Build Yourself a Babel

Introduction:

What is a Babel?

Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps: (Genesis 11:1-9)

1. Put God's Word Aside . (Gen 11:4,9:1,9:11)

   (Isaiah 30:1) - "Ah, stubborn children," declares the Lord , "who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;

2. Make it all about Me . (Gen 11:4)

   Genesis 11:4 - 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."

3. Seek the approval of Other People (Gen 11:6).

   Genesis 11:6 - "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do."

God's Response

DON'T Build Yourself a Babel in 3 Easy Steps:

1. Put God's Word First .

   Proverbs 18:10 - The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.

   Proverbs 16:9 - The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.

2. Make it all about Christ .

   Romans 10:9 - "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

   Acts 4:12 - "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

3. Seek the approval of God Alone .

   Matthew 25:21 - "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master."

   1 Peter 2:5 - "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Genesis 11:1-9

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. What babels have you built before? Are you building any now?
   

3. What is one thing that you learned from this passage? And how will this change you?
   

4. Applying the revised 3 steps, what practical and specific steps can you take to ensure that you don't build a babel?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 4

Introduction:

The Two Motivations to Share the Good News of Jesus That Are Embraced by Every True Witness (2 Cor 5:14-21):

1. I'm controlled by Love . (2 Cor 5:14-15)
2. I'm defined by Identity . (2 Cor 5:18-21)

1. Trustee (2 Cor 5:18-19)
2. Ambassador (2 Cor 5:20a)
3. Spokesperson (2 Cor 5:20bc)

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Small Group Discussion
Read 2 Corinthians 5:14-21

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Explain how the love of Christ controls us (2 Cor 5:14-15). How does that motivate you to share the Good News of Jesus with others?
   

3. What is the difference between “I am commanded to witness” vs “I am a witness”? How does understanding your identity make you an effective witness for sharing the Good News of Jesus?
   

4. What would you say to someone who says, “Honestly - I don't really share Christ with others. It's just not my gift.”

Breakout
Pray for boldness – when opportunity comes to share Jesus with someone, you take that opportunity.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 3

Introduction:

We Believe Firmly in the Power of Prayer.

Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):

1. Desperation leads me to prayer. (Isaiah 38:10-14)
2. Prayer leads me to Provision . (Isaiah 38:15-17)

   The Testimony of Hezekiah and Literally Everyone Else Who Believes Firmly in the Power of Prayer (Isaiah 38):

   1. New Perspective
   2. Your Answer
   3. Forgiveness
3. God's provision leads me to Worship . (Isaiah 38:18-20)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 38

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Tell of a time you experienced a clear and direct answer to prayer.
   

3. Why does God often employ “medical means” to bring about healing (Isaiah 38:21)?
   

4. Why did Hezekiah pray as he did, recounting his good works (praying “in his own name”)? Explain what it means to “pray in Jesus’ name” (See John 14:13-14)?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow as pray-ers.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 2

Introduction:

We Lift High the Name of Jesus Through Worship.

"I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation…the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." - C.S. Lewis

3 Things to Say on Your Way to Church (Psalm 146):

1. I am Choosing to worship. (Ps 146:1-2)
2. I am done trusting Man . (Ps 146:3-6)
3. I am making worship Personal . (Ps 146:7-10)

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 146

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Why is music important for congregational worship?
   

3. How - specifically - can you choose to worship when you don’t “feel like it” (Psalm 146:1-2)?
   

4. How does trusting man (Psalm 146:3-4) keep a person from worshiping God?
   

5. Name one of God’s works or promises for which you are especially thankful for right now.

Breakout
Pray for Harvest to be a worshiping church - and for YOU to be prepared to come and worship on Sundays.

This is Who We Are: Pillar 1

Introduction:

We proclaim the authority of God's Word without apology.

Isaiah 55:10-11 - For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but sit shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Psalm 19:7-9 - The law of the LORD is perfect, previving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

The Life Stages of the One Who Receives God's Word (Psalm 19:7-9):

1. New Life . (Ps 19:7)
2. Wisdom for living. (Ps 19:7)
3. Joy . (Ps 19:8)
4. Light for my path. (Ps 19:8)
5. Clear Conscience . (Ps 19:9)
6. Confidence . (Ps 19:9)

How to Let the Word Rain on You (Psalm 19:10-14):

1. Want it. (Ps 19:10)
2. Apply it. (Ps 19:11)

   John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

3. Ask for God's help with it. (Ps 19:12-14)

1 Corinthians 1:24 - but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Isaiah 55:10-11 and Psalm 19:7-14

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. In Isaiah 55:10-11, God's Word is compared to rain. How is God's Word like rain?
   

3. Suppose someone asks you, “Why does HBC only do expository (verse-by-verse) preaching?” How would you respond?
   

4. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you desire the Word of God? (1 = not at all, 10 = I constantly want it). Specifically, how can you want it more?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow in your hunger and application of God's Word.