We are reading the Bible in 90 days and choosing foundational texts along the way. Moses wanted the people to be set apart from all other nations through their devotion, their ritual, and their sacrifice.

While our offerings are different in 2026, the core principles are the same, and you will hear that in the recording today.

Find Simpsonville United Methodist on Facebook to see the readings for each day.

a1_01_04_26_#27_Genesis 4:1-16_Cain and Abel_90 Days

{ILS} Park Bench in Good Will Hunting

• The scene was the therapist Sean correcting the patient Will

• Will had disrespected Sean deeply, insulting his life and late wife

• Sean told Will - “I slept on it last night…you’re smart but you don’t know everything, because you haven't seen it”

• Beautiful spot along the Charles River in Boston - Quiet Reflection

{SCR} Genesis 4:1 {THREE} The man Adam knew his wife Eve. She became pregnant and gave birth to Cain, and said, “I have given life to a man with the Lord’s help.” 2 She gave birth a second time to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel cared for the flocks, and Cain farmed the fertile land. 3 Some time later, Cain presented an offering to the Lord from the land’s crops 4 while Abel presented his flock’s oldest offspring with their fat. The Lord looked favorably on Abel and his sacrifice 5 but didn’t look favorably on Cain and his sacrifice. Cain became very angry and looked resentful. 6 The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why do you look so resentful? 7 If you do the right thing, won’t you be accepted? But if you don’t do the right thing, sin will be waiting at the door ready to strike! It will entice you, but you must rule over it.”

{MPT} Cain couldn’t possibly know what what was required

• Years of preparing the land

• Years of gathering and herding animals

• 18 months of child bearing

• Decades of child care & it all of it was with the Lord’s Help

{MPT} A limited perspective caused Cain to choose anger

• Cain’s dream was that the work he did would be celebrated

• • The “sin that is waiting” is the desire to be praised above all others

  • The expectation leads to deep anger and resentment

  • The pain for the creator is the human knows nothing of what has already been done before they took action

{SCR} Genesis 4:8 {TWO} Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” When they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. 9 The Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” Cain said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s guardian?” 10 The Lord said, “What did you do? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground. 11 You are now cursed from the ground that opened its mouth to take your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you farm the fertile land, it will no longer grow anything for you, and you will become a roving nomad on the earth.”

{MPT} Cain’s fatal flaw became fatal for his brother

• Rather than consider the reason Cain feels anger…

• • Cain chooses to target and eliminate his perceived cause of the anger

  • • Was it about work ethic? No. Both brothers worked

    • Was it about willingness? No. Both brothers offered

    • Cain’s anger must find a local, tangible recipient

• Cain reduces Abel to one characteristic

• • would rather kill his brother than work to understand him

{SCR} Genesis 4:13 {TWO} Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Now that you’ve driven me away from the fertile land and I am hidden from your presence, I’m about to become a roving nomad on the earth, and anyone who finds me will kill me.” 15 The Lord said to him, “It won’t happen; anyone who kills Cain will be paid back seven times.” The Lord put a sign on Cain so that no one who found him would assault him. 16 Cain left the Lord’s presence, and he settled down in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

{MPT} The punishment is more than he can bear

• Fascinating - those people that tease, push, bully - never can take it

• • Cain will now get an education in the work that preceded him

  • • What an incredible thing it was that plants grew underground

  • In this cycle, the perpetrator screams they are the victim

  • • Worst fear, someone like them

• Rachel Stevens - the Tragic plot embryo

We read, compare, and contrast the stories of Jesus' family in the days leading up to his birth. Matthew's version and Luke's version focus on very different themes and we take time to identify and discuss them.