Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

"WHERE IS ABEL THY BROTHER?"

1. The first question was directed to Adam, the first responsible man - "Where art thou?" - Gen. 3:9
2. This second question is directed to Adam's oldest son, who had killed his brother, "where is Abel thy brother?" - Gen. 4:9
3. Both questions show God's interest in the state of man.

1. This question by God:
   1. Reveals my personal responsibility to my fellow men.
   2. My very relationship to others indicates my responsibility toward others to treat them as I would want to be treated by them - Matt. 7:12
   3. "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." - Luke 6:31
2. My personal responsibility toward others is dictated by factors outside of my decisions:
   1. My responsibility toward my brother is determined by my relationship to Christ our Lord - 1 Cor. 8:11
   2. Let us keep this fact in mind as we seek to understand the subject before us.
   3. My personal responsibility to my brother is indicated further by our being members of the mystical body of Christ, the church - 1 Cor. 12:26
   4. But what makes my responsibility doubly great is the fact that Christ died for him - 1 Cor. 8:10, 11
   5. Since Christ valued his life to a point where He gave himself for the brother, I cannot be indifferent to him - Gal. 2:20
   6. If this truth was observed by God's people there would be a closer relationship between all of us; we would truly love one another even as Christ loved us - John 13:34
3. My personal responsibility is indicated, also, by the fact that as members of the body of Christ, we are interdependent, one cannot be happy without the happiness of the other:
   1. This fact has been forcefully illustrated by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians - 1 Cor. 12:12-25
   2. Also, Christ is the head of the church, his body, and my life is controlled by Him; but that is true, also, of my brother; if both of us are controlled by Christ, then it must follow that our relationship with Christ is very close, and also that between us as brethren.

1. The church of the living God is a great Mutual Benefit Society, the Brotherhood of men:
   1. Its bylaws include these immortal words - "Love one another as I have loved you" - John 13:34
   2. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." - Gal. 6:2
   3. "Forgive one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" - Eph. 4:32
   4. "Let no man seek his own, but every man another man's wealth." - 1 Cor. 10:24; 13:5
2. Where is Abel thy brother?
   1. If this question came to us in the light of our present attitude to one another, what would our answer be?
   2. Would we seek to evade the weight of the heart searching question of our opening text by attempting to make excuses?
   3. To be a Christian is the most wonderful privilege that anyone can have; but it is also a very great responsibility, and who is able to measure up to it?
   4. Let our answer be - "My brother is a child of God, enjoying Christian fellowship; I have heard him testify and also pray; he is daily on my prayer list; and his joy is my joy because he is my brother."