It's All About Management Over Resources

Blessing Blockers - It's About Management over Resources

Main Text: Genesis 3:12-24 (AMP) & Genesis 4:1-16 (AMP)

People wonder why they are not where they want to be in life. And there could be many potential answers to that question. But, today I plan on showing you through the word of God how we can let the devil in the door.

I want to set the stage, so you really understand what God did for us, versus what we think we do for God.

Foundational Principles:

Foundational Principle #1: God Owns Everything | Psalm 24:1 (NLT)

1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

Foundational Principle #2: Management Proceeds Promotion | Luke 16:10-13 (NLT) | Luke 19:12-17 (AMP)

10 "If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. 11 And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? 12 And if you are not faithful with other people's things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?13 "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money."

Luke 19:12-17 (AMP) - Parable of Money Usage

12 So He said, "A nobleman went to a distant country to obtain for himself a kingdom, and [then] to return. 13 So he called ten of his servants, and gave them ten minas [one apiece, each equal to about a hundred days' wages] and said to them, 'Do business [with this] until I return.' 14 But his citizens [the residents of his new kingdom] hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want this man to be a king over us.' 15 When he returned, after receiving the kingdom, he ordered that these servants, to whom he had given the money, be called to him, that he might find out what business they had done. 16 The first one came before him and said, 'Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.' 17 And he said to him, 'Well done, good servant! Because you proved yourself faithful and trustworthy in a very little thing, you shall [now] have authority over ten cities [in my kingdom].'

Foundational Principle #3: Look what Jesus said was one of his purposes | John 10:10 (NLT)

10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

Foundational Principle #4: The greatest limiter to your next level is you. | Joshua 1:8 (AMP)

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful.

Main Text: Genesis 3:12-24 (AMP) & Genesis 4:1-16 (AMP)

Genesis 3:12-24 (AMP)

12 And the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me—she gave me [fruit] from the tree, and I ate it." 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, "What is this that you have done?" And the woman said, "The serpent beguiled and deceived me, and I ate [from the forbidden tree]." 14 The Lord God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all the cattle, And more than any animal of the field; On your belly you shall go, And dust you shall eat All the days of your life. 15 "And I will put enmity (open hostility) Between you and the woman, And between your seed (offspring) and her Seed; He shall [fatally] bruise your head, And you shall [only] bruise His heel." 16 To the woman He said, "I will greatly multiply Your pain in childbirth; In pain you will give birth to children; Yet your desire and longing will be for your husband, And he will rule [with authority] over you and be responsible for you." 17 Then to Adam the Lord God said, "Because you have listened [attentively] to the voice of your wife, and have eaten [fruit] from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat of it'; The ground is [now] under a curse because of you; In sorrow and toil you shall eat [the fruit] of it All the days of your life. 21 The Lord God made tunics of [animal] skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them.23 therefore the Lord God sent Adam away from the Garden of Eden, to till and cultivate the ground from which he was taken. 24 So God drove the man out; and at the east of the Garden of Eden He [permanently] stationed the cherubim and the sword with the flashing blade which turned round and round [in every direction] to protect and guard the way (entrance, access) to the tree of life.

Genesis 4:1-16 (AMP)

1 Now the man Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have obtained a man (baby boy, son) with the help of the Lord." 2 And [later] she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept the flocks [of sheep and goats], but Cain cultivated the ground.

• If you were here last week, what does the word cultivator mean? Manager

3 And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 4 But Abel brought [an offering of] the [finest] firstborn of his flock and the fat portions. And the Lord had respect (regard) for Abel and for his offering;

• We don't know the details of what God told them, but both Cain and Abel understood what God expected of them.

Question, do you think God gave them instructions or did they do this out of the kindness of their heart?

Was God clear with Adam and Eve?

Question, who does the ground belong to?

• Some say it was because Abel offered a blood sacrifice and Cain did not. Others believe Cain's offering was rejected because, unlike Abel's, it was not the best and the first of his crop.

• What was Cain's first mistake? It was not the first

• Remember every first thing belongs to God-Give example of me giving someone money to hold and they thought it was to have- If I give you $20 dollars to hold, does it belong to you? And if I ask for it back, have you given me anything?

• Give an example of paying bills? First giving to God last and second giving to God 1st

• What the difference between- Trust, priority

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

• Let's analyze Abel's offering- key word 1st and second key word was Fat-aka grease

• Some say it was a tithe and a offering

• Some say it was the first and the best versus what was leftover

Malachi 3:8-12 (NLT)

8 "Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! "But you ask, 'What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?' "You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 11 Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. 12 "Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies.

Haggai 1:5-6 (NLT)

5 This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies says: Look at what's happening to you! 6 You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!

Hebrews 11:4-5 (AMP)

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which it was testified of him that he was righteous (upright, in right standing with God), and God testified by accepting his gifts. And though he died, yet through [this act of] faith he still speaks.

• When God gave the world an offering, what did he give? His son

• When Jesus made a sacrifice what was he willing to give? His Life

5 but for Cain and his offering He had no respect. So Cain became extremely angry (indignant), and he looked annoyed and hostile.

James 1:20 (AMP)

20 for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].

Genesis 4:6-7 (AMP)

6 And the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you so angry? And why do you look annoyed?

• A.God questioned Cain—"Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?"—for the same reason He quizzed Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:9, 11). The Lord wasn't scolding them. Instead, He wanted them to admit their sin so that they would repent.

