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Me, Myself and Mine Message 07 of 08
Selfishness in the Life of Cain
Pastor Anthony King· May 4, 2025
Genesis 4:1-11
This sermon on Genesis 4:1–11 explores how jealousy and selfishness led Cain to murder his brother, revealing the destructive power of unchecked sin. It urges believers to guard their hearts, heed God's warnings, and pursue repentance and reconciliation before sin isolates them from God and others.
“And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.”
Genesis 4:1
Jealousy and selfishness led Cain to commit the first murder.
Jealousy stems from comparing oneself to others instead of seeking God’s approval.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.James 3:16
Cain’s offering was rejected due to his heart, not just the gift itself.
Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.1 John 3:12
Cain ignored God’s warning about mastering sin.
God provides opportunities for repentance before judgment.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.2 Peter 3:9
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.Isaiah 1:18
Failure to master sin leads to devastating consequences.
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.James 1:14-15
Hatred in the heart manifests in destructive actions.
Hatred is equivalent to murder in God’s eyes.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.Matthew 5:22
Unchecked emotions lead to irreversible actions.
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.Proverbs 14:17
Sin isolates individuals from God and others.
Sin breaks fellowship with God.
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.Isaiah 59:2
Sin damages relationships with others.
From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.James 4:1-2
Sin doesn’t just destroy your future. It severs your fellowship.
Guard your heart against comparison.
Respond when the Holy Spirit warns you.
Pursue reconciliation instead of harboring hatred or anger.
Don’t let sin sit at your door.
1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. 2And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 8And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 9And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? 10And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground. 11And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; Genesis 4:1-11
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