Identity Crisis (Genesis 11:1-9)

Happy Mother’s Day

Karol Denby the Eagle Scout

motherhood is a precious honor

as wonderful as motherhood is

it should not be your primary identity

you should not derive your worth/value in being a mother

in a sense, we all struggle with who we are and finding our worth

how do you answer this question?

who are you?

family name

profession

ethnicity

strengths

weaknesses

what others think

what I have accomplished

whatever I think I am

who are you?

how you answer this question

1. will either drive you crazy

what others think (drive yourself crazy making them like you)

mother (kids make poor decisions, when leave house, loss of child)

who are you when they make poor decisions?

who are you without your kids?

2. or bring you comfort No. Matter. What.

Identity Crisis (Gen 11:1-9)

progression

Genesis 6:5 “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

then Noah and the flood

even Noah sins

Canaan cursed

and humanity spirals out of control…again

now a new sin is evidenced

humanity coming together thinking they are greater than God

Tower of Babel is an event that happened in a time and place

but it is an ongoing struggle with humanity and God

and inside your heart

setting

11:1-2 pew Bible # 9

map—land of Shinar

Babel later Babylon

typology throughout Bible (Rev 17-18)

“city of man” in Babylon vs. “city of God” in Jerusalem

represents human wickedness

embodiment of human pride and godlessness

symbol of a self-reliant, secular humanism

ambition to dethrone God and make earth its own

black screen

11:3-4

humanity is inventive

let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly (11:3)

let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens (11:4)

technological advances

bricks

baking bricks in a kiln

bitumen for mortar (modern day asphalt)

city and tower now could be stronger thus taller

ancient skyscraper

ziggurat (x2)

bricks (haha!)

indoor plumbing

electricity

automobiles vs. horses

Chireno vs. Nacogdoches

airplanes

computers

internet

cell phones

medical advancements

cataract = blind

now 15 minute office visit

artificial intelligence

self-driving cars

God has made us to be inventive and creative

but why did they want to build this tower?

let us make a name for ourselves (11:4)

the human heart struggles with autonomy (no need for God)

condition of the human heart

autonomy / self-govern (no need for God)

lust for fame, power, world renown

let us make a name for ourselves (11:4)

didn’t happen overnight (10)

table of nations

Noah’s sons (10:1, 32)

Japheth (10:2-4)

Ham (10:5-20)

accomplishments can result in pride

Nimrod (10:8-12)

“may be translated ‘we shall rebel,’ an apt characterization of the motives of the builders of Babel according to 11:1-9.”

Shem (10:21-31)

condition of the human heart—no need for God

world starts with me, not the Creator

I determine my destiny

I determine my truth

I determine my gender

I determine what I do with my body (and baby inside)

humanity is tempted to link accomplishments with identity/value/worth (apart from his Creator)

You will be tempted towards a mistaken identity

autonomy—mistaken identity

no need for God

job

family

house

cars

boat

family vacations

why do I need God?

bank account can be a false security

Steve Jobs

founded Apple, fired from Apple, founded Pixar (Toy Story)

brought Apple back to its former glory

iPod, iPhone, iPad

could not overcome pancreatic cancer (2003-2011)

died at 56 years YOUNG

all it takes is 1 phone call to realize you are not autonomous

doctor calls with negative test results

boss calls with job cuts

spouse calls and wants out of the marriage

principal calls about 1 of your children

success—mistaken identity

worth found in success (make a name for ourselves)

what have I accomplished?

we can find our identity in our career

man greets man

1. what’s your name?

2. what do you do for a living?

lust for fame, power, world renown

American Idol

the name is so fitting (mostly sad)

mother towards children

success as a mom is tied to the success of your children

don’t shackle yourself with this impossibility that you don’t have control over

ever started a business

glory stories abound are what is printed…but most fail

but what happens if it fails?

church plant

church succeed & family fail

or family succeed & church possibly fail

sleepless nights

“John, this church is not YOUR church? It is Christ’s church.”

I knew that, but had not been functioning like that

approval—mistaken identity

worth found in approval (what do people think about me?)

Abraham Lincoln

known as one of greatest American presidents now

books written about Lincoln

> 15,000

contents of Abraham Lincoln’s pockets—April 14, 1865

• A handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”

• A country boy’s pen knife

• A spectacles case repaired with string

• A purse containing a $5 bill—Confederate money(!)

• Some old and worn newspaper clippings

“The clippings were concerned with the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln. And one of them actually reports a speech by John Bright which says that Abraham Lincoln is “one of the greatest men of all times.”

BUT in 1865 millions were not Lincoln fans

why he was assassinated

he felt alone

can you imagine Lincoln reading these affirming clippings alone by a candle for self-assurance?

we can all be tempted to find approval from others (man’s applause)

do you care more that people like you or that God is glorified?

blank screen

we all struggle with identity

problem: identity apart from your Creator

motive: glorify self or glorify the Lord

what is making a name for yourself look like?

is it success in your career? having a career?

is it growing your business?

is it being your grandkids favorite grandparent?

is it in how people perceive you on FB?

is it that your kiddos do well academically?

is it that your kiddos make the varsity team? get into the best college?

is it that you have a degree?

is it in your IQ?

what if you didn’t have this? would your value be diminished?

not if your identity is in Christ

God is the one who makes a name

Gen 12:2

2 Samuel 7:9

Philippians 2:9-11

so what will God do with those who want to make a name for themselves?

11:5-9

God does not share His glory

humanity is united in their defiance against God

displace God

no Noah in this bunch

even the best efforts of humanity are comical before almighty God

the Lord came down

let us go down

such a separation between God and humanity

Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”

1 Corinthians 1:25 “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

AND GOD YET AGAIN DOES NOT REACT LIKE WE EXPECT

scatters instead of striking dead

confuses language instead of sending a bolt of lightening

and graciously reversed the judgment of Babel in NT at Pentecost

initial

Acts 2:11 we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

final

Rev 7:9-10

end time gathering of followers of Jesus from all people groups (languages)

giving glory to God, not robbing Him of it

God will oppose you if you rob Him of His glory

only our Creator God is worthy of glory

Herod Agrippa I

Acts 12:23 “Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last.”

typology of Babylon

temptation of every single human being

made in the image of God

but wants to be God

take credit not due us

He gives you the ability to have your job

your identity is rightly found in Him

Who are you?

success

what your accomplishments say about you?

lots of pressure to keep up your accomplishments

what happens when you don’t make the grade you studied for?

what happens when your partner embezzles from you?

what happens when your doctor calls you with a bad diagnosis?

approval

what others say about you?

struggle to be in social elite

try to please a bunch of people you don’t really like

looks until age sets in

how is that working?

only identity that will always satisfy your deepest longings

who are you?

only concerned with what God says about you?

sinner in need of a Savior

REPENT/BELIEVE

if your identity is wrapped up in Christ

loved

chosen

forgiven

redeemed

adopted

bought with a price

heir

son/daughter

identity apart from Christ will leave you empty

chasing the wind

Randy and Jana Ivy new members