And The Lord Had Respect Unto Abel

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(Genesis 4:4) "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"

Introduction:

Could it be that the Bible has a contradiction? Doesn't the Bible say, (Acts 10:34) "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"

What is this verse speaking of, and why is it said that the Lord had respect unto Able. The reason is that these two words have different meanings. The word used in Acts is referring to have a preference to someone while the word used in Genesis means well pleasing. There are those that believe that God predestines some to be saved and some to be lost, and they base the belief on this passage. That is not what is being taught here. What is being taught is that what was done pleased the Lord.

Illustration:

Respect for a batter or pitcher.

You don't prefer them over anyone else but you are aware of how well that they do in what ever area they are working.

Pleasing God is the most important thing in the world. Able shows us how to please God.

Notice:

1. Proper Approach To God (vss 2-4)

(Genesis 4:2-4) "And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. {3} And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. {4} And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"

A. He came in the righteousness of another.

1. An offering from the flock

B. We come to God in the righteousness of another, Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 1:30)

(1 Corinthians 1:30) "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"

C. He came through a blood sacrifice.

1. The blood of a lamb.

D. We come to God through a blood sacrifice.

1. The Blood of The Lamb.

(Romans 5:9) "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

(Hebrews 9:22) "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

E. He came to God by faith.

(Hebrews 11:4) "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."

F. We come to God by faith.

(Romans 5:1) "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"

(Hebrews 11:6) "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

2. Perfect Acceptance By God (vss 4)

(Genesis 4:4) "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"

A. When we come to Christ by faith we are accepted by Him. (Eph 1:6)

(Ephesians 1:6) "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."

3. Predictable Attack By The Ungodly (vss 8)

(Genesis 4:8) "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him."

When you begin to please the Lord you be prepared for an attack because the Devil hates Christians that please the Lord.

(John 15:18-25) "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. {19} If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. {20} Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. {21} But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. {22} If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. {23} He that hateth me hateth my Father also. {24} If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. {25} But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause."

A. Certain attack

B. Consistent attack

C. Concerted attack

Close:

Though the attacks may come, we still need to please God.

(Ephesians 6:10-17) "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. {11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. {13} Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. {14} Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; {15} And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; {16} Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. {17} And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:"

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