The created creates gods and the Creator becomes a god.

• How did we come to this conclusion?
• How did the greatest of God’s creation turn its back on him?
• When did we believe that we were greater, bigger, smarter than the God of creation?

Gen. 11:1-9 NIV

Mankind decided to do their own thing.

• No more fear of the flood
• No more fear of God
• No more fear of being alone
• There was no more Eden with the Angel and sword telling them “We don’t belong here anymore”

4 things take place in the story that convinces mankind that they did not need God.

1. Built a city (vs. 4)

• Security
• We will take care of ourselves
• The power of the city

1. Built a tower to reach the heavens

• To get in touch with the gods
• To find purpose
• To understand their origin
• To feel connected
• To be a part of the great mystery
  • The answers lie in the heavens

Thought: If they could enter into the heavens, then they have reached the place of God.

• Once you find him, you have become just like him
• He no longer has power over you
  • You conquer his home
  • When he falls, you rise
  • You then will be worshipped
    • You then will be just like him…a god
  • This was the promise of Satan to Adam and Eve in the garden
  • Gen. 3:5 NIV 
  • God becomes just like you

1. They wanted to be recognized

• To have a name for themselves
  • “You will be just like him”
  • Your name will be recognized by everyone, everywhere
  • All of creation will come to worship you

Babylon became known for its materialism and sexual pleasures.

• It was the seat of false religions
• Whatever you desired, you did it

1. No more roaming

• We are planting roots
• No one is telling us what to do or where to live
• We are our own person
  • Our destiny will be determined by us
• We don’t have to listen to anyone, especially God

“There is always power in numbers”

And so mankind has believed the philosophy of Babylon for centuries.

• We have fought against God
• Against each other
• We have believed that our future and destiny is of our own choosing
• We still find strength in numbers
• We believe that the answer to who we are is found in the stars
• We are still searching for meaning, the truths about the heavens, our place in the vast universe
• We are still trying to make a name for ourselves

Paul’s teaching about Jesus being the Son of God and the long awaited Messiah countered the philosophy of the gods of Ephesus.

• Jesus was the One true God
• He created all things
• He doesn’t live in a temple on Earth
• He lives in Heaven
• He isn’t one of many gods
• He came to this Earth to give his life for our salvation from the grip of death
• His forgiveness unites us
• After his death he rose from the grave
  • His resurrection causes our hearts to stop roaming
  • We have found our true resting place in him
    • It is in a relationship with the God of creation

Ever since Genesis 3, mankind has been searching for their Creator.

• We miss him
• We want him to miss us (and he does)
• We need his presence with us
• We feel lost and afraid without him
• We wander about hoping that we might just stumble upon something that will tell us we are important, valued, and loved by him

Jesus loved us; valued us; walked with us…Why?

• The Creator came to restore the created back to their proper place…by his side.
  • Walking in the cool of the day with the God who named them, “Adam”
• He is still calling out today…

“Where are you?”

אָדָם אַי  (‘âdâm ‘ay)

Αδάμ πού εἰμί