WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:06.200 Well, would you please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to Genesis chapter 4. 00:00:07.219 --> 00:00:10.599 It's my privilege to preach this morning and continue our series in Genesis. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:16.640 We've made our way to chapter 4, and I told you the first three chapters would be a slow walk through the garden. 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:20.980 Now we're outside of the garden, and we're going to pick up our pace just a little bit. 00:00:21.039 --> 00:00:27.019 So we'll read all of chapter 4 this morning, and I plan to hit on chapter 5 as well. 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:32.200 But as we stand and read God's Word, I will read chapter 4, verses 1 through 26. 00:00:32.439 --> 00:00:34.840 So when you've found it, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word. 00:00:35.019 --> 00:00:37.619 Genesis 4, 1 through 26. 00:00:40.519 --> 00:00:45.379 Now Adam knew his wife, Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, 00:00:45.879 --> 00:00:47.879 I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord. 00:00:48.600 --> 00:00:50.579 And again she bore his brother Abel. 00:00:51.239 --> 00:00:54.899 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a worker of the ground. 00:00:54.899 --> 00:00:59.460 In the course of time, Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:03.719 and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. 00:01:04.519 --> 00:01:10.739 And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. 00:01:11.539 --> 00:01:14.000 So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:15.859 The Lord said to Cain, 00:01:15.859 --> 00:01:17.239 Cain, why are you angry? 00:01:17.679 --> 00:01:18.780 Why has your face fallen? 00:01:19.439 --> 00:01:21.459 If you do well, will you not be accepted? 00:01:22.039 --> 00:01:25.019 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:29.359 Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it. 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:32.079 Cain spoke to Abel his brother, 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:37.579 and when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:39.900 Then the Lord said to Cain, 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:41.460 Where is Abel your brother? 00:01:42.380 --> 00:01:42.940 He said, 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:43.719 I do not know. 00:01:43.940 --> 00:01:44.920 Am I my brother's keeper? 00:01:45.660 --> 00:01:46.680 And the Lord said, 00:01:46.780 --> 00:01:47.620 What have you done? 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:51.400 The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. 00:01:51.820 --> 00:01:54.100 And now you are cursed from the ground, 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:57.400 which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 00:01:58.000 --> 00:02:01.420 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. 00:02:01.980 --> 00:02:04.300 You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:06.140 Cain said to the Lord, 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:08.879 My punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:12.159 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, 00:02:12.359 --> 00:02:14.120 and from your face I shall be hidden. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:16.979 I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, 00:02:17.039 --> 00:02:18.639 and whoever finds me will kill me. 00:02:19.539 --> 00:02:20.659 Then the Lord said to him, 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:21.620 Not so. 00:02:22.519 --> 00:02:23.979 If anyone kills Cain, 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:26.979 vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:29.599 And the Lord put a mark on Cain, 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:31.719 lest any who found him should attack him. 00:02:32.099 --> 00:02:34.579 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord 00:02:34.579 --> 00:02:37.319 and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 00:02:37.319 --> 00:02:41.419 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. 00:02:42.019 --> 00:02:45.819 When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:50.680 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mahuajel, 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:54.039 and Mahujael followed Methusel, excuse me, 00:02:54.519 --> 00:02:58.199 and Methusel fathered Lamech, and Lamech took two wives. 00:02:58.879 --> 00:03:02.000 The name of the one was Ada, and the name of the other, Zillah. 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.000 Ada bore Jabal. 00:03:04.419 --> 00:03:07.259 He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:09.560 His brother's name was Jubal. 00:03:10.020 --> 00:03:12.879 He was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:15.419 Zillah also bore Tubal-Cain. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:18.740 He was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron. 00:03:19.479 --> 00:03:21.280 The sister of Tubal-Cain was Nema. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.120 Lamech said to his wives, 00:03:24.659 --> 00:03:26.800 Ada and Zillah, hear my voice. 00:03:27.379 --> 00:03:29.460 You wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. 00:03:29.460 --> 00:03:34.260 I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 00:03:34.860 --> 00:03:38.760 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:44.300 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and called his name Seth. 00:03:44.980 --> 00:03:50.780 For she said, God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, for Cain killed him. 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:55.000 To Seth also was born a son, and he called his name Enosh. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:00.340 At that time, people began to call upon the name of the Lord. 00:04:01.280 --> 00:04:06.060 The grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:08.759 Father, we praise you for your word. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:14.159 We praise you for the promise of your word, of the gospel of Christ. 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:19.199 And we pray now as we sit to receive your word, would you speak to us today? 00:04:19.519 --> 00:04:20.480 We pray in Christ's name. 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:21.300 Amen. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:22.699 You may be seated. 00:04:27.840 --> 00:04:30.980 One of my favorite verses comes from the book of Proverbs. 00:04:31.480 --> 00:04:33.939 It's Proverbs 13, 12. 00:04:34.080 --> 00:04:34.680 It says this, 00:04:34.800 --> 00:04:41.780 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:44.819 Now, I first memorized this verse when I was in college, 00:04:44.819 --> 00:04:48.280 and I thought about it often in the months that followed, 00:04:48.279 --> 00:04:53.000 especially as Amanda and I got engaged, and we had a promise to be married. 00:04:53.199 --> 00:05:00.259 We put our hope in that coming day, and there's this long waiting period where it felt like each and every day that passed, 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:02.259 that hope was deferred. 00:05:03.599 --> 00:05:06.539 And we see the same thing with expectant parents, don't we? 00:05:07.099 --> 00:05:11.959 Now, you're expecting a child, but there's this built-in waiting period of about nine months 00:05:11.959 --> 00:05:15.419 where you're hoping and longing and waiting for that coming day, 00:05:15.419 --> 00:05:20.699 but hope day after day after day, month after month is put off, it's deferred, 00:05:20.699 --> 00:05:23.659 until the moment finally comes and the baby is born, 00:05:23.739 --> 00:05:26.620 and you get to hold that newborn baby in your hands, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:32.679 and nothing is like that experience of a longing finally fulfilled, 00:05:32.859 --> 00:05:33.939 a desire fulfilled. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:36.399 It's a tree of life, the Proverbs says. 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:41.739 Last week, we saw in the midst of the judgment of God for sin, 00:05:41.859 --> 00:05:44.579 God made this big promise in Genesis 3.15. 00:05:45.039 --> 00:05:46.959 You remember what he said, Genesis 3.15. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:50.500 This verse is a key verse for the whole book of Genesis, 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:52.079 but not just the book of Genesis. 00:05:52.659 --> 00:05:57.819 As we go through the Scriptures, what we see is that this promise is unfolded 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:03.139 throughout the rest of the Scriptures leading up to the birth of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. 00:06:03.239 --> 00:06:03.899 Here's what he said. 00:06:03.899 --> 00:06:05.639 God said to the serpent, 00:06:05.859 --> 00:06:08.299 I will put enmity between you and the woman, 00:06:09.060 --> 00:06:11.839 between your offspring and her offspring. 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:16.839 He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel. 00:06:17.819 --> 00:06:20.879 This promise in the midst of the judgment is hope, 00:06:21.799 --> 00:06:24.120 and in the midst of this brokenness in the garden, 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:27.659 God will send someone born of the woman 00:06:27.659 --> 00:06:30.739 who will come and crush the head of the serpent. 00:06:31.679 --> 00:06:33.560 This promised offspring is going to come, 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:35.300 and he's going to make all things right. 00:06:35.360 --> 00:06:37.939 He's going to come and fix what's been broken by sin. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:41.459 And this promise is what gave Adam and Eve hope, 00:06:41.600 --> 00:06:44.639 even outside of the garden in a sin-cursed world. 00:06:45.620 --> 00:06:47.800 But here as we come to our passage this morning, 00:06:47.860 --> 00:06:48.819 now in chapter 4, 00:06:48.980 --> 00:06:53.100 tragically, this hope is deferred. 00:06:53.100 --> 00:06:55.980 In fact, for a brief moment, 00:06:55.980 --> 00:06:57.680 it looks like there's no hope at all. 00:06:58.939 --> 00:07:01.320 The hope in a snake-crushing son of the woman 00:07:01.320 --> 00:07:05.640 has been snuffed out with the first murder in human history. 00:07:06.400 --> 00:07:08.020 And as we read this account, 00:07:08.100 --> 00:07:09.000 as we read this chapter, 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.220 we're left wondering, 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:13.340 will God's promises come to pass? 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:18.859 Will God bring forth this promised offspring of the woman? 00:07:18.979 --> 00:07:19.519 For a moment, 00:07:19.619 --> 00:07:23.299 it looks like the offspring of the serpent is winning the battle. 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:29.519 Will God's promise prevail even in the midst of darkness? 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:31.379 Well, what we see, 00:07:31.459 --> 00:07:33.579 the answer that we get here from Genesis chapter 4, 00:07:33.659 --> 00:07:36.219 and as we zoom out throughout the rest of the scriptures, 00:07:36.579 --> 00:07:40.199 is that God's promise always prevails. 00:07:40.199 --> 00:07:43.060 So let's look at our text this morning. 00:07:43.819 --> 00:07:47.019 And first, what we see here is hope provided. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.379 Hope provided. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:50.659 Look there with me to verse 1. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:52.620 And again, remember where we are, 00:07:52.699 --> 00:07:54.199 the context of this passage. 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:56.759 We are now outside of the garden. 