Tower or Transcendence

The Tower of Babel stands as a monument to human ambition, a futile attempt to reach the heavens through mere bricks and tar. It was a project rooted in earthly materials, confined by the limitations of human ingenuity and pride. The endeavor ended in confusion and division, a powerful reminder that no matter how high we build our towers, they are but temporary structures and kingdoms, bound by time and space.

In contrast, the concept of "Transcendence" speaks to the limitless, eternal work of God that defies human boundaries. Unlike the Tower of Babel, which was constrained by language and geography, God's work is a tapestry woven through time, history, and culture. It is not a static structure but a dynamic, living body made up of "living stones," connected not by dead tar but by the living ligaments of His love and grace. Where Babel failed in its uniformity, the Church succeeds in its unity, celebrating a diversity that enriches rather than divides. The Church is not a human endeavor to reach God but a divine initiative that has reached down to humanity, offering a mission and purpose that are not just global but eternal. In this way, the Church doesn't just aim for the sky; it is touched by heaven, not by human effort but by the transcendent power of our loving and personal Heavenly Father.

Genesis 11

1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” 5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 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. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” 8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Tower of Babel:

The people of Babel used bricks to build their tower.

Genesis 11:4  Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

The Church:

In contrast, the Church is made up of "living stones."

1 Peter 2:5

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For in Scripture it says:

“See, I lay a stone in Zion,

    a chosen and precious cornerstone,

and the one who trusts in him

    will never be put to shame.”

7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,

“The stone the builders rejected

    has become the cornerstone,”

8 and,

“A stone that causes people to stumble

    and a rock that makes them fall.”

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.

Key Point: Bricks are inanimate objects, uniform and devoid of individuality. Living stones, however, are unique and full of life, symbolizing the diverse yet unified body of believers that make up the Church.

Application: The Transformational Power of Living Stones in the Church

1. The Nature of the Building Material

• Tower of Babel: Bricks are lifeless and uniform, serving as a metaphor for a human-centered approach that seeks to "make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4).

• The Church: In direct contrast, the Church is composed of "living stones" (1 Peter 2:5), which are vibrant, unique, and full of life.

2. The Significance of Individuality and Unity

• Unique Yet Unified: Each living stone is distinct, having its own shape, size, and color, symbolizing the diversity within the body of Christ.

• Unified Structure: Despite this diversity, these living stones are being built into a single "spiritual house," illustrating the unity that believers have in Christ. This is who you are!

3. The Role of the Cornerstone in Alignment and Purpose

• Jesus as the Cornerstone: Jesus is described as a "chosen and precious cornerstone" (1 Peter 2:6).

• Alignment and Stability: As the cornerstone, Jesus sets the alignment, stability, and direction for the entire spiritual structure, His Church.

4. The Calling to a Holy Priesthood

• Purpose Beyond Structure: The living stones are being built into a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), indicating a calling that goes beyond passive placement in God's structure to a place of calling to actively fulfill His purposes.

• Active Participation: This priesthood is responsible for offering "spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God," emphasizing active participation in divine worship, service, and reconciling others to Christ.

5. The Eternal Implications

• Built for Eternity: Unlike the Tower of Babel, which was a human endeavor doomed to fail, the Church is a divine project with eternal purpose.

• Eternal Roles: The living stones are not just part of a temporary earthly structure but are being prepared for eternal roles in God's kingdom.

Tower of Babel:

The bricks were connected with tar, a dead material.

The Church:

The Church is connected as a body through joints and ligaments.

Ephesians 4:16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (NKJV)

Key point: The Tower of Babel was built with dead materials ending in division and confusion. The Church is a living organism, unified and growing through life-giving connections among its members.

Application: Contrast in Community, Purpose, and Divine Design—From Dead Material to Living Connections

1. The Limitation of Dead Material: A Static Bond

• Tower of Babel: The bricks were connected with tar, a dead material.

• Static Bond: This form of connection was static and lifeless, serving merely as an adhesive.

• Dead Community: The result was a structure that, while physically imposing, was spiritually and relationally dead.

2. The Vitality of Living Connections: An Organic Unity

• The Church: The Church is connected as a body through joints and ligaments.

• Organic Unity: Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) states, "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

• Dynamic Connection: The Greek word "ἁφή" (haphē), translated as "every joint supplies" or "every supporting ligament," signifies a bond or connection that is living and dynamic.

