This past weekend at Eastbrook, we began a new preaching series entitled “Fractured,” drawn from Genesis 4-11. This is the second part of a two-part series on Genesis 1-11 that will stretch from January through Lent up to Easter. You can access the first part of this series on Genesis, “In the Beginning,” here. This first week of the series I preached from Genesis 4:1-16, walking through the story of Cain and Abel.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’  While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8)

The Turn Toward the Next Generation (4:1-2)

Cain: the firstborn, who works the soil, like Adam

Abel: the second-born, who keeps flocks

The Brothers’ Offerings and Conflict (4:3-7)

Two different offerings and two different responses from God

The silence of Abel

Cain’s response of anger and depression

The warning of God

The Double Wrong of Cain (4:8-14)

Cain intentionally murders his brother

Cain pleads ignorance and non-responsibility

God’s punishment upon Cain 

God’s Grace Amidst Punishment (4:15-16)

Grace in hearing Cain’s complaint (4:13-14)

Grace in the promise of protection (4:15)

Grace in the mark of Cain (4:15)

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Genesis 4:7
• Draw, ink, or paint the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis 4:1-16. As you do that, let God sift through your own heart in relation to sin, temptation, anger, and jealousy. What is God drawing to the surface as. When you finish, consider sharing your prayer reflections and/or artistry with a friend.
• Read one of the following:
  • Tremper Longman, How to Read Genesis
  • C. John Collins, Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11

This past weekend at Eastbrook, we concluded our preaching series entitled “In the Beginning,” drawn from Genesis 1-3. This is the first part of a two-part series on Genesis 1-11 that will stretch from January through Lent up to Easter. This final week of the series I preached from Genesis 3:14-24, walking through the second half of Genesis 3 and our exploration of the Fall into sin.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

“So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.” (Genesis 3:23)

Consequences for the Serpent (3:14-15)

Impact on movement and humiliation

Disruption of relationship with humanity

Consequences for the Woman (3:16)

Impact on childbearing

Disruption of relationship with man

Consequences for the Man (3:17-19)

Impact on work and eating

Disruption of relationship with the creation

God’s Grace Amidst Judgment (3:20-24)

Grace in a hopeful name and God’s clothing (3:20-21)

Grace in God’s limitations of humanity’s reach (3:22-23)

Grace in glimpses of holiness and future restoration (3:24)

Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Genesis 3:19
• Genesis 3 holds an important place in the New Testament. Read either or both Romans 5:12-21 and 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-49. As you read, take some notes on how the Apostle Paul reflects on what we read in Genesis 3. After you finish reading, let your notes and thoughts lead you into prayer, perhaps being still before God, praising God’s greatness, confessing sin, or thanking God for Jesus our Savior.
• Watch the Bible Project video, “The Tree of Life”: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/tree-of-life/
• Read one of the following:
  • St. Augustine of Hippo, City of God, Book 14
  • John H. Walton, The Lost World of Adam and Eve