Pentecost 2022
Opening:
We believe (chorus)
Call to worship:
Acts 2.1-13
Historical Reading:
Apostles’ Creed
Song:
Let your kingdom come
Confession & Pardon
Song:
Doxology
Song:
Something Greater
Sermon:
Pentecost 2022
Dr. Alex Loginow
Introduction
I need to preface this story by saying that I got Sophia’s permission to tell it. Last year when it came out I watched the movie Shang Chi with my kids. If you haven’t seen Shang Chi it’s the 25th movie in the MCU. Anyway most of the characters in the film are Chinese and the first 10 minutes of the movie are in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles. So I’m watching the movie with the kids and about 5 minutes in Sophia says, “Dad, I don’t know what they’re saying because I can’t read and I don’t know Spanish.” There is a beauty to the diversity of languages that exist in the world but the truth is that the variety of languages spoken by all of the people of the world has its origin in God’s judgment of humanity.
Our text for this Pentecost Sunday 2022 is the account of the tower of Babel from Genesis 11.1-9. Pentecost is an important day on the church calendar – just as important as Christmas or Easter. In fact, the church calendar is structured in a Trinitarian way around these three high holy days. The liturgical calendar begins every year with advent and Christmas, which is when we remember and celebrate that the Father sent the Son. Then we move to Lent and Easter, where we remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of the Son of God. The third segment of the liturgical calendar is called ordinary time, which is inaugurated by the trilogy of holy days we find ourselves in the middle of today – Ascension (last week), Pentecost (today), and Trinity (next week). This is the time of the year that we remember and celebrate that the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit to indwell the church.
In our call to worship we read about the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. You might be wondering, “What does Babel have to do with Pentecost?” We will explore that question this morning. And as we consider this pericope about the tower of babel on this Pentecost 2022 what we’re going to see is that the gospel redeems what is ruined by sin.
Babel
Before we actually look at the passage let’s remind ourselves of the setting of Genesis 11. Genesis 1-11 is what theologians refer to as prehistory. No one knows for sure the exact dating of the events of Genesis 1-11. This section of Scripture tells us the story of humanity before Israel. We can be surer of exact dating starting in Genesis 12 where redemptive history turns when YHWH calls Abram and inaugurates the story with Israel.
Look with me now at Genesis 11. Verse 1 says, now the whole earth had one language and the same words. The Hebrew literally reads, “And all of the earth had one lip and one words.” At this point in world history everyone spoke the same language. But the text is also emphasizing the unity of humanity in their rebellion against God. Since the fall in Genesis 3 sin perpetually permeates the planet.
Verse 2 says people migrated from the east. In noting that the people went east Moses is calling our minds back to Adam’s fall in Genesis 3. After Adam sinned in the garden we read:
therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life (Gen 3.23-24).
In 1952 John Steinbeck published his magnum opus entitled, East of Eden. The novel explores themes of human depravity and guilt, among others. The title (East of Eden) and many of the themes are drawn from the book of Genesis especially Genesis 4. Not only was Adam sent east after he sinned but after Cain killed Abel, Genesis 4 says, then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. In the book of Genesis going east is a literary device that signifies rebellion against God.
We’re also clued in that something bad is about to happen because not only are the people headed east but also they settle in Shinar. After the flood YHWH commands Noah and his family to populate the earth (Gen 9.1). The people were supposed to spread all over the earth but in their rebellion they are all settling together in Shinar, which would later become the Babylonian empire, and is now modern day Iraq. The text also tells us in verse 3 how hard the people worked to build this city. Verse 3 is certainly describing an historical account to us but we must always remember that nothing in Scripture is mere history; everything written in the Bible has theological intention.
This text emphasizes the work ethic of the people but the problem is that the people are diligently working against God. Hard work is a virtue but hard work is not virtuous in and of itself. If we are working hard to earn our own righteousness, or if we are working hard to the neglect of our marriages, families, or the church, or if we are working hard in sin then hard work is not virtuous. Let us be reminded that we cannot earn our own righteousness but we must rest in the work of Christ on our behalf. We must not work hard to the neglect of our homes or the church. May be work hard for the glory of God and the good of humanity!
And in Genesis 11 we see humanity sinfully working against the Lord. From Genesis 3-11 we see the idolatry of humanity continue to spread until it reaches this climax at the tower of babel. From the sin of Adam to Cain’s murder of Abel, from the state of the world before the flood to the tower of babel, idolatry has perpetuated. John Calvin comments on the Babel pericope saying, “This is the perpetual infatuation of the world; to neglect heaven, and to seek immortality on earth, where everything is fading and transient.” People now are no different than they were in this ancient culture; the problem since the garden is that people want complete self-reliance, they want greatness, they want to be God.
