Cain and Abel – Sin Crouching at the Door
Pastor Tan Thai · Jul 9, 2017
This sermon examines the story of Cain and Abel to expose the devil's strategy of using jealousy to destroy spiritual life, family, and the church. The message calls each person to examine the motives behind their service to God and to recognize that we all bear the image of Cain, yet have been redeemed by a greater Abel—Jesus Christ.
This sermon is part of a series on Spiritual Warfare, focusing on the devil's second strategy: causing believers to become jealous and resentful rather than coming to God in confession and receiving forgiveness. Through the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4:1-16, the pastor aims to help the congregation recognize a destructive strategy of the enemy that operates in every area of life—from thoughts and reasoning to decisions and faith.
The first section analyzes why God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain's. According to Hebrews 11:4, Abel offered his sacrifice by faith—trusting in the promise of salvation in Genesis 3:15—and out of gratitude, not to earn divine favor. Cain, by contrast, offered in order to be accepted by God, as a means of earning salvation. The sermon connects this to the contrast between the self-righteous Pharisee and the grateful tax collector, as well as to Ephesians 2:8-9 on salvation by grace alone through faith alone. The motive and attitude behind Christian service are presented as a critically important lesson for every believer.
The second section explores the consequences of jealousy when Cain allowed sin to cross the threshold of his heart and murdered his own brother. James 3:13-18 is cited to emphasize that wherever there is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. The sermon lists many forms of jealousy in Christian life—from possessions and appearance to recognition within the church—and points out that the root cause is dissatisfaction with what God has given. Aesop's fable of the envious man who asks the gods to blind one of his own eyes vividly illustrates the self-destructive nature of jealousy.
The third section highlights God's mercy even toward Cain. Before Cain sinned, God warned and explained the danger (Genesis 4:6-7), rather than condemning him outright. Even though Cain did not repent, God placed a mark on him for protection—the ultimate expression of mercy toward an unrepentant sinner. The pastor concludes that all of us are Cain, yet we have been redeemed by the blood of a greater Abel—Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 12:22-24). The Holy Spirit seals today's Cains, confirming that they are beloved children of God.