:39.979
 then God

00:29:39.979 --> 00:29:40.579
 is just

00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.739
 going to

00:29:41.739 --> 00:29:42.959
 be like

00:29:42.959 --> 00:29:43.399
 the God

00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:44.079
 of the Simpsons

00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:44.539
 and just go

00:29:44.539 --> 00:29:46.359
 Flanderers

00:29:46.359 --> 00:29:46.719
 again.

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:49.339
 Just fed up

00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:49.819
 with us.

00:29:50.939 --> 00:29:51.339
 I've had

00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.739
 enough

00:29:51.739 --> 00:29:52.419
 of this

00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:54.039
 and no way.

00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:56.680
 Jesus'

00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.259
 blood

00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.599
 speaks a

00:29:58.599 --> 00:29:59.180
 better word

00:29:59.180 --> 00:30:00.079
 than Abel's.

00:30:00.480 --> 00:30:01.039
 When we

00:30:01.039 --> 00:30:01.539
 come to

00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:01.859
 Jesus,

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.279
 when we

00:30:02.279 --> 00:30:03.180
 confess our

00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.680
 rebellion

00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:04.839
 against him,

00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.599
 our attitude

00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:06.339
 of the heart,

00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:07.180
 our religion

00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.639
 and trust in him,

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.619
 our sin

00:30:09.619 --> 00:30:10.960
 is forgiven

00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:12.079
 forever.

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.259
 The slate

00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.940
 is wiped

00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:16.559
 clean

00:30:16.559 --> 00:30:17.420
 forever.

00:30:17.420 --> 00:30:17.559
 Forever.

00:30:17.559 --> 00:30:17.619
 Forever.

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:17.680
 Forever.

00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:17.799
 Forever.

00:30:17.799 --> 00:30:17.839
 Forever.

00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:17.879
 Forever.

00:30:17.879 --> 00:30:17.899
 Forever.

00:30:17.899 --> 00:30:17.980
 Forever.

00:30:17.980 --> 00:30:18.259
 Forever.

00:30:18.259 --> 00:30:18.339
 Forever.

00:30:18.339 --> 00:30:18.420
 Forever.

00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.559
 Forever.

00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:19.680
 Forever.

00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:24.019
 Forever.

00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.879
 Jesus paid

00:30:25.879 --> 00:30:26.799
 the complete

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.779
 just

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.500
 payment

00:30:28.500 --> 00:30:29.480
 for all

00:30:29.480 --> 00:30:30.379
 of our

00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:30.960
 sin

00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:33.220
 which means

00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.920
 according to

00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.619
 1 John 1

00:30:35.619 --> 00:30:37.500
 if he was

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.480
 to not

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.099
 forgive us

00:30:39.099 --> 00:30:39.579
 for our

00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:40.000
 sin

00:30:40.000 --> 00:30:41.740
 right now

00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.359
 if you're

00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:42.839
 a believer

00:30:42.839 --> 00:30:43.519
 in Jesus

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:45.059
 it would

00:30:45.059 --> 00:30:45.500
 be an

00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:46.079
 act of

00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.059
 injustice

00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:51.779
 because

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.680
 a double

00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.279
 payment

00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:53.960
 can never

00:30:53.960 --> 00:30:54.819
 be extracted

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.240
 for a

00:30:55.240 --> 00:30:55.440
 debt

00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:55.920
 paid.