The people of Genesis 11 want to make a name for themselves so they aren’t dispersed among the earth. T. Desmond Alexander notes that the people wanted (1) security – they did not want to be dispersed; and (2) praise – they wanted to make a name for themselves. Karl Barth says that this is the ultimate display of self-righteousness; the people didn’t want God’s name but they wanted their name. There’s a Hebrew word play here that’s hard to notice in English. In verse 2 it says that they settled there. And then it verse 4 the people say they want to make a name by building this tower to the heavens. In verse 2 the word there is the Hebrew word שָֽׁם.The word name in verse 4 is the Hebrew word שֵׁ֑ם. Also in verse 4 the Hebrew word for heavens is שָּׁמַ֔יִם. All three words sound similar and the point is that in this place the people are seeking to build their identity; they want their name to rival the heavens, there.
And then in verses 5-7 we see how YHWH deals with this rebellion. First we see that God descends. Verse 5 says that YHWH came down to see the tower. This is not the first time we’ve seen God come to humanity in the book of Genesis. After Adam sinned in Genesis 3 YHWH came to him. Before the flood YHWH surveys the earth in Genesis 6 to see that every intention of the thoughts of humanity’s heart was only evil continually (Gen 6.5). Now YHWH condescends to see this architecture of idolatry.
There is some irony here as well because the LORD has to come down to see the tower. The people are attempting to build a tower that reaches the heavens but in the sight of God it is so puny that he has to “come down” to see it. Note also that the people are called the children of man. This is a reminder of the weakness and frailty of humanity. As the Narnians remind us we are the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve. We are from the dust and to the dust we will return (Gen 3.19), but not so with God. He is the omnipotent one. Humanity builds the greatest wonder they can fathom and God must condescend to see it.
When God descends he then makes a declaration, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” God is not describing what some have called “the limitless possibility of man.” God is not sitting in heaven shaking in fear at the superiority of humanity. Scripture always reveals God as the sovereign Lord who exclusively rules over all creation.
God is saying that there will be no limit to the collective sinfulness of humanity. Nothing will be impossible in the sense that humans will rebel in any and every way possible. And so God deliberates among himself. In verse 7 we get to eavesdrop on an Intratrinitarian conversation much like Genesis 1.26. God uses the 1st person plural verb – “Let us go down.” The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are conversing about how God will judge this rebellion.
God’s judgment then comes in verse 8-9. YHWH judges the people by dispersing them and confusing them. God separated the people all over the face of the earth. If the people will not willingly multiply on the earth, God will sovereignly send them out.
Not only does he disperse them but he also confuses their languages. This is where the separation of all of the languages of the earth originates. This is why Sophia wouldn’t understand the beginning of Shang Chi. The name Babel is derived from the Hebrew word בָּלַ֥ל, which means, “confused.” Even today when we hear languages we don’t understand it’s a reminder that, at least in part, sin and self-righteousness results in confusion. All of the public and personal tragedy that we’ve witnessed in recent weeks – the shootings in Buffalo and Texas, the SBC sexual abuse report, the death of Renee Ross to cancer – these things confuse us; how can this happen? The answer is sin.
Anti-Babel
But thanks be to God that the story of redemption does not end in Genesis 11. In Genesis 12 the story of redemption shifts the focus from a global scope to a particular man and his descendants. YHWH calls Abram who would become Abraham and tells him that through his family God would bless all the families of the earth (Gen 12.3). We see this promise unfold from Abraham to Isaac to Jacob, who is renamed Israel, to Jacob’s 12 sons, who’s descendants become the nation of Israel after Moses leads them out of slavery in the Exodus and gives them the 10 commandments at Mt. Sinai. Later one of Judah’s descendants David becomes the greatest king in the history of Israel and through his line will come the incarnation of the Son of God.
It is in the incarnation of Christ that the gospel comes first to Israel and then to the nations. Jesus of Nazareth is the eternal Son of God who took on humanity in his incarnation. He lived without sin earning the righteousness we need before God. He died on the cross bearing God’s wrath for sin. He was buried and on the third day he resurrected from the dead.
Now everyone who will repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone will receive the forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal life. This is true even today. If you’re not a Christian you can be saved this morning. If you will acknowledge that God is holy and that you are a sinner and you will trust in Jesus alone you will be saved. Scripture says if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved (Rom 10.9-10).
At Babel God judged the nations but it is through Jesus alone that all nations can be reconciled to God. In Matthew 28 Christ gave his disciples the Great Commission wherein he commanded them to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28.19). In Galatians 3.28 the Apostle Paul says that in Christ there is no longer Jew or Gentile, but all who are in Christ are the offspring of Abraham. In Ephesians 2.11-19 Paul writes that the dividing wall between Jews and gentiles has been broken down. In Revelation 20 John writes that ever since the resurrection and ascension of Christ that Satan has been bound so that he might not deceive the nations any longer (Rev 20.3).
Jesus is the true anti-babel. Humans cannot build a tower to reach God but God comes down to us in his Son, Christ Jesus. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father except through me (John 14.6). The gospel of Jesus is the story of the reversal of Babel and we see the flowers of Christ’s kingdom beginning to bloom at Pentecost.
