Parkerville Baptist Church
John Olley continues our series of sermons titled "Faith At Work"
Genesis 11:1-9 NIV
Working Together And The Stories We Tell
The Story Thus Far
Genesis 11 follows Genesis 1-10
God promises He will never give up on humans 'even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood' (Gen 8:21).
He reaffirms the blessing to 'be fruitful and Increase in number and fill the earth' (Gen 9:1).
Building Together - What? Why? (Gen 11:1-9)
Genesis 11:3 NIV
Co-operation, developing technology - good
"Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens" (Gen 11:4a)
A city with its walls
A tower - why? To reach God?
"so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” (Gen 11:4b)
'Look how great and strong and prosperous we are.'
A power claim? Keep ourselves together. Not God's way!
The Contrast Of Two Cities - Babylon and Jerusalem
'Babel' = 'Babylon'
Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, Jews into exile.
Who's in control? Whose purposes triumph?
OT prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel
The book of Revelation: Babylon = Rome (especially Rev 18).
God's Way: Blessing For All Families Of The Earth
Call of Abraham (Gen 11 next week).
Genesis 12:2-3 NIV
Pentecost and languages; Revelation and the new Jerusalem with open gates.
Whose Name Are We Working For?
As God's image-bearers we are to live His character and purposes.
Our priority is His name, not ours.
What stories are told today that promise success and security?
'Babel' alerts us to the short-sightedness and ultimate folly of their allure.
We work together, encouraging and helping one another, talking and praying over issues together.
Proverbs 3:3-4 NIV
