God's Methods
The tower of Babel teaches us that methods matter just as much as motives.
Grace Church,
As we end our time in Genesis (for now! Stay tuned as we might return in the fall), we notice that Genesis 1-11 has a particular kind of pattern. It’s the story of fall and grace, sin and mercy, again and again. It begins with sheer grace in creation, before moving to the first fall. The grace then of God to turn Adam and Eve out of the garden is met with the fall of Cain. The mercy of God to disperse Cain is then met with the fall of man’s wickedness exemplified in the fallen angels (Nephilim) as they sin with human women. The mercy of God in the flood is met with the sin of Noah and Ham. The mercy of Shem and Japheth is followed by the fall of Babel, wherein God responds with mercy and grace in the confusion of language and the call of Abram.
All these narratives have in common the desire to do things without heed or obedience to God’s way in the world. It was against God’s way to trust a talking snake over the creator, to kill a brother, for angels to leave their position of authority, for Ham to uncover his father’s sin, for mankind to try to get to God by means of human ingenuity. Again and again we see a failure to come to God on his terms and to be patient enough to consider that his way might be better.
Before the flood of Noah, it’s clear that mankind had a heart problem, as his “thoughts and intentions were always evil continually.” But the failure to go God’s way is not simply a matter of the heart alone. It’s not just sinful motivations that crop up in us, causing us to forsake the way of God and go our own way. The tower of Babel teaches us that methods matter just as much as motives, and that the grace of God must be willing to both frustrate and correct our hearts and the work of our hands. Francis Schaefer explains it clearly in his sermon “The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way”.
Is it not amazing: though we know the power of the Holy Spirit can be ours, we still ape the world’s wisdom, trust its forms of publicity and its noise, and imitate its ways of manipulating men! If we try to influence the world by using its methods, we are doing the Lord’s work in the flesh. If we put activity, even good activity, at the center rather than trusting God, then there may be the power of the world, but we will lack the power of the Holy Spirit.
The key question is this: As we work for God in this fallen world, what are we trusting in? To trust in particular methods is to copy the world and to remove ourselves from the tremendous promise that we have something different—the power of the Holy Spirit rather than the power of human technique.
As we move this upcoming Sunday into a new study on prayer through the Psalms, we have an opportunity to stop “aping” the world’s methods and move away from the world’s technique. The method of God’s glory is not human ingenuity or effectiveness or efficiency. It’s not doing the next thing in the fastest way possible. It’s not innovation for the sake of innovation, or “get on the bus or get run over”. God’s methods for building his kingdom are slow and deliberate, and we discover them in the practice of patient prayer.
So my prayer is that as we move on from the story of humanity in Genesis and into a summer in the Psalms, is that we would move from a revelation of our need for grace into an intimate cry for God to give it.
I’ll see you Sunday,
Pastor Drake
New Sermon Series
Psalms: The Poetry of Prayer
We are joyfully expectant to spend our summer in the Psalms as we consider how the variety of expression in the Psalter helps us to pray. In the vast poetry of Psalms, we find prayers of praise, lament, expectation, longing, repentance, vengeance, thanksgiving, obedience, testimony, and more. Join us as we devotionally unpack various psalms and long for a life of prayer that is Biblical, beautiful, and bountiful.
Varied Grace Campaign
// Pledges due May 17
Varied Grace is our vision plan for the next five years as we mature as a church and prepare for mission. Don’t forget to begin the process of praying and discerning how God is calling you to contribute so we can prepare for fruitful maturity, ministry, and sending. Pledges were due May 17, but there is still time to mark your pledge, which will help our pastors as we plan and prepare for the giving campaign and begin any work of the vision.
Jonathan Kelber, Elder Candidate
If you are not already aware, we are happy to publicly announce Jonathan Kelber as a candidate for the office of pastor/elder. Jonathan has been fully affirmed by our pastors and our member vote of affirmation will take place in July. His personal and theological questionnaire has been sent to our members.
Jonathan is eager in particular to serve our church in caring for our missionaries and helping to help raise up new workers to long-term missions. If you missed the Q&A, but would like to ask Jonathan a question (theological, personal, about missions or ministry), you can also submit a question using the form below.
Last Sunday at Grace
Pastor Drake preached Genesis 11:1-32. In the story of Babel, we find an example of what happens when we are driven not by the desire for the world to bear the name of Christ but the world to bear our own name. Godless ambition is seeking glory through dependence—but in God’s mercy he frustrates our best laid plans and comes down to meet us in Christ, drawing us back to himself.
Next Sunday May 24, 2026
Pentecost Sunday | Psalm 100 | Drake Osborn
Set List
Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
My God Is All I Need (My God Is So Big)
Jesus Thank You
All Glory Be To Christ
Let The People Praise (Psalm 67)
Follow Our Playlist on Spotify!
Prayer
// Every Monday, 7:15am
Anyone is welcome for a time of prayer at the church office, every Monday at 7:15am. We pray through The Daily Liturgy, our church prayer book.
The Daily Liturgy is also available in a daily web/digital format, including an audio reading.
If you are interested in a hard copy of prayer liturgies for every day, please contact jake@gracewaco.com.
Grace Institute Registration Now Open!
// Class Begins August 24
Grace Institute is a year-long course that provides theological formation, personal spiritual development, and leadership training for members of Grace Network churches. The program’s curriculum is aimed at helping men and women grow in their love for God, Scripture, and His mission. To learn more, click here.
See you Sunday!
Equipping Hour | 9am
Corporate Worship | 10am
4610 Bosque Blvd
Waco, Tx 76710