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:59.719 Adam and Eve have sinned against the Lord. 00:07:59.819 --> 00:08:02.980 They've been thrust out away from the presence of the Lord. 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:05.159 They're banished from the garden of Eden. 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:08.159 And yet, even there in a sin-cursed world, 00:08:08.160 --> 00:08:11.620 we see that God provides hope for them. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:14.220 In obedience to God's command, 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:16.480 to be fruitful and multiply, 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:17.920 they have children. 00:08:18.960 --> 00:08:21.600 These children are offspring of the woman. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:24.260 Eve conceived and bore Cain, 00:08:24.379 --> 00:08:26.120 and again she bore another son, 00:08:26.200 --> 00:08:27.180 his brother Abel. 00:08:27.280 --> 00:08:27.840 So now, 00:08:28.020 --> 00:08:31.400 now we have two image bearers born into the world. 00:08:31.940 --> 00:08:34.360 And now in light of this promise that God has made, 00:08:34.420 --> 00:08:36.620 we have two distinct possibilities. 00:08:36.620 --> 00:08:37.560 The question is, 00:08:37.639 --> 00:08:41.179 will either one of these children be the snake crusher? 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:47.899 Will either one of these be the one who will come and set right what's been destroyed by sin? 00:08:48.440 --> 00:08:50.539 Now that God has made this promise, 00:08:50.820 --> 00:08:57.159 every offspring of the woman comes with this weight of expectation and anticipation. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:59.019 Could this be the one? 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.240 Some of y'all I know follow the royal family. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:04.320 And I don't have anything to do with it. 00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:07.259 I don't understand people that follow them as closely as they do, 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:09.340 but I know some people really, really do. 00:09:09.799 --> 00:09:14.659 And you know that every time a child is born into the royal family, 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:19.680 there's all this attention and just focus given to this child. 00:09:19.820 --> 00:09:20.120 Why? 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:25.799 Because of the possibility that one day this child who's just been born, 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:29.479 this baby may one day grow up to be the king. 00:09:30.319 --> 00:09:32.120 They may grow up to be the queen. 00:09:32.339 --> 00:09:35.419 This child may grow up to rule and to reign. 00:09:35.559 --> 00:09:37.839 The same anticipation is given here. 00:09:38.599 --> 00:09:39.719 There's a sense of anticipation. 00:09:40.159 --> 00:09:42.500 Every time a son is born of the woman, 00:09:42.919 --> 00:09:48.879 will this be the one who will come and reign and rule and defeat sin in the grave? 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:52.879 Will he be the one to crush the head of the serpent? 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:56.860 And hope is provided here with these two children. 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:01.139 What we see, though, is from the very beginning, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:06.200 these two children take two very different paths, don't they? 00:10:07.259 --> 00:10:10.860 And isn't it funny how two kids born of the same parents, 00:10:11.779 --> 00:10:13.559 raised in the same environment, 00:10:13.799 --> 00:10:16.500 can come out so different from one another, 00:10:16.639 --> 00:10:21.000 with different personalities and different interests and different skill sets. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.559 So we see that play out here with Cain and Abel, don't we? 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:27.240 Verse 2 tells us Abel is a keeper of the sheep. 00:10:27.340 --> 00:10:27.919 He's a shepherd. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:30.820 Cain is a worker of the ground. 00:10:30.940 --> 00:10:32.100 He's a farmer. 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:36.539 And just notice already here with this new earth, 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:37.940 with these new people, 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:40.259 a very minimal population here in the world, 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:42.440 we're already beginning to see diversity 00:10:42.440 --> 00:10:47.240 and gifting and skill set and variety on display, aren't we? 00:10:48.500 --> 00:10:51.500 Verse 3 tells us these two brothers, 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:54.200 with their two different vocations, 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:57.540 bring to the Lord two different offerings, 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:03.280 and the Lord has two very different responses. 00:11:03.780 --> 00:11:05.860 Now, here's the tension in the passage. 00:11:06.760 --> 00:11:07.500 Look there with me. 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:11.259 Cain brings an offering of the fruit of the ground, 00:11:12.120 --> 00:11:16.960 and Abel brings an offering of the firstborn of his flock with the fat portions. 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:18.519 And how does the Lord respond? 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:18.960 Look there. 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:23.220 The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:28.120 but for Cain and his offering, he had no regard. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.779 And we should ask, well, why not? 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:34.659 Why is the Lord accepting one offering and not accepting the other? 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:37.459 It makes complete sense to me, at least on the surface, 00:11:37.980 --> 00:11:39.399 given their vocations. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.379 Abel's a shepherd. 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:41.399 He brings some sheep. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.620 Cain is a farmer. 00:11:43.720 --> 00:11:44.699 He brings some fruit. 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:48.459 Why would the Lord regard one and not the other? 00:11:49.480 --> 00:11:50.360 We're going to answer that. 00:11:50.439 --> 00:11:51.240 But before we do, 00:11:52.319 --> 00:11:53.500 I want you to notice here, 00:11:53.559 --> 00:11:56.299 we should notice that it is the Lord, 00:11:56.299 --> 00:12:02.859 it is the Lord who decides what offering is acceptable to him. 00:12:04.219 --> 00:12:12.379 The Lord dictates what is and what is not right and good and acceptable worship. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:15.319 We need to understand this, 00:12:15.439 --> 00:12:18.000 especially in our man-centered society, 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:23.099 that worship ultimately is not catered to our preferences. 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:28.480 True and genuine worship is not about us and our wants. 00:12:28.580 --> 00:12:31.460 It is about the Lord and his wants. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.560 True worship isn't man-centered. 00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:36.340 It is God-centered. 00:12:36.519 --> 00:12:40.259 And the question of true worship is not ultimately what's pleasing to me. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:42.519 It's what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:47.779 And here we see a basic fundamental distinction here 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:50.040 between true and false worship. 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.759 We read a passage earlier in Hebrews 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.159 that I think helps us understand the difference. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.340 And I'm going to read it again here. 00:12:55.439 --> 00:12:56.980 Hebrews 11 verse 4 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:58.340 says, 00:12:58.539 --> 00:12:59.580 By faith, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:04.779 Abel offered a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:08.100 through which he was commended as righteous. 00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:11.399 God commending him by accepting his gifts. 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.639 And through his faith, 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.259 though he died, 00:13:15.000 --> 00:13:16.980 still he speaks. 00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:19.600 By faith, 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:22.379 Abel offered to God 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:26.039 a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:28.220 Two brothers, 00:13:29.420 --> 00:13:30.740 two vocations, 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:31.720 two offerings, 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.779 one is accepted, 00:13:32.940 --> 00:13:34.399 one is disregarded. 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.240 What's the difference? 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:39.759 Only one was offered up to the Lord by faith. 00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:44.279 True and acceptable worship 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:46.460 in the sight of the Lord 00:13:46.460 --> 00:13:50.159 must come from a heart of faith. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.399 Without faith, 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:54.340 it is impossible to please him. 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:56.840 True and acceptable worship 00:13:56.840 --> 00:13:59.580 must come from a heart of faith, 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:02.960 meaning a heart that trusts him, 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.159 latches onto him, 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.379 loves him, 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.340 honors him, 00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:09.139 seeks him above all else 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:10.879 and disregards self. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:12.000 That's what faith is. 00:14:13.280 --> 00:14:14.340 These two offerings, 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:14.740 ultimately, 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:18.780 they reveal two completely different postures of the heart. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:21.899 This is the difference between faith, 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.399 which is trusting God, 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.139 and self, 00:14:25.340 --> 00:14:25.780 works, 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.820 trusting self. 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:30.500 It's the difference between a heart that seeks the Lord 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:34.660 and a heart that just comes and does whatever you think you have to do. 00:14:35.300 --> 00:14:36.600 Go through the motions. 00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:41.399 Do you realize that two people can sit in the same place 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:43.879 and sing the same songs 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:46.000 and hear the same scriptures 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:48.040 and receive the same sermon 00:14:48.040 --> 00:14:50.620 and come to the same worship service 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:53.500 and one person's offering of worship 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.320 be accepted 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:56.560 and the others not? 