3. The Contrast in Community: Division vs. Unity

• Dead vs. Living: The Tower of Babel was built with dead materials, leading to division and confusion.

• Unified Community: The Church, in contrast, is a living organism, unified and growing through life-giving connections among its members.

4. The Contrast in Purpose: Self-Glorification vs. Edification

• Selfish Ambitions: The Tower of Babel was built for self-glorification and to "make a name" for its builders.

• Divine Purpose: The Church is designed for the edification of its members and the glory of God, fulfilling a divine purpose that far exceeds any human endeavor.  Instead of making a name for ourselves, we are proclaiming the name of Jesus by who we are.

5. The Eternal Significance of Living Connections

• Temporal vs. Eternal: While the Tower of Babel was a temporal structure with no lasting impact, the Church is designed for eternal significance.

• Eternal Impact: This is made possible through the life-giving, divine connections that hold the Church together, allowing it to grow and build itself up in love.

Tower of Babel:

They aimed to build a city reaching the heavens.  

The Church:

God came from Heaven to Earth in the form of Jesus.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Fallen humanity: The lie that divinity can be obtained.  Genesis 3:1-4; Acts 12:21-23 

Religion: Man's agenda to reach God.  Titus 3:5 

Christianity:  God's initiative to reach man.  Romans 5:6-8 

Key point: While the people of Babel sought to elevate themselves to God, God humbled Himself to come down to us, teaching us to align our will with His. Instead of being a people who make a feeble attempt to exalt ourselves God reaches down and pours the riches of Heaven into our lives.

Application: The Direction of Divine Encounter—From Heaven to Earth

1. The Human Aspiration: Reaching for the Heavens

• Tower of Babel: The people aimed to build a city and a tower that would reach the heavens, essentially trying to elevate themselves to a divine status.

• Religion as Man's Agenda: This human endeavor to reach God or attain divinity is often manifested in various forms of religion.

• The Lie of Attainable Divinity: Genesis 3:1-4 reveals the deception that divinity can be obtained, a lie that has persisted through human history.

• Human Effort: Titus 3:5 reminds us that no amount of righteous deeds can save us; it's not about human effort to reach God.

2. The Divine Act of Selfless Servitude: From Heaven to Earth

• The Church and the Incarnation: In absolute contrast to human attempts to reach heaven, God took the initiative to come down to Earth in the form of Jesus.

• God's Will: Matthew 6:10 encapsulates this divine initiative: "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."  Jesus brought Heaven to Earth and now has called us to do the same. 

• Christianity as God's Initiative: Romans 5:6-8 emphasizes that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. God took the first step to reach humanity, not the other way around.

3. The Transformational Impact: Aligning Our Will with God's

• Alignment with God's Will: Instead of being a people who make feeble attempts to exalt ourselves, God teaches us to align our will with His.

• Divine Generosity: God doesn't just come down to save us; He pours the riches of Heaven into our lives.

4. The Contrast: Self-Exaltation vs. Holy Spirit-formed Humility

• The Futility of Self-Exaltation: Acts 12:21-23 provides a cautionary tale of Herod, who accepted worship as a god and was struck down. This serves as a warning against the futility and danger of self-exaltation.

• The Power of Spirit-formed Humility: In contrast, God's humility in coming down to us not only provides a path for true exaltation but also transforms us into people who seek His will above all else.

5. From Vain Ambitions to God's Plan

• Human Aspiration vs. God's Initiative: The Tower of Babel represents the human aspiration to become exalted or even divine, while the Church embodies God's initiative to reach humanity.

• Transformational Impact: God's approach transforms us from people who strive in vain to reach Him their way into people who are recipients of His generosity and align their will with His.

Tower of Babel:

They feared being scattered across the Earth.

The Church:

We are commissioned to go to the entire Earth with the Gospel.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations..." (Matthew 28:19, NIV)

The Church turns the Babel narrative on its head: scattering is not a curse but a divine mandate for spreading the Good News.

Application: Scattering as Divine Mandate—From Fear to Commission

1. The Fear of Scattering: A Limiting Perspective

• Tower of Babel: The people feared being scattered across the Earth, viewing it as a negative outcome that would dilute their power and unity.

• Human Limitation: This fear led them to build a tower as a monument to human unity and achievement, in an attempt to prevent scattering.

