The Tower of Babel

Genesis 11:1–9 | Pastor Connor Bales | July 13, 2025

Big Idea:
Mission drift is ALWAYS the natural byproduct of sin.

1. A Sinful Tower of SELF-RELIANCE

Genesis 11:3–4

• Humanity determines to build with their own strength—“let us make… let us build… let us make a name…”

• We weren’t created for self-reliance but for total dependence on God.

• Self-reliance is pride disguised as independence and autonomy.

• Genesis 11:5 reminds us: even our tallest towers need God to “come down” to see them.

2. A Sinful Tower of SELF-IMPORTANCE

Genesis 11:4

• “Let us make a name for ourselves…”

• We were not created to exalt ourselves but to glorify God.

• Even in our sin and success, we can point to our need for Jesus:

  • “I’m broken, Jesus fixes.”

  • “I did good, Jesus is the only reason why.”

• Our purpose: to bear God’s image and exalt His name, not ours.

3. A Sinful Tower of SELF-PRESERVATION

Genesis 11:4

• “Lest we be dispersed…”

• This is a direct rejection of God’s command to fill the earth (Gen. 1:28; 9:1).

• Self-preservation prioritizes comfort, safety, and convenience over obedience.

• This is why we may resist generosity, serving, or going on mission.

• But God’s plan remains:

  Matthew 28:19a – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
  Acts 1:8 – “You will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
  Revelation 7:9–10 – A vision of every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping together.

Final Challenge:

What towers are you building?

• Self-Reliance?

• Self-Importance?

• Self-Preservation?

Let’s stop trying to “be God” and instead submit to His lordship and mission.