This is a sermon series called Origin Story: Genesis 4:1-16, “Struggle Multiplies.” August 30, 2026 You can watch more here.
I don’t want to stir up too much anxiety but it doesn’t take much effort to see we live in a violent world. Just a year ago there was a shooting at the Target off 183 and Ohlen where 3 people were killed. And, just last month a man was shot multiple times on Rainey Street during an aggravated robbery. In Southeast Austin, another man was killed off Montopolis Dr. And earlier this month there was a shooting in Northeast Austin. That’s a lot!
And, you can blame it on Austin and want to get out into the country, but Twin Falls, Idaho 3 people were killed, 7 wounded at an In-And-Out just last month. So, when things like that happen, we ask the same questions, “Why? How do we stop them? What’s going on?” Is this the end? In our passage this morning, we are going to see there is a pattern in humanity we still see today. We don’t typically wake up and say, “I am going to rob a bank today.” There’s a progression. There’s something inside us that begins with a thought, grows with our desires, and is eventually driven by our passions so that sin shows up…but we can’t miss that God keeps moving toward us to bring rescue. Let’s look at Genesis 4:1:
Genesis 4:1, “1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a man child with the help of the Lord.”
If you’re new this morning we’ve been teaching through Genesis verse by verse, so that Genesis 1-2 starts off perfect, and then in Genesis 3 we see our sin creates a fracture between us and God that is going to bleed into the next generation. In verse 1 Adam and Eve give birth to a man-child! Notice, Eve gives thanks to the Lord, which means even though Adam and Eve are no longer in the garden, they are still in relationship with the Lord. Look at verse 2:
Genesis 4:2, “2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
In verse 2 we see Eve gives birth to a second son, and again, we see even though the world is broken with sin and death, there are still good, ordinary moments in life. Cain is working the ground and Abel is taking care of sheep. Verses 1-2 look like a good start. Look at verses 3-5:
Genesis 4:3-5, “3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.”
In verses 3-5 we see both Cain and Abel are involved in worship unto the Lord. Do you see that? Cain brings fruit of the ground and Abel brings the firstlings of his flock. It’s likely both men have been taught about God’s promises through Adam and Eve, but in verse 4 it says, “The Lord had regard for Abel’s offering.”
Now, we need to go slow here, because we don’t really know why the Lord had regard for Abel’s offering but not Cain’s offering. There are some who will say, “It’s because Abel brought the first of his flock” which is possible. There are some who will say, “Obviously the Lord doesn’t like vegetarians!”
Hebrews 11:4, “4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain…”
Hebrews in the New Testament teaches us Abel offered his gift by faith. I think it’s possible Abel knew the promise of Genesis 3:15, “One would come who would crush the head of the serpent” and Abel is trusting the Lord. Therefore, the Lord isn’t merely looking at what’s in their hands, but the Lord is looking at what’s happening in their heart. Write that down. (Hebrews 11:4, 1 Samuel 16)
It’s possible Cain’s offering isn’t motivated by faith in the Lord, but by religious behavior, and the Lord discerns between the two. Religious behavior can say to the Lord, “Look at all that I have done! Look at my sacrifice, my worship, my giving, my prayers, my service, my behavior!”One way to discern the difference between religious behavior and living by faith is to look at how we respond when God doesn’t do what we want Him to do! Let’s look at verse 5 again:
Genesis 4:5, “5 … So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.”
What’s going on with Cain’s anger? Honestly, we don’t know. The idea of our “countenance falling” implies layers of discouragement and even depression. Discouragement alone isn’t that big of a deal, because that happens in life but discouragement with anger, then maybe we start to see there is something deeper going on in the life of Cain.
I was talking with someone who was a follower of Jesus, about an area of their life where it wasn’t obviously black and white, but one of those grey areas of life, so I asked, “What if you gave it up? What if you just stopped? What if you walked away?” They immediately said, “I could stop. But I feel like if I stopped I would be stopping something in my life that is the most important part of my life.” I said, “Well, then it’s possible we just found our answer!”
When we don’t get the promotion, it’s discouraging. When we don’t get the promotion because Joe got the promotion, it’s anger. When we don’t get invited to a party is discouraging but when we’re the only one that didn’t get invited to a party, that’s anger. You with me? Somethings stirring in Cain! Look at verse 6:
Genesis 4:6, “6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?”
The Lord wants to know! To be clear, the Lord knows! He’s trying to draw Cain out, so that we can’t miss, something is stirring in Cain and the Lord is continuing to move toward Cain. This is an area where we want to grow in our church family this fall. We are wanting to raise the temperature of making movements toward one another. It’s called Biblical Shepherding.