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:58.500 You may say, 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:58.680 well, 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.420 I'm here, 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.620 I'm standing, 00:15:00.840 --> 00:15:01.240 I'm singing, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:02.259 I'm giving, 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:03.639 I'm doing all the things. 00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:05.639 Why would God accept one and not the other? 00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:06.519 The difference, 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.220 I'll say it again, 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.699 the only acceptable worship 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:10.960 in the sight of the Lord 00:15:10.960 --> 00:15:15.500 is worship that comes from a heart of faith. 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:20.659 we need to ask ourselves, 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:22.879 as we come in, 00:15:22.919 --> 00:15:24.320 as we gather for worship, 00:15:24.320 --> 00:15:28.059 as we prepare ourselves for this holy moment 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:30.259 of receiving the word of the Lord, 00:15:30.340 --> 00:15:32.039 of offering up praise to him, 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:35.039 are we offering up a sacrifice of praise 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:37.379 that comes from a heart of faith 00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:40.799 or are we simply checking the box, 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:42.959 going through the motions? 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:46.240 We see here God has provided hope 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.199 with these two children 00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:50.459 and already we see their paths begin to diverge 00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.659 and what we see happens next 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:54.519 is that tragically this hope that was provided 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:57.099 for a moment is deferred. 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:57.860 So second, 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.759 second, 00:15:58.919 --> 00:16:01.319 we see hope deferred. 00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:02.620 Look there with me to verse five. 00:16:02.620 --> 00:16:04.679 Verse five, 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:05.000 it says, 00:16:05.139 --> 00:16:05.480 Cain, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.820 in response to the Lord 00:16:06.820 --> 00:16:08.320 disregarding his sacrifice, 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.620 how does he respond? 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:12.539 Cain is very angry, 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.379 it says, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:15.560 and his face fell. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.899 And the Lord said to Cain, 00:16:18.000 --> 00:16:18.899 why are you angry? 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:21.299 Why has your face fallen? 00:16:21.460 --> 00:16:22.519 If you do well, 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.620 will you not be accepted? 00:16:24.259 --> 00:16:25.980 And if you do not do well, 00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.720 here's the warning, 00:16:27.680 --> 00:16:29.820 sin is crouching at the door. 00:16:29.820 --> 00:16:32.620 It's desire is for you, 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:36.360 but you must rule over it. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.860 Now your version might say something like, 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:41.060 it's desire is contrary to you. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:42.260 It's the same idea, 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:42.660 isn't it? 00:16:42.680 --> 00:16:44.480 We saw this language in chapter three. 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:46.360 You can flip back there 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.100 or look back there 00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.879 to verse 16 of chapter three 00:16:48.879 --> 00:16:50.280 and you remember from last week, 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:50.960 Eve, 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.300 it said, 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:51.740 Eve, 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:54.040 your desire will be for your husband, 00:16:54.260 --> 00:16:56.600 but he will rule over you. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:57.860 And so now, 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.660 just like with Eve's desire, 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:01.540 to rule over her husband, 00:17:01.800 --> 00:17:03.260 now God warns Cain, 00:17:03.840 --> 00:17:06.100 sin wants to rule over you. 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:08.580 Sin wants to overcome you. 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:10.019 It wants to overpower you. 00:17:10.100 --> 00:17:12.140 It is coming to destroy you. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.580 But he tells Cain, 00:17:13.900 --> 00:17:16.200 you must rule over it. 00:17:17.580 --> 00:17:19.080 This is a test here, 00:17:19.120 --> 00:17:19.539 isn't it? 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:22.900 This is a moment of opportunity, 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:24.080 a moment of testing, 00:17:24.539 --> 00:17:26.259 rule or be ruled. 00:17:27.160 --> 00:17:28.980 Kill or be killed. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:31.439 Hunt or be hunted. 00:17:32.579 --> 00:17:33.279 John Owen, 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.559 he used to say, 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.879 be killing sin 00:17:35.879 --> 00:17:38.119 or sin will be killing you. 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:40.579 This is what Cain is facing here. 00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:43.139 All hope hangs in the balance. 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.980 Will Cain prove to be obedient to the Lord? 00:17:46.659 --> 00:17:49.200 Will he trust and obey the word of the Lord? 00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:51.460 Will he keep the possibility alive 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.159 that perhaps, 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:52.619 maybe, 00:17:52.700 --> 00:17:53.159 just maybe, 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:55.799 he will be the one to triumph over sin? 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:59.139 Here we see verse 8. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.419 All hope in Cain 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:04.279 is shattered. 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:07.680 He does not rule over sin. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:12.039 Sin rules over Cain. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:15.619 Cain spoke to Abel, his brother. 00:18:15.740 --> 00:18:16.539 I don't know what he said. 00:18:16.659 --> 00:18:18.259 I don't believe it was pleasant. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:20.559 And when they were out in the field, 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.440 Cain rose up against his brother, 00:18:22.740 --> 00:18:23.119 Abel, 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.879 and killed him. 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:28.019 This is the first murder 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:29.359 in human history. 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:31.460 Now we read something like this 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.000 and we're almost, 00:18:32.099 --> 00:18:33.259 we're just so numb 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:35.599 and desensitized to violence. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.759 We live in it every day. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:38.779 We see it every day on the news. 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.599 We read about it. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.200 We hear about it. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.940 There's violence all around us. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.980 We're just so numb 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.599 to the weight 00:18:44.599 --> 00:18:45.259 and the heaviness, 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.799 the heaviness, 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:48.039 the severity of the sin. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:50.559 This is the first murder 00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:52.079 in the history of mankind. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:54.000 And just look how far we've fallen 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.680 in just a short period of time. 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:59.039 Cain proves to be a sinner 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:00.259 and a murderer 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.220 and a rebel to the word of God 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:04.220 just like his parents before him. 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:07.019 But even more than that, 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:09.259 the deeper issue here 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:12.400 is that Cain proves himself 00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:15.540 to be an offspring of the serpent. 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:19.340 And Cain and Abel may be physically 00:19:19.340 --> 00:19:20.920 members of the same family. 00:19:21.040 --> 00:19:23.160 They're brothers physically by blood. 00:19:23.300 --> 00:19:25.000 But spiritually speaking, 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:30.380 they are from two entirely different families. 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:32.340 One is of faith 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:36.240 and the other is faithless. 00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:38.300 This murder. 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.700 We have to understand this story 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.420 in chapter 4, 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:42.880 this murder of one brother 00:19:42.880 --> 00:19:43.640 against another. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.600 This is the first chapter 00:19:45.600 --> 00:19:48.039 of the unfolding conflict 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.880 between the seed of the woman 00:19:49.880 --> 00:19:51.620 and the seed of the serpent. 00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:53.900 And for just a brief moment, 00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:56.400 it looks like the offspring 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:57.779 of the serpent is winning. 