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
