The City We Keep Building
Scripture Focus
The Lord Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confuse the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.
(Genesis 11:1-9)
Humanity Unified:
Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar.
(Genesis 11:1-3)
Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”
(Gen. 11:4)
A Rebellious Project:
“… a tower with it’s top in the heavens” (Desire for Highest Authority)
“… let us make a name for ourselves…” (Self-Focused & Self Glorifying)
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him…
(Gen. 1:27)
A Rebellious Project:
“… a tower with it’s top in the heavens” (Desire for Highest Authority)
“… let us make a name for ourselves…” (Self-Focused & Self Glorifying)
“…lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth…” (Unified Defiance)
“The city of the ungodly is founded in the love of self, even to the contempt of God. And this was shown clearly when men said, ‘Let us build ourselves a city and a tower whose top may reach to heaven, and let us make a name for ourselves.’ In this they sought not God’s glory, but their own; not dependence, but self-exaltation. They desired unity, but only a unity secured by pride rather than obedience, by human strength rather than divine gift.”
(Augustine of Hippo, “The City of God”)
The Lord’s Concern:
And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.
(Gen. 11:5-6)
The Lord’s Merciful Discipline:
Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” 8 So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city.
(Gen. 3:7-8)
Gospel Counters for Our Sinful Tendencies:
Prideful Mindset #1: “Let us build a tower with its top in the heavens”
Gospel Reversal #1: “Let us trust the God who came from heaven to save us”
Prideful Mindset #2: “Let us make a name for ourselves”
Gospel Reversal #2: “Let our name be defined by our God”
Prideful Mindset #3: “Lest we be dispersed…”
Gospel Reversal #3: “Let us trust where God is sending us”
Discussion Questions for Home Group Leaders:
- What do you know about the tower of Babel?
- Read Genesis 11:1-9 (Possibly have different members read a verse)What was wrong with them wanting to build a tower? They desired to be the highest authority.
- Who else showed this quality? (Isa. 14:14)
- What is God’s attitude towards pride? (Prov. 6: 18-19, James 4:6, I Pet. 5:5)
- What does the opposite of pride (humility) look like in real life?
Diving Deeper...
Have you even been a part of what Pastor Brandon called a 'rebellious project', what was the goal, and the spirit that animated it?
How was God merciful during your participation, or your escape in a 'rebellious project'?
A question that Pastor Brandon asked that I just want to repeat: "What tower have I been building that quietly centers my life around me, instead of around God?"
This week
Griefshare & Kid talk
If you’re navigating the unpredictable journey of grief, we invite you to join Griefshare - a 14 week support group offering comfort, understanding, and practical tools as you process the loss of a loved one. Learn more & register.
🗓️ February 3rd & 4th - 🕖 Various Times
Seniors Gathering
Seniors, join us for a time of friendship, encouragement, and great food as we grow in community together! Lunch theme: Comfort Foods Potluck
A-F: casseroles, hearty main dishes
G-L: Soups, stews, warm sides
M-R: Bread, rolls, savory muffins
S-Z: desserts, pies, sweet treats🗓️ Thursday February 5th - 🕖 12:00-2:00PM - 📍 Coffee Shop (Building 2)
Annual Meeting
All members and attenders are invited to join us for our Annual Member Meeting, a meaningful afternoon of reflection and vision. We’ll celebrate what God has done this past year through powerful testimonies, share financial report, and look ahead to our vision and priorities for the coming year. We’ll enjoy dessert and Fellowship, because good conversations are better with something sweet! Learn More.
🗓️ Sunday, February 22 - 🕖 3:00-5:00PM - 📍 Gym (Building 2)
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/whats-happening-at-lcc for the complete list of upcoming groups, classes, and events.
eNews
Visit www.lighthousehome.org/enews to sign up for LCC's weekly eNews. Get special announcements and messages from our pastors and Leadership Team, updates and emergency notices, and a first look at what’s upcoming.