7 If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it."

Genesis 4:7 (KJV)

7 If 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.

• This description of sin is striking. The Hebrew word translated as "crouching" in Genesis 4:7 can indicate lying down, as in resting, but also refers to lying in wait like a predator lurking for its prey. The same verb is associated with an ancient Semitic term for demons that were believed to guard entrances or doorways to buildings. Thus, the text characterizes sin as a demonic presence or a predatory animal waiting to pounce on Cain.

Burglar facts:

• Burglars target homes that they think will contain valuables. A sure giveaway is leaving packaging from expensive items outside your front door

• Burglars often look for homes with windows or doors left open or with vulnerable features that they can exploit.

• Burglars are aware of the times when someone is expected to be away from their house such as during the school run or holidays

• Burglars typically do not want to be seen or heard and if they feel that they would be noticed by a neighbor or passerby then they are more likely to feel exposed and may move on to find somewhere else to burgle

• Burglars often choose a home because they've spotted a specific vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle they want to steal – and the keys are more than likely to be inside the residence

• Sheds and garages are often vulnerable as they are not that secure and contain tools which the burglar can use to assist them to gain entry to a home

• It's a fact that many burglars return to homes that they've previously burgled because the homeowner failed to upgrade security following the first burglary. They sometimes return to an area to try to burgle a nearby home that they spotted while committing a previous break in. Even more reason for you to ensure you keep your home as safe as houses

1 Peter 5:8 (AMP)

8 Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

Genesis 4:8 (AMP)

8 Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him.

• Why did Cain kill his brother?

• God told him who was at the door?

• Who did God say was at the door? Devil

• When he open the door through disobedience the devil came in

• Ok, Church, what does the devil come to do?

• John 10:10 tells us, the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy-a theft uses a opening a robber uses force

• Cain was stealing from God and that's why God let him know

• Now, what's the devil's plan for us.

• He wants us to touch what does not belong to us

• He got Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit

• He got Cain to open the door to the devil

• The question we must all ask ourselves is what door have we let him in

15 And the Lord said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, a sevenfold vengeance [that is, punishment seven times worse] shall be taken on him [by Me]." And the Lord set a [protective] mark (sign) on Cain, so that no one who found (met) him would kill him.16 So Cain went away from the [manifested] presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod [wandering in exile], east of Eden.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (AMP)

12 "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul [your choices, your thoughts, your whole being], 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?

John 14:15 (NLT)

15 "If you love me, obey my commandments.

John 14:21 (NLT)

21 Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them."

John 14:23-24 (NLT)

23 Jesus replied, "All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.24 Anyone who doesn't love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.

Discussion Questions

Opening the Door to Sin

1. The sermon describes sin as "crouching at the door" like a predator. What doors in your life might you have left vulnerable to the enemy's attack?
2. The burglar facts illustrate how thieves look for vulnerabilities. What spiritual "packaging" are you leaving outside that might attract the enemy's attention?
3. God warned Cain that sin desired to overpower him but he must master it. What areas of temptation are currently trying to master you instead of you mastering them?

First and Best vs. Leftovers

1. Abel gave the "firstborn" and "fat portions" while Cain just brought "an offering." Are you giving God your first and best, or just what's left over after everything else?
2. The sermon asks: "If I give you $20 to hold, does it belong to you?" How does this illustration change your perspective on tithing and giving?
3. Malachi 3:8 says we can "cheat God" of tithes and offerings. In what ways might you be robbing God of what rightfully belongs to Him?

The Progression of Disobedience

1. The sermon traces a pattern: Adam and Eve ate forbidden fruit, then Cain opened the door to murder. How does one act of disobedience lead to progressively worse sins?
2. Cain was "stealing from God" which opened the door for the devil to enter. What are you holding back from God that might be creating an entry point for the enemy?

Anger and Rejection

1. When God rejected his offering, Cain became "extremely angry and hostile." How do you respond when God doesn't accept what you're offering Him?
2. James 1:20 says human anger doesn't produce God's righteousness. How has unresolved anger blocked blessings in your life?

The Cost of Disobedience

1. Cain went from being a cultivator/manager to living in the land of Nod (wandering in exile). What have you lost through disobedience that you were meant to manage?
2. The sermon notes that burglars often return to previously robbed homes. Where has the enemy successfully attacked before that needs better spiritual security?

Love and Obedience

1. John 14:15 simply states "If you love me, obey my commandments." Why do we complicate what God has made simple?
2. Foundational Principle #4 states "The greatest limiter to your next level is you." How are you limiting your own blessings through disobedience?

Personal Application

1. God asked Cain "Why are you angry?" not to scold but to bring him to repentance. What question is God asking you today to lead you to repentance?
2. The sermon ends with "The question we must all ask ourselves is what door have we let him in." Take a moment to honestly answer this question for your own life.

Moving Forward

1. 1 Peter 5:8 calls us to be "sober, alert and cautious." What specific steps will you take this week to guard the doors of your life?
2. If management precedes promotion (Foundational Principle #2), what area of current management must improve before God can trust you with more?
3. Joshua 1:8 promises prosperity and success through meditation on and obedience to God's Word. What daily practice will you implement to achieve this?
4. The sermon title is "Blessing Blockers." After studying Cain's story, what is the main thing blocking your blessings, and what will you do about it?

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