00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:01.180 It looks like hope is lost. 00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.559 And for just a brief moment, 00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.940 Adam and Eve are wondering 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.380 how in the world 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:08.340 will God's promises come to pass? 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:11.019 In one act of violence, 00:20:11.199 --> 00:20:13.139 Cain has snuffed out hope 00:20:13.139 --> 00:20:14.639 that either one of these children 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:16.059 might be the snake crusher 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.879 God has promised. 00:20:17.819 --> 00:20:19.259 For a moment here, 00:20:19.399 --> 00:20:20.799 hope is deferred. 00:20:21.659 --> 00:20:22.740 Hope is crushed. 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:24.899 And we should notice 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:27.399 how familiar all of this story sounds. 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:28.899 This is a replay 00:20:28.899 --> 00:20:30.019 of what Adam and Eve 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.559 just experienced in the garden, 00:20:31.679 --> 00:20:32.059 isn't it? 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.019 Did you notice the similarities here 00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:34.859 between these stories? 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:37.799 That we saw a replay of the sin. 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:40.339 Cain disregarded the word of the Lord 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.799 just like Adam and Eve did. 00:20:42.699 --> 00:20:43.639 And we see a replay 00:20:43.639 --> 00:20:45.859 of the Lord's pursuit of the sinner. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:47.019 Verse 9, 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.639 The Lord said to Cain, 00:20:48.719 --> 00:20:50.039 Where is Abel your brother? 00:20:50.099 --> 00:20:50.740 Do you hear the echoes? 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:52.659 Where are you, Adam? 00:20:53.719 --> 00:20:55.179 Who told you you were naked? 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.339 We see a replay of the sinner 00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.699 hiding his sin. 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.119 I don't know. 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.059 Am I my brother's keeper? 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:04.500 This woman you gave me, 00:21:04.579 --> 00:21:05.619 she gave me the fruit. 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:07.639 The man and the woman hid 00:21:07.639 --> 00:21:08.940 and covered themselves. 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.000 You see the echoes here. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:13.139 Cain hides his sin from the Lord, 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.579 but it goes a step further, 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:15.039 doesn't it? 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:17.619 He lies straight to the Lord's face. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:21.779 We see a replay of the Lord's judgment 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.940 on the sinner. 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.639 The Lord said, 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:25.399 What have you done? 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.759 The voice of your brother's blood 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.619 is crying to me from the ground, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:31.859 and now you are cursed from the ground, 00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.939 which has opened its mouth 00:21:32.939 --> 00:21:34.259 to receive your brother's blood 00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.899 from your hand. 00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.979 When you work the ground, 00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:39.099 it shall no longer yield to you its strength. 00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:41.159 You shall be a fugitive 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:43.539 and a wanderer on the earth. 00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.759 All of this 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:47.919 is a sad reenactment 00:21:47.919 --> 00:21:48.939 of the garden, 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:50.219 which shows us 00:21:50.219 --> 00:21:52.159 that this problem of sin 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:55.019 is not just an isolated incident. 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:57.879 And it doesn't even reset 00:21:57.879 --> 00:21:59.019 with each generation. 00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:01.160 We don't come in on a blank slate. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.879 This problem of sin 00:22:02.879 --> 00:22:04.019 is a virus. 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.500 It's a sickness. 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.579 It's a power 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:10.420 that enslaves and corrupts. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.259 It's passed down 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:13.220 from generation to generation, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.160 and things are not getting better here. 00:22:15.200 --> 00:22:16.220 They're getting worse. 00:22:17.420 --> 00:22:18.200 You wonder, 00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.480 why in the world 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.539 the world we live in 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.460 is so broken? 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:23.319 You watch the news 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.319 and you see the violence 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:26.200 that we see every single day, 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.599 and you wonder, 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.639 how could anybody 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:29.259 hate somebody so much? 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.319 The answer is, 00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:32.299 we sin 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:34.740 because we are sinners, 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.879 both by nature 00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.920 and by choice. 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:40.339 We have inherited 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.500 the same sin 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:44.960 that Cain has inherited 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.599 from his brother, 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:46.839 from his father, Adam. 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.599 And yet, 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.659 just as we saw 00:22:50.659 --> 00:22:51.480 in the garden, 00:22:51.659 --> 00:22:52.480 we see here, 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.759 despite it all, 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:55.159 replayed once again, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:58.059 God is merciful 00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:59.339 to sinners. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:02.119 Verse 13, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.720 Cain grieves 00:23:03.720 --> 00:23:04.379 his judgment 00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:05.220 and says to the Lord, 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.179 my punishment 00:23:06.179 --> 00:23:06.839 is greater 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.740 than I can bear. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.759 You've driven me today 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.759 away from the ground 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:12.359 and away from your face. 00:23:12.419 --> 00:23:13.119 I shall be hidden. 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.279 I shall be a fugitive 00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:15.519 and a wanderer 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.099 on the earth. 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:17.099 And he worries, 00:23:17.219 --> 00:23:18.039 whoever will find me 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.799 will kill me. 00:23:18.859 --> 00:23:19.559 But listen to this, 00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:20.459 the Lord responds 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:21.500 with this provision 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.439 of mercy. 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.439 Not so. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:27.000 If anyone kills Cain, 00:23:27.159 --> 00:23:28.199 vengeance shall be taken 00:23:28.199 --> 00:23:30.079 on him sevenfold. 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:32.219 The Lord mercifully 00:23:32.219 --> 00:23:33.619 put a mark on Cain, 00:23:33.699 --> 00:23:34.859 lest any who found him 00:23:34.859 --> 00:23:35.719 should attack him. 00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.279 And then Cain 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.339 went away 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:39.399 from the presence 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.439 of the Lord, 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.240 like Adam and Eve 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.839 before him, 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.899 and settled 00:23:42.899 --> 00:23:43.919 in the land of Nod, 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.480 east of Eden. 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.779 Abel is gone. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:50.839 Cain is banished. 00:23:51.919 --> 00:23:53.459 Neither one of them 00:23:53.459 --> 00:23:54.779 are the snake crusher 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.519 that God has promised. 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.079 And again, 00:23:58.219 --> 00:23:59.179 the question comes 00:23:59.179 --> 00:23:59.879 to the forefront. 00:24:00.419 --> 00:24:02.199 Will God accomplish 00:24:02.199 --> 00:24:03.159 what he's promised? 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.539 Will the promises 00:24:05.539 --> 00:24:06.639 of God prevail 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:10.079 even in this bleak darkness? 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.279 forgiveness? 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:12.619 Third, 00:24:13.099 --> 00:24:14.179 third, 00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.659 we see hope 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:17.399 is restored. 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.179 Look there with me 00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:18.980 to verse 17. 00:24:20.079 --> 00:24:21.740 Hope is restored. 00:24:22.199 --> 00:24:22.599 Here, 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.799 starting in verse 17 00:24:23.799 --> 00:24:24.759 and through the rest 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.500 of the chapter 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.679 and then even on 00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:27.559 to chapter 5. 