Stairway to Heaven

Genesis 11:1-9 – 1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” 5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. 6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” 8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. (New Living Translation)

The Four Lessons of Babel

▸ Follow God’s _____________________ rather than what’s _____________________

Genesis 9:1, 7 – 1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth. . . . 7 Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.” (New Living Translation)

Genesis 11:4 – “ . . . This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (New Living Translation)

Acts 8:1, 4 – 1 Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. . . . 4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. (New Living Translation)

▸ Shift from ____________ – _____________________ to _____________________ God

Genesis 11:4 – Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous . . .” (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 57:15 – The high and lofty one who lives in eternity, the Holy One, says this: “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. (New Living Translation)

▸ Sin is never left _____________________

Genesis 11:6-7 – 6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.” (New Living Translation)

Psalm 36:7-9 – 7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 8 You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights. 9 For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. (New Living Translation)

▸ Seek God’s plans avoiding a reversal of _____________________ ________________________

Genesis 11:8-9 – 8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. (New Living Translation)

Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (New Living Translation)

John 12:25-26 – 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. 26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me. (New Living Translation)