00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.339
 He

00:30:59.339 --> 00:30:59.859
 willingly

00:30:59.859 --> 00:31:00.279
 shed

00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:00.519
 his

00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:00.779
 blood

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:00.960
 on

00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.119
 the

00:31:01.119 --> 00:31:01.440
 cross

00:31:01.440 --> 00:31:01.660
 to

00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:01.940
 bring

00:31:01.940 --> 00:31:02.160
 us

00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:02.460
 this

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.799
 kind

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:02.940
 of

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.359
 forgiveness

00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.259
 this

00:31:04.259 --> 00:31:04.599
 kind

00:31:04.599 --> 00:31:04.740
 of

00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.039
 love

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.319
 this

00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:05.639
 kind

00:31:05.639 --> 00:31:05.779
 of

00:31:05.779 --> 00:31:06.119
 hope

00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:06.379
 this

00:31:06.379 --> 00:31:06.680
 kind

00:31:06.680 --> 00:31:06.819
 of

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.160
 certainty

00:31:07.160 --> 00:31:07.599
 forever

00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.379
 it's

00:31:08.379 --> 00:31:08.559
 the

00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:09.079
 justice

00:31:09.079 --> 00:31:09.440
 of

00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:09.779
 Jesus

00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.539
 Christ

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.200
 that

00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.440
 will

00:31:11.440 --> 00:31:11.980
 ultimately

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.720
 transform

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.160
 us

00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.339
 from

00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:13.599
 being

00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:13.779
 a

00:31:13.779 --> 00:31:14.079
 cane

00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:14.299
 to

00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:14.460
 an

00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:14.799
 able

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:17.200
 and

00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:17.539
 that's

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:17.720
 the

00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.420
 possibility

00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:19.319
 of

00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:19.779
 every

00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.240
 day

00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.879
 of

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.339
 every

00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.819
 moment

00:31:21.819 --> 00:31:22.119
 in

00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:22.519
 every

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.139
 circumstance

00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.639
 it's

00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:23.819
 the

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.339
 possibility

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.559
 of

00:31:24.559 --> 00:31:25.039
 salvation

00:31:25.039 --> 00:31:25.339
 in

00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:25.759
 Jesus

00:31:25.759 --> 00:31:30.439
 in

00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:30.700
 verse

00:31:30.700 --> 00:31:31.079
 nine

00:31:31.079 --> 00:31:31.639
 back to

00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:32.000
 Genesis

00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.419
 four

00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:32.740
 God

00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.119
 comes

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.319
 to

00:31:33.319 --> 00:31:34.000
 Cain

00:31:34.000 --> 00:31:34.779
 and

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.240
 asks

00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.519
 him

00:31:35.519 --> 00:31:36.359
 where's

00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.519
 Abel

00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.720
 and

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:38.980
 Cain

00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.359
 says

00:31:39.359 --> 00:31:40.819
 I

00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.039
 don't

00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:41.460
 know

00:31:41.460 --> 00:31:42.859
 am

00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:43.000
 I

00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.200
 my

00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:43.639
 brother's

00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:43.939
 keeper

00:31:43.940 --> 00:31:47.059
 and

00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.500
 then

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.500
 we

00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.059
 have

00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:50.480
 the

00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:51.019
 only

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.840
 time

00:31:51.840 --> 00:31:52.880
 in

00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.160
 the

00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:53.559
 Bible

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.460
 where

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:54.660
 a

00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:54.920
 human

00:31:54.920 --> 00:31:55.360
 being

00:31:55.360 --> 00:31:55.799
 is

00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.500
 cursed

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:58.900
 God

00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.340
 curses

00:31:59.340 --> 00:31:59.759
 Cain

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:01.340
 and

00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:01.720
 sent

00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.019
 out

00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.220
 from

00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.460
 that

00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:02.920
 moment

00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:03.240
 as

00:32:03.240 --> 00:32:03.380
 a

00:32:03.380 --> 00:32:03.620
 wander

00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:03.779
 of

00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:03.920
 the

00:32:03.920 --> 00:32:04.320
 earth

00:32:04.320 --> 00:32:05.440
 his

00:32:05.440 --> 00:32:05.960
 name

00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:06.680
 means

00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.740