00:24:27.699 --> 00:24:27.939 Again, 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.939 the question is, 00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:29.960 will the promised one 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.879 come through Cain? 00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:33.220 We know that Cain's 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:33.679 a murderer. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.379 We know that Cain 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:35.879 is wicked 00:24:35.879 --> 00:24:36.799 and Cain belongs 00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.740 to the offspring 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.799 of the evil one 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:39.640 but could it be 00:24:39.640 --> 00:24:41.279 that the snake crusher 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:41.960 will come through 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.740 his line? 00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:44.960 And what we see here 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.480 in the rest of chapter 4 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.799 is two distinct legacies. 00:24:50.220 --> 00:24:51.140 Look there with me 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.059 at the legacy 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.079 of Cain's line. 00:24:53.259 --> 00:24:53.859 Verse 17. 00:24:53.859 --> 00:24:56.619 Cain knew his wife 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.740 and she conceived 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:58.839 and bore Enoch 00:24:58.839 --> 00:25:00.719 and when he built a city 00:25:00.719 --> 00:25:01.500 he called the name 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:01.979 of the city 00:25:01.979 --> 00:25:02.859 after the name 00:25:02.859 --> 00:25:03.439 of his son, 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:03.959 Enoch. 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:07.240 Enoch bore Irad 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.939 and Irad, 00:25:08.219 --> 00:25:08.919 Mahujael 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.619 and Mahujael 00:25:09.619 --> 00:25:10.299 and Methusael 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:11.119 and Methusael 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:11.819 Lamech. 00:25:12.459 --> 00:25:13.939 Lamech took two wives. 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.639 One was Ada, 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.539 the other Zillah. 00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:17.299 Ada bore Jabal 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:17.299 00:25:17.959 --> 00:25:18.639 He was the father 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.519 of those who dwell 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.139 in tents 00:25:20.139 --> 00:25:21.000 and have livestock 00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.059 and his brother's name 00:25:22.059 --> 00:25:22.740 was Jubal 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.559 and he was the father 00:25:23.559 --> 00:25:24.400 of those who play 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.960 the lyre and the pipe. 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.279 Zillah also bore Tubal Cain 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:29.140 and he was the forger 00:25:29.140 --> 00:25:30.019 of all instruments 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.220 of bronze and iron 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.799 and the sister 00:25:31.799 --> 00:25:32.460 of Tubal Cain 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:33.460 was Nema. 00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.339 Do you hear 00:25:34.339 --> 00:25:35.299 what he's tracing here? 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.779 He's outlining 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.579 the legacy 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:40.160 of the line of Cain 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:42.140 and by all accounts 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:43.500 the contributions 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.819 of the family of Cain 00:25:44.819 --> 00:25:45.640 are impressive, 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.279 aren't they? 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.819 These are city builders 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:51.480 and the first musicians 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:53.279 come from this line. 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.620 Forgers of instruments 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.519 and tools, 00:25:56.700 --> 00:25:57.700 these guys are making 00:25:57.700 --> 00:25:59.579 some monumental contributions 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.400 to the world. 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.860 We see development here 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:04.039 of culture and art. 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.759 They make incredible contributions 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:07.240 to this developing society, 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.759 don't they? 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:11.380 But despite these contributions, 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.660 what we see 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:14.519 is that ultimately 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.779 at the root, 00:26:16.740 --> 00:26:18.839 the legacy of Cain's line 00:26:18.839 --> 00:26:20.819 is wickedness. 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:23.299 Look there to verse 23. 00:26:25.199 --> 00:26:27.319 Lamech said to his wives, 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:28.599 he's a polygamist. 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.439 Well, this is new. 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:33.159 This is a new development 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:34.759 of sin and wickedness. 00:26:34.899 --> 00:26:35.639 Sin is progressing. 00:26:35.859 --> 00:26:36.939 The virus is spreading. 00:26:37.959 --> 00:26:39.000 He says to his wives, 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:39.859 Ada and Zillah, 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.819 hear my voice, 00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:42.039 you wives of Lamech. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:43.279 Listen to what I say. 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.740 I have killed a man 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.879 for wounding me. 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.159 He's not just a polygamist, 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:47.900 he's a murderer. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.400 And the murders 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.660 don't stop with Cain. 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:54.140 He has a legacy of violence. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:55.220 It runs in the family. 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:58.080 I've killed a young man 00:26:58.080 --> 00:26:59.500 for striking me. 00:26:59.580 --> 00:27:00.720 He's not just a murderer. 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:02.380 He's vengeful. 00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:04.420 He's bloodthirsty. 00:27:04.540 --> 00:27:05.880 This isn't equal justice. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.960 It's not an eye for an eye 00:27:07.960 --> 00:27:08.900 and a tooth for a tooth. 00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:10.420 He kills a young man 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.519 for wounding me, 00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:13.080 a young man for striking me. 00:27:13.140 --> 00:27:15.220 This is over and above the top. 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.940 You hurt me, 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.740 I kill you. 00:27:17.759 --> 00:27:18.160 Again, 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.259 we see sin 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.720 and wickedness 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:22.200 is multiplying here 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:22.700 on the earth. 00:27:22.800 --> 00:27:23.660 Things aren't getting better. 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.420 They're getting much, 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.660 much worse. 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:26.860 And he boasts in it, 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:27.259 doesn't he? 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.120 If Cain's revenge 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:30.019 is sevenfold, 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.420 then Lamech's revenge 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:32.720 is seventy-sevenfold. 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.900 He's arrogant. 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.840 Boastful. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.540 It's a mixed bag here 00:27:39.540 --> 00:27:40.880 with Cain's legacy, 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.279 isn't it? 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:42.640 Some very good, 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.460 some incredible, 00:27:43.700 --> 00:27:44.120 wonderful, 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:45.259 good contributions 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:48.660 mixed up with great wickedness. 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.519 And we can look at our own culture 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.519 and see the same thing, 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:51.879 can't we? 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:55.200 Men and women of all stripes, 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:57.900 believer and non-believer alike, 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.660 are capable of making 00:27:59.660 --> 00:28:01.200 incredible contributions 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:02.119 to society. 00:28:03.119 --> 00:28:04.539 Even non-believers 00:28:04.539 --> 00:28:06.900 are capable of making 00:28:06.900 --> 00:28:08.220 incredible contributions 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:10.180 to art and culture 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.480 and science 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:12.460 and technology. 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.779 And as they do so, 00:28:14.820 --> 00:28:15.400 what they're doing, 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.680 willingly or not, 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.440 whether they're aware 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.080 of it or not, 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:20.019 is they are imaging forth, 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:21.240 they're representing, 00:28:21.500 --> 00:28:22.440 they're shining forth 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:23.960 the glory of God, 00:28:24.019 --> 00:28:25.019 even non-believers. 