Sermon for November 11th, 2012

Genesis 4:1-7

Now the man knew his wife Eve, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, ‘I have produced a man with the help of the Lord.’ 2Next she bore his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, and Cain a tiller of the ground. 3In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, 4and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6The Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry, and why has your countenance fallen? 7If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it.’

Abel's Sacrifice: Putting First Things First

• Sacrifice
  • concept familiar to those who have served in the military, and who we celebrate today on veterans day...
  • concept familiar (historically) to Christians...martyrs, persecuted, Jesus, Old Testament
  • First sacrifice: Abel (both his offering to God and his life)
  • Would like to tell Abel's story...or rather let him tell his story...

• Abel's story