The Journey Begins Series

Series: Called To Promise [#1]

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

Genesis 11:1-32

Introduction:

Tonight, we will begin a new sermon series, "Called To Promise." In this series, we will learn about the life of Abraham, a man who trusted God and followed His plans. Today, we start at the very beginning of Abraham's story, (several generations before his birth) in Genesis 11:1-9. Back then, everyone spoke the same language and worked together, but they were lost without God's guidance. Abraham’s journey started in a time of confusion and human effort, showing us that true purpose only comes when we listen and follow God's call. As we look at his early life, we will see how God's promises and care set him on a path of faith that would impact many generations.

Later in the series, we will also look at stories from Genesis 27-32, about Abraham’s children, Isaac and Jacob. These stories teach us to trust God's promises, even when life is hard or confusing. As we begin this journey, remember that every faith story starts with a simple step of obedience, just like Abraham took when God called him. We hope this series encourages us to trust God more, step out in faith, and remember that every new beginning is an opportunity for God to do great things in our lives.

Genesis 11:1-4

The journey of…

1. Unity and ambition.

The story in Genesis 11:1-4 shows how people often try to be united by their own efforts and ambitions, instead of trusting God. They wanted to build a tall tower to reach Heaven, which was their way of trying to make themselves important and safe without God’s help. Spiritually, this teaches us that when we focus too much on our own plans and pride, we can forget to rely on God’s power and guidance. Practically, it reminds us to check why we do things- Are we doing them to honor God, or just to be recognized? While working together is good, it can become a problem if our goals are about ourselves instead of what God wants. We need to make sure our ambitions are aligned with God’s purpose.

In the bigger picture of the sermon "The Journey Begins," this point encourages us to see how unity can help us serve God better when it is based on humility and trusting Him. The story of Babel warns us that unity without God’s guidance can lead to confusion and division. On the practical side, it means we should build unity in our Church and community through prayer, humility, and obeying God. As we start our spiritual journey, we are called to pursue goals that honor God, grow in humility, and seek His kingdom 1st. This way, our efforts will reflect God’s glory and help us leave a lasting legacy of faith, rather than just focusing on our own achievements.

Genesis 11:5-9

The journey of…

2. Divine intervention.

In Genesis 11:5-9, we read about the Tower of Babel, where people, speaking the same language, try to build a tower to reach heaven on their own. God steps in and stops them because He wants to remind us that He is in control. His intervention shows that human pride and trying to do everything by ourselves is limited. God’s power is greater than anything humans can plan, and He can change our plans if they go against His will. By confusing their language and scattering them, God demonstrates His authority and His purpose to create different Nations and order in the World.

Practically, this story teaches us that we need God's help in our lives. Sometimes, our plans can go wrong or lead us away from what God wants for us. When that happens, we should remember to rely on God instead of trying to do everything ourselves. We need to trust that God's intervention can help us find the right path, even when things seem confusing or difficult. This story reminds us to seek God's guidance always and to trust that He is in control, helping us stay on the right journey to fulfill His purpose for our lives.

Genesis 11:27-32

The journey of…

3. Faith and promise.

This part of Genesis shows us how important faith and God's promises are when we start our journey with Him. Abram’s story begins with God calling him and promising to make him into a great Nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Before that, Abram’s family, led by his father Terah, was traveling toward an unknown land. They trusted God's promise, even though they didn't know exactly where they were going or what would happen along the way. This teaches us that faith means trusting God's promises, even when we can't see everything clearly. It reminds us that God is faithful to keep His promises and will guide us through uncertain times.