Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9
Title: “The Power of Togetherness”
Introduction: God’s blessings was “Withdrawn” because the people were working to bypass God.
Our nation has been blessed beyond any other nation on the face of this earth. We have been the nation to be desired to be a part of because of the fact of the greatness of our prosperity and blessings.
Our greatest achievements have happened when we have been “United.”
Our greatest defeats have happened when we were divided. The “Civil War” is a great example of this.
I. WE HAVE BEEN A NATION DIVIDED.
a. The very thing that has divided our nation is “Satan’s Wedges.”
b. Since his introduction in the “Garden of Eden” we have seen Satan driving “Wedges” between God’s people. “Why, you won’t die if you eat that fruit.”
c. Satan’s philosophy has been, “Divide and Conquer.”
d. Some of the “Wedges” that Satan has so successfully used are:
Political – Democrats – Republicans – Independents – Satan has used these particular “Wedges” to the point that people hate each other because they believe differently.
Racial & Ethnic – Whites – Blacks – Jews – Gentiles – Mixed – If your life is on the line you won’t care what color the hand is that reaches out to you!
Religious Wedges – Catholic – Protestant – Baptist – Methodist – Church of Christ – Church of God – The list can go on and on proving that there are “Religious Wedges” among the people of God. (Christians)
Financial Wedges – People with more look down on those who have less. People with less look down on people who have more than they do. – Our country is divided into three (3) “Financial Groups” – Low Income – Middle Income – Upper Income.
Social Prejudice – “They’re not socially compatible, they’re not like us!”
Traditional Wedges – “They’re not doing it the way my grand parents used to do it.”
Sexist Wedges – It has become unpopular to be married to the same person for life – It makes you unpopular if you refuse to embrace homosexuality as an accepted lifestyle. – Hating someone because they are a man or hating someone simply because they are a woman.
e. Each one of these “Wedges” can be found in this congregation this morning.
f. The “ROOTS” of these “Wedges” are found in Satan alone.
II. A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENEMY.
a. God has ALLOWED us to face a SITUATION that has been so bad that we have realized we can’t handle it with our abilities.
b. God didn’t CAUSE it to happen – We DID! – The further we move away from God the further we move from HIS helping & protecting hand.
c. Before September 11 this year there were PLENTY of American Flags to be purchased, but NOW they have be bought up by the hundreds of thousands.
d. Last week I drove from the East Cost to Westmoreland and saw the American flag on stores, cars, motorcycles, houses, campers, etc.
e. In the last few days I have seen on the marquees of businesses, churches, and stores the words, “God Bless America” – “Pray for our country.”
f. WHY? – There’s something deep in the heart of the American people that knows to turn to God when things get too bad for us to HANDLE.
g. We have to turn to a “Higher Power” than “US” for STRENGTH, UNDERSTANDING, and HELP!
h. The ENEMY that has ATTACKED us is a “Religious Enemy” that thinks he is doing God’s will. – The same as the ones who “Crucified” Jesus Christ.”
i. This “Different Kind of Enemy” fights with “Satanic Tactics” – This ENEMY identifies himself by his tactics. (Satan)
III. THE CALL FROM THE THRONE ROOM OF GOD.
a. God is calling His people TOGETHER!
b. When we come together in God’s Love nothing will be impossible for us to accomplish. Gen. 11:6 “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.”
In a Peanuts cartoon Lucy demanded that Linus change TV channels, threatening him with her fist if he didn’t. ["What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?]" asks Linus.
["These five fingers,"] says Lucy. "Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold."
"Which channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can’t you guys get organized like that?"
c. Isa. 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
d. Amos 3:3 “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?”
e. Acts 2:1 “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place..”
f. Acts 3:1 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.” (What were the RESULTS?)
g. The Holy Spirit BIRTHS “Togetherness.”
CONCLUSION:
Lord Nelson of England was about to enter an important battle. He heard that two of his officers were at odds with each other. He called them in and said, Gentlemen, give me your hands. The two captains put their hands in the Commander’s hands, and he squeezed them with a tight grip. Men, he said, Remember the ENEMY is OUT THERE!
The story is told of a time when a little child in an African tribe wandered off into the tall jungle grass and could not be found, although the tribe searched all day.
The next day the tribal members all held hands and walked through the grass together.
This enabled them to find the child, but due to the cold night he had not survived.
In her anguish and through tears, the mother cried, "If only we would have held hands sooner."
It is not enough that we all share a common goal.
We must all work together to accomplish it without hesitation.
Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when all of a sudden both sides were filled with Native American warriors on horses, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, "What are we going to do?" Tonto replied, "What you mean ’we,’ Whiteman?"
Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look at what they can do when they stick together.
