Intentional Living: The Principle of First

 

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Pericope:  Genesis 4:1-7 Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4 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, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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.”

Sermon Text: Genesis 4:7 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.”

Sermon Title:  Intentional Living: The Principle of First

What is First Fruit?  The significance of this holy day, like most other biblical festivals, can be largely understood by its name. In this passage the holy day is called Bikkurim (First Fruits), because it is a day of bringing first fruits as an offering to God.

When is it given? The feast of the first fruits were held consecutively on the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth days of the first month of the Jewish calendar.   "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'" (Leviticus 23:9–10).

"He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. Now on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb one year old without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord" (vv. 11–12).

 Christ is the first representative of the whole resurrection harvest that will take place when He returns.  Exodus 22:29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.  "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.– shows it as your increase (raise)

How is it given? Lev. 23:9-10 - "Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest'"

Why did they do it? Gen. 4 – Cain and Abel - 3 In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. 4 But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5 but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.  6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 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 master it."  8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." [d] And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth."  13 Cain said to the LORD, "My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me."

Examples of First Fruit – Romans 11: 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Ex. 22: 29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. “You must give me the firstborn of your sons.;

Neh. 10: 35 “We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the Lord each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

2 Chr 31: 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, olive oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

1 Cor. 15:20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

James 1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

The impact of first fruit – Makes the whole holy - Romans 11:16 - 16If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

·      Pleases God - Jer. 2:3 - Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devoured her were held guilty, and disaster overtook them,' " declares the LORD.

Place of first fruits – Matthew 6:3333 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

First Fruit Giving – Lev. 23:9-24

·      Exodus 22:29 - 29 "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.

·      Neh. 10:35 - 35 "We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree.

·      2 Chr. 31:5 - 5 As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

·      Jesus didn’t change

Results of First Fruit/Tithing – Blessing upon Blessing

Proverbs 3 –  5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.  7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

·      Barns filled

·      Barns overflowing