We continue our NEW sermon series on things to watch out for. Preaching from Nathan Gordon. Service led by Kuda Osoba.

Sermon Notes

What is pride?

Pride is taking the glory that belongs to God alone and keeping it for ourselves.
Pride is an excessive love of one’s own excellence.

What pride is not?

It’s important to understand the term “pride” should not be confused with feeling a sense of satisfaction in a job well done or feeling proud of your loved ones. There’s nothing wrong with celebrating personal achievements and hard work, if we keep in mind that God is the ultimate source of our lives, power, and abilities. (Acts 17:28)

A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.

C.S. Lewis, 
Mere Christianity

The Situation
– Genesis 11:1-9 Creative Ingenuity or Organised Rebellion? 

Challenge ~ Today, some people still go to extreme lengths to achieve fame and adulation in life. However, the people in Shinar were too focused on gaining fame rather than getting to know the God who made the world. It’s important to remember that there is only one name that has all power and authority, and that is Jesus.

The Complication
– God’s vision or Good idea?

As for you, be fruitful and increase in number; multiply on the earth and increase upon it. Gen 9:7)

See also Gen 11:3-4

Challenge: We may believe that we have the best plan for our lives and the best projections for the future. But, it’s important to keep in mind that God’s plan for us is always perfect. Therefore, we should seek His guidance and follow His will for our lives, even when it may not align with our own vision.

The Resolution
– Divine intervention (Gen 11:7-8)

Come let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other. So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city.

Challenge ~ Divine intervention can be a welcome answer to our prayers when we seek it for our desires. However, sometimes, it can also close doors to plans and ambitions that we hold dear. The people in Shinar learned that despite their grand plans, God’s power is greater than theirs, and they had to accept it.”

The Celebration
 – The effects of unity and God’s vision for our lives

The LORD said, If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. (Gen 11:6).

See also Gen 3:22-24

When people come together with a common purpose and work hard towards a shared vision, they can achieve great results.

Challenge ~ Similarly, if the church of today can unite behind God’s vision instead of individual self-interests, it can achieve remarkable things. The power of unity is immense, and it can bear even more fruit when it is grounded in God’s plan.”

Questions

  1. Can we discuss the reason why the sin of pride is so destructive in today’s world? Please refer to Proverbs 8:13, James 4:6, and Proverbs 16:18.
  • What are some “towers” in our world, that resemble Babel? Consider some of the wonders of the world and their effects on people when they see them.
  • Do you think the confusion of language in the Babel story is a punishment or a blessing? Please refer to Genesis 9:7.
  • Have you ever experienced divine intervention through a closed door or the ending of your plan? How did your faith and God’s word help you come to terms with the change of plan?
  • How would you respond to someone who is perplexed by God’s lack of intervention in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine or the Middle East?

Service Details

Sermon Title: There’s only one GOAT
Bible Reading: Genesis 11:1-9, Proverbs 16:18
Preacher: Nathan Gordon
Worship Leader: Kuda Osoba

Service Audio here

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