The City of Man

The sermon presents Genesis 4 as the foundational moment of the 'city of man'—a society born from rebellion, exile, and covenantal defiance, initiated by Cain's murder of Abel and his subsequent expulsion from the covenant community. Central to this theme is the contrast between the city of God, rooted in divine covenants, faith, and the worship of the true God, and the city of man, which arises from human autonomy, self-righteousness, and the rejection of God's authority, even as it mimics the structures of order, family, and craftsmanship. The text emphasizes that the city of man, though capable of building cities, developing arts, and organizing society, remains fundamentally unstable, alienated, and cursed, as its achievements are devoid of spiritual life and ultimately serve to oppose God's kingdom. The sermon underscores that true societal order is only possible through divine covenant, and that the church's role is to maintain discipline, mark off the unrepentant, and stand as a living witness to God's truth, even amid the world's persistent hostility. Ultimately, the city of man is a paradox: it functions through human covenanting and cooperation, yet it is built on a foundation of rebellion and will be transformed only by the redemptive power of God's grace.