Build Like Babel

The Old Testament account of the Tower of Babel is usually used as a negative example of man trying to do something on his own without God.

Tonight, I’d like to briefly look at this same story but to learn something powerful that we can apply to our lives & this church body as we move into a New Year.

Genesis 11:1–8 NKJV

1 Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. 3 Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. 4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. 6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. 7 Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So the Lord scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city.

1 Corinthians 10:11 NASB95

11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

What Can We Learn From This Account & Example:

There were many who acted as One (Unified)

They had a common language & common purpose

They were unstoppable because of these 2 things

They allowed the barrier of communication to stop them completely

They weren’t committed enough to the purpose to overcome the obstacle

It can often take just 2-3 months to learn a new language to a conversational level through immersion.

Just a small investment into understanding one another could have caused the vision to be completed.

Unity:

Charging forward into 2023 I believe that one of the hallmarks of this year and this ministry is going to be unity on purpose.

Psalm 133:1–3 NKJV

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

Unity requires diversity not sameness

If we don’t have differences, we are identical and uniform and there is no need for unity

Unity is adding your difference to the mix in order to create one amazing product.

Like bread (different ingredients, each with their own properties, but join together into a unified product that is wonderful)

E Pluribus Unum - Out of Many, One

1 Corinthians 12:18–22 NKJV

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

1 Corinthians 12:25 NKJV

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

WE SHOW HONOR

It’s about valuing people:

We celebrate the distinctive difference in others because we know God has placed gifts and callings in the heart of every person. We go beyond what is expected and use our words to speak blessing. We exhibit honor through purposeful investment in connection and relationships.

Ephesians 4:15–17 NKJV

15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

If we are going to complete our God-vision & Purpose, God needs YOU!

God has a singular purpose at The Ark:

Purpose:

We exist to serve by showing The Way

Vision:

We are a purpose-driven and faith-filled community of believers positively changing lives, cities, and nations through the message of Jesus Christ!

Make a Plan of Action:

As we run into this new year, I want to ask you if you would make a purpose-filled & strategic plan to build with us.

Making a plan takes forethought & effort and counting the costs

Luke 14:27–30 ESV

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

You’ve heard it said:

“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”

I challenge you to:

Make a plan to invest more into the Kingdom of God this year than you did last year.

It’s gonna take sacrifice and it’s gonna have a cost.

WE LOVE SACRIFICE

It’s about right priorities:

We know that when we sacrifice it’s not about what we’re giving up but what we’re giving to. It’s not something we have to do, it’s what we want to do.

Parts of a Solid Plan for 2023:

Do 3 things consistently at The Ark & you will grow & make a difference:

Attend (Church & Connect Group)

Serve (selflessly)

Give (generously)

In your Personal Life:

Devour the Word of God

Fast & Pray

Worship

Share your faith and the Good News of Jesus

Just One Thing:

2 immediate steps you can take:

Complete the “Compass Course”

Sign up for the ministry of Helps on the app or website

“There is thing you can do but I cannot and there is thing I can but you cannot; so, let us make something beautiful for God.” - Mother Teresa