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:28.120 When Stephen Hawking 00:28:28.120 --> 00:28:30.440 explains astronomy 00:28:30.440 --> 00:28:33.360 and physics, 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:35.080 now we may, 00:28:35.320 --> 00:28:36.580 with our limited understanding, 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.980 disagree with some 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.839 of what he says, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.700 but even in the exercise 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:42.079 of the brilliance 00:28:42.079 --> 00:28:43.319 of his mind, 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.559 he's demonstrating 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:45.920 some of the glory of God. 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.099 John Lennon 00:28:48.099 --> 00:28:49.000 and Paul McCartney, 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.720 an atheist 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:52.140 and an agnostic, 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:53.339 when they come together 00:28:53.339 --> 00:28:54.660 and they write a song, 00:28:54.759 --> 00:28:56.079 the whole world recognizes 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.940 that's beautiful. 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:59.240 It's wonderful. 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.000 It's art. 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:01.380 It's music. 00:29:01.380 --> 00:29:02.259 And yet, 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.839 they reject him 00:29:04.839 --> 00:29:05.680 and their use 00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:07.539 of the gifts of God. 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.119 This is called 00:29:08.119 --> 00:29:09.500 common grace. 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.319 But, 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:12.799 despite their incredible 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.519 contributions, 00:29:13.879 --> 00:29:15.599 because at the root 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:17.099 of their offerings 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.539 is not faith, 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.440 before the Lord, 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.000 ultimately, 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:23.039 it is disregarded. 00:29:24.599 --> 00:29:25.119 Ultimately, 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.819 here, 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:26.740 as we trace 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.700 the line of Cain, 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:28.480 what we see is 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.599 his legacy 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:31.539 is wickedness. 00:29:31.680 --> 00:29:32.960 But here in verse 25, 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.799 look there with me. 00:29:33.799 --> 00:29:36.019 once again, 00:29:36.319 --> 00:29:38.740 hope is renewed. 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.339 It says, 00:29:40.419 --> 00:29:42.279 Adam knew his wife again, 00:29:42.919 --> 00:29:44.599 and she bore a son 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:46.500 and called his name Seth. 00:29:47.240 --> 00:29:47.940 For she said, 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.960 God has appointed for me 00:29:49.960 --> 00:29:52.299 another offspring 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:54.139 instead of April. 00:29:54.799 --> 00:29:56.579 For Cain killed him. 00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:59.899 another offspring. 00:30:01.359 --> 00:30:01.799 Again, 00:30:02.000 --> 00:30:03.619 hope is restored. 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:05.519 Hope is renewed 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:06.619 here through the line 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.179 of Seth. 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.799 And look at his legacy. 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.779 It's not ultimately 00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:11.679 art or medicine 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:13.019 or music 00:30:13.019 --> 00:30:14.460 or science 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.240 or any of this. 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:15.919 Verse 26, 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.799 what's his legacy? 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.879 To Seth also 00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.279 was born a son, 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.319 and he called his name 00:30:21.319 --> 00:30:22.079 Enosh, 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:24.019 and at that time, 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.500 people began 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.720 to call upon 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.819 the name 00:30:27.819 --> 00:30:29.779 of the Lord. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:32.960 This 00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:35.279 is the first 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:37.019 formal, 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.939 gathered, 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:40.819 official 00:30:40.819 --> 00:30:43.220 Yahweh worship 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.939 in the history 00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:45.720 of the world. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.639 The legacy 00:30:48.639 --> 00:30:50.319 of Seth's line, 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:51.960 like Abel before him, 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:54.480 is one of faith 00:30:54.480 --> 00:30:56.319 and genuine 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:57.220 worship 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:58.559 of the Lord. 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:02.599 See here 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.220 the distinction. 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.619 Do you see it? 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.679 See here 00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.579 the difference 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:09.139 between these two lines? 00:31:10.579 --> 00:31:11.220 I want you to 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.159 see here 00:31:12.159 --> 00:31:13.200 the difference 00:31:13.200 --> 00:31:14.439 between faith 00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:15.939 and faithlessness. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:18.939 Between wickedness 00:31:18.939 --> 00:31:20.159 and righteousness. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.439 between duty 00:31:21.439 --> 00:31:22.319 and delight. 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.859 Between boasting 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.599 in self 00:31:24.599 --> 00:31:25.220 and boasting 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.299 in the Lord. 00:31:26.419 --> 00:31:27.599 Between external 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.519 impressiveness 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.759 and a singular 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.179 devotion to please 00:31:31.179 --> 00:31:31.759 and worship 00:31:31.759 --> 00:31:32.579 the Lord alone. 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.480 Do you see the difference? 00:31:35.159 --> 00:31:36.159 The question 00:31:36.159 --> 00:31:36.779 for us 00:31:36.779 --> 00:31:37.519 this morning, 00:31:37.619 --> 00:31:37.859 church, 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.460 is which 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.119 one 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.200 will we 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:40.700 be? 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.419 To which 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.200 family 00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:46.000 do you 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:46.559 belong? 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:46.919 belong? 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.480 Every single 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.259 one of us 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:52.000 and every single 00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:53.500 person in the world 00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:54.639 belongs to 00:31:54.639 --> 00:31:56.059 one of these 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.099 two distinct 00:31:57.099 --> 00:31:57.659 families. 00:31:58.500 --> 00:32:00.159 We are either 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:01.579 offspring of the 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:01.960 serpent 00:32:01.960 --> 00:32:03.039 by nature 00:32:03.039 --> 00:32:03.859 or we are 00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:05.000 children of God 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.079 by grace. 00:32:06.419 --> 00:32:06.940 And what's the 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.460 difference between 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:07.899 the two? 00:32:09.480 --> 00:32:10.399 Faith 00:32:10.399 --> 00:32:11.839 in the promise 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:13.059 of God. 00:32:14.419 --> 00:32:15.159 We are 00:32:15.159 --> 00:32:16.579 saved by grace 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:18.079 through faith. 00:32:18.199 --> 00:32:18.359 You know, 00:32:18.419 --> 00:32:19.139 that's the same 00:32:19.139 --> 00:32:19.740 way any Old 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.500 Testament believer 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.359 was saved too, 00:32:21.419 --> 00:32:21.839 by the way. 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.839 They are saved 00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.579 by grace 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.419 through faith 00:32:25.419 --> 00:32:26.220 in the promises 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.839 of God. 00:32:26.900 --> 00:32:27.140 The only 00:32:27.140 --> 00:32:27.660 difference is 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:27.880 they are 00:32:27.880 --> 00:32:28.740 looking forward 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.200 to when 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.960 this promise 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.440 might one 00:32:30.440 --> 00:32:30.839 day be 00:32:30.839 --> 00:32:31.319 fulfilled 00:32:31.319 --> 00:32:32.000 while we 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:32.339 get to 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.120 look backwards 00:32:33.120 --> 00:32:34.180 to Christ 00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:34.880 Jesus 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:35.759 in the gospel 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.700 and see how 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.539 every promise 00:32:37.539 --> 00:32:38.039 of God 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:38.460 finds our 00:32:38.460 --> 00:32:39.100 yes and 00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:39.579 amen 00:32:39.579 --> 00:32:40.900 in Him. 00:32:43.740 --> 00:32:44.420 Here with 00:32:44.420 --> 00:32:44.779 the birth 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.319 of Seth, 00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:45.920 hope is 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.400 renewed, 00:32:46.620 --> 00:32:47.279 but unfortunately 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.019 for Eve, 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.640 as we know 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:49.240 as we zoom 00:32:49.240 --> 00:32:49.819 out from this 00:32:49.819 --> 00:32:50.180 account, 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.180 it is a long 00:32:51.180 --> 00:32:51.740 way to go 00:32:51.740 --> 00:32:52.220 here before 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:52.759 that desire 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.279 is fulfilled. 