If there are just 2-3 shepherds in our church family it will create a bottle neck. We will only have the capacity to care for each other based on the capacity of 2-3 people. But, if that number can grow from 5, 10, 50, then that’s a game changer in our church family! Wouldn’t that amazing to see in our church family this fall? Men and women who know what to look for, what to ask, where to press, how to pray, and that it would flow out of us naturally! Let’s ask the Lord for Him to move in this area of our church family!
Because, in verse 6 the Lord moves toward Cain. He draws out Cain. He doesn’t point out the problems! He doesn’t raise His voice like, “Why aren’t you more like your brother?” Instead, like a loving shepherd full of wisdom and strength, He draws Cain out, “Why are you angry? Why has your countenance fallen?” What’s going on?
To be clear, the Lord already knows the answer. He is inviting Cain to search his heart and mind, so that He might bring that discouragement and anger to the Lord and repent. Look at verse 7:
Genesis 4:7, “7 If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
The phrase, “If you do well” is an invitation to turn to the Lord in confession and repentance. The Lord asked Cain in verse 6, “Why are you angry? Why are you discouraged?” If Cain would engage the Lord about what’s going on his heart and mind it would be good for Cain! In addition, this language of “crouching” in verse 7 is that of an animal chasing down its prey. It is similar to the Apostle Peter in the New Testament saying, “Satan is prowling around like a roaring lion.” It’s showing us that sin / evil isn’t an innocent bystander, but it’s coming for us. Do you see that?
And, the word “desire” means to master and control, so that verse 7 is describing sin / evil is predatorial! Sin / evil is intentionally waiting, watching and pouncing! So that our passage is showing us there is a progression with sin / evil.
Progression of Sin / Evil: (How sin / evil shows up at our door.)
- Idea
- Desire
- Passion
- Death
Sin / evil rarely introduces itself with murder, gluttony, gossip, and adultery on the first day! No, sin / evil shows up with a thought and sometimes we marinate on that thought, so that it becomes a desire.And, sometimes we chase after those desires, so that it becomes a passion, and sometimes those passions will bring death. I know this might be abstract, so let me build it out a little more.
Possible Progression of Sin / Evil:
- Idea:
- I was hurt.
- What they did really hurt me.
- Desire:
- I dwell on it.
- I keep replaying what they did over and over.
- I interpret the motives of others.
- They don’t care about me.
- They always do this.
- This is who they are.
- Passion:
- I resent them.
- After what they’ve done.
- I can’t stand them.
- I justify myself.
- They deserve whatever response they get from me.
- Death:
- I retaliate.
- Maybe I withdraw?
- Maybe I gossip?
- Maybe I attack or hurt them?
- I retaliate.
- I resent them.
- I dwell on it.
- I was hurt.
Anyone seen this process in their life? Each one is an opportunity to turn to the Lord. Each one is an opportunity to confess and repent. Each one is an opportunity to take thoughts captive, so that it can “go well with us” when we do! One time there was a woman taking advantage of my mom. She got $40K out of my mom and my mom loved her!
I was so angry with this woman. I used to fantasize in my head about how I could destroy this woman, and in my head I actually started putting together a plan! I started visualizing myself implementing the plan. And by God’s grace the Holy Spirit was like, “What are you doing?” It’s a progression!
People rarely think, “I’m going to become bitter now.” We usually believe we’re justified to hold a grudge against someone based on the story we’ve told ourselves and we replay it over and over. Amen? In the moment, we don’t see immediate consequences, so we think, “It must not be that big of a deal.” But, we don’t realize we are playing with a grenade, the pin has been pulled, and one day our leg is going to blow up and we are going to look around like, “What happened?”
Therefore, we would do well to take time in our moments with the Lord to ask Him, “Lord, help me see what’s going on below the surface?” It’s Psalm 139, “Search m, O God and know my heart.” This is why we get into Scripture every day. This is why we spend time in prayer. This is why we commit to a local church. This is why we build relationships with one another. We are giving ourselves a chance to hear from the Lord and turn to Him! Because the sooner we can see the sin crouching at the door the sooner we can turn to Jesus and ask for His help! Look at verse 8:
Genesis 4:8, “8 Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.”
