First Baptist Church, Stillwater – Newsletter for the week of Nov. 2nd, 2025

“Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built.” 

(- Genesis 11:4-5, ESV)  

It is a cliche in tv shows and movies that an actor who is tiresome and a little dimwitted, asks the director: “what’s my motivation?” The question stems from the idea that the actor has not read the full-character arc of the script and is wondering why their character is doing what they are doing. It’s a silly trope, but it can actually be helpful when applied to self-reflection. Why do we do what we do? What’s our motivation? 

In the story of the tower of Babel, the builders (ancient Babylonians) are undertaking this project in order to gain fame, power, and security. Verse 4 gives the motivation as: “let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed…” The narrative sets up the Babylonians as arrogant and against the command of God to “be fruitful and multiply.” To the builders, the tower represents strength, security, and fame. In 2025, we are not too far from the thinking of the ancient Babylonians. Most of our political, social, and sadly at times even our church culture can be summed up in the motives that the Babylonian builders embody: “Let’s make a name for ourselves!” “There’s strength in numbers!” “Let’s project our awesome might and ingenuity!” 

 In September 2023, a poll showed that 57% of Gen Z (born 1995-2010) want to be social media influencers. An influencer is one who uses online media to gain “likes,” “followers,” and “subscribers.” It’s never been easier for someone to make a name for themselves. Some of the most popular “influencers” are just young couples living their lives; albeit, heavily sponsored lives showing unrealistic living standards for couples in their 20s. 

 This tower building project does not go unnoticed by God. In fact, verse 5 tells us that God had to “come down” to see the tower. (Some scholars note this is a literary joke showing that despite such a large undertaking, God still has to condescend to their level.) Despite the work, despite the claim for fame, despite the numbers: the tower builders haven’t done much of anything. God still has to come down. So, God does disperse them. His purpose isn’t that humans are huddled together in a small community, but that rather the world would be full of His children. This is a seeming paradox. One the one hand we are called to be communal people, in fellowship with one another (the church). Yet, we are also a sent people (see the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20). 

 So how do we reconcile our gathering and scattering state? We check our motivation. We must recognize that before we commune, and before we are sent, we are worshippers. Our motivation is to seek God and praise Him for His goodness. That’s how we grow strong families, strong churches, and strong communities.

May it be so with us,

Matt

Announcements and Other Thoughts

• Build Nights resume this Sunday. Join us on Nov. 9th at 4:30 in the Fellowship Hall for our next Build Night. As always, please bring a dish to share. Everyone is invited to attend Build Nights!
• New groups launch at the end of this month. On Nov. 23rd we are launching a “Career” group for folks in the career age group. Matt and Debra Davis are leading this group. It will meet Sunday mornings at 9:30. We are also working on launching a youth Sunday School class. Please contact me for more details.  
• Operation Christmas Child – Shoe boxes are due back on Nov. 16th, let’s bless these kids!