Don’t Offer To God What Costs You Nothing - Zac Poonen
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Summary
The speaker contrasts the Old Covenant relationship with God, which was marked by fear (like at Mount Sinai), with the New Covenant relationship through Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that true reverence for God requires more than superficial religious acts, using the offerings of Cain and Abel to illustrate that God favors the best and most heartfelt giving, not just any offering. The central message is to approach God with genuine humility and sincerity, rather than merely fulfilling obligations.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Coming to God with reverence and faithThe speaker introduces Hebrews 12 to highlight the difference between the fear-inducing Old Covenant at Mount Sinai and the New Covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus.Hebrews 12:18
Why did God accept Abel's offering and reject Cain's?Examining Genesis 4, the speaker explains that academic Bible study often misses spiritual truths, and the real difference between Cain and Abel was that Cain brought a casual offering while Abel brought the very best.
Never offering to God what costs nothingDavid's declaration in 2 Samuel serves as a life-changing standard that our time, energy, and service given to God must cost us something.
The true cost of devotion seen in Abraham and Solomon's templeThe temple was built on the exact spot of sacrifice where Abraham offered Isaac and where David paid for the threshing floor, showing that God builds His church with those who surrender their best.
Jealousy, comparison, and sin crouching at the doorWhen Cain became angry and jealous that Abel's offering was accepted, God warned him that sin was crouching at his door and urged him to master it.
Honesty before God versus Adam and Cain's excusesGod asks Cain 'Where is your brother?' just as He asked Adam if he ate the forbidden fruit, exposing human nature's tendency to shift blame rather than confess honestly.
Are you your brother's keeper?Cain's callous dismissal of his responsibility toward his brother mirrors believers who treat the church merely as a place to consume messages rather than care for family.
The difference between Genesis 3 sins and Genesis 4 sinsWhen Adam sinned and hurt only himself, God cursed the ground; when Cain sinned and murdered his brother, God cursed Cain directly, showing that sins which harm others are uniquely grave.Genesis 3:17
Why gossip is worse than a drunkard's sinWhile destructive habits like drinking or pornography primarily ruin the individual, gossiping and speaking evil actively injure and destroy the reputation of others.
The voice of Abel's blood versus the blood of JesusAbel's spilled blood cried out from the ground for revenge, but the blood of Jesus speaks a better word, crying out for forgiveness for those who do wrong.Hebrews 12:24