Last week we remembered and celebrated the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. This week we remember and celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. When Jesus ascended to heaven and the Spirit descended at Pentecost the great reversal of Babel happened. At Babel the people were separated and were confused by different languages. At Pentecost the people are filled with the same Spirit and they all understood each other even though they were speaking different languages. At Babel the people are dispersed. At Pentecost 3,000 people come together and they are saved.
NT Wright said,
“Now, Luke is implying, with the day of Pentecost this curse (Babel) is itself overturned; in other words, God is dramatically signaling that his promises to Abraham are being fulfilled, and the whole human race is going to be addressed with the good news of what has happened in and through Jesus.”
This has been God’s plan all along. Psalm 86.9 says that all the nations shall come and worship before the Lord. Psalm 22.27 says that all of the families of the nations shall worship before God. Revelation 7 paints a picture of every nation, tribe, people, and language worshipping Christ (Rev 7.9-12). The eschatological nature of the kingdom of Christ is global. The nations that were separated at Babel will be gathered by the Spirit at the throne of King Jesus!
There are a lot of different ways we can apply the Babel narrative to Christ Community Church for Pentecost 2022; here are five. (1) Evangelism: the reversal of Babel at Pentecost should motivate us to share the gospel with those who do not believe. How is it that 3,000 were saved on the day of Pentecost? It was through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus.
Whether it is sharing the gospel with our children, family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. we must take every opportunity God gives us to share the good news of Jesus. The Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells people exclusively through the gospel of Jesus. There is no other message that God has ordained to bring salvation to the nations. May we continue to develop a culture of evangelism here at Christ Community Church!
(2) Humility: we should be humbled by the judgment of Babel and the grace of Pentecost because Christ Community Church is primarily a gentile church. Our church is not primarily made up of Christian Jewish people. We are those who have been grafted in by the Spirit. It is through God’s grace that the good news of the Messiah has come to us. We are now Abraham’s offspring by faith. Thank you, Lord for your grace to those of us who were far off.
(3) The sin of racism: among other things Pentecost is an apologetic against the sin of racism. The Kingdom of Christ is not for a specific ethnic group or social class or any other demographic. The plan of God for salvation through Christ is for the nations. The Holy Spirit is changing the hearts of people from every tribe, nation, and language. One theologian said, based on Revelation 7, that heaven will be a racist’s worst nightmare. If you struggle with the sin of racism, repent and look to your brown-skinned King who died for the nations.
(4) Unity in the church: this reality is first and foremost local but it is also universal. The local church is the new covenant manifestation of the Kingdom of God. We all have one Spirit – we have been regenerated and indwelt by the same Holy Spirit. We gather every week around the same Word. The unity of the Word and the Spirit should cultivate a family atmosphere at Christ Community Church that is grounded in the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
But there is also a universal element to the unity of the church. The local church is the primary manifestation of the Kingdom of God but all faithful local churches in the world for the last 2,000 years make up the universal church. And regardless of the denomination or the flavor of a specific local church, we can and should learn from Christians of all traditions. We try to do this every week here at Christ Community Church through our liturgy. We utilize elements from the Baptist tradition, the Presbyterian tradition, and the Anglican tradition among others. No one group of Christians has a corner on the market of truth.
If you’re prone to reading or listening to one tradition – whether that’s a segment of Southern Baptists, or Reformed guys, or John MacArthur, or any other person or group – and if you’re prone to viewing others who don’t embrace your tradition to the T as sinful, I would invite you to repent of your arrogance and self-righteousness. The Baptist tradition is not more inherently righteous than Presbyterians, Anglicans, or vice versa. Just because John MacArthur or Matt Chandler or John Piper or Mark Dever or whomever you like to read or listen to says something, doesn’t mean they’re right. And just because you hold a theological position on something doesn’t mean someone who disagrees is in sin. May we have a culture here at Christ Community Church that gratefully receives the contributions of all faithful saints regardless of their tradition.
(5) The ordinary means of grace: we mentioned earlier that Pentecost inaugurates the annual liturgical season called ordinary time. This time begins at Pentecost and brings us to advent when we start the calendar all over again. Ordinary time reminds us that God is pleased through his Spirit to create, sustain, and grow his kingdom through the ordinary means of grace: the preaching of the Word, the administration of the sacraments, prayer, singing, fellowship, evangelism, discipleship. These are the ordinary means through which the knowledge of the glory of Christ will cover the earth as the water covers the seas (Hab 2.14). May Christ Community Church always be an ordinary church!
Conclusion
So next time you watch a film like Shang Chi and you hear some of the different languages of the world it should remind you of God’s judgment against the sin of prideful humans at Babel. But it should also remind us of the grace of Pentecost. As we begin this season of ordinary time here at Christ Community Church may we be reminded that the glory of God is in the ordinary. The gospel redeems what is ruined by sin. The ordinary means of grace remind us weekly of the glory of the gospel.
King Jesus is making his own name famous by his Spirit through the ordinary work of preaching the Word and administering the sacraments. And Philippians 2.9-11 tells us where this is going:
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
At Babel the people tried to make a name for themselves and reach heaven. Jesus is the name that is above all others and every knee under heaven will bow to his name. Happy Pentecost!