00:32:54.559 --> 00:32:55.480 The rest 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.360 of the Bible 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:57.420 will trace 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.259 these two 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:58.980 lines 00:32:58.980 --> 00:32:59.360 and these 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:00.380 two conflicting 00:33:00.380 --> 00:33:01.259 families. 00:33:01.860 --> 00:33:02.360 The seed 00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:02.880 of the woman 00:33:02.880 --> 00:33:03.480 against the 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:04.059 seed of the 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.400 serpent 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:04.759 and the 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.259 seed of the 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.539 serpent 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.440 will continue 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.140 to try 00:33:07.140 --> 00:33:08.079 and try 00:33:08.079 --> 00:33:09.000 and try 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.720 and try 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.480 to snuff 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.079 out the 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:11.720 seed of the 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.039 woman. 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:13.839 But through 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:14.559 a long 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.860 and painful 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.720 and bleak 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.500 history of 00:33:17.500 --> 00:33:18.079 sin and 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.440 apparent 00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.259 hopelessness, 00:33:19.360 --> 00:33:19.799 the good 00:33:19.799 --> 00:33:20.420 news of 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.099 the gospel 00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.960 is that 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.799 God's 00:33:22.799 --> 00:33:23.380 promises 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:24.420 always 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:25.220 prevail. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:27.579 I want 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:27.779 you to 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:28.160 just look 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:28.500 at chapter 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.120 five with 00:33:29.120 --> 00:33:30.579 me and 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.039 take a look 00:33:31.039 --> 00:33:31.279 at this 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.259 genealogy and 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.039 I realize 00:33:33.039 --> 00:33:33.680 even as I 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:34.440 say that, 00:33:34.519 --> 00:33:34.660 right, 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.059 some of you 00:33:35.059 --> 00:33:35.640 are afraid. 00:33:36.940 --> 00:33:37.440 I know 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.759 that this 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:38.660 is part 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.039 of what you 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.579 just skip 00:33:39.579 --> 00:33:40.120 over this 00:33:40.120 --> 00:33:40.339 in your 00:33:40.339 --> 00:33:41.019 Bible reading 00:33:41.019 --> 00:33:41.400 plan. 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.120 I get 00:33:42.120 --> 00:33:42.460 that, 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:42.860 I know. 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.620 But what 00:33:45.620 --> 00:33:45.940 I want you 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.500 to understand 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.680 is that this 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.680 list of names 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.360 here is not 00:33:49.360 --> 00:33:50.140 just tracing 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:51.059 history. 00:33:52.480 --> 00:33:52.720 These 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.460 genealogies 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.400 are tracing 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.559 promise. 00:33:57.600 --> 00:33:58.059 Put your 00:33:58.059 --> 00:33:58.620 finger there 00:33:58.620 --> 00:33:59.019 in Genesis 00:33:59.019 --> 00:33:59.680 five and 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.000 I want you 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.319 to turn 00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:01.140 over to 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:01.860 Luke chapter 00:34:01.860 --> 00:34:02.299 three. 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.420 And here 00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:05.900 we find 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.779 another 00:34:06.779 --> 00:34:07.819 genealogy. 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.760 And these 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.860 two long 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.679 lists of 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.220 names, 00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:14.260 they trace 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:14.800 the very 00:34:14.800 --> 00:34:15.860 same promise. 00:34:17.260 --> 00:34:18.400 They tell 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:19.159 the same 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:20.519 exact story. 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.099 the only 00:34:21.099 --> 00:34:21.960 difference is 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.840 that Genesis 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:23.860 five ends 00:34:23.860 --> 00:34:24.400 with hope 00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.320 deferred, 00:34:25.559 --> 00:34:26.039 but Luke 00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.759 chapter three 00:34:26.759 --> 00:34:27.679 shows us 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:28.420 desire 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.300 fulfilled. 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.440 All of 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:32.159 chapter five 00:34:32.159 --> 00:34:33.239 is summarized 00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:33.780 there in Luke 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.380 chapter three. 00:34:34.480 --> 00:34:34.780 We have to 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:35.039 read it 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:35.500 backwards, 00:34:36.139 --> 00:34:36.460 the bottom 00:34:36.460 --> 00:34:37.000 to top. 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:39.119 God 00:34:39.119 --> 00:34:39.860 to Adam, 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:41.320 Adam 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:42.400 to Seth, 00:34:43.179 --> 00:34:43.719 Seth 00:34:43.719 --> 00:34:44.940 to Enos, 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:45.659 Enos 00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.259 to Canaan, 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:46.659 Canaan 00:34:46.659 --> 00:34:47.400 to Mahalel, 00:34:47.579 --> 00:34:48.420 Mahalel to 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.860 Jared, 00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:49.559 Jared to 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:49.960 Enoch, 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.619 Enoch to 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.380 Methuselah, 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.559 Methuselah to 00:34:52.559 --> 00:34:53.019 Lamech, 00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:53.699 Lamech to 00:34:53.699 --> 00:34:54.000 Noah, 00:34:54.320 --> 00:34:54.840 Noah to 00:34:54.840 --> 00:34:55.220 Shem. 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.659 That's where 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:57.019 Genesis five 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.539 stops. 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.639 But here in 00:34:59.639 --> 00:35:00.019 Luke three, 00:35:00.099 --> 00:35:00.740 it keeps going. 00:35:02.179 --> 00:35:02.820 And we trace 00:35:02.820 --> 00:35:03.920 this promise 00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:04.840 deferred, 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.420 this hope 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.220 deferred, 00:35:06.260 --> 00:35:07.260 ultimately to 00:35:07.260 --> 00:35:07.740 Noah, 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:08.760 eventually to 00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:09.380 Abraham, 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.059 from Abraham 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.800 eventually to 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:11.360 David, 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.579 from David 00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:13.260 eventually down 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:13.880 the line until 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.420 we get to 00:35:14.420 --> 00:35:14.900 Joseph. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.139 And from 00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:17.360 Joseph and 00:35:17.360 --> 00:35:18.039 Mary to 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.740 Jesus, 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:19.940 the Messiah, 00:35:19.940 --> 00:35:20.639 Luke is 00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:21.500 telling us, 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:22.840 finally, 00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:24.079 at long 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.760 last, 00:35:24.880 --> 00:35:25.720 in Jesus, 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:27.579 the promise 00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.059 has been 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:28.619 fulfilled. 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.579 Our desire 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:31.720 has been 00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.460 fulfilled 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.960 in Jesus. 00:35:35.860 --> 00:35:36.460 Jesus 00:35:36.460 --> 00:35:38.360 is the one 00:35:38.360 --> 00:35:39.480 who will come, 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.179 now we know, 00:35:40.280 --> 00:35:40.980 through the line 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:41.720 of Seth, 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.599 and crush the 00:35:43.599 --> 00:35:44.420 head of the 00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:44.760 serpent. 