Cain and Abel

This semester at YDJ, we are doing a series called the "Shadows". We are studying characters from the Old Testament and seeing how they foreshadow Jesus in order to see and understand how all things point to Jesus. Last Friday Johanna lead the discussion on Cain and Abel (more specifically, how Abel is the shadow of Jesus). In youth group we began studying Genesis in the beginning of the school year. On Sunday, Aug gave the message on Genesis 4:1-5:32 (but mainly focused on Cain and Abel). Although it's a familiar passage that I have heard many times, I learned new things. I was reminded of the importance of the condition of our heart as we bring our offerings before God. Also, as I took a closer look at the conversation between God and Cain, I learned of God's patience and love for Cain. I was thinking of how to summarize and tie in what I learned on Friday and Sunday and this is the overarching question that I think summarizes what I learned - how do you respond to rebuke?

So let's dive in!

"In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering - fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast." (Genesis 4:3-4)

While Abel brought in fat portions, Cain brought some of the fruits as an offering to the Lord. Although we cannot directly see the condition of their heart as they gave their offerings to the Lord, from observing their offerings, we can see glimpses of their attitude and heart. Abel's offering was genuine while Cain's offering was careless.

"Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." (Genesis 4:6-7)

"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?" Genesis doesn't say exactly what  God required Cain and Abel to bring as an offering, but here, we can see that Cain knew what was right. God desired Cain to do what was right. Cain had a choice at that moment - to repent or not to repent. God warns him - "But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it".

"Now Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let's go out to the field.' While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Able and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Able?' 'I don't know,' he replied. 'Am I my brother's keeper?' 'I don't know,' he replied, 'Am I my brother's keeper?'" (Genesis 4:8-9)

We can see that instead of choosing to repent and be accepted by God, Cain's jealousy ruled over and he ended up murdering his own brother. This made me really think about the question - "How do you respond to rebuke?" How do I respond to rebuke? People older than us will rebuke us times (hopefully out of love). But more importantly, if you are going the wrong way, even if no one else does, the Holy Spirit will rebuke you. God, the Father's intention is to correct us so that we will walk in the right path. I think especially in our culture, people really value independence. At times, there is a lack of respect for people older and wiser at times because of pride. I think it's really easy to be offended and run the other way if someone tries to correct us. Proverbs 12:1 says - "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid."

"The Lord said, 'What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.' Cain said to the Lord, 'My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wander on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.' But the Lord said to him, 'Not so; anyone who ills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.' Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. So cain went out from the Lord's presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden." (Genesis 4:11-16).

God gave Cain another chance to repent, yet Cain refused to repent. Instead, he complained about his punishment. However, we see God's grace and mercy over Cain. Although Cain deserved to die for killing Abel, he allows him to live and gives him a mark so that no one who found him would kill him. I don't know about you, but I want to live in the presence of God. I want to bring an offering that pleases him. And what does God require? Not 50% of me, not 75% of me, and not even 99% of me. He requires all of me. He requires all of you. I want to hear the voice of God and live in His presence. I want to bring Him my best and my all. But if I don't and the Holy Spirit rebukes me, I pray that I may not have an offended heart and simply repent because without repentance, there is no forgiveness.

And here are some pictures!

Valuing God's Voice

The youth group has been studying the "Tuned In Series" by Pastor Stephen Chandler. On Saturday, we watched the sermon "Please Repeat That" and I thought there were valuable lessons from it. If you have some time, I would recommend listening to it!

Here are some of the notes:

Value His voice.
"People want to hear the specific word of God without taking the time to listen for the general words of God. There are about 4 or 5 times throughout your year when you say, 'I really need to know what God's will is for this decision right here.' But there's about 361 other days where hearing God's voice is not a big deal to you because you don't have a big decision to make."

"What you value, you will allot time for. If you don't allot time for it, you don't really value it."

Four ways to value God:

1. Set an appointment. God shows up in a prepared environment. God shows up when we prepare an atmosphere. 
2. Be still and worship. You cannot experience God unless you are still. The battle is won when you stand still and worship God. It's in worship when God speaks to you.
3. Pray and read.
4. Listen and write. Listen to what God is saying to you and write what God is speaking to you."

The message was really encouraging to listen to. I believe that the four ways to value God that Pastor Stephen shared is really important, but it is really a daily struggle to do these things. What stuck out to me the most is that "God shows up in a prepared environment." How would church on Sunday be if no one prepared? What if the chairs weren't set up? What if the praise team didn't practice? What if the messenger didn't prepare and pray throughout the week? It would be a mess. It's difficult preparing for Sunday Worship Service, conferences, Harvest Festival, etc. but I believe how we prepare is a reflection of our attitude and view towards God. Do we really believe that God is good? That God is great? Do we love Him? For example, if an important guest came over to your house, you would make sure your house was really clean and make a really nice meal. In the same way, we need to prepare for God to show up. While it is important to prepare the physical atmosphere for Holy Spirit to come, we must not forget to prepare our hearts to hear God's voice!

As a youth group teacher, I find it sometimes difficult and challenging prepare for classes Saturdays and Sundays. But I a reminded that it is when we prepare for the presence of God, He comes. I am also reminded of Romans 12:8 "...if it is to lead, do it diligently." In the context of the passage, Paul is talking about spiritual gifts that God has given each person. As a leader, it is important to lead diligently. Sometimes I don't know how I got to where I am, but I believe that this is where God wants me to be right now. I have a lot of weaknesses (to which my sister can testify, haha), but I hope to do my best to love, teach, and lead my class this year.

Also I've been meaning to post more regularly this semester - maybe once a week or once every two weeks, but it's been hard...