 as

00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.059
 Eve

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.380
 said

00:32:08.380 --> 00:32:08.580
 I

00:32:08.580 --> 00:32:08.700
 have

00:32:08.700 --> 00:32:09.160
 created

00:32:09.160 --> 00:32:09.779
 a

00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:10.320
 man

00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:12.559
 and

00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:12.879
 from

00:32:12.879 --> 00:32:13.139
 that

00:32:13.139 --> 00:32:13.720
 moment

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.240
 every

00:32:14.240 --> 00:32:15.039
 being

00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:15.659
 wanders

00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:15.899
 the

00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:16.359
 earth

00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.500
 looking

00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.919
 for

00:32:18.919 --> 00:32:19.119
 their

00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:19.419
 home

00:32:19.419 --> 00:32:19.599
 for

00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:19.779
 their

00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:20.419
 place

00:32:20.419 --> 00:32:21.759
 looking

00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:22.839
 for

00:32:22.839 --> 00:32:23.319
 hope

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.899
 and

00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.099
 when

00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:25.419
 God

00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:25.799
 does

00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.039
 that

00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.279
 to

00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.759
 Cain

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.819
 Cain

00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.700
 absolutely

00:32:28.700 --> 00:32:29.339
 falls

00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:29.579
 to

00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.039
 pieces

00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:32.480
 not

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:32.839
 because

00:32:32.839 --> 00:32:33.039
 he

00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.259
 felt

00:32:33.259 --> 00:32:33.899
 compassion

00:32:33.899 --> 00:32:34.200
 for

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:34.379
 his

00:32:34.379 --> 00:32:34.720
 brother

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.179
 dead

00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.799
 or

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.039
 for

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.279
 his

00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.879
 parents

00:32:36.879 --> 00:32:37.319
 he

00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:37.599
 felt

00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:38.059
 no

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:38.559
 remorse

00:32:38.559 --> 00:32:38.899
 over

00:32:38.899 --> 00:32:39.179
 his

00:32:39.179 --> 00:32:39.519
 sin

00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.839
 against

00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.179
 God

00:32:40.179 --> 00:32:40.359
 at

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:40.699
 all

00:32:40.699 --> 00:32:41.199
 his

00:32:41.199 --> 00:32:41.799
 cry

00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.199
 out

00:32:42.199 --> 00:32:42.339
 in

00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:42.500
 this

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:42.859
 moment

00:32:42.859 --> 00:32:43.059
 was

00:32:43.059 --> 00:32:43.220
 a

00:32:43.220 --> 00:32:43.559
 cry

00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:43.819
 of

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.319
 terror

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.839
 and

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.259
 self

00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.639
 pity

00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:47.659
 and

00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.139
 then

00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:48.659
 we

00:32:48.659 --> 00:32:48.879
 have

00:32:48.879 --> 00:32:49.159
 this

00:32:49.159 --> 00:32:50.480
 strange

00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.339
 statement

00:32:51.339 --> 00:32:51.779
 in

00:32:51.779 --> 00:32:52.059
 verse

00:32:52.059 --> 00:32:52.759
 15

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.319
 then

00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:54.539
 the

00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:54.839
 Lord

00:32:54.839 --> 00:32:55.059
 put

00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:55.220
 a

00:32:55.220 --> 00:32:55.559
 mark

00:32:55.559 --> 00:32:55.839
 on

00:32:55.839 --> 00:32:56.299
 Cain

00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.099
 so

00:32:57.099 --> 00:32:57.299
 that

00:32:57.299 --> 00:32:57.599
 no

00:32:57.599 --> 00:32:57.839
 one

00:32:57.839 --> 00:32:58.000
 who

00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:58.399
 found

00:32:58.399 --> 00:32:58.659
 him

00:32:58.659 --> 00:32:58.859
 would

00:32:58.859 --> 00:32:59.159
 kill

00:32:59.159 --> 00:32:59.500
 him

00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:01.399
 what

00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:01.779
 is

00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.000
 the

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:02.259
 mark

00:33:02.259 --> 00:33:02.459
 of

00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:02.899
 Cain

00:33:02.899 --> 00:33:05.279
 lots

00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:05.459
 of

00:33:05.459 --> 00:33:06.059
 speculation

00:33:06.059 --> 00:33:06.859
 some

00:33:06.859 --> 00:33:07.119
 reckon

00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:07.259
 it

00:33:07.259 --> 00:33:07.399
 was

00:33:07.399 --> 00:33:07.579
 a

00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:07.939
 dog

00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.299
 not

00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:08.459
 sure

00:33:08.459 --> 00:33:08.619
 how

00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:08.740
 they

00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:08.919
 got

00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:09.379
 to

00:33:09.379 --> 00:33:09.599
 that

00:33:09.599 --> 00:33:10.259
 point

00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.899
 you

00:33:11.899 --> 00:33:12.059
 can

00:33:12.059 --> 00:33:12.359
 actually

00:33:12.359 --> 00:33:12.980
 go to

00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:13.139
 a

00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:13.859
 tattoo

00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.319
 artist

00:33:14.319 --> 00:33:14.799
 nowadays

00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.299
 and