Do you see the progression? Anger and discouragement in verse 5, ignoring the Lord in verse 6, ignoring sin / evil in verse 7, and now Cain is standing over his brother. Look at verse 9:
Genesis 4:9, “9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Again, notice it is the Lord moving toward Cain to draw him out, “Where is Abel your brother?” The Lord knows! Yet, the Lord is wanting to draw out Cain in confession and repentance. And, notice Cain’s response has now progressed from discouragement, anger, murder, and now indifference with a cold, hard heart. Look at verse 10:
Genesis 4:10, “10 He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.”
It’s possible we read Genesis 4 and we think of ourselves as Abel in the story being attacked by the wickedness of this world, but let’s be honest, we’re more like Cain. Sin has crouched at our door. We know what it’s like to be mastered! We know what it’s like to ignore God and do what is right in our own eyes.
We know what it’s like to go through those progressions of sin. Let’s be honest, we know what it’s like to have blood on our hands. And, we know what it’s like to hang on to bitterness. Use our words to hurt people. Justified the sin / evil in our hearts. Therefore, we need to see the Lord moving toward Cain over and over and over. We need to see the consequences of hardening our heart and ignoring the Lord, but don’t miss the Lord continually moving toward Cain to bring rescue.
This is why Jesus is so important. The Lord isn’t waiting for us to clean ourselves up and find our way back to Him. He comes to us! Jesus takes on flesh. He draws near to those who are far. And He takes our sin at the cross upon Himself, so that Jesus calls out to us, “Where are you?” Why are you angry? What are you doing? In verse 10, Abel’s blood cries out to the Lord for justice, but Hebrews 12 says, “Jesus blood cries out mercy and forgiveness for all who turn to Him.”
Hebrews 12:24, “24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”
Abel’s blood cries out for justice! But Jesus’ blood cries out for mercy, because His blood brings justice. He stood in our place. He takes the judgment we deserve, so that at the cross we see justice for sin and mercy for sinners. That’s the gospel!
Yes, we know what it is like to go the way of Cain, but because of Jesus, we don’t have to hide the dark layers of our soul. We don’t have to pretend sin / evil isn’t crouching at our door. We don’t have to try to trick God with our religious behaviors. It’s because Jesus already knows and He came for us!
If you don’t know Jesus, you should meet Him. He knows there are layers of darkness and death inside us, and He doesn’t flinch! Jesus comes to bring LIFE to a people who are dead! Jesus comes to bring LIGHT to those who are hiding in darkness, therefore, turn to Jesus and give Him your life!
Because when you know Jesus, we don’t have to sit in the betrayal of that friend and pretend its okay. We can trust there is justice! We don’t have to sit in the worst decisions of our life, we can trust there is forgiveness. We don’t have to wallow in discouragement of marriage, family or career, because in Jesus we know the story’s not over. Amen? Look at verses 11-12:
Genesis 4:11-12, “11 Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”
Just like in Genesis 3 we see consequences for sin in Genesis 4. Now the ground is going to be more difficult for Cain. His vocation will become his frustration. He is going to be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, so that again, just as Adam and Eve lose their home, we see Cain losing his home. It’s because sin/ evil gives the promise of life, but never delivers. The only things sin / evil has to offer is death. Look at verses 13-14:
Genesis 4:13-14, “13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is too great to bear! 14 Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Is this showing Cain’s repentance? We don’t see Cain’s showing concern or remorse for his brother. Instead, we see Cain’s concern for himself. 2 Corinthians would describe this as “worldly sorrow.” We know we are seeing genuine repentance when we see our circumstances might not change, but we’re going to trust the Lord anyways. Look at verses 15-16:
Genesis 4:15-16, “15 So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him. 16 Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Notice the Lord moved toward Cain. The Lord draws near to Cain. The Lord keeps showing up for Cain, but Cain keeps moving away from the Lord. Church family, let’s not make Cain’s mistake. When the Lord exposes what’s crouching at the door, let’s turn to Him. One of the gifts He has given us to help us do that is one another. This is what we’re asking the Lord to do in our church family.
Men and women who are spiritually fighting for one another. Men and women who will draw near to one another, pray for one another, and sometimes challenge like, “I think sin is crouching at your door!” We don’t have those conversations because we are looking to judge one another. We have those conversations there is forgiveness in Jesus, there is power in Jesus, and there is life in Jesus. Amen?
North Village Church
This sermon is brought to you by North Village Church, a non-denominational church in Austin by the Domain, established in 2009 and built around Jesus and Bible teaching. Are you looking for a church in Austin? At North Village Church we put Jesus at the center of our church family. We worship together every Sunday at 10:30am, encourage Christ centered fellowship through groups, and host special events such as Bible studies and Theological Training, to ensure that we are rooted in in God’s Word. We also serve our local community in association with several Austin based organizations.
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