The Monument You Build
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We build towers in our own life to make a name for ourselves, our family, perhaps our children or even “our” church. Even with good intentions we can forget it’s HIS CHURCH. We can get caught up in the race to earn fame and fortune by building up money, social networks, and even mega churches (because if it’s big, it must be God’s will).
If everything goes well, we start putting our names on those towers.
George Bernard Shaw said, "There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart's desire, and the other is to get it."
The tower of Babel in and of itself is not the primary evil, its a symptom. The underlying cause for building the tower was to keep people united, in one language, and one culture to amass power and control. That went contrary to God’s command to fill the entire earth after the flood. LIkewise, language itself is not evil, nor is it the cause of evil. God’s gift of language, like other gifts of His grace, such as the Internet and social media are all often abused and misused.
We see this tower grow as rebellion, pride, and unbelief grow in the story. Look at what “I” did! Let’s worship our marvelous achievement. Strike a pose! At this time, Man’s intentions get curbed by divine intervention.
At the present time, God positively invites us to become true worshippers, not merely those who offer lip service but go off to live life for ourselves. Point is, you have to choose daily to be united under Him and for Him. Otherwise, you will be divided by the sin of pride or human ingenuity.
Let’s read v 1-4
Genesis 11:1–4 (CSB)
1 The whole earth had the same language and vocabulary. 2 As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make oven-fired bricks.” (They used brick for stone and asphalt for mortar.) 4 And they said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered throughout the earth.”
I. The Tragedy of Towers in your life.
The tower of Babel like the pyramids and ziggurats found all over the world reflect the mindset of the Ancients. Gods dwelled above the clouds and on beautiful mountain tops. In this instance, they did not have a divine being they worshipped, it appears they believed they could reach heaven themselves. Perhaps they believed they could become gods like the Mormons. Perhaps came under the sway of Nimrod’s rule and governance and viewed him to be godlike. They were saying in a sense, we don’t need the almighty God, we can get to heaven on our own. We will build a stairway to heaven and kick God out.
We have that same spirit today it may not be in the coming together of a great mass of people by of a radical idea of INDIVIDUAL AUTONOMY, no one can tell me what to do. I will be whoever and whatever I want to be. I will make everyone ELSE say what I WANT THEM TO SAY about me. Do you see the TYRANT of hyper individuality here? Certainly it’s hypocritical. But that’s how the sin of pride works, it blinds you and me to our sin our inconsistency. The only one who can keep you centered is God. And you’re not Him. But
Each day you decide Whose Name you will make great.
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.
Paul had amassed many credentials. However, he considered it all rubbish compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing, proclaiming and living for Jesus. He made Jesus’ name great. If God is not number 1 then you’ve taken His rightful place.
Pride infects you in many ways. Here are some:
Success- Nimrod. Genesis 10:8-10
8 Cush fathered Nimrod, who began to be powerful in the land. 9 He was a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord. That is why it is said, “Like Nimrod, a powerful hunter in the sight of the Lord.” 10 His kingdom started with Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
Nimrod believed his own press. He did live a mark on history. There are about 3 persons scholars identify could have been the one called Nimrod. They conquered and built cities. While they were all great in some way, they have something in common. They are no longer around to enjoy them. Jesus rose from the grave.
ii. Discontent . Jude 16
16 These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.
iii. Rebellion - I know best. (Gen11:4)
Genesis 11:5-9 (CSB)
5 Then the Lord came down to look over the city and the tower that the humans were building. 6 The Lord said, “If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So from there the Lord scattered them throughout the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 Therefore it is called Babylon, for there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the Lord scattered them throughout the earth.
2. Actively fight the thoughts that lead to confusion between you and God.
a. Practice thankfulness.
11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.
b. Obey God’s Word. Gen9:7
7 But you, be fruitful and multiply; spread out over the earth and multiply on it.”
c. Learn to truly worship Jesus.
Psalm95:6
6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!
i. What it doesn’t say:
It says nothing about music style.
It says nothing about type of building.
It says nothing about the skill of the leaders.
If you EVER come to the gathering of the saints and you walk away focused on how the Performance could have been more to your liking. Or you wished the Preaching passage would have been something more palatable to your comfort level. Or the people more economically similar to you. Or you come unprepared, you haven’t spent time in the Word or Prayer.
You come with the consumer mentality what’s in it for me! What will make my life better, bigger, happier etc?
You did not come to glorify God. You came to take away from God. Oh God is a good giver. He’s the best giver. But to receive, you must come to Him for Him and Him alone regardless of anything else!
What is stated:
You are invited to gather with others to worship. (Let us)
Physically humble yourself. (Bow down)
Grace is free, but those under grace love to acknowledge God openly in every area of their life.
24 King David answered Ornan, “No, I insist on paying the full price, for I will not take for the Lord what belongs to you or offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
What have you offered God this week?
In service?
In ministry?
In declaring His Name?
In resources?
Would others see you as a giver or a taker?
d. Acknowledge His Rule in your life. (Understand that God is not only Lord of your heart but also the Creator and ruler of all ). Gen11:8
8 So from there the Lord scattered them throughout the earth, and they stopped building the city.
Questions:
What distracts you from worshipping God with His saints?
Where have your thoughts and attitude put your needs and ideas above God?
How have you prepared yourself to worship God with the saints on Sunday?
Do you talk about how God changed your thoughts, attitude, mindset and heart during and after worship?
10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
II. THE TRIUMPH OF TRUE WORSHIP
1. In Humility, you will be Picked up.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
2. In true praise, you experience His Presence. Ps22:3
3. You receive his Peace. Phil4:7
7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
4. You participate in Him gathering people together.
8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.”
9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes with palm branches in their hands.
I. The Problem of Pride [Genesis 11:1-4]
A. The desire for self-glory
B. Disobedience to God's command
C. Building a tower to reach the heavens
II. The Consequences of Disobedience [Genesis 11:5-9]
A. Confusion of languages
B. Scattering of people
C. Division and lack of understanding
III. Restoring True Unified Worship [Genesis 11:10]
A. Recognizing the need for humility
B. Obeying God's commands
C. Seeking unity through worshiping God together