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:15.799
 ask

00:33:15.799 --> 00:33:15.939
 them

00:33:15.939 --> 00:33:16.099
 can

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.199
 I

00:33:16.199 --> 00:33:16.399
 please

00:33:16.399 --> 00:33:16.559
 get

00:33:16.559 --> 00:33:16.679
 a

00:33:16.679 --> 00:33:16.939
 tattoo

00:33:16.939 --> 00:33:17.159
 the

00:33:17.159 --> 00:33:17.419
 mark

00:33:17.419 --> 00:33:17.579
 of

00:33:17.579 --> 00:33:17.839
 Cain

00:33:17.839 --> 00:33:18.000
 it's

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.079
 a

00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.379
 particular

00:33:18.379 --> 00:33:18.740
 kind

00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:18.839
 of

00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.359
 I'm

00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:19.679
 pretty

00:33:19.679 --> 00:33:19.919
 sure

00:33:19.919 --> 00:33:20.119
 it

00:33:20.119 --> 00:33:20.480
 wasn't

00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:20.799
 that

00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:23.799
 but

00:33:23.799 --> 00:33:24.599
 so

00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:25.200
 while

00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.419
 it's

00:33:25.419 --> 00:33:25.599
 not

00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:26.000
 clear

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.839
 it

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:28.319
 reveals

00:33:28.319 --> 00:33:28.759
 something

00:33:28.759 --> 00:33:29.180
 very

00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:29.899
 significant

00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:31.839
 it's

00:33:31.839 --> 00:33:32.299
 what

00:33:32.299 --> 00:33:32.500
 it

00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:33.000
 reveals

00:33:33.000 --> 00:33:33.259
 it

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:33.579
 reveals

00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:33.940
 something

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.240
 about

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.419
 the

00:33:34.419 --> 00:33:34.779
 character

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.039
 of

00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.379
 God

00:33:35.379 --> 00:33:36.039
 it

00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:36.599
 reveals

00:33:36.599 --> 00:33:37.000
 a

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.440
 God

00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:38.099
 whose

00:33:38.099 --> 00:33:38.639
 commitment

00:33:38.639 --> 00:33:38.940
 to

00:33:38.940 --> 00:33:39.480
 justice

00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:39.799
 for

00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.039
 the

00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.519
 innocent

00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.559
 is

00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.000
 matched

00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.220
 by

00:33:42.220 --> 00:33:42.500
 his

00:33:42.500 --> 00:33:42.839
 care

00:33:42.839 --> 00:33:43.039
 for

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.220
 the

00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:43.480
 sinner

00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:48.240
 a God who is faithful and just

00:33:48.240 --> 00:33:54.079
 and even Cain's appeal in verse 13 and 14

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:58.019
 sorry Cain's prayer to God in verse 13 and 14

00:33:58.019 --> 00:34:00.579
 contains a hint of an appeal to God

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:06.440
 God's answer to Cain together with his mark on Cain

00:34:06.440 --> 00:34:08.079
 is not a stigma

00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:13.380
 but a promise of self-safe conduct

00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:16.180
 in other words in this moment

00:34:16.180 --> 00:34:20.200
 God has become Cain's protector

00:34:20.200 --> 00:34:27.720
 how is it possible that God can be merciful to the unrepentant sinner

00:34:27.720 --> 00:34:35.039
 how can he be so merciful to someone who won't even budge

00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:41.960
 it's because on the cross of Jesus God's mercy and justice

00:34:41.960 --> 00:34:43.500
 meet

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:49.079
 and the blood of Jesus shouts forgiveness to all who come to him

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:53.960
 as we wander the earth like Cain

00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:56.139
 protected by God

00:34:56.139 --> 00:34:57.840
 until we die

00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:59.199
 in the hope

00:34:59.199 --> 00:35:02.940
 that in the circumstances of life where we see sin and grace

00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:04.840
 that we would pursue salvation

00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:07.619
 that we would not be like Cain

00:35:07.619 --> 00:35:09.259
 but that we would pursue salvation

00:35:09.259 --> 00:35:11.420
 God has brought you to this day

00:35:11.420 --> 00:35:13.960
 protected you in all of life

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:16.440
 in all the experiences of sin

00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:18.860
 he's revealing his grace all the time

00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:21.980
 so that you might come to him for salvation

00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:25.740
 he's protecting you for salvation

00:35:25.740 --> 00:35:32.780
 the blood of Jesus washes away all of our hidden sin

00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:36.519
 his blood washes away all of our public sin

00:35:36.519 --> 00:35:38.059
 no sin

00:35:38.059 --> 00:35:40.400
 is beyond his grace

00:35:40.400 --> 00:35:42.099
 no sin

00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:46.639
 and so that

00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:50.780
 is the possibility of salvation that he offers you today

00:35:50.780 --> 00:35:52.619
 whether you're tuning in online

00:35:52.619 --> 00:35:53.920
 you're gathered here right now

00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:55.759
 that is the possibility of salvation

00:35:55.759 --> 00:35:58.139
 that he offers you today

00:35:58.139 --> 00:36:01.940
 choose Abel not Cain

00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:04.440
 choose the way of Abel not the way of Cain

00:36:04.440 --> 00:36:07.519
 don't dig your heels in

00:36:07.519 --> 00:36:09.920
 and fall to the sin

00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:11.679
 that is pouncing

00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:13.960
 and ready to destroy your life

00:36:13.960 --> 00:36:17.659
 by his grace

00:36:17.659 --> 00:36:19.119
 and his mercy

00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:21.800
 he's protected you to this point

00:36:21.800 --> 00:36:24.820
 that you might take up his offer of salvation

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:26.679
 take it up today