ABEL

ABEL

Sunday, September 14, 2014

 

Genesis 4:1-16 … Abel was a keeper of sheep …

 

  In the Old Testament, very little is said of Abel, son of Adam and Eve, brother of Cain. Why, because he died young? He was good. He was trusting, following God’s order. He was an offense to his brother (and others then?) that refused to do right.

  What can we learn from Abel?

• Abel was the first recorded shepherd. Quite interesting, for as time went on, shepherds were considered the low rung of the social ladder. Jesus is our Shepherd and often spoken of as such.
• Abel was a child choosing to please God and his parents. Christ-like.
• Abel was the first martyr to die for the truth. (Mt.23:35)
• Abel is the first member of the Hebrews 11 Hall of Faith. (Heb.11:1-4)
    What can we learn from Abel that is personally applicable to our life?
         +    Dying young or old is of relative unimportance in the scope of God’s eternity. Living by faith, what we do with life is paramount, not longevity.
         +    To do right is to be vulnerable. We are to be Christ-like; playing-it-safe or obeying and pleasing God is ever the choice before us. (Mt.26:35-46)
         +    Social status, recognition and plaudits, with its false hollow esteem is not to be our goal; honoring God as a wise caring undershepherd is.
         +    As with Abel, the record of our heritage is to be one of “good report” according to God’s standards.
         +    Don’t be like Cain!
   

  ”Dear children, don't let anyone deceive you. Whoever does what God approves of has God's approval as Christ has God's approval. The person who lives a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has been committing sin since the beginning. The reason that the Son of God appeared was to destroy what the devil does. Those who have been born from God don't live sinful lives. What God has said lives in them, and they can't live sinful lives. They have been born from God. This is the way God's children are distinguished from the devil's children. Everyone who doesn't do what is right or love other believers isn't God's child. The message that you have heard from the beginning is to love each other. Don't be like Cain. He was a child of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain murder his brother? Because the things Cain did were evil and the things his brother did had God's approval. Brothers and sisters, don't be surprised if the world hates you.” (GW 1Jn.3:7-13)

 EBB4