2. The Commission to Scatter: A Divine Mandate

• The Church: In contrast, the Church is commissioned to go to the entire Earth with the Gospel.

• Divine Mandate: The Great Commission, from Jesus, in Matthew 28:19 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations," turning the concept of scattering into a divine mandate.

3. The Transformation from Fear to Purpose

• A Shift in Perspective: The Church turns the Babel narrative on its head by viewing scattering not as a curse but as a divine mandate for spreading the Good News.

• From Limitation to Opportunity: This shift in perspective transforms a fear into a purpose, a limitation into an opportunity.

4. The Global Impact of the Gospel

• Reaching All Nations: The Church's mandate to scatter and make disciples of all nations has led to a global impact, crossing cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries.

• Contrast with Babel: This is in direct contrast to the Tower of Babel, where the aim was to centralize human achievement in one place as well as homogenize language and culture.

5. The Eternal Significance

• Building an Eternal Kingdom: While the Tower of Babel was a temporal endeavor with limited scope, the Church's commission has eternal implications.

• Eternal Impact: The act of scattering to spread the Gospel contributes to building an eternal kingdom, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for humanity.

Tower of Babel:

They all spoke the same language.

The Church:

The Church speaks a common message and culture through the Holy Spirit.

"For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink." (1 Corinthians 12:13, NIV)

Key point: The Church's unity is not forced or artificial; it is a gift from God that celebrates biblical diversity.

Application: Unity in Diversity—From Uniformity to Spiritual Unity

1. The Uniformity of Language: A Human Construct

• Tower of Babel: The people all spoke the same language, which was a point of unity but also a limitation. It was a human-made construct that forced uniformity.

2. The Unity of the Spirit: God's gift that transcends cultures, backgrounds, race, age, nationality, education, career, socioeconomic status, and more. 

• The Church: The Church speaks a common message and culture, not through human effort but through the Holy Spirit.

• Divine Unity: 1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV) states, "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

3. Celebrating Diversity: The Beauty of the Body of Christ

• Unity in Diversity: The Church's unity is not forced or artificial; it is a God-given gift that celebrates diversity.

• Harmonious Whole: This unity allows for a variety of gifts, talents, and backgrounds to come together in a harmonious whole, celebrating the contribution that each brings.

4. The Global Reach of the Gospel

• Crossing Boundaries: The Church's divine unity enables it to cross-cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries, making it a truly global community.

• Inclusiveness Through Destiny: We are included in God's family and included in His plan for our lives. 

5. The Eternal Significance of Divine Unity

• Building an Eternal Kingdom: Unlike the Tower of Babel, which was a temporal endeavor, the Church's unity has eternal implications.

• Eternal Impact: This divine unity contributes to building an eternal kingdom, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for humanity.

Tower of Babel:

Their languages were confused, and they were scattered, losing their power and purpose.

The Church:

The Church grows stronger as it crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8, NIV)

Key point: Where Babel failed, the Church succeeds, not by human effort but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Application: From Confusion to Empowerment—The Role of the Holy Spirit

1. The Consequence of Confusion: Loss of Power and Purpose

• Tower of Babel: The people's languages were confused, and they were scattered, leading to a loss of power and purpose.

• God Intervened: This confusion served as a divine intervention to halt their misguided ambitions.

2. The Source of Empowerment: The Holy Spirit

• The Church: Because God empowers us to go "to all the world." the Church grows stronger as it crosses cultural and linguistic boundaries.

• Divine Empowerment: Acts 1:8 (NIV) states, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

3. The Transformation from Confusion to Clarity

• Divine Empowerment: Where Babel failed, the Church succeeds, not by human effort but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Clarity of Purpose: This divine empowerment provides the Church with a clarity of purpose that Babel lacked.

4. The Global Impact of the Holy Spirit

• Crossing Boundaries: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church is able to cross-cultural, linguistic, and geographical boundaries, fulfilling the Great Commission.

5. The Eternal Significance of Empowerment

• Building an Eternal Kingdom: Unlike the Tower of Babel, which was a temporal endeavor, the Church's empowerment by the Holy Spirit has eternal implications.

• Eternal Impact: This empowerment contributes to building an eternal kingdom, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for humanity.

Tower of Babel:

Any human structure, including the Tower of Babel, is temporary and subject to decay.

The Church:

What God builds is for eternity.

"And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matthew 16:18, NIV)

Key point: While human endeavors may offer momentary glory, the Church, built by God, is designed for eternal significance.

