YOU CAN’T REACH HEAVEN BY HUMAN EFFORT
By Rev. Samuel Arimoro
Main Text: Genesis 11:1-9
Key Verse:
“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis 11:6)
Supporting Texts: Ephesians 2:8-9; Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23-24
INTRODUCTION
The story of the Tower of Babel demonstrates humanity’s attempt to reach heaven through their own effort. United by a single language, they built a city and a tower to make a name for themselves, seeking fame, security, and power through self-reliance.
God intervened by confusing their language and scattering them, showing that human effort cannot substitute for divine provision, guidance, or grace. No matter how united, skilled, or determined people are, heaven cannot be reached apart from God.
This sermon encourages believers to abandon reliance on self-effort, humility before God, and faith in His grace. True elevation and fulfilment come through dependence on Him, not human schemes.
1. HUMAN EFFORT CANNOT REPLACE DIVINE GRACE
No matter how hard people work, they cannot earn God’s favour by ambition or ingenuity alone.
a) Human Pride Is Futile (Genesis 11:4-6)
The builders sought to elevate themselves apart from God.
b) Self-Effort Cannot Bridge the Spiritual Gap (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Salvation and divine blessing are by grace, not human achievement.
c) God Alone Grants Access to Heaven (Romans 3:23-24)
Humanity cannot reach God without His intervention and redemption.
d) Humility Attracts Divine Assistance (James 4:10)
Submission to God invites His favour and divine elevation.
Biblical Example:
The people of Babel tried to reach heaven through their own effort, but God confused their language, showing that human effort alone cannot achieve spiritual elevation (Genesis 11:6-7)
2. SELF-RELIANCE LEADS TO CONFUSION AND FAILURE
Human schemes without God result in disruption and unintended consequences.
a) Ambition Apart from God Is Risky (Genesis 11:7-8)
God’s confusion of languages halted the tower and scattered the builders.
b) Misguided Effort Brings Division (Proverbs 14:12)
Plans may seem successful but without God lead to confusion and collapse.
c) God Protects His Purpose Through Intervention (Psalm 33:10-11)
Disruption prevents humanity from undermining divine plans.
d) Dependence Prevents Misalignment (Isaiah 30:21)
Following God’s direction ensures order and alignment with destiny.
Biblical Example:
God disrupted the unified plan of Babel, scattering the builders and preventing them from achieving self-glory through human effort (Genesis 11:7-9)
3. HEAVEN IS REACHED ONLY THROUGH GOD’S WAY
Salvation, fulfilment, and divine elevation cannot be earned or invented.
a) Human Effort Cannot Replace God’s Plan (Romans 3:23-24)
Redemption and access to heaven come only through faith in God’s provision.
b) Pride Blocks Divine Elevation (Proverbs 16:18)
Self-exaltation invites divine correction rather than blessing.
c) Alignment With God Brings True Success (Philippians 2:3-4)
Serving God’s will ensures lasting impact and divine recognition.
d) Faith Unlocks Heaven’s Access (Hebrews 11:6)
Belief and obedience allow God to act on behalf of the believer.
Biblical Example:
The failure of Babel’s builders teaches that no matter how strong human ambition is, heaven cannot be reached without God’s guidance and grace (Genesis 11:4-8)
4. HUMILITY AND DEPENDENCE ON GOD ENSURE DIVINE FAVOUR
Recognising God as the source of blessing prevents pride, confusion, and wasted effort.
a) Humility Invites Grace (James 4:6)
God gives favour to the humble rather than the self-exalting.
b) Submission Preserves Destiny (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trusting God prevents diversion and ensures fulfilment.
c) Obedience Brings Order (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Cooperative effort aligned with God produces harmony and blessing.
d) God-Centered Ambition Succeeds (Psalm 37:23)
Plans built on God’s purpose prosper and bring eternal impact.
Biblical Example:
While Babel failed due to self-reliance, Abraham’s obedience to God brought fulfilment, divine promise, and favour (Genesis 12:1-3)
CONCLUSION
The Tower of Babel teaches that human effort alone cannot reach heaven, achieve true elevation, or fulfil divine purpose. Pride, ambition, and self-reliance attract divine correction and result in confusion or scattered destinies.
Believers must depend fully on God, submitting ambitions, plans, and unity to His will. True success, access to heaven, and divine favour come through obedience, humility, and faith in God’s grace.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, deliver me from relying on my own effort to achieve greatness, in Jesus name.
2. Lord, teach me to depend fully on Your guidance and provision, in Jesus name.
3. Father, humble my heart and remove all prideful ambition, in Jesus name.
4. Lord, prevent every self-directed plan from deviating my destiny, in Jesus name.
5. Father, let every effort in my life align with Your divine purpose, in Jesus name.
6. Lord, scatter every attempt to reach heaven by human means, in Jesus name.
7. Father, cultivate obedience and faith in my life, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, guide every collective and personal project to honour You, in Jesus name.
9. Father, preserve my destiny through humility and dependence on You, in Jesus name.
10. Lord, let all my steps lead to Your favour and divine elevation, in Jesus name.