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:45.700 The question for 00:35:45.700 --> 00:35:46.480 us this morning, 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:46.820 church, 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.320 is this, 00:35:47.320 --> 00:35:48.720 will we 00:35:48.720 --> 00:35:49.920 trust him 00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.260 even if 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:51.720 for a 00:35:51.720 --> 00:35:52.240 moment 00:35:52.240 --> 00:35:53.280 hope is 00:35:53.280 --> 00:35:53.940 deferred? 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:55.960 Will we 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:56.440 trust him 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:57.000 now by 00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.780 faith even 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:58.539 when we 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.200 cannot yet 00:35:59.200 --> 00:35:59.740 see him 00:35:59.740 --> 00:36:00.780 by sight? 00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:02.380 Will we 00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:03.180 trust him 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:04.180 to return 00:36:04.180 --> 00:36:05.059 and put an 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.720 end to 00:36:05.720 --> 00:36:06.360 sin and 00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:07.360 death and 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.000 darkness in 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.820 the devil even 00:36:08.820 --> 00:36:09.640 while here and 00:36:09.640 --> 00:36:10.260 now are so 00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:10.760 often so 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.800 overwhelmed by 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.280 these things 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:12.600 here and 00:36:12.600 --> 00:36:12.860 now? 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:14.680 Will you 00:36:14.680 --> 00:36:15.340 trust him 00:36:15.340 --> 00:36:16.120 by faith 00:36:16.120 --> 00:36:16.860 that despite 00:36:16.860 --> 00:36:18.000 the darkness 00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:19.559 and despite 00:36:19.559 --> 00:36:20.460 the opposition, 00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:21.180 despite the 00:36:21.180 --> 00:36:22.380 apparent hopelessness 00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:23.079 of the moment, 00:36:23.460 --> 00:36:24.140 despite the 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:24.579 delay, 00:36:24.880 --> 00:36:25.720 that God's 00:36:25.720 --> 00:36:27.000 promise will 00:36:27.000 --> 00:36:27.920 prevail? 00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:30.900 This conflict 00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:31.559 between the 00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.099 seed of the 00:36:32.099 --> 00:36:32.980 woman and 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.620 the seed of 00:36:33.620 --> 00:36:34.079 the serpent, 00:36:34.240 --> 00:36:35.180 it hit its 00:36:35.180 --> 00:36:36.380 climax at the 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.079 cross of 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.660 Christ. 00:36:39.180 --> 00:36:39.680 And in a 00:36:39.680 --> 00:36:40.660 moment of 00:36:40.660 --> 00:36:41.599 darkness and 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:42.199 apparent 00:36:42.199 --> 00:36:43.420 hopelessness, 00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:45.119 for a moment 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.739 it looked as 00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.639 if all hope 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.219 was lost. 00:36:47.339 --> 00:36:47.739 The serpent 00:36:47.739 --> 00:36:48.519 struck the 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.519 heel of the 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.059 son of the 00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:51.000 woman and 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.799 all were left 00:36:51.799 --> 00:36:52.199 wondering, 00:36:52.299 --> 00:36:52.920 will God's 00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:53.639 promises come 00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:54.239 to pass? 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.739 At the 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:57.159 cross of 00:36:57.159 --> 00:36:57.659 Christ it 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:58.159 looked like 00:36:58.159 --> 00:36:59.139 the serpent 00:36:59.139 --> 00:36:59.880 had won, 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.579 like the 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.139 battle had 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:02.799 been lost. 00:37:02.920 --> 00:37:03.619 Will God's 00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:04.559 promises prevail 00:37:04.559 --> 00:37:06.000 even in the 00:37:06.000 --> 00:37:06.799 midst of 00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:07.339 darkness? 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:07.719 And the 00:37:07.719 --> 00:37:08.360 answer that 00:37:08.360 --> 00:37:09.259 we see is 00:37:09.259 --> 00:37:10.159 yes! 00:37:10.159 --> 00:37:12.239 God's 00:37:12.239 --> 00:37:12.879 promises 00:37:12.879 --> 00:37:14.299 prevail in 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:14.960 Christ. 00:37:16.279 --> 00:37:17.039 Christ Jesus 00:37:17.039 --> 00:37:18.359 rose from 00:37:18.359 --> 00:37:19.019 the grave 00:37:19.019 --> 00:37:19.899 and crushed 00:37:19.899 --> 00:37:20.679 the serpent's 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:21.379 head so 00:37:21.379 --> 00:37:21.960 that now by 00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.759 faith, 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:23.779 sinners like 00:37:23.779 --> 00:37:24.420 us can be 00:37:24.420 --> 00:37:25.139 transferred, 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.000 delivered from 00:37:26.000 --> 00:37:26.719 the domain of 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.679 darkness and 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:28.239 might become 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:29.179 sons and 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.839 daughters of 00:37:29.839 --> 00:37:30.239 the living 00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:30.819 God. 00:37:32.199 --> 00:37:33.440 By faith in 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:34.039 the promised 00:37:34.039 --> 00:37:34.739 seed of the 00:37:34.739 --> 00:37:35.059 woman, 00:37:36.420 --> 00:37:37.159 despite the 00:37:37.159 --> 00:37:37.739 darkness and 00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:38.619 apparent hopelessness 00:37:38.619 --> 00:37:39.199 of the present, 00:37:39.199 --> 00:37:40.299 we believe by 00:37:40.299 --> 00:37:41.079 faith that 00:37:41.079 --> 00:37:41.799 his promises 00:37:41.799 --> 00:37:43.739 will prevail 00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:44.759 one day soon 00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.559 and very soon 00:37:45.559 --> 00:37:46.000 church. 00:37:46.579 --> 00:37:47.299 The Lord 00:37:47.299 --> 00:37:48.379 will return. 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:51.239 Sin will be 00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:52.339 no more. 00:37:54.099 --> 00:37:55.579 Death will be 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:56.259 finished. 00:37:57.439 --> 00:37:58.159 That cursed 00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:59.000 serpent will be 00:37:59.000 --> 00:38:00.399 done for good. 00:38:01.679 --> 00:38:02.539 The sheep 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:02.980 will be 00:38:02.980 --> 00:38:03.919 separated from 00:38:03.919 --> 00:38:04.579 the goats. 00:38:06.119 --> 00:38:06.579 These two 00:38:06.579 --> 00:38:07.059 families, 00:38:07.059 --> 00:38:07.500 these two 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.759 spiritual lines 00:38:08.759 --> 00:38:09.139 will be 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:10.299 separated at 00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:10.900 last and 00:38:10.900 --> 00:38:11.360 the children 00:38:11.360 --> 00:38:11.920 of God 00:38:11.920 --> 00:38:12.259 will be 00:38:12.259 --> 00:38:13.139 separated from 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.619 the children 00:38:13.619 --> 00:38:14.219 of the 00:38:14.219 --> 00:38:14.639 enemy. 00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:16.460 The dead 00:38:16.460 --> 00:38:16.799 will be 00:38:16.799 --> 00:38:17.519 raised and 00:38:17.519 --> 00:38:18.579 we who 00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:19.179 know him 00:38:19.179 --> 00:38:20.159 by faith 00:38:20.159 --> 00:38:20.960 will live 00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:21.420 with him 00:38:21.420 --> 00:38:22.000 forever 00:38:22.000 --> 00:38:23.639 in a new 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.099 and better 00:38:24.099 --> 00:38:24.559 Eden, 00:38:25.679 --> 00:38:26.000 a new 00:38:26.000 --> 00:38:26.500 heavens 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.440 and the 00:38:27.440 --> 00:38:27.940 new earth. 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.259 Is this 00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:28.659 your hope 00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.079 church? 00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:31.340 Will you 00:38:31.340 --> 00:38:31.759 trust his 00:38:31.759 --> 00:38:32.179 promises 00:38:32.179 --> 00:38:32.319 promises? 00:38:33.039 --> 00:38:33.679 Even in 00:38:33.679 --> 00:38:33.960 the midst 00:38:33.960 --> 00:38:34.539 of darkness? 00:38:35.859 --> 00:38:36.379 Father, 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.559 we praise 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:39.039 you that 00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:40.099 all of the 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:40.739 promises of 00:38:40.739 --> 00:38:41.399 God find 00:38:41.399 --> 00:38:41.980 their yes 00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:42.819 and amen 00:38:42.819 --> 00:38:43.699 in Jesus 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:44.500 Christ. 00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.599 We praise 00:38:46.599 --> 00:38:47.079 you that 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:48.219 even now 00:38:48.219 --> 00:38:48.739 as we live 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:49.379 in between 00:38:49.379 --> 00:38:50.699 some promise 00:38:50.699 --> 00:38:51.460 and fulfillment, 00:38:51.899 --> 00:38:52.460 Lord, we pray 00:38:52.460 --> 00:38:52.879 that we would 00:38:52.879 --> 00:38:53.819 live by faith 00:38:53.819 --> 00:38:54.279 and walk 00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:54.960 by faith, 00:38:55.299 --> 00:38:55.679 that we would 00:38:55.679 --> 00:38:56.199 look back to 00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:56.679 the cross 00:38:56.679 --> 00:38:56.980 and the 00:38:56.980 --> 00:38:57.480 resurrection 00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.119 and be 00:38:58.119 --> 00:38:58.739 reminded that 00:38:58.739 --> 00:38:59.159 you have been 00:38:59.159 --> 00:39:00.359 faithful to us 00:39:00.359 --> 00:39:01.079 already and 00:39:01.079 --> 00:39:01.699 surely you 00:39:01.699 --> 00:39:01.939 will be 00:39:01.939 --> 00:39:03.119 faithful again. 00:39:04.379 --> 00:39:05.219 Lord, we pray 00:39:05.219 --> 00:39:06.859 now, Lord, as we 00:39:06.859 --> 00:39:07.980 stand to worship 00:39:07.980 --> 00:39:08.679 you, would we 00:39:08.679 --> 00:39:09.559 worship you by 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.159 faith? 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:11.819 We pray this in 00:39:11.819 --> 00:39:12.359 Jesus' name. 00:39:13.239 --> 00:39:13.500 Amen.