Application: From Temporality to Eternity—The Lasting Impact of Divine Construction

1. The Short-lived Nature of Human Structures: A Fleeting Endeavor

• Tower of Babel: Any human structure, including the Tower of Babel, is temporary and subject to decay.

• Fleeting Endeavor: Despite the grand ambitions behind its construction, the Tower of Babel was ultimately a fleeting endeavor with no lasting impact.

2. The Eternality of Divine Construction: A Lasting Legacy

• The Church: What God builds is for eternity.

• Lasting Legacy: Matthew 16:18 (NIV) states, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."

3. The Transformation from Temporary to Eternal

• Eternal Significance: While human endeavors may offer momentary glory, the Church, built by God, is designed for eternal significance.

• Futility vs. Impact: This shift from temporality to eternality highlights the futility of human efforts in contrast to the lasting impact of divine construction.

4. The Global and Eternal Reach of the Church

• Unshakable Foundation: Built on the rock-solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ, the Church is not just a local or temporal entity but has a global and eternal reach.

5. The Ultimate Fulfillment of God's Plan

• Building an Eternal Kingdom: Unlike the Tower of Babel, which was a temporal endeavor, the Church's construction by God has eternal implications.

• Eternal Impact: This construction contributes to building an eternal kingdom, fulfilling God's ultimate plan for humanity.

Our choice... Tower or Transcendence  

The Tower of Babel and the Church represent contrasting paradigms of human ambition versus divine purpose. Where the Tower of Babel was built on inanimate bricks and dead tar, symbolizing human pride and uniformity, the Church is constructed of living stones and life-giving connections, embodying divine love and unity. While Babel aimed to elevate humanity to the heavens, God humbled Himself to reach down to us, transforming our will to align with His divine plan. The Church turns the fear of scattering, as seen in Babel, into a divine mandate for global evangelism. Unlike Babel's forced uniformity, the Church celebrates a God-given unity that embraces biblical diversity. Where Babel failed due to human limitations, the Church succeeds through the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, while human endeavors like Babel offer only momentary glory, the Church stands as a testament to God's eternal significance.

Human Pride vs. The Limitless Eternal Work of God

Key Point: The Tower of Babel stands as a monument to human ambition, a futile attempt to reach the heavens through mere bricks and tar. In contrast, the concept of "Transcendence" speaks to the limitless, eternal work of God that defies human boundaries.

Call to Action:  Live a life based on the knowledge of and participation in God's transcendent eternal work.

Building Material: Bricks vs. Living Stones

Key Point: Bricks are inanimate objects, uniform and devoid of individuality. Living stones, however, are unique and full of life, symbolizing the diverse yet unified body of believers that make up the Church.

Call to Action:  Embrace and celebrate the unique people and their gifts that God is placing in the church.

Connection: Tar vs. Joints and Ligaments

Key Point: The Tower of Babel was built with dead materials ending in division and confusion. The Church is a living organism, unified and growing through life-giving connections among its members.

Call to Action: Pursue excellence in your connection with the Body of Christ through your relationship with God's people. 

Direction: Earth to Heaven vs. Heaven to Earth

Key Point: While the people of Babel sought to elevate themselves to God, God humbled Himself to come down to us, teaching us to align our will with His. Instead of being a people who make a feeble attempt to exalt ourselves God reaches down and pours the riches of Heaven into our lives.

Call to Action: Live a life that exalts God in all you do.

Mission: Fear of Scattering vs. Commission to Go

Key Point: The Church turns the Babel narrative on its head: scattering is not a curse but a divine mandate for spreading the Good News.

Call to Action: Respond to the call to Go whether locally or around the world knowing God is with you.

Language and Culture: Uniformity vs. Unity in Diversity

Key Point: The Church's unity is not forced or artificial; it is a gift from God that celebrates biblical diversity.

Call to Action: Reach across cultural and language barriers with the Gospel. 

Outcome: Confusion and Weakness vs. Mission and Strength

Key Point: Where Babel failed, the Church succeeds, not by human effort but by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Call to Action:  Seek the Lord so that you can go beyond human ability into the power of the Holy Spirit.

Temporary vs. Eternal

Key Point: While human endeavors may offer momentary glory, the Church, built by God, is designed for eternal significance.

Call to Action:  Keep your eyes on the eternal purposes of God.