Have you noticed? -
Sometimes the more people explain
the less we understand.
People go rounds with the same discussions
and arguments -over and over-
but never hear anything
and never settle anything.
Most debates have two "sides"
but often neither group seems to even agree within itself.
Why is there never a compromise?
politics
sports
religion
soap boxes and platforms
chatter - chatter - chatter
noise.
Do you ever want to escape the noise?
Why is everyone so confused?
All. The. Time.
Mercy.
Mercy is why.
What?
God in His great mercy
has not allowed our prideful, sinful goals to prosper.
There will always be division outside of His will.
- - -
and so, yes -
Why do churches also have confusion and division?
Because we are all human - with pride and sin.
If we don't remove it - especially from our churches -
the result is the same.
- - -
Chatter.
There is a synonym -
Babble
And there once was a tower. . .
The Tower of Babel
God had a purpose for His people
He told them to multiply and fill the earth.
They made their own plan.
They decided to stay in one place
and build a tower to show their own power.
Genesis 11:4
"Let's build a great city with a tower that reaches to the skies - a monument to our greatness! This will bring us together and keep us from scattering all over the world."
Their plan sounds "good".
What could be bad about success through "unity"?
It was not God's plan.
They were not seeking God's will or purpose.
They were focused on themselves, disregarding the good that God had for them.
God disrupted their plan by confusing their communication.
They scattered.
But
God kept communicating with those who would listen.
Throughout the Old Testament, He found some who would seek Him.
And now
the most beautiful hope has joined God's mercy.
Grace.
Grace through Jesus Christ has brought us salvation
and with it
the Holy Spirit!
Let's counter that tale of a tall tower
with a story of a few
in a meager upper room:
In prayer
while seeking
with a humble obedience
they waited.
They waited for the promise.
The Helper.
The Spirit who would guide and teach.
Acts 2:2-4a
Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above them, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and . . .
And the result -
The most fluent display of communication ever.
Everyone heard
and everyone understood.
Even language was not a barrier.
And thousands joined
the mission of the LORD.
- - - -
The contrast is clear.
Babel versus Pentecost
Proverbs 19:21
You can make many plans, but the LORD's purpose will prevail.
May we continue to listen to the Spirit
so the Gospel can be heard.
Our towers will crumble, but
the Church is built on the Rock of Jesus Christ.
What are we building?
Ephesians 2:20-22
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus Himself. We are carefully joined together in Him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by His Spirit.
James 3:16 - 4:10
For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
4 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.
You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the Spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him. And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.
Hebrews 12:25-29
Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a consuming fire.
this song - Build My Life
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